Murasaki Tanuki Japanese Takeaway & Dine In

The food here is really good and has my sons favourite chicken kara age. The atmosphere is great for people who like to eat in peace. It is a great place to go for a meal.

One of the most underrated Japanese spots in the area. The shop looks tiny and easy to overlook, but the food completely exceeded my expectations. We ordered fried octopus, tempura prawns, chicken katsu curry, aburi salmon roll, and two sashimi plates — everything tasted clean and fresh. The sashimi was the highlight: thick slices, great quality, and the price is unbelievably reasonable. They even serve two types of salmon (NZ and Tasmanian), which you rarely see at this price point. Portions are generous, staff are friendly, and the whole place has a comfortable, homely vibe. Definitely a hidden gem and absolutely worth visiting.

Love the food here. Very fresh. Lovely Japanese owners. Nice cosy environment. May need to book as they do get busy. Update: I didn't enjoy the ramen - broth tasted like it was from a packet. Ditto for the Katsu curry. Service was slow.

I recently visited Murasaki Japanese Dining, and it turned out to be one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants I’ve tried in the area. The head chef is an elderly Japanese gentleman who prepares every dish with great care and traditional techniques, and even the servers are Japanese, which makes the whole dining experience feel genuinely authentic. The sashimi was exceptionally fresh, with a clean, buttery texture that really stood out. Each slice was perfectly cut, and you could immediately taste the quality. Their sushi boat was another highlight — beautifully presented, colourful, and filled with a great variety of sushi and sashimi. It’s definitely a dish that impresses both visually and in flavour. Overall, the value for money here is excellent. The portions are generous, the quality of ingredients is high, and the atmosphere feels warm and traditional. If you’re looking for authentic Japanese cuisine made by a true Japanese master chef, this is a place you shouldn’t miss. I’ll definitely be returning.

I was genuinely surprised by how good this place is for the price. Everything was super fresh! And I love the atmosphere, being a small shop and making it look rather cozy made the whole experience authentic and pleasant. Especially the sashimi and the Udon broth. Udon was a bit soft to my liking but adding in the extra noodle, portion were very generous. It’s rare to find a Japanese restaurant that balances quality, portion size, and price this well. Definitely a hidden gem — perfect for casual dinners, date nights, or a quick but satisfying lunch. Highly recommend trying the Tempera Udon

One of the best Japanese food experiences we’ve had. The food is very authentic and fresh, and it never disappoints. Definitely a place we always come back to!

Been dining in for many times. Great value. Fresh sashimi. Their Chirashi is one of the best in Melbourne. Unagi Don is huuuge. The Japanese chef there made the perfect, warm sushi rice with just the right moisture. Looking forward to the cakes which they used to make but not anymore. Heard many good reviews about it. Edited: I’ve heard that new dessert is coming. Will try it next time!

We really enjoyed our meal here! The food was absolutely delicious — we ordered the unagi bento, karaage bento, and katsu don, and everything was fresh, flavourful, and well worth the price. The service was warm and friendly, and despite the place being quite busy, the staff were attentive throughout. It’s a humble, no-frills Japanese restaurant, but that’s part of its charm. Lots of people clearly love it, and now we can see why. We’ll definitely be back!