Hakoya Izakaya in Victoria

"The Mog Champ sends his regards. It was an amazing dining experience here at Hakoya the other evening. We ordered a good amount of food for three people, hard to give a highlight but the cheese katsu was amazing! It's a nice izakaya vibe they have inside, each booth even has different city names and decorations. Service was quick and friendly, they also good cash discount as well. I would recommend anyone to check Hakoya Izakaya out. Thank you for the dinner again Hakoya. ごちそうさま！ Your Mog Champ, Mogliest Regards"

"This is such a good restaurant, located right in the middle of the city and so filling for any day. The staff was really nice and friendly. Super fast especially with George and Jayden. They gave great food reccomendations. The food came really fast yet with high quality. You don’t have to wait long which is perfect. The ambience was really good as well, a very authentic Japanese restaurant For the starters I ordered two salmon sashimi and the nori tacos. Wow the nori tacos was so so excellent. Fresh and nice to consume. A 10/10 for sure. Now for the food I ordered the Katsu Moriawase set. The portion was big and filling. The crisp with the prawns , the cheese tonkatsu and pork katsu was cooked to perfection accompanied well by the miso soup and rice. If you are confused and looking for a perfect tonkatsu set you should try this , as you would get each type of katsu. A solid 10/10. Honestly speaking, my overall review is a 10/10. Had everything. Good authentic Japanese food, good price for the portion, friendly staff and warm ambience. Would love to come back here again, this restaurant is a MUST go."

"A Hidden Gem for Comforting Japanese Food – Hakoya Izakaya Hakoya Izakaya has quickly become one of my favourite spots for authentic Japanese comfort food. Their sukiyaki is absolutely one of the best I’ve had: rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The warm, homely atmosphere makes the whole dining experience even more special, like a cozy retreat in the heart of the city. Every dish I’ve tried here has been consistently delicious — from the fresh and generous sushi bowls to the perfectly crispy and cheesy tonkatsu. You can tell the care that goes into both the food and the service. It’s the kind of place you keep coming back to. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates hearty, comforting Japanese cuisine with a relaxed vibe!"

"I ordered the udon and Volcano roll, and the food came out really fast, which was great. The Udon's tempura was hot and crispy, like it was freshly fried, and I loved that it was served on the side. The udon had the perfect flavor, not too salty, just right. I’ve tried a few rolls here and they’re all good, but I like things a bit spicy, so Volcano roll was good with the udon. It was a bit too much for one person, so I recommend coming with at least two people to try few different menus. A lot of people around me were ordering the sukiyaki, so I’m definitely trying that next time."

"I was in Melbourne for work for 1 week. After going here on my first night, I had to go back a second time as my final dinner. The beef tataki is the best I've ever had and the Signature Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki Nabe was mind blowing. All paired beautifully with a beautiful Sake. The staff were super helpful with advice and recommendations. This will now be a regular when in Melbourne."

"The food is good. Staff attentive and friendly. Environment quiet enough for a relaxed dinner."

"I had an incredible dining experience at this Japanese restaurant!! The sukiyaki was rich and comforting, with perfectly tender beef and a savory-sweet broth that was just right. The dragon sushi roll was a fresh, flavorful, and topped with just the right touch of spice and eel sauce. The unagi don was another standout: the grilled eel was buttery and glazed to perfection, sitting atop fluffy rice that soaked up all the deliciousness. I also loved the okonomiyaki—crispy on the outside, soft inside, and full of umami. And if you’re a fan of tempura, don’t skip the tendon—light, crispy batter over a generous bowl of rice, drizzled with a subtly sweet sauce. Service was warm and attentive, and the atmosphere felt both cozy and refined. Highly recommend this place if you’re craving real Japanese comfort food done right! 大好き日本食べ物"

"Wonderful experience here! Been craving sushi and haven’t had in Australia since I’ve arrived. It was amazing we got the sashimi boat and the fresh salmon roll. The interior is very modern and also has the classic izakaya twist. Amazing service as well."