Sushi Hotaru
Up the escalators in MidCity Centre is Sushi Hotaru, a not-so-well-kept Melbourne secret for sushi lovers on a budget. There’s almost always a line, but it moves quickly; the average wait time is about 20 minutes. Once you get inside, it’s clear why. The plates are cheap ($3.30 and $8.50 for the deluxe dishes), the service is efficient, and the sushi is ready to eat. The chefs work quickly, sometimes too quickly, so there’s a visible stack of dishes ready for the train. You’re not here for the decor – the focus here is definitely the food – but the friendly waitstaff and noisy patrons make for a buzzing atmosphere. The seared wagyu beef is layered between cheese and onion, like a bitesize barbecue on rice. The soft-shell crab is a must-try, as is the grilled eel and cream cheese sushi. It sounds odd to those who haven’t tried it yet and mouth-watering to those who have – the saltiness of the eel and the sweetness of the cheese melt together in perfect harmony.