Nestled on the vibrant Cuba Street, this restaurant promises a delectable experience for any Japanese food enthusiast. My recent visit to this charming establishment left me with a gratifying impression of the culinary delights they have to offer. Upon entering, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with traditional Japanese decor that transports you to the Land of the Rising Sun. The place is perfect for a relaxing meal with friends or family. As I perused the menu, I noticed that the quality of the dishes matched the restaurant's pleasant ambiance. The prices were on the higher side, but the taste and presentation justified the expense. It's safe to say that the dishes were indeed worthy of the price tag. The highlights of my dining experience were undoubtedly the makis, tempura, and chicken katsu. The makis were expertly rolled, and each bite was a symphony of flavors. The tempura boasted a light and crispy batter, accentuating the freshness of the ingredients. And the chicken katsu was a delightful combination of tender meat and a perfectly crunchy coating. Though I didn't try the Japanese sweets and desserts, they were tempting to the eye. One minor disappointment was the limited quantity of soy sauce, wasabi, and pink pickled radish provided with the dishes. As a fan of them, I found myself wanting more to enhance the flavors to my liking. The staff, mostly young individuals, were friendly. The quality and taste of the dishes made my visit worthwhile. If you're a fan of sushi, tempura, and chicken katsu, this place is a must-visit. And be sure to explore their Japanese sweets and desserts if you have a sweet tooth. I would happily return for another dining adventure and recommend...
Read moreI recently dined at Origami in Wellington, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish! Nestled in the heart of the city, this modern Japanese restaurant blends tradition with innovation in the most captivating way. The ambiance is warm yet chic, with a relaxed vibe that makes you feel instantly at ease. The staff were incredibly attentive, offering friendly service that elevated the entire experience. The highlight of my visit was their stunning new dessert, aptly named Autumn. This masterpiece is a work of art, both visually and in flavor. It features a silky miso dark chocolate mousse that strikes a perfect balance of rich cocoa depth and subtle umami, adding an unexpected yet brilliant twist. The choux pastry, crisp and golden, is filled with a vibrant pineapple cremeux that bursts with tropical brightness, cutting through the decadence beautifully. Then there’s the caramel milk chocolate mousse—smooth, velvety, and just sweet enough to feel indulgent without overwhelming. The cocoa and chilli sable base adds a delightful crunch with a gentle, warming kick that lingers playfully on the palate. Every component is thoughtfully crafted, creating a dessert that’s as memorable as it is delicious. Origami’s creativity shines through in this seasonal offering, and it’s clear they’re passionate about using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Paired with their exceptional Japanese-inspired dishes—like perfectly crispy gyoza and flavorful ramen—it’s no wonder this place is a Wellington gem. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to see what other culinary wonders they’ll dream up. If you’re in Wellington, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to Autumn at Origami—you won’t be...
Read moreThis place is so pretty, the interior making the place feel authentic yet modern, the beautiful line up of aesthetically presented sweets right next to the door. But unfortunately it’s a bit of a lie. This place isn’t here to serve proper Japanese food, it’s just invested into pretty lights and dish-wear to hide its inauthenticity. All the food tastes, fake. The ramen was just sweet. No proper pork/tonkatsu flavour unlike other places were you can tell they put effort into the broth. the tom yam curry was milky and spicy, could not taste a single hint of any proper herbs or spices. One of the sushi dishes was nice, but not that fresh, although it looked very unique with its purple rice. The other sushi platter had really old weird fish, egg and other seafood on it that seemed unsafe to eat.The fluffy cheesecake was nice, the tiramisu was kind of mushed all together and didn’t have any distinctive layers, and the green tea tiramisu.. tasted like a dead fish. It was so fishy and bitter mixed with the flavour of old green tea. actually inedible. The blossom teas they had however were quite beautiful and delightful to sip on. The two girls working there seemed incredibly bored, and our waiter came out with our food quite fast, which isn’t a good sign when you’ve ordered something that usually takes a bit of time. All in all it’s a bit of a fast-food, fake restaurant. The food is still definitely not disgusting, (apart from the green tea dessert) but it is not authentic or thoughtfully crafted, or at least that’s the message I got when...
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