Once Upon A Bite
Explore Once Upon A Bite
Nestled in the heart of Carlton at 3/121 Grattan St, Once Upon A Bite is a cozy spot that’s quickly earned a reputation for fresh, flavorful Japanese cuisine without stretching your wallet. This ramen bar is a favorite for both dine-in and take-away, offering hearty bowls of ramen that are warming and satisfying, alongside standout dishes like crispy karaage chicken and perfectly cooked okonomiyaki. For sushi lovers, their Salmon Avocado Sushi Roll has garnered particular praise, often cited as a must-try on any visit, with the freshness of the salmon shining through in every bite. Beyond the classic ramen and sushi, the agadashi tofu is another highlight-crispy on the outside yet tender inside, and seasoned just right, reflecting the care put into even the simpler dishes.
The restaurant operates with a casual, self-service vibe where guests order and pay via QR code, and while patrons may occasionally fetch their own water or adjust seating, the service remains friendly and welcoming. Part-time university students staff the place, giving it an energetic, approachable atmosphere that matches the vibrant Carlton neighborhood. A sushi window caters to walk-by customers, making it convenient for a quick lunch or snack on the go, while the dine-in experience allows you to linger over your meal and enjoy the bustling street view. Whether it’s a late lunch or a casual evening stop, the menu balances both familiar favorites and slightly adventurous options, all prepared with a focus on freshness and flavor.
The interior itself is simple but inviting, letting the food take center stage, and the pricing is consistently described as very reasonable, making it accessible for students, locals, and visitors alike. If you’re looking for a spot where you can enjoy solid ramen, fresh sushi, and some creative Japanese dishes like karaage and okonomiyaki without feeling rushed, Once Upon A Bite captures that relaxed, flavorful experience effortlessly.
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3/121 Grattan St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Fantastic agadashi tofu and ramen. As with everywhere in this area, service is part time uni students so I had to get my own water and change tables, but it was quick and delicious and order and pay by QR code. Highly recommend. They also have sushi window for walk-by.
Martha Raupp
Delicious and very reasonably priced ramen bar. Okonomiyaki and karaage chicken also solid choices.
Harry B
I ordered chicken curry and crispy chicken gyoza, both of which were quite delicious. The service was faster than I expected, which really surprised me. It's a small, charming boutique place, and if you want to enjoy your meal in a peaceful and quiet setting, it's definitely a restaurant worth trying. You scan the QR code on the tables to place your order and make your payment. When I said I wanted to pay in cash, they were very helpful, and there are also many other payment options available (AliPay, WeChat, etc.).
Ufuk
Been here twice ~ 1st time for Sushi Roll take away (their Salmon Avocado Shushi is my number one among others that i have ate during this trip) and second time was dine-in for my late lunch, ordered their Ramen (at average in my opinion) and Salmon Shashimi (very fresh!). And for both time ~ the staff were very friendly
Wendy Tan (悦翎)
food portion here was huge and really delicious ! price was relatively affordable as well and definitely worth the money. Was served by a friendly waitress, who gave us free drinks to compensate for the slight delay in the service of our ricebowls
ashley
Love the food here! Affordable prices and delicious Japanese dishes! Feel free to come try them out and I'm sure you won't regret it!
Keng Hee Ng
Exelent , food is amazing, kind staff,super clean.I recomend.
Utku Yilmaz
Enjoyed an unagi don to take away through Fantuan and it was surprisingly large and high quality for the price. The staff were nice too. The interior isn’t huge but I’d try this spot for takeaway again.
Quincy
