Unlike Italian and Vietnamese food, Japanese food in Melbourne does not have a strong cultural foundation. The end of World War II and the Vietnam War, however, prompted many people from those countries to relocate to the United States in search of a fresh start. The migration of Japanese to Australia has been steady despite its slow pace.
However, the fact that Japanese food is still one of the city's most sought-after options says a lot about its one-of-a-kind appeal among Melbourne residents. You can splurge on a multicourse lunch with the sushi chef's original creations at any number of high-end eateries. Even so, the area of "sophisticated casual" is where Melbourne truly shines.
There is a Japanese restaurant in the area that will suit your needs, whether you want a quick bowl of ramen, an exquisite omakase or kaiseki experience, a boisterous yakitori bar, or a rowdy basement izakaya stuffed with sakes and rare whiskies. Japanese cuisine, whatever tasty it may be, will never become mainstream in Melbourne. Nonetheless, it is highly desirable throughout the colder months, when hearty noodle soups and ramen are prefered, and during the warmer months, when sushi and sashimi are the only foods you want to eat. Sushi, sashimi, sake, and other delicacies from Japan may be found here, all prepared to the highest standards. If you want to dine with Hollywood's finest at one of Melbourne's many outstanding Japanese restaurants or find a cosy inn-style café, you've come to the right place.
Minamishima
It's not simple to pick the best Japanese restaurant in Melbourne. Six or more restaurants have a shot at competing for the crown. On the other hand, even in 2020, this one is still a top contender. Minamishima in Richmond offers omakase from chef Koichi Minamishima. He has been making sashimi for 30 years, making him an expert. Everything is made to order, one by one, with meticulous attention to detail. Here, we confidently utilise superlatives like "Melbourne's best sushi."
Minamishima is widely regarded as one of the finest sushi restaurants in Melbourne. The sushi master here is Kenzan alum Koichi Minamishima, while the sommelier is Flower Drum alum Randolph Cheung.
Kazuki's
There is no mistaking that Chef Kazuki Tsuya, a native of the northern Japanese prefecture of Akita who has been schooled in traditional French techniques, is responsible for the dishes served here. While there are many ways to enjoy Kazuki's, we recommend spending about $200 per person on the seven-course tasting menu (without wine pairing).
The restaurant Kazuki's, run by chef Kazuki Tsuya and his wife Saori, relocated to Lygon Street from Daylesford a number of years ago. Kazuki's is rooted in the Japanese custom of "Omotenashi," which means "hospitality with an attitude," and describes the restaurant's warm and welcoming service. They provide a seasonal à la carte menu as well as a set tasting menu, so whether you're hungry or just inquisitive, you'll find something to your liking at this restaurant.
Ishizuka
The kaiseki menu is the hallmark of Ishizuka, a Japanese restaurant. In our commitment-averse culture, it may take some convincing to sign up for a $285 per person, 10-plus-course, two-plus-hour parade of miniature dishes. However, Ishizuka is well worth the effort put in to discover it.
Ishizuka is the place to be if you have a taste for the finer things in life. This is one fine dining establishment where the quality of the food matches its reputation. The eleven incomparable dishes that make up the nightly set menu rotate with the seasons and the day of the week. Funny thing is, every night they only have sixteen people eat there. It's best to plan ahead if you want to get married in 2020, as popular dates book up quickly.
Komeyui Japanese Restaurant
While the general public may not be familiar with Komeyui, Japanese culinary aficionados will experience a pang of protectiveness if you introduce them to this hidden gem. There are only a few tables, but the sea urchin and sake degustations are highly sought after, and the sushi is both reasonably priced and expertly made.
Tempura Hajime
Hajime is on the pricier end of the scale because it is so hard to find and can only accommodate a dozen diners at a time. But make no mistake, you've arrived at a legitimate tempura restaurant. These magical morsels are of a higher calibre than some of the Japanese in Melbourne, which is like comparing line-caught bluefin tuna to the fish John West rejects.
Torissong
Chef Jinwook Park created this Japanese grill-focused restaurant in the off-Lygon sector of Queensberry Street, right next door to Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie, which anchors the same apartment complex, and adding some excellent bar bites to a thriving restaurant district.
Supernormal
Tokyo's influence on Supernormal has spread to other Asian megacities like Seoul, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Notable menu mainstays include the New England lobster roll and the twice-cooked duck leg bao. Wagyu flank with kombu butter and Tropea onion is a classic, but the peanut butter parfait with salted caramel and soft chocolate is a modern delight that comes close to matching the standards.
