Oishi Japanese & Asian Rice Bar(Pakenham) — Restaurant in Melbourne

Came here yesterday with my wife, who was craving ramen. The place has a typical small restaurant vibe—plastered menus, cozy but crowded seating. As we were about to order, the staff informed us they were on a break before the next service. Instead of turning us away, they kindly suggested takeaway or dining at their outdoor table, which we really appreciated.

We ordered ramen and the fried seafood set. The ramen was solid, and the seafood was crispy, surprisingly non-greasy, and flavorful.

Overall, the restaurant itself is a 3-4★—nothing fancy, but reasonably priced. However, the service is easily a 10★. Instead of just closing their doors, the staff went out of their way to accommodate us, even cleaning the outdoor table, which many places wouldn’t bother with. That level of hospitality makes all the difference. Definitely coming back to try more...

On my daughter's birthday she wanted to dine in dinner at a Japanese restaurant, so visited here. Place is cramped. Ordered grilled salmon rice bowl, tempura prawn rice bowl and Tonyum chicken fried rice. Food cooked well and tasted well except for the not even half cooked egg on two rice bowls. Portion size is average. Wooden cutlery, small plastic drink cups and very thin paper serviette are signs of serious cost cutting attempts ignoring patrons care. No Japanese food like Sushi, no Japanese green tea - when asked said they're a rice bar. So we have wrongly identified as a Japanese restaurant. Is the food value for money? Salmon or prawn rice bowl at 16.90 is a bit higher end. I have had complete Bento Box at Ootoro with Miso soup, so this is pricier. Would I go again? Not surely for dine in, perhaps for a takeaway of Tomyum...

My girlfriend and I came here on the 13/02/2021 at 8.45 to get dinner after work, unfortunately the food is a disaster, we both got a rice bowl with popcorn chicken bites and garlic sauce. Firstly, the egg was put in and was COMPLETELY RAW!!! COLD TO THE TOUCH!!! We went back and the owner who speaks barely any English said, "oh, half cooked, half cooked" to which he then proceeded to cook it more., the rice was mushy and flavourless, they have a garden salad mixed in which does not compliment the mediocre meat at all. Worst waste of $13.90 each, ever! Would not recommend my dog to eat here,...