I am never disappointed when I dine at Wasai. But, I know I have to book a table in advance as this Japanese restaurant is truly a local treasure and very popular. If you want quality Japanese and great value for money, this is the restaurant for you. Every time I go there I sample many items on the menu I am always shocked at the bill, it is very well priced! As for the best items on the menu, well it depends on what you are into. I am a huge fan of sashimi and aburi salmon, and they make both really well. Being located close to the Adelaide Central Market I think really impacts on the freshness of the fish and dishes. The sashimi is cut with great precision, not to thick or thin. Go for the sashimi boat if you want a wide selection, it is really well presented, good for groups and great value for money. If this is first time to Wasai I should probably tell you to order a boat. It is a great way to sample the menu, also you will probably get jealous when you see them delivered to other tables. Save yourself the trouble in choosing what to eat. Then fine tune your choices later, as I will guarantee you will be back. Last thing to mention is the karaage chicken. You must try the Wasai version if you like this dish. It is a lot lighter than other versions, almost like a tempura batter but with the flavoursome karaage seasonings. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself to a little JFC. read more

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As I have a huge love of all things Japanese, and a love of all things food, then you would think Japanese food would be the ultimate draw card. Well, you would be right! After wanting to try this place for so long, I finally managed to try it a couple of times, and holy sashimi I was not disappointed. I will even be back there again within the next fortnight, you can't keep me away! The first time I was a poor student, with another poor student, but we shared a few dishes and a drink each and it came to a measly $20 per person! And these weren't miserable, bland and small dishes either. Instead, these dishes were incredibly delicious and filling, leaving us satiated and shocked at how small the bill was when it arrived! The second time was my birthday and my Dad was paying (so still a poor student technically). We got the famous sushi and sashimi boat, after first enjoying some entrees and drinks. My absolute favourite Aburi Salmon Roll was devine, but the Takoyaki (Octopus Deep-Fried Balls) and Chicken Kaarage was also melt-in-the-mouth delicious. The sashimi and sushi was so fresh, and thoroughly impressed my Tasmanian father who's only past experience with Japanese cuisine involved a tiny take away store in Launceston (not that there is anything wrong with that)! We did find the restaurant a tad noisy, as it was very full with lots of large groups and other birthdays being celebrated, however the fast service, amazing food and cheap prices for the quality Wasai serves up makes this observation pale in comparison. Also, and this is VERY important, book a table! As every other review on here says, you might be waiting a while if you don't book, and that will be a very sad thing indeed with such lovely food so close by. read more

Wasai Japanese Kitchen - Sushi and sashimi boat - Japanese Near Me - Adelaide, SA

I've never had a bad meal at Wasai. Hands down, it is my favourite Japanese restaurant in Adelaide! My favourite dish is the Wasai Gozen - a bit of a tasting plate (or crazy giant bento) crammed full of perfectly crispy tempura, fresh sashimi, tasty sushi, gyoza, and more! The food and drinks are reasonably priced and the staff are always friendly and knowledgeable about the food. If you're not sure what a particular menu item is, just ask! They have a good range of sake and other delights too, if you are a bit of a connoisseur! :-) Always best to book ahead, especially if in a group, as this is a very popular restaurant. read more

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This Japanese restaurant is really nice. Great for dinner for a big group or for a couple. The food is good, and it's not a long wait for the food to be served. Good quality food & friendly staff. There is a variety of meals, including seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian. They were able to alter a couple of vegetarian meals to make them vegan. The only downside was the slow service, whilst we got seated straight away, we had to wait quite a whole before a waiter came to take our orders. This is also a very loud restaurant, so if you're looking for a quiet, romantic setting this probably isn't the best place for you. Overall, delicious food, friendly staff & good atmosphere. Definitely recommend. read more

Wasai Japanese Kitchen - Karaage chicken - entrée - Japanese Near Me - Adelaide, SA

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Holy cheap sushi batman! This is some seriously great Japanese food and it's so ridiculously cheap I actually double checked the bill at the end to make sure the lovely staff hadn't short-changed themselves. Three of us ate really well for dinner. Sashimi (super fresh), miso, tempura veggies, chicken karagi (light as air batter), a couple of sushi rolls and some pickles left us satiated and happy and all for the very small sum of $75! We sadly didn't get a sushi boat, but I'm told this is a must-do with larger parties. read more