The most well-known lobster roll in Melbourne may be found at Supernormal, Andrew McConnell's crown gem. Supernormal fare is always evolving, of course. It's always meant to be shared, so get up some pals (or a potential date) and order the duck bao, whole snapper in scorched butter sauce, wild watercress and shaved kombu, beef tartare, and everything else you can fit.
Bincho Boss
At Bincho Boss, the binchtan—a grill fueled by premium, dense Japanese charcoal—is the centre of the restaurant's culinary universe. Bincho Boss is an izakaya, and as such, its main focus is on alcohol consumption and the provision of insanely excellent appetisers that pair well with alcoholic beverages.
Shira Nui
If you're a fan of Japanese food, Shira Nui is well worth the half-hour drive from the city. Sashimi and nigiri, along with miso soup and salads, are available as lunch specials. If you're not in the mood to cook, get some sushi or split a platter with your pals. You'd better give a call and make a reservation soon, as their services are in high demand.
Ima Project Café
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Neko Neko
What if food that warms the belly could also be healthful and healthy, gratifying without tasting sedative? Please leave it to Neko Neko, a cosy café that has earned a dedicated following for its vegan and pescatarian Japanese home cooking. By omitting dairy and red meat, the crew substitutes veggies cooked, raw, and pickled along with an abundance of nuts and nutritious grains, transforming midweek dinners that would normally leave you feeling drowsy into lighter but no less satisfying meals.
Kisumé
Chris Lucas, the svengali behind Melbourne classics such as Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kong, and Baby, normally receives the kind of media attention usually reserved for retired members of the Royal Family. Everything you have heard about Kisumé, the three-story Japanese restaurant owned by the Lucas Group, is accurate, and then some.
Ganbare Kaz
Japanophiles, brace yourselves: Ganbare Kaz at the Windsor end of Chapel Street is poised to become your new place for inventive, top-tier sushi train, with affordable costs and a design that will impress even the most discerning hipsters.
Cibi
This café offers a straightforward and endearing approach to cooking, with a concentration on organic ingredients. On the Japanese breakfast plate, this unassuming jewel shines.
Future Future
This fashionable Richmond establishment advertises itself as a Japanese restaurant viewed through Melbourne's lens. It pays respect to traditional Japanese cuisine while incorporating modern aspects. Dine on a chef's dish and match it with a handcrafted cocktail or a glass of Japanese whisky.
Yakimono
If you enjoy your Japanese cuisine grilled to perfection, you will adore this new restaurant that specialises in fire. Yakimono is the idea of owner Chris Lucas, who spent three years working and living in Japan and investigating their late-night izakaya restaurants prior to its opening at the tail end of 2020. This Japanese restaurant is located in the heart of Melbourne's fashion district, and both its cuisine and interior design are undeniably chic.
Ichi Ni Na Na
At Ichi Ni Na Na, enjoy wafu-seasoned wagyu beef tartare with pickled shallots, radish, shiso, and croutons, freshly-caught sashimi salads, and charcoal-grilled king prawns with yakitori sauce. Cleanse your palate with a beverage from the Rooftop Bar. At one of Melbourne's most popular Japanese restaurants on Fitzroy's bustling Brunswick Street, you're in for a memorable evening.
FAQs About Japanese Food
You will easily find many delicious types of Japanese food in Melbourne, from the classics such as sushi, ramen and takoyaki to the fancier dishes such as scallop nigiri, tempura sea urchin and beautifully marbled Japanese wagyu.
In Japan, "omakase" means that the customer leaves the details to order to the shop. Ordering up an "omakase" in sushi is quite straightforward - where Who may arbitrarily place ingredients on a plate.
As many course menus tend to be, omakase sushi tends to be more expensive due to the many dishes you're provided with and the quality. There are also set menus and set price omakase places, where both the menu and the price are already determined for the day.
Omakase is considered a request for a wonderful meal. If you're looking to save money, omakase isn't the way to go. Nevertheless, it usually represents an excellent value. You have trusted the chef; this should be reciprocated with the best of everything at a value price.
No, the Omakase is a set menu and includes only a small amount of cooked dishes. Quan D. The experience is thrilling! But if she does not eat raw fish, this would not be a good choice for her.
Don Don
In 2020 Melbourne, one of the best Japanese eateries is Don Don, where you may get your hands on some chicken katsu curry almost as soon as you place your order. Many lunchtime diners enjoy keeping score of how long it takes to take the chargrilled chicken off the grill and cover it in curry sauce. Scholars and working adults alike love Don Don. Grab a bento box from the chaos that is Don Don's kitchen, hidden behind black shutters, and take it over to the State Library Lawn for a relaxing picnic.
