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Japanese

Two broths are available: a clear duck-based soup; and a 12-hour chicken option.

Move over ramen, there’s a new Japanese broth in town

The Ishizuka team have opened Oden on Bourke Street, where the hotpot dish of the same name stars.

  • Quincy Malesovas
At Oden, diners are encouraged to build a bowl from two or three elements – perhaps translucent shirataki noodles, house-made prawn balls flecked with edamame and tobiko (flying fish roe), and abalone.

First look: A surprising ingredient takes centre stage at this new Japanese restaurant

This Melbourne first is a casual spot that celebrates the simmering stews found on the streets of Japan – and the broth that powers them.

  • Quincy Malesovas
Kikanbo brings a different style of ramen to Melbourne, with ultra-spicy miso broth.

Noodle your way through three new city spots dishing bowls of goodness

One spot serves wallet-friendly favourites, another has queues for knock-your-socks-off ramen, and a third goes well beyond pho.

  • Quincy Malesovas
Sushi Hub is one of thousands of shops selling grab-and-go hand rolls in Australia.

A field guide to Melbourne’s top sushi rolls, from splash-out to a suburban gem

After three decades, this lunchtime staple might finally be moving beyond brittle rice and mushy seaweed. Here are five places to go, and how to spot a great roll.

  • Thomas Beecher
The ‘wagyu blanket’ dish, draped over mounds of seasoned rice, and topped with salmon roe cured in sake.

Japanese fusion cafes have swept Melbourne, but this suburban sushi spot goes back to basics

Find affordable omakase and comfort food items at Orianna Sushi Cafe in Murrumbeena.

  • Dani Valent
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Restaurateur Melanie Zhang of fine diner Ishizuka inside her forthcoming Bourke Street restaurant, Oden

The next venue from this two-hatted Japanese restaurant will be totally different

The creator of trailblazing basement fine-diner Ishizuka is opening a casual restaurant specialising in one of Japan’s most beloved, yet little-known, soul food dishes.

  • Dani Valent
Assorted dishes at Obanzai Mama.

Obanzai Mama

For Kyoto home-style ‘grandma food’ and make-your-own bento boxes.

  • Emma Breheny
Pork loin katsu is the hero at Katsuhon.

Katsuhon

A cosy Japanese eatery in the CBD specialising in crunchy, golden katsu.

Bar Selecta bar director Joey Tai (left) and co-owner Masaki Hisaike.

Bar Selecta

A Tokyo-style listening bar in a suburban laneway.

  • Kosa Monteith
Signature ramen made with chicken broth.

Umami Tokyo

Late-night izkaya serving disco-friendly ramen and Japanese drinking snacks.

  • Dani Valent