Shoya @ Market Lane, Melbourne

Market lane is one of the many lanes you walk pass when you are on the narrow long street of Chinatown (Little Bourke Street). Despite being quiet and not the brightest of streets, it houses a few high end restaurants including Flower Drum and Shoya. 


It was the last meal before my friend was leaving Melbourne that night and he decided to go for some japanese food, a good one he asked me to find. After asking around, Shoya it was.


Looking at the menu, Shoya serves a variety of old school and modern Japanese dishes. With good old sashimi to more adventerous items like mushroom, scallop and quail egg tempura, you get the drift.

The Salmon sashimi came in a big portion of 12 slices for AUD 19.80. Not the freshest but was acceptable. A key difference compared to Malaysia is how the sashimi has been portioned, which is rather thin and small, compared to the fat cuts back home.

This must be one of the most innovative tempura i had ever. The combination of mushroom, scallop and quail egg was spectacular. A signature dish for AUD 16.50.

Continuing with the fried items, we also had the Kurobuta Rosu Katsu, not any normal katsu but a special breed pig apparently. This was tender and fried with no oil residue on the plate. On the side you have the familiar tangy worchestire sauce. AUD 26.80.

The Wagyu Eye Fillet was melt in your mouth, served in a truffle sauce. Presentationwise and tastewise, it leaned towards a more western dish as it was accompanied with potato gratin as well. Magical and all yours for AUD 78.

One of those Japanese places that will reward you well if you have a big wallet. Alot of modern japanese dishes that are interesting and intriguing and i wouldn't mind coming back again when i am back in Melbourne.

Address and contact details:

25 Market Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 Australia

Lunch
Mon – Sat: 12:00 noon – 2:30pm

Dinner
Sun – Thu: 6:00pm – 10:30pm
Fri – Sat: 6:00pm – 11:00pm

Public Holidays
Dinner only: 6:00pm – 10:30pm

Reservation & Inquiry
Phone: (03) 9650 0848 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (03) 9650 0848      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: (03) 9650 0950
E-mail: info@shoya.com.au

Verdict: 4 stars out of 5 stars, provided you have the budget to dine here of course. For the normal student out there or those who were unemployed, i suggest you seek solace at a more affordable japanese joint.