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Japanese Buffet Melbourne
Japan is well-known for many reasons, including its beautiful scenery, incredible technology, and rich history. But one thing that everyone is interested in is Japanese cuisine. I’ll never grow tired of it because of its diversity. Sushi itself comes in a broad variety, with the most well-known being maki, nigiri, and uramaki. This is why you should be aware of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
But before that, here are some key things to consider when choosing a Japanese buffet in Melbourne:
Key Things To Consider When Choosing A Japanese Buffet in Melbourne
- Price: Buffets are great if you want to try out different dishes without worrying about overspending. But of course, price should still be an important factor when choosing a buffet.
- Quality: The quality of the food served at the buffet is extremely important since it will affect your overall experience. Make sure that all the ingredients used are fresh and of good quality.Variety: Variety is essential when it comes to buffets. You should be able to find a variety of dishes from different regions of Japan so that you can have a truly enjoyable experience.
- Location: Location is another important factor when choosing a Japanese buffet. Make sure to choose one that is easily accessible and close to your home or office so that you can easily drop by whenever you feel like it.
- Type of Cuisine Offered: Some buffets offer a variety of cuisines from all over the world. But if you’re looking for something more specific, like Japanese cuisine, make sure to check if the buffet offers it.
Now that you know what to look for, here are the best Japanese Buffet Spots in Melbourne!
1. Shinbashi Yakiniku
| Key Services | À La Carte | Japanese Dinning | Japanese Food |
| Website | http://shinbashimelb.com/ |
| Address | 294 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9347 3528 |
| melb@shinbashi.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 5:30PM – 10:30PM Daily |
Located just north of Melbourne’s CBD, Shinbashi Yakiniku is pleased to provide its patrons with delicious and genuine Japanese food. Because yakiniku literally means “grilled meat,” they focus on perfecting the Japanese barbecue technique. Everything you order at their restaurant is grilled to order right in front of you as you watch, so you know exactly how fresh it is. Do you want the freshest Australian wagyu beef, the most tender pork belly, or Japanese scallops? They promise that you won’t go away hungry either way. They ‘re on Lygon Street, if you’re curious. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Grilled to order right in front of you.
- Offers a variety of meats, including Australian wagyu beef and Japanese scallops.
Customer Testimonial:
“Love Shinbashi! A fun experience with or without kids. The food is fresh, staff are really attentive and service is prompt. The all you can eat option is great value and you’re encouraged to order as much as you want.”
Kate Collinson
2. Minamishima
| Key Services | Japanese Fine Dining | 40-seat Restaurant | Pure, Unadulterated Nigiri | Three Private Rooms for Groups | Notable Chef |
| Website | https://minamishima.com.au/ |
| Address | 4 Lord St, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9429 5180 |
| Operating Hours | 6AM – 10PM Tuesdays – Saturdays |
Japanese sushi master Koichi Minamishima opened this intimate 40-seat eatery. The eatery serves nothing but nigiri (raw fish over seasoned rice). You won’t be able to get your hands on any hand rolls, teriyaki, or miso sides. Think about what is average. Don’t forget Jiro, or tasty expressions. Regular attendance at the service is often low. One dining choice is a 15-course sushi omakase (chef’s selection) served at the long bar for $185. The second option (in the dining room, for $185 per person) is best for larger parties of three or more. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- serves only nigiri sushi, so you know that’s their specialty.
- The chef is a sushi master, so you know the food will be amazing.
- It offers a 15-course omakase for those who want to try a little bit of everything.
Customer Testimonial:
“Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Would certainly come back again. Sushi bar seating was very comfortable and had great view and interactivity with the amazing chefs.”
Yiu Sun Eugene Wong
3. Shoya Japanese Restaurant
| Key Services | Japanese Restaurant | Lunch Set | À La Carte | Degustation | Vegetarian & Gluten Free | Drinks |
| Website | https://shoya.com.au/ |
| Address | 25 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9650 0848 |
| info@shoya.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 2PM, 6PM – 9:30PM Sundays, Wednesdays – Fridays | 12PM – 2PM, 5:30PM – 9:30PM Saturdays |
Shoya opened in 2003 and has 3 floors, including tatami seating and a sushi bar. The restaurant’s exquisite calligraphy and artwork by prominent Japanese painters enhance the great dining experience. Shoya selects the highest-quality ingredients locally and globally, importing fresh ingredients from Japan and delivering a wide choice of traditional alcoholic Japanese cocktails. Shoya’s professional crew follows stringent rules for service quality and meal presentation. Shoya attracts business executives, families, and celebrities from Australia and beyond, including food reviewer Matt Preston, Iron Chef Master Kandagawa, and Hong Kong culinary critic Chua Lam. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Features artwork by prominent Japanese painters.
