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    Industry Zen

    3.8 (34 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM

    Industry Zen Photos

    INDUSTRY ZEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Industry Zen

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    Katie L.

    Dinner was a nightmare at Industry Zen. They have changed their menu and all the wait staff did not know what or how they should be serving things. Glass breaking everywhere, apologising staff from table to table... We waited about 15 minutes for our drinks to be served only to find out they were the wrong beer. So further waits. After about 30 minutes, we were served with two dishes only - Agedashi tofu (so so) and oysters (so so). We were very very hungry. Another 20 minutes passed then came our sashimi. We weren't sure why there was lemon slices on these which left a white mark on sashimi. Maybe lemon pieces were placed on sashimi then were kept it in the refrigerator for a long time? Otherwise why should there be lemon marks? We were then served with A5 Grade Wagyu beef which consisted of 3 small pieces of wagyu and a piece of meat cut into 6 tiny pieces which were so chewy. I did not expect to get this for $38. We were in a rage when we finally received our Pork Katsu which was still pink inside. They are probably trying to make us sick, we thought. We complained this and the waitress took it back. When the dish came back, we noticed that the crumbs were soggy and meat chewy. Did they use microwave to heat them up...?!?! Probably. We asked to see the manager and told him that we weren't happy and that we were not going to eat this pork. He apologised and said that they just changed the menu yesterday. He offered to cook us a new one but we had to leave for our movie. We got out paying $140 for 4 of us and felt angry and hungry - we had to buy food and alcohol (especially to calm down) from the theatre. Tempura prawn was the only decent thing we ate. Industry Zen was one of my favourite Japanese place but yesterday was far from being a place of Zen. If you cannot cope with a menu change, DON'T CHANGE THE MENU.

    David T.

    Japanese restaurants that offer both raw food and hot food are rarely good at both. This is definitely the case at Industry Zen. I loved the Robata, but I really did not like their Sushi. The Robata was perfectly cooked and very tasty. The Sushi side of the house had such over the top elaborate presentation that it became clear this was to distract you from the fact the sushi portions were tiny and not otherwise remarkable. The menu arrangement was annoying. The sushi items were arranged in packages. They don't let you order what you want al carte. The Sushi Nigiri is chef's choice only. The Tuna Lovers package had dramatic presentation, but was otherwise really disappointing. The service was ok and the ambiance and decor quite good.

    May H.

    Here for dinner on a Tuesday night. And it's packed!! 7 of us, order a $79 zen set, and many other dish to share. To be honest from other Japanese dinning experiences I didn't expect the portion to be that generous, esp with the set.... dishes keep coming ..and we literally can't eat any more. Food presentation is definitely a wow factor....I couldn't take photo of all dish...There are too many and it's too dark... taste wise I will rate it 4... Great service and seating...and they also have a drum section to announce special occasion for all tables..something different to birthday songs? And for what this place offer..it's quite reasonable priced. We paid $340 for 7 people... I will definitely be back.

    J M.

    Tried Japanese in few different countries and cities and this is up there as one of the best I've had. Well presented meal sizes where perfect and staff where great Went here twice in a space of 4 days consistency with the food was on point A must when in Auckland

    Choya plum wine
    Laura J.

    Good venue for a large group, we were a table of 15 for a Xmas work lunch, easy to organize with pre-ordered set meals that they delayed so we could swap presents. Wide range of dishes but the veggie tempura that was assumed to be vegetation but was served with chicken sushi and as a side dish. Every meal was beautifully presented, almost like theater with the meal onstage.

    Interior dining area
    Travis K.

    A nice, intimate place for dinner with friends and family. Even better: take a date here. It's the kind of place that if push comes to shove, the food will keep you talking. You can't go wrong with the menu here. We ordered a number of dishes, and each one came out beautifully presented and full of flavor. Keep in mind, though, that the portions are small and the price is higher. It's easy to order three dishes per person and forget where the tab stands.

    Courtney E.

