In my never ending quest for amazing Japanese restaurants outside of Melbourne's CBD, I decided to…read moretry Akita Japanese restaurant in North Melbourne. ~ What's with the small menu? Honestly, there were six mains. Their "specials" menu was larger than their regular menu by a long shot, and I was kind of disappointed they didn't have a more diverse or comprehensive selection. ~ VEGETARIANS BEWARE. None of the mains were vegetarian compatible; they all had meat/seafood in them. Even the vast majority of the entrees were meat based. This is particularly peculiar for Japanese cuisine. When we asked what was on offer for vegetarians, they recommended three dishes, mostly from the specials menu. The only positive I can attribute to Akita in this respect was that the waiter did come back a few minutes after ordering to confirm that egg was okay in the vegetarian dish. But I probably wouldn't come back here with a vegetarian person; the difficulty of working out what is edible and the severe limited choice makes the whole thing too much hassle. ~ From the outside, the door is somewhat hidden the place looks relatively small. When you look around the main entrance, you also get the feeling of smallness. However, there is actually a labyrinth of seating areas, all hidden away in their own rooms. In this respect, Akita reminds me a lot of Stalactites in the city, except more enclosed. This causes the environment to feel more intimate, and probably reduces noise too. The atmosphere was of a high calibre here. A++. ~ Overpriced. We all know that Japanese cuisine is expensive, but even for Japanese standards this place was overpriced (especially for its location). If you can, check out the photo of the entree sashimi to this venue. You can get better quality fish at a cheaper price than $18 from elsewhere. ~ Forgot the drinks. Unfortunately I forgot to check the bill to see if they had charged us, but we ordered tea twice and we didn't end up getting it either times. ~ No ginger with the sashimi. What! For a so-called *authentic* Japanese place you kind of expect them to provide some ginger with the sashimi; they didn't, which was a little disappointing. Upside was that they gave me so much wasabi. Overall the food (albeit small and expensive) and atmosphere were good. The location is convenient for drivers (heaps of parking), and the staff were kind (although they forgot drinks). Would I be back? Probably not -- the limited menu is a dealbreaker.

I was craving food so I did a quick search and found this establishment closeby! I love Japanese…read morefood so I was good to go. Ambiance: Very very good. The restaurant is large and spacious with a series of different dining rooms. It has an old feel to it, but very clean and modern at the same time. They have light Japanese music playing which makes for a really incredible dining atmosphere! Customer Service: The servers were very polite, courteous, and attentive. However, I do have to remark that the kitchen staff is a bit slow. The wait time for the food is EXTREMELY long. Food: One thing I have to note is that this place is probably good for large groups, but I would avoid it if you're only going by yourself or with 2 people. The menu comprises of large platter-like dishes of sashimi and sushi rather than anything that is convenient for an individual set. The only thing I pretty much can order is Nabeyaki Udon Soup (udon noodles with tempura shrimp, egg, veggies, thin slices of beef, and mushrooms) for 12 dollars and a plate of Gyoza for 8.50. Like I said, the wait time is long. I ended up getting my Gyoza after my main... when Gyoza is an entree. What's up with that? When I picked up a piece of Gyoza, I thought to myself "This better be worth it". It was good... but not worth the 30 minute wait. The Gyoza wrap was very thin, which is a bit unique I suppose but I prefer thick wraps. The Nabeyaki Udon Soup at first glance was rather tiny - so it was very alarming. However, it was absolutely delicious! Probably the best Udon Soup I have ever had. The meat was good, tempura soft and tasty, and the egg accented the dish really nicely. I absolutely loved it. Things they can improve on: ~ Adding more variety to their menu. Where are the bentos? The ramen? And donburi? Everything is pretty much just a platter, which excludes the people who just want individual meals. ~ Upping their efficiency! I'm not sure how exactly they can do that, but at least bring out the Gyoza before the main so my stomach isn't growling like mad. Overall, I did enjoy my meal - the atmosphere was great, the service was nice, and the food was tasty. However, 1 star off for the lack of variety and another star for the horrid wait time. I would come here again, but only if I'm with a large group of people ready to order some platters.

