New Zealand Japanese Restaurants Guide » sake

TANUKI’S CAVE

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:40:38 +0000

So, you thought caves were supposed to be dank and inhospitable places; filled with bats and creepy crawly things ? Strange, then,that one of Auckland’s most popular Japanese restaurants should be a “cave”. Walk down the dimly lit stairs and enter Tanuki’s Cave, and soak up the intimate atmosphere. The only“creatures of the night” you’ll find down there are other urbanites out for a good time.

An Auckland institution (est. 1997), “The Cave” as it is affectionately known by staff and regulars,has gained a reputation as being the place in the city to head to when you want a quick, delicious meal before a show or a movie. There is an extensive selection of skewered Yakitori & Kushi-age to accompany those essentials -chilled Japanese beer and/or sake.Suggestions ? Try something like the Negima chicken and leek, or the Sasami chicken tenderloin with cheese, as well as a true NZ favourite, also beloved of Japanese, kumara/imo,which you can have any of three different ways: on Kushi-age skewers, or baked and buttered with salt, or mashed, with crispy almond chips.Cave it may be, but Tanuki’s Cave doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment…otherwise you might have to hang from the ceiling.

Genta Dining Bar

go — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:15:37 +0000

You may do a double take when you pass the spacious front windows of this place on the corner of Customs and Commerce streets. Whilst maintaining its very reasonable prices, Genta has had a serious facelift, transforming itself from an inexpensive izakaya into a rather sleek cafe? & bar. The interior is a long shotgun space, white walls discreetly lit, and a tableau of large sake bottles lining the opposite wall – backlit for maximum effect. The menu still has an A to Z of many izakaya-style dishes – try the okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) or the kushiage skewers – however there are now more international “fusion”-style dishes included. Amongst others, there is Genta’s original Tom Yum-style ramen (Japanese noodles in a spicy Thai broth), the Fresh Spring Rolls (again, Southeast Asian influence) and the coconut chicken curry, and a nasi goreng. More and more workers and professionals in the city are finding that the large number of choices on the menu and Genta’s convenient location make this ideal for either a quick lunch or a more leisurely affair. For those in a real hurry, there are the sushi packs lining Genta’s front window display. Genta is also happy to cater for parties; you can preorder sushi and larger dishes, when you book.

Sharaku Japanese restaurant

go — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:09:51 +0000

For customers seeking more traditionally presented Japanese food and etiquette this restaurant is perfect. Sharaku is tucked away off Queen Street. Customers are greeted by kimono-clad staff. As with their location, Sharaku are not obvious about their standards but the restaurant prides itself on the level of training required for staff.

The sushi chef, Taka-san, is a fully qualified itamae and if you know anything about Japanese food training and preparation, this is saying something; (to reach the giddy heights of itamae, in sushi chefdom, you must pass through a five year apprenticeship, after which you are allowed to prepare the rice for sushi. The novice is then permitted to stand alongside the head chef, is addressed as wakiita, and may prepare fillings for the sushi. After more years, the wakiita graduates – finally.

To have reached itamae level, he must handle the food and utensils well, know how to treat customers, and how to carry out all aspects of his job). Given this training, you know that you are in good hands with Taka-san at Sharaku. All the classic dishes are here, from sushi and sashimi through to tempura; all artfully prepared and all beautifully presented. The knowledgeable staff are always on hand to provide advice concerning the food and drinks.