    Industry Zen is Japanese with a difference. With most Japanese restaurants in Auckland, they all bring similar menus, with a range from sashimi, tapas and bento meals etc. Alike is Industry Zen, but they present their food in such innovative ways. From what we received looks pretty standard but as we were dining, we think the lunch combos we saw, are served in replicas of the traditional Japanese huts, or with Japanese bridges. Japanese is one of the best cuisines to share with others. I almost always order soft shell crab, whether it is its own dish or comes in the form of sushi, its just that something else you don't get from other cuisine's. This one really stacks up, whilst being served on mustard sauce - sounds weird but it really works and just enhanced the flavours of the dish. Takoyaki was hot and fresh, but there was less octopus than I would have liked. These yum yum prawns really were yum yum - sorry thats cheesy. But delivered on this hot sizzling plate and probably not the most healthiest dish with all the sauce it was coated it, but omg, good. The service is efficient and friendly but the atmosphere was a let down. Although its well themed inside, there was an annoying loud noise from the air conditioning unit on the roof I think and the inside is a bit dated. Its a shame because the food is almost top notch! Just a few hiccups but overall a decent meal. Rating Food: 8.5/10 Service: 8/10 Value for Money: Good 104D Customs Street W, Auckland Central Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-3pm, 530pm-11pm

    The udon is absolutely perfect
    Anastasia P.

    Following previous reviews that said this is a must-visit place I have to concur. The secluded seating was great and romantic. The service very quick. Everything we ordered came out at the same time and tasted amazing. The only problem we had was trying to decide what to get and the descriptions on the menu don't really do the food justice. Definitely coming back next time I'm in Auckland!

    Outside
    Tanya Q.

    I'd recommend this place wholy on food presentation alone , which has a total WOW factor . The decor has a lot a authentic Japanese items with beautifully drawn Samurai pictures and wood paneling . There is a lunchtime special that is really reasonably priced and you can choose from sushi and tempura , sushi and sashimi also menchi and tempura and others from about $21-23 . Extensive drinks list and Asahi on tap . I went for the menchi and tempura , menchi is like a beef patty, but a whole lot nicer . It came out on a large bento box set with its own mini teppan yaki grill , cool ! Luckily the tables are big and you can fit a lot on . Service is speedy and to finish they give you this salted chocolate profiterole . Which is a nice touch . If your looking a cool Japanese place then this is it .

    The amazing food to expect at Industry Zen. My favourite dessert is the fondue, great for sharing.
    Alana J.

    Industry Zen is a fabulous restaurant to go for Japanese. Located near the Viaduct in Auckland's CBD (next to the Tepid Baths) it's quite centrally placed. Not only is the food sensational here, the atmosphere is fantastic. The staff are all incredibly accommodating and truly make it a wonderful dining experience. What I love about Industry Zen is that they like to include and appreciate their customers. Every night around 8:30pm they show their appreciation to their customers, to those who have come to dine for a special occasion (birthday, moving overseas etc), and to the chefs who prepare the beautifully presented meals, by getting the restaurants attention through banging a drum. The entire experience is enjoyable, the food is very reasonably priced and you're guaranteed to have a meal worth remembering.

    It's the length of the table.
    Jack C.

    Omg. The plates they use to serve me my food are out of this world. The nigiri plate is the length of the table. Haha. The food does not disappoint. Every thing is as fresh as it can be. The only little fault was that the tuna in the sashimi platter isn't as good as the more expensive toro cuts. But then again, you get what you pay for. :-)

    Salmon and sashimi set
    Kelly L.

    A good restaurant for larger groups. Reservations needed as this place gets booked quickly for dinners. Food is above average. Their food presentations are probably the highlight. Go for the sets for better value. Price is mid to high for the quality and portions. Staff were friendly but could be overwhelmed during peak hours.

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    10 years ago

    Wow...absolutely amazing! The food taste and are presented in a unique Japanese fashion. Must have been my best meal in NZ

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    12 years ago

    Great "piping hot buns". Pork belly buns were to die for. Worth going for them alone. Piping hot on gas not spice

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    8 years ago

    Fish was so fresh and the gyoza was soooo good! Cute and quiet on the inside. Service was wonderful.

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    Review Highlights - Industry Zen

    I'd recommend this place wholy on food presentation alone , which has a total WOW factor .

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Asakusa - California Sushi roll- love this taste! They are perfectly match each other prawn tempura, avocado, salmon, fish roe and more and more!

    Asakusa

    4.4(7 reviews)
    6.0 kmRemuera
    $$

    Low key homey restaurant hidden in the Remuera Village with surprising good food!…read more The place- typical Japanese decor. quite dim atmosphere. 2-4 seaters and a few bar stools. Well maintained. Clean. Some street parkings limited to 30 min during the day. The food- menu is smaller than many other westernized Japanese restaurants but they do bring out good daily specials. Amazing quality seafood. If you are lucky, you may get the highest quality part of tuna (otoro) the menu. Has a rich creamy taste to it. Also recommend the tuna wings. Lightly flavored, juicy and tender. Of course the lunch box options are of good quality and value. The service- as expected from a Japanese restaurant. Helpful and knowledgable. Will definitely visit this place again. Look forward to trying out their next special.

