Shiranui

What good is the food if you can’t enjoy it. The pretense is overbearing. This establishment has an attitude like «we are better than you, you’re interrupting us.» I’ve been eating Sushi since the early 80’s (before it became a fad). I’ve been to the best Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles, New York, and London. As well dine at 4 of the top five restaurants in Tokyo. I’ve eaten at hundreds of Japanese/​sushi restaurants (every chance I get to try something new I take it, at any expense). Needless to say I love sushi, and yet I will never go back to this place (can’t get past the attitude).

An unassuming shopfront entrance leads to a distinctively suburban interior, but we’re not here to admire the architecture. A pioneer in introducing Melbourne to premium nigiri sushi, the Omakase at Shina Nui is the obvious choice here.
Sitting at the counter top, we watch Chef Hiro Nishikura pay respect to traditional Japanese cooking with a twist of modern technique. John Dory seasoned with lemon and salt awakens and excites the palate with an immediate bang. Aburi Salmon is dusted with salts and spice, melting like butter in the mouth. Ark Shell Clam creates the textural counterpoint, it’s bouncy firmness bringing back childhood memories of the sea. Each delicious nigiri is served in pairs, perfectly proportioned with just the right amount of the vinegar seasoned rice. It’s all so very tasty, technical even, and by the end of the 8 or so courses you’ll have experienced sushi zen.
Shira Nui’s simple formula is what successful local restaurants are made of — consistently good food, friendly service and a great ambience. With the sushi counter packed most nights, it’s a good idea to book in advance.

Great food and service. Fantastic to dine at a authentic Japanese restaurant with a Japanese chef. So often find other Japanese restaurants run by everything accept a qualified Japanese a sushi chef.

I had an hour for dinner between appointments and ducked in here on impulse. I am very glad I did. I got a shock at the prices — not what I expected for the suburbs — but then I got a lovely surprise at the superb quality of the food, also not what I expected for the suburbs!
I had the sashimi plate, and vegetable tempura. The quality was excellent. This cost $ 52 with no drinks and a fairly small amount of food, so I’m thinking a full adult meal would cost around $ 70-​$ 80 per person.
I sat at the bar (I’m sure there’s another name for this spot but I don’t know it) and the only downside of this experience was the stools — my legs were a bit long to rest them on the bar of the stool, but not long enough to reach the floor, so my legs were aching by the end.
The staff were pleasant and helpful, although for someone like me who is not familiar with the customs of Japanese restaurants I was still a little intimidated. However I will be going back again to get the hang of things!

Shiranui is one of our «special treat» restaurants. We head there for special occasions, and despite the menu saying that the «omakase menu is only available at the bar», we always ask to have it at a table anyway. Sometimes we get what we want, sometimes we don’t but we are never disappointed. The food is inventive and delicious. Whilst they do excellent sushi and sashimi, the reason for coming to Shiranui is always to see what combinations the chef comes up with next. This is a fine-​dining restaurant dressed down into a suburban setting. I always think that the chefs deserve more recognition, and a premium spot in the inner city, but I think the chefs and owners just prefer the suburban hours and lifestyle. And perhaps less of the fussy A-​lister clientele.

GREAT fish quality. The second best sushi I’ve had in Melbourne after Kenzan but at much more reasonable prices. The highlights were the salmon, kingfish and swordfish. All the fish was outstanding. The tempura was not great, but next time I’m definitely sitting at the bar and just having omakase style sushi.
The gyu tataki salad and the unusual gyoza were both great, but go here for the sushi. Total bill came to about $ 120 for two including sake which is a great price for the outlandish quantity of food we had. Highly recommended.

I love Shira Nui. I cannot stress how much I love Shira Nui.
It is one of the few places in Melbourne that does Omakase to perfection. This is a great place to impress that special girl.
Price wise, it might be a little steep at around 180 – 200 per head if you have sake/​beers but come on, live a little. Heehee. It is worth it even for the photo collage you KNOW you will make for Instagram/​Facebook.

Shira Nui is hidden away though it is on the very busy Springvale Rd in Glen Waverley. This is the Japanese restaurant I compare most others to as the food is always fresh, efficient service and atmosphere is plain but inviting. You will also be guided on how to eat your sushi by the servers and chef directing you to «NO SOY SAUCE» or «Yes soy sauce».
They offer a lunch menu and two sitting dinner menu’s.
Lunch: $ 25 and under
–Chirashi bowl: Very juicy fresh fish with sushi rice on the bottom, miso soup, entrée fish, chawanmushi (steamed egg).
–Braised pork with rice: huge dish with miso. Meat was tender and very fragrant.
Dinner: Dinner is more expensive and there are two sittings. It is important to book in advance. You can go with the al a carte or Omakase (sit on the bench and the chef chooses what to serve you).
I have had each option several times and I suggest trying the Omakase first that way you can experience different types of sushi. One you know what you like, it may be more reasonable for your wallet to not have omakase. Must haves for me each time: seared salmon sushi, kingfish, yakuniku beef, sashimi platter, and of course the OYSTER– this is a must have and cost $ 4.5 each last time I went but so worth it. There is no fishyness to the oyster and it is in a sushi form topped of with something like kewpie mayo or cheese. AMAZING!
Please give this a go and if you aren’t into sushi/​sashimi there are many other options such as grilled fish, rice, noodles and even a juicy steak.

Sashimi is nice. Also the steamed eggs.

When it comes to fish I’m not very adventurous. Anything beyond the usual prawn, crab or salmon is probably a tad too far out of my taste-​bud comfort zone. Shiranui offers traditional Japanese cuisine in a friendly, intimate and inviting environment.
The menu is broad, offering a variety of different dishes — sushi, sashimi, all the usuals amongst other things. There is also an option for Omakase, which is a random dish served by the Chef. I wasn’t game enough to try this option, keeping in mind my apprehensiveness towards unknown fish. Having said this, we ended up ordering various plates of food and I found myself munching away on all sorts of variations of seafood.
The way the plates are arranged and the flavours in the dishes almost feel like an invitation to explore the unknown. The service, much like the food, was top notch. The waiters attended to us constantly, ensuring we were enjoying our meal and constantly bringing more food.
My favourite part of this wonderful dining experience was the end. We ordered crème brûlée, which also came in green tea flavour. This was superb, served with a side of fruit, ice cream in cubes and a sweet biscuit. Not only did it taste good, but it looked divine.
Overall, an excellent dining experience, I have a new found love for Japanese food. Konichiwa!

I will be going back to this restaurant. The food is so fresh and tasty, and the service is very good. It was awhile ago so details escape me. I’ll update my review after we go there again. But it is said this is the best sushi in Melbourne. But I think Kenzan, in Melbourne, would rival it for best Japanese restaurant.

Shiranui is a great place to introduce Japanese cuisine to those who have not had Japanese before. Or rather, it’s a great place to go for sushi. It has the reputation of being the best place to get sushi in Australia.
When I first heard about Shiranui, I was told to go for the Omakase. The next dozen people told me the same thing. I don’t eat seafood though, so I put it off. If you don’t know, Omakase is where the chef decides what he’s serving to you. Anyway, long story short, I ended up going after being persuaded by my lovely wife.
I can tell you that it’s quite an experience. While I sat quietly, enjoying my chicken dish (the name of which escapes me, but it was quite nice and fresh), my wife was treated to a series of beautifully presented (and judging by the reaction of my better half, beautifully tasting) dishes.
It’s a nice place, the service is pretty good and the food is tasty. I will be going back there.