Restaurant
Waku Waku
346 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Waku Waku
346 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Waku Waku
Right in the Melbourne CBD, this compact diner delivers comforting Japanese yōshoku with aromatic Hokkaido soup curries and hearty rice bowls. The room is tight and buzzy, drawing regular lunch crowds for deeply spiced, brothy curries poured over roasted vegetables and fall-apart chicken leg. Beyond the staples, the kitchen turns out Wagyu braised curry over soft omurice alongside rotating seasonal specials like tangy Tom Yum curry or crispy nori tacos. An unpretentious counter order often comes paired with their cult seven-dollar potato salad.
- Signature Hokkaido Soup Curry: Aromatic, pepper-spiced broth served with tender chicken leg or Wagyu and roasted vegetables over rice.
- Hearty Omurice: Fluffy omelettes blanketed in rich Wagyu braised curry or mapo agedashi tofu.
- Creative Seasonal Specials: Rotating limited drops ranging from Suppa Tom Yum curry to yuzu ceviche nori tacos.
- Cult-Favorite Potato Salad: A much-loved, generous CBD staple side dish priced at seven dollars.
What's On at Waku Waku
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Waku Waku
Why diners choose Waku Waku for comforting soup curries and creative Japanese dining in Melbourne CBD
Specialist Hokkaido-Style Soup Curries
Waku Waku crafts Hokkaido soup curries featuring spiced, lighter broth textures paired with slow-cooked tender meats and roasted vegetables rather than conventional heavy roux.
Ordered the original soup curry, was one of the most unique flavours of curry I’ve ever tried with a strong emphasis on spices and peppery flavour.
Jessica De Beaux Hearty Portions and Deep Warming Comfort
Generous, steaming bowls of soup curry, wagyu omurice, and udon provide hearty sustenance and comfort.
Portion size was very big too, the photo doesn’t do it justice and for only $20 it’s a very reasonable price. Was a wonderful meal on a cold day
Trent Bassetto Dynamic Seasonal Menus and Playful Fusion
The kitchen regularly introduces inventive limited-edition seasonal items such as Suppa Tom Yum curry, peanut butter tempura prawns, nori tacos, and pumpkin duck udon.
Tried the new Spring Menu. A solid and creative lineup! The Suppa Tom Yum Curry with grilled chicken leg was the clear winner
Ellie FENG Inventive Signatures Like the Sushi Hotdog
The menu extends beyond standard fare to include memorable and playful culinary concepts like sushi hotdogs and nori tempura snacks.
Phenomenal food, sushi hotdog has a horrible name but the tastiest thing on the menu! It's a beautiful treat, very pleasing to eat.
Not A Lizard Person Swift Service for Quick CBD Lunches
Conveniently situated on Little Bourke Street, the compact dining room delivers rapid table turns and welcoming counter service for CBD lunches and dinners.
This is my absolute favourite lunch spot, incredible quality of food and so yummy. I’ve started going so much the staff remember my order! The staff are so lovely and such quick service
Anita Stinger Accessible Value in Melbourne's Dining Hub
With generous set options, rice bowls, and curry soups under twenty dollars, diners get exceptional food quality at reasonable central Melbourne prices.
Super nice Japanese restaurant, service is fast and friendly and the food is really yum! I had the original soup curry with charcoal chicken. Super good!! No regrets, cheap and cheerful must try in Melbs!
Fiona T
Most popular items
Signature Hokkaido soup curries and creative seasonal favorites
Original soup curry
Ordered the original soup curry, was one of the most unique flavours of curry I’ve ever tried with a strong emphasis on spices and peppery flavour.
Jessica De Beaux Wagyu steak don
My absolute favourite dishes were the Wagu Steak Don as well as the Yuzu Ceviche Nori Taco.
Clare D Suppa Tom Yum Curry
The Suppa Tom Yum Curry with grilled chicken leg was the clear winner – flavorful, tangy, and perfectly cooked.
Ellie FENG Sushi hotdog
Phenomenal food, sushi hotdog has a horrible name but the tastiest thing on the menu!
Not A Lizard Person
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Hokkaido soup curry differ from traditional Japanese curry?
Waku Waku specializes in Hokkaido-style soup curry, which has a lighter, more broth-like consistency rather than thick conventional Japanese curry roux, packed with savory spices and served with rice or noodles.
Can you expect a wait for a table?
Expect a cozy, compact dining space with roughly 5 to 6 indoor tables combining bar and regular seating, alongside outdoor tables when weather permits. Peak lunch and dinner periods can see short lines or wait times.
How does ordering work?
Orders are placed at the counter, with friendly counter service and relatively fast kitchen turnaround once you are seated. Both dine-in and takeaway are available.
Are the portions filling?
Dishes are generously portioned and filling, with options like chicken leg soup curry, beef omurice, and donburi bowls providing substantial meals. You can also upgrade select mains to a set with potato salad and miso soup.
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