Fresh User Reviews for Japanese in Sydney

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Very fresh Sushi/Sashimi and a great Sake selection! Must go back soon.

May 31, 2012

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  2     

Thought we'd try somewhere different before a night at the state theatre.

We shared a bottle of wine and were offered water. We were presented with a 600mL bottle of Mt Franklin for $7.00. This would be fine if it was a high end restaurant, but for a restaurant which appears like a diner it was a bit much.

I had the salmon teriyaki which was over cooked and, therefore, too dry. It was served with rice and a single leaf of bok choy. Although the sauce was good, there was not enough.

The service was superficial. The waitress became bitter after we suggested that we'd not requested bottled water. Will not be returning.

May 31, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

I'm in love with their sushi train and price is fine compared with other such establishments. Highly recommended.

May 31, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went here the other night for dinner with friends. It was mid week so it wasn't busy. I kind of had some good expectations because it's close to the City (sydney fish market), hence, fresh produce. But I was pretty disappointed by the food to be honest.

Some of the sushi rolls looked sloppy and also too much of the sauces were smeared all underneath the rolls which affected the flavour of the dish.
The soft shell crab had a terrible taste to it, like it was a very strong seafood taste when eating it and also the after taste too, which usually means it's not fresh.

The appearance of the salmon sashimi was dried looking, it looks as though as its been pre cut and left in the fridge until service time. I did enjoy the fried gyoza, you can never go wrong with it.

Overall the prices are decent But I don't think I will be returning here.

May 31, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Spotted in our local paper that the chefs from Shangri la Chiang Mai were over for a special Thai food promotion, so popped in for lunch today. Very welcoming staff into a lovely, bright buffet room (very 5 star hotel, so nothing original, but not dated or tired). Staff couldn't have been more helpful and the buffet was varied and good value at $48.00.

Loved all the salads, thought the chef had made a nice balance between satisfying those diners who like an authentic level of spice, and those who prefer it milder. Really enjoyed all the hot dishes, especially the beef massaman, the green curry, the tom kah gai and the chilli mussels.

All in all a delightful experience (even for my father who doesn't like thai food).

May 30, 2012

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  5     

Absolutely love the food here. It was a great fun night. If you want value for your money I do suggest else where.

May 29, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

Came here for lunch and found it packed out. Great japanese noodle bar serving very freshly prepared dishes.

May 29, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

I've been here a few times and just love this place. Japanese fusion food that does not disappoint. Very good value and good service.

May 29, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

If you don't enjoy lining up for 30 minutes while watching other patrons eat food, I would suggest that you give this restaurant a miss. There are several seating 'booths' available at this restaurant and for this reason, it also explains why the seating numbers are so poor and there's a constant line at this restaurant.

Food was decent, what was lacking was made up with their prompt service. This is a good restaurant but could probably take on more customers if they did some smart arrangements of seating.

May 28, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

We had a voucher for $29 for $70 worth od food. We went on a Monday night (great that they were open! Many places close Mondays) and after reading a few different reviews we were a little worried, But honestly we could not fault a thing! I love Japanese! And loved this place! The food was fantastic, the service even better and the atmosphere was welcoming and cozy! And we were struggling to make up the $70 because we were so full! Great Great Great! We will be back for sure!

May 28, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

The food was quite nice and excellent service staff. They suggested me nice cocktails. I will return.

May 28, 2012

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  2      Value  1     

From the moment you walk in, you'd notice this joint is not operated by Japanese, the staff just repeat the same Japanese welcomes over and over again. To me, that's not important, the food and service are what I was looking for but, unfortunately, they failed miserably in both.

It reminds me of eating on the airplane: tiny seats, tiny tables, no elbow room, and small food portions. But for some strange reason, the kitchen's huge! They probably designed this place to cook a meal rather than enjoying a meal. So don't blame yourself for wanting to escape after just 30 seconds.

