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I came to Masu for the restaurant month menu ($55) and it was 3 courses. The atmosphere was really pretty and lively, despite after COVID-19 not allowing tourist into the country.
The first course was the sashimi and sushi platter, consisting of kingfish, salmon, tuna and tuna sushi. My favourite was the salmon as always but all fish was super fresh and delicious with a bit of soy sauce.
The second course was the kimchi fried rice, broccoli and a choice of chicken OR salmon. I chose the salmon and the skin wasn’t crispy since it was grilled, but the teriyaki sauce made it so delicious and sweet. It was grilled medium rare on the outside and rare on the inside so the fish still maintained its natural oil. The fried rice was alright, not too special, just a bit spicy. My favourite was the broccoli, the butter made it taste so much better and the almonds went really well, adding an additional crunch to it.
The last course was the green tea tiramisu and the rice ice cream. The tiramisu had a liquor taste to it and the green tea was too overpowering. The candied walnuts with the ice cream went really well together, the ice cream tasted a bit like vanilla but hard to describe as it wasn’t vanilla.
Service was decent. I’ll like to try other items on the menu but it’s still a bit expensive looking at the menu so it’s definitely a special occasion restaurant!
Friendly service, fresh sashimi , very popular restaurant.
Loved the miso king crab leg, just amazing
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Tried this place today for an anniversary celebration. The seating was spacious and the service through out our lunch was exceptionally good despite the restaurant being quite busy.
Anyway, in the order of the food coming, the salmon nigiri and the chefs choice of sashimi was quite yummy, no complains there. Next came the deep fry soft shell crab and squid. The squid was well fried but I could hardly taste the squid inside the batter. For the crab it was similar, it felt like eating fried batter with very tasteless crab meat as well, definitely not recommending anyone to try.
The grilled eggplant was next and the sauce was very good. However the underside of the eggplant was very burnt and after letting our server know, she insisted that the dish was meant to be like that. I was not impressed.
The 2 mains came next was the grilled charsiu pork and the clams. Both of these was quite nicely made. I prefer the clam the most. There were around 8 meaty clams and the soup base was well flavoured.
Finally we were given an anniversary dessert, this was a nice gesture and was quite happy for this.
Overall, quite expensive for some ordinary tasting food. Service was quite good though. This place is also quite clean.
Taste - 3.5/5
Service - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Hygiene - 4/5
Value - 3/5
Favourite Japanese restaurant!! I've come back multiple times over the years even though it's so expensive because it's definitely worth the taste experience.
I've always gotten their black cod, probably my favourite dish there - it's smoky, soft, juicy, and falls apart as you pick it up, the fish is so fresh, they serve a sweet miso paste along the side and eating both with rice is amazing. I tried their chasu pork for the first time - didn't know chashu pork could taste so good?? perfect ratio of lean to fat portions, the fat melts in your mouth and the lean is super tender. They've pan-fried it so that the outside is crispy. Its served with a miso/Wasabi paste.
I also loved the spiced umeshu! Refreshing sweet alcoholic beverage to have on the side.
The food was beautifully displayed and so fresh the salmon was so buttery and smooth. All service team was knowledgeable on what was in the food. Play area for children was a bonus so we could enjoy our meal peacefully .
We booked in on Valentine's day. We were greeted at the door and was seated promptly. Our servers were very friendly and helpful in answering whatever questions we had. We ordered the Masu Shomi menu as well as 2 Raikou drinks. Food came out at a very steady pace. They were presented beautifully and were all super tasty. Price point isn't too expensive for what you're getting. Highly recommend this experience :)
Food was great. And for Valentine's day, one of the busiest time of the year for them, the service has been outstanding!
Love love love Masu. From the time you walk in to the time you leave, the service is on point and attentive, but not suffocating. The drinks and food menus are super varied, there is something for everyone. The food is always high quality. It’s one of the few places I continually visit and I definitely recommend it.
A class above. Everything about our experience at Masu was top notch. We had the pleasure of being seated in front of the chefs, and it was fascinating to watch them work their magic. Tasty, well-presented food in a beautiful space with terrific service.
Greeted by a very respectful and welcoming host. Attentive and enjoyable service from the staff. The food comes out fast and was absolutely delicious - best fried squid I’ve had in Auckland!! Highly recommend this place for both food and ambience.
Excellent service! the staff are so so friendly and nice! will definately come again love it
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I was excited to revisit @masurestaurant last Saturday night, and this time at their private dining room, which seats up to 18 guests. The room is beautifully decorated with oriental silk on the wall and a long wood slab table. Great venue choice for any special occasions! Now onto the food:
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🍣O-toro: fatty tuna (Mexican)
💲Price $41 for 3-pieces sashimi or 2-piece nigiri
😋Taste 4/5
I contemplated for a while before deciding to get the o-toro, cause the market price of these fatty tuna is quite ridiculous (in Auckland especially), and it can either be a hit or a miss. Although I liked the fattiness of the tuna, the cut wasn’t the best, it’s a bit veiny. Taste wise, it has a stronger fishy taste, not sure if it’s due to the origin of the Tuna (any insights here? Would love to get educated on this)
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🐟Hamachi sashimi salad, in yuzu truffle dressing
💲Price $19.9
😋Taste 5/5
Probably the best dish I had that night, in terms of taste, value and presentation. Hamachi has always been a favorite of mine. Their kingfish sashimi is very thinly sliced and soaked up the yuzu truffle dressing well. Together with the salad topping, it is a refreshing and satisfying starter!
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🌮Crayfish, spicy miso taco
💲Price $9.9
😋Taste 2.5/5
Opted for the crayfish taco since the ceviche taco was sold out. Although aesthetically pleasing, presented on a bamboo holder, it is a small bite-sized taco that I could barely find the protein in it🤨Would expect a little more at $9.9! Flavors were bland too, tasted like coleslaw on chips.
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🍨Dessert platter
💲Price $? (It was gifted to the birthday girl, so I’m not sure about the price 😅)
😋Taste 4.5/5
The dessert platter at Masu is always jaw dropping🤩This over 1-meter long platter is meticulously presented, served on large ice blocks 🧊 with an assortment of treats and fruits. The dessert staples have remained over time. The chocolate soufflé with matcha powder and pomegranate topped passionfruit & mango chawan mushi are both must haves!
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📍CBD
No reservation was made. Walked in and a table was ready in 10-15 mins. Excellent service and good seating area. Food was delicious. It looked small, but very tasty and filling after the mains. Dessert platter was amazingly presented and the taste👌 Also provided a free dessert to the birthday boy. 10/10. Definitely recommend.
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A classy but vibrant Japanese restaurant opposite Skycity.
The restaurant keeps the traditional trail of Japanese dishes while adding a little kiwi gist. Nice presentation of food With an excellent ambience, the taste however is sightly behind most Japanese fine dining restaurants.
