Our Story

Terry's Kitchen ~ Fresh Japanese
Made for Mortlake

The Issen is run by Terry, a chef with over 20 years of experience across Sydney's restaurant scene. For the past decade, Japanese cuisine has been his focus, the precision it demands, the quality of the ingredients it relies on, and the way a great bowl of ramen or a carefully prepared sashimi platter can make someone genuinely happy. When the opportunity came to take over The Issen two years ago, it felt like the right fit: a neighbourhood restaurant, a local community, and a kitchen he could make his own.

Terry's approach is straightforward: source fresh ingredients, keep the menu honest, and make sure the prices don't put people off. Good Japanese food shouldn't be reserved for special occasions. Whether you're stopping in for a quick donburi after work or settling in for a full spread of sushi and sashimi with the family, the goal is the same: to send you home satisfied, not surprised by the bill.

One of Terry's favourite things about running The Issen is simply getting to know the people who walk through the door. He's built relationships with regulars, learned what the locals love, and genuinely cares about being a good part of the Mortlake community. If you've got feedback, he wants to hear it. If you've got a group booking or a special request, come and have a chat. The Issen is here for the neighbourhood, and Terry plans to keep it that way.