Okami Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

My partner and myself were here last night, 19 February, 2023 for dinner. We came in as walk ins and was accommodated. The problem started right after we ordered.

My partner's entree which is agadeshi tofu was served first

3 new customers (family) came in and they were constantly served with foods while we're patiently waiting for our orders.

My partner had finished her entree and mine which is beef skewers had not yet been serve

Then they started serving my partner's main course which is chicken bento. That moment, my partner get really frustrated and asked them on why they can't serve the food all together. Not to mention that his done with his entree while I am still waiting for mine. The lady who approached us just asked us, " Do you want it now?" Which we immediately responded with "Of course! That's why it's called entree"

They then took my partner's main course back to the kitchen and we again waited for another 30 minutes. They came back with our main course but without the entree

We started eating and all of the vegetable side dishes are too salty! After 30 minutes (again), my beef skewers entree were served. I ordered for 2 sticks and was given 3 sticks!

The worst part was when I was eating my pork bento, I was at the same time chewing a hair! There was hair on my food!!! I immediately stopped and did not finish my food

Disgusted by this, we called one of the staff's attention and told her our experience and at the same time showed her the hair on the tissue which I took out from my mouth!!

Although, she (the lady whose wearing a reading glass) offered us a discount prior to check out, we're disgusted by her response in which she said, "We don't know where the hair comes from but we're all short hair here and this is long hair"

Well, here's the thing:

First, I have short hair. My hair is above my shoulder. That obviously is a short hair

Secondly, you (the lady who attended us wearing a reading glass), the first lady who attended and had served my partner's entree and the lady in the kitchen have long hair. You're all wearing a pony tail and you knew that your hair is below shoulder length!!!

Thirdly, all of your kitchen staffs are supposedly wearing hair nets but nobody wears them. It's basic rule in the kitchen. You're serving food and needs to observe proper hygienes in preparing and serving food

Fourth, we can and have been eating at Marriott and whole heartedly can pay 500 aud in one seating. Hence, don't give us an impression that we're just after your more or less 20 bucks discount

Finally, Japan is recognized for cleanliness. Okami is a Japanese restaurant. Our expectation when we checked your place was high but was only disappointed by poor customer service, salty foods and hair on food.

The approach to resolve our complaints are beyond professionalism and disgusting

We'll definitely not recommend this restaurant to anyone! Luckily, we did not try the all you can eat promo. It's our first time to try Japanese and we're extremely disappointed with...

Menu order: Miso soup, Chawan mushi, Sushi & sashimi platter, Edamame, Teriyaki chicken skewers, Beef carpaccio, Agedashi tofu, Vegetable gyoza, Prawn gyoza, Takoyaki, Chicken karaage, Potato croquette, Squid salad, Cold soba, Vegetable with garlic sauce, Miso steak, Steamed vegetables, Green tea, Vanilla and Black seasame ice-cream and Daifuku, Capriccio.

Food Quality: Compared the Footscray branch, this place hits the spot with all of its dishes that we ordered. The miso soup compared to Footscray Okami was flavoursome and authentic and we re-ordered so many of the dishes listed above. It’s quite good that I’ve been to this branch about three times. Each time, it was consistent and deliciously filling.

Service: Absolutely hits the spot. Greeted warmly upon arrive, taken to our seats, asked if we’ve eaten here before, always repeating our orders to ensure it was correct, when clearing the tables, always asking if there was anything else we can get, letting us know when the 2 hour sitting time was about to expire so we wouldn’t need to rush and had enough time to order dessert.

Pricing: Always as I have reiterated in my previous review for the Footscray branch, a bargain for your money’s worth.

Location: Fairfield has sufficient parking if not on the Station Road then behind near the library there are residential parking. You can always park at the station and take a good after-meal walk also.

Ambiance/Atmosphere: What you would expect. They were quite attentive to the dinner sessions by pulling up and down the blinds when the sun was blazing through the window and blinding us.

Conclusion: My favourite Okami branch and will definitely be...

I’ve been to lots of okami across Melbourne, but this one in station street has to be one of my favourite. Environment to Food was absolutely best. Talking about the Service, i must admit this has to be one of the friendliest amongst other Okami. The Staffs are really amazing especially a ‘Man’ whom i talked with. He told me he belongs from nepal. Absolutely loved his positive attitude toward the costumers. I was with my family & this guy came to take our order, he briefly explained menu to us & also guide us with the right amount of foods that we should order to minimise the food wastage & more types of food we could enjoy. His order taking style was amazing, he didn’t showed any fanciness while taking order but make us felt comfortable while ordering. We enjoyed a lot & shook his hand as well. We also noticed that some of the regulars of this rest used to know & enjoy this boy’s presence. Some of them also shook hand with him. There was another big group of youngsters next to our table. He took the order of them as well. That group also were enjoying & loving the way he was being friendly & helping them with orders. He provided everything we wanted on time. Moreover i could see him enjoying with the kitchenstaff as well. He was making fun & laughing with chefs amidst that hectic period just to calm them down. Absolutely amazing service. He later brought a icecream a candle on to a table celebrating birthday. I was really happy to see that service. We absolutely loved his environment. We hope to...