Marble Yakiniku

52-54 O’Sullivan Rd
Glen Waverley, VIC 3150
https://marbleyakiniku.com.au/

This review is going to have some A+ recommendations and tips. Why? Because my sister worked for 2 years at Marble Yakiniku, so they know the ins and outs of every single menu item. But let’s back up a little first – what is the deal with Marble? In short, they do luxury Japanese food, with a focus on high-end cuts of Australian and Japanese beef cooked at the table. Unsurprisingly, it’s a pricy venture, with the most exclusive cuts costing up to $30 per (bite-sized) piece, and decadent house specials such as foie gras rice. The food is undoubtedly top quality though, in both providence and execution, and there is stellar service and ambience to match. And is it all worth it? Honestly, it depends very much on what you’re into, but there’s no arguing that you’re getting the best of the best.

Rating: 14/20 – big boujee.
Worth it: the fancy beef (I mean, what are you doing if you come here and don’t get the fancy beef), foie gras rice (must try at least once), the lunch sets (see caveat below), and everything in this review.
Less worth it: sushi/sashimi (good but you can get better for less elsewhere), the signature lunch set (don’t be sucked in by the amazing presentation).

Can’t decide? The compendium of beef cuts too overwhelming? The A5 Japanese Wagyu & Mayura M9+ Australian Wagyu Platter ($158, 300g) is your friend. Featuring a chef’s selection of 5 cuts of premium local and Japanese beef, this is a great way to dip your toes without too much effort.

Out of the two types of beef, the A5 Japanese Wagyu is definitely the more decadent cut; it’s so heavily marbled that it’s ready to eat after 30 seconds on the grill, and each piece just melts in the mouth. But honestly, my preference errs towards the leaner cuts of Australian M9+ Wagyu – though as you can see by the pictures, I say lean in a relative sense. Not only do you get the indulgence of the fatty beef, you also get more of the rich, beefy flavour, enhanced by a quick dip into your choice of spicy miso, sesame, or sweet soy.

If you’re on a budget, the lunch sets are phenomenal value. And one of the best of the lot is the Unagi Don ($38). The centrepiece is a perfectly cooked bowl of fluffy rice, topped with a generous portion of succulent grilled eel. But don’t neglect the sides – in addition to a range of veggies and pickles, there’s also a fantastic bowl of miso soup, as well as the silkiest chawanmushi. And just to really round out the experience, you also get a scoop of ice cream to finish; the black sesame is the one to have.

Snack-wise, the Hotate Mentai-Mayo Yaki ($11.5ea) is a must-order. The sweet, plump scallop is topped with an intoxicatingly creamy, spicy, umami-laden cod roe mayo, then briefly grilled to bring out all the rich savoury flavours. Apparently my sister once served someone who ordered a dozen of these for themselves – now that is living your best life.

The Nasi Dengaku ($18.9) is a sleeper hit. The centre of the grilled eggplant is so soft and velvety it rivalled the heavily-marbled beef for richness, whilst the thick miso sauce was the perfect balance between sweet, savoury, and earthy. It’s easily the best eggplant dish I’ve had in a long while.

For something lighter, try the delicately sweet Cold Cherry Tomato ($15), which stands out with an unexpected but refreshing yuzu jelly dressing.