Katsubi Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Upper Harbour

Katsubi is a franchisey, fast food answer to Japanese cuisine. Which is fine - it doesn't pretend to be anything else, and it is affordable.

It's also an illustration of why Japanese food doesn't fare well with a fast food approach. I had a bowl of sweet chilli chicken - gluggy, too sweet, cold - and chicken katsu - 40% chicken, 60% crumb, also cold - with my salad and rice. The freshness Japanese cuisine is known for was nowhere to be tasted.

Sakebar Nippon is just across the car park, and at least two stars better. Even better still, if you're happy with a Japanese-Hawaiian fusion, the excellent Poke Poke awaits you in Takapuna's Food...

We used to love their food, it was fresh and delicious and even the price hike didn't deter us (there are definitely cheaper alternatives around) so we were so looking forward to level 3 so we can have their food delivered and support local small business, sadly, it was uneatable, granted, it was quick, definitely not fresh, soggy, cold,absolutely disgusting, and we can't blame uber eats either, there is no way this food was cooked to order and I doubt it was cooked the same day, NEVER AGAIN, there are enough options around, ...

Nice setting, quiet and relaxing, hotel cafe like ambience, well displayed, good variety of chicken dishes, and good service. Price - could be cheaper for what they offer. Food - average for me; some were bland and some were too salty. Got the impression the owner wanted to target non Asian customers as well but I think because of that the flavor lacks kicks and authenticity. Would've been nice to have some quality seafood ingredients especially in cold dishes. It's a bit of mixed bag and nothing really...