Review Tempura Hajime - Melbourne

Impressive, always. It never disappoint. I still remember my first visit there back in 2009. The standard remains unchanged, both taste, presentation and visual. Recommend with no hesitation.

My first time at tempura place in Melbourne. Does not disappoint. Staff are friendly and service is precise and detail oriented as one would expect. Nice atmosphere. Dining during covid means max of 8 patrons at each serving. We went with the omakase + 🍣 which is good value for the extra $10. Need to book in advance. I felt very comfortable with dining here during covid. Thanks Hajime for a good night out.

Love that this is a cosy restaurant with only seating for 12 people around the counter. Booking is essential. Set menu is only available for lunch. Took a colleague there for lunch. We had the Sushi set and the Hajime Set. The sashimi was really fresh. Order the Hajime set if you want a bit of everything. Portion size is just right and price is reasonable for its quality. Great ambience too. If you like quality traditional Japanese food, you will enjoy the food here.

A wonderful experience! The service at lunch time was exceptional with freshly fried tempura, crispy and light without any oily taste accompanied by high quality sushi and sashimi. Carefully managed COVID safe environment allowed us to thoroughly enjoy ourselves having the tempura set and sashimi platter.

One of the best Japanese restaurant in Melbourne. The quality and atmosphere make me feel like I’m back in Japan. Lunch is very reasonable. But definitely I would recommend to try the dinner course meal. You will not regret.

Tempura Haijime has a solid reputation for being the best tempura bar in Melbourne - and for good reason too. Upon arrival at the restaurant, you will be greeted by incredibly friendly staff members, who will usher you into a waiting lounge, and help you be seated at a 12 seater bar. Given the size of the restaurant, it goes without saying that you must book in advance, and arrive on time (especially if you are going to the 530pm dinner sitting). Throughout the meal, we watched the Chef make the tempura piece by piece. He was silent, calm and a pleasure to watch execute his craft. The tempura itself was excellent, with a killer batter recipe. The unagi, sweet potato, scallop tempura pieces were standouts for me. We ordered the $130 p/head course, which for the extra $10, was worth the additional sashimi items. Was it worth the price? Absolutely. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or to be transported to Japan, this is a great choice.

Loved it here - only takes 12 guests at a time so book your visit! At lunch they only serve Bento boxes which all look delicious. Can't wait to go back for dinner service

Nice food. Good environment. Friendly staff😘

The details are felt in the Tempura Hajime, which is a Japanese-style minimalist that can accommodate only 12 people. Each set of different styles from each guest's cutlery set is unique, and the oil paper under each tempura is quickly replaced.<br/> The seemingly simple tempura is not simple, not just "fried". The details are in control of the time of the ingredients, the thickness of the bread, the crispy layer of the coat, the temperature of the oil temperature, and the indispensable! Perfect entrance to every coat and ingredients.

Have you ever eaten a prawn and really, really loved it? The prawn I had at Tempura Hajime was simply the best prawn I’ve ever eaten. It was flavoursome beyond words. This place is amazing. There’s no tempura like it in Melbourne. Sister restaurant Yu.u may have closed down but Tempura Hajime continues to fly the flag for amazing Japanese food. Just go.

Came here to celebrate my anniversary with my partner. We had tempura and sushi set. It was one of the most enjoyable dining experience. You get to watch the chef closely preparing your tempura in perfection. Tempuras were so fluffy, crunchy and clean taste. Sushi were really fresh and delicious as well. <br/><br/>Will I be back? Prob for next special event 😉

This is the place to experience authentic tempura omakase in Melbourne.<br/><br/>Food 5:<br/>Like many small dining establishments in Japan that are family/owner operated, Tempura Hajime focuses on what they do best, and delivers consistent quality tempura omakase.<br/><br/>Forget about the over-battered deep fried junk food that leaves your mouth with unpleasant aftertaste, which is fairly common in Melbourne.  Getting Tempura right is not an east feat.<br/><br/>If you want to experience what tempura is meant to be, visit Hajime.  Each piece of the omakase has it's place, the ingredients were incredibly fresh - their flavours accentuated by the brief frying and batter.  I was surprised at how skilful the chef - being a tempura chef - is at making nigiri.  <br/>While we can't compare them to the ones we've had in Japan, it's still very good, and a great inclusion to the omakase course for the price.<br/><br/>Ambience 5:<br/>A beautiful, clean and comfortable 12-seat counter with clear view of the chef at work.  <br/><br/>Service 5:<br/>Attentive and pleasant table service throughout the whole course.