Visited the restaurant with my vegan friend, the staff were very considerate and competent in preparing her dishes.
The vegan food were surprisingly good. The cured vegetables were crispy and well flavored. The broccolini tasted great with the bean saucer. The eggplant was well grilled and tasty as well.
The meat dishes were a little disappointing. The beef tataki were overflavoured by ginger. The eel rolls tasted nice but had small meat fillings. The tempura tofu was a little bland on the flavoring.
Friendly waitress and very attentive service. Warm towels were served upon sitting. The food were quick to serve. The place is consistently busy, so a quicker table turnover is expected.
Food: 7/10
Food presentation: 7.5/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value for money: 7/10
Price $70 per person (excl alcohol)
One of my favourite restaurants of all time. The food here is always delicious, always fresh. The fit out and decor is beautiful and always has a great energy, whether you’re here for lunch or dinner.
I did lunch. Very good food.
Although my family didn’t book, they were nice enough to have a table for us and make us fit even though it was a Friday night. The place itself was very immaculate and fancy, the staff were very friendly and answered any questions we had. The waitresses filled up our water every time we were about to run out too. The drinks that were made were very fresh with a lot of flavour. The food itself was really delightful and the plating was really interesting and unique.
Awsome fine dining, was busy night being Saturday. Hard to find parking but it is town after all. Excellent service, must try the beef tataki and chicken skewers and miso egg plant! Over all a very lovely atmosphere.
Delicious Japanese cuisine inspired by tradition. Loved the ambience, food, service and sake. Had their tokusen tasting menu, was devine. Every dish was well thoughtout and well executed. Service was friendly and ambience was lovely.
I went to Masu when it first opened and had one of the best meals of my life, so it gets 4 stars. However I have been back a few times and the quality has dropped. The delicate finesse of the first time just wasn't there and you can just taste the corporate machine behind the food, like a lot of the federal st restaurants TBH
Absolutely loved the food & the atmosphere. Great service team. It is bit expensive but a perfect place to take some for a memorable time. We tried couple of drinks and few small & large plates to share. dessert was another hit for me. Excellent food presentation looked really beautiful on plate.
They have the most beautiful cocktails
We went there for Lunch, Except the udon (personally, I don't really like the taste, too bland, and crabs wasn’t fresh). everything else are delicious here, King crab leg is the best I have ever had in NZ, strongly recommended, and I mostly satisfied with their good service.
I've been here several times recently and while the food rates a 5 the service rates a 2-3 overall. It is the service that let's Masu down. The staff have a limited knowledge of both the food and drinks menu and are not very attentive. To make matters worse, they assume(wrongly in my case) that I don't have knowledge of Japanese food and alcohol. Having said that, I have found two staff members who have a good knowledge of the menus ,plus the manager is excellent. One negative experience also was on one occasion the fire alarm went off for around half an hour ruining the dining experience. There should have been an offer of a discount or a drink or something in my opinion. I'll still be back though but I do hope they improve staff training.
Really good service, great place to go if you are gluten free! We had sushi, chicken skewers, clam miso and chocolate hazelnut dessert. It was yum
It was my first proper fine dining experience, I got the Masu Shomi Set menu which cost $88 per person, which isn't cheap. But it was very worth it. Nice food, kind staff and pefect service.
Me and my girlfriend came here for dinner on our anniversary to celebrate, Service was attentive and prompt.. Food was okay, i would recommend trying the Gyoza and Sashimi Platter... Only downside was the atmosphere hence the 4 Stars.. It was pretty loud when we were eating here i found it hard to hear my girlfriend on certain occasions.. If you are planning on coming here for a nice romantic date try and book on a day which isnt too busy or head somewhere else.. I would probably come back for lunch and try out their lunch menu next time.
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Absolutely packed with fun energy, businesses and laughter. On a Friday night the atmosphere of Masu is similar to that awesome moment when you enter one of those awesome clubs where the vibes are just pumping and everybody is having an amazing time.
Getting tucked in by our waiter, we had a small issue regarding sparkling water, personally for me it wasn’t a big deal I assumed that everywhere that offers sparkling water, it means that you will need to pay for it #NothingInLifeIsFree. However just for my readers, there is a charge here at Masu ($12 for one Antipodes bottle) and no they don’t tell you its an extra costs, it seems like people treat it as a grundnorm law here.
Away from the sparkling issue, the evening here was fantastic, flavoursome food and brilliant service you can’t go wrong with Masu. One fact which I don’t think Masu gets enough credit for is there brilliant cocktails and mocktails. The Rain mock tail was presented in a tea cup and was stunningly refreshing and helps reinvigorate the appetite. In terms of food the cod was fabulous probably the best way I’ve had cod in my entire life. When we finished our memorable meal it was in my opinion soured by the lady collecting our receipt, she was rather rude in my opinnion when we said we were splitting the bill and talked to us as if she really couldn’t be bothered to be there ( She was also styled to be a lion or cat? ). Maybe she had a rough day, I dunno but it was a small damper on our evening.
Showstopper: The sweet cod.
Overall Grade: A- would have been a 5 if not the ending to our meal.
Been to Masu for brunch and lunch few times with friends and family. Always enjoyed the meal. A place makes you wanting to go back and try on the new menu，would not hesitate to recommend to others. Great staff great food great environment. Look forward to my next dining experience in Masu.
Can not fault, I love this place. We had a family dinner here and booked 2 months in advanced so that we could get the exclusive room at the back and couldn’t here anyone else outside which is good. The food was fantastic, we ordered a lot and I ate a lot because of the deliciousness. Favourite was definitely the snapper and something gyoza and the steamed bun. They were very accommodating for the kids in our fam, 5-year-old and 9month-old. The staff were beyond helpful and helped me choose cocktails, I even got one not on the actual menu
Lovely experience here at MASU the staff were very friendly and welcoming super nice!! We were seated promptly. The service was amazing and the ambiance was bright and calm. We tried their Maki rolls and the ones we ordered (eel & prawn) were pretty average and very tiny. One of the outstanding dishes were the beef tataki, soft shell crab and chicken skewers (very yummy especially with rice). I wouldn’t give it a 5 because although the portions were small the flavours were pretty average and subtle. Overall it was a lovely experience (a little on the steep end with pricing and the portions were very tiny, so don’t expect to get too full). they do however have good selections of wine and other drinks. I would love to come back and try their brunch/ lunch buffet.
Masu is an awesome place to celebrate! The decor, vibes, service and food are all awesome. I always enjoy sitting at a table where I can watch the kitchen staff prepare the food.
