Sushi Hotaru

Sushi Hotaru is a sushi train restaurant located in the heart of Melbourne CBD – Bouke St Mall vicinity.

Been to several sushi train restaurants but this place stands to impress. My first visit was not a long wait because we arrived at 5.30pm on a saturday night. We waited for a maximum of 15 minutes. But if you arrive at 6.30-7.30 pm period, you would expect a long wait – they don’t take bookings either.

Sushi trains are generally expensive and the $3 a plate piles up as you’re nibbling and having a good time with your folks!

Minimum per dish is $3! You can also get $3 for a bowl of Udon! Their must-try dish is ‘scampi’ you get one raw scampi with its head entailed. I’ve only tried scampi here, so I had no expectations.

photo-1-copy-1538793 Fresh Scampi Nigiri photo-copy-6338628 Fresh Scampi Order

My first visit definitely impressed me with scampi, 2nd and 3rd time the dish felt warmer and warmer. Like the scampi had been out sitting for sometime.

Not only is scampi a must-try, their salmon of 7 pieces at $7.90 isn’t bad! Although you may occasionally taste frozen ice on the salmon, its better cold than warm right?

photo-2-copy-2483431 Sashimi (Salmon)

Their wasabi is better than average. Can taste the wasabi spice more than other sushi trains. Although the wasabi are packaged individually, I’ve tasted the same brand but the tingly feeling is definitely not there or out-dated which just ruins your sushi train experience.

photo-3-copy-3469234 Takoyaki

I’d also recommend to try their Takoyaki, although I like Takoyaki steaming hot from, this dish is not bad based on $3! Many Takoyakis i’ve tried does not have octopus in each ball and I always feel ripped off as there’s more batter than seafood. I believe this one is worth a try for only $3… What could you lose?

photo-4-copy-1433408 Seared Salmon Sushi 20140627_194505-copy-3222478 Lotus Sushi 20140627_194511-copy-2916709 Crab Stick Sushi Salmon and Avocado Handroll

I’d absolutely put my hands up on their Salmon and Avocado Hand roll and their Soft Shell Crab Hand roll as the seaweed is always crispy, rice is just right as per the other dishes – right level of vinegar and I can take each grain of rice, avocado is always fresh! Sorry I don’t have a photo of their Soft Shell Crab – but for the same price as Salmon Avocado, I reckon this is worth a shot! I believe their quality on Salmon and Avocado hand roll has always been consistent throughout the many visits I’ve been.

Lastly on food – dessert passes the test, but they have limited variety on their menu, mainly green tea, black sesame pudding and mochi. It doesn’t ‘wow’ me and I would most likely save my quota for more of their signature sushi!

Environment is clean and service delivers. Never needed to chase up on ordered dishes. Overall, I think there’s some inconsistencies throughout my visits to Sushi Hotaru. But I’d still recommend it and it definitely fills you up with a check out of $25 per person for dinner… !

Location: Shop 118 200 Bourke St Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ambience: 4/5 Entree: Not Applicable Mains: 5/5 Dessert: 3/5 Overall: 16/20

★★★★

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