We decided to visit here for a special anniversary. After reading about the multiple sushi and sashimi omakase’s and trying quite a number of them we decided that it’s time we gave this tempura place a go! <br/><br/>What we liked and didn’t like so much. <br/><br/>👍👍👍<br/>• Seriously, get the sushi and tempura set. Its actually pretty good sushi, not the best but definitely above average and great value for money. <br/><br/>• The tempura surprised us, it was light, fluffy and delicious. We were never massive tempura lovers but this place opened us up to a whole new Japanese speciality that we’ll be looking to explore the next time we are in Japan.<br/><br/>• There are only 12 seats in the restaurant which provides a fantastic intimate experience. We enjoyed watching the chef prepare our tempura dishes and boy were they yummy! <br/><br/>👎👎👎<br/>• It’s not cheap. If you’re looking to satisfy your Japanese Omakase cravings there are other options available within this price range which are arguably better bang for buck. <br/><br/>Would we come again? <br/><br/>You bet! It was on the pricey side but on a special occasion it’s definitely a wonderful, yummy and unique experience. <br/>

Beautiful tempura cooked to perfection. You'll realize that such a well known Japanese common dish is such an art on to itself. Good thing this place maintains the quality of cooking tempura.

My partner and I have been here countless of times (until the chef eventually recognises us) but we will never tire of the food here. The food is simply amazing. We always ordered the tempura and nigiri Omakase. The tempura batter is so light and the sushi is also divine. The service is also excellent, as they are very attentive to our needs. We have been there for lunch only once, as we feel that the experience at dinner was much better, even if it costs much more. You can count on us to come back here again.

I really loved the experience to have dinner in a small room with only 12 people and the chef doing the food in front of you. The food and the service were more than enough. I recommend to try it.

If you love tempura, you must come here to try it. Fresh cook in front of you, lightly battered with your own choice of traditional tempura sauce or lemon juice with pink salt. We had to say we haven’t had this kind of tempura for a long time. Sashimi and sushi are good as well.

An amazing meal. Light and airy tempura. Delicious sashimi. Amazing sake and sweet potato shochu. Attentive staff. Not much more you can ask for.

Tempura is a lovely Japanese restaurant located in south Melbourne. We came here for my friends birthday dinner and had a nice experience. Ingredients were all fresh, tempuras were all well cooked. Service was nice and friendly.

Straight away being transported to Japan once you enter this tiny restaurant. All of the decoration and seating reflect the true Japanese style.<br/>Tried Hajime bento which is only available for lunch, came with many different dishes altogether.<br/>Tempura was great, other dishes are quite average.<br/>The portion is on the small side, service is impeccable but a bit reserved.<br/>

Had high expectations. This place was small, cute and intimate - but I would not come back here. How good can tempura get? Need a bit more innovation to charge the big price tag for tempura.

Really good Tempura. This place specialises in Tempura. The appetisers, salads or any non-Tempura was just average. Personally having tried Minamishima a few times, the Sashimi and Sushi here isn’t on par with Mina. Wouldn’t come here for Sashimi or Sushi but will definitely come back for Tempura.

One of those Japanese restaurants that makes you appreciate how lucky you are living in Melbourne. Looks just like a Michelin star restaurant in Japan with authentic Tempura cooked in front of you, great service and a private, cosy environment. Price are extremely reasonable. Perfect in every way.

Was taken here as a special birthday dinner! And it was special! The room is small, but so personal and private. The lone chef does the tempura right in front of you, and it is cooked too perfection! The waiting staff work to the utmost care! Above and beyond is an understatement! The best sushi I’ve ever had!

Came here for my birthday! <br/>The tempura was perfectly seasoned. The taste is just amazing. Sashimi was really fresh and the service was amazing. The restaurant is cosy. The restaurant only have 12 seats, so don’t forget to book!

This fabulous 12-seater restaurant invites you to an upclose and personal experience with the chef. You watch him cook your food to precision and with lots of care. His timing is impeccable and the tempura is crispy on the outside yet juicy in the inside. The oil is very clean and even though most of the courses are fried, I didn’t feel that it was too oily. You are not allowed to take a photo of the chef and also I felt a little stressed whilst dining because everyone was very quiet and I felt like I had to be the same. Otherwise I enjoyed the food though this is one of those places where you try once and don’t think of coming back.

This type of food is reserved for tempura enthusiasts. I went in with curiosity expecting every dish to be deep fried (hence the name tempura) and deep fried food I received. The place was very intimate, it can only sit about 10 people. You sit right in front of the chef while he prepares the dishes, and you can see him frying everything before it is served in front of you. While the experience and atmosphere are very similar to those top end restaurants found in Japan, the food itself was not to my liking. The scallop was the highlight, but too much fried food ruins the original taste of the ingredients, and the sushi platter was average for the price we paid. I am sure tempura enthusiasts would love it, but it was not for me. Priced at around $100 per person for the omakase, there are definitely better places around Melbourne to satisfy your Japanese cravings.

