Restaurant

Wasshoi Bar and Grill

163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Recommended by 18 people

Updated

Find Wasshoi Bar and Grill

163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Directions ↗
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Wasshoi Bar and Grill

Prahran Market regulars head straight for this bustling counter to grab charcoal-grilled meats packed into crisp French-style rolls. Grab a stool at the live grill. Cooks char-score thick pork belly and chicken fillets over sumibi flames, brushing on glazes while toasters run. Marketgoers queue early for the pork belly bun, layered with kimchi, crisp lettuce, and generous teriyaki-chilli sauce that easily bleeds through the paper wrapper. The beef tsukune rice bowl offers an equally satisfying alternative, finished with crunchy sides. Cut through the richness with a cloudy, tart Kochi yuzu juice between bites.

  • Signature Bun Rolls: Warm, toasted French-style bread packed with char-scored pork belly, tangy kimchi, and rich glazes.
  • Counter-Side Grill View: Stool seating directly wraps the charcoal station, offering full views of the cooks slicing and plating to order.
  • Kochi Yuzu Juice: A cloudy, pleasantly tart Japanese citrus drink that cleanly cuts through the fatty, flame-grilled meats.
  • Hearty Donburi Bowls: Steamed rice bowls crowned with seasoned beef tsukune or charred chicken fillets alongside crisp greens.

What's On at Wasshoi Bar and Grill

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Wasshoi Bar and Grill

Why Prahran Market visitors pull up a stool for live-fired Japanese rolls and bowls.

  • Sumibi-yaki Meats in Crusty French Rolls

    Charcoal-grilled meats like twice-cooked pork belly and chicken fillet are tucked into toasted crusty bread rolls balanced with crisp lettuce and kimchi.

    The twice‑cooked pork belly bun arrives with a bun that's crisp and pillowy, still warm from the toaster. Inside: char‐scored pork belly, fat and lean layered, deeply savoury. Lettuce and kimchi add crunch and a sour‐spicy kick.

    IL Melbourne Foodies
  • Rich Charcoal Donburi Rice Bowls

    Flame-grilled Japanese proteins are also served donburi style over individual-grained rice that catches the savory drippings and marinades.

    Short but delicious menu of freshly made sumibi-yaki (flame grilled) beef, beef tsukune, pork and chicken served donburi style on rice, or in a bread roll like a banh mi, with small green side salad.

    World Foodie
  • Front-Row Counter Seat to Live Flame Grilling

    Diners perch right along the open perimeter counter, watching the kitchen team prep, toast buns, and tend sizzling charcoal skewers in continuous motion.

    It's a counter, a hot grill, and a few stools overlooking the hustle of the market. Order at the counter, then perch yourself on a bar stool and watch the team work: pork belly sizzling over charcoal, buns being toasted, sauces brushed on with care.

    IL Melbourne Foodies
  • Fast-Paced Kitchen Rhythm and Theatre

    The open kitchen layout turns quick-service cooking into an energetic display, driven by disciplined, fast-paced grill work and plating.

    He handled the grill and all the plating with impressive speed and rhythm. The way he moved—quick, focused and precise—made it genuinely fun to watch and brought an energetic vibe to the whole dining atmosphere.

    Js
  • Transportive Japanese Street Stall Ambience

    The open-bar setup and focused Japanese street stall format evoke the feel of an authentic station dining counter in Tokyo.

    Reminds me of sit & go set ups you'd find at some train stations in Japan, worth dropping in or grabbing takeaway.

    Winston Ng
  • Refreshing Citrus Reset with Kochi Yuzu

    Tart Kochi yuzu juice and yuzu shandies offer a sharp citrus contrast that cleanses the palate after savory, char-grilled meats.

    Highly recommend pairing it with the yuzu juice! It helps cutting through the greasiness of the meat!

    Mashi_soyo

Beyond the menu

Distinctive hospitality and thoughtful touches at the counter

  • Proactive regular recognition

    Regular guests are remembered by name and preferences, with staff proactively confirming custom requests like extra coriander and slicing rolls in half before ordering.

  • Traditional masu saké presentation

    Premium junmai ginjo saké is presented in the traditional style, poured into a small glass set inside an overflowing lacquered masu box.

  • Kimchi crunch inside toasted rolls

    Freshly toasted bun rolls are layered with crisp kimchi and greens alongside charcoal meats to cut richness and balance savory glazes.

  • Smoke-managed open counter seating

    Counter seats feature an effective dedicated exhaust system that lets diners watch live charcoal flames up close without leaving with smokey clothes.

Before you head over

How to navigate counter seating, prep times, and dining formats at Prahran Market.

  • Aim for off-peak times to snag a counter seat

    Counter seating wraps directly around the open grill in an intimate rectangle, making stools scarce during peak lunch rushes. Arrive right at opening or aim for a late afternoon lunch around 2:00 PM to snag a counter perch without circling.

  • Expect wait times for fresh charcoal grilling

    Because each cut is flame-grilled fresh to order over charcoal, wait times can reach 20 to 25 minutes during peak market hours. Plan ahead if you are on a tight schedule, or place a takeaway order to browse the market stalls while it cooks.

  • Prepare for generously sauced rolls or choose donburi

    The signature toasted rolls are heavily glazed and sauced, frequently soaking through wrappers. Keep napkins ready from the counter dispensers, or opt for a donburi rice bowl if you prefer a mess-free lunch.

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