Japanese Flavour With a Playful Twist

Ilza Japanese Cafe, run by husband-and-wife duo Han Oh and Erin Kim (both Nobu alumni), brings a creative spin to Melbourne’s Japanese café scene. With locations in Box Hill South, Nunawading, Docklands, and the CBD, Ilza blends Japanese traditions with American diner flair—serving playful, flavour-forward dishes from morning to night.

Warm Vibes and Thoughtful Design

At the Docklands outpost, the mood is set with timber furniture, moody lighting, and penny-tiled tables that Oh and Kim renovated themselves. The atmosphere is cosy yet stylish—perfect for a casual lunch or relaxed dinner.

A Menu Full of Fun

The menu reads like a love letter to comfort food with a Japanese edge. One standout is the cheeseburger curry udon—a bold, hearty bowl best paired with a cold Asahi or Yoyogi Black Lager. Lighter fare includes beef menchi sandos with Japanese meatballs, shredded cabbage and Ilza’s signature sauce, nestled between fluffy slices of shokupan.

Coffee Meets Creativity

Alongside espresso made with Zest beans, Ilza’s drinks menu is filled with inventive choices: think peanut butter latte, strawberry-matcha, or even an orange latte. It’s coffee—but not as you know it.

Dinner, Drinks and Dessert

By night, Ilza serves up rice bowls with toppings like pork katsu, grilled salmon, or unagi. Small bites such as salmon tartare on crisp lettuce round out the evening menu. For dessert, you’ll find matcha panna cotta or a nostalgic strawberry shortcake.

Sake, Soju and Cocktails

The drinks list reflects Ilza’s playful spirit. Try a yuzu margarita, or the Peach Hana—a sweet soju cocktail with lychee, strawberry, Cointreau, and peach. There’s also sake, Haku vodka highballs, Japanese soft drinks like ramune, and a few local Yarra Valley wines for good measure.