MELBOURNE | The family behind Onigiri Kitchen always wanted an evening focused concept, but the idea was put on ice while they focused on Onigiri Kitchen. Now that Onigiri Kitchen is in its groove, both on Degraves Street, and a few shopfronts up from the original on Little Collins Street, they’ve transformed the original space into Temaki Sushi. I popped in for What’s On Melbourne to find out more.
Temaki Sushi is a tiny 10 seat restaurant, open at night, that focuses on seasonal Japanese set menu dinners. Head chef Hiroshi San has developed a menu that rotates each month, aimed at showcasing the best seasonal Japanese flavours.
There’s no a la carte option here, just the set menu. Dinner beings with a welcome sake (or non-alcoholic option), an appetiser, and miso soup. When I visited, it was a refreshing duo of cucumber wakame salad and konnyaku jelly with a sweet miso dressing.
Next, comes the main event. 12 different sushi, which you can enjoy as is, or as a DIY temaki (hand roll), using the provided rice and nori sheets. It’s a diverse selection, with things like grilled unagi and tamagoyaki; kingfish with renkon chip, garlic oil, and coriander leaf; and wasabi soy marinated tuna with grated tororo, and okra.
Once you’re done, a light bowl of somen noodles in bonito dashi broth serves as a palate cleanser, before you finish with dessert and tea. Dessert when I visited, was a delightful hojicha pudding with mochi, fresh raspberry, and sweet azuki bean.
If you want more than your welcome sake and tea to drink, there’s also a decent selection of premium sake sourced from small, independent brewers, along with wine, Japanese beer, Japanese inspired cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.
Temaki Sushi
15 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Thu – Sat: 5:45am to 9:30pm