Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne CBD
In this hushed and windowless room, all focus is on the practised movement of sushi master Koichi Minamishima. Details are key, from the silent gliding doors to the baskets provided for guests’ handbags. The 10-piece omakase experience might offer South Australian oysters, steamed then chilled and draped in glistening kombu, or the simple perfection of wagyu-like tuna belly. Little Ramen Baris on the smaller side when it comes to Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. The menu makes decision-making easy and the $7 Sapporo Draught on tap makes it one of our top cheap eats.
Along side are the more common dishes they have some interesting Asian fusion offerings, including their popular ‘sushi tacos’. Why no one else has done this before, we’ve no idea – they really work. Apart from its in-house menu, Tansawa offers catering for events and special fancy sushi restaurants occasions as well as Omakase tasting. These are great options for anyone looking to host a unique event. In addition, this Japanese eatery specialises in offering plenty of takeaway style food. This is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal.
The seafood teppanyaki here contains fish, scallop, prawns, mussels and squid, all prepared to your liking. Alternatively, you can try the garlic prawn teppanyaki, featuring juicy prawns cooked in garlic butter. Serving up all aspects of Japanese cuisine, including a varied seafood teppanyaki, Matsumoto is a great place to visit if your party has varying tastes.
The sleek venue seats over 100 guests, but the most sought after spots are at the kitchen bar, where you’ll get a close-up view of chefs working the grills. Since moving from Port Melbourne to a larger, more modern space in South Melbourne, Komeyui has further distinguished itself as a premier spot for sushi. The restaurant’s centrepiece is a gleaming, 12-seat counter from which they serve an eight course omakase menu, comprising the day’s best nigiri bookended by fancy snacks like lobster sandos and steamed crab pudding. More casual but equally delicious, the à la carte menu offers your choice of stunningly fresh sashimi, sushi and grilled meats alongside an extensive sake list.
This Japanese restaurant offers a relaxed and intimate atmosphere for a memorable dining experience. Aya Teppanyaki prides themselves on having some of the most dynamic teppanyaki chefs in Melbourne. They have set menus and a la carte options, so you can choose a vegetarian meal if preferred. The Kodomo Set has been specially designed for kids 12yo and under, and costs $38 per head.
Soar up to the 35th floor of the Sofitel and emerge in a traditional Japanese izakaya. Pair a whiskey flight with moorish bar snacks like chicken yakitori, okonomiyaki and Japanese potato salad. Find Chef Hideki Matsuda bringing the flavours of Japan toThe Atrium on 35from 22 February to 5 March. Being almost impossible to find, and seating just 12 people, Hajime is definitely at the expensive end of the range. This is a real tempura house, and the quality of these morsels of magic compared to some of the Japanese available in Melbourne is like the difference between line-caught bluefin tuna and the fish John West rejects. Those craving late-night Melbourne noodle fixes head to Musashi Ramen on Russell Street in the heart of the CBD.
The chef’s table gives customers an opportunity to experience the skills and techniques of the masterchef. The table has twelve seats and offers guests a multi course menu. In Japan "yaki" refers to ingredients that have been grilled, hence "Teppanyaki". If discreet fine dining with dramatic Japanese flair is on your wish list, enter the world of Akaiito. Dark and moody, lit by a rosy ribbon of light overhead, it’s tailor-made for clandestine catch-ups. Take your seat by the show kitchen to watch as the robata chefs and sushi masters prepare your eight-course set menu.
Sit up at the kitchen bar and watch the chefs work their magic where only the finest ingredients are accepted, from Japan’s purest wagyu beef to the best French Chablis. They include seafood, beef, chicken and lamb, but there is a vegetarian set. With a strong dedication to providing his guests with an enjoyable experience through the art of sushi, each minute detail is extensively catered for. Fresh local produce is used whenever possible to bring the strong traditional flavours of Japan straight to your plate. Their omakase menu offers an elegant selection of handcrafted nigiri sushi that effortlessly showcases Minamishima’s expertise and technique.
Made in-house daily, these thin, springy wheat noodles are the perfect vehicle for their silky, aromatic tonkotsu soups. Toppings range from miso-simmered beef to fresh seafood, and even vegans are looked after with a meat-free chashu. Some of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne are well worth splurging on, and IMA Project is no exception. Australian and Japanese DNA intertwine in this beautiful and bright Carlton café, where a former Sake chef and interior designer have joined forces to create a wholesome menu with an eco-conscious heart. Established in 1985, Ginza in Chinatown offers a ‘Benihana-esque’ style of teppanyaki, combining food preparation with entertainment and theatrics.