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.

Izakaya Chuji is a little gem! Izakaya-style dining, which is basically Japanese tapas, is…read morecurrently in vogue in Melbourne thanks to the Den, but Chuji has been kicking along steadily for more than 20 years regardless of fashion. Watching the chefs at the open kitchen in Izakaya Chuji is truly inspiring - they are super-fast and know how to handle a sharp knife. The food is traditional, fresh and beautifully presented. Don't miss the ika butter, which is squid cooked in butter. It literally melts in your mouth. These are the guys that own Nihonshu Sake bar on Londsdale, so Izakaya Chuji has a pretty impressive range of beverages. They do both warm and cold sake, beers and there's a big range of whisky. Izakaya Chuji can get pretty loud when it's pumping, but that's part of the fun - highly recommended!

I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to Izakaya Chuji! What a great little spot…read more The eggplant with miso sauce is the sexiest thing I've put in my mouth all month - it's silky and slippery, savoury and sweet all at once. I was sad I had to share it with three friends and considered trading their portion for my skewered beef with terriyaki, but then that was delicious too! It has a fabulous atmosphere perfect for a date or a catch up with friends over a bottle of sake and a bowl of edamame (which are really good!). I'm adding this to my list of regular mid-week haunts. Love it.

This place feels genuine and high-end. From walking in on their stone-tiles-on-pebbles entrance to…read moresitting down to funky twisted cutlery (ok, small shiny things amuse me) - this place immediately makes you realize you're not going to get a stale two-buck-fiddy California roll served to you. The staff were friendly and the restaurant was clean, clever and inviting. This place was nice and warm when it was freezing and windy outside. The selection of food is what I would call high-end Japanese. I'm not a Japanese food expert but their menu sounded well rounded. You can choose to eat traditional dishes like sashimi or raw tuna and oysters, or go for their selection of steaks. They had a wagyu steak for $70+. Sounded amazing. However, I went for the green peppercorn and it was so tender and soft. Loved it. They also gave us what I can only describe as potato salad/coleslaw starters. Unexpected food items are always nice and these things tastes amazing. Wish they had a whole main meal of these things. Overall, an excellent night. Thought this place was fantastic.

Oritas, just off Toorak rd, is a superb japanese fushion restaurant! I felt that I had transfered…read moremyself back to Japan the moment I stepped in and our evening could begin! We were a big group and the service umpeccable! The food gets 5 stars from me and if you're looking for a true japanese with a mix of today, go here!

As this is a review for the food/service/ and ambiance, I shall discuss all of these different…read moreissues. I recently visited Kazuya Cuisine and I wish I could go back to December. The service was so bad, it was like they had bad blood with me. They never gave me a reason for the way they treated me. They just acted like I was invisible. They made me feel like I was the last great American dynasty, but not in a good way. The quality of the food was poor and not at the correct temperature. It was a cruel summer for my taste buds. The dishes were bland and boring, nothing like the sparks fly I expected. They served me cold as you sushi and wildest dreams noodles. The restaurant was not clean and well-maintained. It looked like a place where the lovers go to hide away. There were stains on the tablecloth and dust on the shelves. It made me feel like I was in exile. The atmosphere was dark and gloomy, like a haunted house. The lighting was too dim, the music was too loud, and the design was too cluttered. The restaurant lacked a clear brand story and personality. It did not impress me with a great view or a remarkable ambiance. I would not recommend this restaurant to others. You need to calm down and find a better place to eat. Don't say yes to this place, just run away now. You deserve something better than this. You belong with me, at a restaurant that makes you happy. A place where you can shake it off and have fun. A place where you can see the daylight and feel the love story. A place where you can be fearless and speak now. A place where you can be yourself and not worry about anything else. Kindest Regards, Vishkuma Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour - Melbourne Night 2 and 3 atendee.

Seriously great Japanese. I came here on many…read morerecommendations from work colleagues. We had an an assortment roll selection, tempura prawn bento and chicken teriyaki bento. All absolutely fresh and super delicious. Probably the best Bento I have ever eaten. The chef is super nice and will make anything you like really. My friends always have the chicken katsu don and they love it. This place will definitely be our go to place for Japanese now. They don't deliver but you can order ahead online and pick up later.

If you think that Japanese food is about something more than sushi then this is the place for you…read more Friendly atmosphere, intimate dining and an excellent menu that is regularly updated. The sake is excellent and if you need advice ask the staff. Well worth the effort.

As much as I prefer the contact of wait staff when I order there is a novelty and some advantages…read moreof the iPad menu and ordering system. Worth a go. I'm a big fan of the mix on this menu with sashimi, off the grill and classic Japanese favorites. Absolutely delicious and easy to over order, which really isn't a problem as far as I see it. The drinks list is one you want to work through for obviously sake but also beer and cocktails. I indulged in the beer list as you'll see with my pics cos I got too excited and forgot to take any photos of the food.

Having been to this place maybe twenty times I am yet to have anything less than outstanding food…read morefrom these guys. I have gradually tried all the noodle soups. The spicy pork curry soba noodle soup (A name like that could be a Microsoft product) is just fantastic. Juicy curried pork shreds thru a miso-like soup. The Katsu curry is also well worth checking out.

Too delicious to be true. Went there Friday night with my wife and I conclude that I can never…read morejudge this little shop by the look from outside. Rice a bit too soft - just my personal preference on solid rice. Ordered a main and a side, both are above average standard. Main: Spicy Calamari Don (no regret!) Side: Gyoza (definitely not frozen/commercial prepared)- must try. Love this authentic Jap. Will I be back? For sure Yes. Thanks Mr Fusion! Jeng

Look, it's true the service here is terrible...but hell, I'll forgive them because the food is…read moregreat - authentic Sichuan flavours here, with a good balance of peppercorns for that 'ma la' tang, mandatory chilli oil, generous doses of mince garlic and some surprisingly good meat pieces (ie. the pork ribs actually had nice chunks of meat and fat as well as bone). Prices are around $17-40 for sides and mains, and the drinks menu is a little sad but does the job. And for brave, they also do Sichuan Hotpot.

Their hotpot buffet is quite good, and service is friendly. Unlike some hotpot buffet restaurants,…read morethey bring out the dishes fairly quickly, and they always clear the empty plates for you.

Having been a year since I was able to come here again and having a selection of dishes, I can…read morehonestly say it is deserving of five stars. Perfectly cooked noodles with a deliciously spicy broth, the Karakuchi ramen does not disappoint. They have also added an extra slice of pork and more noodles, so it is a filling meal. My companion had the Yaki ramen, a nice blend of sauce coating noodles with a blend of egg and other toppings. The chicken karaage was a bit chewy but complemented by the seaweed and green salad. This shop can be counted on anytime of day or night to get your ramen fix. Absolutely delicious!

Went there to have my first meal in the city and wasn't disappointed. Delicious ramen, such a rich…read moreflavor! Service was quick and friendly. Atmosphere is so unique - all these little things. Very well thought