Let’s start this review by letting you know that this to date is the best restaurant I tried in New Zealand, every aspect of our dining experience was perfect, the food, the staff, the location, communications and all. Masu is a Japanese robata restaurant and bar located in Federal Street. Located beside The Grill by Sean Connolly, Depot, Huami and Gusto at the Grand, this place is located in a prime dining precinct of Auckland’s CBD.
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Came in to Masu with the family for lunch and we were highly impressed. We didn't even know what to order because there was SO MUCH to choose from and something for everyone. The servers were extremely nice and made sure our table was always clean and that we were happy. We ordered the 'yasai uramaki' maki rolls which were vegie sushi rolls with - avocado, green bean, ginger, cucumber and carrot. They were so good we ordered another roll straight after. We got both of the edamame beans, the normal ones and the chilli garlic sesame ones. My parents had 2 beef tatakis and they were raving about them. We also had the 'crayfish tacos' and my Dad ordered so many because he loved them. Then we got: the steamed rich with masu seasoning and the seasoning was incredible!!!!! we got ginger miso eggplant, bbq'd green beans, teriyaki glazed kumara, chicken skewers & lamb cutlets and shared everything and it all tasted AMAZING. For dessert we got the famous 'cedar roasted marrou- chocolate and hazelnut pudding, umeshu ice cream' and the 'shiromiso pavlova' and they both were nice but the choc pudding was AMAZING. The food is also so pretty and so good for photos. 100% recommend :)) friendly staff & amazing food. Definitely going to be back very soon.
My favourite restaurant of all time! My partner and I have dined here multiple times and have left very satisfied every time. We recommend Masu to everyone we know lol. King crab legs, omg!!!
Hands down BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT IN AUCKLAND!!
Good lord what a mindblowing EXPERIENCE to celebrate my bby's birthday.
1. Food 5/5 UTTERLY TENTALISING
If you know how to appreciate layers of carefully crafted flavours, this will be an unforgettable journey for you. Look at my food photos, help I'm literally drooling again.
2. Service 5/5 Waiter Liam, his genuine, warm kindness and attentiveness really made the evening a wonderful delight. Special thanks to managers Fumi, Vincent and head Chefs for the spectacular night.
If you need the perfect restaurant to impress, indulge and luxuriate your special night, this is THE place to be.
We planed to go to Masu for my birthday. We ordered a selection of dishes which included chicken skewers, rice with Masu seasoning, salmon Maki rolls and a cauliflower dish. Everything was immaculately displayed and tasted extraordinary.
For dessert I had a selection of ice cream and sorbet. Both the presentation and taste were out of this world. If you have a special occasion I recommend you come here.
Came with the family for dinner over Easter.
Exceptional service and a nice environment.
The waiter was friendly and also helped us with the a la carte selection as well as checking with the kitchen when we ordered too much food. The best dish was definitely the sashimi platter. Really soft and fresh!
Although a tad on the expensive side, it’s definitely worthwhile to come give it a try. The taste and presentation is 5/5.
Sheena (Code SHEE7152H For Zomato Gold)
+4
Buffet is top notch even though choices are pretty small, but in the end you know what you are paying for — quality premium dish. Love it here. Oh we celebrated my partners birthday and they gave us a scoop of ice cream haha so cute.
The food and atmosphere is always superb. I always go to Masu for special occasions and many friends love it. The menu changes according to season and taste always bring one of the best.
Food: 5/5
Food was delicious. My favourite was the Pork & Kimchi Gyoza, so soft and flavours worked so well together. The Chashu Pork Belly was the softest, most tender pork belly I have ever had.
Service: 5/5
Wonderful staff who looked after us the entire time, can’t fault the service here.
This is one of the best restaurants I have ever visited. Can’t wait to come back here again.
Highly recommended - beef fillet and the chashu pork belly, both were cooked to perfection. The beef was a perfect medium rare, and the red chili garlic soy sauce was an excellent compliment. The pork was tender and juicy, and a good way to use up the red chili garlic soy sauce that came with the beef.
Not recommended - the king crab hotpot. For $2 more than the king crab leg that is also on the menu, the pot was predominantly rice (which wasn't stated on the menu) with very little crab meat. Yea sure, the rice's soaked up some good flavour from the crab, but in hindsight I would've picked the crab leg.
The food is fantastic. The service is very good and friendly. My friends and I have been there for several times and were more than satisfied with the service and food. MASU would be our first choice if we are after a fine dining Japanese restaurant in Auckland.
We went to Masu for our wedding anniversary dinner. This place is out of the world, for the food just hits the right spots in your brain and slowly touches your heart. I think you can blindly pick up any dish on the menu, and it will be a sparkler! Kudos to the team, and thanks for the ultimate food-gasm ❤️ #foodporn
I love their ＄49 lunch so much. Went to eat quite a few times. Lobster and sashimi both good. Sever quick even when they very busy. Service are always nice and friendly.
The first time went to Masu as recommended by one of the friends. The food was fresh and delicious. Good location and friendly service. The desserts were also good to try.
This place is always so busy! We were greeted with friendly staff and got a seat despite no bookings. Food was nice as always, will definitely visit again.
Food 9/10 Service 9.5/10 Ambience 8/10
Yaki Gani (King Crab Leg) 12/10
Yum! The presentation is amazing and so is the taste.
Gindara Miso-Yaki 10/10
Loved it!! My boyfriend thought it’s too sweet but to me it tasted amazing.
Yaki Nasu 7/10
Yasai no Moriawase (Vege Tempura) 8/10
Agewatarigani Taco 7/10
A bit too heavy for my taste
I’ve been here once, but it was AH-MAZING!
Can’t wait to come back and try a different selection. Didn’t get the sashimi this time so very much looking forward to trying that the next time I’m there! Service and and food and ambiance all amazing!
Popped in to Masu on tuesday night. Venue is larger than it looks from the road. Staff were friendly and the food was out quick but it was rather quiet. Portions are small but that was one of the most delightful beef fillets i have ever had. Also tried the prawn and snapper gyoza as well as the chicken yakitori.
Definatetly recommended to bring a couple of friends and a cheque book but not in bad way.
I always enjoy my experience at Masu and this occasion was no different. We didn’t have a reservation for the 2nd of January however we were welcomed at the bar waiting area for a seat to become available.
On each visit to Masu, I always order the large sashimi which is always fresh and presented beautifully on an ice platter.
The tacos are also a must try if you visit Masu, always a good start to the meal.
One of my favourite dishes is the king crab hotpot, which is crab mixed in with rice, wasabi tobiko, lemon, ginger and fennel.
On the weekend, Masu offers buffet brunch for $69.90 with unlimited sashimi, sushi and small dishes.
MASU by Nic Watt is definitely a high end restaurant with good atmosphere, fast service and food was superb. Will surely come back for more 🙂
I came here because of the lunch combo. Didn’t try in the dinner time yet. The crazy crab lunch combo tasted sooo good. The seafood rice is my favorite one. XD
Loved this Japanese fine dinning! Very attentive and excellent customer services provided with best quality of food, very fresh sashimi. Perfect for special occasions
Hands down the best dining experience I’ve ever had.
