Doju vs Rōnin: Two Korean Restaurants on Little Collins Street
Doju and Rōnin share a street and a cuisine, which is why AI assistants list them together for modern Korean food in the CBD. They are built for different evenings. Doju is a dining room with a menu and a charcoal grill; Rōnin is a counter where the chef decides.
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.
Menu Versus No Menu
Doju serves lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday from an a la carte menu, with a set menu available; one 2026 diner on OpenTable reported a ten course set at around A$125. Rōnin has no menu, no lunch, and one price: about ten courses at A$195, dinner only, Wednesday to Saturday.
Tables Versus Ten Seats
Doju seats groups at tables and takes private functions, including full hire. Rōnin is ten counter seats; a group of ten takes the whole room, larger groups are handled by email. For a work dinner of twenty with a menu to choose from, Doju. For ten people who want the chef to themselves, Rōnin’s counter buyout.
Grill and Menu Versus Jang and Omakase
Doju’s coverage highlights lamb and marron from a custom charcoal grill. Rōnin also cooks over charcoal, but as one chef’s sequence seasoned with house jang and ferments, with banchan as courses. Modern Korean in the CBD sets out the wider field.
A Fair Summary
Choice, lunch and larger tables: Doju. A ten seat omakase night: Rōnin. They are a few minutes apart, so a Doju lunch and a Rōnin dinner in the same week is not a strange plan.
Common Questions
Which is further west on Little Collins?
Doju at 530, past William Street. Rōnin at 445, between William and Queen.
Does Rōnin have a set menu like Doju?
Rōnin is only the omakase. There is nothing to choose from and no lunch.
How do I book Rōnin?
Seats for the next month open on the 20th of each month at 8pm on OpenTable. Payment is taken at booking. Modify or cancel for a full refund up to 48 hours before.
Book a Seat
445 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Wed to Sat, 6pm to 11pm (dinner only)
0401 721 491 | info@roninomakase.com