eating japanese
adelaide

go straight to 有间 KOKONI IZAKAYA

go straight to Katsumoto

go straight to Nikishi

It is fair to say that Adelaide has none of the fabulous Japanese dining of Melbourne. If you’re looking for the equivalent in Adelaide of, for instance, Minamisha or the less formal Kisume…forget it. There is nothing comparable in Adelaide. It is fair to say that most of Adelaide’s Japanese food is little better than food court food. Some of it is expensive beyond the quality, and to be fair, we have struggled with these recommendations.

We have been careful to explain what to expect and how to negotiate an establishment. You can choose to ignore this advice at your own peril. Add to that, at the moment, quality seafood in Adelaide is very expensive, so there is no such thing as a cheap boat or a cheap plate of sashimi. If you want to eat sashimi you have to be prepared to stump up… and not moan!!!

If you are an early diner, it doesn’t matter where you eat, but you will be rushed. For instance, if you are going to eat early at 有间 KOKONI IZAKAYA you need to make it very clear you do not want all of your choices dumped within thirty minutes. My advice, is not to eat at 6 pm, but when you do you need to make very clear you will not exceed their first sitting, but you want to enjoy your food.

When it comes to sushi I quite often have a snack from Sushi Hub, Rundle Mall, Pulteney Street end. Too much of Adelaide and burbs sushi is fridge cold and inedible. They are incredibly busy at both ends of the mall at lunchtimes….click here for locations. The mall locations are the only ones I have eaten at.

Eaten at but not recommended Bird Yakitori, King William Road, Hyde Park.

We have a list of another six Japanese restaurants in Adelaide, supplied by industry friends, which we will visit over the next few months and add to this page if they are worthwhile.

If you really want to eat Japanese, buy a plane ticket to Melbourne and eat at Kisumé or Minamisha or both if you’re cashed up.

AO 26 august 2025