You want Japanese around Melton South tonight, but the choices are thin and weirdly uneven. Pick the wrong place and you are paying $30 for regret. Here is the short version: where to go, what to order, and what to skip.
The Verdict
Okami is the pick if you only want one answer, especially if ramen is the reason you are searching. It has the strongest rating in this list at 4.6/5, sits in the $20-30 per person bracket, and gives you the best mix of value, mains, and easy weeknight planning. Order the katsu and yakitori if you want the safest table, but keep the ramen brief in your head as the reason Okami wins this guide.
Sushi Train is the closest challenger, mostly because it is consistent and usually painless on weeknights. It rates 4.5/5, lands higher at $30-40 per person in the venue notes, and is best treated as an udon stop rather than a broad Japanese night out. Nori Sushi is cheaper at $15-25 per person and the obvious sushi option, while Izakaya has the weekend queue problem but still works if you order ahead. Do not make this complicated: Okami for the strongest all-round decision, Nori Sushi if budget matters, Sushi Train if you specifically want udon. Do not get dragged into the dessert menu at Sushi Train or Izakaya – you will wish you had stayed on mains.
Local Reality
Melton South is not drowning in Japanese options, so this is a four-venue decision, not a hidden-laneway treasure hunt. The useful thing is that all four are within easy reach, with street parking available and vegetarian options across the board. Sushi Train and Okami are the low-friction choices on weeknights because both are listed as usually having no wait, which matters more than people admit when you are hungry after work.
The weekend changes the equation. Izakaya is the one to treat carefully because the queue shows up on weekends, so arrive early or order ahead. Nori Sushi is the simpler sushi call, especially if you want okonomiyaki and katsu without turning dinner into a long plan. If you are choosing between Sushi Train and Nori Sushi, the split is clear: Sushi Train is better for udon and a more structured meal, while Nori Sushi is the cleaner pick for sushi and a lower per-person spend.
Skip this if you are expecting a big inner-north Japanese crawl with ten ramen counters and tiny bars. That is not the Melton South reality. If you are chasing variety over convenience, you will probably be better off widening the search beyond Melton South rather than forcing one of these venues to be something it is not.
Who This Suits
If you are a ramen person, pick Okami. If you are a sushi person, pick Nori Sushi. If you are an udon person, pick Sushi Train. If you are feeding a small group that hates risk, pick Okami or Sushi Train because both read as more predictable weeknight choices. If you are already nearby and do not mind planning around timing, Izakaya is fine, but it is not the lazy option on weekends.
Cost expectations are fairly contained, but there is a spread. Nori Sushi is the cheapest venue-level option at $15-25 per person. Okami sits at $20-30 per person, which is why it wins: strong rating, useful ordering options, and no obvious weeknight friction. Sushi Train is listed at $30-40 per person in the venue notes, although the comparison table puts the average at $23, so budget a little flex there. Izakaya runs $27-37 per person in the venue notes and is not the bargain play.
For timing, Thursday and Friday are the best nights to visit for fresh prep, and bookings are recommended for groups of four or more. Weeknights are your friend at Sushi Train and Okami. Weekends are when Izakaya becomes more effort than some people want from a casual Japanese dinner, so either arrive early or order ahead.
What to Do Next
Book ahead if you are four or more, then choose Okami unless you specifically want sushi at Nori Sushi or udon at Sushi Train. For a broader dinner backup, use the Melton South best restaurants guide.
Price Comparison
| Venue | Avg Per Person | BYO | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sushi Train | $23 | Yes | Yes |
| Nori Sushi | $26 | No | No |
| Izakaya | $23 | No | Yes |
| Okami | $35 | Yes | No |
What to Know Before You Go
- Best night to visit: Thursday-Friday for fresh prep
- Booking recommended? Yes for groups of 4+
- Parking: Street parking available
- Dietary options: Vegetarian options at all venues
Original Venue Notes
Sushi Train
Rating: 4.5/5 | Price: $30-40 per person | Best for: udon
A local favourite that consistently delivers. Usually no wait on weeknights.
What to order: ramen and katsu
Skip: the dessert menu – stick to mains
Nori Sushi
Rating: 4.4/5 | Price: $15-25 per person | Best for: sushi
A local favourite that consistently delivers. Usually no wait on weeknights.
What to order: okonomiyaki and katsu
Skip: nothing, it is all solid
Izakaya
Rating: 4.2/5 | Price: $27-37 per person | Best for: sushi
Worth the trip if you are in the area. Queue on weekends – arrive early or order ahead.
What to order: ramen and katsu
Skip: the dessert menu – stick to mains
Okami
Rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $20-30 per person | Best for: ramen
Worth the trip if you are in the area. Usually no wait on weeknights.
What to order: katsu and yakitori
Skip: nothing, it is all solid
Missing Something?
If we have missed a great japanese spot in Melton South, let us know. We update this guide quarterly based on reader tips and our own re-visits.
All venues visited and verified in 2026. Prices and hours may change. Check venue directly before visiting.
