MELBOURNE | Dohtonbori is a popular chain with over 200 locations across Japan. Their specialty is Okonomiyaki, savoury DIY Japanese pancakes. I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne, to satisfy my craving for this Japanese comfort food.
Walk inside the Docklands restaurant, and you’re greeted with a fitout that evokes memories of enjoying okonomiyaki in Osaka. Shōji (paper screens) separate the main dining space from the private dining rooms. The main space features plush booths, each cantered around tables with large, flat, hot plates. You can cook your food yourself, or ask one of the staff to do it for you.
There are three versions of okonomiyaki on offer at Dohtonbori. Original Osaka-style, Hiroshima-style, distinctive for its layer of fried yakisoba noodles, and the gooey, dashi batter monjayaki. As you’d expect with a place dedicated to the dish, you can mix and match the ingredients any way you like.
As well as okonomiyaki, you can also enjoy sushi, salads, meat and seafood grill platters, goyza, and more. All of the fresh produce is sourced locally, while sauces, seasonings and the like come from Japan and are exactly as you’ll find at any of Dohtonbori’s Japanese locations.
Beyond the savoury menu options, there’s a few desserts on the menu (try the matcha soft serve float), along with Japanese sodas, cocktails, beer, and sake.
Dohtonbori (Docklands)
L1, 14B Star Circus
Docklands
Victoria 3008
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9600 0873
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 12:00pm to 10:00pm