We chose the Masu Shomi set menu which consisted of;
- Crayfish Spicy Miso Taco
- Chef’s 3 Sashimi Selection
- Spicy Sashimi Tempura Maki
- Pork and Kimchi Gyoza
- Salmon Teriyaki
- Tender Stem Broccoli
- Lamb Cutlets
- Kumara w/ Teriyaki Glaze
- Dessert Platter
- Birthday Dessert (free of charge)
Absolutely no complaints about any of the dishes as they were all perfect and presented beautifully.
The layout of the restaurant was simple and elegant albeit the proximity of the tables were a bit close, but understandable to be able to accommodate for the high demand.
The service was phenomenal with the all the staff paying great attention to detail while being extremely friendly and helpful.
A truly amazing way to spend my birthday.
We have been to Masu several times and it’s one of our favourites - great atmosphere, excellent service, tasty beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), stunning presentation, food is absolutely delicious. We went to Masu for their crayfish tempura & sushi sashimi platter today, really like their nigiris and tuna tartare with avocado.
Delicious and tasty food. One of the most friendly and lovely restaurants to dine in. Loved their lamb and sashimi meals. The food presentation is excellent accompanied with a great dining atmosphere. Loved dining here and enjoyed the meals very much ⭐️
Fresh, delicious, beautiful.
This Japanese Restaurant is located right next door to the sky tower. Their service is lesser than none, and ambiance better than most.
The place is pricy but worth a visit once in a while.
We especially enjoyed the fresh sashimi.
The pork belly had fantastic flavours and texture.
Black wagyu steak melts in your mouth. I’m not much of a wagyu fan but everyone enjoyed it a lot.
Food: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Overall 4.8/5
Had the opportunity to dine here yesterday with my family and was impressed by the warm service with minimal waiting time that was consistent throughout the entire meal. The highlight of the dinner was easily the salmon sashimi and pork charsiu - both of which I highly recommend if you’re visiting there!
In an alternate universe I would be able to eat here every night. And maybe for lunch too. Must have: soft shell crab in squid ink brioche. But all the food is good. Our fav is to let them do the choosing with the set menu. Sure you won't be able to look at food for the next 24 hours. But it's worth it. TRUST ME. Plus the wait staff make you feel like a queen.
Nice one to present Japanese cuisine in central of tourism
Sashimi is fresh, wasabi is very flavourful
Soft shell taco is on point
I just felt the wings and squid are boring
Decor is amazing and great for special occasion
Such a lovely restaurant with its pretty decor making you feel like you’re in Japan. The staff were very friendly and prompt with service. Would not pay $10 each for a bottle of sparkling and distilled water. Just a tad overpriced if you ask me.
The food was great! Had the beef fillet. It didn’t fill me up so I got the pork slider as well. It was unfortunately very noisy and to make matters worse we had a banshee sitting next to us...... she was literary yelling! Also had the chocolate pudding which was similar to a fondant but not
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+4.5
Went there and heard ordering al carte was disappointing so decided to go for the set menu at $88 and upgrade one set for the waguu beef which is quite common. You get quite a lot of dishes with the set and felt full afterwards. The wagyu was okay but not great so wouldnt really recommend it for $60ish but it was a nice experience. My dinnermate had actually recently went to Japan and tried Wagyu beef and her opinion on it wsnt a high grade. Regardless i wouldnt upgrade the set if it was just for myself but in a group one upgrade per 1-3 is a good idea. The dessert was presented very well and the atmosphere and service was very good and attentive.
I’ve been here many times and MASU never fails to amaze me. The food, the service and the atmosphere/ambience are all perfect. The staff are extremely friendly and patient and explain all the dishes to you in detail. The food is fresh and presented well.
The miso soup with clams was light and savoury, I couldn't get enough!
The crayfish taco was delicious. The beef was tender and juicy, cooked just the way we like it, medium rare. The alaskan king crab was the bomb. That was the best alaskan king crab I've ever had. The meat was grilled, thus enhanced it's natural sweetness with a touch of smokiness. The roe mayo is the perfect match.
I love the way they present their dishes. Customer service service was excellent and consistent.
Food was delicious and very well presented. Loved the salmon and green tea dessert. Staff are friendly too. A bit over priced and we were left hungry due to the small portions.
Having gone Gluten Free, this place was a dream come true for me. No need to eat limited foods and dessert to die for. They were able to provide a GF alternative for all the dishes served and the chocolate dessert was amazing.
One of Aucklands fine dining Japanese establishments.
Some dishes we tried:
Pork sliders, soft shell tacos (taco shell is a sheet of deep fried seaweed), king crab, deep fried squid, beef fillet.
Food was delicious but it wasn't anything spectacular. If you want to try contemporary japanese robata style food and don't mind the price tag, MASU is worth trying.
The staff were attentive and welcoming as you'd expect from restaurants like MASU.
The 3 "kitchens" detailed on their menu (grill, sushi bar, kitchen) are all open and viewable from the dining table.
Fun fact: The shells they serve sashimi in are genuine giant clam shells.
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Environment: 5/5
Great service and quality of food. Be prepared to spend a bit of money but I would still highly recommend the food here. We ordered 6 dishes and 2 drinks. Crayfish taco, softshell taco, manuka smoked fish rolls, prawn drumplings, teriyaki salmon and black cod. For both fish dishes, they were evenly cooked, moist and so soft! I thoroughly enjoyed them and the rolls had the subtle manuka scent that pleasantly surprised me. Tacos were both nice too but for me, personally, I really enjoyed the fish dishes the most. We told the staff that we had a birthday and they provided a surprise dessert which was a nice touch.
The service was wonderful. Such friendly, attentive and knowledgeable staff throughout. The food was amazing. I'm not a big fan of fish but I accompanied people who like to share which gave me the opportunity to try things I usually dont like or wouldn't try, nothing was disappointing. The black cod gets a special mention, absolutely beautiful.
Been here couple of times and really enjoyed their sushi, sashimi and scampi tempura. They use good quality ingredients. Service is excellent. Prices aren’t cheap but the experience was great so wouldn’t mind coming back for special occasions.
Went to Masu on a tip from a Kiwi friend. What a sensational place! Service: as I was travelling on my own, they made sure I was comfortable and had a good table (too many restaurants make single female travellers feel out of place). The chef was more than happy to make a few adjustments to the degustation menu as per my preferences (thank you - really appreciate it considering a super busy kitchen!). Now to food: every dish was sensational so it’s hard to pick favourites, but I try: go for clams, it’s to die for. And soft shell crab sushi. A Sake tasting flight was a beautiful compliment to this meal. Must come back and try other things on the menu.
