We had often passed The Loin King, its distinctive name standing out both on online maps and on the banner along Centenary Drive. Despite being tucked away in an industrial pocket of Homebush West, the consistently strong reviews and reasonable pricing for Japanese-style sandos were reason enough to visit.
Ebi Prawn & Egg Sando ($14.90)
This sando combined four crumbed prawns, smashed egg, cabbage, mild spicy chilli mayo, mustard spread, and honey between slices of soft Japanese bread. The balance of ingredients was excellent, with the bread remaining light and fluffy yet structurally sound, allowing the filling to take centre stage — an improvement over the denser, more dominant bread in Sandoitchi’s version. The prawns were crisp and juicy, contrasting with the creamy egg and the crunch of fresh cabbage. Well-executed and satisfying.
Chicken Katsu Sando ($13.90)
This version featured crumbed chicken thigh, cabbage, pork katsu sauce, mustard spread, and sesame dressing, again served on fluffy Japanese bread. The chicken had a notably crunchy coating and a tender, juicy interior, while the katsu sauce added a sweet-savoury depth that grounded the flavour profile. The cabbage provided freshness and crunch, and the bread, as with the ebi sando, was proportioned to support rather than overshadow. The mustard could have been more assertive, but the overall composition remained highly enjoyable.
A destination worth seeking out despite its industrial surroundings, The Loin King delivers well-balanced Japanese-style sandos with thoughtful ingredient ratios, textures, and pricing that make a return visit certain.
The Loin King is located at 42 Richmond Rd, Homebush West NSW 2140.