A modern and intimate place for dinner. Only fits 12 diners at one time, so be respectful when making the booking.<br/><br/>There are 3 options for dinner depending how hungry you are. They are set menus ranged from around $80-$110. Includes an appetiser and a dessert. My friends and I are always hungry so we took the $110 which includes 10 tempura. If you are thinking that 10 tempura doesn’t sound like much, you’ll be mistaken. <br/><br/>My favourite is the scallop tempura and the sushi platter. Every single seafood and vegetables are super fresh and the batter is light and crispy, delicious! Everything is freshly made in front of us and served one at a time. I’m amazed that the chef remembers what stage everyone is in and continues serving us with perfect timing. <br/><br/>If you are looking for a intimate, and elegant place to celebrate a special occasion I would highly recommend trying Tempura Hajime. <br/>

From start til the end it was perfect. What chef Shigeo did so well is the pace and everything just taste so good together. Originally I was a little concern about the volume of food. Right from the start they already taste so good I just wanted more of it, then by the end it was just the right amount, enough not to feel hungry but not too much to feel stuffed. It is truly so precise and perfect that the two hours (just over) is so much an experience as much as a meal. Impressive that chef Shigeo knows exactly where everyone is at and keep the right pace. I asked him how he does that and he just replied politely he has been working as a chef for 23 years and concentration during service helps him to achieve that. Such a wonderful meal to lead into 2018! We will be back!

Had a great evening out on a Friday night for a regular dinner with friends.<br/>We were all looking forward to the experience as it’s amazing to have tempura served in a one-by-one format just like at the sushi bar.<br/><br/>Overall it’s a fantastic course experience comparable to degustation experiences so popular nowadays. This shop has been here for many years and has been head of the pack in this experience while the rest of the industry catches up. It’s a course where tempura is slowly savoured and enjoyed, and sashimi, sushi and dessert are just accompaniment to complete your meal. If you like tempura, and degustation experience, you will find this combination delightful. If you dislike long meals and just want you food served up straight, come for lunch and avoid the course meals, you will still enjoy good tempura!<br/><br/>Read on if you want details of the course dinner:<br/>We took the 10 pieces tempura set as we were extremely hungry, and had a 300ml sake (Dassai) to accompany us through the course.<br/><br/>In an intimate setting I am impressed with the chefs capability to remember where every group is at with their course, their allergies and the sharp eye to note when to serve with impeccable timing and not rushing the customer. It’s an art that was a fantastic experience, where some fine dining can’t even get it right with all the fuss of high quality servers. This was done with a chef plus two wait staff.<br/><br/>The course started with appetisers and a small portion of sashimi. Then came the enjoyable tempura pieces catering for allergies and inedibles (you will be asked at time of booking and once more when you are seated). The tempura pieces are fried right in front of you and served upon the serving plate in the bar, cut to mouth bite pieces. As you are served, the chef will also notify you what is it.<br/><br/>The pieces seemed extraordinarily small to me but as I go through the course I slowly find myself filled up. I guess to ensure tempura (consisting of lots of batter and oil) doesn’t make one sick half way, the portion is made to suit for the course.<br/><br/>About half way through just when we thought we are almost done, we were provided with some greens (beautiful seaweed salad) to break up the fried food. Then we continue with tempura to the end of the 10 pieces and was provided with a refresher drink before the grand finale of 6 piece sushi (three raw and two seared complete with the shop branded fried egg roll). <br/><br/>The dessert was simple with a great balancing of delicate flavours.

The restaurant is small and discreet, it was like you are going to someone’s house, ring the bell, they came out to greet you, walked you to their kitchen where there’re 12 neat seats and the chef waiting. Very homie. <br/>The meal started with Japanese appetisers, little cute small dishes were arranged on small plate. The chicken and cucumbers salad with sesame sauce was the best of the three. Then a plate of sashimi was served. The fish was super fresh, melted on your month, presentation was spot on with details spent on even the smallest radish. After that, the chef prepared tempura pieces right in front of you. What an exquisite experience! The tempura batter was to die for, I’ve never had any tempura batter that light and crispy. Then the main dish with either seafood and vegie tempura on rice Or a plate of mixed sushi. The sauce on the rice was so flavourful. I wish i could get a bigger bowl of that rice. Yoghurt jelly to finish the meal. I like the sauce they put with the jelly which is moscato juice and cointreau. The sauce made the dish.<br/>Service was superb, just like what u expected from Japanese, super polite, waitress was there to introduce every dish and walk u through how to enjoy the meal. But beware, since there’s only 12 seats, u’d better book in advance and any big group would be bit hard to arrange. Only negative thing I can think of in this place was the small portion.

