Japanese street food with Melbourne edge.

Tokyo Tina: Where Ramen Meets Rock’n’Roll

Tokyo Tina doesn’t try to replicate Japan. It borrows its chaos and makes it Melbourne. From the crew behind Hanoi Hannah and Saigon Sally, this Chapel Street icon brings a hit of Japanese soul food, late-night energy and slick design into one perfectly unpretentious space. It’s the kind of place where first dates and group dinners feel equally at home — dim lighting, loud playlists and bartenders who know their way around a yuzu spritz.

The room glows in warm red and amber tones, the walls dressed in manga-style art, and there’s always a low hum of conversation that tells you you’ve picked the right spot.

The Food: Big Flavour, No Rules

The menu moves between Japan’s street favourites and Melbourne’s appetite for experimentation. Ramen bowls are rich and restorative, while bao sliders come stuffed with fried chicken, pork belly or miso eggplant. There’s crispy gyoza, tuna tartare on nori crisps, and yakitori skewers that arrive smoky and perfectly glazed. Everything lands fast, fresh and built to share.

Behind the bar, sake cocktails, umeshu and Japanese whiskies keep the night rolling — it’s a place where the line between dinner and drinks happily blurs.

The Vibe: Cool, Loud and Unapologetic

Tokyo Tina thrives on personality. It’s playful, slightly chaotic, and doesn’t take itself too seriously — which is exactly why it works. Service is sharp but casual, the energy infectious, and the playlist feels more Tokyo basement than Melbourne restaurant. Downstairs, you’ll find karaoke rooms if you’re brave enough to take the night further.

Tokyo Tina isn’t a restaurant you just dine at, it’s one you experience. A mix of flavour, fun and attitude that keeps people coming back long after dinner’s done.