By far, the best value sushi train money can buy. They experiment occasionally to see if customers like new creations (bring back the otoro and chutoro!), but their mainstays have never disappointed. Fresh scallops, salmon, (don't try akami tuna though, it's thin and bland), and most of all the engawa (fluke fin). I put off writing a review because I didn't want people to know about this place, but the secret is out. This is a Melbourne institution.
Sushi Hotaru has been a popular sushi train restaurant for years. You'll typically have to line up but the wait isn't too long.
There is quite a wide variety of different sushi available, and is good compared to Sushi Hub and Tetsujin who might pump out the usual varities of nigiri, gunkan, rolls and sashimi.
Prices are also pretty reasonable and if you don't find what you're after, there's also an a-la-carte menu.
One of my favourite sushi train spots!
The wasabi packets were fairly tasteless. They should buy higher quality ones from Japan
My favourite sushi train!!
Always the go-to. The prices have gone up but so has the quality of the food! Everything is always fresh and extremely tasty. The staff here are very friendly and always attentive. There is a wide selection to choose from. I recommend this place to everyone!
I went there for the first time last night but I knew this restaurant for a while as most friends have recommended it. As I remember, they also have branches in Sydney. Customer service is just average. Considering taste, ambiance and price, it is obviously cost-effective and their food tastes good.
Cheap and fast feed! Expect to wait in line during lunch and dinner. Best to arrive when doors just opens, fresh sushi there taste better before lunch, dinner is ok a lot of old leftover sushi even if u order on iPad they just take it from the train
Friend brought me to this place. The made to order soft shell crab hand roll is a must-try. Other dishes we got from the shishi train are fresh and delicious as well.
A fantastic sushi expereince. A very enjoyable experience although you may need to queue. Its a compact shop a bit hidden in chinatown and gives an exclusive feeling when dining here. Compared to other sushi trains it is affordable and great variety. However, the past times I have gone there the quality has dropped just a little. Regardless this place is still excellent
One of my favourite sushi train places in Melbourne.
Every single time I have some 'me time's I will come to this place for a quick meal. Cheap with a flat rate of $3.50 per plate except some items such as sashimi plates etc. but it's good enough!
The sushi plates are so full of variety and can be ordered from a screen or from the 'train'.
Photo is of a plate of Seared chilli salmon. Omg, you can smell the freshly seared salmon and it's so full of flavour!
Sushi hotaru gets 5 stars for service, variety, quality and value. The staff are super sweet. There’s a great variety of sushi, sashimi, hot dishes and side dishes. You can order from the iPads at your table or pick off the sushi train. The quality of the sushi is great too, always fresh and delicious. The prices are also very reasonable compared to other sushi trains. I recommended the seared salmon nigiri, agedashi tofu and beef tataki. There is usually a line for a seat so try to avoid peak hours.
This place is a definite weekend dinner destination! The restaurant itself is small and cosy so you may have to book or wait a little. But, the atmosphere is great. You can sit at the train and watch your food being made and you also have the luxury of ordering food through an a la carte screen menu.
Food is fresh and delicious each time I have been here. No doubt one of the best sushi places. Prices are very good value for money too
Staff are friendly and attentive
Would come again for sure!
A bit pricey for a big feed but totally worth it on quality.
Best kind of place for a group of 2-4 people.
Range is amazing and very well made.
Staff are friendly and efficient.
This is where my boyfriend and I go when we want celebrate special events together.
We love you sushi hotaru!!
Been here many times, line always moves quickly and the plates are well priced - never had a bad time! Staff is friendly and food is good. Best sushi train in Melbourne
Pricey but one of the best in Melbourne ! And one of the most authentic. All pieces are flavoursome and the range is really good- Tako-wasa is quite a rare find in Melbourne and they make it really well!!
Yummy food!! Fresh Sushi ~~~
Will recommend it to my friends!! Haha
Totally fall for the sushi, cheap price!!
Will be back!!! Nice staffs and recommend so many good options to us~~
I love it when staff were making a sushi with cheese. It tastes amazing than dipping on sauce. I can’t stop eating the cheese rolls. I can visit there anytime if I want
One of my favourite sushi train , cheap and fast service . Lucky you won’t line in queue , it always busy here . I also like Sakura favourite one on Lonsdale street , the other is close to little Collins street as better quality, but I like hotaru a lot another choice of sushi train place is the one on empire but wouldn’t recommend.
