Taruhachi Bento — Restaurant in Sydney

This place is a hidden gem and a great escape from work to enjoy authentic Japanese with quality food at reasonable prices. It's a smaller restaurant, and seating is tight, but it feels like you're in another world. There is no other place like it in North Sydney. So leave the office and get down here!

Have been here twice now and have ordered a variety of items from the menu, and here are my thoughts. The Pork Katsu Bento was delicious, pork is juicy inside good serving portions and served on a beautiful plate with rice, salad, and a variety of pickled vegetables. Loved it.

Work colleague ordered the Chicken Kara-age Bento also delicious, with a juicy centre and crunchy exterior a flavour sensation. Plated with care and served with rice, salad, and a variety of pickled vegetables.

Ordered a side dish of 7 pieces of sashumi salmon, which is one of my favourite dishes and highly recommend. Good serving portions and tastes super smooth and fresh.

We sat at the bar, which I felt was the best seat in the restaurant, and knocked down a couple of coldies, which were santory on tap. Has a similar taste to the crownies (crown larger), so bought back some good memories.

The second visit forgot to take photos of the main being the Assorted Tempura Bento, which again was very delicious. Good variety of items from vegetables and 2 super large ebi (prawns). Also ordered a side of crab cream croquettes, which were tasty, had more potato taste than crab.

This is now on my regular spots to eat at, and if no time to dine in the have Bento bowls prepared, which are very good value, come down and...

Love this cute and authentic Japanese eatery in North Sydney! Reasonable prices, delicious food and unpretentious. They also have a great selection of whiskey if you’re into it.

Our favourite is the curry rice with Pork Katsu ($20), and we discovered there’s a tastier version that is the Hire Katsu curry rice ($24) which is the the pork tenderloin. There are more pieces, and it is more fatty and tender! One less preferred point is that the Hire Katsu is not sliced but the Pork Katsu is! The chirashi don small is also great if you’re missing some fresh sashimi.

The okonomiyaki ($8) is a nice side dish but didn’t have as much lettuce as I was expecting. I would prefer less sauce on the okonomiyaki. Also, if the karaage could be sold as a side, that’ll be great to accompany the main dishes!

The restaurant is quite narrow and busy, so you might need to share tables or sit at the counter. But it is definitely worth visiting and food...

The food here is consistently delicious, authentic, and made with fresh ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for a comforting teishoku (Japanese meal set) or something lighter, every dish is full of flavour and beautifully presented.

While many people come here for the food, one of the best-kept secrets is how amazing their bar is! The drink menu is impressive – from a wide selection of Japanese whisky and sake to expertly made cocktails. The owner is incredibly knowledgeable and takes pride in creating perfectly balanced, classic cocktails that never disappoint.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are always friendly and attentive. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed dinner, date night, or even just a casual drink at the bar.

Highly recommend this place if you're looking for authentic Japanese food and top-quality drinks in...