Yakikami South Yarra is Melbourne’s latest addition to the incredible Japanese food scene, serving up an opulent dining experience in South Yarra. Offering some of Japan’s most well-known and enjoyed delicacies, Yakikami South Yarra needs to be on the top of your list for the next date night or group dining experience.
Yakikami’s menu is divided into two equally delicious yet distinct options, the Yakitori menu and their Niku Kappo Omakase menu. The Yakitori, literally meaning grilled bird at Yakikami is a must-try menu, using award-winning Nomad chickens, the options are a tantalising experience for the tastebuds.
If you’re looking for a more decadent experience, then be sure to try the Niku Kappo Omakase menu, using a traditional Josper oven, this high-end grill reaches temperatures of 350ºC bringing out the Umami flavour of the Kobe wagyu steaks. Yakikami owners, Roy and Emily, hold a KOBE Golden Caf Certificate which means they are one of the only two places allowed to serve Kobe in Australia.
The Niku Kappo Omakase menu also offers 15+ dishes creatively made with traditional techniques and exquisite produce to offer a dining experience like no other in Melbourne. We were fortunate enough to get a booking at this new, but bustling spot and here’s a recap of our experience with Yakikami photos to give you a sense of what is on offer.
Modern, moody and South Yarra chic
The decor at Yakikami South Yarra did not disappoint and was subtly styled to perfection. From the moment we entered, we had the feeling that we were somewhere soon to be a Melbourne hit, with the friendly team of servers and hosts and hostesses seating us at the bar and then promptly to our seats. We ordered a Suntory and a cocktail suggested by the waitstaff called the Kiko San. The Kiko San was divine, made up of sake, Cointreau, yuzu and a dash of vanilla and orange. It was a crisp and refreshing cocktail and was the perfect sweet flavour for the starters and mains to come.
There are two types of bookings available at Yakikami South Yarra; the Chefs’ Table and the Yakitori Grill (Izakaya style). The exclusive 10-seater Chef’s Table featuring Kobe Beef is a Chef’s menu that features a rotation of A5 Wagyu Tartar with caviar, Japanese snow crab with Hapkua and ponzu, paired with an ox tail, clams and 9-hr chicken bone ramen. Dining at the grill will see you enjoying Nomad pasture-raised chicken, seafood and vegetables.
We were seated at the grill, with every seat surrounding the state-of-the-art grill able to see the beautiful culinary craft of these chefs. There were some adventurous diners in attendance and so we were able to see a range of delicious dishes made and presented before we ordered.
Yakikami Review: Starters
The Salmon Carpaccio
We started our Yakikami Melbourne dining experience with the King Salmon Carpaccio, and we were not disappointed. There isn’t likely to be a better starting option to a meal than this fresh and inviting seafood dish. It was incredible to watch the chefs from the Yakitori bar delicately place the slices of king salmon on the plate, and then complement this beautiful fish with Komi sauce. The combination of the flavours in the sauce, with the soft creaminess of the king salmon, was a taste sensation and an ideal way to kick of your dining experience at Yakikami South Yarra.
With plenty of starters to choose from, don’t be afraid to order a few and work your way through the menu. It’s safe to say that there is almost no way you’ll ruin your appetite as you watch the food come out around you, so don’t be scared to enjoy the range of starters.
Grilled Zucchini
This was far from a tokenistic vegetable order, as Yakikami has a stunning selection of vegetables grilled at the Yakitori bar. The zucchini was presented on the skewers and was cooked with garlic butter which was absolutely delicious. We were surprised to see so many vegetable options incorporated in the starter and main dishes, so do not expect to see only the typical Japanese vegetables when you dine.
Yakikami Melbourne use organic mushrooms in many dishes on the a la carte menu. Be sure to order an organic wild Funghi dish from the binchotan charcoal.
Here are three Yakikami photos of the diverse and flavoursome Yakitori starters.
Yakikami Review: Mains
Katsu Don
One of Japan’s most well-known dishes, the Katsu Don on the Yakikami menu is a flavour experience. The crumbed and fried chicken filet was perfectly crispy giving it that crunch you can only imagine achieving at home. The Nomad chicken quality is easy to see from the first bite and the seasoning within the crumb was impossible not to admire. Sitting beneath this incredible protein, the egg and onion were perfectly cooked and offered such a beautiful texture change from the crunch of the chicken. Along with the perfectly cooked rice, the egg and onion layer were bathed in the delicious sweet-salty broth that had us wanting more after every bite.
If you are a fan of the traditional flavours of Japan, then the Katsu Don on the Yakikami menu is an absolute must-order. Featured in the Mains section of the menu, it can easily be shared between two along with a selection of their Yakitori sticks.
Nomad Chicken Yakitori Skewers
Saving the best until last is the Yakitori Skewers. Unbelievably delicious and the perfect quantity per dish so that you can order all the different cuts of the chicken which have been grilled to perfection. We ordered the Chef’s Selection, which included chicken thigh, chicken drumstick, oyster chicken and inner thigh. This was ordered as a gluten-free dish, and while we didn’t have the standard soy-based dressing, the accompaniments they offered were more than a consolation.
If you are making a group booking or sharing your meal with another person, then ordering a selection of the yakitori skewers is a must, and you can order as you go. They are grilled right in front of you and you will not be waiting long, with the skewers prices at about the $8 mark – which means over-ordering is a likely outcome!
Here are three Yakikami photos of the incredible Yakitori skewers we ordered. Be sure to order these from the Yakikami menu.
We absolutely loved our dining experience at Yakikami Melbourne, and cannot wait to head back for a special occasion. If you would like to read our review of other fabulous restaurants in Melbourne, check out our Food & Drink Melbourne recommendations!