Today’s rice a little bit hard , but won’t change any preference :)
I had a great time with my friend eating at Sushi Hotaru. It tasted fresh and without a doubt one of the best places I’ve been to.
The price was slightly on the higher end for me, but worth every penny.
The service was amazing, would definitely go again.
This place is great, cheap and the food is always on point. They have a special menu which they change up every so often. The price per dish is cheap compared to other sushi train restaurants in melbourne. Ordering is done through the ipad and food is always quick to come. The only annoying thing is you have to line up, so if you're hungry, probably best to go elsewhere. Though it is worth the wait!
We have been coming here for a few years and it is consistently busy so allow time to line up at peak times.
Service is efficient, polite and family friendly. Menu items are reasonably priced and you can order a la carte. There is a great variety so everybody finds something they like. New items appear on the menu regularly.
This is a get in, eat and get out sort of place which is exactly what we like.
Usually a wait to get seated at this place as it always busy. Sushi is great for its price! Always a go-to option for a quick, no frills sushi fix
Will come back for:
+ Smoked Tuna Sashimi
+ Aburi Salmon
+ Tomago rolls
Despite it’s hard to find location, this place often has a long queue at lunch time out the front. It’s known for it’s fresh sashimi/sushi train served at a relatively reasonable price. Sashimi were indeed fresh, and the variety impressive. The train’s relatively long, so if you see something you like, grab it, or you’ll be waiting a while for it to come around again. Service was bright and cheerful, and I certainly will be back for another fix soon!
Had lunch here today and I am pleased to say that the sushi here is delicious as I remembered. At reasonable prices of $3.30 per plate, I found myself quickly stacking plates as I tried many of the plentiful options this place had to offer. Definitely recommend this place for a sushi craving in the CBD area.
I've never had a good sushi train experience in Melbourne until Sushi Hotaru. Huge thing for me that other places failed to deliver was a good variety of nigiri. There was plenty here and they were fresh. You can tell that because they don't dress it up with heavy sauces, unlike some other places. Lastly for $3.30 a plate, it's damn good value.
Best to avoid coming during peak hours as it can get crowded.
My go to sushi train restaurant! Delicious, huge variety and very reasonable price. Would definitely recommend over other sushi trains in the city.
Good experience here! The place was not that big. The price tas was very affordable. The ambiance is amazing, though it’s a little bit dark. It’s like having luxurious food with good price! Seafood is really fresh here. I like everything I had here and will definitely come back again.
Service ★ ★ ★
Food ★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience ★ ★ ★
Come here often. Seafood are really fresh here. Always busy and have to wait for the table. But worth for it. Of course you cant request for a fine dining service here but all staff are nice and helpful.
This has been our most favourite-go-to sushi restaurant as they have a very wide variety of sushi and pretty cheap compared to other restaurants. Especially for us who don’t really like raw food.
The place was quite small and you sit very close one another, a typical sushi train restaurant. The ambiance is amazing, though it’s a little bit dark. It’s like having luxurious food with good price!
We decided to try a few of them. The one we always order is the Soft Shell Crab with Tartar Hand Roll and Salmon Cream Cheese. They blend perfectly together. Most of the sushi roll and side dish are good enough and pretty cheap for a sushi train. But, a note on is that the chicken karaage is a little bit dry.
Overall, this is one of the restaurant you should go if you’re craving for sushi and looking for budget-friendly sushi. Will always be our favourite restaurant. Be aware for the waiting queue!!
Sushi hotaru in Chinatown. I was there long time ago and we did have the good fresh sushis. It is a nice Japanese sushi train restaurant and friendly staff with good service.
One of a hidden gem in Midcity Arcade. I enjoyed the food and the concept of the restaurant. Authentic food and very efficient self-service as they’re using a screen/Ipad in each table to order food. Many interesting varieties in the menu, seafood are fresh.
This place is well hidden in Midcity Arcade....just look for the long queues and you'll know you're in the right place.
The restaurant itself is quite dark inside. Prices are very reasonable and service is always friendly.
The iPads for ordering items is easy to use. For a sushi train, Hotaru has all the requirements for a satisfying experience.
Cheap sushi train that is greet quality and so delicious ! At a flat rate you can’t go wrong , mu favourite is the soft shell crab sushi ! Such great value and I can eat so many too
Cheap and nice sushi train place in Melbourne. Have been here a few times - the price was increased, but the sushi became smaller. Service was fast and the price is fair compared to other places. It is a Good place if you are looking for a sushi fix rather than supreme sushi.
