The Japanese-Infused Bar And Dining Brings Bold Flavours, Crafted Cocktails And A Vibrant Atmosphere To Pentridge Coburg
On Saturday, 21 February, Koi Toy, a bold new Japanese-inspired diner opens its doors at Pentridge Shopping Centre, Coburg, bringing high-energy dining, late-night atmosphere and a modern take on Japanese flavours to Melbourne’s north.
Created as a relaxed yet elevated restaurant, Koi Toy will offer something for everyone, from casual everyday dining to a place for celebrations, or those looking for the perfect spot for pre-or post-movie moments.
Executive Chef Alex Meimetis (Chin Chin Club, Geelong, Claypots Evening Star) has designed a menu, alongside Head Chef Long Le (Bomba, Longrain, Yum Sing House), that brings an approachable take on Japanese cuisine, with dishes grounded in technique, flavour, and a bit of ‘rock and roll’ – modern classics with a twist. He shares, “At Koi Toy, our aim is to offer delicious, rustic, and creative Japanese food with a twist. We’ve moved beyond the usual sushi and sashimi staples, presenting dishes that are infused with passion and innovation. Our food is made for everyday enjoyment – flavourful, satisfying, and crafted not for Instagram, but for a true degustation of taste and craftsmanship on every plate.”
The menu centres on shareable plates and bar-style dining, designed to be enjoyed alongside crafted cocktails, music, and a vibrant atmosphere. While Japanese flavours provide the foundation, Koi Toy’s approach is deliberately expansive, incorporating ingredients such as cemen – a traditional Turkish blend of ground fenugreek seeds, garlic, hot chilli pepper (paprika), and spices – as well as smoked chorizo and pomegranate molasses.
Menu highlights include:
• Yagi Ragu Kyaseroo Roll Ups ($34) – Slow cooked Hakkaku spiced goat, kinoko mushroom ragu, served with okonomiyaki thin pancakes, sumac furikake pickled shallots, roasted tomato tonkashi and wasabi aioli
• Angel Hair Tempura King Prawn ($23) – Angel hair pastry wrapped wasabi infused king prawn, watermelon ponzu emulsion sashimi, smoked chorizo, radish aioli, mint, shrimp oil
• Sake-cured Ocean Trout Cemen ($32) – Vanilla and sake cured ocean trout, cemen, rind, sliced fresh lemon caper sansho roe emulsion, shaved soy cured egg yolk
• Shiraru no Karaage ($23) – Crunchy fried whitebait, crispy mint & shallots, yuzu tartare sauce, apple nori slaw
Patrons are invited to sip their way through Koi Toy’s bartenders Danny Chen and Whale Kim (Golden Monkey)’s inventive cocktail list. Drink highlights include:
• Swipe In TanTan ($22) – Pavan Liqueur, Bombay Sapphire Gin, lemon, passion fruit syrup, Fee Brothers Peach Bitters, egg white
• The French Rising Sun ($22) – Chambord, Pineapple Juice, Belvedere Citrus Vodka Lemon, Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters
• Day & Night ($22) – Bacardi Carta Blanca, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Pomme Verte Liqueur, lime, sugar syrup
The interiors of the 90-seat restaurant have been designed by St Kilda-based award-winning interior design firm, Studio Y with branding from Melbourne design studio Confetti Studio. The venue also features outdoor dining and a private dining room seating up to 20 people. Brady Hallem and Tess Speldewinde, Koi Toy’s design team share, “The design of Koi Toy is inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, with materials like timber that nod to yakisugi, a method of preserving wood by charring. The overlapping neon signs evoke the iconic glow of Tokyo’s signage. The interior design works symbiotically with the branding by Confetti Studio to create a cohesive experience, while the sphere lighting adds a unique, conceptual touch.”
“The ceiling and gantry lighting feature is a reference to Washi paper lanterns. The typical bamboo internal structure reinterpreted to the outside with use of a rigid multilayer grid which appears to be built around and supporting the feature spheres.”
Koi Toy will be open seven days a week for lunch, 12-3 PM and dinner 6-10 PM.
Pentridge Shopping Centre, T16, 1 Champ Street Coburg
Website: www.koitoy.com.au
Instagram: @koitoy.pentridge
Facebook: @koitoy
Image credit: Tim Sonmez