The Best Japanese Restaurants in Wellington
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The 8 Best Japanese Restaurants in Wellington

Are you a fan of Japanese cuisine wondering where you can get the best sukiyaki, yakiudon, or even takoyaki in your area? Well, you’re in luck, as we’ve listed the best Japanese restaurants in Wellington right here!

We carefully selected the ones with the best food, cosy atmosphere, and nice and friendly staff. Apart from that, we also picked those with a high rating from customers — because you naturally want value for your money.

Anyway, that means we can tell you where to satisfy your Japanese food craving. We now bring you the best Japanese restaurants in Wellington!

1. Tatsushi Japanese Restaurant

Tatsushi Japanese Restaurant
BEST FOR True Japanese Cuisine
MENUView Their Menu Here
WEBSITEhttps://www.tatsushi.co.nz/
ADDRESS19 Edward Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS+64 4 472 3928
OPERATING HOURSSunday and Monday: Closed
[LUNCH]

Tuesday to Saturday: 11.30am – 2.30pm
[DINNER]

Tuesday to Saturday: 5.30pm – 10pm

For authentic Japanese cuisine, come by Tatsushi Japanese Restaurant. Formed in 2012, their restaurant started out in Victoria Street, gradually gaining more customers.

Sourcing the freshest ingredients daily, they offer a seasonal menu. The chef is Tatsushi Mikuni, who came all the way from Japan to share his passion for true Japanese cuisine.

They offer a range of classic cold and warm dishes like Kitsune Udon Noodle Soup, Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry, Teriyaki Smoked Chicken, and Tempura Plate.

And check out their Monthly Special menu for excellent taste at an affordable price! Currently, they are offering the Agedashi Tofu Hotpot that’s served with steamed rice.

Highlights

  • Delicious traditional Japanese meals
  • Offer a seasonal menu
  • Uses the freshest ingredients
  • Established in 2012

Customer Reviews

Sujata Annavarapu writes a review on Google Business:

“Great eatery in a new location. Food and service was genuine and very enjoyable. Good selection of sake, plum wine and other unique beverages. Reasonably priced and the menu is suited for sharing. Number of vegan and vegetarian options.”

2. Kazaguruma Japanese Dining

Kazaguruma Japanese Dining
BEST FOR Contemporary Japanese Style Dining
MENUCheck Out Their Dinner Menu Here, Lunch Menu Here and Takeaway Here
WEBSITEhttps://kazaguruma.co.nz/
ADDRESS272 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS042 139 730

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS[ LUNCH ]
Friday to Sunday: 12pm – 3pm (last order: 2.30pm)

[ DINNER ]
Wednesday to Sunday: 5.30 – 10pm (last order: 9.30pm)
Monday and Tuesday: Closed

Based in Te Aro Wellington, Kazaguruma Japanese Dining is a cosy restaurant that offers authentic Japanese food, beverages and desserts you’ll certainly relish.

Among them are teriyaki, sashimi, sushi, tempura and udon that you can pair with their flavourful sakes, whiskeys or wines from Japan and Wellington.

They pride themselves on their scrumptious food, cosy ambiance and great hospitality. Apparently, these are what drive guests to dine again and again in Kazaguruma restaurant.

And for those who love desserts, they have them too, plus your choice of Japanese tea. As you can see, they definitely belong to the list of the best Japanese restaurants in Wellington!

Highlights

  • Flavourful foods
  • Offer contemporary Japanese meals and drinks
  • Cosy and inviting ambiance
  • Have wonderful hospitality

Customer Reviews

Tahia Eaqub, one of the customers, mentions on Google Business:

“I have been meaning to try this new Japanese restaurant for a while. We had the set menu. The sashimi and sushi were amazing. The highlight was the silken tofu in broth. They also had very good desert options and wide variety of wines, beers and sake. I will be back.”

3. Charlie’s Sushi

Charlie's Sushi
BEST FOR   Creative sushi rolls
MENUCheck out their menu here
WEBSITEhttps://www.umi-sushi-a1.business.site/
ADDRESS15B Queen St, Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS0210 291 7293
OPERATING HOURSMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 9.45am – 4.00pm 

Tuesday, Friday: 9.45am – 4.30pm

Charlie’s Sushi is well-known for what its name suggests. They opened in 2018 and have since surprised Wellington communities with creative sushi variations such as the cream cheese with salmon sushi rolls.

