MELBOURNE | Behind an easy to miss door on Johnston Street, you’ll find one of Melbourne’s top omakase experiences, Shusai Mijo. I was recently invited in by head chef Takuro Abe to pop in for a visit and experience what he and the team are doing.
Shusai Mijo is a small, intimate space, centred around an eight seat chef’s counter. Tue-Thu, it’s a seafood-focused sushi omakase that’s offered, for $180pp. On Friday and Saturday, it’s a kappo-style menu for $275pp. The kappo-style menu casts a wider net, featuring both sushi, and a variety of luxurious traditional dishes.
I visited on a Thursday, and was treated to an exceptional selection of sushi. Both menus feature premium ingredients sourced from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, and are heavily seasonal. The menu can change daily depending on what’s best at the time. Everything is prepared in front of you, with Takuro and the team expertly explaining each dish and ingredient for you.
The night that I visited, the meal began with snow crab mozuku, tuna tartare, gyoku castella, and black cod yu-an. A delicate and delightful selection that increased anticipation for what was to come, with its skilful balance of flavour and texture. Sashimi of bass grouper from New Zealand, and hamachi from Japan, comes next, followed by some of the best sushi in town.
New Zealand Ora king salmon topped with French caviar is a salty bite of luxury, while thinly sliced A5 Yamagata wagyu with yuzu-ginger sauce glides down the throat. All of the other sushi impressed as did the chawan-mushi, and agemno of lobster tempura with uni sauce. If you want to go even more luxurious, there’s seasonal upgrades. In this case, a selection of Tasmanian and Hokkaido uni sushi.
To drink, there’s sake, wine, and cocktails, Japanese beer, and non-alc options. You can choose from a wine or (coming soon) sake pairing, or order by the glass. The sake menu is particularly impressive, featuring rare and interesting drops from Japan. Have a chat with the sommelier, and they’ll find exactly the right drink for you.
Shusai Mijo
256 Johnston Street
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9599 2799
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Tue – Sat: 6:00pm to 10:00pm