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Japanese restaurant in Whanganui
What should I order at Japanese Kitchen WA?
What to order
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Beef Tataki
One of the most frequently praised dishes; multiple reviews call it a must-order and a favorite, highlighting its great flavor and authentic preparation.
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Seaweed Salad
Recommended more than once and specifically singled out as very good, with reviewers enjoying its fresh taste alongside the shared-plates style menu.
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Broccoli Itame
Mentioned as a must-try dish in a top review, suggesting it stands out for being especially tasty and memorable.
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4
Teriyaki Chicken
Directly recommended by a reviewer as part of a strong set of dishes, indicating it is a reliable and popular choice.
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5
Dinner Set
Recommended in a positive review for offering a satisfying, well-rounded meal with good quality and value.
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6
Octopus Balls
Called 'very very good' in a review, making it one of the standout small plates that people clearly enjoyed.
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7
Spicy Karage Chicken
Mentioned positively as part of a shared entree meal, praised for its flavor and fitting well with the restaurant's tapas-style dining.
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8
Prawn Horns
Included among the dishes a reviewer loved, suggesting it is a well-liked appetizer worth trying.
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9
Lunch Special
Praised as delicious and a good option for lunch, making it a recommended choice for value and taste.
Details
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Japanese Kitchen WA
Casual Japanese restaurant featuring sushi, noodles, teriyaki & bento boxes, plus outdoor seating.
Amenities
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- All you can eat
- Beer
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Frequently asked
What is Japanese Kitchen WA known for?
It is especially known for entree-style Japanese shared plates, with reviewers often calling out karaage, katsu don, prawn twisters, and teriyaki salmon. Several reviews say the food tastes authentic and works well as a tapas-style meal, where 4 to 5 entrees between 2 people is enough.
What dishes are most recommended at Japanese Kitchen WA?
Reviewers most often recommend karaage, katsu don, prawn twisters, teriyaki salmon, seaweed salad, and eggplant dishes, with some also praising octopus balls and beef tataki. The recurring theme is that the small plates are the strongest part of the menu and are best when shared.
What is the atmosphere like at Japanese Kitchen WA?
The atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, and a little romantic, with a relaxed Japanese vibe and outdoor dining that guests enjoy. It suits solo diners, couples, and groups, and several reviews mention that the space is small but not too loud.
Is Japanese Kitchen WA good value, and what is the price range?
The listed price range is NZ$30 to 60, and reviewers describe it as averagely expensive or more expensive than some other places, but worth it for the quality. People often say the food and service justify the cost, especially for a special dinner or celebration in Whanganui.
Do you need to book ahead at Japanese Kitchen WA?
Yes, dinner reservations are recommended, and reviews say the restaurant is popular enough that booking is a good idea. This is especially useful for weekend dinners, when guests mention the place can fill up.
Is parking available at Japanese Kitchen WA?
Yes. Free street parking, Paid street parking, Usually plenty of parking is available.
Is Japanese Kitchen WA kid-friendly?
Yes, Japanese Kitchen WA is good for kids.