But their menu isn’t restricted to one Japanese delicacy only because they also have other authentic dishes such as udon, ramen, onigiri, and katsudon.

You can even find other signature Asian dishes from Charlie’s Sushi because they also have handmade dumplings and Korean sweet & spicy pork.

And if you want some Japanese food during your special events, you can ask for Charlie’s Sushi’s catering services.

Highlights

  • Creative and authentic Japanese sushi
  • Korean and Chinese delicacies
  • Catering services and ready-to-pickup food

Customer Reviews

Meghan Cooper wrote this review on Facebook to share her experience of Charlie’s Sushi’s food and catering services:

“I love Charlie’s sushi! Great value for a taste-sushi-senasation! Good variety to cater for all too, always a bonus. Thanks Charlie ? And I love going local for my sushi fix.”

4. Origami Restaurant

Origami Restaurant
BEST FOR Professional and Quick Service
MENUSee Their Menu Here
WEBSITEhttps://www.origami-nz.com/
ADDRESS158 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS04 385 1354
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Thursday: 11.30am – 9pm
Friday to Saturday: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Sunday: 11.30am – 9pm

Origami is not an exclusively Japanese restaurant, as it focuses on bringing both Japanese and European cuisines together. Still, they serve delicious meals that are hard not to like, especially if you like fusion food.

The restaurant is quite roomy — perfect for taking your family out to dinner. Service is quick and professional, and you won’t have to wait long until the food is served.

You’ll like their Katsu Burger with fries, Spicy Chicken Ramen, Salmon Roll, or Miso Aubergine. Then, order their sweet, decadent treats like macarons, cakes and tarts.

Furthermore, they offer calming sake or umeshu (plum wine) to accompany your meals. That provides you with satisfaction and value at this restaurant.

Highlights

  • Japanese-inspired food
  • Nice, spacious restaurant
  • Have sweet and irresistible treats
  • Offers plum wine and sake

Customer Reviews

On Google Business, one customer, Yves Madriaga said:

“Always love come here! Nothing tops their Nanban Chicken Don, crispy outer coating and tender boneless chicken with tartare sauce.. Now serving amazing desserts, definitely a go to place!”

5. Yoshi Sushi & Bento

Yoshi Sushi & Bento
BEST FOR Excellent and Fresh Sushi Rolls
MENUClick Here To See The Menu
WEBSITEhttps://www.yoshi.co.nz/
ADDRESS126 Featherston Street, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
CONTACT DETAILS+64 4 473 4732
[email protected]
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday: 11am – 3pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Yoshi Sushi & Bento is the place for sushi lovers: they offer different sushi rolls here, including the vegan variety. It is owned by Japanese and Kiwi couple, Yoshi and Helen.

Their menu focuses on bringing authentic Japanese flavours to the table. They serve sushi, bento bowls, ramen, sashimi, side dishes and desserts.

Why is it one of the best Japanese restaurants in Wellington? Because their ingredients are always fresh. So, if you get something like their signature, yummy sushi rolls, you know you’re getting something made from scratch — the proper way!

Around Wellington, Yoshi Sushi & Bento has three branches you can visit or order from. They are located in Press Hall, Featherston and Lambton Quay.

Highlights

  • Fantastic and fresh sushi rolls
  • Authentic Japanese menu
  • Has three branches in Wellington

Customer Reviews

One customer, Ryan Owen, wrote a review on Google:

“Have been trying to find a really good sushi place for the last year since I moved back to Wellington, and finally tried Yoshi for the first time today. Easily the freshest, tastiest, best sushi I’ve had. Not cheap but well worth paying a little more for such delicious fresh salmon, tuna and scallops. Sooooo good! Will be my go to sushi place from now on!”

6. Sushi Bi

Sushi Bi
BEST FOR   Fresh Takoyaki
MENUCheck Out Their Menu Here
WEBSITEhttps://www.sushibi.co.nz/
ADDRESS99 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS+64 4-471 1007
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Friday: 9.00am – 5.30pm
Saturday: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Sushi Bi has all the best combinations and flavours of sushi that you may be imagining. It has a selection of chicken, seafood, gluten-free, vegetarian, and of course, salmon sushi rolls.

