Authentic Japanese dining on Flinders Lane — standout sukiyaki and fresh sushi.
Kenzan Japanese Restaurant on Flinders Lane in Melbourne earns praise for fresh sashimi and premium wagyu sushi. The sukiyaki is a standout, authentic and satisfying, with friendly, attentive staff and a clean, welcoming ambience. The dining room features private tatami rooms, and guests note quick service, easy tram access from Flinders, wheelchair-friendly entry, and reasonably priced dishes.
Shop 54-55/56 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
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Fresh, high-quality fish and seafood prepared traditionally with clean, vibrant flavors.
Authentic Japanese hot pot cooked tableside, featuring tender beef and vegetables, perfect for groups.
Multi-course dining experiences with paced service, highlighting seasonal dishes and specialties.
Traditional Japanese-style private dining areas for intimate gatherings or business events.
Includes gyu teriyaki, chicken teriyaki, and steak, cooked with rich sauces and premium ingredients.
Japanese-inspired desserts like matcha ice cream and crème brûlée to complete your meal.
Overall rating
Ken
Best wagyu sushi I've tastes so far-the mb9+ cut was totally premium, extra soft and really good! Butterfish was also a delight, their Unajyu was okay. The staff are if not all, were Japanese and service was outstanding. Nice classic ambience as well.
Bryan R
We had a really great night at Kenzan, and a big part of that was how good and satisfying the food was. We went with the banquet, and it was honestly filling from start to finish. Every course came out at a nice pace and felt like it added something new, rather than just being there for the sake of it. The fish dishes were a highlight — everything tasted super fresh and was nicely prepared, with clean flavours that really let the seafood shine. One of the standout dishes for me was the soft tofu. It was lightly fried so the outside was crispy, but the inside stayed soft and silky, which made it surprisingly comforting and addictive. The main, gyu teriyaki, was cooked a bit unevenly, with some slices more done than others, but even so it was still tasty and enjoyable, thanks to the rich teriyaki sauce and tender beef. The imported rice was probably the weakest part of the meal. It was unseasoned and didn’t really live up to the way it was talked up on the menu, which made it feel a bit overrated. Dessert, though, definitely made up for it. The matcha ice cream was nice and refreshing, but the extra crème brûlée we ordered was amazing — creamy, smooth, and with a perfectly caramelised top. The restaurant itself is really beautiful, though it can get pretty noisy. They do have private rooms in what looks like tatami mats, which we didn’t try this time but would be cool to experience in the future. Overall, it was a really nice evening, and the friendly, welcoming staff made it even better.
Christopher Wu
Kenzan has been on my radar for a while — I’d heard a lot of good things from CBD locals, so I finally went in to see what it was about. For me, the sushi and sashimi were the highlights. Super fresh, clean flavours, and definitely the standout of the night. The cold appetisers/entrees leaned a bit too sweet for my taste, but the chawanmushi (custard egg) and miso soup were both excellent. From the mains, I tried the chicken teriyaki, steak, and eel on rice — all cooked well, enjoyable, but nothing particularly memorable. At around $40 per main, the pricing felt a little on the high side. Overall, it’s a place that’s hard to fault. Everything was prepared properly, service was smooth, and the sashimi alone makes it worth a visit. A solid experience across the board.
Ran Z
We always come here for the sukiyaki — it’s authentic, consistent, and never disappoints. Service is great too. Perfect spot in winter, especially for small groups of up to four. Other dishes are fine, but the sukiyaki is definitely the star.
mrsm
Went here and greeted by friendly, smiley staffs. The place is clean and well spaced seatings. There’s 2 private rooms with tatami mats for private groups. Service is quick, food and drinks menu easy to understand. We had the sukiyaki and was cooked on our table by a very helpful staff. It was perfect for winters cold weather and it was really yummy. The beef slices and vegetables were well presented and generous servings and reasonably priced. This is place is easy to get to by tram from Flinders or a 10 min walk from Bourke’s on 86 or 96 from Russell st. Wheelchair and pram friendly with ramp outside.
