Waku Waku

I think I just found my new favourite Japanese fusion eatery. Not long ago I went to waku waku in Southbank and I am so happy that I finally able to try their famous Hokkaido soup curry, it’s clearly did not disappointing.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙠𝙠𝙖𝙞𝙙𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙮? 🤔

The original soup curry was 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟳𝟬’𝘀. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞/𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚, 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚, it was a clever adaptation of all these different influences with local elements in mind. By 2000’, more specialty shops started popping up everywhere in Sapporo and soup curry became Sapporo’s new signature dish. So when you eat this soup do not expect the ordinary Japanese curry taste, instead expect a light curry soup broth with an umami flavour bomb👌😋 at Waku waku, you can choose the spicy level and your preference curry soup base, either with the pork bone broth or with chicken bone broth. Both are great!

Everything we ordered was tasty and delicious, seriously I couldn’t fault any of the dishes at all. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗔 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗬! Best of the best 🤤🤩✨✨

What we had: Hokkaido soup curry with Maryland fried chicken $18.80 (𝗨𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗽 & 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘)

Sous Vide Angus Beef Don $26.80 (the beef is melts in mouth, cooked to perfection! Delicious 😋👍)

Hokkaido fried chicken with charcoal powder and truffle mayo $9.80 (at first it may looks a lil bit intimidating but 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱! The chicken was well marinated then deep fried in batter and coated with salted egg yolk 🤤 it’s my another favourite dishes, and look at the serving size! For something that under $10 this such a generous portion)

Angus beef koroke $12.80 (this potato beef koroke is another dish you must try. The presentation is cute, they serve it in a cute little egg tray 🥰 The taste is light crunchy, very unique! Love it)

Hokkaido salted egg yolk pumpkin fries $9.80 (the sweetness from the pumpkin mixed with the savoury flavour from the salted egg yolk and the crispy texture from the batter is an actual winning combination! )

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲? 💯% 𝘆𝗲𝘀𝘀! I think everyone has to try this hidden gem, they are too good to be missed out! 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 👍

📍 @wakuwakumelbourne ⏳Monday-Sunday : 10.30AM-9.30PM 🚗 FREE 90mins parking if you spend $15 at woolworth otherwise 3P parking meter is available outside the complex

Follow me on ig @kristinesubagiyo for food review...

We recently had dinner at Waku Waku in Melbourne and were utterly charmed by the entire experience. This cozy restaurant offers an authentic slice of Japan right in the heart of the city, and it certainly delivers on both ambiance and flavor.

Our culinary journey kicked off with their standout dish, the Creamy Coconut Soup Curry with Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Leg, priced at $20.5. It's easy to see why this is a crowd favorite. The curry was rich and creamy, each spoonful more addictive than the last, beautifully complemented by tender grilled chicken and a hearty helping of seasonal vegetables.

We also enjoyed a selection of small plates that were equally impressive: Chicken Karaage with Truffle Mayo ($9.5) was crispy and satisfying, with the truffle mayo adding a luxurious touch. Kingfish Carpaccio with Apple Kimchi ($16) offered a refreshing mix of delicate fish with a slightly tangy apple kimchi. Pork Gyoza ($13) had a delightful crisp and juicy filling, a true testament to their attention to detail. Potato Salad ($6.5) and Edamame with Sesame Oil ($5.5) were simple yet perfectly executed, making for great sides. Spicy Tuna with Nori Taco ($9.5) was an innovative take on tacos, with crunchy nori shells and flavorful spicy tuna.

To wash it all down, we sipped on Yuzu Sake ($15), which was a refreshing and zesty complement to the rich flavors of our meal.

The service at Waku Waku was impeccable; attentive without being intrusive, and the staff had a genuine enthusiasm for their offerings. The warm and inviting decor created an ambiance that felt like a mini getaway to Japan.

Waku Waku is more than just a meal; it’s an immersive experience that combines thoughtful cuisine with a genuine, welcoming atmosphere. For anyone in Melbourne looking for an authentic taste of Japan with creative flair, this restaurant is a must-visit. I’m already looking forward to my...

Nestled inside Melbourne Square complex in Southbank, this restaurant is quite a hidden gem for tasty Japanese food!

They specialised in Hokkaido Soup Curry and they certainly did not disappoint.

We had: :: Beef Tongue Hokkaido Soup Curry :: Hokkaido Scallops Tonkotsu Ramen :: Sous Vide Angus Beef Don :: Angus Beef Croquette :: Happy Planet Fried Chicken with Truffle Mayo

The Hokkaido soup curries are available with an option of pork bone soup or chicken soup base. We went with the pork bone soup. The beef tongue was juicy & tender yet still have enough chewiness - which I liked. They curry soup had delicious blend of spices and flavours without being overpowering. It also came with grilled vegetables and steamed rice. I personally really enjoyed this dish. It reminds me of Portuguese or Macanese curries. Yummy.

The Hokkaido scallop ramen was also another must try dish. The ramen was beautifully cooked and the scallops and cheese worked well together. The broth was a little too salty for my liking, but perhaps some people like it more salty.

If you love donburi, then their Sous Vide Angus Beef would be perfect for you. The beef was juicy and cooked to medium rare. Delicious.

The Angus Beef Croquettes were crunchy on the outside yet soft & tasty inside with Angus beef bits inside. Served with 2 mayo based dips, they are great entree or even for snacks

The chicken with truffle mayo had plenty of flavours. The truffle mayo was also great to dip that Sous Vide Beef, by the way!😋

Overall it was enjoyable dining and we will be back to try other dishes! (That chicken Maryland topping is waiting for me to try it! :D ) Will be back to try...