Izakayas, Omakase Experiences, Convenience Stores and More: The Best New Japanese-Inspired Openings in Melbourne

If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s Sheet width Melbourne readers love Japanese food. And, seeing as a number of new Japanese-inspired attractions have opened across the city recently, we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite spots for you.

• First Look: Hareruya, a bright Japanese restaurant with full bento boxes and gelato wrapped in mochi. Roller doors open at 10.30am, and it’s a good idea to arrive early to secure your picnic-ready lunch and Japanese gelato. (Also, upstairs is Leonie, the team’s gorgeous new sake bar with spectacular treats like hand-held temaki sushi rolls. Keep an eye out Sheet width for more details.)

• Warabi is an intimate new omakase experience – from the group behind several Michelin-starred restaurants – at W Hotel. This is his first venture outside Asia. Perch at the counter for nine theater courses, expertly paired with sake from across Japan, or lead a private dining room for eight.

• Now Open: Double fried tonkatsu is king at Ichi Katsu, a buzzing new Japanese restaurant in Glen Waverley. Breaded and deep-fried pork chops come in many forms – in soft katsu sandos, in warm katsu curry, or with rice, cabbage, and a thick, dark homemade tonkatsu sauce.

• The Japanese art of robatayaki (or cooking on the stove) takes center stage at Kura Brunswick East. Tucked modestly under an apartment building, Kisume and Nobu’s former chef, Ken Ibuki, continues his father’s legacy with the ubiquitous yakitori and a wide selection of sake by the glass.

• First Look: Everything revolves around shokupan at a new Japanese bakery in South Yarra, Fuumi. Get the pillow soft milk buns with whole or half bread, in a classic katsu sando, or slathered with peanut butter and banana brûléed. This is an extension of West Melbourne local favorite Fuumi Fuumi.

• In South Yarra, Yakikami is a fiery and flashy new Japanese barbeque restaurant (in both senses of the word) – with dedicated yakitori tables – from the team behind Wagyu Ya and Niku Ou. Push the boat out with a $285 omakase experience featuring over 15 dishes, including the A5 Wagyu tartare with caviar and Josper grilled Kobe beef steak.

• Now Open: Slurp ramen topped with lobster or truffles at Parco, the cozy new place at Moonee Ponds. Di Stasio’s executive chef, Federico Congiu, is as proficient in Japanese cuisine as he is in Italian. What started as an under-the-radar locking pop-up at Shujinko is now a full-fledged ramen restaurant.

• There are only six seats and three dishes at Uminono, a small chirashi bar by classically trained French chefs. Inside the Prahran cafe, it takes only 12 diners a day (and orders are quick), but you can try Arnaud Laidebeur’s beautifully presented sushi by pre-ordering a takeaway box. (Get there before moving on.)

• Now Open: Hikari, the new pint-sized Japanese coffee and homeware shop in the CBD. In minimalist wood-lined bolt holes, sample stunning matcha lattes and Mork cake treats as you shop for carefully ordered ceramics and glassware from Japan.

• Now Open: Fine sashimi and nori martinis at Ototo, Akaiito’s new underground izakaya. This place used to be an extension of the fine Japanese restaurant on Flinders Lane, but now has an identity – and a menu of its own. Follow the glowing red thread downstairs.

• Hot-and-eat ramen shop Gomi Boys opens a permanent venue in Brunswick. Find a rotating menu of seasonal and sustainable bowls, from separate tsukemen served in broth with pickled sardines to vegan mushroom rendition with cayenne pepper.

• Your big brekkie is served in the form of ramen at Kissaten, a Japanese-style cafe in the leafy Alphington neighborhood. The restaurant also serves katsu sandos, soft omurice and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki – all from 8am.

• Follow the scent of the wood fire to find Mr Miyagi in Big Smoke – here for a good time, not long. Visit a fire-powered menu of never-before-seen dishes (including some theatrical salmon served in a smoked cloche) with the same fun twist on Japanese cuisine as you’ll find in the original.

• First Look: Ready made bento boxes and chirashi bowls at Melbourne’s chic new Pantre grocery store. While the dish is pan-Asian, you’ll also find Japanese cheesecake and choux bread baked fresh daily.

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