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

Banzai has been one of our family favourites ever since it opened quite a few years ago. Small but…read moreperfectly formed, it's best to book as it gets busy, although every time we've turned up they've managed to shift things around to give us a table. They go out of their way to make kids welcome and will supply books. pens, paper and often lollypops - they even ask the parents first if the lollypops are ok. The drinks list is basic but the few wines are well chosen and affordably priced, as is the incredible food. They do the usual Japanese favourites but I would recommend going for the Yakisoba or my favourite, especially in Winter, the Soup Noodles. The Lemon Chilli is the best and comes with your choice of Udon or Soba noodles. I get my Vegetarian version without the tempura batter and easy on the tofu. Indeed I am a person who struggles to order off the menu (I want it my way y'know?) and Banzai is another of my favourite establishments that has no problem with this. The salads are also delicious, particularly the not-very-Japanese-sounding Feta and Sundried Tomato. New visitors should definitely try the Korokke (potato cakes with sweet dipping sauce) and the creamy Potato Salad. The staff are absolutely lovely and never complain about us customising our dishes in a myriad of ways. You can phone ahead for takeaways or ask for a doggy bag if you over-order and they even have a small library of truly classy coffee table books to read while you wait for your takeaway. We always leave to a chorus of "thank you very much" from the entire staff. Me and mine have a lot of love for Banzai, so much so, we have even learned to copy the correct cultural protocol when paying at the end of the evening. Banzai makes me very ureshii.

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.

On Tuesday night, I was invited to the opening of a new restaurant in Mt Eden Village, namely Wu &…read moreYou. It was a fantastic night, thanks to the mouthwatering food, cocktails, ambience and service. Walking in, I loved the vibrant decor. Bright neon pink lights had me oohing and aahing, and the colourful flowers and murals (by local artist, Emily Gardner) featured throughout the space brighten up the industrial walls. Plus, everything is PINK! From the menus, to the beautiful ceramic plates, and the ladies bathroom. There is also plenty of seating to choose from, as well as a lovely courtyard out the back (complete with a striking mural of Wu) - an area which would be perfect for your next celebration. Heading up the kitchen is Cairan Flaherty, who has experience working in restaurants all over Ireland, and more recently at TriBeCa in Parnell. Working alongside Cairan is Yeong Seon Choi (Sunny) who has worked in some of Auckland's most popular modern Asian eateries including Cafe Hanoi, Saan and White & Wongs. Owner, Jonathan Rickard, also has over 20 years' hospitality experience and owns and operates the popular Circus Circus and The Garden Shed, both of which are also located in Mt Eden Village. We first enjoyed a selection of cocktails - there are nine in total, and all were refreshing and delicious (bar the Espresso Martini and Bloody Mary as these were not available). My top picks are the Jackie Chan with gin, fresh grapefruit juice, honey, lemon and topped with matcha and apple foam; the Mei Mei with gin, yellow chartreuse, fresh watermelon juice (bonus right there), fresh lemon juice and ginger; and the Oh Bali! with Stolen white rum, lemongrass and kaffir lime syrup, lime juice and sparkling water. And now for the most important part, the food. Wu and You's menu is East meets West, with Japanese, Malaysian, Korean, Thai and Chinese influences. The menu is split into five sections - 'Little Guys', 'Bigger Guys', 'Loners', 'Sides' and 'Happy Endings'. Dishes are designed to be shared, and from perusing the menu, this is road you will want to take as there are many delicious dishes you will want to try... some of which I have not seen on an Auckland menu yet! We enjoyed the following: Freshly shucked Bluff Oysters served with nashi pear and black vinegar Himalayan Salt Slab-Cured Kingfish, with edamame, red chili, quinoa, pear and lemon DIY Vegetable Rolls - Chinese style pancakes, tofu, raw vegetables, peanut dipping sauce Bang Bang Chicken Salad with crispy vegetables, chili bean and oyster sauce Green Papaya Salad with Seared Tuna, red chilli, snake beans, peanuts and chili jam And, last but not least, Tacos. Wu & You have taken tacos to a whole new level, and they are EPIC. Nori sheets, which are tempura fried to make them crispy, replace your standard tortillas, and there are two options to choose from - Norigami's Salmon Taco with Atlantic salmon, sushi rice, spicy Napa cabbage, Japanese mayo and chili oil, or my favourite, Mr Krab's Nori Taco with tempura soft shell crab, sushi rice, guacamole, sliced jalapeno and a drizzle of curried mayo on top. Heaven. Other dishes I will be coming back to devour are the Wu Fried Chicken, Octopus Doughnuts with Gochujang, Tuna Sashimi Pizza, Pork and Shrimp Dumplings and the Sushi Fries. Last but not least, we had our Happy Endings. We tried their Berry Fortune Cookies - my message said "#WuSays tomorrow is another day for tacos and cocktails" which seemed fitting, since this is exactly what I will be doing in Mexico in four months' time! We also enjoyed their Strawberry Bao-Nut (a bao shaped doughnut filled with strawberry ice cream and freeze dried strawberry) and a new dessert on Auckland's foodie scene, the Golden Gaytime Paddle Pop. Inspired by Australia's Golden Gaytime ice cream, but better. Think creamy frozen New York Cheesecake on a stick, dipped in chocolate ganache, drizzled with miso caramel, and finished with a sprinkling of cookie crumbs. Mmmmm. I am in LOVE with Wu & You. Reminiscing back to the night, with the bright pink neon signs, pink walled bathroom, colourful murals, delicious cocktails and food... this might just be my new favourite restaurant!

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.

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.

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

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

Miso Impressed. Went…read morefor a stroll into Mt Eden Village and stumbled across this place. Sushi selection is off the chain, and they hook you up with a free miso when you eat in! Friendly staff, delicious sushi, more please. Will be back

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!