TL;DR
Where smoke meets sophistication. Kura brings the centuries-old art of robatayaki, Japan’s fireside grilling, to Brunswick East with unflinching authenticity and a touch of Melbourne edge. Expect skewers of wagyu, chicken heart and buttery local fish, all kissed by binchotan charcoal.
It’s intimate, deliberate and quietly confident, a restaurant that makes you slow down, sip your sake, and savour the ritual of flame and flavour. Sit at the bar for front-row seats to the action and let the warmth of the grill do the talking.
Where Fire Meets Finesse
Tucked at the base of an apartment block, Kura turns simplicity into spectacle. Every dish is cooked over glowing coals on a traditional parrilla grill, the kind of cooking that demands patience, timing and instinct, and Ibuki’s team has all three.
A Family Legacy Reignited
Chef Ken Ibuki’s father helped introduce Japanese dining to Melbourne in the 1960s. Now Ken restores that legacy with purist precision and modern flair. His background includes time at Nobu, Kisume and the W Melbourne, and that experience shows in his balance of refinement and restraint. At Kura, the approach is quietly reverent, less fusion, more focus, every plate a nod to craft and cultural roots.
Yakitori Worth the Hype
The yakitori menu reads like a love letter to the humble chicken, skin, heart, liver, and the ever-perfect tsukune paired with an onsen egg for dipping. It’s the kind of honest, flavour-first cooking that feels both comforting and refined.
Beyond the Grill
There’s more to explore beyond the skewers. Pork belly meets plum glaze, wagyu gets lacquered in master stock before charring, and delicate sashimi reflects Ibuki’s exacting discipline from years behind sushi counters. Every detail, from yuzu kosho butter to olive-oil gloss, feels intentional, not ornamental.
Sake and Smoke, Perfectly Paired
“Kura” translates to cellar, and that’s exactly what it feels like, a hidden trove of sake treasures waiting to be poured. The range swings from crisp and clean to lush and funky, with co-owner Kelvin Low ready to match each pour to your mood or meal.
A New Ritual for Brunswick
Low light, quiet chatter, and the rhythm of the flames, Kura invites you to dine differently. It’s an elegant kind of intimacy, where Japanese tradition meets Melbourne modernity in one glowing, fragrant moment.