Accessible, delicious , efficient and most of all affordable . One of the best sushi places in Melbourne . I highly recommended this place .
The food was just okay. The prices was okay as well. I got bored of the options after a bit and decided to get a kimchi sushi and that was pretty good.
Nice, cheap and quick! This place gets very busy so be prepared to wait a long time for a seat or go during off-peak hours. What you get in return is good food served up immediately and it is always consistent. The food isn't refined but that is not what you pay for or want it to be. It is tasty and has a nice selection of sushi and nigiri options.
Sushi Hotaru was one of my favourite Japanese/sushi train restaurants. They served tasty, freshly made sushi of great variety at reasonable prices and with friendly, efficient service. My favourites were anything with scallop and salmon - they were so so fresh and delicious! They could get busy really quickly so best avoid the peak meal times.
For these kinds of prices, this seems like it's the best you can get in Melbourne. The sushi is good, I'm just trying not to overhype it.
At first, I thought it was stupid to not have a reservation system, but I now realise that - given the popularity of this place - a booking system might make it essentially impossible to show up spontaneously and get a seat, albeit after a 10-20 minute wait, which I often like to do.
I'm not that big a fan of the sashimi here actually; the tuna and salmon sashimi haven't really impressed - which is to be expected because really fatty tuna must be pretty pricy. So for those that like their seafood cooked, I'd recommend the eel, prawn and crab.
Good experience here, for the second time. Avoided their super busy hrs, so we waited about 5-10 mins to be seated still. Ate so much, we left satisfied. The only let down was the sashimi wasnt as great as i expected, wasnt that fresh. Other than that, the variety is great, price is decent.
Super fresh and affordable. What more needs to be said?
Came for dinner at 6pm on a Saturday and luckily didn’t need to wait at all. Service was a little slow, but the staff were lovely.
One of the best parts of a sushi train HAS to be the fact that you can get right into it as soon as you’re seated, and get into it we did! Within a very short amount of time, my partner and I had devoured 20 plates together! From salmon nigiri to seared squid nigiri, to an eel roll with delicious cream cheese to ordering authentic and tasty agedashi tofu, chicken karaage and takoyaki from the touch screen in front of us... we had a great feast at Sushi Hotaru and will definitely be back! Our dinner came to $33/pp for the 20 plates. A special mention I’d like to add is the fact that the amount of rice was well balanced with the ingredients, and there wasn’t too much so that you had room to try many different dishes.
Most affordable, fresh and authentic sushi train you’ll ever find. These guys are amazing! There’s sometimes a long line but it’s definitely worth the wait. They’re very polite, kind and helpful. The food is really filling and tasty! Worth a shot!
One of the best tasting contemporary sushi and sashimi places in the Melbourne CBD. The quality of sushi is two steps above what you would find at your usual take-away sushi store. The rice is always lukewarm and soft, while its flavour never over-powers the fish. There are plenty of sushi options with contemporary flavourings to choose from. The only downsides are that the lines are always very big, the prices a bit too dear, and the service is slightly subpar.
If you’re for an adventure, sushi hotaru is the place to be with it’s constant sushi train rotating around you and quick service! Here’s some of my faves:
Seared salmon - the salmon is seared to perfection and is so fresh and juicy!
Mixed sashimi - one of my fave plates serving salmon, tuna and kingfish (I think)! Their servings are always fresh and so very smooth!
Soft shell crab hand roll - this by far the best roll I’ve ever had to date and nothing compares to it right now! A generous portion of the soft shell crab is stuffed in the roll and it mixes in well with the rice and mayonnaise! This is a must try for sure!
Crab claw - a ball with crab meat in it! Need I say more?
Ice cream - both the green tea and black sesame ice cream are incredible! Depending on which flavor you prefer, both are highly recommended!
Sushi Hotaru has been mostly consistent in my last few visits and I would recommend this to visitors who have not tried this!
We came here slight before lunch time, so there was no Q. The place was not that big, so I can image the place will be full by lunch time and a long Q won't be a surprise.
The price tag was very affordable. The sushi on the train mostly $3.30 and it came in pair.
They didn't provide the name of the sushi, so me and my friend just grabbed whatever we liked, and ordered crab claw, takoyaki, and okonomiyaki from the kitchen.
I loved everything I had here, and will definitely come back again.