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There isn't a wealth of choice of Japanese restaurants when coming to Adelaide, and I can only think of three that actually fall into the category of "restaurants", all of which cater in "katei ryori" (home-style cooking). Despite the lack of fine Japanese cuisine in this city, Wasai is probably the best of the little choice available. As a half-Japanese person, it's admittedly a little hard not to be critical. This kind of food is what most Japanese women can make in a heartbeat, and I was fortunate enough to be brought up eating this stuff. That said, though the food is reasonably unsophisticated, it doesn't compromise on taste. There's a large variety of dishes including tempura, noodles, deep-fried meats and a whole lot of dishes smothered in teriyaki sauce. Newcomers with little education in Japanese food will be delighted, and those with an experienced palette will be comforted by the restaurants simple roots. The service is always great, and the staff is very friendly. But like some of the other Yelpers have said, it's important to get a booking if you're set on going to this restaurant. Their opening hours aren't extensive, and people seem to gravitate to Wasai on every day of the week. read more

Wasai Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Adelaide, SA

I've been coming to Wasai Japanese since it had a different name, Genki I believe and I still love it after all these years of visiting when I'm in Adelaide. It's a really special restaurant and serves some of the most amazing dishes taken from Japanese cuisine. Drinks are always served with edamame, tonight's serve was slightly smaller than what I'd come to expect but that's ok. Entrée was Takoyaki, octopus balls and Karaage which is fired chicken. Both brilliant starters, portions are appropriate. Main was Tori Mayonaise which is to die for, tender chicken strips with Japanese Mayo and chives with sauce. Oh my word. They're amazing. I cannot recommend this place enough. It's very reasonably priced, two mains, two entrée, and two alcoholic drinks cost a total of $60. That's amazing value considering the quality. The staff are always lovely and accommodating, I guess they were busy tonight because they were very eager to clean up and fill our glasses tonight. When discussing this place with others they often share their concern about Japanese food just being raw fish but I urge anyone with this thought to be prepared to be amazed because Japanese cuisine and Wasai is far more than just fish although Wasai does great sushi and sashimi. Make sure you book ahead of your visit because it's always packed you won't get seats otherwise, I honestly love my visits to Wasai! read more

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Wasai is a popular Japanese restaurant near the Central Markets in Adelaide. This place is great: the food is really really delicious, you don't have to dress-up but you won't feel out of place if you do, it isn't too expensive, the service is great, the location is convenient and the decor is simple and pleasant. It isn't great in that uber-fashionable-hipsters/yuppies/cool-kids only way either, it's just genuinely good. I would feel comfortable taking nearly anyone I know here. I would recommend making a booking if there is more than two of you eating, but you might get lucky. As you enter you will be approached by one of the efficient, friendly but not obsequious staff members. These guys all have little tiny computers with styluses to take down your order, and are all assigned to quite specific jobs. The system seems to work excellently - the food comes out very quickly! The decor is typical of a Japanese restaurant without being too kitschy or over the top - lacquered wood and simple ceramic plates and bowls. I enjoyed a bottle of champagne here recently with my boyfriend, and another time I had a really delicious cocktail - sake, lychee and some other stuff too. There is nothing objectionable about any aspect of Wasai, but the stand-out element is the amazing food. I had the huge sushi and sashimi boat here with my parents recently and it was very fresh and sharp - clean salty oysters, thinly-sliced salmon, tender scallops and loads of pickled ginger. Another favourite dish of mine is the tofu with enoki mushrooms. The broth this comes in is really addictive - salty but with a vinegary, tangy flavour, sprinkled with spring onions. I have also enjoyed dessert here - fresh, sticky mochi. Wasai is great not because it is mind-blowingly fancy, quirky or creative. It just does what it does really well. read more

Wasai Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Adelaide, SA

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Being a Samurai caught in mildly overweight Australians body, I often crave simple, quality Japanese food (and the odd glass of Saki) served by incredibly polite people. Wasai Japanese Kitchen is where I go in such times! Not only is the food exactly what it promises on the menu, but it is also refreshingly affordable, which gives you the opportunity to work through the extensive Saki list. For those on the squeamish side and not a big fan of raw fish, there is also a great deal of the cooked variety, plus a number of traditional meat and noodle dishes that are especially enjoyable in the Winter months. Although I am not the biggest fan of Japanese deserts, there is a small selection to choose from if you have a sweet tooth and are keen to try your luck. Wasai's location is perfect if you are looking to have a night to remember or forget. Located just off of Gouger Street, a dozen steps from the Central Market, there are many pub, bar and club opportunities or the odd Gelati/Coffee house if you are on a hot date and trying to impress by exhibiting a restrained side. Possibly the only or at least most obvious negative to Wasai is the décor, which rides the border of Japanese and ordinary café/restaurant. I personally don't have a problem overlooking this minor blemish, as I always feel the urge to take up a martial art or prune a bonsai after every visit which suggests that the over all experience works.....well, it does for this Samurai! read more

