Ichigo — Restaurant in Melbourne

Ichigo has been on our list for about a year now, though not being morning people meant it took us some time to get there. But with 20% off over $50 spend (Melb Money offer) we had to make a booking and commit. . Bright and airy, very bright, all windows means you'll want to wear sunglasses and sunscreen here. Minimalistic, Korean home cafe vibes if you wear shades of beige. . A brunchy and beautiful menu, where you'll find Japanese dishes and nothing too mainstream compared to other brunch spots, it makes ordering a challenge. . 🍤 ebi prawn katsu sando - Fried in a batter and sandwiched with egg and mayo salad this is not only beautiful but absolutely delicious. The bread was light and fluffy, crispy on the edges and perfect, the prawns while fried wasn't oily but light as panko magic things are. This is my second sando, having only had the chicken at coppe pan. Meet sando and banjo are on our list. . 🦞 lobster-scallop millefeuille - If lobster is on the menu we'll order it (unless it's a whole lobster cause then idk what to do) and this was wow. Citrus and seafood but taken to the next level with yuzu. Jas says it could have been stronger (true) but it was really good. All the textures, creaminess, though the potato mash felt out of place. He says we could have done without it, though I'd convert them into fried cubes scattered around the dish. One of the eggs was a bit over so no runny yolk, naturally the one he had was perfect...

🍣 icho-rashi - all the sashimi (tuna, salmon, kingfish, hotate), aburi salmon belly, tamago, seasoned sushi rice, ikura, avaocado mousse, grated wasabi. Fresh and delicious, how amazing is that shredded egg? And rice seasoning always makes rice more fun.

Desserts at @ichigoau. The previously rare though now trending shortcake. One I haven't made myself. . 🍰 ichigō shortcake - fresh strawberry, crème chantilly, japanese sponge cake. So beautiful... this is my second or third shortcake, I do like it but it's very different from any other sponge I've had, fascinating. Are you a shortcake fan? . 🍓 daifuku - red bean in a ball of mochi and a strawberry. Extremely rare being made in house, pretty good. . Everything was really good, add this to your must try brunch spots! We were lucky that there wasn't a line (atm) but I expect there to be when people are more confident to dine out. Adding Ichigo to my monthly highlights list. . 🍓@ichigoau 📍City, off Elizabeth St 💵 $102 - 20 =...

I have been a regular customer for a year, recommending to friends that their iced matcha is the best in Melbourne. It was always the most consistent and strong, and worth paying abit more for. However in the past month, I am very disappointed that they would reduce the quality of the drink when it’s one of the most expensive iced matchas.

I came in to order as normal, and the staff attending to me told me you can’t adjust the sugar level, as they pre-make the matcha. I was okay with the change, even though I often used to get no sugar and they used to make it fresh by the batch. I understand SOPs change for whatever reason. But another staff came over and loudly asked “Can you not take sugar?”

Paying 9 dollars for a drink and being unable to change ordinary preferences is one thing, to be rudely told off is another. However I come for the drink, not the customer service. So since then I still order the drink even if it’s on the sweeter side, because it’s still quite strong even if it’s pre-made.

But today will be my last time ever. I came in today to order, asking for an iced matcha which always came in one size. When the barista asked me what size, I said “oh, ice please” and she sounded impatient even when it wasn’t busy and asked me what size again. It turns out you can now also order regular and large. With Sunday surcharge, I paid over 10 dollars for the large iced matcha, which tasted like artificial sugar water. It was so awful I would throw it away if it were not so expensive. I went home and added my own matcha powder to salvage the drink.

wish I were just a Karen. But I have always been a happy customer and have worked in matcha cafes myself. It really isn’t that time consuming to make fresh matcha, or to refrain from being rude.

It would have been fine if it were the average price and I was just unlucky when trying out a new place. But to be consistently ripped off and told off? Never again. I am so angry and have wasted...

If you’ve never been to Ichigo, you need to give it a try! This simple and unassuming cafe tucked away in Franklin Street is serving up some of the most mouth watering dishes that will make your tummy very happy!

Everything we’ve ordered has been exquisitely presented and delightfully delicious.

We decided to have the:

🍓 Eggs Your Way on Shokupan - selecting the classic scrambled eggs as the option. My goodness, they were the fluffiest eggs on the softest Japanese milk bread I’ve ever had. 🍓 Smoked Mussels Toast - three generous mussels sitting pretty on a little slice of toast smothered with sweet caramelised onion. I wanted seconds! 🍓 Ichi-rashi - the prettiest assortment of sashimi, tamago, ikura and avocado mousse on rice. 🍓 Forest Shroom - seasonal mushroom, colourful charred cauliflower and miso eggplant, delicately laced with truffle vinaigrette and served on Shokupan. 🍓 Hitsumabushi - perfectly cooked unagi no kabayaki, onsen egg, served with rice and konbu dashi broth which you pour over - as much or as little as you want! 🍓 Matcha Coconut - refreshing balance to the meal and perfect for a hot Summer’s day; with coconut water on the bottom, and matcha on the top. Drink it how ever which way you like - whether to stir it up and mix it! Or sip slowly so the coconut water delicately oozes through the matcha!

Ichigo heralds itself as being a space for unhurried moments. I agree. With food this good, you want to savour every moment! 🍓🍵🇯🇵

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