- Selects the highest-quality ingredients, both locally and globally.
- Has a strict policy for service quality and meal presentation.
Customer Testimonial:
We went here for our anniversary! What an amazing experience. We had the set menu and each dish was absolutely delicious. I would recommend having sake or their plum wines with your great tasting food. Amazing staff and great service.
Marisa Lobo
4. Japanese Teppanyaki Inn
| Key Services | Lunch | Dinner | Desserts | Drinks | Japanese Food | Classic Grill Dishes |
| Website | https://www.teppanyaki.com.au/ |
| Address | 182 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9650 9432 |
| Operating Hours | 6PM – 10PM Tuesdays, Saturdays | 12PM – 2PM, 6PM – 10PM Wednesdays – Fridays |
The Japanese Teppanyaki Inn opened in 1975 on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD. Teppanyaki Inn attracts local, Australian, and international regulars. “Teppanyaki” is a culinary method in which the chef grills premium portions of beef, poultry, and seafood in front of the diner over a big steel hotplate called a “Teppan.” In Japan, “yaki” means grilled, so “Teppanyaki.” The restaurant serves real, controlled Japanese Teppanyaki and does not hurl eggs, prawns, rice bowls, or anything else at diners. Instead, prepare the greatest foods skillfully and respectfully. The chef’s skillful hands make you hungry. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- One of the first Japanese teppanyaki restaurants in Melbourne.
- It does not engage in theatrics, instead focusing on serving great food.
Customer Testimonial:
“Teppanyaki is pricey but worth it. Staff were super friendly and looked after us. Note they don’t do the food throwing, this is traditional teppanyaki.”
Eric Faafiti
5. Kenzan Japanese Restaurant
| Key Services | Lunch Menu | Dinner Menu | Japanese Restaurant | Sushi Bar | Sukiyaki |
| Website | https://kenzan.com.au/ |
| Address | Collins Place, 45 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9654 8933 |
| bookings@kenzan.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM–2:30PM, 6PM – 10PM Mondays – Fridays | 5:30PM – 10PM Saturdays |
Kenzan debuted in 1981 and is recognized for its sushi and a la carte menus for lunch and dinner. So watch a sushi maestro at work. Enjoy either table service or private rooms. They ‘ll make your meal at Kenzan unforgettable. Kenzan is all about tradition; eat sushi at the bar or sukiyaki at your table. The food at Kenzan has never been better. Sit at the sushi bar and watch a professional make your sushi, or enjoy pleasant table service in a private room. Their personnel will make your meal at Kenzan unforgettable. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Has a sushi bar where you can watch the professionals make your sushi.
- Offers table service or private rooms.
Customer Testimonial:
“Best sushi we’ve had in melbourne! Kenzan is a bit pricey, but worth every dollar. The sushi platter was so fresh and filling. The fatty tuna is a must try, it just melts in your mouth!”
Eastina Zhang
6. Melba Restaurant Melbourne
| Key Services | Affordable But Quality Japanese Cuisine | Breakfast | Lunch | Inventive Buffet Dishes |
| Website | https://melbarestaurant.com.au/ |
| Address | 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia |
| Phone | +61 1800 641 107 |
| rest.res@langhamhotels.com | |
| Operating Hours | 6AM – 10:30AM, 5:30PM – 11PM Mondays – Fridays | 6AM – 11PM Saturdays – Sundays |
Melba Restaurant is in Melbourne’s Southbank neighborhood and overlooks the Yarra River and skyline. The restaurant offers sushi, Chinese dumplings, Italian pastas, Australian seafood, and an Indian station where naan and tandoori chicken are created to order. While the menu changes often, Melba’s chocolate fountain and devotion to local ingredients remain consistent. Melba Restaurant is great for breakfast, lengthy lunches, pre-theatre meals, leisurely evenings, and quiet dinners for two. With over 40 dishes on most days, Melba Restaurant attracts families and big parties searching for a place that caters to many and provides a variety of cuisines. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Offers a wide variety of cuisines.
