The Best Jap in Melbourne: Shira Nui

I love my jap food. There is just something about raw fish and soy sauce that captivates me every time. I also have to get my jap fix at least once a week no matter if it is on the low or the highest end of the price range. I will crave uni and scallops and otoro so much I dream about it.

When I first came to Melbourne, I was super sad cos there weren't readily available sushi bars here like in Singapore where there are places like Sushi Tei, Kuriya and the latest from Hong Kong, Itacho. You will definitely find me lurking in a corner in one of these places whenever I am back in Singapore just for a quick meal or even sushi in between meals. I am that much of a sushi freak.

So I thought I start a The Best Jap in Melbourne where I highlight some of my favourites and I'll be super happy if you try these places out and let me know what you think!

I hated that "sushi" here in Melbourne seem to be cheap, fast and made up of teriyaki chicken and calamari. *shudders (That is until I found MoMo sushi and Pink Ginger another post another time!)

In any case, I am going off on a tangent, I love Shira Nui. Sam first took me here in the early stages of our relationship in 2009. And we've been back over and over and over again since. Personally, I think it is Melbourne's best japanese. I ranked this out of the jap places I've tried like Shoya, Koko, Wabi Sabi, Nobu. Although I have also returned to those restaurants a few times. Shira Nui is still my one true love.

Last year, when my family came down for my graduation, we brought them to meet my baby sushi restaurant. And they fell in love too!

My famz

You can dine at Shira Nui ala carte (which I have done only once) but I definitely recommend the Omokase (chef's selection/degustation). Only thing is that I've noticed the selection to be the same over the four times that I've had it. That's the only reason why I don't go regularly.

You also get to sit on tall chairs and on the counter watching the chefs in action if you get the Omakase. Heehee cheap thrills.

Kingfish belly in my bellehzzz

Unagi

Oyster

Mackerel

Tuna

This was when I was getting stuffed and couldn't eat two of the same sushi anymore but I was still greedy....

Beef. SO GOOD

The two next photos are my absolute FAVE EVER.

Pan seared Salmon

This has got to be Shira Nui's best sushi ever. I've tried pan seared salmon at a couple other places but this has the best melt-in-your-mouth consistency. OM NOM NOM NOM

Uni / Sea Urchin

An acquired taste for some but to me, divine. I once ate four uni nigiris and two uni+ika handrolls at Chuji Izakaya once. Nyummy.

My beautiful mummy.

Shira Nui is, without a doubt, my fave sushi restaurant (not quite sure the message got across in my post. LOL)

Price: around $100-$120 per head. Depending on how much sushi and sake you consume.

Highlights: Every plate is like an explosion of happiness...IN YOUR MOUTH

Mehs: Sometimes you don't get the sushi you want cos it is seasonal. So you get sad sometimes..

OM NOM factor: SO Om Nom-licious