Tucked away in a side entrance to Melbourne Central is the busy little Menya. Little is right - jammed in between other tempting eateries, Menya barely has any room to seat her patrons. Tiny block tables, each seating two run along the kitchen bar and out into the lane. Large flames are visible as the many chefs cook your order in minutes, dramatically tossing the contents of wok's into the air before it's brought to your table by one of the several cashiers. If you choose to take away - like I do often - you'll be waiting in the laneway with your ticket, dodging shoppers and listening for your number to be called. A cashier will bring you your meal, complete with utensils and inside a carry bag - she'll take your ticket so don't lose it! If you choose to eat in, you must try the curious chilled water, served in jugs with a slice of lemon/lime, a large sprig of parsley and one lonely cherry tomato.
The food (like any O-Bento franchise) is simply fantastic. It's super delicious and enormously big. When I eat in, I ask for a container to take the rest home. I mostly order the Gyu-Tan Don (Ox tongue on rice) making sure to say YES to fresh chilli! It's possibly the best thing I have ever tasted and I eat it religiously. It is the more pricey of the meals at $12.30, but very worth it. When I'm feeling cheap and cheerful I'll pick up a nice katsudon ($8.50) chicken or pork on delicious omelette and rice, served with bulldog sauce. I first though they might water down the sauce, based on the consistency but it's very flavourful and you are given a generous amount in a separate container. Their standard sides are great, gyoza pretty nice, maybe a bit undercooked sometimes and awesome miso featuring tiny mushrooms and fried tofu.
Price: Great value if you're tight, considering the free tomato-water jugs and huge size meals.
Service: Lovely, fast and polite. Cash only, know what you want before stepping up to the counter.
Pros: Open til 9.30pm weeknights, good for dinner after the movies, not in a food court, authentic Japanese bottled drinks available.
Cons: Two small for groups, to loud for a date, no desert items
HOURS:
Mon - Thu: 10.30am - 9.30pm
Fri : 10.30am - 10.00pm
Sat - Sun: 10.30am - 9.30pm read more