Melbourne Japanese Restaurant Guide

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Mugen Ramen and Bar

Mugen’s thick, hand-made noodles and strong, dashi-flavoured soups make it a real standout. The recommended Tsukemen comes in 280g or 360g sizes and is served with either a warm or chilled soup to dip your noodles in, depending on the… Read More

shimbashi soba & sake bar

Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar

Melbourne’s only hand-made soba noodle restaurant, Shimbashi uses freshly-milled Tasmanian buckwheat to form its signature ngredient. Now in its second year of operation, the expanded menu offers treats like Salmon Salad Soba and Pork Belly Salad. Lunch sets are around… Read More

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Shujinko

Shujinko means hero or heroine in Japanese, and that’s because Melbourne’s first 24-hour ‘Tokyo Tonkotsu’-style ramen restaurant wants to make you the star. Its motto is, “Put your heart into the noodles and your love into the soup” and as… Read More

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Gaijin Japanese Fusion

Gaijin offers a refreshing twist on traditional sushi. Where else can you get rolls like the Baked Dynamite or Spider Vs Dragon? There’s also a tapas menu with lighter fare, like the Salmon Tartare, and more substantial dishes like Beef… Read More

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Tempura HAJIME

Owner-chef Yoshihara-san brings 20 years of experience in Osaka and Melbourne to his sushi and tempura dishes. A true Japanese-style hole-in-the-wall, Tempura Hajime has only 12 seats along a counter and dishes only use seasonal ingredients. The traditional cooking methods… Read More

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Izakaya Hachibeh

“If you make delicious food, customers will come”. So says Izakaya Hachibeh owner Saitoh-san. And they’ve been coming for almost five years now, so he must be doing something right. Being an Izakaya, it’s not just delicious food, though -… Read More

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Aoba Japanese Cafe

Opened seven years ago in Malvern, Aoba’s authentic flavours and homely atmosphere have made it a local favourite. Chef Taguchi boasts 20 years’ experience and produces nearly everything himself. The bento boxes are the go – particularly the Aoba Box… Read More

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Wagaya

Accessed via the Chinatown-side elevator in the MidCity Arcade, Wagaya feels just like a Japanese izakaya. With its spacious interior and booth-style tables, it’s perfect for couples and groups of friends, and with its karaoke room and balcony, Wagaya is… Read More

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Chocolate Buddha

Want to enjoy delicious Japanese food with your friends while enjoying some of the best views of Melbourne available? Chocolate Buddha is your next destination. Located in the heart of Melbourne – Federation Square – this large format eatery is… Read More

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Akatombo

Akatombo is only small, but that just reinforces the impression that chef Kageyama-san favours quality over quantity. No dish goes out unless he is satisfied with it, and the restaurant’s loyal following reflects that. Using local ingredients, Kageyama-san transforms them… Read More