- Has a chocolate fountain.
- Caters to families and large parties.
Customer Testimonial:
“Had the buffer dinner for an Xmas party and thoroughly enjoyed the selection of mouth watering food on offer. The entrance had a beautiful display worthy of a vogue magazine cover so definitely bring your camera too, preferably pics before food!”
Danh Vo
7. Shou Sumiyaki
| Key Services | Premium Japanese Wagyu Beef on The Charcoal Grill | Japanese Dinning | Japanese Buffets Melbourne | Seafood & Snacks | Vast Sake List |
| Website | https://shousumiyaki.com.au/ |
| Address | 160 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9654 3933 |
| info@shousumiyaki.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 3PM, 5PM – 10:30PM Dail |
They present sumiyaki dining utilizing Japan’s newest technology, “smokeless charcoal grilled.” Customers may enjoy a Japanese-style charcoal barbecue in a “smoke-free” atmosphere. Shou Sumiyaki is a popular Japanese restaurant in Melbourne, and they aim to provide an outstanding experience. Shou Sumiyaki uses only Premium Grade F-1 grain-fed Black Wagyu Beef, a breed of Japanese black cow and Australian Angus cow. Over 400 days are spent grain-feeding F-1 Black Wagyu. Berkshire Kurobuta Pork is extremely juicy and tender with a touch of marble fat. The world’s best seafood, including a Japanese snow crab leg. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- It uses only premium grade F-1 grain-fed black wagyu beef and Australian Angus cow.
- It has a smokeless charcoal grill.
- offers the world’s best seafood.
Customer Testimonial:
“First time here with the family and the food was delicious, the staff was friendly, service was quick and great location. We ordered the banquet and ended up so full at the end. Totally recommend this place if you are after quality Wagyu.”
vietnam shankar
8. Okami Japanese Restaurant
| Key Services | All You Can Eat Menu | Entrée | Main Course | Drinks |
| Website | https://www.okamirestaurant.com.au/ |
| Address | 192 Moreland Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9386 2600 |
| support@okamirestaurant.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 5:30PM – 10PM Mondays, Wednesdays – Thursdays | 5PM – 11PM Fridays – Sundays |
Okami combines a comfortable setting with excellent Japanese cuisine. It’s important to offer wonderful cuisine and speedy, courteous service to ensure client happiness. They wish to be the restaurant of choice for families, singles, young people, and the elderly. A unique and inventive fine dining environment and décor will set us apart. OKAMI provides a huge ALL YOU CAN EAT style menu (exclusively for a minimum of 2 people) with over 30 classic Japanese dishes, including Sashimi, Beef Carpaccio, Agedashi Tofu, Tempura Prawns, Chicken Teriyaki, Green Tea Ice-cream and more, along with the finest table service. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- It has an all-you-can-eat style menu.
- It offers classic Japanese dishes.
- provides excellent table service.
Customer Testimonial:
“This place is amazing! For all-you-can-eat with a cost of less than $40 and you can get great quality of Japanese cuisines, if that’s not a steal, I don’t know what. Highly recommended!”
Rakyan Adhikara
9. Sakura Kaiten Sushi
| Key Services | Classic Japanese Street Bites | Conveyor Belt Delivery | Sushi | Sashimi |
| Website | http://sakurakaiten.com/ |
| Address | 282 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9077 1167 |
| info@sakurakaitensushi.com | |
| Operating Hours | 11:30AM – 10PM Mondays – Fridays | 12PM – 10PM Saturdays | 12PM – 9PM Sundays |
Sakura Kaiten Sushi aspires to achieve the same level of fame as its namesake cherry blossom. The restaurant has low lighting and a futuristic vibe thanks to the white cherry blossom patterns on the sleek black walls. The space is limited, and almost every seat offers a good view of the sushi train. From everywhere in the restaurant, you can get a nice look at the chefs as they prepare your meal and carefully place it on a carriage plate, labeled with its price range according to the time-honored color-coding system. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- It has a sleek black and white interior.
