Kura Sake Bar — Restaurant in Waitematā

The first time I went here it was an awesome experience, the sushi was plated well, good rice and fish ratio and it tasted good. The reason why I went back to eat the second time was that I was sure that the food is delicous, so I was feeling more adventurous to taste other food on the menu, only to be disappointed. I had the grilled salmon sushi, which was disappointing for 5dollars a piece, and waited for more than 20mins for one of my other orders which when it arrived was 2pieces of snapper wings in a broth, the food did not give justice to what was served and the long wait, fish was fresh but the portion was small for 14dollars(if I remember it correctly). It lacked the umami, that japanese food has. My second visit ended my Kura dining experience, probably won't go back. Only plus is the unique basement location which is cozy and romantic. Gave this place 3 stars for the ambience and the first time experience I had here. Don't know if the chef was tired coz it was already late but it lacked the consistency to make customers keep...

Good service, except the server didn't know that my meal was on the special menu and it came with rice and miso soup. After several requests from myself and my husband's, I finally got my rice but not the miso soup. I got sick and tired if asking so I forego the soup. The rice was over watered and over cooked so it's very average, sych a crime to rice as its a staple in Japanese food. How can you get something so basic so wrong? You had rice cooker too, it's not that hard even I can do it better. The deep fried soft shell crab was too crispy we thought but it was edible. The beef tongue steak was good but I didn't get given knife and fork to eat it with so it was a struggle to eat it with a pair of chopsticks. Do I recommend going there? Well probably not unless if you're desperate. Would I go back? No, not really...

Kura is one of my favourite Japanese bar/restaurant in Auckland. The 1st time going there was more than 10 years back, and it was good. And there wasn't so many Japanese restaurant back then so it left a very good impression of what Japanese Izakaya like. Fast forward to 2019, Kura is still a very good place to enjoy authentic Japanese food. Despite many new Japanese establishments pop up. Their decorations is very interesting, after going down the steep stairs you'd find yourself instantly transported to Japan. Staff are super friendly and their food is very good too. Highly...