Teppansan Japanese Cafe

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  5     

The interior is quite scruffy, and it's a japanese restaurant run by chinese people, but the food isn't too bad.

Read more on my blog

Feb 03, 2012 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  6     

My second day in Melbourne, I decided to explore some of the restaurants around Chinatown and I came across this little Japanese cafe/restaurant. I decided to give it a go because I saw a review by Matt Preston stuck on the glass.

I ordered an Oyako Don that comes with a miso soup. The soup arrived first and it was very nice, one of the better ones I have had in recent times, the right amount of saltiness balanced by the right amonut of seaweed flavour.

So the chicken/egg/onion rice (oyako don) arrived and I thought its colour was a bit on the brown side which indicates a generous amount of soy sauce. My first mouthful of rice was mushy, and the chicken/egg/onion was on the salty side of the scale. It just does not have the clean and distinct flavours that I am accustomed to with Japanese dishes.

After a while, my suspicion was confirmed. The cafe is actaully run by Chinese people who have incorporated their style of cooking into the food. I have read other reviews here and found similar opinions.

Overall, I might have made the mistake of not ordering what is their signature dish. But I believe it is the chef's responsibility to make sure all dishes are up to a certain standard, fusion or authentic.

Oct 18, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Been there last wednesday for lunch! Didn't let me down! This restaurant has really nice food, highly recommend the chicken okonoyomaki (pizza)! And beef steak with mushroom steak! Ordered chicken okonoyomaki for the first time with one glass of iced lemon tea (this is very nice too)! Not to forget, really good and friendly waitress!

Jul 15, 2011 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

Personally, this is the worst Japanese food I have ever eaten. After waiting for a very long time to get served, I looked at the man behind the counter and tried to get his attention, he twice quite dismissively said "coming".

My Boyfriend got the tempura, and the batter was not how tempura should be. I decided to get the Chicken Katsu don. I really have no idea what I ate. I ate a few pieces of the meat and we tried not to waste food, but we really couldn't go on.

For this category of Jap food, it was not good value for money either. It was quite busy so it must have some merits (perhaps, I didn't order their specialties?). But make up your mind on your own, if you dare.

Jan 04, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

We got the $6.30 lunch special and were blown away! The miso soup was good but the vegetarian okinomiyaki was incredible! I couldn't stop eating it, it was so good! I wasn't hungry the whole rest of the day! My husband got the tofu steak with mushroom sauce and it was good too but the okinomiyaki was really fantastic. I was only visiting Melbourne but if we return I will be back! Probably the best thing I ate my entire trip.

Oct 30, 2009 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  7     

Well I guess for $6.30 lunch, you don't expect much. But there are better places that will be around the same price, and you don't need to deal with the below average food.

The beef curry don came with excess rice, and tasted too sweet. Furthermore, the beef was tough and fatty. Wanted to try the 'japanese pizza' but was put off by the distasteful photos and other diners plates! But I'm glad I tried it. Will now appreciate good cheap japanese even more.

Aug 22, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Teppan San is one of my must go restaurant. The food is so tasteful and unique. Also owners are very friendly and always you can tell lots of regular guests in the restaurant. Nice food!

Dec 15, 2008 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  2     

Shocking food. This is probably the worst of the worst fake Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. Disaster!

Oct 27, 2008 

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

If you are looking for an authentic Japanese restaurant, stay away from this place at all costs! The sashimi was not fresh and my rice with fried pork was below average. The owner came in a bit after I was seated and was served first. It seemed as though they were far more concerned as to his well being than the customers of the restaurant. What a mistake! I will never come here again.

Jul 24, 2008 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  10     

The feature item here is the Japanese Pizza (okonomiyaki) which is excellent and great value as part of a $10 lunch set menu with soup & entree.

The owners claim that their okonomiyaki is done the traditional way and comes as a thin vegetable pancake folded over a delicious Seafood, Chicken, Pork or Beef filling. This is topped with a thick, sweet soy-based sauce and mayonnaise and shaved nori.

Traditional Sushi, Sashimi and Teppanyaki are also available on the menu.

Feb 23, 2007