    I love to support local businesses, especially when you can have decent chats with the owner. It…read moremakes it feel so much friendlier and that there's a connection there. We've come here heaps of times for lunch and dinner and have always been impressed. The meals are not just your usual Japanese - its fancier! Everything is presented so carefully and beautifully. Check the board for the specials - it will be totally worth trying. And the fresh grated wasabi is really quite something else!

    Photos
    Asakusa - Japanese Wagyu beef steak. You can check out its beautiful marbling at Asakusa. Chef's recommendation to cook is medium rare.

    Japanese Wagyu beef steak. You can check out its beautiful marbling at Asakusa. Chef's recommendation to cook is medium rare.

    Asakusa
    Asakusa - New menu Japanese Katsu curry. You can choose katsu from Chicken, Pork and Prawn. It comes with rice and bit of salad as well.

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    New menu Japanese Katsu curry. You can choose katsu from Chicken, Pork and Prawn. It comes with rice and bit of salad as well.

    Cocoro - Murasaki uni (bright orange bit at the top) mixed with local Kina (bottom darker brown bit), in a Gunkan boat with Salmon Caviar

    Cocoro

    4.7(14 reviews)
    2.3 kmPonsonby
    $$$$

    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!

    Photos
    Cocoro - Interior

    Interior

    Cocoro - Dessert

    Dessert

    Cocoro

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    Yoshizawa - Tonkatsu set; very juicy pork cutlet and the breading was crunchy and perfect! Potato salad was flavorful too! Really loved the tea as well!

    Yoshizawa

    4.8(6 reviews)
    0.7 kmAuckland CBD

    I ordered the tonkatsu set, which came with a generously sized cutlet, a small bowl of rice, miso…read moresoup, mixed greens, Japanese potato salad, and a cup of tea that tasted like genmaicha. The tonkatsu was spot on. The pork was juicy, the coating was crisp, and everything tasted fresh. I added an order of potato croquettes and enjoyed those too. Price-wise, it's a bit on the higher side, but it's Auckland. My Kiwi coworkers warned me that eating out here isn't cheap, though it's still relatively affordable compared to the US. My total was around $35 NZD including a can of Coke, which comes in under $20 USD. Honestly, that feels like a bargain since you'd never get a tonkatsu set under $20 in high cost of living cities like LA, SF, or NYC, let alone a tonkatsu set along with 2 croquettes and a drink. Service was great. The cashiers and servers were friendly and welcoming, which may just be a Kiwi thing. I also appreciate that the place is actually Japanese owned and operated. The food quality shows and is noticeably better than most spots I've tried back in the US. The ambiance feels very similar to a small restaurant in Japan. Minimal, clean, and limited in seating. They have solo dining spots, small tables, and some bench seating, but I wouldn't recommend coming with a group larger than four since you'd end up taking over most of the dining space. Overall, I really enjoyed the food at Yoshizawa. I even came back later in the week and tried the chicken katsu, which was just as good. This place is definitely going on my list for a comfort food fix every time I'm in Auckland.

    Growing up in Japan tonkatsu and katsu don were my comfort food. After moving around and living…read moreabroad for decades when I find a good katsu restaurant I am in heaven. Visiting Auckland I immediately Googled where I can find a good katsu place and this place showed up. I was so happy I came here. It is not a big place, but the service was quick, orderly, and efficient. The food was very good! I ate every morsel presented to me. It is right near the university so you see many university students having lunch here (lucky them!). Would love to come back here next time I am in Auckland.

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    Yoshizawa
    Yoshizawa - Katsu Gozen

    Katsu Gozen

    Yoshizawa - Tonkatsu don

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    Tonkatsu don

    Daikoku - Menu4

    Daikoku

    3.9(14 reviews)
    0.6 kmAuckland CBD
    $$

    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!

    Photos
    Daikoku - Dining area

    Dining area

    Daikoku - I wish I could take this home for my kiwi friend

    I wish I could take this home for my kiwi friend

    Daikoku - Menu2

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    Menu2

    Industry Zen - japanese - Updated May 2026

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