Do you have cravings for Japanese Cuisine late at night? Especially after watching your favourite anime characters savouring these out-of-the-world delicacies. Whether it’s the famous Ichiraku Ramen from Naruto or the Onigiri and Sushi from the Dragon Ball and One Piece series, if you want to indulge in an original Japanese experience in Auckland, this article is made exclusively for you. 

Here, we’ll talk about the top 6 Japanese restaurants known for their authenticity and their immersive experience. The places that serve food so authentic, your taste buds will take you all the way to Japan! So buckle up, if you’re someone who’s looking to make the weekend special and looking for tips on which Japanese dishes to order, we bring you this Amazing List that has it all. From the best restaurants to their best dishes to try.

Best Authentic Japanese Restaurant in Auckland

#1:- Kyo-Ya Japanese Restaurant

First on our list is the hidden gem, Kyo-Ya Japanese Restaurant. Located in the Takapuna area, it’s well known for its exquisite presentation of delicacies. Each dish is specially curated for you in the Michelin star way. Providing you with a fine dining experience without burning a hole in your pocket. It’s known for delivering a wide variety of high-quality food at not-so-high prices. 

Another great thing about this exclusive place is its open kitchen design. This allows you to view your food getting cooked to its finest and interact with chefs here. 

Delicacies You Must Try

If it’s your first time visiting this restaurant and got confused about where you’d like to begin, then here’s a compilation of some of their most loved delights you must try.  Although Kyo-Ya is known for its huge variety of menu items, here are some of the finest that stand out:

• Lunch Sets: Kyo-Ya offers an all-inclusive variety of lunch sets, these are served with Miso Soup. In a typical lunch set, you get an appetiser, sushi roll, and mains along with rice. Best for those who don’t have an idea about the dishes to try so it’s best to leave it to the restaurant to do the best possible pairing for you. Currently, they provide 9 types of lunch sets in their menu. Some of the most well-known are: tempura lunch, sashimi lunch and Kyoya Delight.
• Dinner Sets: Just like Lunch Sets, the restaurant offers these dinner sets that are served with rice and miso soup. They provide 8 types of dinner sets in their menu. Some of the most well-known are: Asian Taste, Teriyaki Dinner and Kids Dinner. 
• Appetisers: The most loved appetisers here are: Prawn Tempura, Tuna Sashimi, Beef Tataki and Salmon Sashimi.
• Mains: In the Mains section, Kyo-Ya is famous for its: Karaage, Teppan Prawn and Grilled Salmon.
• Desserts: If you still have some space left for one more delight. Then don’t miss their famous Banana Tempura. It’s a sweet dish that contains a deep-fried banana and is served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

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#2:- Kaminari Shokudo & Bar

Located in the very heart of Auckland at Jellicoe Street, CBD. This is a High-End addition to Auckland’s Japanese culinary space. Kaminari Shokudo & Bar has become a go-to place for most business elites due to its convenient location which is right in the city centre. Unlike the majority of Japanese restaurants in the city, it features an outdoor seating area, which is a great addition to its list of standing out above the rest.

Apart from serving exquisite delicacies, this place is known for its Japanese whisky and fusion-inspired cocktails. When it comes to prices, this is an average-priced place, which means that dishes aren’t very cheap nor expensive. You get the worth of what you pay for here.

Delicacies You Must Try

This high-end restaurant place is known for its freshness and the authentic quality of its dishes. Some of its well-known items on the menu are:

• Appetisers: Some of the widely loved appetisers at this place include: Cheese Tofu, Sashimi, Tuna Tataki Salad, Gyoza and Karaage Chicken.
• Mains: The most famous mains that Kaminari Shokudo & Bar is well known for include: Okonomiyaki, Seafood Donburi, and Japanese Sukiyaki.
• Cocktails: Sake Martini and Yuzu Sour are the most ordered cocktails at this establishment. These fusion-inspired cocktails pair best with some of the restaurant’s appetisers. 
• Dessert: After your meals, don’t forget to try their homemade ice cream. Contains traditional Japanese ice cream-making secrets and is made with loads of love.

#3:- Katsu Katsu

When it comes to the culinary world, the word, ‘Katsu’ stands for a traditional Japanese way of making fried food items such as chicken and pork. While the other meaning for the word translates to ‘victory’. Now if we’re talking about the crispest Japanese fried food, then Katsu Katsu is really the one victorious here. It’s a cosy place located in Newmarket, Auckland.

It’s your typical Japanese version of KFC. But since it’s Japanese, the dishes they serve are nothing like cheap fast food. These are a culinary experience in itself. When it comes to pricing, it’s a fairly low-priced place in comparison to its peers. They also have outdoor seating and a diverse range of Japanese beers, wine and Cocktails.

