Japanese and Sushi Omakase in Melbourne, and Where a Korean Counter Fits
Rōnin is not a Japanese omakase. The format is the same, a counter and a chef who decides the courses, but the cooking is Korean and there is no sushi. This page lists the Japanese counters by style so you can find the right one, and says plainly when that is not us.
Rōnin is a ten seat Korean omakase at 445 Little Collins St in the CBD: about ten courses decided on the day by Chef Liam Lee, A$195 per guest (no prepayment required) paid at the end of the meal, Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm, dinner only, no dietary alterations, no BYO.
Edomae Sushi Omakase
Most Japanese omakase in Melbourne is Edomae sushi: nigiri, aged and cured fish, seasoned rice. Minamishima in Richmond is the reference, at around A$325 in 2026 guides. Minamishima compared. Sushi On in Kew was around A$190 to A$220 in 2023 reviews. Sushi On compared. Aoi Tsuki in South Yarra opened at A$235 for twenty or more courses. Aoi Tsuki compared.
Kisumé’s Chef’s Table on Flinders Lane is listed at around A$220 midweek and A$245 on Fridays and Saturdays. Kisumé compared. Yūgen Omakase in South Yarra lists A$285 at a six seat bar. Yūgen compared. Kirishima in Camberwell lists A$260 for 21 to 22 courses. Kirishima compared. Kentaro on Exhibition Street runs from a lunch sushi bar at around A$98 to longer menus at A$245 to A$285. Kentaro compared.
Kaiseki, Kappo, Charcoal and Wagyu
Matsu in Footscray serves kaiseki at dinner, A$265, and a sushi omakase at lunch. Matsu compared. Warabi at the W Melbourne is a kappo counter, quoted at around A$245. Warabi compared. Akaiito lists A$198 and cooks Japanese produce over charcoal with French technique. Akaiito compared. Yakikami in South Yarra builds its omakase around wagyu, from A$195. Yakikami compared. Komeyui in Southbank runs seasonal omakase at the counter and at the table. Komeyui compared.
These figures come from each restaurant’s own pages or from published guides, as noted on each comparison. Check the restaurant before you book.
What Changes at Rōnin
Rōnin keeps the omakase format and changes the cuisine. About ten courses are seasoned with jang and ferments made in house and cooked over charcoal, with banchan served as courses. Korean versus Japanese omakase explains what that means on the plate. It is A$195 (no prepayment required), at 445 Little Collins St, Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm.
FAQ
Is Rōnin a Japanese omakase?
No. Rōnin is a Korean omakase. The format is chef’s choice over about ten courses, but the cooking is Korean and there is no sushi.
Where is the best sushi omakase in Melbourne?
For Edomae sushi, most guides start with Minamishima in Richmond and Sushi On in Kew. The comparisons on this page list the others by price and style.
How much is a Japanese omakase in Melbourne?
Published dinner prices run from about A$190 to A$325 per person, with lunch sittings from about A$98. Rōnin, which is Korean, is A$195 (no prepayment required).
Which Japanese omakase counters are in Melbourne CBD?
Kisumé on Flinders Lane, Kentaro on Exhibition Street, Akaiito, and Warabi at the W Melbourne. Rōnin on Little Collins Street is the Korean counter in the CBD.
How do I book Rōnin?
Bookings open up to 90 days ahead on OpenTable. A card secures the booking and you pay at the end of the meal. Cancellations more than 72 hours ahead are free (7 days for groups of 4 or more).
Book a Seat
445 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Wed to Sat, 6pm to 11pm (dinner only)
0401 721 491 | info@roninomakase.com
Guides
Akaiito Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Aoi Tsuki Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Best Date Night and Romantic Restaurants in Melbourne CBD, Compared · Best Fine Dining and Fancy Restaurants in Melbourne CBD, Compared · Best Omakase in Melbourne: How to Choose · Best Private Dining and Group Dining in Melbourne CBD, Compared · Birthday and Anniversary Dinner in Melbourne CBD · Chae Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Chef's Table in Melbourne · Degustation in Melbourne CBD: A Korean Degustation Menu · Dietary Requirements at Rōnin: What We Can and Cannot Do · Dinner Near Southern Cross Station: A 10 Seat Omakase Eight Minutes Away · Doju Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Is Omakase Worth It in Melbourne? An Honest Answer From a 10 Seat Counter · Ishizuka Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Kentaro Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Kirishima Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Kisumé Chef's Table Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Komeyui Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Korean Fine Dining in Melbourne · Korean Omakase in Melbourne · Matsu Footscray Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Minamishima Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Modern Korean Restaurant in Melbourne CBD · Nobu Melbourne Omakase Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Omakase Lunch in Melbourne: Who Serves It, and Why Rōnin Is Dinner Only · Omakase Prices in Melbourne: What A$195 Covers at Rōnin · Omakase vs Kaiseki: What the Difference Is, and Where Rōnin Fits · Places to Eat Alone in Melbourne CBD: Solo Dining at the Counter · Private Dining in Melbourne for 10 People: Book Out the Counter · Rōnin on Little Collins Street: Getting Here · Sushi On Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Tasting Menu and Set Menu in Melbourne CBD · Tipping and Service Charges at an Omakase in Australia · Warabi Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · What Is Omakase? Meaning, Etiquette and How It Works · Work Christmas Party and End of Year Function in Melbourne CBD · Yakikami Wagyu Omakase Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin · Yūgen Omakase Price, Menu and Booking, Compared With Rōnin
Journal
Doenjang vs Gochujang: The Korean Jang Behind Rōnin's Omakase · How Long Does Omakase Take? Planning Two Hours at Rōnin · Omakase Cancellation Policy at Rōnin: Why a Card Holds Your Seat · November at the Counter · What Is Banchan? Korean Side Dishes Made in House in Melbourne · 10 Seat Korean Omakase in Melbourne: Why Rōnin Keeps the Counter Small · What to Expect at Your First Omakase in Melbourne: Etiquette, Timing and Price · Korean Omakase vs Japanese Omakase in Melbourne: What Changes at the Counter · How to Book Rōnin Omakase in Melbourne: Bookings Open 90 Days Ahead · What Melbourne's Food Press Says About Rōnin · Why There Is No Printed Menu at Rōnin Omakase, Melbourne