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Japanese seafood haven Sachi has dropped anchor permanently on Russell Street, after drifting from a Hawthorn pop-up through to a Carlton residency – and now, finally claiming a CBD address of its own.
Fans of Kisumé, take note. Sachi is from owner Reki Rei and executive chef Jin alongside head chef Shinwoo Hong and venue manager Kaiya Yamaguchi – all formerly of Chris Lucas's popular Japanese offering.
The name comes from umi no sachi, meaning "treasures of the sea," and yes indeed, this restaurant boasts a veritable chest from pristine Australian and New Zealand waters.
Take the bluefin tuna; Sachi's kitchen sources standout catches during winter, then dry-ages them, and builds two dishes around the astonishing result: the Tuna Chirashi Don and the showstopping Triple Toro Hakozushi. A broader Chirashi-Don rounds things out, its jewel-toned bowl topped with salmon, tuna, snowcrab and scallop, uni, toro or scampi.
But here, just like in Japan, the deliciousness doesn't just rely on provenance. It's all about the skill and patience behind preparation. Each piece of fish spends time dry-aging in-house before it reaches the plate, coaxing out deeper flavour and a firmer bite.
Taste your way through the extensive sushi and sashimi selection, with highlights including a snowcrab chawanmushi perfumed with kombu oil, crisp prawn katsu and calamari tempura.
"Sachi is about bringing a little piece of Japan to Melbourne," says chef Jin. "The best seafood experiences there aren't always formal or exclusive, and that's what we've tried to recreate here."
For a more theatrical night out, diners can take a seat at the sushi counter for an omakase-style nigiri experience helmed by the Itamae of the day — 11 courses for $78.50 per person, or 15 for $128.50.
Sake takes centre stage here, with namazake poured by the glass or carafe alongside cocktails that flirt with green tea, yuzu and miso. Non-drinkers, we've got our eye on the house-made Umino Cola finished with salted yuzu.
Sachi is at 179 Russell Street, Melbourne. Open for lunch Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30am–2.30pm, and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm–9.30pm. Make a booking at the website.
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