Wagaya

Located on level 2 in MidCity Arcade, this dark but welcoming restaurant serves an abundance of Japanese food. Everything is automated when ordering (there’s an iPad mounted on the wall) and you have the privacy of your own booth. Take a moment to look up at the high ceilings, makes you feel like you’re in Batman’s cave. Between 3 adults, we ordered the large sushi and sashimi platter, agedashi tofu with soft shell crab, scampi nigiri, Wagyu nigiri, spicy karaage chicken, and takoyaki balls. We also ordered a bottle of Choya Green Tea Umeshu. Everything came out hot and well presented. The soft shell crab was a delicious combination with the tofu, they also serve the tofu on its own if you don’t like/want crab. Seafood might not be premium/fine dining standards but it was still fresh — scampi nigiri was my favourite. Thank you to the staff member who helped charge my friends 1% phone as well! We appreciated that you went above and beyond for your patrons.

Staff were lovely but food was decidedly average. Sushi was very low quality; we ordered sukiyaki, they dumped everything in the pot but did not provide sufficient broth to actually cook the contents - we had to request more stock. The meat was also fairly low quality, which was clear from the gristle foam that formed a layer while the pot was bubbling. Atmosphere is fairly good, and the ramen/noodle soup dishes appear to be the best bet if you are there.

The best Japanese foods in the CBD or even the whole Melbourne I would rather say. Their food are well balanced in flavours, not too salty or sweet compared to other places. Portion sizes are also huge and food quality are high standard. I like their digital ordering system taken from Ipad which you could clearly see the ingredients and the food images easily. Staff are attentive and friendly. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys high quality Japanese food with a budget.

I wanted to rate this place higher however was left slightly disappointed. For the price of an average restaurant in the CBD, it was difficult to order via the iPad (menu was laid out in a confusing order and the dishes/drinks were different to the physical menu). We also had to set our own table with the bowls, napkins etc only arriving after the food started to come out. The food was nice, and the standout were the skewers. The tempura batter was a little thick and the dish was mostly vegetables with only 1 prawn.

Wow this place has gone downhill. I get it, Covid yadayada. This used to be my favourite place for over 6 years, brought friends, had many a great time. But now the menu is maybe a third of what it used to be, the prices have all gone up, staff basically don't exist and food quality has definitely dropped. I mean really who charges 5 dollars for a bowl of cold udon on its own. No one shows up to our table to take our bill anymore. Staff ask for bookings and look at you weird when you say no, despite the place being practically empty. This place used to be full almost every day. My final straw was a $2.50 debit charge for a 40 dollar meal. I challenge anyone to get a debit charge that high in a restaurant in Melbourne CBD apart from here. What is that like 7%? Actually bitter. Very disappointed, such a shame from years of multiple good experiences.