Yamagen Melbourne

Overview

Already a popular Japanese dining destination at the QT Hotel on the Gold Coast, Yamagen has finally made its Melbourne debut, with a stellar team leading the charge. From impeccably fresh sashimi to an enviable rare whisky collection, Yamagen is taking Japanese dining to new heights within the popular Russell Street Hotel. 

Enter through Portland Lane to find a contemporary, yet warm space, designed by Luchetti Krelle in collaboration with EVT. Dramatic lighting, with touches of Eastern influence, creates an inviting space that encourages lingering over a few extra drinks. At the centre, chefs showcase their craft at a bar that offers front-row seats to an impressive show. Reflective of the attention to detail is the use of specialty knives from Tanto, a knife and sharpening house with a lineage of tenth-generation sword makers, frequented by Melbourne's best culinary talent. By night, the Tanto space transforms into an intimate private dining room extension of the restaurant, where guests can experience the restaurant's philosophy of perfection and precision firsthand. 

Culinary Director Adam Lane says, "Opening Yamagen in Melbourne feels like a natural evolution. This city has an incredible respect for food, technique and provenance, and that gives us the freedom to be both disciplined and expressive. We're honouring Japanese tradition while responding to the energy of the city, using exceptional Victorian produce, pushing flavour balance, and creating dishes that are precise yet playful. It's about crafting moments that feel exciting, generous and distinctly Melbourne, and I'm proud of what the team has brought to life here."

Loyal customers of the Gold Coast Yamagen will be thrilled to see certain menu favourites making an appearance in Melbourne. The paper-thin snapper sashimi with truffled tosazu, shio kombu, and ume boshi, as well as the sashimi tacos with warm sushi rice, yuzu avocado, and spicy mayo, are sure to become crowd favourites in Melbourne, too. The sushi and sashimi platter, aburi tasting set, and specialty sushi rolls, including a soft-shell crab roll with wasabi mayonnaise and a kingfish and jalapeño ceviche creation with miso caramel, allow the chefs to show off their impeccable knife skills and the quality of their produce. 

Dedicated sommeliers tend to an extensive wine list that sits alongside a sake selection of over 45 varieties. Signature cocktails utilise Japanese ingredients such as matcha, yuzu, and umeshu to create concoctions like the Ume No Hana, featuring red shiso umeshu, Hibiscus syrup, yuzu juice, and gin. And those with a nose for whisky will be delighted with a list spanning more than 120 labels, including once-in-a-generation bottlings such as Yamazaki 25-Year-Old. 

Dominic Rose of EVT Hotels Group says, "We are thrilled to bring the Yamagen experience to Melbourne. Yamagen has become synonymous with award-winning, modern Japanese izakaya dining — delivering inventive cuisine, superior craftsmanship, and quality local produce. In Melbourne, we look forward to offering a new generation of Japanese dining for the discerning guest."

Images: Supplied.