Robata Japanese Grill
The San Telmo Group's new business, Robata Japanese Grill, marks their first foray into Japanese territory. From the end of the lockdown in Melbourne, they will offer two set menu options for dinner and one for lunch, including fresh sashimi, grilled skewer-based meals, pork katsu, wagyu beef, pork belly, and many more. Regarding beverages, we're eager to sample their toasted sesame whisky highball.
Teppanyaki Inn
Teppanyaki Inn has been Melbourne's go-to for "artfully" hurled eggs at your face well, bowl since 1976. They were the first to build a teppanyaki restaurant in Australia, therefore the food is guaranteed to be the freshest and most delicious you'll find anywhere in the world. Reserve a table at Teppanyaki Inn if you're in the mood for some delicious fried rice and Moreton Bay Bugs. You must make a reservation for the weekend, and if you wait, you will miss out.
Ippudo
IPPUDO is the apex of ramen restaurants, and you must add it to your list before checking it off. Vegetable soba topped with fried mushrooms and sautéed tomato is also available, in addition to chicken ramen. Find IPPUDO on Artemis lane in QV by following the ramen fragrances or the throng to this Japanese restaurant institution.
Gogyo
In terms of Japanese eateries north of Melbourne, Gogyo merits consideration. Their hallmark dish, charred miso ramen, is unlike anything else on the menu, and their hotter options deliver a punch (for a flavorful knockout, order the karaka-men bowl) IPPUDO, located in Japan, has been selling ramen in Japan for many years, and now they own Gogyo, so you know you're getting a quality bowl of ramen when you place an order.
Niku Ou
Bento, sushi, and sashimi are available at Niku Ou, but wagyu is a must-order for at least a few reasons. Several items are offered uniquely at Niku Ou in Australia, including the number-one wagyu in the world, Japanese Kobe beef. If you're in the mood to splurge, try their $225 gold leaf wagyu sandwich. It deserves every bite.
Deneke
Never think for a second that we have ignored Melbourne's northern suburbs. You are fortunate to have Deneke so close to your home. It is a rock 'n' roll izakaya bar, and the atmosphere alone is worth a visit (imagine Star Wars vintage meets Japanese motorcycle gang; trust us, it works). The entire menu is excellent (really, really excellent), but we recommend the Deneke garage and the soft shell crab tempura. Don't forget to accompany it with a selection of delicious sakes. Ask the gentleman behind the bar which spirits pair nicely with your meal if you are uncertain.
Marble Yakiniku
Marble Yakiniku is a steak house, as its name suggests. Step into the refined world of traditional Japanese cuisine, complete with cosy corners for sake tastings and an extensive menu featuring tender cuts of wagyu beef. Each dish is presented in a unique wooden bento box, grilled at the table, and finally placed on a clean plate. In the suburbs, but well worth the drive, is a steak paradise.
Conclusion
Japanese cuisine in Melbourne lacks the cultural anchorage of other cuisines like Italian and Vietnamese. Although it is not the only choice in the city, it is nonetheless highly sought for. We've compiled a list of the best ten Japanese eateries in Melbourne, covering everything from omakase to izakaya. Omotenashi, or "hospitality with an attitude," is a traditional Japanese practise that serves as the inspiration for Kazuki's. The time spent exploring Ishizuka will be well spent.
Hajime is more expensive than average because it is difficult to obtain and has a limited capacity (it can only seat 12 people at a time). Dishes like the New England lobster roll and the twice-cooked duck leg bao are always popular. Neko Neko serves traditional Japanese cuisine that is suitable for vegans and pescatarians. The Lucas Group runs the three-story Japanese restaurant Kisumé. If you're looking for a new spot to enjoy creative, high-quality sushi train, look no farther than Ganbare Kaz.
When you're in Melbourne in the year 2020, don't miss out on Don Don, one of the city's finest Japanese restaurants. Don Don's kitchen provides delicious bento boxes, perfect for a leisurely picnic. Robata Japanese Grill, the San Telmo Group's newest venture, is the company's first venture into the Japanese market. Each meal (dinner and lunch) will come with a choice between two different set menus. If you're looking for the pinnacle of ramen, look no farther than IPPUDO.
Melbourne locals and visitors alike have been flocking to Teppanyaki Inn since 1976 to have eggs "artfully" thrown at their faces. As a Japanese restaurant, Gogyo deserves some of your time if you live up north of Melbourne. If you're looking for an izakaya with a rock & roll vibe, look no farther than Deneke. Try something from their large menu, and you'll feel like you've entered a world of sophisticated traditional Japanese food.
Content Summary
- Japanese cuisine in Melbourne lacks the cultural roots of other cuisines such as Italian and Vietnamese.
- It may be slow, but the constant flow of Japanese to Australia is undeniable.
