For years, Woden was seen as the epitome of Canberra's suburban boredom, with its big office blocks, concrete expanses, and lack of a lake. But the area has undergone a dramatic transformation, with abandoned office buildings turned into trendy apartments and a new vibrancy that brings people out after 5pm. This change has brought a wave of quality dining options, including Dada, an Asian fusion restaurant that has become a standout in the evolving town centre.
Dada, located near the long-standing Space Kitchen, offers an eight-step tasting menu for $86 per person (minimum two). The restaurant's minimal yet welcoming dining room sets the stage for dishes that blend flavors and textures in surprising ways. A standout is the peach dish, served with almond-hazelnut ricotta, sweet soy glaze, and basil ($17), which debuted on the menu recently. The sweetness of the peach and the ricotta's texture play off the basil's tang, creating a flavor alchemy that transcends its simple presentation.
The rice bread, served first with whipped brown ghee butter and later with duck liver pate, mulled wine syrup, and apple gel, is a highlight. Totally gluten-free, it challenges perceptions of what gluten-free bread can taste like. The smoky salmon tartare with crab chips offers a balanced bite and creamy texture, while the prawn croquette topped with Sriracha mayo and avruga caviar exemplifies fusion cooking's versatility. The rice cake skewer, served with sweet sour chilli sauce and cashew, proved divisive—some found it too chewy, while others praised its texture.
The striploin steak, cut into chopstick-friendly slivers and cooked rare, is complemented by Vietnamese chimichurri, letting the ingredients shine. The udon noodle with a 63-degree egg and chilli pork ragu is a bold fusion statement, with smooth noodles softening the ragu's heat. Dessert offers a choice between date pudding and Vietnamese coffee banoffee pie; the pie, with its extravagant sugar bomb base and dampened banana sweetness, is perfect for two. The drinks list is compact but well-constructed, with non-alcoholic options.
The name Dada, contrary to expectations of surrealist-inspired cuisine, comes from the Korean word 'da,' meaning 'all.' It reflects the proprietors' effort to create an inclusive menu for all dietary needs, a philosophy that permeates the restaurant with prompt and warm service. Dada has staked its claim in Woden's fast-changing landscape, proving that the area is now a destination for quality dining.
