Japanese restaurants in New Zealand

“We love the variety of fresh sushi here — have visited quite a few times since we moved to Howick. The staff are very friendly too and even made up a quick sushi selection for me when they had only just opened. A+”

“By far the best selection of Sushi in Newmarket. I truly rate their Bento boxes for price and selection of items. A longstanding business in Newmarket who have retained their quality”

“This place is incredible. By far the best Don Buri I have ever had. My family ate here and thoroughly enjoyed it. We come here most times when we go to Auckland as it is just so delicious”

“very nice Food, If you can handle the hot and spicy noodle, then try the spicy u-don”

“Fantastic suishi selection and complimentary miso. But the best bit was the outside tables in the cool shade with green outlook. So peaceful listening to cicadas.”

On the plate at Jun's Kitchen, the idea is simple, bistro-style and well executed. Team members keep things friendly and on task. Takeaway holds up well on the drive. Orders move at a steady clip. Goo...

“Great place to get a Ramen or huge piece of sushi. It's in the industrial area so as you can imagine it has an industrial feel but it's a good nugget in a sea of average places.”

“$20 for unadon was a bargain! Very tasty too”

Sushi Shop Prebbleton keeps things Japanese‑leaning and focused on flavour. Plates offer plenty without weighing things down. The team keeps things friendly and organised. Broths and noodles keep good heat and snap.

“HIGHLY RECOMMEND coming here! You will not be disappointed. Food is always fresh and is thee best! They've been here for a good 10+ years and honestly support your local. Go and check them out, you will not be disappointed.”

“The best sushi in Hamilton in my opinion. The salmon, avocado and cream cheese and the vegetable tempura are my absolute favourites! But I like almost everything lol and they also give free miso and are very friendly, welcoming and have good customer service. Also if something isn't there that you want to eat they'll make it for you if you ask.”

“This sushi train spot in Westgate is always busy, especially with families and groups - it’s clearly a local favourite. I came here today with my parents, who love this place and already know all the best things to order. We started with the fried chicken nuggets, they were super crispy and a great way to kick things off. Ordering was easy with the QR code on the table. We got a good mix: some fresh salads, a sushi set, a sashimi set, and a big bowl of udon to share. The sashimi was probably the highlight - really fresh, nicely presented, and the pieces were surprisingly generous. We enjoyed every bite. The udon was also a perfect way to wrap up the meal - warm, hearty, and satisfying. The vibe here is really friendly and relaxed. It’s a bit pricier than some other sushi train places, but the quality makes it totally worth it. Definitely recommend if you're looking for solid sushi in West Auckland. + visited again and had a fabulous dinner (added more photos)”

“Travelling with my cousin in Auckland. We wanted Ramen and noticed many different places with different scores. We were very lucky to find The Don. Food was amazing, we had the karage chicken starters then I had the Spicy Death Ramen. Was AMAZING. I wish we had something similar back home”

“The ramen at this place is absolutely amazing, and the side dishes are just as impressive. The service is excellent too. It’s a great spot to come alone and enjoy a beer—this one in particular is incredibly delicious!”

“We love Sake Bar. The atmosphere is brilliant, relaxed Japanese dining. The food is fresh and delicious! Fast service. Friendly staff. Fun dinner. Great for birthdays (make sure to tell them and order desserts, at least for the guest of honour).”

“We had a delightful dinner at Siamese Doll recently. The flavours were amazing, portions were generous, the service was attentive without being overbearing. We had 2 entrees, 4 mains and a round of drinks for $60 a head, which I thought was great value. Great to see a busy restaurant on a Wednesday night! They also dealt with my daughter’s nut allergy seriously and respectfully. We’ll definitely be back again soon!”

“Ver nice experience in Taiko Kingsland. Sashimi is fresh and the portion is great. The prawn on the hot plate tastes very good!! The mayo sauce melts in the mouth with tender prawns… a must try dish here!!”

“I love this place! Really good food and service. Prices are reasonable, too. There's not really a downside, but if you're seated in the separate booths in the hallway, you lose some of the atmosphere, but if you're looking for some privacy, that's the spot. 5 stars!!”

“Authentic Yakitori bar in Auckland, you must try the prawn with pork, it was juicy and delicious!”

“Staff are amazing very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious and well prepared. Not the best Raman ive have in Auckland but I would definitely still come back to dine again as the space ans team.are so nice. Atmosphere is great. Just the tables are so close together it kinda takes away from it a little and the two women next to us decided to air there drama and have a little domestic while my pregnant wife and I tried to enjoy a nice meal together. But I totally get why the tables are like that because its a small popular place and I would do thr same if I was the owner. Thanks team ar Takara you should all be proud of your efforts.”

“Super busy in the weekend and a lot of the time there will be a line or waitlist. But it's worth it. The atmosphere is very good. Smokey and noisy. Most of the yakitori is delicious. Special mentions are the tsukune and beef tongue. Perfect with some sake.”

“So many options for both meat eaters and vegetarians! We ordered the misodare tofu and potato croquette curry and enjoyed both dishes. Wonderful flavours, good affordable price and decent portion sizes.”

“I loved our food and experience at Origami in Wellington. We found this Japanese restaurant on TripAdvisor and I am so happy that we went to have dinner there! I highly recommend this place because everything was perfect. The atmosphere is nice, cosy, and modern with cute looking decorations and wall painting. The Japanese staff member was very cute and helpful at recommending dishes and teaching us about Japanese ways of drinking sake. And the food was very delicious! We had Tom Yum and Miso ramens and a dragon roll.”

“The best ramen I've found in Wellington so far - hearty flavourful broth, perfectly soft-boiled egg, thin juicy pork ... Well worth the exploration up the mysterious stairs for the authentic vibes and chill J-Rock playlist. Definitely gonna start taking friends and family here!”

The Secret Garden at Waihi Beach brings tiki‑bar energy with Mexican street‑food and live‑music nights. Food and drink menus include tacos and other street‑food plates, house‑made sweets, tropical cocktails, craft beers, mocktails and kids’ slushies, with Havana coffee by day.

At Macau Bar Kitchen & Lounge, the menu stays Japanese‑leaning with tidy execution. Clear gluten‑free options are available. Sweets lean classic and not overly rich. There’s always a considered veg choice.

The Cider Factorie favours a simple, bistro‑style mix with clear, clean flavours. A riverside backdrop rounds out the stop. Service stays present without fuss. Portions are generous yet well judged. P...

The kitchen at Spring festival dumpling takes a Japanese‑leaning path and lets the food speak. Service stays present without fuss. Broths and noodles keep good heat and snap. Pricing lines up with the offer.

Hunger Monger Seafood favours a classic fish-and-chips line-up with clear, tidy flavours. Views add a quiet lift to the visit. Stir-fries keep good heat and snap. Sides support without crowding the star.

“Very busy restaurant, we went around 7:30 and it’s nearly full house on a Wednesday night. Food was great and authentic as usual. You have a lot to choose from on their menu. Portion size is great, I won’t say it’s pricey.”