Always had a good experience here. Friendly staff. Good food. Nothing flash but good fresh food…read more Great place for quick bite to eat before heading to the Palais.

Oki to go, oki to stay, oki any time of day! The freshest, most appetizing sushi is at Oki 2 Go. I…read moreguess they've no excuse for not having the freshest seafood, after all they're on the doorstep of the bay but seriously, this is good stuff. At first glance Oki 2 Go may look like your typical walk in-walk out questionable sushi joint, but take a closer look and a step inside and you'll realise its actually quite an upmarket place. The lighting and red colouring of the decor adds to the authenticity of the Japanese restaurant. Larger than it appears, open til late seven days per week, BYO wine, dine in and take out options, Oki 2 Go won't disappoint. Selecting where to eat can be a hard choice when in Acland street but trust me, Oki 2 Go certainly holds its own in the dining mecca of St Kilda. Tip: If you're a fan of bento boxes, choose the Oki Bento, mmmm oishii!!

This place is an extremely confusing From start to finish I…read morewas a bit complexed about what this place was trying to achieve Came here drawn by the nice aesthetic and vibes good mood lighting and big sign saying Veganism outside Sitting down we were given a menu with WAY too many menu items - this is usually a recipe for disaster but once again it was confusing in how it didn't disappoint but didn't really blow us away either ... The dishes we ordered were massive servings but while they were good in some areas like taste perhaps, it failed poorly in areas say how well the dish was put together. Eg the laksa was tasty but way too rich, the Udon was nice in balance but lacked flavour in the soup Super confusing Extensive drinks menu (very extensive) And a bit on the more expensive side but definitely portion sizings to match Very interesting and confusing :D

Updated review after eating there a second time. I was a bit overzealous the first time whilst in…read moregood company and enjoying a couple beers. This time I came in for lunch and was greeted with the same fast service. I tried their signature tonkatsu shio ramen, which was as described as a milky broth with a decent amount of toppings. However the broth could have had a bit more pork taste, not sure how long it is cooked to really draw out the flavour. I was a bit disappointed when enquiring about condiments commonly found on every table in a ramen shop, there was none (chilli oil, pepper, sesame seeds, etc.). They were going to charge $2 for chilli oil. What?! I accepted the togarashi red pepper instead for free. Thankfully the beer I ordered was up to par. Their selection of craft beer is quite uncommon for most ramen shops and is a definite draw here. I still feel it's a decent place for entrees and ramen, especially standing out amongst the long road of Vietnamese shops.

If you love Japanese food you will be in love with hinoki Japanese pantry. Walking through the…read moreglass doors you quickly learn that this is no ordinary ethnic supermarket but rather an ode to Japanese cuisine. You can get everything from sake to soy sauce, soba to sashimi and everything in between. There is a delicious range of freshly prepared sushi and sashimi as well as everything you would need to take home to make your own. All the packaging is in Japanese so you may need some help from the staff. They are super friendly and eager to help. Loves: 1. Assortment of products 2. Freshness 3. Value for money - quite inexpensive 4. Staff picks and suggestions - help you navigate the different brands

What a great find! I've been here a few times for a quick sushi lunch and it's a bonus it's also a…read moreJapanese convenience store. (This is where I'll pick up some frozen udon, soba noodles and sauces). The good thing about this place is that it's got variety, from sashimi to different sushi rolls, even seared ones too. The sauces aren't too over powering as other sushi joints may smother mayo all over the sushi! There's only been one time that sushi I ordered there wasn't as good, salmon was a bit chewy. I recently ordered a platter for dinner and it was ready to be picked up in 1hr (called to order). Great presentation for a dinner party or if you just want to indulge in a sushi platter for dinner.

