Five teppanyaki restaurants to try in Melbourne

No restaurant deserves the top spot on a list of Melbourne teppanyaki restaurants quite like Teppanyaki Inn does.

Since 1975, it’s held the mantle as not only Australia’s first teppanyaki restaurant, but also one of its very best. These days, many refer to the elegant, dimly lit den simply as ‘The Teppanyaki’.

On any given night, you’ll encounter both hungry tourists and locals flocking to the Inn’s doors. But take note before you go: this Japanese dining institution doesn’t participate in egg-throwing, bowl-throwing or any other Western-style teppanyaki antics you might expect.

Rather it stays true to the traditional Japanese style of teppanyaki, which is far less gregarious and instead focused on world-class ingredients cooked with skill and respect.

So if you’re after a more authentic experience, this is the teppanyaki restaurant for you.

Fancy a pre-dinner cocktail? It’s worth popping in early for a seat at the restaurant’s plush lounge, where you can sip on a zesty yuzu mojito or Japanese slipper before your meal.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Teppanyaki seafood dinner ($88pp)

Could this be the mother of Japanese teppanyaki restaurants in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs? Plenty of local families would say so, some of whom have been loyal to this Doncaster institution for over 20 years.

For wholesome teppanyaki antics (read: catching food in your mouth is a thing here) and generous plates of expertly barbecued Japanese cuisine, Kobe ticks all the boxes.

Just like the restaurant’s name suggests, you’ll get the opportunity to try premium fatty M9+ Wagyu steak – a popular choice of main in the signature set menu, plus other Japanese delicacies on offer such as Hokkaido scallops, sushi and sashimi, and Japanese fried chicken.

All dinner sets include complimentary homemade ice cream in your choice of vanilla, green tea, red bean or black sesame. Hankering for something a bit fancier? Take the optional upgrade to green tea crème brulée.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Signature Kobe set menu ($105)

Nestled in the heart of the CBD, Ginza Teppanyaki has been a firm Melbourne favourite since the mid-90s. The restaurant has a relaxed, non-intimidating ambiance and is widely considered to be one of the most reliable teppanyaki experiences in Melbourne.

All year long, it attracts a lively combination of teppanyaki first timers and Japanese cuisine veterans alike. As soon as you step inside, the cosy locale’s smoky barbecue aromas and tableside laughter draws you in to want to take part.

A unique feature here is that instead of your typical hot plate, the kitchen uses a cast iron to grill the food for its apparent health benefits. Ginza’s also open during the day, a golden opportunity for those looking to snag a great value deal.

At just under $50 a pop, you can indulge in a generous lunch set that includes miso soup, vegetables, fried rice and two whole mains to yourself.

Be sure to enjoy one of Ginza’s popular daifuku (stuffed mochi rice cakes) at the end for a fab Japanese-style dessert. You can try matcha cream, strawberry cream or mango tonyu flavour.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lunch Set A ($49)

Koko is a chic, visually stunning teppanyaki restaurant in the heart of Southbank’s Crown complex.

Internationally renowned designer Tony Chi chose to plant it amongst the serene surrounds of a Japanese water garden, creating a unique and memorable environment for dining. It’s the perfect teppanyaki restaurant for special occasions.

Anticipate an authentic teppanyaki experience at Koko with a slightly more up-market feel than your typical suburban teppanyaki joint. Highlights include a generous sake bar with premium varieties from both Australia and Japan, and an enticing range of delicately prepared sushi and sashimi.

It’s not a bad idea to visit the website before you book – sometimes the restaurant introduces exclusive menu options. Last we checked, there’s an elegant new teppanyaki and wagyu sake flight experience, shining the spotlight on strip loin, rib eye and enoki rolls, seafood and extra premium drops of sake. Full table bookings are essential.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Teppanyaki and Wagyu sake flight ($280pp)

Armadale’s Aya Teppanyaki is an entertaining Japanese dining experience for those delighted by great showmanship. Here you can enjoy a night of impressive kitchen acrobatics, humour and skill.

Ideal for a family dinner or birthday, the restaurant is smartly furnished with ruby-red chairs and table napkins, and communal seating around the marbled dining hubs.

Your friendly chef will guide your table through the experience from beginning to end, with plenty of fresh quality ingredients and visually engaging hotplate displays for your table to enjoy.

The most premium – and expensive – set menu is the matsu set, which includes your choice of sushi and sashimi or tempura, lobster tail, scallops, black cod fish, lamb cutlet and wagyu beef.

Expect salted edamame, miso soup, eggy fried rice and vegetable dishes included on the side, as well as a traditional dessert of matcha ice cream with red bean.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Matsu set ($106pp)