As if the setting wasn't bad enough, the food was just as bad considering what it charged the customers. What's supposed to be wagyu tastes more like wa-glue to me. And the one thin slice of chashu and a boiled egg in the ramen are all the proteins you'll find in a $13.5 signature dish. Even a $5 chicken wrap would've been healthier and offered better value for money.

My advice to everyone is don't ever be fooled by the exterior of this restaurant, it's a real mess inside. There's just too many options in Chatswood to be wasting time and money on this place.

May 28, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

Degustation for $49 is a very good value by chef Kevin Seo. Also had a additional courses, blue cheese ice cream course with pretzel was our favorite of the night.

May 28, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  9     

Traditional Japanese food at very go rate, probably the best japanese restaurant in neutral bay if looking for basic japanese food.

May 28, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  7     

We went there with my partner as our anniversary. Service was excellent and friendly, also we enjoyed good food esp. Yakitori was outstanding. We will definitely return for the service and food.

May 28, 2012

2 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

Sushi Tei used to be my fav jap restaurant for years because of the food, the serving and value and I was always a frequent diner bringing my family, friends or relatives from overseas. However, the recent visit to Sushi Tei has let me down so much that I have decided not to go back there anymore.

Service was poor and staff were young, inexperienced and not responsive to customers. They seem extremely clueless and disrespectful. Here are examples of my unpleasant experience:

The drinks were expensive, small in size and tasteless as they were diluted with heaps of ice. My sister loves their special drinks and they used to be glass full but now they only give you no more than 75%. And the worse thing is we all got sick after drinking them.

Customer service was extremely poor. The staff were young,inexperience, disrespectful and inflexible. There was no customer focus in the restaurant and you can see that from how the staff treat their customers. When we got the bill, we noticed one of the items was charged differently from the price per the menu so we inquired with one of the staff.

To my surprised, she told us that the price on the bill was the new price. I asked her why it was not reflected on the menu that we were given from the start and she said it fell off the menu. I said I don't mind paying the extra but only if that was what I get told first. If this is acceptable, then why bother showing prices on the menu? Why don't you just keep the prices on the computer and give customers a surprise when they pay the bill?

However, she would not admit their fault and kept arguing that there is nothing they could do and the price on their computer is the correct price. She did not seek any other ways to solve the situation but kept on arguing until I asked to speak to her senior staff. Even though they eventually agreed to forgo the extra charge, the senior staff or the staff did not offer their apology at all. It was very disappointing that a happy family dinner has turned into such a sour and awkward situation.

The serving size was so much smaller than it was. For example, the Phoneix Roll used to be quite filling and cost only $15 each. Over the years, I noticed the reduction in size, although the number of piece remains the same. The rice was also over cooked.

If you asked my opinion, I would honestly say that the food is still good but be prepared for poor service and small serving size for the price you pay. I think it is to do with the new management or new chef.

May 27, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  5     

For the money we paid, our expectations of the food just wasn't met, we didn't feel "wow" about any of the dishes. Both the quail and beef dishes were chewy, mainly because the fillet wasn't cooked enough and sinewy.

Service was great, we were never left wanting for anything. Our water glasses and wine were being continually topped up without asking, and the dishes came out at the right times.

As for ambience, it is certainly an experience to walk into this haven in the middle of a busy City, but decor of the upstairs room is just dull.

May 27, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  7     

This branch of Tomodachi is next to the food court in the Broadway shopping centre. Its just reopened after a minor makeover. Inside the place is warm and cosy with earthy tones.

The food is excellent, with a large and varied array of sushi dishes working their way around on the moving belts.

But since the makeover, they have put in a music system that on our visit was cranking away with house music. This really ruined what used to be a peaceful little oasis in Broadway for us. Come on guys, get the Zen back.

May 27, 2012

3.3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  1     

We ordered special set which the steaks were all overcooked, tough and tasteless. Pricey and bad service. The miso soup tasted like water. Took forever to get your meal.

Even if you are a terrible cook at home, you could have served food better than them.

May 27, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  10     

A great mix of small dishes that are so tasty and really good value as well. Must go there again. Only in it's first week and doing everything right!

May 26, 2012