I enjoyed the food here but was quite dissapointed with everything else…read more first of all, there is no longer $3 validated parking as some websites states....they should really edit it because the near by parking was $5 per half hour last night.... We booked a table but when we got there it took ages to get service. We had to really flag someone down. Then it took ages to even recieve some water as we waited for our food. They really need to up their service. The serving sizes are quite small so unless you are a very light eater, you will probably have to buy two $13ish meals. They also do not come with rice. Rice is an additional $2.50 for a small bowl. So you are looking at spending about $25-30 per person. I do like the seating arrangement though... we had a big table and even though we could see other tables the way it was layed out makes it feel private. Apparently there was also some sort of amazing show with drums and stuff which I had missed as I got there late...so that could be good entertainment. Everyone on our 10 people table raved about the Kushi chicken.... I did think it was quite good however could only do one piece as I felt that it was quite oily and sickening after a while. Overall I would try this place again.

Great food. I liked the sake and the plum wine, hubby not so impressed with the sake, but polished…read moreoff an Orion (draught). The karaage chicken is pretty unique - they use rice bubbles instead of breadcrumbs! Have attached photos. Down one star due to the price, was $130 for two with drinks as above, oysters, sashimi, beef tataki, takoyaki, three types of skewers, and karaage, but more pricey than we're used to. Yummy though! Will probably be back, but not for our cheap date nights :-)

The Sakebar Nippon in Takapuna is where you go for maybe not the best Japanese but for the best…read moreentertainment and tentative staff. However its very popular and you must book on a Friday night. When you arrive a staff member asks you your name and then calls it out to the whole restaurant whilst banging a drum. I had a bunch of small things like Pork skewers which were succulent, the Yum Yum Prawns came in an eggy cream that I found quite yuck yuck. Takoyaki (octopus) balls were ok and Salmon Won tons were good. The choices around the table by my 6 other friends were much the same, good and ok. We were seated at low tables on cushions by a TV screen, conveniently booked by my friend so she could start up the Karaoke. Another group came and joined in also. One of the Japanese girls shook a tambourine and a guy danced around in a onesie. Very comical.

Having long been a patron of Sake Bar Nippon in Epsom, imagine my excitement to find out they were…read moreopening a branch right on my own doorstep in Takapuna! The location, right under the Berkely has not fared well in the past. The last restaurant that was in this location, Onion Johnny's, was popular for a while but died a slow death, possibly as not everyone likes onion. I am more hopeful for Sake Bar Nippon, as Takapuna desperately needs an amazing Japanese restaurant. However, so far, the place has not lived up to expectations set by Epsom. The staff need a bit of pep and perhaps the exec chef needs to come check the place over too. Hopefully just teething problems and this place will get better.

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!

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!

Absolutely a hidden gem! Down a residential street in Ponsonby, and behind an unassuming door…read more I've had my fair share of really good Japanese food globally, including at several Michelin starred places, and this was up there in terms of quality. The pricing was very reasonable for the price you pay, and the service was very warm and kind, efficient, and spot on. Highlight dishes? - The "udon" with clams was amazing. Not had anything like it ever. - Nigri omakase was perfection. And a good selection of expensive and interesting fishes and seafood that you normally don't get in a chef's selection. Definitely will be revisiting Cocoro in the future. Note that if you would like the tasting menu, you need to order in advance, not available on the day itself. It did look quite interesting, looking at the tables next to me, but I think the a la carte menu also has plenty of interesting dishes, some more so than the tasting menu IMO.

Lunch at Cocoro. Nice bright ambience, tranquil, comfy seating. Service is prompt, attentive but…read morenot intrusive. Wine list is good, good selection of local wine & French. Serves good quality Sake (eg they serve Kubota Manju), good selection of Japanese whisky too. Seafood selection & quality is probably one of the best in NZ. They have Ora King Salmon, uni to Otoro tuna from Japan (farm raised though). ingredients are super fresh. I love eating Chirashi sushi rice, it has a bit of everything but often fraction of the price! Price reflects the quality, $145 for chirashi, uni Gunkan, 3x pics of top quality Tuna sashimi & glass of wine. (I feel full in the end!) Definitely will come back again for top quality, best in NZ sushi!