The entry to Tempura Hajime is small and discrete, but not hard to miss. The eating area, which seats 12, is a small, well lit, clean and modern looking room, with the seats spread in a semi circle around the food prep area. The staff a friendly and informative, and the chef was very warm and friendly throughout the meal. <br/><br/>The food. Starting with the appetisers, three mouthful sized bowls with fish, chicken and seaweed. This was a light and welcoming start to the meal, the chicken and cucumber sesame was my personal favourite. <br/><br/>Then the ten piece tempura course. Overall, the tempura experience was great. Watching the chef prepare and then serve you the tempura was great. Vegetables, seafood and one chicken tempura. The chicken tempura was my surprising favourite. After about the 6th tempura I started to feel quite full, so from then on I tried to just eat half of the serving. The two sauces we were served at the start were soy and lemon juice, I ended up just using the soy. <br/><br/>After that came the rice main, which I was surprised I could eat quite easily after being filled from the tempura. This was quite a standout, rice with mixed vegetables which I think were fried somehow as they were crunchy. It was possibly my favourite dish. <br/><br/>We finished with a small yoghurt jelly, which is pretty much what it sounds like. Standard vanilla yoghurt in a solid jelly form. It was a light pleasant way to finish the meal. <br/><br/>Overall this was a great night, as well as an experience away from usual dining. I would come back here, but it would be hard with a group of anymore than 4 people.

The restaurant prides itself on perfection and nothing less. <br/><br/>From the immaculate service, crispy light batter of the tempura, melt in your mouth sashimi, delicately balanced miso soup.. my experience dining here was nothing but a beautiful dream. <br/><br/>Will not hesitate to come back. Just make sure you make a booking, as only 12 seats are available for dine in.

It's like being invited to someone's home and you sit around the breakfast/Kitchen bar. Very homely. But that's where the similarity ends. The food is a joy to behold. Colourful and attractively presented. The tempura is all that you imagined a good piece of tempura batter to be; light and crisp; not soggy as in some places. The oil is obviously the right temperature and of high quality. The beer is cold. The extra chilli [if required] is as called. The Chef is on hand to discuss his culinary creations. The fish is beautifully presented and flavoursome. The rice is balanced well with the vinegar, and cooked to correct texture. The service is polite, knowledgeable, and respectful of your privacy. A truly Japanese cuisine heaven!

A recommended place for people who love tempura. When u dine here, it would give you feeling of staying in a good local japanese tempura restaurant in japan. <br/>I am not a big fan of tempura, but still enjoyed the dining experience. A wide range of sake made it half way there 😊 in fact! Haha!

Was there at lunch time, really a perfect dining experience!<br/><br/>Had Tempura set and sushi set! Good value for lunch time. Their tempura is really crispy and the rice is cooked so nice! <br/>For the sushi, the taste of nori rice is adequate and the sashimi is so so fresh! <br/><br/>Service is a plus! <br/><br/>Would go back!

Best tempura, hidden gem. I like the tempura better than tempura tenichi in Ginza (Tokyo) that has michellin star as a comparison. Tempura is fresh and crisp. Love to be able to see the chef cooked everything in front of us, and the place is so small that makes it more private and intimate. Great place.

非常隱密的一家餐廳, 總共就12個位子<br/>菜單簡單易懂, 就是Tempura Omakase<br/>服務非常好, 看著師傅在面前細心的炸每一道菜實在是令人口水直流<br/>一個人頭大約$80-$90不含酒 <br/>食材真的都非常非常非常新鮮! 而且徹底讓我對天婦羅改觀了(笑) <br/>喜歡日式料理的朋友一定要來嘗試! <br/><br/>Very hidden restaurant with only 12 seats, when I walked in it felt like I have entered a secret elite club of some sort. Being able to choose our own sake glasses was a nice little touch. Loved the flavours and details of each dish and all the ingredients are super fresh, I was never really a tempura person but last night I left Tempura Hajime with a happy belly and big smile on my face :)<br/><br/><br/><br/>

Best tempura place. Tiny little restaurant that only seats 12. Great service, feeling welcome and the warmth. Authentic Japanese food and ambient.

