Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar - Carlton North — Restaurant in Melbourne

I have been attending this Restaurant for the Sushi Rolls on and off since they opened. They are generous in size and although on the pricey side, have been of good variety, flavour and presentation. On May 2nd 2025 at lunchtime, I purchased 3 sushi rolls and went back to my place of work to consume them. Within 1 hour of consuming them, I started to experience light headedness, nausea and general body aches. I had to stop work. For the next 3 hours, I experienced what can only be described as feeling very drunk, including my eyes spinning, my head spinning, an inability to stand, lie down or even sit up. The only relief I had, which was temporary was to lie face down and close my eyes. Then, I violently vomited for around 20 minutes, bringing up the 3 sushi rolls which I had consumed for lunch. I had not eaten anything else since breakfast and my breakfast was not brought up in the vomit. I was incapacitated for the whole afternoon and unable to drive home. My wife had to come into the Inner City, pick me up and drive me home where I went to bed straight away. We had to return the next day to pick up my car. I lost half a days work plus inconveniencing her. We told Shimbashi of my experience the following day and we were promised the World. Daimon, the Representative, advised me that upon his own personal experience, it was Rice poisoning. Anyone who has experienced this will know about it. When seeking compensation for my lost wages and the costs incurred, Daimon and the Restaurant have ignored all approaches. We have not placed a review up in the hope the situation would be remedied, but it has not. So, it is important for others to understand this can happen, but likely due poor food-handling techniques used by those at Shimbashi, I became very very unwell. It was not something I would wish upon anyone. I am unable to stomach sushi moving forward. A product which I rate highly. It is with sadness, that I would recommend that potential customers of this establishment, choose another place to purchase...

My favourite restaurant in Melbourne!

If you are gluten free or coeliac and looking for this best 'safe' Japanese food in Melbourne this is it. Shimbashi is a MUST TRY if you are traveling in Melbourne and if you are a local be warned you'll probably be making repeat visits. This review has no pics because the food is always gone before I remember to take any...

I've been going for years to a bunch of their different locations and regularly head to one of the current spots in Carlton, Northcote or Collingwood when I'm craving a bowl of soba.

The chilled soba with tempura (yes, you read correctly gluten free tempura) is a fav in summer and the warming winter version with hot soba is perfect for a chilly winter evening. I also love that they've got plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

This place is simply my fav place to go out for lunch/dinner in Melbourne - thanks for continuing to make delicious...

🥢 After reading the book "Soba: So Good" displayed on the bookshelf, I felt positive about the restaurant. Unfortunately, the soba did not live up to the book's description of being "sweet and fresh." Instead, it tasted very dry and artificial. Additionally, the salad and sesame dressings overshadowed the flavors of the egg and salmon. I’d describe it as a modern, Westernized poke bowl-style soba rather than the authentic soba I was hoping for. Furthermore, the deep-fried lotus root tasted like cardboard…

💁🏻‍♀️The staff was too busy and did not notice me requesting to add one more dish.

🪑 the space is quite tight and very noisy.

Overall it feels overpriced and...