Soi Japanese Cuisine

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:15:57 +0000

Soi is the new kid on the block in Remuera. However, the owner/chef, Mr Toru, is an old hand, having honed his skills at a variety of Japanese restaurants over the past ten years. With its bamboo-screened entrance , its intimate interior and its attentive staff, Soi cannot fail to please even the discerning cognoscenti of Auckland’s very own Hampstead. Soi’s udon noodles and tofu are handmade on the premises, and Mr Toru has his own special suppliers for the seafood dish and the Angus sirloin used for the beef tataki. Japanese people are notoriously fussy about their tofu. Substandard tofu can be lumpy and bitter to taste; not so Soi’s tofu, which is silky smooth and melts on the palate. Try the Saikyo-yaki snapper grilled with a Kyoto-style miso sauce for a treat. The restaurant is child-friendly with its great $15 kids’ menu, containing a sampling of all tastes. Please note that families who visit between 5:30-7:30pm will receive 10% off their bill. Soi provides a popular takeaway version of their menu. Soi’s well-stocked counter bar has French and New Zealand wines, as well as sake, and real espresso lovers can get their ‘fix’ well into the night. Keep an eye on the today’s special which are always a treat ( market price).

Bowz Teppan Dining

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:00:11 +0000

Right next door to “One Tree Grill” – Teppan Bowz is possessed of a distinctive name that requires a little explaining : the “Teppan” part refers to the style of food served – “teppanyaki” , food fried on a large griddle; the “Bowz” part of the name refers to the owner/chef, Ken Totsukawa’s, hair, or lack thereof (bozu, trans. : “crew cut”), though you’d never know since he is always attired – when cooking – in a stylish peaked cap; (Japanese “shaggy dog” joke ?).
The centre piece of this spare, stylish restaurant is the griddle, surrounded by counter seating, & the spaceship-sized range hood above. Opened not so long ago, Teppan Bowz’s “teppan fusion” already has repeat customers who have developed a serious habit when it comes to the cuisine – not least for the exquisite green tea creme brulee on the dessert menu.
The A la Carte evening menu has some excellent, eye-catching stand outs : the Teppan Caprese Salad (tofu, with melted mozzarella, tomato & balsamic); the Teppan Cheese Pizza (with aonori seaweed); the Roti Sujinikomi (beef tendon/stew with roti bread); & the fresh tuna steak, with yuzu-ponzu sauce, which redefines the word “succulent”. Party menus are available, for ten or more, & there is a special deals, at Teppan Bowz’s website.? Licensed. Bookings are essential for the weekend.

SAKANAYA RESTAURANT

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:36:00 +0000

The name means “Fish Shop”, but there’s more to it than that : the owner, Minagawa Yuji-san’s, passion for Japanese food (read:fish) and surfing. Kind of, surf and surf − as opposed to surf and turf. Check out the website menus and information at www.sakanaya.co.nz. You’ll note when you visit there that food is not the only item on the menu at Sakanaya – there are also T-shirts, pictures, surfboards, and other kinds of surf memorabilia. To food : the Big Wave Dinner Boxes are for those with big appetites. One interesting menu item is the Ochazuke. This is a simple, very traditional dish – Japanese green tea poured over rice. A cleansing dish. You can choose from nori, plum, octopus with wasabi, and either snapper or salmon. Check out the tuna yamakake (tuna with sticky yam potato), broccoli with dark sesame sauce, the spider roll and the soft shell crab tempura. Yuji takes great care in the food selection and preparation.

The menu often mentions from whence a fish came (grilled salmon from Marlborough). It is also regularly updated and edited, according to seasonal availability. Two final recommendations : the fresh whole flounder in the ponzu sauce, and the grilled salmon head.

MUSASHI JAPANESE CUISINE / Milford

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:35:22 +0000

At MUSASHI JAPANESE CUISINE, provide a variety of foods prepared using the grace given to us by the earth.
Menu consists of traditional meals as well as MUSASHI originals that you can only find here.
With such a great selection of moderately priced food and alcohol, navigating the menu could be tricky. Thankfully, Musashi has made the task as simple as possible by including both pictures and a brief description of each meal. The diversity of dishes is definitely this restaurant’s strong point.