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Came here on a busy Saturday night with a group of friends. It is very noisy in this restaurant and I was unable to have a proper conversation with the people on the other side of our round table. I also didn't like where we were seated in the middle of the restaurant, even though there was a large gap between me and the pole people kept knocking me from behind ( mostly the wait staff) which was annoying. My husband and I decided to share 9 dishes together as there are so many to choose from that all sound amazing! We got the spicy crayfish taco, beef tataki, snapper and prawn gyoza, pork and kimchi gyoza, ginger miso eggplant, teriyaki kumara, chicken yakitori skewers and miso chicken wings.
Almost everything was amazing, perfectly cooked with beautiful flavours and I liked the contemporary twists to traditional japanese food. The only food item I did not enjoy was the crayfish taco. There were only two tiny pieces of crayfish in it which I searched for after taking my first bite and realizing all I could taste was what seemed like packet coleslaw. It was a shame to ruin a beautiful delicate meat like that by hiding it under heaps of cabbage and not worth the price. Otherwise the two dishes that stood out for me above the rest were the miso chicken wings and the miso eggplant. The chicken wings were juicy and the spices on them were amazing, I could eat a huge bowl of them! The eggplant had slightly caramelized with the sauce that was on it and it was stunning, I'd eat that everyday. I really look forward to coming back to Masu again :)
Have been wanting to tick this restaurant off my bucket list.I did on my Birthday.We arrived for lunch with the restaurant half full.Service was brilliant .I was guided through the sake menu to ensure I enjoy something to suite my taste bud. The miso soup was great as per usual,spicey edemame beans were really good.The tempura veges were crunchy and fresh but the sause that went along lacked flavour.The prawn dumplings were the highlight and the scrumptious sause was veru tasty.The Balanese baby chciken had a great amount of herb falvours and the lamb cutlets were spicey and moist and cooked amazingly.
We didnt have room for desserts but was still presented with a little Birthday dessert.
I wasnt disappointed:).
Not one to stray from less extravagant foods but Masu definitely had me thinking otherwise.
Great service. Better food! Cocktails are awesome too!! The sashimi is to die for!
The best sashimi and crab sushi! Never had a dud meal here, service is faultless and overall a lovely experience time after time! I really like watching them slice the salmon to make the sashimi fresh, fresh grated wasabi is also a delight, probably my favourite place to eat!
The best Japanese restaurant I have ever been to.
Don’t be afraid to spend the cash if you’re wanting a truly amazing experience. Presentation is second to none. Authenticity and elegance.
A beautiful space! With lovely staff.
We ordered far too much to add to the review but if you take anything from reading this I recommend the kingfish sashimi salad! I didn’t want it to end! Was beautiful!
Found it a bit pricey for what you get. For three people it cost $210 we ordered a lot of food - left feeling content but not full.
However, would definitely return for a special occasion and perhaps a bigger group so we could try more with less cost. Food was delicious, a must try at least once!
Best Buffett in Auckland I can say. Although there's not too much selections, but sashimi and other cold dishes are good enough to fulfill the stomach. Specially the sushi was made tiny, however the real sushi rice made the combination very tasty. Exactly as I had in Japan, not as normal sushi made by Korean. $68 including a main and a Dessert. The only thing I can complain is you have to add $20 more for more choice of the main. The dessert is always my favorite. Even just ice cream, sorbet and fruits. The presentation is fabulous. It's a treat for both eyes and tongue. I like the warm towel for hands before eating. and the towel in the restroom to dry your hands. Those indicates the dining is a kind of luxurious.
Best service with amazing food 👍👍. The waitress who has been serving us for the night were really good! Tried almost everything and is a big fan of sushi and sashimi
Been here about 20 times. I'd go back any time and i'd eat anything from this place. Everything i've eaten from this place was 100% quality. Except for one time when we had some kind a prawn cracker thing there that wasn't cooked enough and it was going all mushy in the mouth. The crab leg is a winner. Pretty much all the sushi is winning. The Japanese beers are really good. All the raw fish is expertly cut, and super tender in the mouth. The crab hotpot is probably the best thing iv'e consumed from this place. They better never take that off the menu.
Elegant Modern Japanese style furnishing. The environment was quite noisy but the service was nice! The highlight was definitely the King Crab legs, the sushi was really average. Would visit once more with my girlfriend.
An awesome Japanese resturant, fresh sashimi and tempura, great service. I didnt know a sparkling water can get so many awards... love the king fish, the sauce was perfect! The lamb was sooooooo tender, highly recommend. Sunday special buffet is really a treat, a must go place
Hands down the best Japanese Restaurant I have been to. Great Location, great layout and suggest you book in advance especially if it is a special day.
One of the few restaurant I feel comfortable not looking at the menu and just ask the staff what to order. My partner has a number of allergies and they were able to cater to all of them. Loved the food, fresh and well made. And the drink - amazing. Pricey but worth very penny.
Finally had a chance to try out this place! I’ve already ready so much great reviews on it so I had high expectations. The ambience and decor was the first thing I noticed, super sophisticated yet welcoming and cosy. The staff were also extremely helpful and attentive. They made sure we had everything we needed and explained the dishes super well. We ordered 5 set menus (2x$120 and 3x88). The ingredients they used were so fresh and of the best quality, the presentation of the food was also unique and interesting. There were some things that I thought were a bit strange and didn’t agree with my palate at the start but I grew to like it. It definitely is worth trying out, as the quality of food you are eating is exceptional.
MASU is a great japanese restaurant with amazing food and even better service. I had the set menu which had great presentation and taste. The timing was also good i never felt like i had to wait long for the next dish. You can also see the chefs cooking in front of you which is really cool.
Masu, a beautiful restaurant to visit. We had the Masu Shomi Menu which is for a minimum of two people. The service was outstanding: they regularly checked on our table and kept it tidy while we were dining. It was not intrusive and we felt comfortable to talk to them if we needed something. I was impressed by the courses served and their taste was most intriguing and unique to try. The presentation was visually appetizing and looked great in photographs. We were here for a special occasion and I really enjoyed my experience here, I left happy and satisfied.
Great food and service. Ideal place for japanese fine dining..... the king crab was amazing. Would recommend booking in advance as its really popular.
