Yoyogi is a casual Japanese-style cafe in the heart of Melbourne. It is right near China Town, near the corner of Swanston and Little Bourke streets.
Outside you'll see a range of plastic Japanese food in the windows representing what they serve inside, from ramen to shaved ice sweets! Inside, when you're seated, you'll get a menu with names, pictures, descriptions and prices of their food. And on the wall above the kitchen area, you'll again see photos of the food on offer.
There is no excuse at Yoyogi not to know what you'll be eating - it's all right there in front of you!
I hadn't had edamame (beans boiled in salty water) in ages, so I just had to get that as an entree when I saw it on the menu. It's a very traditional Japanese snack, but very few places actually serve it. They're so addictive!
My main consisted of chashu ramen, a soy-based noodle soup with slices of pork, as well as one of their fancy drinks.
The drink was called a chocolate panfruit (I'm still not exactly sure what a "panfruit" is); it turned out to be more like a dessert. It seemed like a milkshake with a whole lot of whipped cream, banana pieces in the cream, and chocolate topping at the bottom of the tall glass. With a cherry on top!
The café itself is decorated in a funky, modern style, rather than anything traditionally Japanese. It would probably be more like a cafe that you'd see in Japan. And instead of the food being exclusively Japanese, you'll find things like kimchee as well.
All in all, it's a great place to go and eat at with your friends. Not too expensive, and the service is quick and the staff are friendly.