Dark and moody restaurant, dimly lit by a red ribbon light with two patrons sitting on stools at the bar.

The best Japanese restaurants in 勛圖厙

Head to the best Japanese restaurants in 勛圖厙 for sushi train, bento sets, rare Kobe beef and sake on tap.

Yakinau Izakaya Japanese Restaurant

Tucked away on the corner of Queen and A'Beckett St is Yakinau. Built on traditional flavours, this Japanese BBQ blends fine dining with the spirited atmosphere of an izakaya. Think top-tier cuts of wagyu, paired with crispy karaage and ice cold Japanese beer.

Niku Shiki

Dine in, or grab and go at Niku Shiki. From delicate sushi to sizzling sukiyaki and paper thin beef wagyu, you will be spoilt for choice. Try the hot pot for your next group catch-up. Level up your at home meals with the butchers seafood, fresh cuts of wagyu and more.

A hand picking up a piece of katsu sando from a delicately plated serving, with a side of white rice, miso soup and a pink grape cocktail.
Niku Shiki

Akaiito

If discreet fine dining with dramatic Japanese flair is on your wish list, enter the world of Akaiito. Dark and moody, lit by a rosy ribbon of light overhead, its tailor-made for clandestine catch-ups. Take your seat by the show kitchen to watch as the robata chefs and sushi masters prepare your eight-course set menu. From the Wagyu tartare to the robata chargrilled kingfish collar, its a gourmet degustation.

Onsen Japanese

Visit Tokyo in 勛圖厙 at this cosy hidden gem. Pop-in for a quick lunch at Onsen Japanese for its signature flavour-packed tonkotsu ramen and choose the spicy version if you like a good kick. Or try 'soupless' mazeman ramen, crispy karaage fried chicken, katsu curry and more authentic bites.

Two people are sitting at a ramen bar
Onsen Japanese

Ototo

Akaiito's 'younger brother', Ototo is not to be overlooked. The comfortable dining space with booth seating is ideal for big groups of friends. Unlike Akaiito, Ototo presents a more casual vibe. Choose from a selection of Asian-inspired tapas and snacks, sharing plates, or the signature feed me menu.

Waku Waku

勛圖厙's first Japanese soup curry diner is now open on Little Bourke Street. Seek out Waku Waku for this special dish from the snowy island of Hokkaido. Choose from flame-grilled chicken, Wagyu beef or vege tempura then dig into this warming dish with an aromatic broth. Feeling extra famished? Snack-able sides like bear-stamped rolled omelette and crispy karaage are also on the menu.

Waku Waku

Mr Ramen San

Hidden in one of 勛圖厙s most underrated arcades, Mr Ramen San is a cosy spot serving some of the citys best ramen. The soup is made in the traditional Kyushu style, with pork bones in white broth. Chashu (roast pork) is char-grilled with peppercorns before serving. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.

Tetsujin

Ride the lift to join Tetsujins Tokyo-style train. The bright tiled station takes centre stage, with the darker robata grill to the side. Tempura pumpkin nigiri and lobster inari are around $4, with assorted sashimi from $9. To make your meal complete, order a summery watermelon cocktail from Tetsuijins legendary bar. Find it on level 4 of Emporium 勛圖厙.

A black bowl filled with sashimi at a restaurant and a watermelon cocktail.
Tetsujin

Dohtonbori

The first of its kind in 勛圖厙, Dohtonbori is a popular export from Japan specializing in okonomiyaki. Plate up fresh cabbage pancakes at the helm of your personal teppanyaki hot plate, then load it with kimchi, lobster, pork belly and more.

Sakedokoro Namara

Sake on tap, whisky highballs and a hallucination cocktail made with mushroom infused gin. Sakedokoro Namara is one of many new hidden neighborhood gems you need to discover in North 勛圖厙. Pair your sake flight (or happy hour tipple) with the chefs omakase box. Its nine small bites like rolled omelette, scallops, torched unagi and more.