Four of us had a long Christmas lunch here yesterday
It was a real feast
We shared 8 plates and then some repeats and desserts
The service was impeccable
The food superb
The highlights were the Crispy Squid, the Pork and Kimchi Dumplings ,the Crayfish Tacos, the Black Cod, Lamb Cutlets and Pork Belly
Certainly the very highest quality
The chefs are magnificent and meticulous in their craft
The room was excellent as to its atmosphere
I found the desserts were rather non-descript but no matter
The Bloody Mary Sake Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer all top-notch also
We will all return which says it all
Gold 25% OFF(JOEFIS) Joe F G
+4.5
I came here for lunch just before my holiday to Singapore it was a pretty delicious meal we ordered one of the sets and a few other dishes and the crab noodle was amazing and I have to say the service was really good,and this is definietly one of the best japanese resturants in auckland
Came here for my birthday dinner after being told I was being taken to KFC (99% excited, 1% disappointed 😂). We came here relatively early on a Sunday night, booking was for 6pm so we got seated straight away but it got really full later in the evening. We had the masu shomi set menu with 8 courses. Everything was delicious! The sashimi platter was super fresh, really appreciated the fresh wasabi. The gyoza was probably one of my favourite dishes, had just the right note of tangyness and spice. And of course, the dessert platter - a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Masu also does a little birthday plate with sorbet and macaroon which was a lovely touch. The only downside was the waiter spilling the cocktail after placing the beer down, which in itself was fine but the best way to recover is probably not by swearing and looking embarrassed. All in all though it was a wonderful evening of food and drink and I would gladly return here for celebrations.
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Came on a Monday evening and it was so packed! We were lucky to get a table for two without making a reservation. The interior was beautiful; in the middle you have the sushi chefs working their magic which you can even sit by the counter and watch!
We got their Soft Shell Crab, Beef Fillet, Cress Salad, Eggplant, Mount Cook Salmon.
The soft shell crab is probably the star of the show, covered with rice bubbles and so damn crunchy! The sauce was a Lemon Wasabi Mayo and it was such a intricately mix of flavours! I’d definitely recommend this.
The beef fillet was amazing; I had mine medium rare. The miso soy sauce it came with gave it a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The beef was succulent, tender and juicy and cooked to perfection. The only let down is that I WANTED MORE!
The eggplant was soft and moist and melted on the tongue; gorgeous sweetness of the sauce.
The cress salad wasn’t spectacular; it’s your usual salad.
Portions are small but made for sharing so ideally you’d order a selection of different dishes to try!
Service was top notch; they ask if theres any special occasion and any allergies right from the beginning which is very considerate—SO, come for occasions! I believe they give a little complementary dessert for birthdays and anniversaries! The bill came to $123.50.
I’d definitely come back to try more of their dishes!
Food: 10/10
Price: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Came here for a birthday dinner with my bf. Upon entering, the staff greeted us warmly and wished me happy birthday. That was a very pleasant welcome that definitely sent things off to a good start.
We went for the shomi menu which is a set dinner option. Every dish was served by a smiley staff who explained what they were. While every dish was faultless, our favourite was the tacos, sashimi platter and dessert platter. At the end of our meal, they brought out a special happy birthday plate which wrapped up a wonderful night.
Special mention goes to the attentiveness of every staff who made our dining experience a perfect one. I highly recommend this place for special occasions. You won't be disappointed. However, do reserve a table as early as you can.
Never had a bad experience at Masu, they have one of the best set menus available in my opinion. Highlights for me are definitely the sugi-ita-yaki (teriyaki salmon dish), the kaisen no yukke (salmon tartare and rice crackers), yaki asparagasu (asparagus dish) and the gyoza. The extensive range of drinks and large variety of foods means there's always something available for everyone. Would definitely recommend masu for any occasion.
This is a great japanese resturant. Was very busy on a friday evening...
Staff cooking on open grill was a highlight.. I also like to watch the chefs cook and see how and what they are plating up and how. Presention plus and taste and proportions were on point.
You would definitely need a reservation to dine in this restaurant. It was super busy on Friday night but seemed to work like a well oiled machine. Service was efficient, food was incredible (although average kiwi would probably complain portions arent big enough and it is overpriced:))
We enjoyed all the dishes we had, sea food was fresh and the chocolate cake baked o order was beyod good.
We had a great experience at this fine-dining resto! I am so in love with the Sashimi! The best I had so far. The main dishes were also great tasting and well presented. Love the desserts as well, and that sweet special greeting from the staffs. 💕 My hand are up for the wonderful customer service. Really excellent job. 👌🏼
Nic certainly hit the mark with this one!
perhaps because he got the publics opinion first so it was easy to get dishes he knew would be a winner
lots of different things to try, the menus a little overwhelming at first but the waiters are great for recommending.
My advice is to try something from every category, the lamb's a must go!
definitely try ask for a seat by the grill, it's pretty cool to watch the chefs plate everything up
it is a little on the pricier side but hey, once you've got that succulent tender piece of lamb rack on your taste buds, there's no comparison ;)
This place is amazing. The staff were super friendly and the food was just stunning - presentation and taste! Loved every moment and we will be back for sure.
Dining here was like going to a gallery and being able to see, taste, touch, feel and smell the works of art.
The service was extremely attentive, our waitress always had a smile and answered all of our questions patiently.
We had the set course menu which came out like a degustation. The food was beautifully presented, the use of ice for the plating added a woah factor.
The decor was modern with a heavy accent on it's Japanese origins.
The flavours of each dish were divine and complementary. Cannot fault a single masterpiece that were presented. Would go back in a heart beat.
Delightful experience, with fresh tasty food. Beautiful dish presentation and if you sit around the counters you can even talk with the chefs preparing your meal.
It is very difficult to describe masu accurately. The food is wonderful - primarily good quality ingredients prepared well. The atmosphere is invigorating, loud and frenetic in the best possible way. It has a great sake and craft beer selection (the sugara bay IPA was beautifully balanced and smooth for an 8.5% beer). But it is the overall holistic experience that will stick with me. It had something intangible to it, its own umami, that made it a great place for a special evening.
The service could be better, best described as chaotic and uncertain at times. Faster drinks service would be the main improvement...
One tip - Definitely try to sit at the bar and watch the chefs if you can.
I have been here to celebrate my friend's birthday, the food is amazing, the service compared other restaurants is fantastic ～I recommend the dessert platter! They serve both hot and cold dessert～super yummy! This restaurant worth the price.Definitely will come again if I can afford.
My boyfriend brought me here on a brunch date and I enjoyed every moment of it 😍 This is the place to go if you are after an elegant dining experience. Everything is very neat and they have friendly staff. Food is clean and delicious. Highly recommended 👍🏻
Went to Masu for our anniversary, maybe we had a high expectation. The food themselves were amazing, full of ideas and flavour, but not really that Japanese. The cooking time was extremely long, ordered the set menu, took them 2 hours to cook all. Despite the waiting time and the pricy food, all good.
Outstanding lunch venue. Slick unobtrusive service. Express lunch was just that. Excellent modern Japanese food served quickly. Will be back for more
Absolutely stunning.
From the first step into the restaurant, I was amazed at the superb customer service we received. There were many staff around and you never had to wait long for service. The waitress who served us was attentive and very knowledgeable.