This place was unbelievable. It's not just a dinner, it's an experience. We were seated at 7pm and left at 9 30pm. Every single dish that came out was better than the last, there were no favourites. Everything was perfect from the food, to the ambience, to the chef making everything in front of us. Can't fault this place, will definitely be returning.

Nice authentic Japanese taste. Their special is tempura, but I found their sushi is also good. The place is small but has exclusive feeling. The service is great. The food is very enjoyable. Will definitely come back.

BEST TEMPURA RESTAURANT EVER.<br/><br/>My partner surprised me for my birthday dinner here few years ago and it was THE best tempura experience in my life. <br/><br/>Loved the little semi hidden front door (lol didn't see the sign even after my partner pointed it out at me) and how it can only fit 10-12 people. Made me feel super lucky to be there. <br/><br/>Amazing food. Very authentic and delicious. I can't wait to go back!

Intimate setting and high quality food at a very reasonable price. Would recommend the tempura as their specialty. Also has a good sake list to match.

Having heard about this elusive tempura restaurant a few years back, I was happy to accompany my friends here to dine on a Saturday night. Walking to the unassuming entrance we were greeted by a beautiful minimalistic restaurant. Since they only take bookings for 12 people per night, it was bound to be a special evening. Seated around the bar, the chef cooked up perfect tempura of various flavors, both veggie and seafood. So of them were perfectly and expertly cooked. The sushi courses were also amazing despite their emphasis on tempura. We did the top sushi and tempura course and enjoyed the whole experience. The highlight was the clam and sea urchin tempura, followed by the tuna and avocado sushi tempura. The pana cotta in cointreau also deserves a special mention. <br/><br/>Everything about this restaurant reminded me of Japan, the service, the attention to detail, freshness of their ingredients and the pride they have in how the prepare and present their food. Honestly this is a great slice of Japan at our front door.

Truly proper Japanese Tempura restaurant style. It is small yet exclusive restaurant that specialised in tempura. It is so unique and the staff are warm and welcoming. Service was well provided. Food experience was also exceptional. I found I enjoyed and got to experience both food and art of tempura when I visited.

I'm not a fan of only tempura but this is an experience I would recommend. paid $98 for the 10 course, bit pricey considering a few of the courses were simple vegetables, however it was very delicious. Stand out for me was the prawn and tuna avocado.

Intimate authentic Japanese restaurant, would highly recommend. Each course is delicate and petite but most definitely full by the end of the meal. Great to listen to the chefs stories too.

Tempura Hajime is a Japanese restaurant located in South Melbourne, to be more precise, it was 2-3 minutes walk from tram stop 20-Domain Interchange. The restaurant was secluded and anyone could possibly miss the hidden nameplate. Every single day (except Monday and Sunday), they only serve 12 people maximum for each seating (lunch and/or dinner) due to the limited space and also there are only 1 chef and 2 waitresses serving the guests.

I thought I was in Japan once I stepped into this small Japanese diner. Pine elements around two chefs and great personalised service. The lunch here is great and even though its signature is tempura, the sushi is great. However the buffet tempura dinner is good but too much tempura is not my cup of tea. A worthwhile visit though

Was very excited about coming to try this place. It is a very elegant restaurant and we were very impressed when we stepped into it as it had such an authentic Japanese feel. There was one chef (which I assumed was the owner, as I have done some reading on this place prior to coming) and one waitress at lunchtime. We made a booking before arriving as I thought it would be quite busy since it is only open for a short time during lunch but turned out that we were the only two diners. My hubby thought that there wouldn't be the point of opening for lunch as there would be too little revenue, but I said maybe it was just one of the quieter days as it was a Tuesday and quite windy outside. Now to the main part. We both ordered the tempura set ($26 each) and a bottle of Coedo craft beer ($12). First we had a little bowl of salad (cabbage with some dried seaweed and citrus sauce) and a bowl of miso soup. The chef/owner fried the tempura in front of us while we watched, sipping on the beer and enjoying the quiet and exclusive ambiance all to ourselves. The tempura came beautifully presented in a bowl with all the essential elements - a blob of daikon to put into the dipping sauce, sea salt and lemon. They were so light and crispy and didn't taste oily at all. Definitely worth the title as the best tempura in Melbourne! Would return again and again!

When I entered this place, it feels like I'm in Japan. Great for a special occasion. Each course is cooked in front of you, so it's like a show as well. The ingredients are so fresh, tempura to perfection and then served immediately. At first, you might think there's not enough food, but by the end, especially with the sushi, definitely full. Lovely dessert to end the meal too, not too sweet, and cleans the palate.