Customer favourites jostle for your attention – tempura, sushi, nigiri-zushi, sashimi, takoyaki, and a highly recommended katsuni (pork cutlet cooked with eggs and sweet soy sauce). It’s best to share dishes and order widely. There are some novelties: definitely worth trying are the paper pot meals, which are cooked on what you’d normally use for a clay pot meal (which Musashi also does). There are also most popular Chicken Miso Katsu (deep fried chicken with original miso sauce), and an artistically arranged Dragon Roll (made with eel, rice, cucumber and avocado). At times, Musashi overflows with customers – especially on Friday or Saturday nights – so it’s not always the easiest place to have a quiet conversation. Having said this, popularity would indicate that the food is very, very good.

Make sure you book.

TANUKI Sushi & Sake Bar

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:15:10 +0000

Located in the heart of Queen Street, side by side, are a collection of authentic Japanese bars and restaurants that are diverse and varied; perfect for any mood from bustling to funky to laid back. Tanuki sushi & sake bar offers an experience of being a typical izakaya (country style cooking restaurant). At a counter seat,diners are given the chance to watch their food being prepared by the highly trained Japanese chefs while sipping a nice boutique sake. Tanuki has a Japanese style “Zashiki”are where you take your shoes off suitable for small private parties, there is also a private function room for larger groups on our mezzanine floor. Tanuki has also just opened a karaoke room on our third floor.The extensive menu has all the favourite Japanese dishes- sushi, sashimi, tempura and our signature dish, Tanuki steak, a New Zealand scotch fillet dressed in a ponzu citrus sauce. Tanuki is open for lunch Wednesday through to Friday and offers a large range of lunch boxes and donburi. You will find Tanuki on street level with a large welcoming Tanuki ( Japanese badger)greeting you.

Kyoya Japanese Restaurant

go — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:06:26 +0000

On Lake Road in Takapuna. Kyoya’s menu offers some inspired combinations- the deliciousness is in the details. With lunch, there are the specials : one item, which comes with a small dish, rice, and miso soup.Or the lunch combinations – 2 or 3 choicesfrom sushi, sashimi, teriyaki beef, chicken or fish, tempura, fried chicken, pork cutlet, plus udon: these come with rice and miso soup(unless you’re already having udon, then,no miso). There’s also a section called “Half& Half”, a combination of the “Dons” – udon noodles and donburi. For dinner, the sets offer “reef and beef”combinations served in many different ways;you might try the Asian Tastes set, with udon, eel, tempura & sashimi, or you could go for a Kiwi Dinner set : fried chicken, sushi,tempura, teriyaki beef, no raw fi sh. There isalso a kid’s dinner available, and (surprise,surprise) a vegetarian set. Items of interest for both lunch and dinner are the Kyoya Salad(a combination of salmon, fried chicken,prawn and teriyaki chicken with greens), and the Cream Brulee dessert – a combination of vanilla ice cream with custardy, creamy,burnt-sugar celebration.

Genzui Ramen Bar

go — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:25:17 +0000

Located in the Atrium on Elliott shopping centre, next to the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel – in the city. You may note this place in passing; sleek & modern, it is still vaguely reminiscent of the typical workaday ramen stand located at most train stations throughout Japan.
The owner was trained at Mentatz (Lorne St); he does not advertise, but relies upon word-of-mouth. Round lunch time people queue shoulder-to-shoulder to partake of the fare. The ramen here has got the thumbs up from regulars. Especially popular are dishes such as the (clay pot) Nabeyaki ramen, the Miso ramen & the eatery’s donburi dishes. If you’re unfamiliar with ramen, it’s a substantial noodle dish, and the raison d’etre here.

Originally from a Chinese noodle, la mian, it was first championed way back in the 17th century by the daimyo, Tokugawa Mitsukuni, noted gourmet and aesthete of the Edo era. Since the end of WWII, ramen has skyrocketed in popularity to become one of the most talked-about dishes throughout Japan. Genzui is open till 10pm every night, so it’s a great place for a quick supper and a glass (or two) of your favourite liquor.
Being part of the Atrium on Elliott shopping centre, parking is free – if you purchase more than $5.00. What are you waiting for ?