The ambiance is fun, feels like Japan and I appreciate the all Japanese staff, but best to stick to…read morecooked food here. As a former sushi chef apprentice I was frankly offended by the sushi and sashimi. We ordered a 6 piece hamachi sashimi and it came with 5 decent pieces, but the 6th was a pile of chopped "lesser quality" fish. We also ordered two rolls, a spider and a rainbow. The centers were sparse at best and there was SO much rice around the roll it was like kindergarten sushi. The fish on the outside of the rainbow roll was weak in multiple ways. Our salmon misodare and chicken karage bowls were a bit better. If you want good sushi, look elsewhere, sorry.

Wouldn't have found this one without Yelp. It is a small little restaurant in the CBD with…read moreauthentic Japanese food. Service was excellent, friendly and fast. This could have been right in Tokyo as everything was perfect. Thanks.

Chef's skill was a little lacklustre, not exaclty suited for the performance aspect of a tepanyakki…read morechef either... New restaurant, could use some improvement

Theoretically in my opinion I don't need to have to write a whole review about here....one word…read moresums it up...FANTASTIC!!! ( or any other similar large words of praise one can think of ) But I should mention a bit more about this Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant which has recently opened in the middle of the city. For a start the interior looks good and as one would expect of somewhere not long opened very clean. The service standard as I have found in most japanese restaurants is very good. With a smile and efficiently. As for the food ...it was delicious. We went at lunchtime and had the teppanyaki. The chef was very good at setting fire alight on the hot plate, so lots of photo opportunities there. I started with Japanese Garden Salad with the chefs salad dressing ...very nice. Of course there was miso soup. Prawns followed with yum yum sauce which was definitely yum yum. I know I may say it a lot.....but it was so delicious. Then beef with seasonal vegetables and rice. Oh, don't forget I washed it all down with an Asahi beer. Nice...Overall top marks and hope it stays that way.

The food itself was very tasty, I did not have much to comment about. It was a very pleasant…read moretasting experience and the price was really good, (110 NZD = $66 USD) for all that much food. Beef was tender and easy to chew, veggies were full of flavor. Fish was full of flavor and well textured. Definitely well balanced but I'd trim the cabbage salad to half as it was hard for me to finish, and maybe add a few more slices of salmon/tuna. Service was a bit slow considering the restaurant was not considerably busy, but all of my meals were served in a timely fashion. There was a party that got the same menu as me (shame on her for judging me eating alone but whatever), and the difference in time for us getting our foods wasn't too far apart. Ambiance - it is a very popular restaurant, has the stereotype of an up-scale buzzy restaurant. Definitely good for solo and accompanied dining :) I'd give this a 4 star rating. Food was great but the service could be better and more attentive.

Some of the best sushi we've ever had! Friends with us who are not Japanese food fans have been…read moreconverted. Tasting menu is perfect and yummy!

After a walk around the Ponsonby Market day , my friend and I were verging on the lighter end of…read morehangry ( hungry / angry probably due to the choice of places to eat ! Decisions , decisions !) anyway after a looksie at Ponsonby Central , sushi seemed like a good idea . With a miss 2 ¾ in tow, sushi was a good kid friendly option . Bento boxes started at $25 and seemed very substantial , I went for the beef teriyaki Katsu bowl and my friend the chicken karrage Katsu bowl . Both were alright portions and seasoned nicely , tho miss 2 ¾ was more down with the chicken karrage than her own sushi roll and ate most of mums fried chicken . Service was fast and friendly , but I've never really had bad service in a Japanese place and hope not to . And at $50 for two , lunch with beer and wine is a winner on the day for me , will probably be going back .

Finally found a real Japanese restaurant in Ponsonby. Awesome food and Service !…read more Friendly waiters and the Size of our plates worth the price of it.