My suggestion, better come here with friends, so you can share a plate and have a chance to try even more varieties.
Staffs were friendly and efficient.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
one of the cheapest and highest quality sushi places you can find in melbourne CBD. for the price of a mere $3.30 per plate, you can try some delicious handrolls and other small dishes such as okominiyaki and takoyaki balls. to be fair, the price adds up as you keep eating but this sushi train is still definitely worth a try when you're in melbourne! my recommendations include the udon soup, okominiyaki, eel nigiri, salmon sashimi and takoyaki balls. my family enjoyed the crab hand rolls (which surprisingly were stuffed full of fresh tasting crab meat) and the wagyu beef nigiri.
for dessert, we tried the autumn special mochi and black sesame rice cake. honestly, it was pretty underwhelming and i would strongly recommend either going downstairs to the royal custard puff shop for a cheaper, more filling dessert OR to dessert story right along little bourke street!
still, it was a delicious and pretty fast serving experience that i would recommend to anyone with a budget (just try not to over order too fast).
Visit this sushi train at least a few times a month. Must try seared spicy snapper, seared salmon belly and seared engawa. Salmon is usually very fresh whether you have it in rolls, nigiri or as sashimi. Staff is friendly and food is affordable. Highly recommend for casual lunch or dinner, to avoid lines choose off peak hours.
We come here pretty much weekly - Love the food and feel to the place! Hope they keep the Seared Snapper from the winter menu and put it on year-round!
Food is reasonable for the price paid. The place is not very big so if you are going after 6pm you have to be prepared to wait quite awhile. Currently the promotion they have is a 5% off (min.$20) for cash payment.
Noey Natnaree Triamkedsub
+5
I have been here so many time. All the food was great, fresh seafood and sashimi. Friendly staff very affordable price. It is a prefect restaurant for everyone
So good!!! Amazing food and ate so much!! Will definitely be back!!!! Especially loved the ice cream and the seared scallops. I really like the idea of using the iPads to order as well; very efficient
Staff are really nice and energetic. Sushi was nice however there wasn’t much variety and some were really basic but it’s made up for by the price.
I've been here twice and loved it both times. Yes, there is always a queue but the food is so worth it. Not only is it super affordable, the quality is fantastic. The sashimi is extremely fresh and melting in the mouth and everything is just so tasty. My favourites are the soft shell crab handroll, the takoyaki and the grilled eel and cream cheese sushi (yes it sounds weird but trust me, it's super tasty!).
In this cramped setting, enjoy a variety of fresh sushi, sashimi and cooked dishes passing by on the sushi train. Don't see what you want or someone took that last plate? Order from the tablet at each table and your dish will speed over on the special train line.
Service is friendly and very attentive - teaspoons auto-magically appear when you pick up a dessert dish. Some dishes are a bit pricey but there's good variety to ensure there's something for everyone.
Excellent level sushi! It is almost the next best thing to omakase sushi. Sakura Kaiten is a gem composed of an all Japanese team hidden inside Melbourne CBD. The way the raw ingredients are selected is just impeccable. How every piece is cut and made is clearly a product of attention to detail. The all Japanese staff are polite, soft spoken but very knowledgeable of their products. The venue is small enough to attend to a determined number of patrons to ensure quality control. When in Melbourne, Sakura Kaiten is a must try for every person who has an affinity for eating sushi.
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Sakura Kaiten has been on my list for being one of the best sushi joints in Melbourne but my recent visit was quite average.
Went in with high expectation as usual but quality wasn't as great as before (some of the sashimi didn't taste fresh). It was still decent overall but they can definitely do better. My favourites were scallop nigiri and grilled salmon nigiri. Both were tasty and flavourful.
The best sushi place in Melbourne.
It's not like Chinese sushi place this is the real sushi place.
You can order your sushi manually or you can pick it up from sushi train.
Presentation, taste, freshness, wide range and price is just perfectly right.
Didn't give 5 stars due to there are not much space next to other tables.
Sushi here will just blow your mind if you haven't tried already.
Authentic sushi, without a doubt. Its not cheap but you know you're paying for the high quality dishes!
Service is great, restaurant is a quaint little store that can't house a lot of people so better for smaller sized groups.
Small quaint little shop that can get really busy during peak hours. Great selection on the sushi train and there's even more in the menu which you can order to be made fresh. Priced above average but definitely worth given how fresh and tasty the food is.
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