From Japan to Newcastle: Meet the new food truck serving a taste of home

Cruising down Maitland Road, tucked beside Beaumont Street’s Planet Islington, sits a floral-pink food truck. Japanese music and delicate flavours fill the air as JapaNewy owner Rio Kavanagh preps for the morning rush. 

The venue has only been open for a few weeks, but it’s already drawing a steady stream of repeat customers looking for their Japanese morning pick-me-up.

For the past 11 years, Rio has called Newcastle home, and she’s now keen to share her love of traditional Japanese cooking with the community.

For Rio, JapaNewy is a first in many ways: her first business, her first time cooking professionally, and her first opportunity to share food connected to her Japanese roots with Novocastrians.

Newcastle is home to many incredible Japanese restaurants, but Rio saw an opportunity to showcase traditional Japanese food from someone who grew up with the cuisine. One of the standouts is her matcha latte, made using a recipe and techniques she learned at school in Tokyo, something Rio is incredibly proud to share.

She’s passionate about sharing her home country’s cuisine and culture with the Newcastle community, so much so that she decided to take the leap into business. Her love of Japanese food and long-held dream of owning a restaurant have fuelled her excitement to enter the food industry.

Cooking runs in Rio’s family, starting with her parents, who taught her and shared traditional recipes from an early age. Now, Rio is passing that tradition on to her daughter, who helps out in JapaNewy’s kitchen from time to time.

Every detail of JapaNewy has been thoughtfully incorporated to make the van more than just a grab-and-go stop. A photo booth display invites customers to capture and share their JapaNewy experience, while the lucky tip jar doubles as a source of Japanese omikuji fortunes.

A side of advice and guidance for your future with your takoyaki lunch? Yes, please.

JapaNewy is more than a food truck; it’s a homage to Rio's Japanese roots and a chance to connect her two homes through food, culture and community.

What they’re DisHhing up

The JapaNewy menu has been designed to celebrate Japan’s food culture. From matcha to mochi, there’s plenty to satisfy your Japanese food cravings. Rio sources authentic Japanese ingredients, including Japanese mayonnaise and soy sauce, and brings in some specialty ingredients from Sydney.

The menu stays true to its Japanese roots, with minimal adaptation.

Our must-tries from the kitchen:

Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl

This wildly popular Japanese donburi is the perfect lunch go-to, leaving you feeling full and satisfied. Thin slices of tender Wagyu beef that melt in your mouth and freshly grilled veggies served over a warm bed of rice, then drizzled with a savoury-sweet soy and mirin sauce.

Japanese Gyoza

Handmade gyoza stuffed with seasoned minced pork and finely chopped vegetables, paired with an authentic dipping sauce. Crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle, these little parcels are a must-try.

Takoyaki

Tiny, piping-hot balls of battered heaven that start out crispy on the outside, then become pillowy soft inside, and are filled with tender octopus. Brushed with takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo, then finished with sprinkles of green laver and dried bonito. 

Onigiri

One of the fan favourites here at JapaNewy, this Japanese snack comes in two must-try flavours: miso peanut and tuna mayo. The miso peanut combines warm, fluffy rice with a savoury, sweet and nutty miso-peanut paste that’ll have you coming back for more.

Mini Cream Mochi

A bite-sized, sweet and chewy Japanese rice cake with a creamy centre. Choose from fruity strawberry or earthy matcha for the perfect little treat to finish your meal.

Hokkaido Crepe Cake

A delicately moist crepe cake made from ultra-thin crepe layers, filled with light, milky whipped cream. The perfect dessert pairing for your mochi. Two servings of dessert, why not?

Matcha Latte

The chef’s favourite item on the menu, Rio’s matcha recipe has been tried and tested, and you can definitely taste the care that goes into it. Organic matcha powder is whisked until smooth and frothy, then poured over your choice of milk. Creamy, smooth and subtly sweet, it’s the kind of drink you’ll be slurping until the last drop.

Yuzu Magic Lemonade

A sweet, colour-changing citrus drink that shifts from light pink to dark purple, combining tart Japanese yuzu juice with sparkling lemonade and indigo butterfly pea flower tea. How magical is that?

Apple Mango Lychee Smoothie

One of the most popular drinks on the menu, this fresh smoothie blends apple, mango and lychee for a fruity, refreshing pick-me-up.

What’s next for JapaNewy?

For now, Rio is focused on getting her new food truck off the ground, but this is just the beginning of her ambitious Japanese food journey in Newcastle.

A brick-and-mortar restaurant, a coffee shop, Japanese events, and maybe even a traditional hot spring are all on the cards for Rio and her business. She’s starting with a food truck, but her dreams are much bigger than the van itself.

Follow JapaNewy on Instagram and Facebook to see what Rio and the team are whipping up next!

The rundown

- A homage to Japan’s foodie culture
- Fresh, balanced and light flavours
- Traditional Japanese-inspired dishes and drinks $
- Gluten-free and vegetarian options
- The Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl, gyoza and matcha latte are must-tries

The DisHh features are booked anonymously and paid independently by HUNTERhunter. A restaurant cannot pay to be featured in The DisHh.