Sydney’s much-lauded Asian smokehouse, Yan, has nestled into the lush neighbourhood of South Yarra.
And it has food enthusiasts buzzing about the unique smoke-kissed flavours that have earned Yan its dedicated following and a coveted Chef Hat from the Good Food Guide. Originally rooted in the humble suburb of Wolli Creek, Yan has developed a near-cult status since 2019 for its contemporary twist on Chinese and Japanese smoking techniques. Smoke-infused meats, seafood, and vegetables, all kissed by the warmth of a charcoal grill, have made Yan a magnet for gastronomes far and wide.
Narada Kudiner, the founder of Yan, is steering this exciting Melbourne venture. Teaming up with him is Executive Chef Ewa Goralewski, an alumnus of Melbourne’s prestigious Dinner by Heston, and Head Chef Joel Lee, who’s honed his skills at Yan for the last five years. The trio’s collective culinary expertise promises a gastronomic experience that will leave the discerning Melbourne crowd clamouring for more.
“We’re thrilled to introduce Yan’s distinctive offerings to Melbourne. The growing fan base we’ve garnered in Sydney in such a short span gives us confidence in replicating our success here”, Kudiner shares, brimming with enthusiasm for their Melbourne debut.
Melbourne foodies can look forward to Yan’s signature dishes that have made the Wolli Creek outpost a must-visit. Think beef tataki paired with smoked mussels and an anchovy wasabi crumb or smoked beef short ribs with sautéed kale and mountain pepper. And, of course, the irresistible dessert of coconut ice cream and jelly served in young coconut, a dish that has graced countless Sydney Instagram feeds.
However, Melbourne’s Yan will not just be a copy-paste of its Sydney counterpart. The team plans to introduce new menu items, specifically crafted for the Melbourne palate and sourced from local ingredients, in the coming months.
Adding a dash of Melbourne charm, Giovanni Rinaldi, an alumnus of Chin Chin and Society, will be the General Manager. Yan will occupy the space of the erstwhile popular Turkish concept, Yagiz, which has undergone a subtle makeover courtesy of Sarah Townson and the Anthology team.
For a chance to experience Yan’s unique smoking magic, head to their website to make your booking. Melbourne, get ready to embrace Yan’s smoky delights.