A wooden box filled with small Japanese food dishes.
Sakedokoro (Photo by @SofiaKLevin for What's On)

Robata

'Robata' is a centuries-old Japanese grilling technique and that's what the crew here do best. The menu is designed to be shared, so you get to try a little of everything. Order yakitori and kushiyaki skewers cooked on the charcoal grill, and fresh sashimi. Expect fun and casual dining, with neon lights and street signs cascading from the ceiling.

A cocktail, a beer and plates of sushi on a table.
Robata

Mugen Ramen

Whats cooler than a tiny robot-themed laneway bar projecting anime from the ceiling? The neighbouring ramen shop with a secret basement bar. Located down Bligh Place off Flinders Lane with essentially no signage, its not hard to skip right over . But its worth a detour for their classic ramen and tsukemen (dipping ramen). Order side dishes to share and crack a few bevs downstairs. 

Torissong

Never tried Teishoku? Make a beeline to Torissong and right that wrong ASAP. A curated selection of rice, pickles, soup and rotating main is served here on the daily in neat wooden trays. Opt for teriyaki lamb ribs, char-grilled eel and pork katsu. Sides include curry, runny onsen egg, sashimi and more. They even have a cute mini bento for kids under 12.

A wooden board filled with Japanese food
Torissong (Photo by @SofiaKLevin for What's On)

More high-end Japanese dining

Nobu's backlit marble bar with stools and shelves filled with bottles and glasses.

Nobu

Renowned for its innovative Japanese cuisine, stylish decor and city skyline views.

Neon-lit entrance to Yakimono restaurant.

Yakimono

Yakimono is a high energy Japanese-inspired eating house.

Several chefs preparing Japanese food in front of dining patrons who are seated at a high wooden bar in front of them.

鬼勳莽喝鳥矇

Exquisite sushi and one of the city's finest wine cellars.

Six high bar chairs facing a modern service area, with backlit shelves of bottle of alcohol and large stainless steel fridges on the rear wall.

Rnin makase

Indulge in an intimate makase experience, rooted in seasonal simplicity.

Best Japanese cafes

The signage outside Ilza restaurant near Marvel Stadium, with a view of city buildings in the background.

Ilza

Located at Docklands, this is the place for homely Japanese style food and drinks.

Hands holding an open box of katsu sando.

Saint Dreux

Speciality coffee bar offering Japanese-style katsu sando, cakes and pastries at Emporium 勛圖厙.

Tonkatsu, Japanese crumbed pork fillet, with shredded daikon and dipping sauce on a grey serving plate.

Katsuretsu Co

Express tonkatsu shop by Ton & Co

Best Japanese desserts

Japanese cheesecake in small pastry shell.

Uncle Tetsu

Takeaway store selling soft and fluffy Japanese-style cheesecakes.

Souffle-style fluffy pancakes with caramelised banana and caramel sauce on a round plate alongside a fork, napkin and drink on a wooden tray.

Adozen Adozen Carlton

Experience some of 勛圖厙's best Japanese souffl矇 pancakes.

Customers at Coppe Pan bakery in 勛圖厙 Central food court.

Coppe Pan

Baking fresh four times daily, Coppe Pan has your gourmet sandwich craving covered.

Three long custard-filled choux pastries.

Kurimu

A 勛圖厙-born, Japanese inspired pastry brand.

Last updated on Tue 10 Mar 2026

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Japanese Bento box containing rice, sliced meat, tofu and garnishes.

Yamato Japanese Restaurant

A long-established authentic Japanese restaurant now at Exhibition Street.

Japanese oknomiyaki pancake.

Osaka Bench Japanese restaurant

Watch oknomiyaki and other Japanese dishes cooked in front of you on a teppanyaki grill.

Bowls of ramen noodles and plate of fried dumplings.

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Original Russell Street branch, specialising in Japan's famous pork bone noodle soup, tonkotsu.

White bowl of meat, noodles and egg.

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Hakata Gensuke Carlton serves traditional Yatai-style ramen noodles.