What it is
Roku Den is a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar at 34A Bell Street, Torquay. It describes itself as built around surf culture and beach life, with good food, good service and a fun atmosphere. It's licensed, it does lunch late in the week and dinner every night, and there's online ordering for takeaway.
The restaurant buys Australian seafood wherever it can, on the view that Australian waters have some of the best seafood and some of the strictest rules for looking after the ocean. It also says it tries to support local businesses and keep its environmental impact down. Fish depends on the market, so the sashimi and nigiri change with what's freshest.
What's on the menu
From the menu on its website:
Sushi
Sashimi and nigiri, plus rolls from simple avocado, salmon and cooked tuna up to a spicy salmon roll, a rainbow roll and a vegan green dragon roll with tempura broccoli. Many of the rolls also come as hand rolls.
To share
Pulled pork and vegetarian bao, chicken yakitori, agedashi tofu, crispy nori chicken, panko prawns with Japanese tartare, seared scallops, and spicy tofu fries.
Bowls and bigger plates
Chicken teriyaki rice bowls, a salmon or tofu poke bowl, a vegetable wok toss, slow-cooked Asian beef ribs, beef or salmon tataki, and green tea soba noodles.
Dessert and drinks
Mochi ice cream or a chocolate tofu mousse to finish. The bar has sake, Japanese whisky, beer and wine, plus Japanese chu-hi, sours and a yuzu gin fizz. The gin and vodka are distilled locally in Torquay.
The menu marks vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, and there's a lot of each. Tell the staff about allergies, because dishes may contain traces of gluten or nuts.
A sushi picnic
Sushi travels well, and the beach is a short walk away. On a warm evening, order a few rolls and a poke bowl for pickup, carry them down to the foreshore at Front Beach and eat on the grass under the pines while the light goes. Take a bag for your rubbish, and mind the seagulls.
On a cold night it works the other way round: a table inside, a sake or a yuzu gin fizz, and the beef ribs.
With kids
There's a kids' menu, with a chicken rice bowl and vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, and plenty of the simple rolls suit fussy eaters too. It's an easy early dinner with kids, and the bowls and bao are good for sharing.
Hours and bookings
When we checked in October 2026, Roku Den was open:
- Monday to Wednesday, dinner from 5pm to 8.30pm
- Thursday to Sunday, lunch from midday to 2.30pm and dinner from 5pm to 8.30pm
Book through OpenTable from the Roku Den website, or call (03) 5264 6190. Takeaway can be ordered online. A 1.5% card surcharge applies, and 20% on public holidays.
Getting there and what's nearby
Bell Street is in the old centre of Torquay, close to the beach and about five minutes' drive from north Torquay. Roku Den is a couple of doors from the Torquay Hotel, so a drink at the pub before or after is easy. Samesyn, Il Matto and Blackman's are on the same street.
It's the obvious takeaway dinner after a long day at the beach: order online and pick it up on the way home.
Roku Den FAQ
Where is Roku Den?
34A Bell Street, Torquay, in the middle of town.
Is it open for lunch?
From Thursday to Sunday, midday to 2.30pm. Dinner is every night from 5pm.
Can I get takeaway?
Yes, through online ordering on the website.
Are there vegan and gluten-free options?
Yes. The menu marks vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, including vegetable rolls, agedashi tofu and the green dragon roll.
Is there a kids' menu?
Yes, with a chicken rice bowl and ice cream.
For the rest of the town's restaurants, see our Torquay restaurants guide, and for Asian-inspired share plates in Jan Juc, Bird Rock. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.