Tempura Hajime is a “tempura specialist” restaurant. It sure looks like one on first impression: the counter seats and the wood counter along with the large copper pot for cooking tempura. I went here for lunch to have a look at whether this place has what it takes to rival the tempura-yas (tempura shops) in Japan. Unfortunately it fell short...

“Ever feel like having someone professional cook just for you? Tempura Hajime gives you the opportunity to have just that. For our wedding anniversary weekend, we were able to get two seats (in the restaurant that seats approximately 13 people at a time) on the Saturday night. The options for dinner are limited as Tempura Hajime specializes in Tempura (a cooking method where food is deep fried in light batter). We selected the 10 course tempura degustation with sashimi. Each serving was unique and delicious. Note: Dish spoiler alert below. “

Eating at Tempura Hajime allows you to appreciate the simple perfection of single items as they are served – a perfect, fresh plum and crunchy prawn, a spear of green asparagus that still maintains its crunch, and an amazing scallop stuffed with raw sea urchin. Tempura Hajime is worth waiting for.

This is a photoview post (contains mostly photos only).<br/>Verdict: Oishi desu kara Tempura Hajime ikimashou! (Let's go to Tempura Hajime because it's delicious!)

biting into piping hot, crunchy, crispy, fresh and light tempura coating the freshest seafood or vegetable, enhanced by that sprinkling of salt and a touch of lemon. This renews my faith in tempura.

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience and we enjoyed ourselves. It is a little pricey but you do get quality food and good service.

...if they didn't put a premium price against such average food.

A legendary spot on Park Street, a once hidden door has been opened up and you now can spot Tempura Hajime as you pass by. Enter into a mysterious reception area and if you are one of the lucky 12 to be seated that night you will be escorted into the dining area. A horse shoe bench around the kitchen to allow for a full view of the chef preparing your degustation! There are two set menus available – Tempura or Tempura and Sushi at a set price, select some wine and sit back and watch the fun begin! We go with the tempura set and first up we have ‘Kobachi – hors d’oeuvre’ Beautiful and fresh and a lovely way to start as our master of the tempura comes through the red curtain and starts to prep our feast! Tempura – Chefs selection of 10 pieces is an adventure in the art of super crisp, light and fried without creating a horrible smell in the room. I cannot work out how he managed to do the sweetcorn, it seemed to be regimental and in a square – very impressive and I love sweetcorn and asp

It has been a while since my last blog on Tempura Hajime. The good news nothing has changed and the good news nothing has changed.<br/>So this makes life very simple for me. My last review of Tempura Hajime remains unchanged, the food is the same, the quality is of the same high standards and presentation remains unchanged.<br/><br/>While many a restaurant feels the need to re-invent, it is refreshing to go back to Tempura Hajime and see that re-invention is not required when everything is wor

It has been about 2 years since my previous visit to Tempura Hajime and over that time the ownership has changed hands from restaurant founder and chef Daisuke Miyamoto to Shigeo Yoshihara. Recent reviews in the blogosphere have been somewhat less than complimentary stating a no photography policy (wrong as evidenced here) and limp, soggy tempura. To a certain extent when a restaurant changes in one way or another, people seem to simultaneously look to criticise and yearn for the old as evidenced by those who still recall through rose coloured glasses "I remember when Vue de Monde was in Carlton and was oh so much better back then...." Initial impression of the dining room is that not a lot has changed, the very minimalist dining room that seats 12 across the counter seats is the same. Set menu is the same and the faint aroma of grated daikon radish and the tempura oil almost

Tempura Hajime was an excellent and unique dining experience. I love the fact that it was "hidden" away and that the dining room was so intimate and if u go with a big enough group like we did, you had the whole place to yourselves. The flavours of each d

Well, I CAN'T believe, it has been almost TWO weeks since I dined at Tempura Hajime and I have yet to blog about it. I've finally decided to devote some time and talk about Tempura Hajime. Located in South Melbourne, this place is discreet, and believe me

Tempura Hajime is an intimate 12 seat restaurant devoted to serving deep fried battered seafood and vegetables, a popular Japanese dish otherwise known as tempura. Erstwhile chef and owner,

I have visited Tempura Hajime before but this time around, Daisuke Miyamoto was no longer the Chef and had entrusted his restaurant to a young new chef (I believe formerly from Kenzan?). Seating only 12 people at a time, you feel like you've found a hidde

With no advertising or obvious signage Hajime’s new lunch menu is still a fairly well kept secret, but like the restaurant itself, you can bet it won’t be for long.

Saturday evening’s proceedings at Tempura Hajime felt more like espionage than an actual dinner.