Until finding out about Wasai, most of my Japanese cuisine sources came from pre-made sushi stalls, food courts, and the ever-popular train systems. It was extremely refreshing to find a place to sit down and eat in an enclosed area that wasn't in the middle of a busy mall. If you are walking down the middle of Gouger Street, chances are you would walk right past it - found just off of Gouger, down Field Street about 5-metres. The first time I came here was on my first first date with my fella, but it is also great for dinners with friends and parties of 5-6. It is a medium-sized restaurant, but it often gets busy really quickly, so best to book beforehand. You will be happy to know that the food is not limited to sushi and miso, and the menu offers a range of dishes such as hot pots, rice dishes, and noodles that are good for one or for sharing. You are likely to find your favourite Japanese food there: I immediately jumped on their unagi (eel) katsudon. Despite the emphasis on seafood, vegetarians and non-seafood fans will find something they will like. For the bigger parties, have a try of their sushi boats, though I recommend to order something extra if you are looking to fill up. The servings are small, and often, the sushi seemed to have a greater proportion of fish than rice, so the carbs won't be there. The taste, however, is lovely and fresh, and certainly beats (at the risk of sounding like a snob) the pre-made rolls sitting in a cold box the whole day. The atmosphere is better suited for dinners with friends and a small party since it can get noisy, but if you're a couple who loves good food at a reasonable price, then it's good for you too. read more

Searching for a pre show dinner at Her Majesty's Theatre, I could not pass up the opportunity to visit Wasai Japanese Kitchen after reading so many great reviews. On reflection, like so many reviewers, I had to give 5 stars. The food was quite simply amazing. My wife and I made a booking for 6:15pm hoping we would get to our show on time at 8pm. Even with a couple glasses of wine, an entree and main each, we were walking out just after 7pm. The service was extremely friendly and efficient (even with the restaurant 3/4 full). We ordered the Karaage chicken (on the recommendation of Anita D) and tempura prawns and vegetables for entree. Our entrees were delivered within 10 minutes of ordering. The tempura was perfectly light in batter and the Karaage was absolutely to die for. For mains, we chose the crispy skin salmon and wagu beef. As I don't eat seafood, I could go assume my wife enjoyed the salmon as she kept saying 'oh wow' after each mouthful! The wagu was beautifully tender and served with a type of coleslaw/ potato mix that was so tasty. We had a glass of sauv. blanc each and a tasting of 3 different Japanese whiskeys, which was only $9. Overall we walked out full and satisfied for only $94. For the quality and quantity of food you could pay so much more elsewhere. I actually felt guilty of how cheap the meal was, I left $110 with the bill as we were so impressed. For value, great service and incredible food get yourselves down to Wasai. read more

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When you talk about Japanese in Adelaide, the name Wasai always comes up. It seems to be the center of good Japanese food for Adelaide folks, and thus that was how my very first meal in Adelaide came to be in Wasai. Bookings are essential, and as you sit there having your dinner, it becomes very apparent very quickly as to why bookings are essential. It's basically a case of "If you don't book, don't dream of setting your foot in here". The service is good and fairly quick. The service does not always know what exactly is in the dish, but they always come back after checking with the chef. The food is fairly simple and the prices are a tad on the pricier side, but with Adelaide's very limited choice in Japanese food, people are paying the price obediently, myself included. When you drop by Wasai, do yourself a favour and order the dragon rolls. They are amazing! read more

What I really appreciated about Wasai was the variety of dishes and the fact that they didn't just serve sashimi or sushi. The karaage chicken was particularly delicious, paired with a simple salad with a lovely dressing. I was also delighted to see sukiyaki on the menu, but didn't order that as I wanted to try something else. Service was quick and efficient, and the dish of edamame beans as a compliment throughout the meal was a lovely touch. While the restaurant is a good size, it does get quite loud inside, especially on a Saturday night. Prices were very reasonable and our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Would definitely eat at Wasai again. Oh, it's worth noting too that it's best to book and not show up expecting to get a table. We did book, and when we left, there was a queue forming outside, hoping to get a table while those who had bookings were shown to their seats. So book before you go! read more

The first time I went to Wasai I ate one of the entire complimentary Edamame beans instead of just the peas in the middle. I eroded a lot of tooth enable trying to chew through the damn thing before my dining companion picked one up, split it open and ate the seeds, discarding the casing in the dish thoughtfully provided. I felt like an idiot with my gob full of unswallowable green mulch. But I have overcome my shame to return many times, and recently I went and again, put a whole bean in my mouth before I remembered my mistake. I grew up in the South: I'm uncultivated, and it's a curse. Wasai is always pumping but the food comes up fast as anything no matter how busy they are. The only downside at Wasai is no outside dining area, but since it's on a side street with no view or people watching opportunities this isn't of great consequence. Wasai is always delicious and impressively well priced. Even with wine I stroll out of there with change from $30 and an aura of self satisfaction (and occasional mild shame). read more

