There are so many incredible Japanese restaurants in Adelaide, serving up some of the best ramen, tempura and sake in the country.
Whether you’re a sushi lover, dumpling fiend, or wagyu beef fan, these amazing restaurants are sure to fulfil your cravings. Don’t forget to bring your friends and family along for the experience too!
Slip into Sho Sho
Located in Hyde Park, ShoSho is inspired by the Japanese Izakaya way of dining, which means casual drinks and small shared dishes. The menu has a wide variety of options, ranging from a wagyu beef cheeseburger to a white pepper blue swimmer crab. Plus, if you’re looking to a bit of everything, they offer a 3-course set lunch starting at $65 per person.
If you’re dining for a special occasion, Sho Sho now offers a new lunch-only menu on Saturdays and Sundays, which celebrates oysters, caviar and champagne. Oysters are served by the dozen, and topped one of six ways including sake & yuzu granita, wasabi sour cream, and grilled bacon XO. Paired with a premium tin of Kaviari’s caviar and a delicious drink, it’s the weekend menu you didn’t know you needed.
Indulge in tempura delights at Akimitsu
Akimitsu was founded by chef Akimitsu Tanihara, who was the fifth-generation head chef of a 128-year old Dote No Iseya restaurant in Japan. He mastered how to make traditional tempura donburi, earning him the highest recognition of Tempura cuisine in Japan in 2014.
Now, Akimitsu brings a taste of Japan to Adelaide. Using a special recipe, the restaurant serves several tempura classics that are a must-try: the Akimitsu Deluxe Tempura, which comes with lobster tail, oyster, prawn, seasonal fish, and vegetables, as well as the Lobster Tendon, which is tempura lobster tail, prawn and vegetables served over rice.
Be sure to try the restaurant’s in-house tendon sauce, which adds extra flavour to the tempura. The friendly staff are also happy to reccommend a bottle of Sake to compliment the meal.
Hearty cuisine at Minimono
Craving a warm, hearty meal? Minimono is your go-to noodle bar in the heart of the city. Here, all the noddles are homemade by the restaurant’s talented in-house chefs. Menu highlights include wagyu beef ramen and tonkotsu ramen, topped with black fungus, umami, and egg.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try the curry cheese burger don, which features a wagyu patty, melted cheese, and rice. It’s a true American and Japanese crossover. All entrees are under $24, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner or a casual dining experience.
Don’t miss out on the side dishes – Minimono also has prawn toast, grilled miso corn ribs, and Agedashi tofu that are great compliments to any main meal. Plus, you can combine any side dish in a combo meal with a ramen or donburi, for an affordable and filling meal.
Be entertained at Samurai Teppanyaki House
When dining at Samurai Teppanyaki House, you’ll enjoy delicious food and great entertainment in one. At this establishment, guests are seated around an open cooktop, where a chef prepares your food right in front of you. Watch as the incredible cook slices seafood with intense precision, catch pieces of egg omelette in your bowl, and enjoy a night of fun with loved ones.
The dining experience also includes premium domestic brands of wagyu beef, and customised cooking (since everything is done right in front of you). Every meal is complete with an appetizer, soup, salad, seafood course, meat dish, rice dish, and dessert. It’s truly a (ful)filling experience!
For those planning a special event, Samurai Teppanyaki House offers private dining rooms where you can plan an intimate gathering. Working with the friendly team, you can customise every aspect of the menu, and relax knowing your special day will run smoothly.
Get your fill of ramen at Tuno
Whether you’re looking for a cosy date venue or fun group outing, Tuno in North Adelaide does it all, specialising in homemade ramen and charcoal-grilled yakitori. In fact, the team of chefs prepare all noodles in-house using natural, fresh ingredients – no MSG or artificial additives. They also slow cook the broth over several hours, ensuring rich and intense flavours. It’s one of the best Japanese restaurants in Adelaide for a delicious and authentic meal.
Each dish blends traditional ingredients with modern techniques, resulting in innovative ramen dishes exclusive to Tuno. Make sure to try the bubble chicken paitan ramen, which comes with creamy chicken broth, umami egg and pork chashu.
Tuno prides itself on its lively Izakaya atmosphere, offering a range of premium sake to pair with any meal.
