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Restaurant

MATSU

275 Barkly St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia

Recommended by 41 people

Updated

Find MATSU

275 Barkly St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia

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HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Friday: 12:30 – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:30 – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About MATSU

Tucked along Barkly Street, this minimalist counter serves Melbourne’s most transportive sushi omakase and multi-course kaiseki. Chef Hansol Lee brings rigorous training from Kenzan and Minamishima to just twelve counter seats, finishing courses directly in front of diners. The kitchen runs on quiet rhythm—lunch offers nigiri accented with subtle citrus and blowtorched smoke, while dinner shifts to an intricate seasonal progression featuring abalone and sweet prawn. Diners leave with a souvenir Polaroid and wrapped onigiri for tomorrow's breakfast.

  • Intimate 12-Seat Counter: A clean, minimalist 12-seat space where the chef prepares and finishes each course directly before diners.
  • Omakase & Kaiseki Formats: Precision nigiri omakase for lunch giving way to an elaborate multi-course kaiseki progression at dinner.
  • Pedigree Craftsmanship: Chef Hansol Lee applies disciplined technique honed through years at benchmark institutions Kenzan and Minamishima.
  • Thoughtful Keepsakes: Guests finish the evening with a keepsake Polaroid photo and house-made onigiri packed for the morning.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at MATSU

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Matsu

Discover why diners choose Matsu for Melbourne's most memorable kaiseki and omakase experiences.

  • Artful Culinary Precision at Counterside

    Dishes are prepared with meticulous detail and precision directly before guests across an orchestrated multi-course progression.

    The chefs carefully prepare each course with such precision and attention to detail.

    Thu TH

  • Intimate Front-Row Kitchen Craft

    Chef Han demonstrates restrained theatrical technique, torching and plating dishes in view to deeply connect guests to the kitchen's craft.

    the chefs finishing several dishes directly in front of guests — a restrained but enjoyable bit of theatre that connects you to the craft of the kitchen.

    bb

  • Intimate Setting for Milestone Celebrations

    With a low-capacity 12-seat counter, the venue provides an exclusive and memorable atmosphere suited for milestone celebrations.

    The restaurant’s intimate 12-seat setting makes it perfect for celebrating a special occasion.

    Thu TH

  • Personalized Occasion Keepsakes

    Attentive service and bespoke photographic tokens ensure couples and celebratory parties leave with enduring personal memories.

    The chef also kindly took a polaroid for all the guests to keep which was a nice touch.

    HY

  • Harmonious Curated Sake Pairings

    Carefully chosen beverage pours are matched to seasonal courses, elevating the delicate flavor notes of the progression without dominating.

    The sake pairing is particularly strong, moving through well-chosen pours that complement the dishes without overpowering them.

    bb

  • Thoughtful Take-Home Breakfast Parcels

    Dinner concludes with house-packed onigiri prepared by the chef for guests to enjoy the following morning as an extended gesture of hospitality.

    the chef even packed fresh onigiri for everyone to enjoy for breakfast the next morning.

    J Koo

Signature courses and pairings highlighted by counter diners

  • Takeaway onigiri

    the takeaway onigiri was a nice touch and so delicious.

    Vi Dang

  • Sake pairing

    The Sake pairing is a must!

    Cindy Tee

  • Abalone udon

    Highlight of the night was the Abalone udon and Anago tempura rice.

    Mashi_soyo

  • Prawn nigiri

    I struggle with the exercise of choosing a favourite, but the one that almost brought me to tears was the prawn nigiri.

    E L

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality details and personal touches observed at MATSU

  • Keepsake Polaroid Photo

    Chef Han takes a Polaroid photo for guests at the end of the meal to bring home as a physical keepsake.

  • Take-Home Morning Onigiri Parcel

    At the conclusion of service, the chef shapes and packages house-made onigiri for diners to take home for breakfast the next morning.

  • Personal Chef Dialogue & Culinary Insight

    Chef Han engages directly with the 10-to-12 seat counter, explaining the craft behind each dish, answering questions, and sharing culinary tips.

  • Accommodating Private Space Adaptation

    When a guest's mobility scooter could not enter the dining room, Chef Lee and the staff arranged and served their meal in an adjoining room to ensure they could dine comfortably.

Before you head over

Helpful dining notes on booking, pacing, and accessibility for an intimate counter experience.

  • Plan Bookings in Advance

    With only 10 to 12 counter seats available, securing a reservation can require advance planning and patience with release ballots.

  • Consider an Earlier Sitting

    Opting for an earlier evening sitting allows ample time to enjoy the extensive multi-course progression without feeling rushed through a full stomach.

  • Parking and Accessibility

    While free parking is typically accessible on the quieter stretch of Barkly Street, guests with larger mobility scooters can arrange dedicated accessible dining in an adjacent private room.

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