Makoto Shokudo — Restaurant in Melbourne

This is usually my go-to sushi place but my trip yesterday (well before the closing time of 4pm) was shocking. I don't mean to be harsh but for a sushi train, the selection was completely non-existent. The only dishes on the belt were maki sushi and some sushi with chicken. Not what you go to sushi train for! Not sure if self-service was expected but no one brought water to the table either. I've been here so many times so I think I would remember if they expected self-service. Lastly, given the complete lack of variety, the online menu was no better. Worse, the prices seemed jacked up too, and it took ages for ordered food to come.

Now I actually have never written an online restaurant review before, but this was a very disappointing experience. When paying for the bill (also more expensive than usual), I asked the staff whether this was due to supply chain issues. I would have been 100% understanding if that were the case, and would have been keen to learn about how the restaurant had been impacted, but the reply was simply that they were understaffed and didn't have enough chefs. They did apologise, but to be honest, I'm shocked they even stayed open if they're operating on absolute bare bones and barely providing service.

Having said all this, I used to think this was the best sushi train in the CBD. I don't think I'll go back...

Don't get fooled by the 5 star rating here. The business has adverts above their ordering tablets bribing customers with a free sushi plate for leaving 5 star reviews.

I ordered a curry prawn with egg which never arrived (I waited for over 30+minutes).

Edit: I forgot to mention their service was absymal, staff were racist and I was made to wait for a long time and spoken to as if I was less. Very tight seating space and the place was absolutely dirty with bits of food leftover on the floor. The staff didn't even apologise for the missed order and when I asked how I was going to be compensated for my time, the wait staff very loudly said "nothing is free here". Regret spending for a plate of sushi on the weekend (expensive surcharge for a service that was shocking)....

Extremely appalling customer service. We came as a huge group and we found out it was someone birthday. We didn't come prepared so we asked the staff working at the counter if we could prepare a surprise.. like a cake or ice cream with a candle. The staff assured me that she would do it.

1 hour later, we were still waiting for the ice cream with the candle but still nothing. The kitchen was also closing. I asked the staff if we could have it NOW as we were about to leave.

She came back to our table and screamed at us that "we don't give FREE birthday ice cream". That was so embarrassing for everyone at the table. We were not expecting anything for free, just wanted to surprise our friend. Unbelievable.. never coming back again and recommending...