Mikazuki Chatswood — Restaurant in Sydney

TL;DR : Japanese cuisine deserves better.

Google Map star ratings and their most recent reviews often offer a quick glimpse into a restaurant’s potential, but they can’t always tell the whole story. The 4.3 rating (at the time of my visit) didn’t align with my gut feeling about the authenticity of the establishment since they opened and I first saw them at Chatswood.

However, today, hungry and hopeful, we decided to give it a try and were seated promptly despite having a less than Japanese welcome. It was aloof at best and perhaps something to oversee. But let's get to the food first.

As we walked in, I noticed the portions were impressively large—a reflection of the current trend toward modern oversized servings.

We ordered the sashimi salad and pork katsu curry, and unfortunately, both dishes were deeply disappointing. While the food was filling, it lacked the essence of care and attention I associate with authentic cuisine, Japanese or not. Truthfully, I believe that a katsu curry from a takeaway sushi bar might have delivered a more satisfying meal, with even greater attention to detail, than what was on the table then.

The sashimi salad arrived with an unwelcome guest—a fly. While these things can happen, the salad itself was uninspired, a mishmash of vegetables with little thought or balance in flavour. I’ve had far better at Japanese restaurants in other countries.

The katsu curry was overwhelmingly salty. The short-grain rice was a small saving grace, but the pork was so overcooked it was tough to cut, let alone enjoy.

It saddens me to say this, but the meal left me feeling disheartened. True Japanese cuisine is a labour of love, with meticulous care poured into every detail, and this experience fell far short of that standard. While the clientele may not always know the difference, establishments like this risk diluting the reputation of Japanese food that is prepared with genuine passion and respect.

The service, much like the food, lacked warmth and attentiveness, further adding to an already disappointing experience.

In the end, I left disturbed by the meal—not just for the food itself, but for what it represented. Japanese cuisine...

Not sure if Mikazuki has any specialty, and their menu seems put emphasis on á-la-carte, salad and udon. There is NO lunch menu or lunch special. Surprise!!! 😿😱

Tried plain udon ($13) and curry chicken katsu rice ($17.80).

The udon soup base is tasty. 👍😋 However, the udon tastes no difference in texture to those frozen ones I bought from Asian/Japanese grocery stores. 😞

The chicken katsu is crunchy. Chicken is tender but slightly pink in chicken meat. Confident it's thoroughly cooked, so probably from freezing. The curry tastes not much difference to those I bought from Asian/Japanese grocery stores. The most disappointing thing is the rice doesn't look like and doesn't taste like Japanese rice. For this price, I would expect, at least, having Japanese rice. While the plate is big, the actual serve size is a bit small. I should have gone to Artarman instead.😞

Well, something more disgusting is the waitress' fingerprints on the steel cutlery. She was holding them and when she put the curry rice down, she shuffled these cutlery into the curry (as in the photo). Why did she just put down the cutlery down on the table? This is NOT a food court, for His sake!!!

On same note, another waitress collects only 1 empty plate when others in my table also finish theirs with empty plates.🤷🤷

Not surprisingly, 1.5% credit card surcharge.

The restaurant is long and narrow on ground floor. There is a steep narrow stairs to go upstairs.

❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ Once is more than enough...

Whoever said this is Average Japanese food needs a revisit. Mikazuki serves some of the best Japanese food in North Sydney. It's not 100% authentic but creative and flavourful with authentic Japanese flavours. It has your classic dishes AND interesting dishes I have never tried before! The menu is also HUGE and so many things to choose from! Very impressive. I liked how the tempura came with two dipping sauces AND a lemon to help cleanse the palate. Every dish was so good I can't pick a favourite. Huge Portions and great prices!!! Tempura was fluffy and crispy. Tan Tan Ramen and Garlic Butter Beef was savoury and tasty. Chicken Nanban was juicy and crispy, delicious sauce.

We ordered: Chicken Nanban Prawn & Vege Tempura Tan Tan Ramen Beef Garlic Butter Rice Don

Staff were polite and patient. Always helpful to us and the other customers too.

Excellent value. Food was fresh and hot. Quality is superb. I have absolutely no complaints.

Staff even kindly helped evened out the table legs, but my chair was also wobbly, please check your furniture and fix any issues.

The rice portion of the Beef Butter Garlic rice was too small, and the noodle portion of the tan tan ramen was too small because they serve you SO MUCH MEAT in each dish. If you could add a little more rice and noodle then I will...