The 10 Best Japanese Restaurants in Parramatta

My last post was September of last year and since then, nothing, zilch, nada...can I really call myself a blogger anymore? I mean, truth be told, there were underlying reasons as to why I went radio silence for months. Amongst all the stuff the Mrs and I had on, I just had no motivation to physically write anything, not when Instagram posts got me almost instant gratification and validation in much less time and effort. So what happened and what prompted me to come back? Well, for starters, I spent the last 6 or so months fully focused on completing another one of my aspirations: becoming a home-owner and happy to say that after much effort in house-hunting, mortgage shopping, liaising with lawyers, signing contracts and general difficult adult-ing...the Mrs and I have finally completed a big step in our lives and purchased a home for us and our eventual children.

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.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Sep 9, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

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.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on May 4, 2017 at 7:00pm PDT

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.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Jan 3, 2018 at 12:12am PST

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.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Jul 4, 2017 at 4:28am PDT

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.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Aug 19, 2017 at 2:22am PDT

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Aug 19, 2017 at 2:46am PDT

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Aug 19, 2017 at 3:57am PDT

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.

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Dec 11, 2016 at 11:40pm PST

10. Fresh Run (67/55 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150)

Taste: 7/10
Authenticity: 5/10
Value: 6.5/10
Ambience: 6/10

A post shared by Frankie Au (@mrandmrschopsticks) on Nov 3, 2017 at 6:38pm PDT

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.

Sushi Ichi Bar - Parramatta, NSW

One of the biggest parts of moving out and being responsible is budgeting. In order to survive comfortably, you have to make sure to count every penny going in and out. This is a responsibility that the Mrs has begrudgingly taken up on a weekly basis and she's been doing quite well at it. This week, I was informed that despite our usual expenditure, we were doing rather well for budget and so, we could enjoy a nice dinner out. I took this as an opportunity to gorge on something I hadn't had the chance to eat in a while: sushi.

That's why early in the morning, I made a booking for two at Sushi Ichi Bar, located on the far end of Cowper Street near Harris Park. I'd seen some of the photos of this place from sweetandyummie about a month ago and I'd be dying to try this place as soon as we could. The possibility that there could be a good sushi place so close to home meant I just had to go try it. We'd been waiting on a delivery all day and had barely made it in time for our booking but I'm glad we did. In my opinion, Sushi Ichi Bar is in a prime location being so close to Harris Park/Parramatta station and being just down the road from Anytime Fitness...so convenient for people looking for a quick bite after work or a post-gym feed.

I'd wanted to order the sushi best deal which was this massive boat of nigiri but the Mrs was against it as she didn't find the crunchy roll appealing. Maybe next time I can ask them to see if they can substitute it for the aburi roll...but oh well, we still ordered enough (I guess) for the two of us. First to come was the nigiri lovers B which was four pieces of salmon nigiri, four pieces of aburi salmon nigiri and eight pieces of raw tuna hoso maki (little rolls).

As an avid lover of sushi, Sushi Ichi Bar is impresses me a lot in both the speed at which the lone sushi chef can churn out their delectable food items for 3 tables of guests as well as how fresh and immensely delicious their sushi is. For me, The sushi shari is on the softer side but I'd much prefer that to underdone rice. I mean, for a local sushi joint, the quality and balance of the rice is spot on: mildly acidic yet sweet at the same time, the sushi rice is a perfect vessel to ferry those fresh, flavoursome slices of fish into your mouth.

Additional to the nigiri lovers, we also ordered the ichi salmon aburi roll. In this roll, you as the diner get to choose whether you want seafood salad or salmon in a roll with cucumber and avocado. The roll is then topped with additional slices of seared salmon, spring onions, tobiko (flying fish roe) and sauces. Seriously...I cannot stress my immense joy and satisfaction at how good this sushi roll is. The torched salmon slices and chunky salmon meat intertwine in your mouth and give you this textural contrast that makes each bite heavenly.

