Supa Baga only opened recently, but it’s already all over my feed. It’s a Japanese-style burger shop with that relaxed Aussie feel mixed with Japanese flavours, which suits an Asian stomach really well. A few of us went to try it, and we ended up trying three burgers between us.
The shop is on Chessell Street in Southbank, down a small lane next to the mysterious Pho Agogo. The inside is bright orange with stainless steel, modern and stylish, with a pixel-art Japanese look. It’s a great spot for photos, and there were lots of trendy people there. The vibe is really good.
We went on Saturday at 7pm, and people were already queueing at the door to order. It’s Japanese fast food style, and the food came out much quicker than I expected. We ordered just after seven, and by 7:30 we’d finished eating and gone home. You don’t need to spend much time here. The menu isn’t big, but there are lots of different patties. A combo is an extra $7.50 and gets you a side and a drink.
Signature Wagyu Double Cheese
This is my number one. It feels heavy in your hand. The double wagyu patties are cooked just right, and when you press down juice runs out. It’s so juicy it’s ridiculous. It’s creamy and rich with melted cheddar, the Baga sauce and a yuzu kosho garlic mayo, and there’s a hint of freshness in all that richness. The soft bun isn’t noticeable and doesn’t steal any attention. When I finished I still wanted more. For me it’s the best burger of the year. If you like rich flavours, go for this one. It tastes a bit heavier, and the Japanese sweet sauce stands out.
Ebi Sakana Katsu
This one is really good too. You can taste bouncy pieces of prawn, with a sweet-and-sour Japanese usuta sauce and tartare sauce. It’s fresh, not greasy, and totally different from the rich wagyu burger. The crust is so crunchy that you can hear it crack from the next table.
Wagyu Menchi Katsu
This is a fried wagyu patty. The shell is very crispy, and it was loud enough for the next table to hear.
Crispy Mushroom
There’s a vegetarian burger too. It has a miso mustard sauce and black truffle mayo, and the mushroom is juicy inside. It’s salty and savoury, with a really different flavour, and I loved it.
Sides
We ordered the chicken karaage and the okonomi fries, which are fries with okonomiyaki flavour. The karaage is my favourite side: crispy outside, tender and juicy inside. The okonomi fries are really distinctive. One friend ordered seaweed spicy fries, which smelled really good. One friend found the karaage very Japanese and very garlicky.
Drinks
We ordered a Yuzu Matcha Fizz with a float, and a Yuzu Strawberry Fizz. Lots of people were ordering them. They’re refreshing, and the yuzu goes really well with the burgers, cutting the richness and making you hungry again. One friend had a cola ice cream float, which reminded her of the “spider” from her childhood.
The Chef
The chef, Ryo Northfield, has quite a background. He’s known for mixing Japanese and French cooking, and he’s behind Sara Craft Ramen in Melbourne. The idea for the burger shop partly came from his childhood.
Overall
On top of the chef’s reputation, the food itself is what hits you. For me it’s the most impressive Japanese juicy burger I’ve had in Melbourne. If the queue isn’t long when you’re passing, drop in and try it.
Supa Baga
30 Chessell Street, Southbank VIC 3006
If you like Japanese food around Melbourne, our OMO Cafe, Miyama Melbourne and Nana’s Green Tea reviews are good next stops. For something sweet, see our Luna Bakery in Carlton review, and our VIC school holidays and term dates for 2026 page helps with planning.