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Yugen Dining

Underground den where dishes draw on China and Japan.

Prawn toast with Chinese doughnut and chilli amazu.
1 / 9Prawn toast with Chinese doughnut and chilli amazu.Supplied
The impressive bar at Yugen Dining.
2 / 9The impressive bar at Yugen Dining.Bonnie Savage
Tasmanian wild oysters.
3 / 9Tasmanian wild oysters.Bonnie Savage
Drunken poussin.
4 / 9Drunken poussin.Bonnie Savage
Sashimi platter.
5 / 9Sashimi platter.Bonnie Savage
Chocolate delice with roasted soy parfait and yuzu sauce.
6 / 9Chocolate delice with roasted soy parfait and yuzu sauce.Bonnie Savage
Inside the moody restaurant.
7 / 9Inside the moody restaurant.Supplied
Special fried rice.
8 / 9Special fried rice.Supplied
Strawberry ice cream with charred mochi.
9 / 9Strawberry ice cream with charred mochi.Supplied
14.5/20

Contemporary$$$

It begins with a descent. From an obsidian holding room on the ground floor, an elevator plunges you towards a shadowy bunker of smooth bluestone and rough concrete – not unlike a villain’s secret lair. High-end cognac and Japanese whiskies are stocked in a towering, amber-coloured bar that brings new meaning to “top shelf”.

Dishes are no less sensational. Butterflied whole southern rock lobster is doused in syrupy chilli crisp, a sweet through line also seen in gochujang-glazed fried chicken and the dressing of a green mango salad.

Prawn toast is a worthy signature, bolstered by Chinese doughnuts that soak up chilli speckled amazu (the rice vinegar dressing). Chawanmushi is amplified by chicken skin and a touch of smoked eel.\

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An oft-videoed dessert of hot citrus caramel poured over a chocolate shell reveals five-spice fudge, and gives Yugen’s dramatic entrance a run for its money.

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Melbourne’s Southern Suburbs
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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/yugen-dining-20240513-p5jd5m.html