Japanese Teppanyaki Inn — Restaurant in Melbourne

From the moment you gaze at the elegant entrance down the long corridor off Collins Street in the Heart of the CBD, you just know you're in for a treat. The first thing you notice is the very attentive staff who take your coat upon entry and check it in the cloak room. This Japanese Restaurant oozes class at every turn. You could see and taste the freshness of every ingredient in every course that was served to us. The masterful chef carefully proportioned our serves so as not to give the other couple an unequal share. Coincidentally, we opted for the same set course menu, which consisted of a prawn and scallop appetizer, followed by a delicious Miso Soup. However, prior to the preparation of our entrees and mains, the chef prepared mounds of freshly shaved garlic cloves on the Teppanyaki Grill. This was purposefully done, so that he could add just the right amount of shaved grilled garlic to every course he served. We were happy, as all of us love garlic. He then started to expertly carve the tenderloin steak we ordered. There was no need to trim it, as it was lean as they come. Then came the chicken. OMG, How Scrumptious. Then there was the endless supply of accompanying dipping sauces, which made our dining experience a sheer delight. Believe it or not...researchers say that this is the proper way to consume a meal. We also had white rice to top things off. For those novices who have never eaten Teppanyaki Style before, I suggest pouring one of the savory sauces over the white rice to enhance the flavour. Although, you would not call this a budget or even moderately priced restaurant, I still considered it to be great value for money. And lets face it folks...you can't really put a price on quality and the ultimate dining experience. Excellent for that...

I love teppanyaki. I have been to teppanyaki restaurants in many countries, including Japan, the US, and Mexico. I used to be a teppanyaki chef for over five years. I was excited to visit this restaurant because I heard it was the top quality teppanyaki restaurant in Melbourne. However, I was really disappointed with the food. This was the one of the worst teppanyaki I have ever eaten. No flashy performances are needed. However, the chef did not even try to communicate with the customers beyond asking about steak preferences and if they liked garlic or not. And the garlic chips were already overcooked. The garlic oil was mixed with butter and served with all the food, so everything tasted bitter and very unpleasant. The pickles were old, the rice was soggy, and the miso soup had no flavor. I wonder if these are made by chefs who really know Japanese cuisine. I think there are better food options in Melbourne if you are going to pay the costs we spent for this restaurant. I wonder if this restaurant has really been around since 1975- if it has then time...

I was initially intrigued by its positioning as a 4-star fine dining establishment. However, I must express my disappointment with regards to the overall experience, specifically concerning the service, food quality, and hygiene practices.

As someone with an Asian background and a profound appreciation for Japanese cuisine, I found that the food quality of this teppanyaki restaurant did not meet the standard one would expect from an authentic Japanese establishment. The flavors were lackluster, and the execution of the dishes left much to be desired.

More concerning was the issue of hygiene. During our visit, I noticed a rather unsettling practice where the chef used the same spatula to clean up our waste food and then continued to use it to serve fresh food to other guests without cleaning it properly. Such a lack of attention to hygiene protocols is simply unacceptable.

In short, I will never return to this restaurant again. Melbourne boasts many exceptional Japanese restaurants that prioritize both quality cuisine and proper...