YUM!!! Best sushi in Adelaide, no question about it. The sushi selection; including salmon ngiri, California rolls, fresh tuna and grilled salmon rolls, is simply delicious. Every piece melts in your mouth. The avocado rolls were fantastic as well. I've been back to this place 3-4 times and it never fails - just fantastic! read more

Ordered: Sushi combo (A$17), Chicken Karaage (A$8). Chicken karaage is the star here. Basically nicely cooked (fried) chicken served on a bed of salad and light soy (or ponzu) sauce. Sushi combo is a mix of nigiri sushi and maki rolls - my sushi order included a mix of 7 sushi and 5 individual rolls; the usual suspects of salmon, tuna, stripe bass, fluke and shrimp while the rolls are tuna chunks, tamago and surimi. The combo is definitely filling and goes down nicely but I just couldn't taste the freshness in the sushi. Service is good and the place gets really busy during peak hours, so try to get a reservation. (the end). Ratings that matter... Food: 4/5, Service 4/5 read more

Wasai Japanese Kitchen - chicken karaage & sushi combo as presented. - Japanese Near Me - Adelaide, SA

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Would go again. Needs more beverages, like fruit shakes! The oysters were fresh and I had the salmon don which was a generous serving but could use another tamago cube as it only had one. The boats look great, would definitely want to try next time! read more

Wasai Japanese Kitchen - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Adelaide, SA

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I love this place for the Teriyaki Chicken, the Tori Mayo, and the Smoked Salmon to name just a few delicious dishes. Oh, and the Agedashi Tofu. For dessert, I'd have to go with the cheesecake - fresh, citrusy and not too rich. The sushi and sashimi are equally fresh and of quality ingredients. Almost each time I've been here it's been half-full, and that's not even during lunch hour. During dinner though, it's packed, and without a booking you're most likely to wait at least 20-30 minutes. Having said that though, there have been times when I've been lucky to get a table during dinner without a booking. The staff are very efficient and friendly! The food is delivered quickly, and I haven't had any complaints about its quality or the standard of service. Location-wise, Wasai is perfect because it is on a side street off Gouger St (the Central Markets). Parking can be time-consuming though. Overall, Wasai is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. read more

For Japanese in the heart of Adelaide, Wasai is a great choice. Every time I've been here it's been packed, but that's because I usually choose the busiest times to decide I want food. After battling through crowds of people, it's nice to be able to sit down and eat a great meal. I almost always order the teryaki chicken, only because I love it so much I can't not order it. I'd eat it everyday if I could afford it, but like most Japanese restaurants, it's a little on the expensive side. read more

The staff are really nice but they could have been a wider range of meals available on the menu.

Loved the beef gyudon n the sushi boats. Its better to enjoy as a group due to serving size. Rice dishes can be enjoyed solo. Limited operating hrs. The sauce on gyudon was so yum n made the rice tasty. read more

Wasai is our staple Japanese restaurant in Adelaide. It's nothing fancy, but the staff are very friendly and the food is tasty and satisfying. It's easy to get to the end of a meal and realise you've ordered way more courses that you indented to coming in. My favourite is the cold soba noodle salad - really more-ish and refreshing. read more

Second time here and was happy with the food and service... However, the time limit is very restricting to those of us who booked and yet feels rushed to get out by staff. Therefore, I'm giving a star of 3 instead of 4. read more

MEH. good place for group dining if everyone's up for sushi (since adelaide seriously lacks good sushi places), but nothing more than that. read more

This place was Devine! I love a real Japanese place that has not only Japanese speakers but natives ! When you ask for a speciality of the season or a Japanese dish not on the menu they know what you're asking for and the chef is only to happy to make you a stupendous meal! Was fantastic can't wait to come back! read more

I love this place, can't beat the food, atmosphere and price. Plus the staff are very helpful and friendly.

must to order the sushi boat! the fish is fresh and it's really close to real Japanese food!

first I should say its lucky to hv it near school.. after a tiring day its a great refreshment. the sushi boat we ordered is very good. its a very good selection of seafood and sushi, fresh and delicious, and price is quite reasonable. especially love the sushi with crab and cheese in it. so satisfied after eating here. will go there next week again! read more

The restaurant ambiance is appealing, gives a hint of Japanese design. The staff were helpful and quick. Food as a whole was average. Prices are somewhat in the high end. Good enough place to come back. read more