Age.3, a Japanese fried sandwich shop, opened in Ultimo, Sydney, on 25 March 2025. The concept originated at Fruits Sand Three, a classic Japanese fruit sandwich shop in Kama, Fukuoka. When head chef Kōhei Matsushita’s fried sandwiches gained widespread popularity, the team launched a dedicated store—Age.3—in Tōkyō’s Ginza district.

Age.3 is known for its viral fried sandwiches, offering both savoury and sweet options. Pronounced “ah-geh-san,” the name plays on ageru (揚げる), meaning “to deep-fry,” while “san” represents both the number three and a nod to “sando.” Each sandwich features a diagonally cut slice of shokupan, fried to a golden crisp, then slit open to form a pocket and generously filled with the chosen flavour.

With two-hour queues on opening day, the wait time had thankfully reduced to 50 minutes three days later, followed by an additional 10-minute wait for orders to be prepared.

Whipped Cream ($3.00 for opening week, usually $6.00)

The whipped cream was light, stable, mildly sweet, and not overly rich, which helped balance the fried bread’s richness. The bread itself was crisp, though the edges were slightly oily. Despite the contrast between the cream’s sweetness and the savoury fried bread, the overall experience felt somewhat one-dimensional. While enjoyable at the discounted price, it would not be worth the full price.

Grilled Cheese Curry ($12.50)

This sandwich resembled a well-filled curry pan (without meat), with the addition of grilled cheese providing a pleasant surprise. The seared top lent a smoky depth to the cheese curds, while the curry was generously portioned, well-spiced without being spicy, and required a spoon initially to remove some filling before the sandwich could be eaten comfortably. By the final bites, the bread’s centre had softened slightly, though the edges remained crisp. Overall, this was far more enjoyable than the whipped cream sandwich.

Hōjicha Latte ($9.50)

This beverage had good fragrant hōjicha flavour, creamy with minimal grit. However, while the richness of the milk provided a smooth mouthfeel, it also left a pronounced milky aftertaste that detracted from the overall balance. The sweetness was well-judged, allowing the roasted tea notes to come through clearly. That said, there are more refined hōjicha lattes available—those from Edition Roasters or Cha-no-wa, for instance, offer greater nuance and depth.

Age.3’s savoury offerings were the highlight, while the sweet options lacked the same appeal. A return visit for the savoury sandwiches would be worthwhile, but the sweet ones are best skipped for now.

Age.3 is located at Shop 92, 732 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007.