Ishizuka Melbourne: A Vegetarian Kaiseki Journey

Nestled in the heart of Melbourne, Ishizuka offers a truly unique dining experience, specializing in exquisite vegetarian Kaiseki cuisine. This hidden gem is located at 139 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, and invites diners to immerse themselves in a world of refined flavors and artistic presentation. Ishizuka welcomes guests Tuesday through Saturday, with dinner services from 6:00 PM to late. For reservations and inquiries, you can reach them at (03) 9078 7744. Prepare to be enchanted by their carefully curated menu, showcasing seasonal ingredients and traditional Japanese techniques.

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Menu Highlights

The vegetarian Kaiseki menu at Ishizuka is a testament to culinary artistry. Each dish is a small masterpiece, designed to delight the senses. Here are some highlights, showcasing the diversity and skill within each course:

Appetizers (Zensai)

Seasonal Vegetable Pickles: A vibrant medley of house-made pickles, offering a refreshing start.
Tofu Skin with Sesame Dressing: Delicate tofu skin, coated in a flavorful sesame dressing.
Edamame with Sea Salt: Simple yet perfect, steamed edamame with a touch of sea salt.
Chilled Tomato Consommé with Basil: A light and refreshing consommé with a hint of basil.
Asparagus and Sesame Salad: Fresh asparagus, tossed in a savory sesame dressing.
Cucumber and Wakame Salad: Crisp cucumber and wakame seaweed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Grilled Eggplant with Miso Glaze: Tender eggplant, beautifully glazed with savory miso.
Pickled Daikon Radish with Yuzu: Crunchy daikon, infused with the bright aroma of yuzu.
Spinach with Peanut Sauce: Creamy spinach dish, enriched with a flavorful peanut sauce.
Lotus Root Chips with Spicy Aioli: Crispy lotus root chips served with a spicy aioli dip.

Soups (Suimono)

Clear Soup with Seasonal Vegetables: A delicate, flavorful broth with fresh, seasonal vegetables.
Mushroom and Tofu Soup: Earthy mushroom broth, with soft tofu and aromatic herbs.
Wakame and Tofu Miso Soup: Classic miso soup featuring wakame seaweed and soft tofu.
Vegetable Broth with Seasonal Herbs: A light, aromatic broth infused with fresh, seasonal herbs.
Sweet Corn Soup with Truffle Oil: Creamy sweet corn soup, finished with a touch of truffle oil.
Spicy Kimchi Soup with Vegetables: A bold and spicy kimchi soup with mixed vegetables.
Mushroom and Bamboo Shoot Soup: Earthy mushroom and bamboo shoot soup, with a savory broth.
Tomato and Basil Soup: A comforting soup, perfect for a fresh, bright, and refreshing taste.
Pumpkin and Ginger Soup: Creamy pumpkin soup with a hint of ginger, a warming dish.
Spinach and Potato Soup: A thick spinach and potato soup, rich in flavor.

Sashimi & Small Plates (Tsukuri & Kobachi)

Avocado and Tomato Sashimi with Wasabi: Fresh avocado and tomato with a hint of wasabi.
Marinated Tofu “Sashimi” with Ginger: Tofu carefully marinated with ginger, offering a savory experience.
Grilled King Oyster Mushroom with Teriyaki: Savory king oyster mushroom, flavored with teriyaki sauce.
Tempura Vegetables with Dipping Sauce: Lightly battered seasonal vegetables, served with a dipping sauce.
Vegetable Gyoza with Soy-Ginger Sauce: Crispy vegetable gyoza served with a delicious soy-ginger sauce.
Tofu and Vegetable Skewers: Grilled skewers with tofu and vegetables, marinated to perfection.
Shiitake Mushrooms Stuffed with Vegetable: Shiitake mushrooms stuffed with a flavorful vegetable mixture.
Sweet Potato Croquettes with Katsu Sauce: Crispy sweet potato croquettes with a delightful katsu sauce.
Artichoke with Garlic Sauce: Tender artichoke, enhanced with aromatic garlic sauce.
Deep-Fried Tofu with Dashi Broth: Crispy fried tofu, served in a warm, savory dashi broth.

Main Courses (Shusai)

Grilled Tofu Steak with Black Bean Sauce: Savory tofu steak, complemented by a rich black bean sauce.
Vegetable Curry with Japanese Rice: A fragrant vegetable curry, served with fluffy Japanese rice.
Mushroom Risotto with Truffle: Creamy mushroom risotto, finished with the luxurious aroma of truffle.
Seasonal Vegetable Tempura Bowl: A vibrant assortment of seasonal vegetable tempura over rice.
Udon Noodles with Vegetable Tempura: Fresh udon noodles, with light and crispy vegetable tempura.
Vegetable Bibimbap with Gochujang: A colorful vegetable bibimbap, finished with spicy gochujang sauce.
Sweet Potato and Tofu Noodles: A hearty dish featuring noodles with sweet potato and tofu.
Kimchi and Tofu Hot Pot: A sizzling hot pot, filled with kimchi, tofu, and mixed vegetables.
Grilled Vegetable Yakitori: A flavorful combination of grilled vegetables in Yakitori sauce.
Vegetable and Tofu Curry: A delightful curry, featuring a range of fresh vegetables and tofu.

Desserts (Mizumono)

Matcha Ice Cream with Red Bean: Rich matcha ice cream, balanced with sweet red bean.
Black Sesame Panna Cotta: Creamy black sesame panna cotta with a delicate flavor.
Yuzu Sorbet: A refreshing yuzu sorbet, offering a burst of citrus.
Mochi Ice Cream Selection: A selection of various flavors of delicious mochi ice cream.
Green Tea Crème Brûlée: A creamy green tea crème brûlée, with a caramelized top.
Coconut Panna Cotta with Mango: Creamy coconut panna cotta, served with sweet mango pieces.
Seasonal Fruit Platter: A beautiful platter featuring a selection of seasonal fruits.
Chocolate Avocado Mousse: Decadent chocolate avocado mousse, smooth and rich.
Mango Sticky Rice: A classic dessert with the tropical taste of mango and sticky rice.
Japanese Cheesecake: A light and fluffy Japanese cheesecake, a delightful choice.

The interior of Ishizuka is minimalist, with a serene atmosphere that complements the food. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, with staff readily available to explain the nuances of each dish. While pricing reflects the quality of ingredients and the artistry involved, the overall experience offers excellent value. The vibe is sophisticated yet welcoming, making it ideal for special occasions or a refined dinner with friends.

Some of the most celebrated dishes include their meticulously crafted tofu dishes, the seasonal vegetable tempura, and the imaginative desserts. This restaurant is perfect for foodies, vegetarians, and anyone looking for a sophisticated and memorable dining experience. Ishizuka offers a delightful Kaiseki experience in Melbourne. The artistry, the flavors, and the ambiance come together to create something special.

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