MELBOURNE | Onigiri Kitchen opened up late last year, inspired by the owner’s love of Japan’s speciality onigiri spots. It’s proven a hit with Melburnians, leading to the opening of a second location on bustling Degraves Street. I recently popped in for What’s on Melbourne.
Similarly to the original, it’s a cosy little spot, with a minimalist, warmly lit, timber and rendered-wall fit-out that evokes the kind of spaces you find tucked away in Japan’s nooks and crannies. There’s a small dine in section, and a take away window facing the street.
On the menu you’ll find a selection of eight rotating onigiri made daily, along with bento boxes, and a few sides and sweet treats. Onigiri flavours include things like kimchi; chicken with cucumber, wasabi, and mayo; and stir fried green cabbage with capsicum, celery, and garlic. Produce is of the highest quality, sourced where possible from the family’s farm, Ferndale Organics. The farm is also home to a pottery studio, where Japanese clay is used to craft Onigiri’s tableware.
Bento boxes follow a similar theme to the onigiri, with some different flavours and components. Think karaage, and a Japanese take on latkes and Königsberger klopse. There’s also a few cold sides like pickled cucumbers, and Japanese curry sets with your choice of beef, chicken, or veggies.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, be sure to try the airy tofu doughnuts. Flavours include cinnamon, matcha, coffee, and lemon.
To drink, it’s coffee and things like matcha lattes, along with premium sodas, craft beer, tea and sake, imported from independent producers in Japan.
Onigiri Kitchen (Degraves)
1 Degraves Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Sat: 11:00am to 8:00pm