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This is our documentation
Here are the people and experiences that have shaped our journey
Our journey began in 2010
About Tokyo Diner
Our journey began in 2010 on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand, where Raph, a Melbourne local, met Tomoya, a Japanese restaurateur also based in Melbourne. The two hit it off instantly, and when they returned home, a friendship was born—along with a mission: to create festival food that didn’t suck.
The early days were anything but glamorous. We endured painful bump-ins and one stall literally caught fire. But we were learning fast. In 2011, we scored our first major festival spot at Meredith Music Festival.
By 2012, life nudged us in different directions. Tomoya doubled down on his restaurants. Raph leaned into event catering. The friendship remained, and in 2013, Tomoya introduced Raph to Yukie—his future wife.
In 2017, Gyoza Records launched at the Garden of Unearthly Delights in Adelaide. Eight years later, Raph and Yukie are still in Adelaide, now with two kids in tow. The parent company, Tokyo Diner, has grown into six food businesses—but that original spirit remains: bold flavour, real hospitality, and food people actually get excited about.
This is our documentation
Here are the people and experiences that have shaped our journey
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