Wabi Sabi Salon

Wabi Sabi Salon exceeded all expectations! The ambiance was serene and inviting, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. The Teishoku set I ordered was nothing short of fantastic. Each dish was impeccably prepared, showcasing the delicate balance of flavors and textures that Japanese cuisine is renowned for. From the fresh veggies to the perfectly grilled fish, every bite was a delight. The attention to detail and commitment to quality truly shone through in every aspect of the meal. Wabi Sabi Salon has undoubtedly earned its place as a must-visit destination for lovers of Japanese cuisine.

This Japanese restaurant offers an intriguing experience with its concise menu. It features a selection of small plates, a handful of ramen and Japanese curry options, and their signature "Teishoku" – a set meal where you choose a main dish accompanied by various side dishes, miso soup, and rice. While the food is enjoyable, it doesn't always hit the mark in terms of traditional Japanese flavors. For instance, one of the side dishes included beetroots, an uncommon ingredient in Japanese cuisine that I've encountered, even in Japan. However, the ambiance of the restaurant compensates for this. We were seated in a charming attic space, thoughtfully decorated to evoke a Japanese aesthetic. Although the food might not beckon me back regularly, this restaurant is a wonderful choice for those seeking a laid-back setting to savor Japanese-inspired dishes and drinks with friends.

We found the restaurant by accident in a rush trying to find a place for lunch, the waiter seemed very busy but was patient and provided an explanation of the menu, we ordered a teishoku and it was made with very fresh ingredients and sticky rice, the accompanying cocktails were very good I think it was a yuzu margarita, we had a very good service experience here and I would recommend it to you and your family! They have nice rice wine as well!

Google Review:

I was absolutely blown away by the impeccable presentation and taste of the dishes here. This place is undoubtedly one of Melbourne's finest Japanese restaurants. The warm and friendly staff, along with the authentic ambiance, made me feel like I was strolling through the lively streets of Japan!

Hidden gem in Smith St! I was not expecting to find such an authentic Japanese restaurant here. The beef yakiniku wrapped in beans and carrots was delicious. It's also great value for money if you order the sets. We enjoyed the homemade Yuzu soda. Staff were warm and friendly.

I ordered the Shio Shake (Salted Salmon) teishoku and was exceptionally pleased with both the service and the food itself. A tad pricey but well within reason, and absolutely worth a visit.

Favourite place to have a meal. I’ve been going this place almost every week to have my favourite Teishoku. Staffs are friendly and she knows what I wanted each time I visit!

We decided to go to WabiSabi because it was one of the only places open at the time, but glad we did it! The teishoku resembles to the ones that I had in Japan and the decoration was really fun to be around ✨

Wabi Sabi Salon is an exquisite culinary sanctuary where flavors and ambiance converge to create an unforgettable dining experience. The meticulously crafted fusion dishes, blending Japanese tradition with contemporary twists, tantalize the taste buds and leave a lasting impression. The serene and elegant decor, coupled with the attentive and knowledgeable staff, cultivates an atmosphere of tranquility and culinary exploration. Wabi Sabi Salon is undoubtedly a haven for those seeking a harmonious blend of exceptional cuisine and unparalleled hospitality.

Booking: walked in without a reservation and got lucky with a table in the front. Accepts walking and reservations.

Seating: options from 2 to groups indoor and outdoor garden at the back. We chose cosy small table seating for 2 at the front.

Drinks: We ordered the yuzu margarita, beer and a bottle of warm sake which came with a hot box to stop it from going cold.

Food: we ordered Edemame as we were starving and thought it may take a while for food to come - came faster than we thought.
We ordered the the Tan Tan Ramen which uses soy milk to make it creamy and the beef broth and pork ribs ramen. Dishes delicious, if you order beef broth version eat it fast before it goes cold.

Great atmosphere, service, food good prices (paid around $144 total for 2 people)

10/10 I will dine here again.

What a great spot. My partner and I reserved a table on a whim and were seated upstairs in their quaint balcony seating.
Servers were extremely attentive. We got the pumpkin stuffed mushroom and lamb meatballs for a starter. My partner got the meat teishoku meal, and I ordered the seafood teishoku. Everything was fantastic and came out pretty quickly. I cant think of another word to describe the food other than "cozy." Everything was perfeclty cooked and warming.
The atmosphere mixed with the delicious food makes this place a 10/10.
Can't wait to go back to try some of their other dishes.

The food here is AMAZING!!! They serve many interesting dishes that you can't usually find at other Japanese restaurants in Melbourne.

I highly recommend their Teriyaki Wagyu yakiniku wrapped with carrot and beans. The wagyu was so juicy, tender, and tasty and the veggies added even more flavour and texture to the dish.

I also highly recommend their Kingfish Sashimi. It was high-quality and delicious.

Their Agedashi Tofu with Eggplant was great as well. It was served in a really lovely, gentle mushroom sauce.

Lastly, their Chicken Katsu Curry was so nice and flavourful. There is also an Eggplant Katsu Curry on their menu - an option for vegetarians.

The restaurant has a cute, funky, retro interior.

The food is amazing! The atmosphere is extremely enjoyable! I loved the decorations ❤

Haven’t been to this place for ages! Glad we got a table straight away on Friday night. After 7 pm they got busy, best to have a reservation. We didn’t have to wait long for our meal to come. My tan tan noodle was so so but the barramundi set was super delicious. Definitely will need to pay another visit soon

Wonderful food and friendly staff. Tons of vegan options and dog friendly seating outside

Absolutely a hidden gem on Smith Street. Feels like back to Tokyo.. a place you can enjoy the most of Japanese foods.

Cool spot, and enjoyed the karaage curry. I think I was the only person that didn't get a teishoku set (which all looked great.)

Spent a week in Melbourne and this was the best restaurant out of all of them. Interior is quirky and clean, staff are polite and service is quick. The food offerings are the best of all, and worth the trek out of the city. Still very much traditional Japanese flavours and offerings with their own signature twists.

Was most impressed by the tofu katsu curry, but the chicken karaage was great too! Highly recommend.

🐟 salmon sashimi teishoku
🍔 fish katsu burger
🌽 poke bowl
🎃 pumpkin stuffed mushroom

🏠: @wabisabisalon
📍: Fitzroy

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📝: Always loved Wabi Sabi Salon and Neko Neko’s Japanese food. Didn’t get to dine in this time, but the food is still as consistently delicious as ever.

❤: I ordered the Wasabi Salmon Sashimi Teishoku set which came with 💜🍚 purple rice and a side salad. I’m not a big burger fan, but had to say that Wabi Sabi Salon’s crispy 🐟🍔 fish katsu burger with mayo was amazing.

You will be thoroughly impressed by the food, surroundings and friendly staff.

I will be back again!
Keep up the great work.