best authentic japanese in melbourne

[bobcatbite]

I'll be in Melbourne for a week. Where can I go for really great authentic japanese, hopefully not TOO expensive?????

[irisav]

Hako - 310 Flinders lane - does a mix of authentic and progressive Japanese food with mains usually between AU$20-30.

Chocolate Buddha - Federation Square - also offers a mix of authentic and progressive-ish sitting more around the AU$25.

Although truly authentic Japanese can be difficult to find in Melbourne particularly relatively inexpensive Japanese. Most places particularly around Swanston St (CBD) provide more of a food court 'this is what white people think Japanese is' experience, so beware!

[tomatom]

Tempura Hajime for really authentic and very good Tempura - only 12 seats though. Otherwise try Yu U on Flinders Lane. very cool in a basement. Yakatori sushi, sashimi - very good value.

[kmh]

Yu-u is about the only Japanese place I have eaten at (in Australia) that a waft from the air vent has triggered childhood memories I didn't know I had (lived in Japan from 7 months to 3 years of age)!

It's the kind of Japanese food my parents re-introduced me to back in Australia, either in our home (mum went to Japanese cooking school in Tokyo) or a particular restaurant (long since closed) the company my dad worked for owned (oh the heady 1980's eh?) in order to entertain their Japanese customers.

Funnily enough I told my parents about this place and every time they go to Melbourne they have to eat at Yu-u. I wish we had something like this in Sydney.

[TheKitchenEnquirer]

The best and nearest to authentic japanese I've enjoyed here in Melbourne is Jamon Sushi in South Yarra (sashimi/sushi) which can be as cheap or as expensive as you like, Maedaya Sake Bar & Grill (upstairs you cook food on your own tabletop grill and downstairs is a little more sophisticated and they cook the food on grills) pretty cheap, I paid $50 for 2 and we stuffed and drank ourselves to happy oblivion. My last place is Osaka in St Kilda (more traditional style japanese) make sure you get a seat where you sit on the floor and it's not too pricey.

[e_ting]

authenticity is hard to define and japanese food isn't just 'japanese food'! (pretty much like how chinese ppl call any non-asian food 'western food') but whatever, here are my 2 cents:

izakaya chuji - lonsdale, nr cnr russell - izakaya = japanese pub, rough n' ready, all sorts of mish mash (sushi, grills, stews), great w beer for a relaxed night out

kenzan- old school japanese (for melbourne). good bento lunches, dinner can be pricey. sukiyaki there is good, but sashimi is great, providing you remember to ask for what's in season/special that night - other sashimi is a bog standard

yu-u and tempura hajime as everyone else mentioned

maedaya as TKE mentioned is great for sake and yakiniku (grills/bbq), you'll kinda stink after though (think korean bbq)

misuzu's in sth melb which burnt down earlier is operating out of their bar next door - easygoing, well-priced bento/sushi

[Natters]

Well, I don't live in Melb so am no expert ... but can definitely second the recommednation for Kenzan. Had dinner there earlier this year when in Melb for a weekend, and thought both the food and service were of a high standard.

Just found this site, so this is my first post.

[purple goddess]

Kuni's (although I haven't been there in about a year, but it is consistently rated on of the best in Melb. It's been around about 25 years, so that is a statement in itself)

Yu-Yu's is a must...

And if you get out to the 'burbs, Shira Nui in Glen Waverley is also touted as one of Melbourne's best.

[ninjaspew]

I really like Maedaya Sake Bar. I found it quite similar to many of the places I ate in Japan.
Kenzan is a bit overpriced, but the food was delicious.