Yoshizawa Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Waitematā

What we ordered: Chicken katsu gozen $16 Miso katsu gozen (pork loin) $16 Omurice small $14 Red bean, sweet soy, soy bean dango $2.6 per piece

I was so excited to find a place that sells omurice and dango and I was definitely not disappointed. Every dish was really good and definitely really affordable for the amount of food we got.

Both of the gozens that we got were really great. The chicken katsu was not dry at all and the coating was super crispy, even when we ate the leftovers three hours later! The sauces that they came with were also super flavourful, and the dish was complimented really well with the fresh cabbage and potato salad. The miso katsu gozen was also really good. It's definitely a bit salty, hence the rice on the side, but the sauce was super thick and nutty and just went so well with the deep fried pork.

The omurice was good but definitely not my favourite. It was a lot of fun to try after hearing so much about it but I think my expectations were just set too high after watching a bunch of chefs making it. Definitely not the same story as the dango though; I've been meaning to try it for such a long time and it was definitely my favourite part of the meal. I got one of each flavour and they were all so so good. The dango is so chewy and fun to eat and I loved absolutely every flavour. The sweet soy definitely isn't for everyone (I personally loved it) but the soy bean and red bean were pretty classic flavours for anyone looking to try it out. I'd go back just for the dango, it's just such a fun...

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📍 Yoshizawa Japanese Restaurant

An affordable Japanese restaurant located in Auckland CBD.

🐷 Miso Pork Cutlet Set Meal Taste Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 🏮Review🏮: The local pork in New Zealand tends to have a slight gaminess due to humane practices. However, perhaps due to the addition of miso, this dish successfully eliminates the gaminess. The crispy exterior and tender interior make it quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, the white rice was a bit watery, which was a minor drawback.

🐙 Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) Taste Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 🏮Review🏮: In Taiwan, I've usually encountered small pieces of octopus inside takoyaki. However, here, there's a generous amount of octopus filling, which is excellent!

🐔 Chicken Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl) Taste Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌖🌑 🏮Review🏮: The overall seasoning is very good, but the only downside is that the rice is slightly soft.

Cleanliness Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 Service Attitude: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 Willingness to Revisit: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

This affordable Japanese restaurant in Auckland CBD has limited seating, and the staff seems to be primarily Japanese, providing...

!BEWARE! The small door is but a trial to prove your worth. If you successfully enter through the small door, you shall be granted access to red bean dango and omurice curry.

🍡🍡The red bean dango 🍡🍡 Each delicate, mochi-like sphere encapsulates a universe of velvety red bean paste. As you take a dainty bite, the soft chewiness of the dango gives way to the luscious sweetness within—a blissful duet of textures and tastes, akin to a gentle caress for the palate. This traditional delight is a testament to the artistry of simplicity, a sonnet of elegance in the world of desserts.

🍛🍛Ah, the Omurice Curry🍛🍛 A bed of seasoned rice, adorned with a medley of vibrant vegetables and tender meat, bathed in a rich, savory curry sauce—a tapestry of flavors woven with culinary finesse. The pièce de résistance, a delicate omelet, lovingly draped over this culinary canvas, encapsulating the essence of comfort and indulgence. With each tantalizing forkful, you journey through the complexities of spice, the comfort of rice, and the sheer decadence of creamy omelet—a gastronomic ballet that tugs at the heartstrings of...