Banzai stands out like a beacon of Japanese elegance amidst the chaos that is Asian eateries on…read moreDominion Road. Instead of rough linoleum & tacky plastic interiors, think stylish bamboo & wood tones. Instead of surly waitstaff doing their best to avoid your eyes, insert happy, friendly, helpful staff. But don't take away the flavour, taste or cheap prices. And hold the BYO status. The best of both worlds. I've visited Banzai on several occasions & have always been impressed. Although the space is small, they make good use of the space & service is always attentive. The seafood is fresh & the presentation of their food is where this place sings - I've seen sushi stacked up on it's end and a towering stack of salad spiked with crispy noodles. My favourite dish would have to be their Mixed Tataki - the freshest, slightly seared salmon & tuna served with a delicious Japanese dressing. This place has to be one of my Top 3 cheap & cheerful Japanese eateries.

Hidden amongst a few other Asian restaurants, Banzai is lovely. Great space and vibe…read more Food was awesome and reasonably priced.

Recently opened in mid-September 2013, Tanoshimu is a Yakinuku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant. A range…read moreof meats and seafood are available. It was my first time dining at a Yakinuku restaurant so the server was very handy at helping us cook some of the meats as well as explaining the condiments that go with each dish. Because the server helped us cook and compliment the meats with a range of condiments, including sauces and powders, the food was absolutely great. I was a great fan of the beef tongue, although not so much of the pork selection. The interior decor is simple, with japanese themed paintings on the wall. From the outside it looked very dark that we almost drove right past thinking that it was already closed for the day. The room gets quiet smokey if there are many others dining (especially those who aren't good at cooking the food) and it becomes visible in the room as well as noticeable when breathing, hopefully they figure out some better ventilation system. Currently open 6pm-12pm Everyday except Tuesdays and they say will open for lunch when business picks up!

THIS PLACE IS HEAVEN. The only downside is I didn't discover it sooner…read more The restaurant is trendy and modern inside, great for a date or a casual catch up with a friend. They have drinks on special, the night I went our choices were Orion beer or a prosseco brut. I got the sparkling and my partner ordered a beer. We were seated at a high table with bar stools, which isn't usually my cup of tea but we were by the window which meant great lighting and fabulous people watching. The server took our order as soon as we snapped our menus shut and brought us drinks super quickly. I ordered the veggie ramen, after asking if it was vegan and the server saying he "thinks so." Hoping that meant yes. He did tell me the noodles were made out of wheat, which added another tally to my list of people in New Zealand who think vegan is the same as gluten free (I LOVE BREAD, PEOPLE!!). The ramen came out very quickly as well and holy SH*T IT IS AMAZING. The broth is rich and slightly spicy and so flavourful, the noodles were cooked to perfection and squishy and hearty, and the combination of cabbage, seaweed, and whatever that other green veg was made it just over the top incredible. I ate my ramen before I even finished my drink, which really says something. By the time we left, bellies full and sloshing, I had ramen juice all over my white dress and a huge, fat kid smile plastered on my face. The total for my partner and I's meals came to $50, which is absurdly cheap in Auckland. Cheers to that!! Ps my partner had a seafood ramen and loved his as well.

Zool Zool is a modern ramen bar with a killer whisky list to boot. Ever since Uni I've been a huge…read moreramen fan so I am stoked this trend is finally hitting NZ shores. We came here recently for dinner with a group (note. They don't take reservations) and were luckily able to grab a few tables upstairs before the dinner rush. A few of us arrived early and were ravenous so ordered some edamame (spicy) and takoyaki to start. The edamame came in a large brown paper bar covered in spice. A cool idea, but ours were overcooked and in need of a good sprinkling of salt. The takoyaki on the other hand, came with a generous garnish of dancing bonita flakes and were light and crispy - delicious! On the recommendation of the waiter I ordered miso ramen for my main and a karaage chicken to share. It was way too much food but if there's fried chicken involved, I've got to try it. Back to the ramen, the flavour was more refined that others I've tried but still really well balanced and meaty. The noodles were perfectly cooked but I have to agree with Milly H, it was missing a few garnishes that I've come to expect. The Karaage was, in my mind, perfect. Light & crunchy on the outside, perfectly cooked, moist chicken on the inside - highly recommend. The service was friendly albeit a bit patchy. It seems like they don't have sections and because about half the seating is upstairs you have to grab a waiter while you can before they disappear below. There were lot's of loud "excuse me" 's from different table trying to get the waiter's attention. Zool Zool have only just opened and are probably still trying to iron out some kinks. I plan of heading back there when the weather cools down. There's no outdoor seating and ramen + AKL humidity is not my favourite combo.

