Lunar by Hikari — Restaurant in Melbourne

I see now when you leave a 1 star review they will claim that the customer was being aggressive and disrespectful 🥹

My friend and I as well as the customer before us lined up for 40 minutes before staff skipped us in queue and seated customers who arrived after us. We started queuing at 12:50 and around 1:30 we realized and pointed out this issue to the staff and found that it was because we missed the sign and didn’t have our names on the wait list. In the end we got a table at around 1:40.

This place kept ignoring the fact that there were 2 consecutive groups that faced the same issue AND there were no other customer in queue that arrived before us.

We noticed staff calling in groups but within the first 40 minutes, they called in customers who have came before us so we were fine with that. It was after 40 minutes when we realize they are calling in customers after us, when we were the first two groups in queue. This was when we pointed out the issue to staff. The staff claimed they are understaffed and it is “not [their] fault” and that it would be unfair for other customers if they seat us first, even though we were the first to arrive. We wrote our names on the bottom of the waitlist after we had already waited 40 minutes.

We appreciate that the team was trying their best to clean out tables for us as soon as possible, I guess that was also what we wanted to find out: if we had waited 40 minutes for nothing and have to now go to the back of the line or if they’ll be able to provide an alternative solution. Instead of telling us how much longer we have to wait, the staff started by saying she understand our situation but then emphasize multiple times that it isn’t their responsibility if customers miss the sign.

Please understand that we as customers do not wish to pick a fight with the staff, we just want to find a solution to our problem.

We did not unfairly demanded for a table, we were the first two groups in line and arrived before all other customers who were still in the waitlist at that time. Just because we didn’t have our name on the waitlist for the 40 minutes we waited doesn’t mean we haven’t taken the time to be seated. I understand it was our fault for missing their sign but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to provide a table for customers who have been waiting longer than others.

Also, my friend and I as well as the other customer did not attack or abuse anyone. We were simply pointing out our situation to the staff, I’m sorry your colleague felt upset by this. ——— We each ordered a drink and a set meal, food definitely doesn’t worth the price. The set meal only came with a miso soup and a cucumber side dish, whereas in other places you can get a teishoku with at least 7 side dishes with the same price.

10% and 15% weekend surcharge printed in small writing on the menu. No sign or staff informing you of this surcharge upon walk in or payment.

Overall, food and customer service doesn’t match the interior and atmosphere of the store. What is even more concerning and upsetting is the attitude of the store towards customers who has had a poor...

We’ve visited Lunar several times before. Let me start with the positives — their coffee is genuinely good. I especially enjoy the yuzu sparkling cold brew. The food menu is limited, but the flavours are well-balanced and satisfying.

However, we had a very disappointing and upsetting experience a couple of months ago that we cannot overlook.

I was dining with my daughter and we ordered the wagyu beef rice set and a bowl of udon. When the server brought the udon, she accidentally spilled a significant amount onto my daughter’s hand, which caused her to cry out in pain. What shocked me most was that the server didn’t show any concern or offer an apology. She simply placed the bowl down, handed us two napkins, wiped the table half-heartedly, and walked away without a word.

Later, our strawberry matcha daifuku took an unusually long time to arrive, and when we asked about it, we had to approach the same server, who responded coldly and indifferently.

I found this level of service unacceptable — not just unprofessional, but deeply lacking in basic empathy and human decency. As I explained to the woman at the counter when I raised the issue, this isn’t just about service standards, it’s about basic values. We teach our children from a young age that when you make a mistake or accidentally hurt someone, the right thing to do is apologise and show care.

My daughter — who is a very strong and brave little girl — told me afterward that she was in pain and confused why the staff member didn’t say sorry or check on her.

The manager on duty did apologise on the staff’s behalf, which I appreciated, but the experience left a lasting impression. We had visited Lunar three or four times before this, but after that day, we decided not to return.

Deeply...

ORDERED: 🍱 Poke bowl set meal which includes miso soup and the daily special ($28.00)

I paid $31.34 which included the 10% venue and card charge.

REVIEW: 👨‍👧‍👧👨‍👦‍👦👩‍👦‍👦 We overwhelmed Lunar by Hikari with our group of 9, so I can comfortably say they were not prepared to cater for a large group. Surprisingly, they had the space to seat us together but we did wait for over an hour and a half from 11:15am - 1pm.

🌊 Water carafes weren't monitored, which meant we had to go refill ourselves at the front. Food was sent out was they were ready, but still a large time delay between the dishes. They forgot one of my friend's orders (shokupan) but were happy to help us cancel it. They refunded the price of the dish, but not the additional Sunday & card surcharge. If going for simple route, perhaps remove the Sunday and card refund from being charged? 🤔

Food was decent. As a big sashimi fan, I find that the mild delicate flavour of the salmon and kingfish is lost when it is diced up. Pairing 2-3 cubes together didn't bring the flavour back which was a bit disappointing. 🐟 😢 Nonetheless, the avocado was delicious and the marinade (I assume yuzu) came through quite brightly. Salmon roe was great to add some textural pops, along with the creamy egg and the wasabi. A heat that gives the dish so much punch and such impact. 🔥 I didn't like the daily side dish. Two pieces of fried tofu. Seemed a little lacklustre for the price you pay, along with tofu that is a bit too firm for my liking. I prefer a spongey, more crumbly texture in the middle (as my mother has taught me to...