Since there were 5 of us, we were lucky enough to try many dishes. The selection of 8 sashimi is a must try and is definitely better than ordering separate portions. All the dishes we had tried: the salmon and spicy tuna maki rolls, agedashi tofu, salmon tataki, black cod, king crab, lamb cutlets, grilled eggplant, chili miso chicken, pork and kimchi gyoza were all delicious. However, if I had to choose, I would recommend the king crab leg and black cod the most! The gyoza was alright but wouldn't order again in the future.
To end the meal, we tried the chawan mushi and the shiro choko mu-su. Both of these desserts were delightful and I am so glad that we ordered them even though we were so full.
Amazing experience. Must try.
Very excited to dine here!
Dined here for a dear friends birthday! Now the restaurant itself is beautiful and spacious. Well staffed and we were seated.
The menu is. . Is strange. The menu is designed for sharing so for a table of 6, it was a bit of mission but our waitress was so lovely and set up tabs for us individually or as couples.
Browsing through the menu, there was only a few highlights for me. I loved the Crab dishes, the taco, hot pot and leg! Also loved the salmon tataki.
The hot pot was definitely my favourite, generous servings of crab meat, caviar, and rice. This dish was the most filling.
Very well balanced flavours but portions are on the smaller side.
Friend along the table did enjoy their dishes but for the price of each dish. . I was expecting a little more in terms of portion size.
Would I be back? Definitely for the hot pot but other than that I'm glad I tried and maybe in the foreseeable future.
Really enjoyed MASU, all the dishes ordered were done to perfection. Awesome service as always and beautiful drinks. However the matcha brownie dessert I found was overly sweet and therefore could not finish otherwise was a perfect meal!
Have dined at Masu a few times and our visits have been great. Service and food is consistent and fresh, one of the better Japanese restaurants in Auckland. There is seating around the kitchen area too so you can watch the chefs in action.
The quality and freshness of the food served at Masu is why it has such a great reputation. I came here for my birthday last year and you could not fault the service, or the quality of the food. It is really authentic Japanese, however I do believe it is quite over priced, especially given the portion sizes of majority of the dishes.
Most incredible Japanese I have ever had. We went for the brunch. It was so impressive. Endless sashimi, sushi and onsen eggs. The desert was out of this world.
If you want quality, you've come to the right place. Japanese food at its finest. Definitely a place to impress. Their service is top notch.
• Sushi and sashimi were good, but didn't particularly stood out for me. Same for dumplings. But bear in mind the quality is A+.
• Lamb cutlets were pretty amazing.
• Pork belly was not too bad. Not that fatty (to my liking).
• You definitely can't go wrong with their seafood; be it tempura, fish or King Crab. Omnomnomnom..
• Desserts are impressive. In fact, if you don't go for any mains, try their desserts.
Japanese style cuisine cooked mainly over open charcoal grill. We got a skycity package which included a set menu at MASU and the flavors were off the charts! Very lively yet casual. They have great range of cocktails and a gorgeously set bar. Dress smart casual for this place!
I don't usually eat Japanese cuisine but Masu was truly an experience. The presentation is on point and the flavors are great. My fave was the king crab claw which was so fresh and delicious. Great place to visit possibly the best Japanese in town .
Masu is a cool experience, no doubt about it. Our waitress was excellent-knowledgeable, warm, friendly and available.
The kingfish and salmon sashimi were excellent.
Dumplings were fab. But dumplings, you know?
The beef fillet was incredible.
So, I really enjoyed most of the food and I would go back however it won't be my first choice for a few reasons.
1. I had my heart set on teriyaki salmon having seen it on a menu, but they had just changed their menu and it didn't make it on. The salmon tataki was just bland. Sorry.
2. The menu is quite tricky and we needed some help to make sure we ordered enough food. Honestly though, I was still hungry for most of the experience and we spent $160 on food for the two of us.
3. I didn't enjoy choosing a bottle of wine because I felt ripped off by the prices. Cheapest Pinot Gris at $60 (yes, it was lovely but worth $60? No.) The rest of them at between $70-$90. The only sparkling wine on the list was $97!
Masu was incredibly busy when we went there. Did not book so had two seats at the kitchen counter but could feel the heat from the kitchen oven. The salmon was really delicious but a little on the smaller portion sizes for the price. Service and staff were friendly and efficient and I had a good time. I will return but will book a table next time.
Great ambiance and service. Food is well presented and good array of drinks. Got the set menu. Had a few cocktails. Well made. Desserts are so good. The a la carte menu looked very good as well, have to try it next time. The staff are well trained. Good work.
This is the best Japanese restaurant I have been to, the place is packed but they offer you a sort of private sitting area for a group of people. I love the sushis and sashimis. I love the pork belly too for it like melts in your mouth. Their signature dish the cod was also very yummy. They also have this dessert boat which is a dream
come true for anyone with a sweet tooth.😊😁 I am so glad that my boyfriend and I got invited for a dinner at this place. I definitely recommend this place and would surely come back again.😊😊😊👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Absolutely sensational. Exceptional service and punctual, delicately delicious food. I loved the sashimi and the soft shell crab. Easy to book, polite, amazing decor, feels like youre in New York - so sophisticated and elegant.
Everyone raves about Masu. If you listen to other amateur diners, this is the holy grail of Japanese cuisine in Auckland. Although you do pay for the privilege. Japanese fine dining. We weren't disappointed. We had a large table, did the lunch menu which included a main per person plus buffet (actually would've been fine with just the buffet :-) and the food was divine. Everything in the buffet was glorious, some items I hadn't even come across before. The finale was the extensive dessert platter with a deliciously veritable mix of Japanese flavoured desserts. Also did I mention the amazing sound proof kids entertainment room.. what a godsend and why is this the only restaurant in Auckland with the foresight to add this!
Everything was Delicious and fresh, amazing service and menu. Tried the $88 set menu and couldn't fault it. Will definitely be back for more!!!
Very good Japanese food and services to consider as a must try when coming to Auckland. Love the food and would definitely coming back!!!!!!!!
Hadn’t been here in a while but is still fantastic
Need 3 jobs to pay for it but it was amazing food and great service I will start saving for the next visit
Lucky enough to come here for lunch twice in two weeks. Both time the service was great and the food
Was outstanding. It came out quickly staff were friendly and venue has a good atmosphere
I was amazed at the level of great service tonight. The staff were very friendly, super quick to respond, and very helpful with the kids. Of course it was a tad pricey but for the location, great food, and level of service, it was well worth it. Recommend to try it at least once but I will definitely go back.
If it weren't so pricy it would be 5/5.
I understand the location, but there are better Japanese restaurants out there with better prices too.
This is probably a one off for me. Maybe buffet on special occasion.
