Monday, 21 May 10.47pm
Restaurant Information
Community 23 Favourites 24 Wishlists

Hako


So popular with Melbourne diners, Hako was forced to move 500 metres up the road to a larger space. Still busy, the lunchtime bento boxes are in high demand among city workers, but they are far surpassed by the dinner produced by (ex-Kuni's) chef Masahiro Hori. His talents especially shine on the specials board. The ebi tempura is the signature dish, while the salmon spring rolls are also very popular. The service is informative, especially about the more unusual dishes. The meals come in gorgeous Japanese ceramics, which are also tucked into indented shelves along the walls.

Erin Clare


Open m t w t f s s
Breakfast              
Lunch O O O O O    
Dinner O O O O O O  
Late              

Opening hours Mon-Fri noon-3pm, Mon-Sat 6pm-10pm
Cuisine Japanese
Prices Entree: $3.50-$15.50
Mains: $16-$30
Payment accepted: Cash Only
Alcohol Licensed. Wine is available by the glass.
Seats Seats 20
Bookings Phone: (03) 9620 1881

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What you say about Hako

All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.

Posted by: Catcherting | 17 September 2010, 10.59am
Glorious Japanese in Melbourne CBD
Don't come here expecting Sushi Sushi style food, this isnt a takeaway, but an experience. The food is fantastic, fresh and favoursome, and the service was good. Great Saki to choose from as well. Traditional japanese, come with an empty stomach, good company and some cash. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and that is high quality food and a great atmoshpere, could have relaxed here for a few hours.
Food: 4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating
Visit: Thu 16 September 2010
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Atmosphere: 5 star rating5 star rating5 star rating5 star rating5 star rating
Posted by: Kimberley_R | 26 March 2010, 2.50pm
Awesome!
Found this place whilst wandering through Melbourne.

After finally getting our menus (which would be the only complaint) they assited us with what to order, explaining the chefs special and what was most popular.

There were 3 of us, and we ordered one main and 5 entrees. They inlcuded the eel, beef carpaccio, california rolls, bok choy and mushrooms (i know its not very japanese but amazing broth!!) pork belly and the fresh sashimi. All of the meals were great, service was fantastic, they explained all meals when we had questions.

We were last the leave, the staff were winding down, and didnt care that we had not left, that was nice that they didnt push you out like they do in Melbourne.
If you go on a Friday or Saturday you may have to book I'd say.
Overall a great night.
Food: 4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating
Visit: Wed 24 March 2010
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating
Atmosphere: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Posted by: lonecow | 21 September 2009, 11.47pm
Lunch
My sister and I had lunch here today - I was very impressed. The interior style was simple and minimalistic, which I really enjoyed. It was busy but never felt crowded or slow.

Really enjoyed my vegetable bento and tea, servings were just the right size for me (so perhaps on the small side?) and the tofu was perfect. We also were served complimentary edamame as we were seated and the wait was minimal.

Can't wait to go back again.
Food: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Visit: Mon 21 September 2009
Mealtime: lunch
Service: 3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating
Atmosphere: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Posted by: pink elemental | 22 April 2009, 3.39pm
Good quality
Thoroughly enjoyed the food. A good range of very interesting and tasty dishes.

The place has very minimalistic decor which is simple but maybe a bit plain. And the lighting is dim.
Food: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Visit: Sat 4 April 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating
Atmosphere: 3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating
Posted by: Glutton | 22 March 2009, 11.14am
Hako - traditional and innovative! Delish
We went to Hako last night for a birthday dinner. Upon arriving it was a little quiet but within half an hour the place had started to fill up. You could have been excused for thinking that you were in a converted warehouse restaurant in New York somewhere. The food was fantastic! We decided to try as many unusual small dishes as we could. Black seaweed braised in sweet soy was a subtle but complex, earthy dish (I am still craving it the next morning). We were told by the waitress that this is a very traditional dish and usually served at home. We both agreed that we could have eaten a mountain of the stuff! Japanese Pumpkin simmered with minced chicken, tempura scallops, marinated tuna, outstanding oysters with a clean, umami dressing and exquisite sushi (perfectly matched by a special seasoning on each piece of nigiri to complement the flavour of each piece of fish) were all triumphs. But the most amazing thing was a special ceramic bowl containing 3 baby fish balls coated with tobiko slowly simmered and served cold. This was a special dish from the kitchen for my partner's birthday and also because we were such adventurous diners. Amazing - pure essence of the sea but totally balanced between savoury and sweet! Service was so friendly and informative. I can't understand how anyone could think any different. We will definitely be back!
Food: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Visit: Sat 21 March 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Atmosphere: 3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating
Posted by: doridoridori | 18 March 2008, 4.52pm
Fantastic
Food is divine here!

Go with a few friends and try lots of entrees from both the main and specials menu.

Fantastic!
Food: 4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating4.5 star rating
Visit: Mon 10 March 2008
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating3.5 star rating
Atmosphere: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Posted by: PKKSP | 22 February 2008, 2.53pm
Thoroughly disappointing
Went here for what we thought would be a quick lunch. I'd heard good things and read a good review in The Age. Was thoroughly disappointed. The initial service was acceptable but there was a delay with our food and we ended up waiting for 55 minutes for it. When we asked about it, we were told that there had been a problem in the kitchen.

When the food arrived, the servings were small and my salmon (part of the bento) was overcooked. Not good value for $15.80.
Food: 1 star rating1 star rating1 star rating1 star rating1 star rating
Visit: Fri 22 February 2008
Mealtime: lunch
Service: 0.5 star rating0.5 star rating0.5 star rating0.5 star rating0.5 star rating
Atmosphere: 3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating
Posted by: M&C | 15 December 2007, 7.06pm
Do not waste your time
We went to Hako to celebrate a very special occasion as it has a very good review.

After we were seated for a while we had to ask for the menu. The food selection was limited. We chose one entree & two main dishes.

One of the main dishes arrived first, followed by the entree some time later. Wasabi and soy were not served by default; we had to ask for it - twice.

Food was not bad, had it all actually arrived. The last main meal was over one hour late. By that time we had already finished all the other dishes and decided to cancel our order.

This was the first time we had to walk out of a restaurant.

To top things off we were given the wrong bill twice.
Food: 3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating3 star rating
Visit: Sat 8 December 2007
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 0.5 star rating0.5 star rating0.5 star rating0.5 star rating0.5 star rating
Atmosphere: 1 star rating1 star rating1 star rating1 star rating1 star rating
Posted by: monotone | 9 January 2006, 6.14pm
Food: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Visit: Fri 6 January 2006
Mealtime: dinner
Service: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating
Atmosphere: 4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating

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