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Restaurant

Wasshoi Bar and Grill

163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Recommended by 19 people

Updated

Find Wasshoi Bar and Grill

163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Directions ↗
61 3 9639 5051
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.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurantBar

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

Charcoal-grilled Japanese meats served in crisp toasted rolls or over rice at Prahran Market

  • Twice Cooked Pork Belly Bun Roll

    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.

    IL Melbourne Foodies

  • Twice Cooked Chicken Fillet Roll

    The bun was perfectly crisp accompanied by the tender and juicy chicken.

    LIANA SAMIN

  • Beef Tsukune Don

    the beef tsukune was juicy and perfectly seasoned.

    Bec Lim

  • Beef Brisket Bun Roll

    Twice Cooked Beef Brisket Bun Roll!!! A must if you are ever at the market. Fresh, flavourful and filled with love.

    Louis Schreier

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I order the meat in a bun roll or over rice?

Meats like twice-cooked pork belly, chicken fillet, and beef can be ordered either in a toasted French-style bun roll or over rice in a donburi bowl. Buns are crisp, warm, and compact for snacking, while rice bowls provide a more filling meal.

What is the seating like and how long is the wait?

Expect a counter-service stall with a small row of bar stools overlooking the charcoal grill inside Prahran Market. Peak market lunchtimes can see queues and wait times around 25 to 35 minutes for fresh grilling, but takeaway is available if seating is full.

Are the portions large enough for a hearty meal?

Portions lean toward light to moderate quick bites rather than oversized feasts, making them ideal to enjoy as a market snack or paired with a drink. If you are particularly hungry, choosing a donburi bowl over rice or adding a side like miso soup adds substance.

What drinks are available, and can alcohol be taken away?

Wasshoi serves draft beer and sake by the glass alongside non-alcoholic options, but wine and cocktails are not served, and alcohol cannot be taken away from the stall counter. Their signature Kochi yuzu juice and yuzu shandies are popular pairing staples.

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