They only use the finest ingredients that were sourced ethically and sustainably. But what really sets Sushi Bi Willis apart is that it also sells fresh and handmade takoyaki exclusively at its Willis location.

Apart for Willis Sushi Bi, this restaurant has two more locations in Wellington, so you can visit or order without having to drive too far. And if you want to eat Sushi Bi’s products for special events, you can also book this restaurant for catering services.

Highlights

  • 3 locations in Wellington
  • Available for dine-in, takeaway, and catering
  • Various choices for sushi rolls
  • Fresh and handmade takoyaki

Customer Reviews

Here’s what one customer named Richard has said about Sushi Bi’s products and customer services:

“Best sushi in Wellington. Great choices, great price, fast efficient and friendly staff. Miso good too. Super cheap at the end of the day for a quick dinner too.”

7. Fujiyama Teppanyaki

Fujiyama Teppanyaki
BEST FOR   Teppanyaki experience 
MENUCheck Out Their Menu Here
WEBSITEhttp://www.fujiyama-teppanyaki.co.nz/
ADDRESS36 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS+64 4-801 8699
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Sunday: 5.00pm – 10.00pm

If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience, then you should try out Fujiyama Teppanyaki. With chefs cooking the most delicious Japanese dishes in front of you, you’ll surely have a night to remember in this restaurant.

You can order seafood, emperor set, and other chef’s barbeque choices paired with imported Japanese wine. Fujiyama Teppanyaki also offers sashimis as appetisers.

You can even participate in Teppanyaki cooking with this restaurant’s catching game. Despite offering authentic dishes and creative live shows, Fujiyama Teppanyaki still offers reasonable prices. 

Highlights

  • Teppanyaki-style restaurant
  • Catching games for an interactive dining experience
  • Reasonable prices
  • Chef’s barbecue choices and weekly specials

Customer Reviews

Here’s a review to provide you with insights on how you may enjoy Fujiyama Teppanyaki, should you choose this restaurant:

“It’s pretty cool for the spectacle of the large flames, watching the speedy chefs do their thing in front of you, and catching bowels of rice and eggs which is always a crowd pleaser. The food generally tastes good, although I had the steak for the first time and it was incredibly chewy which was very disappointing, so won’t have that again”

8. The Ramen Shop

The Ramen Shop
BEST FOR   Affordable Authentic Ramen
MENUCheck Out Their Menu Here
WEBSITEhttps://theramenshop.co.nz
ADDRESS191 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington, NZ
CONTACT DETAILS+64 4-389 2263
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday
Lunch 12.00 pm – 2.00 pm
Dinner 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm

Established in 2013, The Ramen Shop had the vision to serve authentic, yet affordable ramen to its customers.

The Ramen Shop is best known for its ramen. Some of its selections include Tonkatsu Ramen, Black Garlic Tonkatsu, Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen, Spicy Chicken Ramen, Dan Dan Chicken Ramen, Tokyo Chicken Ramen, and Tori Ramen.

For those with kids tagging along, they have Kids Ramen on the menu priced at only $10.00. They also offer entree/appetizers, rice bowls, additions, and drinks.

Prices of ramen start at $10.00, entrees at $6.00, rice bowls at $15.50, additions at $1.50, and drinks at $4.50.

The Ramen Shop offers food delivery and pick up through online orders. Takeaways are also available.

Highlights

  • Authentic ramen at affordable prices
  • Kids ramen available
  • Wide selection of ramen
  • Has other dishes and additions in the menu
  • Offers takeaway, pick up, and delivery

Customer Reviews

Here are some Facebook reviews from their customers:

The spicy ramen was delish. The children enjoyed the teriyaki ramen and I loved the home made chai cola. Great for mums night off cooking Kim Ree

What I love: the pork belly bao; the slow-cooked egg; beer served in lovely cool pottery. Great food, casual atmosphere, friendly peeps, and the playlist is superb. I keep going back.LikeCommentShareRose Miller

And there you have it for the best Japanese Restaurants in Wellington! Do you feel a little hungry? Pay them a visit or order takeaway from these great restaurants, then!

Any questions pertaining to Japanese restaurants? If you have one, you can let us know about it and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Check out our other food establishment lists if you’re into food trips, by the way. For instance, you may also be interested in the best cafes in Wellington!