WABI SABI SALON, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
www.wabisabisalon.com.au
OVERALL RATING: 45/50
$ – $$

A little bit of Japan in Melbourne

Atmosphere 8.5/10
Located along quirky Smith Street a couple stores down from the famous Huxtaburger, is Wabi Sabi Salon. It’s small, quiet, and dark (great for a date night), and the inside is designed like a Japanese hut. The music is soft, and Japanese memorabilia line the walls, such as little Godzilla toys and Japanese paintings. These details are even included in the decor in the toilets. There’s a great covered outdoor area as well for when the weather is lovely.

Some nice touches to the interior deco

Interior of Wabi Sabi Salon

The outdoor area

The bathroom wall

Cleanliness 9/10
As you’d expect from a Japanese restaurant – very clean.

Service 9/10
The waiters also add to the Japanese experience, being extremely friendly and polite. Welcoming you when you first walk in, and saying thank you as you leave.

Food 8.5/10
They have great bento boxes, with specials that change everyday and different options for everyone (which is great for Vegetarians like me). So far everything I’ve had there is delicious – we had the eggplant sushi, the vegan miso soup, and grilled teriyaki fish. They also had a choice between brown or white rice, just in case you wanted to be a bit healthier.

Mum ordered the quinoa salad

Salmon

Eggplant sushi

Value 10/10
The food is very reasonable for the price, and a fair amount to ensure you leave feeling full, and the atmosphere is great for those experiencing extreme wanderlust who don’t quite have the money saved up yet and just want a taste of Japan (sorry, couldn’t help it).