Nonjae — Restaurant in Hakuba

During my recent visit to Hakuba, I had the pleasure of dining at Nonjae, a restaurant that not only offered a delightful culinary experience but also a refreshing engagement with authentic Japanese hospitality.

The food at Nonjae was nothing short of exceptional. The portions were generous, providing good value, especially given the overall pricing standards in Hakuba. The menu offered a wide array of Japanese delicacies, but their pork shabu shabu, beef sukiyaki, and lamb BBQ were particularly outstanding, each dish showcasing the quality of ingredients and the meticulous care in preparation.

One aspect of Nonjae that stood out to me was the staff's willingness to communicate in Japanese, providing a more authentic and immersive experience. This was particularly refreshing as it allowed me to practice my Japanese, although it is worth noting that the staff are equally proficient in English, ensuring that all guests feel welcome and understood.

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, to secure a spot in this popular eatery. However, for those willing to take a chance, arriving at opening time (5 PM) might secure you a table without a reservation, a rare feat in Hakuba's bustling restaurant scene.

Opting for the "set" menu is a decision you won't regret, especially if you're dining as a group. The abundance and variety of dishes are such that you might need a larger table to accommodate everything. This option is perfect for those with a hearty appetite and a desire to sample a range of what Nonjae has to offer.

The attentiveness and detail-oriented service of the staff at Nonjae were commendable. Their ability to remember returning guests added a personal touch to the dining experience, making each visit feel special and valued.

In summary, Nonjae is a must-visit for anyone in Hakuba looking for delicious, well-portioned Japanese cuisine in a welcoming environment. Whether you're a local, a tourist with a grasp of Japanese, or an international visitor, Nonjae promises an enjoyable and memorable...

The food here tastes great but the service by this lady called “Yumi” is absolutely ridiculous!!!

When we first arrived for a table for 5 and we ordered 6 sets of meal, they prepared a 4 ppl table for us. There’s no way it’s gonna fit all the food we plan to order, then we requested for a bigger table, and “Yumi” said we cannot change without trying to understand the situation at all. And finally the boss came to settle and gave us the bigger table.

When we were asking for the bill, apparently the restaurant made further mistake about the food that we ordered, we tried to discuss with another staff member with fluent English and she just charged and and speaks to us in Japanese, which I guess she just keeps repeating “you guys ate 8 sets, so you have to pay”. But the problem is there was a misunderstanding on the order and serving, and she just doesn’t listen and continues to speak in a language where we don’t understand!

Finally after the bill was solved, “Yumi” comes over to collect the cash and just walks away without saying “thank you”. Is this the way a restaurant should work? Is this the way where a we as a group of travellers should feel?

I’m sorry to say this to the owner of this restaurant, you have a great place and great food, but “Yumi” has did a very good job to killing any of those returning customers and I highly recommend tourists do not go to this restaurant, otherwise you’ll have to face “Yumi” and ruin your entire dinner, and even your...

It’s a shame that in a place like Hakuba, that prides itself on hospitality, there exists such a disaster. A waiter came to take our order about 15 mins after we were seated, to which I responded “Sorry we are still waiting for our menus”. He apologised, got us menus and then we waited, and waited, and waited. They served the group behind us, as well as 2 other groups that arrived after we were given our menus. Everyone was eating, except us. Despite making eye contact with the waiters as they passed by our empty table, we were simply ignored. After about half an hour after receiving our menus, I decided to go to the front counter and let someone know that we were waiting for someone to take our orders (something I should NOT need to do). The waiter apologised, took our orders and offered complementary drinks; a thoughtful gesture, but it was too late. After 45 mins of just waiting, I wasn’t gonna accept a complementary drink over a 1 star review. The food was...