Hokkaiya Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

February 2022 - This was our first visit. I was amazed how good it was. The seating is very tight but we definitely wanted to sit down to eat. Well worth it. Wow. It was so good we got takeaway dishes for lunch tomorrow and the ramen was careful separated ready for reheating... Overall I can see why this little place is so busy. Guess the locals try to keep it to themselves. 😁

August 2022 - Made my first review above over 6 months ago... It's still amazing... My order today was a combination of stuff for takeaway and sit down to eat... Had the pork Gyōza, Spring Rolls, Katsu Curry and Rice which comes with Miso Soup... Just yum... Yeah it's real Japanese flavours so you'll love or hate it. This place has people lined up for sit down and constant take away and he only opens for lunch... Just awesome. Now to enjoy the Teriyaki Chicken and my gal has the Tonkotsu Ramen for her. Beautiful food and the service perfect. If you want the Salmon dish or the Sushi Rolls get in early like Brunch time early. Sooooo yum. You won't get avocado but you will get this lovely white dressing... Actually just try it and see the difference. Yum.

July 2023 - Ok add 11 months to the review update. So basically we have been coming here for years now. And I will 100% keep coming back because I love the food. We went to some other gorgeous Japanese restaurants and we kept comparing them to HERE. That's how good it is. I kind of love the fact that multiple of my photos over the years are still on his main page. Seriously going to have to travel to Japan just so I can say I've eaten something equal or better than this. Haven't found it yet. Just perfect every damn time. Hmmm. The lovely owner gave my gal a little gift as we left (literally dived out the door and handed it to her) and it was such a sweet little gesture that blew her away. Perhaps I should tell him who I am. 😁 Please keep doing what you are doing. It's amazing and so happy it is here.

It's April 2024 and 2 months since my last update on what is still our favourite Japanese restaurant. Went again today (what a shock) and got our favourites on a Monday morning this place was jam packed. Something about a very large group that all came together. I'm so damn happy that this little place is doing so well. Kind of sad when we can't get a table because some people literally sat in the place for over an hour with no food in front of them and a line up of people waiting for tables and takeaway. But only a 30-minute wait with that much traffic says how good they all are at service. As always it was perfect. And as always we will be back.

August 2024... We have been coming here now for YEARS... When we first arrived it was a quiet little place and easy to get seats and lovely food that really just blew me away. My profile seems to lend a bit of weight to places as I do a lot of reviews and my images in reviews have been seen nearly 3 million times now. This little place has built up now to an AMAZING place that has slightly expanded its offerings now and my God I could just eat here all day. Hands down the best Japanese food I've had and I still compare every other place to here.

Now we usually have to get here when it opens so we can get a seat easily. It's sooo busy and I'm soooo happy for the team here. They deserve to be this successful and they deserve to be rewarded for producing amazing food and still great prices. How he does it I have no clue but I adore this little place. And no I'm not paid to say this I truly love coming here.

October 2024 - found some old photos that gave me an idea how long we have been coming so updated this review... Currently at JHCH so will probably go get lunch here again today. The number of times we go does not match the number of updates. The owner who's name I still don't know literally pokes his head around to say Hi and bye every time we visit. I'll be devestated if this place closes......

Hokkaiya Japanese Restaurant: A Hidden Gem in Hamilton

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Hokkaiya Japanese Restaurant, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I felt transported to the heart of Japan. Here’s why Hokkaiya has become my go-to spot for authentic Japanese cuisine:

Cozy Ambiance: The restaurant’s cozy and unassuming ambiance instantly puts you at ease. With a minimalist interior design, nostalgic tableware, and a few tables both inside and outside, it’s the perfect setting for an intimate meal. Generous Portions: Hokkaiya doesn’t skimp on portions. Whether you’re indulging in their mouthwatering Tonkotsu Ramen or savoring the delicate flavors of Shoyu Ramen, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the generous servings. Fresh Sushi Rolls: The sushi rolls here are a work of art. Fresh, generously filled, and bursting with flavor, they’re a delightful treat for any sushi lover. I highly recommend the Tuna Avo and Tempura Prawn rolls. Kid-Friendly: Hokkaiya is a family-friendly spot, complete with high chairs for little ones. It’s heartwarming to see families enjoying their meals together. Early Opening Hours: For fellow ramen enthusiasts, Hokkaiya opens its doors at 10:30 am. What better way to start your day than with a steaming bowl of ramen? Top-Notch Service: The staff at Hokkaiya are friendly, attentive, and always ready with a smile. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, you’ll feel...

This place is awesomely good. It's basically a street stall with tables.

Considering this and that it looked like a husband wife outfit I was very impressed that I got better service than a lot of cafe / restaurants.

I'm always hopeful when I go to these places where it's just plain and simple with the shop fitout because that says to me the focus is on the food. And %100 that's what it is.

THE FOOD IS AMAZING.

It was very busy, they had run out of some dishes, there was a 30min wait but this was clearly explained up front. In the meantime I started chatting to the guy at the table next to me who turned out to be a chef who has worked in Beaumont st for years and has owned and run his own restaurants ! He was there for the food 👍.

In the meantime dishes keep coming out that all look exactly like the pictures on the menu and should be on an Instagram post and not...