Sushi Train — Restaurant in Waitematā

Standards have definitely gone down which is such a shame as this used to be one of our 'go to' restaurants. We used to be regulars when we lived closer to the city and we always enjoyed coming here (although it can get a bit pricey if you eat quite a bit like we do). The staff there used to be all (or majority) Japanese and you get that "authentic Japanese restaurant" experience. Most importantly, they actually know and understand the menu and the items on the menu (as they should). However, the last few times we've been, we noticed the staff have all changed. All staff (with the exception of the 2 sushi masters) are all Chinese, the older Japanese lady that used to always be there is no longer there. I'm guessing they've had a change of ownership. The most recent time we went, the service was just disappointing. They didn't offer us water nor asked if we wanted any drinks. After we asked one of the staff if we could get some water, it never came so we had to ask another staff for the same. Then we proceeded to place an order and the guy didn't know what Takoyaki was.. it wasn't on the menu (which it used to) so we explained they're these round squid balls and he still didn't know so we had to show him a photo. Later, 2 of the items came and they were not what we ordered. The guy took them away and came back with the piece of paper (he took the order with) to show us the item numbers that they were correct. We pointed to the photo on the menu next to the plate to show the one we ordered (volcano salmon) has this cream on top but the one he brought us didn't (just a seared salmon roll). The other one, we ordered beef but the one he brought us was eel. He took the right order but the items were completely wrong. Not sure if we will be back...

My partner and I ate at this place last night. The positive things I can say is the service was fine, and the sushi I had was average but OK, even if there wasn’t much variety. Otherwise, I have nothing else good to say.

The only thing my partner had differently from me (as we shared most foods) was fried octopus (that he said was cold but ok), and miso soup… He woke up during the night, and was violently ill for several hours.

He was very sick from eating here. (Still is, it’s ongoing!).

We suspect it must have been the octopus.

For him to be as rotten sick as he was and still is, we wonder if it was a combo of food left out for way too long, and food hygiene prep (unwashed hands??).

This was all very upsetting as we’re at the beginning of our holiday from Wellington, and were due to leave Auckland today for Matamata (Hobbiton)… But my partner was so unwell, we had to extend the stay in Auckland (and the cost was ridiculous to extend one night!), and missed the tour :-(

We do not recommend this establishment. If I could give it 0/5 stars I would.

Edit: having now read the lowest reviews, I understand why my partner got so very sick - and I am shocked that I escaped unscathed! - they do indeed have terrible food hygiene practices: answers phone while wearing gloves then proceeds to return to making sushi, touches customer chairs with gloves on and then resumes making sushi, hairs on a plate, food not fresh, chef made sushi with the gloves he used to go through the rubbish bin to find an order paper… The list goes on. Totally unacceptable!! Shut this place...

Went to this restaurant last night and got welcomed beautiful by one of the chefs as my partner and I arrived at the door, however it was all downhill from there unfortunately. Between us we ate about 14 plates, including 2 from the special menu. The food was a little bland and often covered in too much sauce. Additionally the waitresses were just bad at their jobs and unwelcoming in a variety of ways. Both waitresses seemed a bit unaware of their surroundings and were really inattentive. I waited approximately 6 rounds for the deserts to be refilled as my partner and I finished up on our food, but unfortunately the waitresses never noticed enough to top them up either despite it being a full house and two of them at the front counter. Obviously im not sure if this is their jobs but if not then the chefs may have let the service slide. Also, one of the cooks sneezed approximately 4 times while we were eating (and he was preparing food in front of us) and his mask was not fully covering his face which made me a bit uneasy in covid times. Overall I think the experience was okay and I definitely dont judge a business on one visit or one night alone. All businesses have had a hard time through covid and I really do not wish for this review to be one that drags the business down. I hope my bad experience was just a one off. I may be back to visit, but with this experience being as it was I'm just unsure. Fingers crossed for better service for everyone from here...