Simply the best at Shobosho
Shobosho was featured in the Australian Financial Review’s 2018 list of the top 100 restaurants and was in the top 100 list for the 2019 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards. Today, it continues this trend of culinary excellence with its range of delicious dishes.
Shobosho stands out because of its use of fire. The specially-commissioned cooking line includes a wood oven, hydraulic grill, rotisserie and a customised yakitori pit, resulting in flavours of smoke and fire. Indulge in spit-roast teriyaki chicken and wood-baked shallot bread, as well as spiced lamb kushiyaki – all of which are made using fire.
Plus, Shobosho is home to a spinoff yakitori bar known as Sho, where charcoal-grilled steaks are a must-try. With space for ten guests, you’ll be guided through a set menu by your own private chef, who uses traditional techniques to deliver an unforgettable dining experience.
The Sapporo Room is another private Shobosho-style venue. With seating for up to six people, you will experience a banquet menu featuring the best dishes from the main dining room menu and the Sho grill menu. Plus, free pour Sapporo is available for the duration of the booking.
Fresh and simple at Sushi Planet
Sushi Planet is a highly-rated spot to enjoy a family-friendly meal. The restaurant uses fresh Australian fish caught every day and keeps a short menu, as it believes beauty is found in simplicity. Here, you’ll find fan-favourites like salmon and tuna rolls, as well as more adventurous rolls like the aburi cheese roll, which contains breaded chicken thighs and mango, topped with seared cheese.
If you’re looking for a night in or need a bite to eat on a busy work day, Sushi Planet offers both pick-up and delivery, in addition to in-house dining. And, if you’re an avid sushi-lover, you can sign up to become a Sushi Planet member and earn rewards.
Get your dumpling fix at Gyoza Gyoza
This Japanese-style bar is perfect for drinks and snacks after work in true Izakaya spirit. While the flagship stores in Melbourne are always popular, Gyoza Gyoza in Adelaide stands out for its collection of the finest Japanese sake and other drinks. Indulge in peach soju, a sake tasting flight, or on-tap Japanese beers. And, during happy hour, get a one litre jug of beer and a 10 piece gyoza set for $26.90.
As its name suggests, Gyoza Gyoza is well-known for its mouth-watering dumplings, which are made fresh in-house every day. Flavours include wagyu beef and red onion, pork and cabbage, and mixed vegetables with chives.
If you’re new to drinking Sake, the friendly staff are happy to help you choose a favourite, and guide you through a Sake tasting.
Fine dining at Ginza Miyako
At Ginza Miyako in the Stamford Plaza Hotel, it’s all about fine dining. The restaurant combines delicious food with Japanese-inspired interiors, offering guests the choice between traditional or Western style seating.
The extensive menu combines Japanese flavours with modern techniques from around the world, resulting in a dining experience like no other. Imagine wagyu beef carpaccio with homemade ponzu dressing, grilled miso cured pork belly, and soft shell crab salad, paired with an extensive drinks menu. It’s the perfect combination for a date night, or a formal event.
Recently, the team behind Ginza Miyako unveiled a new dining concept, Ginza Itsumo. Building on the excellence of the original experience, Ginza Itsumo is an all-you-can-eat offering in a more casual setting, without compromising on quality or flavour. The dinner-only experience starts at $78 per person, for 90 minutes of all your favourite Japanese dishes.
Enjoy new culinary heights at Koomo
If you’re looking to dine among the clouds, Koomo is the place to eat. The restaurant is located on the 10th floor of the Crowne Plaza Adelaide, making it the highest restaurant in the city. From your table, you can take in stunning views of the city and Adelaide Hills. The restaraunt also has a beautiful interior inspired by Art Deco and Japanese design.
Koomo is all about share plates, making it a great place to dine with a group. Try the chicken karaage, miso baked oysters, or famous lobster roll for a great evening with your family and friends.
Can’t decide between all the delicious menu items? Choose the “Little Tokyo Tower” option, which starts at $79 per person, and receive a taste of Koomo’s signature dishes and the freshest ocean catches of the day.
If you enjoyed this feature on Japanese restaurants in Adelaide, check out these seven stunning caves from around South Australia.
