Waku Waku

Right in the pulse of the Melbourne CBD—an absolute powerhouse for Japanese comfort food. Perfect for a casual outing or a family feed at a refreshingly moderate price point. Japanese expats consistently point their friends here for legit yōshoku fixes. It’s a cozy, bustling space pumping out deeply savory Hokkaido soup curries and massive plates of Wagyu braised curry omurice. The kitchen flexes serious creativity with seasonal drops—think tangy Suppa Tom Yum curry with grilled chicken leg or peanut butter tempura prawns. It’s hectic, it smells incredible the second you walk in, and the portions are unapologetically huge. A loud whisper from the CBD lunch crowd: do not skip the $7 potato salad. It’s a wildly addictive side dish that punches way above its weight. Whether dining in for a comforting bowl of udon or grabbing a quick takeaway donburi, this is top-tier, soul-warming cooking.