Taiko Kingsland — Restaurant in Albert-Eden

A Culinary Journey at Taiko Japanese Restaurant in Kingsland

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Taiko Japanese Restaurant in Kingsland, and the experience was nothing short of delightful. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the warm and inviting ambiance, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

The star of the evening was undoubtedly the exceptional food. Taiko masterfully crafts a menu that seamlessly blends traditional Japanese flavours with a modern twist. Each dish showcased a harmonious balance of fresh, high-quality ingredients and expertly executed culinary techniques. The sushi was a highlight, with the chef's meticulous attention to detail evident in every roll. The sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth perfection, a testament to the restaurant's commitment to delivering an authentic Japanese dining experience.

The service at Taiko was another standout element. The staff was not only attentive and friendly but also well-versed in the intricacies of the menu. Their recommendations were spot-on, guiding us through a culinary journey that left us wanting more. The timing of each course was impeccable, allowing us to savour each dish without feeling rushed.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the indulgence in a generously sized Sapporo beer. The beverage selection at Taiko is impressive, but the oversized Sapporo was a true highlight. Served ice-cold, it complemented the bold flavours of the dishes perfectly, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The attention to detail extended to the presentation of each dish, with vibrant colours and artistic plating that added to the visual feast. The atmosphere at Taiko is both sophisticated and relaxed, making it an ideal setting for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends and family.

In conclusion, Taiko Japanese Restaurant in Kingsland is a gem that stands out in the culinary landscape. With its outstanding food, excellent service, and a beverage selection that includes the remarkable Sapporo beer, it's a destination that promises an exceptional dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned sushi enthusiast or a newcomer to Japanese cuisine, Taiko is sure to leave a...

Sept 2021- The restaurant takes pride of its food quality and customer services. They had put eveyrthing right for me since Apr 2021. And their service level has been very high and consistent. We have been visiting the place since. Also their new branch in Ponsonby is also very cool, highly recommended for a visit too if you are in the area. April 2021- we have been a customers of this place for a number years, always frindly services. Previously I rated them 5 stars, but in recent visits, while the staff are always friendly but the quality and quantity of food have gone down hill dramatically, even as a long term and very forgiving customer, it has became so bad that I have to change and re-rate the rating. For lunch courses, they have taken away the side dish, so the tray that comes with the set looks rather empty. When we ordered the take away many times, the miso couple is less than half full of the actual take away cup. This is not on, why have that size of miso soup take away cup if you only going to fill it up to 1/3? I understand on that day the usually manager on duty was away. And in the sashima tower, certain pieces were missing, as we are regular, we checked with the new waitress, she insisted that the content changes daily. I then asked her to check with the chef, the chef then apologised for the omission. Not good enough. Also when the place was full, some other customers have been waiting up to 40 mins for food, even though staff advised them in advance, they should really consider hiring more staff on busy days such as weekends. We are unlikely to return as a long term customers, due to decreasing customer service experiences we recievd over last 12. months. You can see my review below noted 12 months ago. Quite a big difference. April 2020- Great authentic Japanese food. Excellent value lunch menu and quality food. Delux sashimi aetbisbout of this work and at only $26 dollars. Plenty parking spaces around. Friendly and fast service. Booking recommended. Check out my photos. Highly recommnededbto try it out. In a short space of time, we are already a repeat customers and we...

Don't expect this restaurant to give you a satisfactory handling if you have a safety accident due to the mistakes of their staff.

About one month ago I went to here and my thumb was badly scalded by the burning sukiyaki plate they were serving because their manager put all the cutlery right next to the hot pot. When I took the salad bowl from my girlfriend, within a second my thumb was scalded with a huge blister on the side of the ceramic bowl near the hot pot. That night I had to go to the nearest hospital and waited four hours in the emergency room. Then I bought medicines for it. Because of this accident that they thought was no big deal, I spent no less than 200 dollars(excluding transportation expense). My fingers were sore for several days during this period.

Their manager never seemed to take the accident to heart and insisted that it was my problem. That night, after I had burned for a while, she brought me something like a hand cream that was never meant for burns, and told me that their kitchen staff often had this accident. She didn't give me the aloe vera gel I could use until the second time I went to her because of the unbearable pain. And their boss never showed up from beginning to end (the boss was too busy according to the manager). Based on the ACC report and pharmacy receipt I provided, the boss told me that the accident had nothing to do with them after looking at the surveillance cameras in their restaurant.

I think I was careful enough that night that I immediately put down and soaked my fingers in cold water the moment I touched the burning hot bowl. No one can guarantee what the consequence will be if it was a child or an elderly person. A restaurant with such a lack of safety awareness and a negative attitude towards problems is undoubtedly the worst I have ever seen in New Zealand. And I can swear that what I said...