What a wonderful place this is. In the heart of Chinatown and up a laneway is this great japanese restuarant.
I've been here a couple of times and on my latest visit I had a banquet dinner which was superb.
We had some delicious sushimi, fried gyozas, seaweed, tempura, a yummy soup, a BIG hot pot (I forgot the pic) and some green tea ice cream and a vanilla ice cream with red bean.
Everything was really tasty and for a city restuarant this was excellent value.
They also serve some Japanese rice beer and a variety of sakes.
I had the best time and I'm definitely going back! Happy days.
Previous review - February 2017
Dropped in here for lunch. I had the large sashimi plate which was really good. A selection of kingfish, salmon and tuna. Served w a miso soup. Yummmm haha
The service was really friendly and happy, and this was a really good reasonably priced choice for lunch.
Worth a visit of your looking for some fresh food tasty food.
Yamato is like a hidden gem in China town. Perfect place for a couple or small group drinking! (But not for loud rowdy group though). So 5* for the ambiance.
Food is hit and miss so I’d rate 3.5*. Some dishes are quite little and too salty. Bear in mind it’s a bar, not a place to have a meal or proper food.
Would love to come back for a slow drink next time!
Cosy little restaurant tucked in Corrs Lane in Chinatown, you would miss it if you weren't looking for it. The ambience seems very authentic Japanese, it initially feels very cramped but after you getting settled in it just feels cute and cosy. The service was great and the wait staff were very polite. We ordered the eggplant and I got the tempura udon noodles. The wait was a little long but I guess it's because there was only one chef and everything was made as fresh as possible. The other table ordered sushi which looked incredible, so I'm coming back to try that. Overall, probably one of the cosiest little Japanese restaurants you can find in Melbourne and would definitely recommend their food.
Yamato is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Melbourne. Lovely cosy atmosphere and carefully prepared authentic food. Moderate price range, but definitely excellent value ♡
Really cute and tiny restaurant in China town. Beautiful sushi, tempura and gyoza! The Japanese curry was a bit bland but otherwise great selection. I would suggest booking here, especially if more than 2 people!
The salmon steak and the sauce it came with was delicious and perfectly cooked! 5/5
Hotpot was okay, thought the beef could've been better.
Cute restaurant, very Japanese styled.
Firts of all — BIG LOVE for the ambience. It’s such a small but pretty restaurant, makes you feel that you’re actually at Japan, not Melbourne. As for the food i love their ika butter, but i warned you, it’s salty. I’m into salty dishes so this one becomes my favorite instantly.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Yamato is one of the few places that has hyped me up for my first trip to japan. Location is very Melbournian in that it is tucked in the end of Corrs Lane. You can even enter through a narrow slip lane from Lonsdale St.
Ordered:
🍜 Zaru Soba: Buckwheat noodles with special dipping sauce ($11.30)
🍤 Tempura: prawn, fish & vegetable Tempura ($10.30)
Review:
I had a heavy craving for soba. Luckily, Yamato provided but it wasn't prepared as I normally had it. I expected the buckwheat noodles to be heaped by itself, to be dipped into a smaller separate sauce on the side. Instead, I was presented with a cold noodle bowl, with broth, with ICE IN IT and a dollop of wasabi on the side.
However, I did not let this deter me from a great experience!
Batter was crispy, nice and thin. Trying to capture the last few crumbs on my plate before it was taken away.
Interior was incredibly cute, with yellow light creating a warm atmosphere. Although the tables were a bit tight where you could hear the conversation of the people next to you, it was still okay. The decor is astounding. Peppered with trinkets everywhere, there's lots to stare at and be amused by!
+1 Yamato can do split bills. 😂
This is place is small, cute and tucked away at the end of the lane which makes it more exciting. It's a very cosy atmosphere - exactly the kind of place I would want to spend a cold night. Staff are friendly and the food is delicious - I particularly liked the salmon sashimi on rice (served in a sizzling stone bowl with a pat of chive butter I think). Also try the plum wine with honey - it's heaven.