Delicacies You Must Try

• Appetisers: Some of the most ordered appetisers at Katsu Katsu involve: Udon with Tempura, Gyoza and Takoyaki. If you’re a foodie who likes to try new things now and then, you should definitely try their Takoyaki. P.S: these are fried octopus balls, that blend your taste palates and make your final mains even more delightful.
• Katsu Sets: Their Katsu sets are a complete meal with Katsu which contains Katsu (Pork or Chicken), served with rice, miso soup, salad and pickles.
• Mains: The most famous main items here are: Tonkatsu (their signature dish), Cheese Katsu, Chicken Katsu and Yurin Teppan Katsu.
• Cocktails: It’s not just Katsu they are known for. Some of their intriguing Japanese cocktails are renowned all over Auckland. Their signature cocktails are: Yuzu Chu-Hi, Suntory Kaku Hi-Ball and Lemon Chu-Hi. And if you’re somewhat of a wine connoisseur, they have some of the finest varieties of Japanese wines as well.
• Dessert: Katsu Katsu’s ‘Kohu Road Ice Creamery Plum And Feijoa Sherbet’ as well as ‘Matcha Pudding’ are equally loved by the diners.

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#4:- The Don Japanese Restaurant

Nestled in High Street, Auckland Central. The Don Japanese Restaurant is another gem from the heart of the city. It’s a cosy, cost-efficient Japanese place famous for its huge variety of veg food for its guests who prefer vegetarian meals on the higher side. At the same time, it’s also the first Japanese restaurant in the city to offer vegan Japanese food options. A cuisine dominated by non-vegetarian food for most of its history.

Apart from these specialities and the high quality of the dishes served, this place is known for its impeccable hospitality which comes with added politeness provided by its staff.

Delicacies You Must Try

• Appetisers: The most loved appetisers from this restaurant include: Cheese Tamagoyaki (their signature dish), Edamame, Gyoza and Lotus Chips.
• Mains: Some of the most ordered mains at The Don Japanese Restaurant are: Pork Katsu Don (their signature dish), Beef Tataki, Aburi Salmon Don and Soft Shell Crab.
• Wine Section: The exclusive Plum wine is worth a try as it’s their signature house wine. Also, the restaurant offers BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) for wines. So, if you’re a wine lover and you’re not satisfied with the restaurant’s wine menu. You can just bring your own.
• Vegan Options: The Don Japanese Restaurant offers the biggest vegan dishes in the town. Some of these are: Japanese Style Tofu Don, Japanese Style Veg Don, BBQ veggie Don, Spicy Garlic Veggie Don, Veggie Sushi Roll etc. Bringing you cruelty-free options for Japanese delicacies.

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#5:- Tano Sushi & Don

Relatively a new addition to the city’s Japanese food scene. Located in Birkenhead, a restaurant that’s known for its Sushi, and not just because it’s a typical Japanese restaurant where we assume that every place would serve impeccable sushi. But this place actually serves the best out-of-this-world sushi in all of Auckland. 

Probably that’s why they decided to keep ‘Sushi’ in their name, so we would know this is the place for some exceptional authentic sushi. The place is also known for its cost-efficient prices which are lower than most of its competitors.

Delicacies You Must Try

• Appetisers: Sushi in types of maki rolls, salmon and tuna is the most loved appetiser here, for which people visit this place from all corners of Auckland. Edamame and Cheese Tamagoyaki are the other most ordered appetisers here.
• Mains: Tano Sushi & Don is best known for its Donburi in mains. Other beloved mains items include: Cheese Katsu, Beef Tataki and Pork Katsu Don (Signature dish).
• Bento Box: This is another speciality this place is known for. It provides a cost-efficient bento box which is typically served with rice. Bento boxes come in several types such as Teriyaki Chicken, Katsu Chicken, Karaage Chicken etc.

#6:- The Donburi House (Japanese)

The last on our list but as you know it’s not the least. We bring you here The Donburi House based in Queen Street, Auckland Central. This hidden gem is a quick-to-serve outlet in a food court (known by the name of Queens Court). The place is known for its low prices and for its on-the-go Japanese meals. 

Another perk of this place is that you get a complimentary miso soup with already affordable meals, which is said to be one of the best in the city. With its opening in 2022, it is the newest Japanese-styled food outlet in Auckland.

Delicacies You Must Try

• Appetisers: Crispy Karaage and Chicken Nanban are the most ordered appetisers here. The crispy and juicy chicken delicacies are served with complimentary miso soup.
• Mains: Its signature dish, Karaage Don along with Oyakodon and Chicken Katsu Don are most loved here. There’s one thing to note about the place is that just because it’s affordable, it doesn’t mean it has been compromised for quality. Because the Japanese dishes here are said to be one of the finest in Auckland.

To Wrap Things Up

There you have it folks! Your best guide for Japanese food in all of Auckland. Now you know about the best Japanese restaurants along with their must-try items, their price affordability and many more must-to-know important things before you head out for your culinary adventure. Whether you prefer a fine dining experience or maybe a small cosy place, there’s a Japanese place in Auckland made just for you.