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Dipping udon with mushrom soup at Musashino Udon Kan

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Melbourne’s top new Japanese venues for noodles, katsu and more

Seek out a cosy Tokyo-style cafe for fluffy cheesecakes to go with matcha or book your next date night at a wallet-friendly sushi counter: Melbourne is brimming with places for nearly every strand of Japanese food.

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Pork sando.

Two-hat restaurant Sushi On opens a casual spin-off for city workers

  • Emma Breheny
Suupaa channels bright, industrial design in its take on the Japanese convenience store.

Suupaa offers sandos, ramen and more in convenience store surrounds

  • Emma Breheny
Musashino Udon Kan

Find chewy udon noodles crafted by an ex-engineer at Musashino Udon Kan

  • Dani Valent
Most hand rolls, including the tuna-filled “torotaku”, are $9.50.
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Nori Maki is a ‘fantastically affordable’ new sushi counter in the heart of the city

  • Besha Rodell
Chashu pork, nori and bamboo shoots top the original bowl.

Japanese chain Kajiken brings a rare type of ramen to Melbourne

  • Emma Breheny
Crumbed pork (tonkatsu) is the focus at Katsuhon, where it comes with many condiments.

People line up for the crumbed pork at Katsuretsu and Katsuhon

  • Emma Breheny
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Sana’s udon carbonara comes with charred kaiserfleisch, smoked dashi, a soft egg and heaps of black pepper. 

Udon carbonara is the hit brunch dish at new southside cafe Sana

  • Tomas Telegramma
Caneles at Omo cafe come in flavours like matcha and Earl Grey.

Omo is a CBD hideaway with new-school treats and old-school Tokyo vibes

  • Emma Breheny
At venues like Gaku Obanzai Deli, customers can mix and match different textures, flavours and vegetables.

Get wholesome meals for less at Gaku Obanzai Deli and Obanzai Mama

  • Emma Breheny
Temaki platter, nori sheets and rice, ready for DIY assembly.

Try a sushi platter with a difference at the 10-seat Temaki Sushi

  • Dani Valent
Chicken katsu with Japanese curry sauce and slaw is paired with pale ale.

Benchwarmer bar is serving drinking food with a chef’s Michelin touch

  • Quincy Malesovas
The “Soy Cap” dessert special.

From doughnuts to nuggets: How tiny Tofu Shoten puts a creative spin on tofu

  • Emma Breheny

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/melbourne-s-top-new-japanese-venues-for-noodles-katsu-and-more-20250430-p5lvea.html