QT Melbourne has recently levelled up its dining game with the opening of Yamagen, a sleek new Japanese restaurant serving an omakase experience that feels refined yet relaxed. Omakase translates to “I’ll leave it up to you”. In other words it’s a curated tasting journey that unfolds in steady, satisfying waves.
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We kicked things off with salted edamame and thin slices of snapper dressed with truffled tosazu and pops of ume and yuzu. Light, clean, and a great way to start.
The sashimi tacos were a surprise favourite; salmon with wasabi salsa and tuna with mustard soy, piled onto warm sushi rice with creamy avocado and a hit of spicy mayo. Messy in the best way. We paired it with the Ume No Hana cocktail; red shiso umeshu, hibiscus, yuzu and gin. Floral, slightly tart, and very easy to order again.
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The tempura glacier 51 toothfish was delicate and flaky, the kind of dish you slow down for without meaning to. Lamb cutlets followed and stole the show; tender, juicy and totally more-ish.
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Then came the wagyu, a 150g serve of MS6+ tenderloin with wasabi butter melting over the top. Indulgent and absolutely another highlight of the night. The soft shell crab roll held its own too, crunchy and packed with flavour.
Dessert was a raspberry sakura panna cotta that was a fine way to round out the menu; light with the right kick of zest that danced across the tongue.
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Yamagen feels like a destination restaurant, without feeling stuffy or overly formal. It’s polished but comfortable and the service is top tier. The kind of place you book for a date, a celebration, or just because you can’t handle the fact that your next trip to Japan is still 6 months away.
-Brenton is our food and nightlife specialist who can navigate the CBD blindfolded.