I heard about Tempura Hajime a few years ago when a friend mentioned her desire to have her birthday dinner there. Unfortunately I didn't pay much attention as the price range was way beyond my capabilities during my student days. A few years on, and I've

Pleasantly Surprised. Just found out that there's this amazing and exclusive (12 seats only) Japanese restaurant, Tempura Hajime, on Park Street!<br/>Sashimi was fresh; sushi was finger licking good; tempura was lightly battered and cooked to order, not oily at all. Perfecto! And my new found favourite sake, Dassai 50 Jyunmai Daiginjyo, was available too.<br/>This restaurant is so near me, it's 'dangerous'. :x

Survive. Is a pricey place. put it this way, they only seat 12 - 14 people a round. lucky they get 30 customers a night. if they only make $40/ head. there is no way they can survive in Australia. as a customers, stop taking but start giving to the hard working skill persons who bring something into Australia as an eyes opener for many. <br/>i think their price is quite reasonable for what they are doing and offering, yet to be able to survive in the game.

I really liked thus place, it's a bit pricey but was worth the experience. Very intimate, exceptional service and the best tempura I've ever tried ( I'm not a tempura fan).

Beautiful tempura (def one of the best in town) and sashimi however disappointing portion sizes for the price. Some dishes you only get half a piece I.e half a mushroom, really!? Just give me the whole thing. Expensive drinks ($5 Coke is exorbitant). Left satisfied but hungry within a couple of hrs.

Best tempura !

Well worth the meal. Was instantly transported back to Japan at this place. People might say the decor is bland and same with the music, but it's not a China bar nor a AjisanRamen/shinuya(insert shop) cheap and nasty fill me up, more of a Shikoku keep you full but feel 90% hungry in true Okinawan tradition. Yes I know I want a bite of a wagyu slider $90 after, but after 10 pieces of hand cooked tempura is it really necessary?

Beautiful, authentic Japanese food in a tiny private dining room. Feels just like Kyoto

Intimate dining experience. I've been here a couple of times and have really enjoyed the tempura set menu. You get a variety of tempura freshly cooked by the chef at your table that is set in a semi-circle. If you're brave enough you can speak to the chef while he's cooking your dinner - he's quite friendly :)

With it's intimate setting, tempura hajime serves the best tempura in melbourne. each tempura piece is delicately fried in very clean oil, leaving a perfect crunch with no oily/fatty residue. definitely leaves you craving for more.

Great tempura. Great selection of tempura and the batter was light, delicate and not too oily.<br/>Perfect setting for a relaxing dinner. <br/><br/>For those with healthy appetites, would recommend opting for the 10 piece tempura and sushi set. Would have still been hungry with anything less.

The one and only!. Was FANTASTIC! The most authentic Japanese tempura in Melbourne-using the CLEANEST OIL so you dont feel heavy afterwards!! It is the only place I can eat fried food and still feel healthy... The quality and freshness of the ingredients may be the key to this satisfying dining experience. It's a must go for all food lovers!<br/><br/>This restaurant only has 12 seats around a single bar so book ahead! I have taken guests and the owner/chef always serves amazing tempura and meticulously prepared fresh sushi and sashimi. Staff are very well trained and very attentive. Take a moment to appreciate the understated but beautiful Japanese style interior..nothing is left to chance!<br/><br/>The tempura banquet at dinner is a unique experience exactly as it is done in some of the best tempura restaurants in Japan today. My favourite part? -Being able to pick my own sake cup, and definitely the experience of being served by the chef himself, one piece at a time! It was refreshing to go to a restaurant without having to come out feeling full and bloated....but if you feel hungry, just order some more...you wont regret it!<br/><br/>Lunch is a quicker affair typical of Japanese restaurants, but still good value for the quality. I would recommend the tempura or sushi lunches. <br/><br/>By the way- All of the warm sakes are nice, but you cant really taste much difference if you have it warm (like mulled wine). If you really want to taste the sake, drink it at cold or at ROOM TEMPERATURE.

Disapointing and pricey. Very bland décor but they had the typical Japanese elevator music playing in the background. We ordered the $75 tempura and sushi set and the only stand out dishes were the tempura sweet corn, tempura tuna and avocado and wagu beef sushi. We paid imported prices for the Sapporo which was brewed in South Australia. Dessert was nice and delicate. We left the restaurant feeling slightly hungry after leaving behind $200 for our meals. <br/>Are there no amazing Japanese restaurants left in this city?

Discreetly hidden away on Park St (you would almost certainly not notice it walking past) this restaurant is like a slice of Japan in South Melbourne.<br/>Perfect for an intimate birthday or work function, it seats only 14 in a semi circle around the chef. The service is highly attentive, the food exceptional. The miso is possibly the best you will find, and the tempura is so light you almost don't know it's deep fried. Flavours abound of the delicate prawns and vegetables, a must try.<br/>Highly recommended.

