So that's what's been happening and I hope it's understandable why I hadn't blogged at all (I just didn't have the energy) but what made me come back? Well, last week, @parramattafoodie posted a picture of her udon from Umaya Parramatta and feeling excitement for a fellow foodie liking one of our most loved local Japanese joints, I felt an excitement I hadn't felt in a while and commented on a list of all the local Japanese restaurants that I've had the pleasure of dining at. That then spurred an idea in my head....I've eaten at (daresay) all Japanese restaurants in Parramatta...which one is the best? No, that's not the right question. Which restaurants would I personally recommend and why?
So, with that thought brewing in my head for a week or so, I took the time to think about my responses and finally managed to find the motivation to sit back down and type up a post about something I am passionate about.
The following is my personal list of the top 10 Japanese restaurants in Parramatta. Note: personal meaning this is entirely of my own opinion and where I have an opinion, I will generally try to back it up with fact but you're also entitled to your own opinion so if you feel strongly about the ordering or if I missed out on your favourite, please leave a comment!
Disclaimer: the following list is in no particular order and isn't ranked at all. Each restaurant has a place in my heart as one of the top 10 and each has it's own speciality.
1. Umaya Parramatta (Shop 5/134-140 Marsden St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 9/10
Authenticity: 9/10
Value: 6/10
Ambience: 8/10
Arguably, one of the most authentic Japanese experiences available in Parramatta. They started off in the Teishoku (bento and set meal) area before deviating from that path and expanding their menu to include more Izakaya-like items whilst maintaining the availability of their Teishoku. I definitely reckon that they did the right move in doing so as their sushi is top-notch with meaty neta (sliced fish) and a balanced shari (sushi rice). Can be on the pricier side but make no mistake that you're buying quality when you dine at Umaya. Only downside is that parking can be a hassle in that it's on Marsden Street meaning your only parking options are Hunter Street or Macquarie Street and they fill up fast. Better to park at Westfield and walk over to be honest.
2. Mikazuki (169 Macquarie St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 8/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Ambience: 7/10
I was immensely excited when I first learned that this place had opened because it is the first restaurant to offer authentic Japanese ramen (which, many of you know, is my obsession). Which makes it funny because you'd think if that were the case, I'd be here every second day but I'm not because I work in the CBD and if I were to provide you with an honest ramen-head's opinion: it's great for those who want a taste of what real ramen is like and don't want to travel or can't travel out of the west but if you really care for a good bowl of ramen, make the effort and go out to the CBD. They're other selection is also pretty good and their sushi is also fresh, delicious and authentic but is pricier and daintier than the other places on this list.
3. Kanzo (6/55 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150 *original store*, new store closer to 111 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 8/10
Authenticity: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
I really don't need to introduce this place because if you live anywhere near Parramatta and want sushi, you would have at least heard of or gone to this place once. Kanzo has a real cult following in that they're unmatched, unrivalled value-for-money. Where else can you get a MASSIVE Avocado and Fresh Salmon Sushi Roll that's more salmon than rice for $10? Ten dollars! That's insane! To give you an idea of how popular they are, 2 years ago when I moved in and first learned of Kanzo, they had a small shop on George St at the almost derelict Parra-mall and they'd be the only reason there'd be people lining up till the late night. Within my 2 years here, they've now expanded to a much larger shop down the road and have kept they're smaller shop for "take-away only". Trust me: 1 x Large Salmon Avocado Roll and their Grilled Salmon Roll (Aburi Salmon on top of a roll made of Avocado and Tempura Prawn with heaps of sauce) will set you back $26 and make you unbelievably full.
4. Alpha Sushi (Shop 6/27 Phillip St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 8/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
One of the newer kids on the block but have quickly established themselves as a local favourite for fresh sushi. The menu is quite similar to Kanzo but where you'll receive a massive roll, you might get a thinner, daintier roll for the same price. But this is not where Alpha Sushi shines....if you compare the nigiri between Kanzo and Alpha, Kanzo's will be a thin, finger sized piece of nigiri...you won't be satisfied having the large nigiri. This is not true for Alpha Sushi in that their nigiri is way more substantial with meatier fish and more rice. If I wanted nigiri, I'd most definitely go to Alpha Sushi instead of Kanzo.
