Sad news, Melbourne. Treasured Japanese- and Korean-influenced cafe Moon Mart is closing this month. Owners Eun Hee An (ex-Moon Park and Paper Bird) and Mei Onsamlee (ex-Momofuku Seiobo) made the announcement to media this morning.

“Due to circumstances outside our control, we are being made to close Moon Mart,” the emailed statement reads. While the pair hasn’t elaborated on the reason for the closure, they have confirmed the cafe will shutter on Sunday, September 22.

“We wanted to stay there forever [but] unfortunately the lease has to end,” Hee An tells Good Food. “[It] feels [a] bit empty. Probably on our last service, and when everything is cleared, Mei [Onsamlee] and Kong [Eun Hee An’s dog] might cry.”

It’s a blow for West Melbourne, which has embraced the yellow-hued spot with open arms since it opened on Stawell Street in late 2022, seriously boosting the suburb’s brunch cred.

But it’s not all bad news. While their original cafe is closing, Hee An and Onsamlee are determined to continue its legacy elsewhere. “Something I can say is Moon Mart is not gone,” says Hee An. “[It] definitely will be back soon with all the beloved same foods and drinks but even more!”

The cafe continually drew crowds with its excellent dine in or takeaway sandwiches, including a funky kimchi jaffle that featured in Good Food column Sandwich Watch, as well as a pork katsu sando. Breakfast stars were the char sui bacon and egg roll, and bulgogi-sausage muffin, while lunchtime diners loved the generous rice sets.

But what really set Moon Mart apart was the sunny disposition of its staff, which further embedded the cafe into the local eating landscape.

“We would really like to thank all of you for the interest that you’ve shown towards Moon Mart,” the statement continues. “We’ve been a bit overwhelmed but [sic] how much Melbourne has welcomed us!”

Moon Mart’s final service will be on Sunday, September 22.

11-13 Stawell Street, West Melbourne, moonmart.com.au