We stumbled on this place as we're walking from Mount Eden on a week day. Monday - Thursday they…read moreopen at 5pm & Friday through the weekend they open at 11 am so be aware. Right off the bat the vibes, service, & music were on point. The fried chicken & loaded fries were delicious! Unfortunately, the chicken dumplings were too heavy on the fusion for us. The dumplings were overwhelmed by the curry powder and the inside was overcooked. With so much Asian influence in the city of Auckland, I feel there are times when restaurants should just leave some dishes/flavors alone as they are amazing in their own right. Overall the experience was good.

Eric the bartender was pretty awesome. Helped kept it real with the drinks, which were all pretty…read moretasty, but also with some history of the Eden area. Very personable and made a first time to NZ felt like a local. Talent.

'Yokoso Sushi' is one of my favourite sushi and bento box places in Auckland. Situated on the…read moremulticultural Dominion Road, that is overloaded with Asian cuisine. I have been frequenting this place sporadically over the last 10 years. It has undergone a recent refurbishment inside - taking away the high table/stool area by the front of the restaurant - it now looks like a Japanese restaurant. This small, quaint restaurant is run by authentic Japanese people who are friendly and welcoming. The menu is typically Japanese fare with freshly made (on-site) sushi, bento box/s, sashimi, miso soup etc etc. Parking is abundant, well priced & most importantly it's always a great customer experience! You must go & make this your fav too! Yelp!

My boyfriend and I came by Yokoso on Valentines Day, looking for something other than the typical…read moredinner and a movie cliche date. We'd decided to get takeout sushi, a bottle of champs, and have a picnic on our living room floor (highly recommend). Yokoso played an integral part in our night, as we got the takeaway sushi here. After finding it on Google maps as one of the highest rated sushi restaurants in our area, we headed down to check it out for ourselves. The restaurant is tiny but cute, it would be a good place for a casual date or a catch up with a friend. Most tables accommodate two, so don't try bringing a big group. We took a look at the menu, and I ordered an avocado roll. The funny thing about this place is that you don't order by the roll, you order the number of pieces you want. This was new to me, so I ordered 9 pieces. What a fun game :) The woman working there asked if I wanted the veggie roll, which is avocado, cucumber and capsicum (aka bell pepper), but I told her I just wanted avocado. My boyfriend ordered a couple of styles of sushi, for a total of 15 pieces. We took our lil sushes home, wrapped carefully in little to-go containers with a side of pink ginger. After popping the bubbly and laying out our little picnic blanket, we plated the sushi and went to town. I was surprised to find my roll with bell pepper in it, as I'd asked specifically just for avo, but I figured I shouldn't be mad about getting some extra vitamins in. My boyfriend ate his quicker than I could finish mine, which I think means he liked it ;) The sushi was good, not the best I've ever had, but it was good. Even though I do love bell pepper every once in a while, I don't think I ever got over the fact that they added it in after I specifically asked for none, as they weren't even busy when we were there (we were literally the only people there). Nonetheless, I'd happily go back, as the prices are good and the sushi was good too.

Been going here for years now.. birthdays.. band hangs.. Christmas functions.. karaoke nights.. fun…read moreplace with great staff. Traditional Japanese welcome as you enter.. the best hot sake in town. Pricey.. BUT worth it!!

Sorry I don't mean to be mean. However, this Japanese place is not my favor…read more One thing you can tell whether a restaurant is good or not, is from the customers. You should see local people enjoying , and also with people from the origin country. For instance, a Chinese restaurant here should attract both Chinese people and kiwis. But in Nippon, I see most of the guests are kiwi, not from Japan, or even from Asian countries. So here comes the confusion. A Japanese restaurant should be decent, quiet in a certain way, clean, cozy. It should leave some privacy space with the customers, not that loud and full of quirky music that piled up your stomach. Maybe people find it funny to get a drum hit once coming a new customer, however, I don't quite fancy this idea. Then the menu is a bit confusing, seats a bit narrow, the grilled beef tongue is way too salty, Ginger slices of roasted pork is too thick for chewing, and the whole presentation is not Japan delicate. Of all the dishes we ordered, perhaps the roast vegetable is the best. In our mind, Tokyo Bay in Takapuna is really a good example of what a proper Japanese restaurant should be. Sorry Nippon, I just don't feel you are the right cake for me.

Hole in the wall establishment run by what looks like a husband and wife. Comfortable seating for…read moremaybe 24-28. Takoyaki - it's good says dbp. - perfect (6) spheres Spicy ramen - Comes in hot no need for extra spice - deep smoky flavor - mash your own sesame seeds is a nice touch Tonkotsu shoyu ramen - plain flavor feels under developed - wifey says it's homey - kinda grows on you as you eat it Mukashi traditional soy ramen - best in show - clean Miso taste - added corn bc I love the crunch Tonkotsu paitan salt ramen -

