Sushi Victoria: Han’s Sushi Bar, Momo Roto, Youki’s, I obento, Nourish and more
Whether it’s a hand roll from a brown paper bag or an elegant feast in a high end restaurant, sushi is Victorian favourite. Check out where our readers go for their favourite Japanese.
South East
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Once considered exotic sushi is now standard fare that can be found in most suburban food courts.
The Japanese dish typically combines vinegared rice with fish or seafood, both raw and uncooked.
While there are rare and expensive types of sushi – including uni sushi made from the sex organs of sea urchins – most varieties are very affordable.
Hand rolls can usually be bought for around $3-$5 each and make a healthy and filling meal.
Here’s where our readers like to go for their sushi fix.
Filimex Asian Store and cafe
299 Melville Rd, Brunswick West
This eatery may have a very unassuming shopfront, but inside is a realm of culinary delights, at Filimex Asian Store and cafe.
Tucked away in Brunswick West, this little shop doubles as an Asian grocery store with authentic ingredients and snacks, but the highlight is the freshly made sushi hand rolls.
The sushi is made to order by the Japanese owner of the shop and you can enjoy your tasty rolls sitting outside on Melville Rd.
There's a range of the classic sushi fillings on offer, as well as steamed dumplings and miso soup to enjoy as well.
Han’s Sushi Bar
6/21 Strathlea Dr, Cranbourne West
A locally owned humble sushi bar has been hailed as Cranbourne’s best sushi spot.
Han’s Sushi Bar in Cranbourne West plays host to hundreds of customers a week, all looking for one thing – delicious sushi.
Han’s delivers with a wide range of sushi, sashimi, nigiri and more.
Regular customer, Sunny Win, said she wouldn’t get her sushi from anywhere else.
“I go out of my way to get my sushi from Han’s,” she said.
“Not only are they fresh, but if they have run out of something, they are happy to make it up for me.”
Momo Roto
Bayside Centre, Frankston
Momo Roto recently brought a unique part of Japanese culture to Frankston.
The restaurant, which opened as part of the gradual revamp of the Bayside Centre, features sushi train.
Portions of sushi, sashimi, gyzoa (dumplings) and karaage (fried chicken thighs) roll past diners on a conveyor belt, believed to be the longest sushi train in the southern hemisphere.
Gimmicks aside, the sushi is fresh and chicken perfectly spicy.
Izumi
11 Commercial Road, Caroline Springs
This restaurant and bar is an absolute must visit if you’re in the region and looking for high-quality Japanese food.
After asking a number of trusted locals for sushi recommendations across Melton, they all said the same thing – Izumi!
On my most recent visit, I enjoyed some of the freshest pork gyoza I’ve had before diving into a delicious stack of spicy karaage.
Not only was the sushi packed full of flavour, it was very reasonably priced.
The venue is tasteful, modern, and fitted out with its own fish tank!
Okane Sushi
145A Ninth Street, Mildura
The Mildura community has named Okane as their favourite place to get sushi.
The menu is vast with diners able to enjoy everything from California temaki to a delicious Rainbow Uramaki.
The restaurant recently reopened last year after refurbishments, but has been operating in Mildura for years.
Youki’s
68 Thompson Ave, Cowes
Youki’s was opened by well known Phillip Island locals Sayuri and Peter Innes over 15 years ago.
It has since been sold to former staff member Henry Lin and his wife Effie Wan, and their close friends Loretta and John Thompson.
The restaurant was named after the original owners son, Youki, who is a well known local in the Bass Coast area.
Youki was born with cerebral palsy and for a while worked in the Japanese restaurant and now runs Youki’s Shed, an all-inclusive, all-age, all-ability music venue in Cowes.
Youki’s serves up Japanese takeaway including sushi and hot food.
Most days they are sold out by the early afternoon as everyone knows it is the go to lunch spot.
Sayuri first started Youki’s with her brother-in-law Shinichi Nagashima, but after Shin passed away in 2020, his wife Miyuki and Sayuri ran the restaurant.
Not only do locals and visitors flock to the shops, now located in Cowes and Wonthaggi, for the delicious offerings they feel good knowing the deep local roots the business has.
Catering to vegan and vegetarian options, as well as all the classics, there is something for everyone on the menu.
Local man Troy said the food was “simple, fresh and amazing”.
“If you like Japanese food you will love this place, my go to for lunch,” he said.
Nourish
86 Fryers St, Shepparton
Nourish, Goulburn Valley has been praised by many community members as one of the best sushi hot spots in the area.
What better way to spend your day than to find healthy eats in the heart of Shepparton.
The business franchise also has stores in Kyabram, Echuca, Collingwood and Deniliquin in NSW.
Sushi lovers are spoiled for choice and can choose from white, brown and black rice to suit all tastes.
Visitors can select from the classic tuna avocado rolls, black rice chicken, crab, crumbed chicken, and plain avocado or vegetable fillings to accommodate for vegetarians and vegans.
Nourish also serves up delicious coffee and refreshing smoothies and smoothie bowls as well to add some extra to your nutritional boost.
Nourish Shepparton is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
I obento
286 Hargreaves St, Bendigo
The patience and structure required to make beautifully hand rolled sushi meals first attracted Amy Rigg to the artform a couple of years ago.
She turned her joy of the craft into a profession and can often be found behind the counter at the Bendigo I obento restaurant, making lunches for hungry office workers in the CBD.
The lunch time offering includes a large selection of hand rolls and sashimi lunch packs, which have attracted glowing reviews online.
The selection above, purchased on Thursday, included fresh ingredients
The fish was fresh and well prepared and the hand rolls were tightly packed, with a perfect ratio of rice to filling.
The inari rice ball inside a bean curd sleeve, rice balls with sashimi, and nori seaweed.
It has also been rated as “one of the few places that does good unagi (eel) due to its good flavour, good balance”.