4.5
This was exactly like stepping into an izakaya in Japan, complete with waitresses that could barely speak English. We started with crab n potato croquettes, yakitori and a salad with fried prawn. All dishes were top notch. A couple of serves of the perfect pork gyoza followed along with miso and the seafood tempura. All dishes were fantastic. This place is definitely worth checking out.
Authentic foods with authentic settings!
Tried to visit this place about a year or two ago but was closed. This time, came across this place again and decided to give it a try.
We came here around 5pm and the tables started to fill up. The place isn't that big so I suggest to come early otherwise you may have to queue.
We ordered their banquet no.3 and the foods were very delicious. There were 8 courses including the appetizers, main, and desserts.
The salmon sashimi was very fresh and the nabe soup was very memorable! They put the chicken balls and the taste was like dumpling fillings.
The set was very good choice especially during cold weather. It warmed up or body and soul.
Will definitely come back next time to try other dishes.
Manatsawee LIMPRAPUWIWATTANA
+4
This secret Japanese restaurant is a must! Brilliantly cooked food and heaps of perfect Japanese drinks. The sushi roll was very nice. Price is affordable. Only one thing is space, booking is probably needed for 4 diners ++
Such a homey, authentic and atmospheric restaurant and truly feels like you're back in a family restaurant in Japan. One of Melbourne's hidden gems for sure, down a small alleyway and with a humble entrance with an old sign and handwritten notes, you wouldn't think too much of it were it not for the lines of people queuing in front once it's past 7. My friend and I came at 6 on a Tuesday and it was already very full in this small place, and we were asked to take our shoes off before seating on the tatami mats and cushions, and it already felt so homey.
There was a huge variety on the menu and the food was amazing. Would absolutely come back again.
I straight up blew away so much money here recently. Cosy, Authentic Japanese Izakaya hidden in an alleyway. Doesn't really promote themselves but it's always full. Perfect place for a couple or a small group drinking. Not exactly spacious inside but the interior was on point with Japanese songs playing in the background.
Tried most of their dishes and I highly recommend their Sukiyaki, Beef Tataki, and this Japanese cocktail in a jug (forgot the name!) Their Sukiyaki = best value-for-money. Light, simple, and delicious. Huge portion size too.
FYI, their beer is a bit expensive ($10.50 for a glass). So if you are planning to drink drink, bring a bottle yourself ($10 corkage fee). Definitely my new favourite place!
What a wonderful place this is. In the heart of Chinatown and up a laneway is this great japanese restuarant.
I've been here a couple of times and on my latest visit I had a banquet dinner which was superb.
We had some delicious sushimi, fried gyozas, seaweed, tempura, a yummy soup, a BIG hot pot (I forgot the pic) and some green tea ice cream and a vanilla ice cream with red bean.
Everything was really tasty and for a city restuarant this was excellent value.
They also serve some Japanese rice beer and a variety of sakes.
I had the best time and I'm definitely going back! Happy days.
Tight cozy Japanese restaurant hidden off in Chinatown area. Tasty food with good portion sizes. Not great for a big group. Ideal for couples or 3-4 people. Very enjoyable experience there.
Very cosy Japanese restaurant, gotta take off your shoes to sit in a Japanese style chair and table. We had standard Japanese dishes like sashimi and nigiri. Entries we had Nasu dengaku, tayoyaki katsu don and tempura. The pokka lychee was an ultimate thirst quencher in that hot day but it was only 300ml. Pretty standard, good taste and good atmosphere. They play some jpop songs.
This is probably the cutest and most authentically Japanese restaurants I’ve been to in Melbourne. It’s a hidden gem tucked away in Chinatown with a second location on Exhibition. It’s full of Japanese knick knacks and offers a menu that rotates (or at least during covid it does). On the night I visited, it was izakaya style.
I ordered satisfyingly chewy agedashi mochi served in a flavourful broth, tender and flavourful nasu dengaku, greens in a sesame dressing and a side of rice. I didn’t try any drinks but from what I saw on offer, the beer selection is great.
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