Tempura tasty. Best tempura I've ever had in Melbourne. Tried some things tempura'd that I had never thought could be! Lovely experience.

Three thumbs up!. Have been meaning to go here for a few years but never sure how to find it in South Melbourne. It was reputedl "hard to find". Turns out that although by itself in Park St it is a very short walk from the Domain-St.Kilda Rd tram interchange so very easy to get to. And easy to park.<br/><br/>This small, it only seats 10, restaurant specialises in Tempura and has several set menus that include sashimi and sushi as well.<br/><br/>You sit at a curved timber bar and the tempura chef prepares your food in front of you. Great food and good theatre. Coupled with a good wine list and excellent service this was a special treat in Melbourne.<br/><br/>We have been to what is supposedly the best tempura restaurant in Tokyo overlooking the Emperor's garden - or not really as you aren't meant to be able to overlook the emperor so although the building was next to the palace any of the rooms on that side were blacked out but the view over the rest of Tpkyo was pretty good - anyway I digress - Hajime did very well in comparison.

Tempura Overloaded. We went to this restaurant for work dinner and left unimpressed. Yes it's intimate (since there's only 14 seats available) but the food is ordinary. Perhaps I don't enjoy Tempura much since I believe fresh food should be tasted without having to be deep fried. All I remember was, the food was ordinary and slow, service was ok, toilet was inconveniently located outside of the restaurant, and I came home with a bad sore throat from all the deep fried tempuras. Not a good experience thus not returning.

Tempura. Love the food, the experience, ambiance and their service.<br/>Love the food but too bad the chef refused us to take photographs... <br/><br/>Kind of got offended by how he approached us to stop taking photos.

Good for a small corporate function. Good fresh Japanese food, well prepared. A very unusual place that would be ideal for a team meeting. Seats just 14 around a teppanyaki bar. Food is good, service ok (inexpert but trying) and prices are reasonable. Decor could do with a refresh. Parking is a problem - only 1 hour in the street.

Food - 9/10, Service - 4.5/5, Ambience - 4.5/5, TOTAL - 18/20. Everything melts in your mouth.

A very memorable experience, highly recommended!

A mouth watering intimate dining experience

Truly Unique Dining Experience. Called on the slight chance I could get in on the same night....not a chance! But, got a call back one hour later saying there was a cancellation-we're in!<br/><br/>As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the two waitresses. We were ushered into the 12 seater U-shaped Japanese bar with the chef cooking fresh tempura. What an aroma!<br/><br/>First up was the most succulant and fresh sashimi including our favorite, ocean trout. T was followed by multiple course mouth watering tempura. Highlights were mushroom filled with prawn, eggplant filled with chicken and scallop filled with urchin. Multiple simple styles include tempura asparagus and an amazing variety of sweet potato that just melts. <br/><br/>Also notable is the plum wine and soda palate cleanser and the yogurt pannacotta for dessert. <br/><br/>To be honest I didn't look at the wines because I don't understand drinking wine with Asian food. However, standard japanese beers are available. Three cold and warm vareties of sake are on offer. I tried a dry warm sake which was great. Staff are more than happy to make a suggestion. Sochu is also available.<br/><br/>The chef is very personable and introduces every dish. He prepares way morsel with pride and precision. It's a pleasure to watch. <br/><br/>At $73 per person, for the obligatory set menu, I consider this place great value for money. For the intimate dining experience in a quiet environment with your own personal chef - fantastic. <br/><br/>If I had to be critical of anything I would have to say that I would have liked the interior lights to be dimmer. Picky, I know. <br/><br/>In conclusion, book in advance and make it a priority to eat at one of Melbourne's most unique venues. This place is all substance.

Goaded by warnings of their imminent closure to return to Japan, we dive heedlessly into tempura wonderland - like Alice, recklessly consuming all and anything that remotely hints 'Eat Me'.

Behind a non-descript door in Park Street, a little slice of Tokyo has dropped into South Melbourne. Tempura Hajime is a tiny restaurant which only serves, you guessed it, tempura. Now I'm not such a great fan of tempura (how much fried stuff can you eat

I have decided that I make a much better report writer than a novel writer. I always give away the ending. I just can't help myself. And with this, I would like to say that Tempura Hajime is my new favourite Melbourne restaurant. It was Josh's birthday on

I've been keen to dine at Tempura Hajime ever since it fell into my radar some time in 2007 but strangely enough, my trips to Melbourne often coincided with when they were either closed for holidays or booked out.