That not being enough for us (me), I ended up ordering the noodle and sushi deal as well of which I chose to have the udon with three pieces of additional salmon nigiri. At first glance, the size of the bowl might be a bit small but when you start eating it, you realise they do give you a decent portion of noodles. It comes with a fried prawn tempura, a stick of seafood extender, a slice of tamago (Japanese sweetened omelette) and a slice of aburage which is sweet tofu skin. The soup is heavy on the umami and you can clearly taste the dashi stock used to make it. Needless to say, I enjoyed every moment of my udon noodles and I savoured my last three pieces of salmon nigiri even more so.

In my opinion, the most impressive part of my experience at Sushi Ichi Bar wasn't the just that they had really, really fresh and authentic sushi available (though I did love every piece of sushi I ate), it was also the fact that all of our items came to a very reasonable $46.40. I really think that the general area that Sushi Ichi Bar gets overlooked but I'm hoping traffic and business will pick up there very soon. Until then, I very much hope to become a regular at this humble little sushi bar.

Kanzo - Parramatta

Lately, the Mrs and I have been dining quite a bit in the western suburbs. In particular, Parramatta as we've rather keen to scope out the area before eventually making the move here. As a requirement for my eventual migration to the west, I needed to be convinced that I had access to all my usual cravings and one of the more important cravings was sushi. Parramatta isn't necessarily lacking in it's options for sushi but trying to find a reasonably priced one is another challenge on it's own.That's why I was pleasantly surprised when the Mrs and I dined at Kanzo.

Kanzo is this quaint, little sushi restaurant located on George St, opposite of the street Paper Planes is on. I've always known of it's existence but had never had a reason to try it till now. Parking is easy enough to find but with Pho Pasteur moving to the same location and a new korean BBQ place opening across the street, I can imagine it'll get a lot harder in the near future.

We were seated rather quickly as the rush hadn't yet started when we arrived but it quickly filled up after. Good thing is that they're rather quick with the service and food so turnover time is quick too. We ordered a large sushi, a plate of aburi salmon and a tempura udon to share. The first to arrive was the large sushi platter. I'm actually quite delighted with the quality of the nigiri here, the shari (sushi rice) was perfectly sized and ratioed when compared to the carefully and delicately prepared fish. The thinly sliced salmon and maguro was fresh and worked perfectly with the rice to make a wonderful little treat. The rolls weren't half bad either (I normally don't appreciate tuna rolls much but it worked really well here)

How wonderfully artistic is that presentation?

Perfectly sized and portioned nigiri.

Next came the aburi and damn, was that good. We didn't have enough pieces to share between us...no literally, it was a 5 piece order so one of us had to lose out. Being the wonderful husband I am (not), I begrudgingly gave the Mrs the extra piece of aburi. She did in turn give me the last piece of salmon nigiri so it wasn't all bad however, next time I believe I'll be ordering a lot more of this.

mmm...aburi.

To finish our meal, as is the usual fashion with my side of the family: we finish with a nice, piping hot bowl of noodles. Now, I believe that Kanzo is run by Koreans (which is no detriment to the place, half my favourite sushi places are run by Koreans) which indicates to me that while the sushi is impeccable, the quality of the udon might vary a bit. Some places do the soup a bit sweeter, Kanzo is more on the savoury side. The dashi is rather heavy on the fishy flavour from the bonito/niboshi dashi and doesn't have as much umami from the soy as other joints but all together, it was an acceptable bowl of noodles.

Soup and noodles to warm a cold, autumn night.

The tempura was fried to a wonderful golden crisp but I have to say I was mildly disappointed with the dipping sauce not being ten-tsuyu but a vinegary dressing reminiscent of what had dressed the salad we received earlier in the meal. Still very much appetising and a treat to eat, just not the sauce that I'm used to accompanying my tempura...that said, still better than not having sauce at all.

So immaculately golden and crunchy.

The more I eat out at Parramatta, the more excited I am at the prospect of building my life with the Mrs in this wonderful town. For someone like myself, being so ingrained in the restaurant and dining scene, being able to discover so much about a suburb is a highlight of my life. I can see myself becoming a regular at Kanzo over the coming years.