Matsu

About Matsu

Chef-owner Hansol Lee and co-owner Elly Hong run a 12-seat kaiseki counter in Footscray — relocated in 2025 from a four-seat room on the same street into the former Poons site at 275 Barkly Street. Lee (ex-Kenzan tempura station) prepares seasonal multi-course Edo-style kaiseki ($265pp, optional sake pairing $98pp per official About page) with counter-side service, warayaki hibachi, and Japanese iron-pot tempura; hassun small-plate courses distill the season. Reservation-only seatings Tue–Sat (Tue–Thu one dinner session 6–8pm; Fri–Sat dinner 6–8pm and 8:30–10:30pm; Saturday lunch sushi omakase $155pp 12:30–2pm on seasonal release). Bookings open every second Thursday for the following fortnight via the official reservation page; no public phone — web reservations and matsu@matsuxbar.com for groups over six. Two Age Good Food Guide hats (2026); Time Out Melbourne five-star review (March 2026) and Broadsheet listing updated May 2026.