Janken — Restaurant in Waitematā

100 reasons to go to Janken & 1 reason not to.

Food is delicious. 2. It feels like home... 3. The servers are so friendly. 4. They remember what you ordered last time. 5. It's macrobiotic. 6. The fish is so fresh. 7. It feels traditional. 8. The interior design is lovely. 9. The wave artwork on the back wall... 10. The chef is always hard at work. 11. The desserts are delicious... 12. They are also sugar-free... 13. There are New Zealand wines. 14. Sake. 15. The stone tableware is amazing. 16. You can eat outside. 17. The background music is well-curated. 18. The genmaicha tea is incredible... 19. They just updated the menu. 20. You will leave feeling healthy... 21. Who doesn't like to play rock paper scissors? 22. They use Aespop products in the bathroom... divine. 23. The rice has QUINOA in it... 24. Who doesn't like rice? 25. The salmon is sliced to the perfect tender thinness... 26. The lighting is ambient and flattering... 27. You can buy gas next door... handy. 28. You can walk to the beach or up to Ponsonby. 29. Take that walk down to the ocean and connect with your dinner... hello fishies. 30. The plates are stacked so pleasingly. 31. The carved wooden spoons are so comfortable to eat with... 32. The chopstick holders are handmade little edamame beans... so cute! 33. They use organic, local produce. 34. The beef curry is out of this world... 35. Your mind, body and spirit will feel so nourished here. 36. They stock organic juices. 37. Or... organic cold be coffee if you choose. 38. Vegetarian / vegan options. 39. Black sesame pudding... 40. There is a chocolate cake with an orange flavoured inside... 41. Sustainable packaging. 42. The chairs are comfortable. 43. They have heat lamps outside. 44. The meat is free-range and natural. 45. They are passionate about their business. 46. The wooden exterior and interiors are cosy. 47. You can bring friends and share the big table. 48. The wasabi is SPICY! 49. The ginger doesn't have yucky pink colouring in it... 50. I will find fifty more delightful things to say... I will. 51. The veggies are perfectly cooked... 52. The sesame sauce is so nutty. 53. The salads are so healthy and green... 54. The rolls are ENORMOUS!!! 55. The hand washing that must go on behind the scenes is commendable... 56. The light bulbs are fancy and retro. 57. I would bring a date here. 58. The price reflects the quality. 59. The portion sizes are balanced. 60. SPICY EDAMAME... 61. They serve kale chips! 62. They make their own buns... 63. And teriyaki sauce. 64. There are hot and cold dishes. 65. It is always clean and ordered. 66. You can pay by eftpos or cash. 67. I got free cake once. 68. The chef reopened the kitchen once at closing time to make one last special roll for me... (thank you) 69. The potato noodles are cool! 70. Number seventy! WOO!!! 71. The nori is such good quality... 72. The daikon is so crunchy. 73. The garnish is just right. 74. They have gluten free options. 75. And dairy free!! 76. Free water. Drink it all. 77. The bathroom is clean and well stocked... 78. They have blankets for outside. 79. They have organic beer (and others) 80. They are open for lunch and dinner. 81. Every day of the week! 82. You will learn new japanese words... 83. You will be inspired to travel to Japan. 84. It is a calm environment. 85. The atmosphere is peaceful and zen. 86. Coconut ice-cream... 87. Miso soup is nourishing. 88. The seafood is locally sourced. 89. The recipes are traditional and new. 90. If something isn't quite to your taste they will graciously accept feedback. 91. The food always manages to come at the right time. 92. One dish after the other... 93. You are always greeted with a smile. 94. It's always toasty and warm inside. 95. You will get tips about Japanese popular music from the waitress. 96. You will feel more chill than a monk after spending time here... 97. You can take away. 98. But don't... the ambience is too special. 99. You will feel satisfied and full for a long time. 100. Janken pon!

1 reason not to go... It may get so busy that I will no longer...

So in Japan we really like this branch called Yayoi that does traditional Japanese breakfast for like 800 yen which is around $10 but you get a decent amount and tasted good. We saw that there was similar option here so decided to give it a try after seeing good reviews.

We ordered imo mochi for starter and got 2 asa gohan all day breakfast, miso salmon and tofu the other.

The mochi was interesting, good texture, flavour not too outstanding as it was just miso paste marinade which is simple but good.

The mains was around $22-26 each and you get a super tiny piece of salmon which doesnt taste bad but nothing unique. The side dish of the day was not bad, quite like the roasted kumara. The miso was average, there wasn't really much to review as there wasn't much to eat at all. Super small portion charging a lot. I guess if you are a small eater you can be full but we were only about 50% full after finish and the bill was almost $60.

So not sure what the other reviews are about but if you can't cook, then this place does serve some comfortable home cook like dishes,...

Incredible authentic Japanese food experience of the highest quality: we have now been here for lunch/dinner 3 times. And we will be back with our teens soon!!! I thank you for making the food experience exciting (like when you go "Oh wow!" when you bite into a tofu cooked in BBQ sauce) and satisfying (like when you walk out of your place and walk down the street and feel full but light and satisfied!). We have enjoyed the way you make your tofu in BBQ sauce, that is a true game changer. Those potato cakes are unforgettable! Today my Honey tried Miso Soup for the first time and it is now a must have for all the next times! And the last but not the least is your Probiotic Carrot Salad... Mamma Mia! We want the secret to your peanut sauce very badly!!! :) I would recommend you to everyone and we cannot wait to be back and bring people we love with us! Thank you so much! And much respect to you all for what you do. You guys look like a great team and you are very enjoyable in your service too! Keep doing what...