Snacks under $10, cocktails for $14: First look at a new izakaya that’s a dream for groups

There’s something for just about everyone at Yamamoto Udon Izakaya, the city’s new 150-seat Japanese eatery and bar with a vast – and affordable – array of handmade noodles, izakaya-style small plates and cocktails. It’s just opened within shopping and dining precinct QV.

The brand was born in late 2024 with Bourke Street noodle joint Yamamoto Udon, which has built a loyal following for its chewy wheat noodles made on-site, particularly the ultra-wide and ribbon-like himokawa style that isn’t readily available in Melbourne.

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But this new venue goes beyond noodles. “Udon remains at the centre of what we do because that’s part of Yamamoto’s identity, but this venue gives us the freedom to expand into a much broader izakaya offering,” says co-owner Emily Yu.

Leaning into the izakaya as Japan’s answer to the pub, Yu says, “there’s a real focus on smaller dishes, grilled items and snack-style plates that encourage people to stay, drink and explore the menu gradually”.

Emily and husband Roy Yu are behind the family-run Wagyu Ya Group and its mostly beef-centric Melbourne restaurants, including Wagyu Ya and Yakikami (both in South Yarra), Wagyu Ya Teppanyaki in Glen Waverley, and Niku Ou in the city. Yamamoto Udon Izakaya is a partnership with hospitality entrepreneur David Loh, who has several other eateries in QV including Old Beijing.

At the new addition, dishes are priced from $5.90, so you can give the menu a nudge without breaking the bank. Get a fresh start with sashimi and beef tataki, then move onto the fried octopus balls takoyaki and okonomiyaki pancake. Karaage and tempura are perfect drinking food, and there’s a range of flame-grilled robatayaki meat and vegetables. An iPad lets you order progressively, with dishes arriving at the table as they’re ready.

The udon selection is substantial, with all noodles made fresh daily in the Bourke Street kitchen. Choose from more than 30 varieties across soup, curry and dipping udons – plus silky, cream-based carbonara and mentaiko (pollock roe) udons, which are exclusive to this location. It’s first in, best dressed for the signature himokawa noodles, with only a limited number of serves per day.

Where the first Yamamoto isn’t licensed and is more suited to a low-key slurpable lunch, the second is geared towards booze-fuelled fun. Japanese-inspired cocktails are $14 or less, from toasted-matcha gin sours to sakura Cosmos with cherry-blossom liqueur. House sake carafes are also $14, while on tap are Japanese beers from Suntory for $11 a pint.

The space on QV’s second level is three times the size of the Bourke Street original, with a vibrant design. “The fit-out was inspired by the kind of modern Tokyo izakayas we personally love spending time in,” says Roy. “We wanted it to feel immersive and lively.”

Warm timbers and lantern lighting flow throughout, with intimate booth seating for groups, noren fabric flapping overhead and an open kitchen at the heart of the venue.

There’s no online booking system at the moment, so smaller groups are encouraged to walk in; larger groups can make a reservation via phone on (03) 9989 5005.

Open lunch and dinner daily

QV Melbourne, Shop QS029, Level 2, QV Square, corner Lonsdale and Swanston streets, Melbourne, instagram.com/yamamoto_udon_izakaya