The site at 22 Toorak Road in South Yarra lost something of a neighbourhood legend when Murat Ovaz shut the doors to his Turkish restaurant Yagiz. But the location might just have scored another to take its place, with pan-Asian smokehouse Yan opening in the space in April.
Far from an unknown newcomer, Yan is actually the first Melbourne spinoff of a much-loved one-hatted Sydney diner of the same name. The OG has become a Harbour City favourite since opening its doors in the southern suburb of Wolli Creek back in 2017.
The team is replicating its winning formula here in South Yarra, celebrating quality ingredients smoked over charcoal and delivered with a nod to Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Expect plenty of bold flavours and crafty technique.
To kick things off, you’ll find small plates like wagyu beef tataki matched with smoked mussels, wasabi and an anchovy crumb; sauteed sambal prawns; and Szechuan pepper fried tofu in a peanut sesame sauce.
Deeper in, lamb ribs are paired with braised eggplant and an Asian riff on chimichurri, a sticky soy pork cutlet is served with cavolo nero and confit egg yolk, and iceberg lettuce is elevated with the addition of lup cheong and a green Szechuan dressing.
If you fancy ditching the decision-making, you can go all in with one of two banquet options, priced at $79 and $99.
Meanwhile, you’ve got an expansive drinks offering to sip your way through, including a well-travelled wine lineup and a local-leaning crop of beers. There’s also a range of inventive signature cocktails, running to the likes of a jalapeño- and lemongrass-infused margarita, and the Tiramisu Milk Punch — a blend of smoked rum, jin jun mei tea, moscato and savoiardi biscuits.
Find Yan Melbourne at 22 Toorak Road, South Yarra — open 5pm–late Tuesday–Saturday.
Images: Arianna Leggiero.