MELBOURNE | In late November, owner/chef Jinwook “Jin” Park or Carlton Japanese restaurant, Torissong, opened up a new venue, Norissong, in the CBD. Having been a fan of Torissong since Jin opened it back in 2018, I was keen to see what the new spot was all about. Last month, I popped in to visit for What’s on Melbourne.
Housed in the new 120 Collins Street development, Norissong isn’t the easiest place to find. It’s at the rear corner of the lobby behind the lifts and reception, best accessed through the building’s rear entrance on Little Collins Street.
The focus of Norissong is onigiri, with twelve options that aim to expand beyond the usual offerings found around town. Flavours include things like red mis eggplant, chilli brisket and mushroom, and bluefin tuna with avocado and yuzu koshu. Each onigiri is made to order, with rice formed into balls by hand, while being brought to the perfect serving temperature.
As is the case at Torissong, you can expect top quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers, and an attention to detail honed by Jin’s years spent working in fine dining kitchens.
There’s a lot to like on the menu beyond onigiri, too. Things like miso soup, sandwiches, sushi, salads, and donburi. I highly recommend the mixed nigiri sushi, which gets you a chef’s selection of eight different nigiri, based on what’s best that day. If a sandwich is what you’re craving, the tonkatsu sando is quality.
There’s always a dessert or two on the menu, like slices of Basque cheesecake, plus Japanese sodas and house made drinks like yuzu soda, and matcha lattes.
Norissong
Rear, 120 Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Fri: 10:00am to 3:00pm