Metro rated it as one of the best Ramen houses in Auckland or perhaps it's on the top 50 cheap…read moreeats. Regardless which one it sways towards, it does live up to its reputation. It's not brilliant because I guess you only get that in Japan I suppose but compared to Mentatz (on High Street) and Tanpopo (Anazc Ave) it's good. It's also famously nestled between a few well known Symonds St eateries namely Ginas which is a funny and loud Italian restaurant, a top end Japanese eatery which I can't remember the name of, a well known Sushi eatery and also a cheap and cheerful Thai dining house. So you assume that there's plenty of competition about! First time I rolled in I ordered a Giyoyaki Ramen (fish and pork broth and probably spelt wrong) and it was delicious. The broth is probably the most important part of Ramen and it was rich and creamy. Some may argue otherwise that it's each individual part that gives the rise to the whole Ramen. But I say broth. For me it was a little tad on the small side as I was super hungry but everything is fine, a little short on the extra condiments as I usually like a bit of bamboo shoots. Second time I went I had a spicy ramen. I had a good look at the menu and was pleasantly surprised to discover that you can make it large for an extra $1. So I went with that and it totally filled me up. Go get your Ramen Fix there!

Incredible! We stopped in for dinner around 7pm after a long rainy walk. The owner was the sweetest…read moreman, discussed the menu with us, and made great recommendations. We ordered from the east to see photo descriptions on the menu. We ordered the Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry with Chicken, and the Ramen with Pork/Chive Dumplings! Both were so delicious, hot, and fresh. The Udon came with rice balls rolled in sesame and nori, and the chicken was perfect and tasty. The Ramen was piping hot, perfectly spicy, and had egg in the broth. The dumplings were very delicious with great scallion flavor. Small fridge of beverages, L&P, sodas, water, and more fruit drinks! They also had made to order sushi for takeaway, and a nice little counter with stools if you prefer to eat in. Would eat here over and over! Go eat here. The owner also told us many great spots to check out in Auckland and marked them on our map for us. What a delight! Thanks so much. 5 Stars doesn't do it justice.

Great place for gathering! Every thing you have is the most…read moreamazing taste. I love this place so much Superb Thanks Maggie!

Tatsumi is a modern and chic Japanese restaurant found in the heart of Newmarket. I would have to…read moresay its one of the nicer Japanese restaurants in the Auckland precinct with a modern, upmarket interior. Ordering tapas style as per usual we were surprised to an amuse bouche before our meal was served; A small selection of Japanese bites that were all full of flavour. The sushi was rolled beautifully, maybe not as creatively displayed as other Japanese restaurants, but extremely fresh, which is what you are always looking for in sushi. I'm a sucker for soft shell crab, we agreed the tempura was perfectly balanced, with a light and crispy texture - also on the veges too. We love sashimi, but we love salmon more, I would recommend ordering it as its cut to perfection and again very fresh. At the end of the meal we were served a complimentary dessert - mango pudding. Not my cup of tea personally but im not a fan of Asian desserts to be fair. Overall the service was friendly and they go out of their way with personal touches that are unexpected. Rating Food: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Value for Money: Very Good 73 Davis Crescent, Newmarket Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 1130am-230pm, 6pm-10pm

So far is the best authentic Japanese food I've tasted so far. The staff speak Japanese and…read moreEnglish. You wouldn't know it's there until you walked past it a few times. The entrance is dark so you can't really tell if it's a restaurant. Also, it's definitely hard to tell if it's open or not. There are signs, but it's a bit confusing still. Ha! When you do go inside it, the atmosphere is quiet and calm. It definitely does feel like one of those smaller Japanese restaurants that you have been to if you have ever been to Japan. There's a sushi bar area where you can sit. There's also an authentic Japanese dinning area, set up with the tatami floors, walls, cushions and table where you have to take off your shoes in order to be seated there. There are also western seating available where we sat. The staff are quick to serve and are friendly. The food was delivered fairly quickly, and we didn't wait long. The taste of the food was really close to the kind that you would find if you lived in Japan. If you're looking for a good meal, this place I would recommend!

We stumbled on Daikoku after wandering a bit off of Queen Street, towards the Sky Tower. We were…read morequickly seated on traditional tatami Japanese seating on the floor (after removing our shoes). After scanning the broad menu, we ordered up two lunch bento box specials, an eel plate and tonkatsu shoyu ramen bowl. Food arrived mere moments later, seemingly faster than your local Maccas! The lunch special included miso soup, takoyaki, tuna/salmon sashimi salad, chicken teriyaki and a bowl of rice (and some unknown yet tasty chicken cucumber marianated dish). Not a bad deal for $16 NZ. Chicken teriyaki was excellent, btw. The eel arrived in a very generous portion (3x what we'd normally get in the states) and delish! Ramen was perfectly flavored (not too salty) and the noodles were tender. A good lunch stop in the heart of the CBD, and a good value if you're used to paying in USD! A nice refreshing Japanese meal preparing us for our upcoming experience in Japan -- should be ranked higher than the 3.5 stars currently on Yelp!