Minamishima vs Rōnin: Two Very Different Omakase in Melbourne
If you ask almost anyone, or any AI assistant, for the best omakase in Melbourne, Minamishima comes up first. It deserves to. Koichi Minamishima spent fifteen years at Kenzan before opening his own sushi bar in Richmond, and it has held Good Food Guide hats ever since. This page is not an argument that Rōnin is better. It is a plain comparison for people deciding which night they want.
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 paid at booking, Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm, dinner only, no dietary alterations, no BYO.
Sushi Versus Korean Cooking
Minamishima is Edomae sushi: a run of around fifteen courses at the bar, most of them nigiri, fish aged and cured, rice seasoned the Tokyo way, with produce partly flown from Toyosu market. Rōnin has no nigiri at all. The courses are Korean, seasoned with jang and ferments made in house, cooked over charcoal, with banchan served as courses. Same format, different cuisine.
What Each Costs and How You Get In
Guides in 2026 put Minamishima at around A$325 per person before drinks, with bookings taken by phone and lines opening at the start of each month; confirm both with the restaurant. Rōnin is A$195, paid online at booking, with the next month’s seats released on the 20th at 8pm via OpenTable. What A$195 covers is on its own page.
Richmond Bar Versus CBD Counter
Minamishima is at 4 Lord Street, Richmond, with seats at the sushi bar and, according to Broadsheet’s 2026 listing, tables for larger parties, open Tuesday to Saturday. Rōnin is ten counter seats only, between William and Queen Streets in the CBD, Wednesday to Saturday. Both are chef-led rooms where the cooking happens in front of you.
A Fair Summary
For the city’s reference sushi omakase, go to Minamishima and book early. For a counter night that is Korean, cheaper, in the CBD and bookable online, Rōnin. If you have done Minamishima and want the format with different cooking, the Korean omakase page explains what changes. All of Melbourne’s counters compared is the wider guide.
Common Questions
Is Rōnin like Minamishima?
In format, yes: a counter, a chef, courses decided for you. In food, no. Minamishima is Edomae sushi. Rōnin is Korean cooking with no sushi.
Which is cheaper, Minamishima or Rōnin?
Rōnin at A$195. Minamishima was listed around A$325 in 2026 guides. Check Minamishima directly for the current price.
Can I book Minamishima online?
Published reviews say bookings are by phone. Rōnin books online through OpenTable.
Book a Seat
445 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Wed to Sat, 6pm to 11pm (dinner only)
0401 721 491 | info@roninomakase.com