This is our regular for great casual Japanese food. Very genuine, very busy, very noisy. Always full of patrons from the Lido theatre next door, either before or after sessions; also popular with locals and staff from businesses in the area. Service is not traditional european style with entrees followed by a main dish. It is a tapas style service – lots of entree sized plates arrive as they are prepared, to be shared if desired. Can be chaotic but always fun. Try the warm spinach & bacon salad with the teppan grilled steak. Delicious!

Have been to Sake Bar Nippon several times and it never disappoints. The first time was 4 years ago and every time since the food has been lovely. I really enjoy the tapas style of getting loads of dishes for every one to try. The service is quick and there is always a great atmosphere. Great place to catch up with friends.

I celebrate my birthday here and i would definitely do it again. The food was very good, very authentic and great variety.

Arigatou!

I came here with my friend who’s a regular and it was amazing. My first time having authentic Japanese and I was very impressed!! We ordered a couple of dishes including the squid balls, yakisobu, tataki, seaweed salad and a couple of other things which were ALL delicious. Oh and the plum wine is a must try, along with sake! The atmosphere is so nice and the staff are all very welcoming, I’m definitely going to go back!!

Yum Yum Yum food and such a great experience…banging of gongs and sitting on pillows to eat. Felt authentic and tasted great. Our food took a little while to arrive but seeing as there was a large group of us this was understandable. Good Stuff

We had a joint birthday celebration here on a Sat night and it was awesome! We were a party of 19 and they put us in the room upstairs where we did a $35 set menu and had karaoke for free! The food just kept coming and coming, and was all really yummy. They had a fantastic tab system for people to allocate their drinks too i.e. John and Paula = 1, so you just said ’1′ when you wanted to order, and so your bill was just for what you had. Then a man came up and set up the karaoke and we had a hilarious time singing until about 11:30pm!! Will be back to eat the food as a smaller group, and also recommend this to anyone wanting a fab and unique birthday/celebration out.

this was one of the worst dining experiences ever, went on Friday night for a 30th bday. Firstly the restaurant had over-booked and our group of 7 was sent to the secondary part of the restaurant next door which was nowhere near as nice. Then they wouldn’t let us order the set menu for 4 people even though the menu said you could order it for 4 or more. they said if we wanted it our whole group would have to order set menu. So we ordered separately – my entree of scallops was partially cold and luke warm in places and my main of yakisoba never arrived at all! After asking 3 times and the rest of my group having finished eating they finally admitted they forgot my main, went away and made it – it was average but at least they gave it to me for free. Poor communication from some of the wait staff also with language barrier. Do not recommend!

We went on a cold, rainy, Thursday night, and still it was booked out !!! they kindly fitted us in as long as we could be out by a certain time. Moral of this story is, always book. It is definitely geared up for the Asian customer, with language being a slight problem, however, we managed to fumble our way through, until a female staff member spent some time with us and explained the menu.
Having said all of the above, the atmosphere and the food was just great, rushed, but great.
We have been to many Japanese Restaurants overseas,but this one is unique, you must experience it yourself.
They could do with a better extractor fan, the cooking smells seem to linger.
Would we go again ???? yes ! just need to brush up on our Japanese LOL

I have lived in Japan and this is about as close to authentic Japanese cuisine I have found in Auckland. Ichi-ban! Number one!

a wonderful way to enter japan in the middle of auckland. fantastic service and atmosphere, perfect authentic food at a very reasonable price, always a favourite!! only downside is no byo but that is my only complaint!!

You know sometimes you find a jewel and the world needs to hear about it. Drum beats welcomed my 7 yr old and I in to the restaurant, and we were seated at the “bar” which basically overlooks the kitchen. Watching your own food cook is a treat in itself, but watching the chef’s artistry was a pleasure and my son thought it was amazing. On to the food, we had a bit of everything, too numerous to mention, but from the Daikon to the Karage, it was just perfection. The bill made me laugh it was so light, and we were farewelled with more drums. We’ll be back soon, and so should you.

Fantastic little Japanese eatery. Great atmosphere, competent service and very reasonable value for money – we ate there Saturday night and had a range of dishes (including edamame, chicken karage, steak, noodles, yakatori and I particularly recommend the okonomyaki – only place I’ve found in Auckland that does it) plus a drink each, all for $98.50 for four. It’s always seems to be busy on Thursday, Friday and Saturday so pays to book ahead on these days.