Sukiyaki & Wagyu FAQs | IKKAI Melbourne
What is sukiyaki and how do you eat it?
Sukiyaki is a Japanese hot pot where thinly sliced beef, tofu, mushrooms and vegetables simmer in a sweet-savoury broth made from soy sauce, sugar and mirin, known as warishita. Each piece is lifted from the pot and dipped in beaten raw egg, which softens the heat and adds richness. Sukiyaki is traditionally shared at the table and often finished with udon noodles cooked in the remaining broth.First time trying it? At IKKAI, our staff cook the first round at your table and show you how it’s done.
What makes IKKAI’s sukiyaki different, and what beef do you use?
IKKAI is a KAGOSHIMA KUROUSHI Certified Top Quality Restaurant (鹿児島黒牛 最高品質認定店), bringing certified Japanese A5 Wagyu, sourced directly from Kagoshima Kuroushi, to the heart of Melbourne.
Every sukiyaki set is built around one of IKKAI’s two signature Wagyu selections: KURO GENSEN™, our Japanese A5 Kagoshima Kuroushi Wagyu, and MARBURU™, our Australian MB9 and MB9+ Wagyu.
At your table, our staff guide you through the cooking, so you can sit back and enjoy the meal. Every set finishes with udon simmered in the rich, leftover broth, the traditional way to end a sukiyaki.
What is KURO GENSEN™ at IKKAI?
KURO GENSEN™ is IKKAI’s signature Japanese Wagyu selection: A5 Kagoshima Kuroushi Wagyu, sourced directly from Kagoshima, Japan.
Each cut is chosen for its exquisite marbling, delicate texture and rich flavour. Every MBS12 cut is individually certified by its farm of origin in Japan, so you know exactly where your Wagyu comes from.
What is MARBURU™ at IKKAI?
MARBURU™ is IKKAI’s signature Australian Wagyu selection, featuring MB9 and MB9+ Wagyu.
It is carefully sourced from trusted Australian brands and hand-selected to IKKAI’s own standards for rich marbling and consistent quality, slice after slice.
What is Kagoshima Kuroushi Wagyu?
Kagoshima Kuroushi (鹿児島黒牛, “Kagoshima black beef”) is Japanese Black Wagyu raised in Kagoshima Prefecture, in southern Kyushu, Japan. It is known for its fine marbling and mild, rich flavour.
- Japan’s largest Wagyu region: Kagoshima produces more Wagyu than any other prefecture in Japan.
- Protected name: Kagoshima Kuroushi is registered under Japan’s Geographical Indication (GI) system, so only Wagyu raised in Kagoshima can carry the name.
- Award-winning: At Japan’s 2017 National Wagyu Competition, held once every five years, Kagoshima Kuroushi won top prizes in four of the nine categories it entered.
In Melbourne, you can enjoy Kagoshima Kuroushi A5 Wagyu in sukiyaki at IKKAI, a certified restaurant.
Where can I eat sukiyaki in Melbourne?
IKKAI, at 113 Hardware Street in Melbourne CBD, is a Japanese restaurant specialising in Wagyu sukiyaki.
Sukiyaki sets are made for sharing, featuring IKKAI’s two signature Wagyu selections: MARBURU™ Australian MB9 and MB9+ Wagyu, and KURO GENSEN™ Japanese A5 Kagoshima Kuroushi Wagyu. Our staff help with the cooking at your table.
Bookings can be made online up to 4 hours in advance. After that, walk-ins are welcome.
What’s the difference between sukiyaki and shabu shabu?
Both are Japanese hot pots, but they offer very different experiences.
- Sukiyaki: Beef, tofu and vegetables simmer in a shallow, sweet and savoury soy-based broth. Each bite is dipped in beaten raw egg for extra richness.
- Shabu shabu: Thin slices of meat are swished briefly in a light kombu (kelp) broth, then dipped in ponzu or sesame sauce.
In short, sukiyaki is richer and sweeter, while shabu shabu is lighter and cleaner. IKKAI in Melbourne CBD specialises in sukiyaki.
What food and drinks should I try when visiting Melbourne?
If there’s one thing to try in Australia, make it the beef. Australia is one of the world’s largest beef exporters, known for its clean, open pastures and strict quality standards. It also has the largest Wagyu herd outside Japan, and Australian Wagyu is graded on a marble score scale where MB9 sits at the top. For many visitors, a great Australian steak or Wagyu dish is a highlight of their trip.
For a different way to enjoy it, try Wagyu sukiyaki, the Japanese hot pot where thin slices of beef are briefly simmered in a sweet soy broth. At IKKAI on Hardware Street in Melbourne CBD, you can taste MARBURU™ Australian Wagyu and KURO GENSEN™ Japanese A5 Wagyu in one meal.
Beyond beef, Melbourne is also known for its café culture and flat whites, weekend brunch, laneway bars, Queen Victoria Market, and wines from nearby regions like the Yarra Valley.
What’s a good Japanese restaurant for a group dinner in Melbourne CBD?
Japanese hot pot is ideal for groups: everyone shares the pot, and the meal becomes an interactive experience.
IKKAI on Hardware Street offers sukiyaki sets for [2–6 people], izakaya share plates and a Sapporo beer tower, making it a popular choice for birthdays, celebrations and work dinners.
For larger groups, contact IKKAI on (03) 9639 6021 or info@ikkai.com.au.
What’s a good Japanese restaurant for a date night in Melbourne?
Hot pot makes for a relaxed date night: you cook, share and talk at your own pace.
At IKKAI on Hardware Street in Melbourne CBD, enjoy a Wagyu sukiyaki set for two with Japanese sake, in a warm, lantern-lit setting.
What are the best comfort foods to eat in Melbourne in winter?
Melbourne winters call for warming, hearty dishes such as ramen, hot pot, curry and slow-cooked stews.
In Japan, sukiyaki is a classic cold-weather meal: a bubbling pot of sweet soy broth, tender beef and vegetables, shared at the table. IKKAI in Melbourne CBD serves Wagyu sukiyaki all year round.
Does IKKAI only serve sukiyaki?
No. As well as sukiyaki, IKKAI offers a full Japanese menu:
- Donburi (rice bowls): Wagyu slice, ox tongue and unagi eel
- Izakaya small plates: Deep-fried oysters, chicken karaage, takoyaki and umami fries
- Signature dish: M9 Wagyu osmanthus oolong chazuke
- Drinks: Japanese sake, Japanese whisky and a Sapporo beer tower
Can't find what you're looking for?
Have a question about bookings, group dining or our menu? Send us an email and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
📧 Email: info@ikkai.com.au
📞 Phone: (03) 9639 6021
📍 Address: 113 Hardware Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Looking to book a table? Reserve online at ikkai.com.au/pages/reservation. Online bookings close 4 hours in advance; after that, walk-ins are welcome.
Planning a group dinner or celebration? Email us with your preferred date, time and number of guests, and we’ll help you plan.