A new kaiten sushi bar (sushi bars with moving conveyor belts on which different kinds of sushi are displayed) called Daruma Sushi has opened in Botany, Auckland. It offers to customers seafood selected only from the freshest catches, purchased every morning from the neighbouring fish market.

In addition to the standard counter seats typical of kaiten sushi bars, Daruma Sushi also features family seats that can accommodate 4-5 persons in a group seating arrangement. Up to 30 people may avail of the use of the family seats.

Daruma Sushi is the first store in Auckland opened by the Japanese food group Kazu Group, which is based in Wellington, New Zealand. It couples an interior featuring a modern, open design with the delectable experience of dining at a genuine Japanese kaiten sushi bar as it is enjoyed in Japan. So whether you are dining alone, or with friends or family, come and enjoy this unique dining experience!

Sushi connoisseurs will be pleasantly surprised to discover treasured seafood and ingredients not commonly found in New Zealand.

With a wide smorgasbord of seafood and toppings on offer, as well as a $5 set meal for kids, there is no doubt there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

The restaurant provides ample parking space for diners, but be prepared for some congestion during weekends.

Dining at a kaiten sushi bar, you simple select the kind of sushi from the revolving display. Prices range from $2.80 to $5.00 depending on the color of the plate on which the sushi is displayed. It is also possible to request specific ingredients or toppings so there will always be something to satisfy even the pickiest diners!

A typical meal for one will be priced around $20 to $40.

Daruma was a Buddhist monk who is credited with being the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. In Japan, Daruma dolls are round dolls depicting the image of a bearded man (Daruma). They have symbolic meaning to many people. Daruma dolls are generally displayed as talismans of good luck, good fortune in business, or to ward off danger, and are often given out as celebratory or congratulatory gifts. Because they stand back up even after being rolled over, the dolls have become a symbol for success and overcoming adversity. The eyes are normally also blank when sold. The recipient of the doll fills in one eye (with black ink) upon setting a goal, and fills in the other eye upon achieving it. In this way, the Daruma doll acts as a motivation to do whatever it takes to meet the goal.

Robata-yaki means having dinner and drinks in a cozy, relaxed and social atmosphere, watching the kitchen. Because most of the dishes we specialize in are grilled and deep fried (food) etc and they are snack sized, you can order many different kinds of foods (from this menu), sharing foods makes much more economic sense.

There is one more important accompaniment for Robata-yaki. That’s liquor! We have a wide selection of Japanese sake you can enjoy hot or cold as well as wine and beer. As for wine, you can bring as many bottle as you would like ($2.5 corkage a person).

Before you order foods, we would like you to understand Robata-yaki style. Robata-yaki does not have a course style like European food, which means that there is no sequence like appetizers, soups, mains etc. For example, we might sometimes serve you chicken teriyaki or sushi faster than salad.

Try the fried noodles, of which there are three kinds : yakisoba, katayakisoba deep fried noodles) and hiyashi-chuka (cold noodles − but only available in summertime). There’s also gyoza, donburi, salad and meat combos, side menu items (including fresh tofu, and a delicious chive omelette), and Japanese-style kareraisu (curry and rice). Believe it or not, but this latter dish is one of the most popular foods in Japan. Ichiban serves four kinds.

This is no-frills, focusing on hot meals served in a bowl. There’s no sushi or sashimi to speak of, but all of the food is definitely Japanese, and definitely nutritious. The majority of fare is items like tonkatsu (pork cutlet and rice), curry-rice, eel and yakitori donburis, and set menus of fish, chicken or beef bentos, which come with rice, salad, and miso soup.
The world over, there will always be a place for eateries such as this. If it were Roman (by way of example), it would be in somewhere like the Trastevere − not the same cuisine, but a similar clientele. Saika is a welcome addition to these ranks.

Bien’s excellent sushi − customers rave about it − comes in a variety of classic combinations. And the restaurant’s buffet counter display makes selecting your sushi easy; you needn’t worry about wrapping your mouth round any diffi cult Japanese words − just wrap it around an exquisite piece of maki or nigiri-zushi. (Bien’s openness to cultural influences, and willingness to experiment, is evident in a recent addition to their sushi line, the “Italian Salad Roll” − made with sun-dried tomato, basil pesto & avocado). Bien is also reputed to have the best udon noodles in town.

A half-sized portion of tendon, katsudon, or udon is a steal at $4.50, and a quick, popular lunch for those hurried business types. Check website for Sushi delivery areas and hours, www.bien.co.nz

Sushi, nigiri, udon, ramen, donburi, miso… all these authentic Japanese cuisine are available at Auckland Airport at our Sushi Bar Hayama.

Eat in or takeaway, it’s your choice – we are located in both the international and domestic terminals! If you are in a hurry to go through security control when departing for an international flight and have no time to spare, we also have a sushi kiosk located on the airside so you can purchase your sushi and eat in the comfort of the spacious redeveloped airside area or even take it on the plane with you. Beats airplane food!

Our specially trained Japanese sushi chefs work hard to ensure our food is of the best quality and fresh tasting. Also, we use only Free Range eggs in our menu.

By the way, “Deli” stands for “delivery”, as well as “delicatessen”. Japa Deli’s sushi delivery service provides ample proof of why Japanese householders never make their own sushi – they just order out. It may be impossible for an eatery to be all things, to all customers, but Japa Deli are giving it a damned good try : deli, cafe, restaurant (licensed), delivery service, and takeaway. And the prices are most reasonable. Check out the website for full menus, contact details and a booking form.