- The sushi train offers a good view of the chefs preparing your meal.
- It is affordably priced.
Customer Testimonial:
“Always has a good services and top quality of food. Fish never has a bad smell. Staff always nice and friendly. Very recommended this restaurant.”
Mint Pakaiwan
10. Komeyui Restaurant
| Key Services | Sushi Bar | Bent Box | Dessert | Rice Noodles | Premium Quality and Affordable Buffet Dining |
| Website | https://komeyui.com.au/ |
| Address | 181 Ferrars St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9645 5420 |
| info@komeyui.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 2:30PM, 5:30P – 10PM Tuesdays – Thursdays | 11:30AM – 2:30PM, 5:30PM – 10PM Fridays – Sundays |
In 2005, Motomu moved to Melbourne, Australia. He was promptly given the chef’s job at Kenzan. In the winter of 2011, Motomu established KOMEYUI JAPANESE RESTAURANT in Port Melbourne. Motomu built his second restaurant in South Melbourne in 2020. He wanted to educate locals about the fine cuisine he loves in Japan and give them a great dining experience. The restaurant is offline and serves fresh, local food. Their name and emblem symbolize a typical Japanese group lunch when family and friends gather around a table with a hotpot, rice dishes, and side dishes including natto, temaki, yakizakana, and miso soup. This is why they are one of the top Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- It is a family-friendly restaurant.
- It serves fresh, local food.
- It has a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Customer Testimonial:
“I have nothing bad to say, it’s just an awesome Omakase experience, I just wish the time frame can be a little longer. Food is absolutely amazing, the taste are unique for each course.”
Suzi Chen
Japanese Buffet Melbourne
In general, two conditions drive customers to a buffet restaurant: Some come to experience a broad range of cuisine without restriction, while others want an infinite supply of their favorites. It is a voyage of taste discovery or satisfying a strong need. If you like sashimi or want to try hundreds of different dishes in one sitting, go to a superb Japanese buffet restaurant. We hope this information assists you in locating the greatest Japanese buffet Melbourne has to offer.
If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can check out our other posts below:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Japanese and an Indian buffet?
Indian buffets typically have more vegetarian options, while Japanese buffets focus more on seafood. In addition, Indian buffets often have paneer and chicken tikka masala, while Japanese buffets usually have sushi and sashimi. Finally, Indian buffet restaurants are often less expensive than Japanese buffet restaurants.
Which cuisine is more popular, Japanese or Indian?
The best Japanese buffet in Melbourne is Komeyui Restaurant, a family-friendly restaurant that serves fresh, local food with a traditional Japanese atmosphere. The difference between a Japanese and an Indian buffet lies in the type of cuisine they serve – while Indian buffets tend to focus on spicier dishes with more complex flavors, Japanese buffets tend to specialize in raw fish, sushi, and other seafood-based dishes.
Is it cheaper to eat at a Japanese buffet than an Indian buffet?
The answer to the question of whether it is cheaper to eat at a Japanese buffet compared to an Indian buffet varies depending on the dishes served and their respective prices. Generally speaking, a Japanese buffet may offer more variety than an Indian one, and as such might be slightly more expensive. This is because Japanese cuisine often uses more expensive ingredients like seafood. Ultimately, it is best to compare the prices of the individual dishes at each buffet before deciding which one to go for.
How many dishes can I expect to find at a Japanese buffet?
At a Japanese all you can eat, you can typically expect to find a wide variety of dishes. Depending on the restaurant, these may include sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, tempura, teriyaki, yakitori and other Japanese favorites. In addition to dishes served cold or at room temperature, hot dishes are also usually available such as oden and nabe. Other items such as rice and miso soup may also be offered. Ultimately, the exact selection of dishes will depend on the restaurant, so it is best to check in advance.
Does Isshin Japanese House have a la carte menu?
Yes, Isshin Japanese House does have a la carte menu for guests to enjoy. The restaurant is known for its traditional Japanese cuisine and offers a wide range of dishes that are both authentic and delicious. Their menu consists of an array of sushi, sashimi, tempura, teriyaki, yakitori, maki rolls, and other Japanese favorites. In addition, their offering also includes a selection of the highest quality wagyu beef, seasonal fresh vegetables, and scotch fillet steaks for those looking for something unique. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area!