- That Japanese cuisine is still one of Melbourne's most popular choices, though, speaks volumes about its one-of-a-kind allure.
- Whether you're in the mood for a quick bowl of ramen, an exquisite omakase or kaiseki experience, a lively yakitori bar, or a raucous basement izakaya stocked with sakes and rare whiskies, there's a Japanese restaurant in the region to meet your demands.
- No matter how delicious it is, Japanese food will never be a staple in Melbourne.
- Minamishima
- Choosing the best Japanese eatery in Melbourne might be a challenge.
- Chef Koichi Minamishima of Richmond's Minamishima serves omakase.
- Kazuki's offers a wide variety of dining options, but the seven-course tasting menu is worth the extra $200 per person (without wine pairing).
- Chef Kazuki Tsuya and his wife Saori moved their restaurant Kazuki's from Daylesford to Lygon Street a while back.
- Ishizuka Located in Japan, Ishizuka is renowned for its kaiseki food.
- The Japanese Cuisine of Komeyui Though most people outside of Japan have never heard of Komeyui, those who are well-versed in Japanese cuisine will feel a twinge of jealousy if you share this little-known treasure with them.
- Supernormal Cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, and Shanghai have all felt the Supernormal impact of Tokyo.
- Dishes like the New England lobster roll and the twice-cooked duck leg bao are always popular.
- Perhaps Andrew McConnell's crown jewel, Supernormal, serves Melbourne's best lobster roll.
- At Bincho Boss, everything is cooked on the binchtan, a grill that burns a special kind of dense Japanese charcoal.
- Ashira Nui
- Shira Nui is fantastic if you like Japanese cuisine and are willing to travel around half an hour outside of the city.
- Neko Neko, a cosy café known for its vegan and pescatarian Japanese home cooking, will take care of everything.
- The media usually saves its attention for retired members of the Royal Family, but Chris Lucas, the svengali behind Melbourne icons like Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kong, and Baby, gets treated like a celebrity.
- The three-story Japanese restaurant Kisumé owned by the Lucas Group lives up to all the hype.
- Put simply, it's Ganbare Kaz Fans of Japan, get ready: Ganbare Kaz, located at the Windsor end of Chapel Street, is set to become your new go-to spot for creative, high-quality sushi train, thanks to its reasonable prices and hipster-approved decor.
- Cibi The cuisine at this charming café is uncomplicated and hearty, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced organic produce.
- Always Looking Into The Future This trendy eatery in Richmond bills itself as a Japanese experience through the eyes of Melburnians.
- It incorporates certain contemporary touches while still paying homage to traditional Japanese food.
- Enjoy a cocktail made to order or a glass of Japanese whisky with your chef-prepared meal.
- Yakimono This new restaurant is a must-try if you like your Japanese food grilled to perfection.
- For three years, owner Chris Lucas worked and lived in Japan, exploring late-night izakaya eateries in preparation for Yakimono's late-2020 opening.
- This is not a good idea. Wagyu beef tartare with pickled shallots, radish, shiso, and croutons is served with wafu seasoning at Ichi Ni Na Na, along with sashimi salads made from freshly caught fish and king prawns roasted over charcoal and doused in yakitori sauce.
- On Fitzroy's lively Brunswick Street, you'll find one of Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants, and you're in for a night to remember.
- Please, sir, I need some more of that Don You may get your hands on some chicken katsu curry nearly immediately after placing an order at Don Don, one of the greatest Japanese restaurants in Melbourne in the year 2020.
- Don Don is popular among both students and working adults.
- Traditional Japanese Grilling on a Robata Robata Japanese Grill, the San Telmo Group's newest venture, is the company's first venture into the Japanese market.
- Fresh sashimi, grilled skewer-based dinners, pork katsu, wagyu beef, pork belly, and many more will all be available on two different set menus once the lockdown in Melbourne is lifted.
- If you're craving fried rice and Moreton Bay Bugs, make a reservation at Teppanyaki Inn.
- Weekend reservations are required, and those who wait risk missing out.
- Ippudo If you're serious about ramen, IPPUDO must be on your list.
- Gogyo Gogyo deserves attention as one of the best Japanese restaurants north of Melbourne.
- Niku Ou serves bento boxes, sushi, and sashimi, but the wagyu is what you need to get.
- Niku Ou in Australia is the only place you can get the best wagyu in the world—Japanese Kobe beef—among other things.
- The gold leaf wagyu sandwich is $225, if you're feeling extravagant.
- Deneke Don't ever assume for a second that we have forgotten about the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
- How convenient for you that Deneke lives in such close proximity to you.
- Yakiniku with a Marble Top
- Steak is the speciality at Marble Yakiniku, as the name would imply.
