Nihonbashi Zen - CBD, Melbourne

Date: Wednesday 11th August 2010

Restaurant: Nihonbashi Zen

Address: 87 Little Bourke Street

Phone: 03 9639 7050

Commentary : Sarah Andrew

Love Japanese but never been here? If so you are missing out on the real deal! I can understand if you have walked straight past, as to enter requires heading below ground via a few stairs off Little Bourke Street (just at the intersection of Exhibition Street). The venue is small and is often closed between lunch and dinner but has a high rate of repeat customers who know that they will experience genuine Japanese, including some of the freshest sake in Melbourne.

Emmy & Hirokazu Yano offer the very best of Japanese cuisine, and operate with the belief that quality produce is the essence of good cooking. They specialize in Kushiyaka (skewered dishes) and extend their belief of quality produce by offering exclusively imported (air freight) Japanese rice wine to satisfy all Sake lovers.

Hirokazu operates the kitchen and Emmy is the hostess and one of the most enthusiastic hosts I have come across in a while. Previously I have left all the decision making to Emmy however on my recent visit I decided to select most of the food myself but left the sake decisions to Emmy.

As I was dining with a companion, we selected a number of things from the menu to share including:

  • Sashimi entrée size
  • Agedashu tofu
  • Grilled tuna tossed with olive oil and pepper
  • Grilled natural oysters wrapped in smoked bacon

All the food was fresh, clean and just delightful, especially the sashimi (some of the best I have had in Melbourne). Emmy selected two sake for us, the first being served cold. They were Yaegaki and Kubota Hekijyu and I enjoyed both for different reasons. Despite feeling content at this stage we were offered a dessert tasting plate and managed to find room for a soybean panna cotta, soya milk bavarois, sesame pudding, green tea tiramisu and green tea ice-cream. Tannin in ice-cream really is a strange thing but it must have been okay as there was none left on the plate!

If you are contemplating a visit do make the most of Emmy’s knowledge, experience and advice. It is very clear that she gains pleasure from looking after her guests. Nihonbashi Zen is open for lunch Tuesday to Friday (12am - 2pm) and dinner Tuesday to Sunday (6pm - 10pm).