5. Asadal (Shop 1/76 Phillip St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 5/10
Ambience: 7/10
Another one of the O.G places in Parramatta...they've been around since before I moved into the suburb but I rarely if ever travel in that direction. I had a friend come over and visit and he brough a platter from Asadal. He really vouched for Asadal as the master there actually ages the maguro to give it a deeper and more robust taste. Last year, I finally managed to have a sit down meal there and whilst I did most definitely enjoy my meal, where I feel they dropped was their value in that it's not cheap...and it shouldn't be, but where I can get a massive roll for $10 down the road, it's harder to justify spending an equal amount for sushi that won't get you as full. If they had kept their $60 all-you-can-eat option, I would have most definitely eaten there more...the prospect of endlessly plugging my mouth with sushi is well worth the $60 I would have paid.
☹️ *Soz, no photo...forgot to take one*
6. Touka Yakiniku (Shop 2 Horwood Pl, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 9/10
Authenticity: 8/10
Value: 6/10
Ambience: 9/10
Definitely the newest kid on the block and currently, the most unique in that they offer something that no other restaurant in Parramatta offers...yakiniku. Yakiniku would be the Japanese variant of table-top barbecue where everything is more delicate and refined. For every bit of meat that you purchase, you can taste all the care and dedication that's gone into cutting the meat, marinading it and plating it before bringing it to your table. They also have a very wide selection of Japanese food items however, everything is priced on the higher-end side. Once you sit down at the table though, the cost sorta makes sense in that the restaurant is elegantly outfitted in a historic building and the entrance feels almost like you're going to a small Japanese cottage somewhere in the Japanese suburbs of Tokyo or Osaka.
I really, really enjoyed my recent meal there thoroughly and I definitely hope that they gain more popularity as it is a very unique offering in Parra but I am fearful that their normal (they're currently holding a grand-opening promotion) price-point will drive a lot of potential diners away, especially when you can get all-you-can-eat yakiniku a little further out west in Canley Heights. I personally think that their road to success would be to limit their menu a little more and focus more on their unique point which is their high quality meat and barbecue offering. Potentially, if they manage to source cheaper ingredients, they may even think about following the 'Suminoya' path and offering a 90 minute all-you-can-eat with touchpad ordering. I would most definitely justify returning for a full-priced meal for that.
7. Sushi Ichi Bar (5e/8 Cowper St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Ambience: 6/10
Technically a part of Harris Park but they're so close to Parramatta station that I'mma include them anyway. I visited them within our first year of living in Parra and that was mostly because I saw this massive $40 boat of sushi when @sweetandyummie ate there and their sushi was surprisingly good. I still haven't had the opportunity to have that $40 boat (it might not even be on offer anymore) but I did recently have their sushi via Ubereats when we were packing to move and it was still as impressive as ever. The only down point (I thought) was that it was in a street hidden away from the bustle of Parramatta prime and the shop was pretty bare (how I remembered it, it might look different now)
8. Ginza Izakaya (330 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 7.5/10
Authenticity: 7/10
Value: 5/10
Ambience: 6/10
This is a bit of a lesser known option as it's tucked away in the back of the new Meriton tower's dining district. A bit of a smaller store with some generic Japanese offerings which is done well, but nothing extraordinary stands out (though, their Miso Eggplant was delectable). Prime position with an overview of the beautiful Parramatta riverside but the ambience of the restaurant can be a bit dark. Hopefully though, with the opening of their neighbours (Meat & Wine Co, Holy Basil and Alex & Co), it's introduced a higher foot traffic and made them bustle.
9. Sushi Bay (Westfield Parramatta, 2183 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 5/10
Authenticity: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Ambience: 5/10
Fives all around not to mean that they're bad or anything but they're currently (Sushi Hotaru of The Galeries Victoria fame is *rumoured* to be opening soon on Macquarie Street) the only conveyor belt sushi option available and they do have a cult following with their Cheeto roll (6 piece small inside-out roll with avocado(?), chicken katsu and three different coloured sauces drizzled on top). Easy option if you don't want food-court sushi but also don't want to walk away from Westfield Parramatta.
10. Fresh Run (67/55 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150)
Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 5/10
Value: 6.5/10
Ambience: 6/10
If we're talking about their Japanese offerings, they're about as good as Kanzo is but if I go, I really wouldn't be ordering Japanese food because they're a Japanese AND Korean restaurant. They also suffer a bit because a. Kanzo is literally just outside b. diners have to walk into above-mentioned almost derelict Parra-Mall before they see Fresh Run which doesn't help their cause.
So, there you have it. These will be MY personal rankings and recommendations on where to find Japanese food in Parramatta. No doubt, more and more places will continue to open and I look forward to one day seeing Parramatta (hopefully) rival Neutral Bay in it's authentic Japanese offerings and population of Japanese people living here.
