Mogu Mogu arrived in Sydney’s onigiri scene in mid-2024, adding to the growing selection. Located in Surry Hills, it’s not the most convenient spot for a weekday lunch trek. Fortunately, their onigiri is available at Thai Kee IGA in Haymarket and Mido Mart near Town Hall, where we had a chance to try it.
Teriyaki Salmon ($5.50)
The salmon portion was generous, but the teriyaki sauce overpowered the flavour and texture of the fish, giving it a resemblance to a standard teriyaki chicken dish. The sauce’s intensity masked the uniqueness of the salmon, making it seem like a cheaper protein, such as chicken, could have worked just as well.
Yuzu Pork Belly ($5.50)
This onigiri offered a generous portion of pork belly, with dry edges but a tender interior. The yuzu flavour was strong, paired with a sweet-savoury soy sauce. However, the sharp citrus notes of the yuzu clashed somewhat with the richness of the pork, creating a combination that felt off-balance. Warming it up might have helped.
While we appreciated the generous fillings, the overall execution didn’t leave a strong first impression compared to other more conveniently located options like Kura Kura Onigiri and Parami. That said, we’d be open to trying more flavours, especially if visiting their store for a fresher experience.
Mogu Mogu is located at 454 Cleveland St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.