Ichikuro Japanese barbecue restaurant opens at Blackburn Station Village

Japanese barbecue fans can enjoy the delicious, traditional dining experience without a huge bill at a new restaurant in Blackburn.

Charcoal Grill Dinner at Ichikuro Japanese Grill Dining. Picture: Hamish Blair

Japanese barbecue fans can enjoy the delicious, traditional dining experience without a huge bill at a new restaurant in Blackburn.

Ichikuro has arrived in Blackburn Station Village, offering moderately-priced Japanese Grill Dining, courtesy of Japanese-Australian couple Koichi and Yuko Masuda.

Mr Masuda said the couple had dreamt of opening a Japanese barbecue restaurant in Melbourne for years, and wanted to offer the cuisine at a more affordable price point.

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“There’s not many Japanese barbecues in Melbourne and Japanese barbecue is quite expensive here,” he said.

The kitchen offers a range of soups and rice dishes. Picture: Hamish Blair

The co-owner said the cuisine was much more accessible to families in Japan, with Japanese barbecue restaurants available in all price ranges, unlike in Melbourne where there were mainly only expensive options.

Ichikuro welcomes families and is usually full of them on Saturday nights.

Mr Masuda recommends booking to get a table at the restaurant, with the staff often having to schedule two seatings on weekends.

He said customers loved being able to cook the meats, seafoods and vegetables to their liking on the coals at their table.

Ichikuro Japanese Grill Dining has opened a stone’s throw from Blackburn Station. Picture: Hamish Blair

“People choose the part of meat that they like,” he said.

“Then they can cook it their own way.”

He said the rib meat and Wagyu beef was most popular.

But there’s also chicken, pork, seafood, and delicacies such as ox tongue and beef large intestine.

Customers choose their preferred type of meat then cook it to their liking. Picture: Hamish Blair

The kitchen makes a range of soups, salads, rice and side dishes to go with the protein.

Barbecue isn’t on the menu for lunch, but there’s a selection of curries, soups and rice dishes available to choose from, which also feature on the restaurant’s takeaway menu.

To drink, Ichikuro stocks Orion Japanese beer, which is imported directly from Okinawa in Japan, as well as Asahi beer, Japanese Sake and wine.

Yukoand Koichi Masuda at their restaurant. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mr Masuda said he and Ms Masuda had both spent their careers in hospitality, working in restaurants in Melbourne and Japan, and had finally opened their own business now their children had reached secondary school.

Ichikura is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, offering lunch from noon to 3pm and dinner from 5-9.30pm.

It can be found at 6/55-65 Railway Rd, Blackburn.

Details: 9877 0877 or facebook.com/ichikurobbq/