Ate here with 2 of my homegirls when I was in town, I guess she picked it cus it's rated really…read morehigh lol... it's actually really good and of course I ate most of it. It was really good Japanese food. The sushi rolls, to some of the raw fish, and even the karage was just really textured well. It was exceptionally good for being a in a low key quiet area on a

Mid-high end Japanese restaurant, located in the same building as a hotel (Hyatt I think?)…read more I went there for a weekday lunch, as they do lunch specials. I went for the sashimi and sushi set ($48) which was good value for the amount of food you get, but the quality of the sashimi and sushi was average. For the set, you get quite a bit: chawanmushi, miso soup, a yakitori skewer, pickles, and the food you order. Extremely good value for the cheaper sets (I think like a bento for 20-30?) The sashimi and sushi set was a bit disappointing. The fishes given for the sushi and sashimi were on the cheaper end. I don't think there was even a tuna. They did give two pieces of scallop, which was tasty. Overall, I would have either expected one or two pieces of pricey fish, or a few extra pieces of sushi or sashimi. The rice was also cold, rather than slightly warm. Overall, it felt like an average sushi lunch, not fitting the mid-high end positioning they are going for. Tip: don't forget they have 20% off on EatClub; which if you use with the lunch offer, is great value for money.

I got here early for lunch. I ordered miso soup $2 and a curry chicken bowl $11. Both were great!…read moreThe curry sauce was delicious and the chicken was slightly crispy and delicious too. Reasonable prices but more important was how good the food tasted.

Really great escape from the horror that is Harbour Town shopping centre. Simple clean decor,…read morefriendly staff and speedy service, but the real charm is the menu. A decent variety of fare, some traditional pieces and some more modern varieties. Definitely try the bento boxes and the donburi.

My wife and I are visiting from the States. We love sushi and were lucky enough to find Shoya on…read moreour first night. The fish was incredibly fresh and delicious. We sat at the sushi bar and watched Chef Shigeo work. What a treat! The man is wizard with a knife. I think we're going back tonight.

We would never have discovered Shoya at all had it not been for the small write-up it received in…read moreThe Age Good Food Guide. So off we ventured to Melbourne's Market Lane one Friday night with a strong craving for good Japanese food in our bellies and our minds. Shoya is a large, multi-levelled restaurant so there's never much trouble getting a table. We opted for a regular table rather than the horigotatsu style (sunken tables) or seating by the sushi counter. I have now been to Shoya twice and the only seating I've yet to try is the by the sushi counter, but I can tell you that the sunken tables are more fun than the regular ones. Their sake list is excellent and I really recommend overlooking the wine list for a good sake (not that the wine list isn't good, but you know, when in Rome/a Japanese restaurant...) or placing your order with your very professional waiter and letting them match a sake to the dishes you've selected. By the way, if the menu gets to be too much, there is no shame in opting for the degustation or omakase. This way you know you're letting the chef show-off his best and finest dishes to you. Order from the menu though and you will be rewarded with immaculately clean and balanced flavours. Try the agadashi dofu and the Hokkaido spider crab legs (lightly battered and fried, and to die for).

Chiba used to occupy a much smaller venue on Hall Street closer to the Mt Alexander Rd end. They…read morewere pumping then, always having a full dining room so I was interested when they moved to see if they could keep it up. They can! The food is fresh and tasty. The Kaki Fry (fried oysters) is one of my favorites and never fails to satisfy. The sushi is delicious and creative. The staff are friendly and helpful. The restaurant decor creates a good atmosphere however this is let down whenever the phone rings. The ringing tone sounds like a poker machine and gave myself and my guest an unfortunate vibe last time we visited. This aside Chiba is a great Japanese restaurant that i will continue to visit.

As someone who consistently seeks new flavours, experiences and techniques, Chiba Japanese…read morerestaurant has again proven its longevity after I've returned for yet another of its simply and expertly executed meals. The decor is modern and the furnishings clean, with finesse that is uniquely Japanese, setting the tone for the meals that rapidly flow from the kitchen. Fresh & traditional dishes are served by polite wait staff who weave through the often fully booked restaurant efficiently and professionally. All levels of flavour preferences can easily be met; you will often see children with their parents at the first dinner sitting, and popular Western favourites like hand rolls and teriyaki chicken also grace the menu. This however, is not what should be expected as the standard from Chiba, as they offer dishes for a more refined palette like takaki beef and octopus sashimi. Comfortable, impeccable and very reasonably priced, Chiba Japanese restaurant never disappoints.