Environment: 5/5
Food Quality: 4/5
Food Quantity: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Price $100pp
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Dined here with my partner for our anniversary, having read such good reviews my expectations for Masu were pretty high & I was a little underwhelmed to be honest. We had reserved a table for 8:00 & when we arrived it was busy, however there were some tables free, the staff member seemed to have trouble finding our booking & asked us to sit at the bar until our table was ready, this was fine & the wait wasn't long but we were then seated at a table at the front of the restaurant which had been free the entire time. The service was prompt, especially considering how busy they were. Our waitress was friendly & attentive. We ordered a bunch of small dishes to share. We had fried squid, venison tataki, pork gyoza, beef fillet, rice & chicken skewers. I also had a mimosa cocktail. The first three dishes were served very quickly, almost a little too quick, we hadn't even been served our drinks at that point. The tataki had a lovely smoky taste to it & was something different than traditional beef tataki which I liked, the squid was well cooked & seasoned & the dumplings were also well cooked, I just wasn't 100% on the filling personally. My mimosa arrived not long after our first three dishes & I really enjoyed that. Next we had the beef fillet. This was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked medium rare & an excellent cut of beef with no fat, this was probably some of the best steak I've tasted in my life. Last was the chicken skewers which were succulent & glazed with a delicious sauce, another great dish. Overall we enjoyed our meal but my partner and I felt we have both had better Japanese for less.
I've been to Nobu in America and It has nothing on MASU! This would be the best Japanese resturant around (haven't been to Japan yet).
The food, venue, presentation, servcie and attention to detail is stunning!
We had he $88 chiefs set menu, great selection of dishes.
Every time I come it's always packed, best book in advance.
The food was delicious, but pretty pricey for the amount. Freshest fish I ate in Auckland. Great atmosphere, delicious cocktails (strawberry and yuzu special).
This place is absolutely amazing and it has definitely become my favourite restaurant in Auckland. If you love Japanese food and know how to appreciate it, this is the place to go. They had freshly grated wasabi along with their super fresh sashimi selection. Everything we tried tasted amazing and was well presented. I definitely recommend the king crab legs and the kingfish salad. We loved it so much we had to order another serving or the kingfish salad. An interesting thing they have is their tofu, which is fresh and served with different things you can add to it yourself. The waitress was very nice and she was very patient in explaining the menu with us. The atmosphere was amazing and it was all beautifully decorated. It may be pricey but it is definitely a worthwhile experience
Visited this place for a date night to celebrate our anniversary, and it was definitely a wonderful experience. The location is perfect- it's nestled right next to the sky tower and as soon as you walk into the restaurant, you're able to escape from the crazy city life. The service here is excellent and the people are very friendly. There is an open kitchen and cute authentic decor which makes it all a lovely experience. We loved the crispy fried squid with green chilli and lime- it was definitely the highlight for us when it came to the food and it left us wanting more. Definitely recommend the dish. The other dishes we tried were good but the squid definitely stood out. Overall it was a great experience 😊Shovik Nandi
The service was outstanding, down to earth & friendly, made you feel very relaxed . The food was so tasty. Each dish was full of flavour, & the presentation was stunning. Will definitely be back
Masu is one of those restaurants where you feel as if it was more than just food!
Think art on a plate and a symphony for your taste. Beautiful, fresh, amazing food. Would recommend this to anyone who has appreciation for good food.
When talking to anyone in Auckland about where to get great Japanese food, one name kept cropping up. With this in mind we booked a table for 6 of us for a Japanese feast at Masu. We went on a busy Friday night and were excited for what was to come. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with “Ema”, some Japanese wooden wishing plaques hanging up at the entrance. This is a Shinto custom and thus can be found at shrines all over Japan. As Buddhism and Shinto have mixed up a lot, it is not unique to shrines anymore, you might find them in temples, or in Masu too!
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When talking to anyone in Auckland about where to get great Japanese food, one name kept cropping up. With this in mind we booked a table for 6 of us for a Japanese feast at Masu. We went on a busy Friday night and were excited for what was to come.
The restaurant is beautifully decorated with “Ema”, some Japanese wooden wishing plaques hanging up at the entrance. This is a Shinto custom and thus can be found at shrines all over Japan. As Buddhism and Shinto have mixed up a lot, it is not unique to shrines anymore, you might find them in temples, or in Masu too!
We were shown to a round table which was great as we always find that at a rectangular table you never get to speak to the person at the other end to you!
An open kitchen really adds to the ambiance and really allows you to feel amongst the hustle and bustle of everything going on. Now we only give constructive criticism and although the food at Masu was outstanding the service was somewhat lacking. Yes, it was a busy Friday night service and the restaurant was full, but for a restaurant of this calibre and charging these sort of prices, the service should have been spot on.
We started with a round of drinks, including cocktails, champagne and sake. Now our waitress did tell us she was new and this was absolutely fine. One of us asked for a glass of champagne and the waitress put down a white wine glass. No big deal, we asked another waitress for a champagne flute instead. She said she would have to check with the senior waitress if this was ok for us to have a champagne flute. We hope in the future that the wait staff know a bit more about which glasses to serve with which drink, therefore avoiding a table the wait in order to check a minor request (which seems not too big to ask for).
Anyway, onto the food! And this is where Masu redeemed themselves.
Tuna tataki with roast onion, wafu, yuzu kosho and pickled garlic was perfectly fresh and clean tasting.The sauce added a spicy touch to this amazing dish.
Wild venison tataki, arima sansho, wasabi and crispy leek arrived beautifully plated. The venison was so tender and the sauce really complemented it. The venison was however slightly overpowered by the sauce but this is just a minor niggle.
Now we had been advised that the dishes would arrive as and when they were ready so would be staggered. That was fine as many restaurants now do this. However there was a very long wait after the venison and tuna tataki had been delivered and then all of the rest of the dishes arrived all at once.
Next up were the crispy prawn, avocado, sweet soy and takuwan maki rolls. We also ordered the spicy tuna, avocado and jalapeno mayonnaise rolls. Both were perfectly executed.
Next up were pork and kimchi gyoza, pickled cucumber and soy vinegar. Alongside these we had the prawn, snapper and spring onion gyoza with red chilli. Really tasty and not too filing, we would recommend it.
One of the star dishes of the night was the ginger, miso and sesame eggplant. It was so creamy and tender.
The beef fillet with red chilli, garlic soy, sesame and spring onion was cooked perfectly, we always LOVE ordering this type of dish in a Japanese restaurant! It was quite pricy for the size but who’s counting when it’s this good?
Another standout dish was the cedar roasted ora king salmon teriyaki with pickled cucumber and sesame. The fish flaked perfectly and the flavours were delicately balanced.
We added one last dish for the ones who were still hungry : Tartare of ora king salmon and tuna with house-made rice crackers. It was incredibly tasty and delicate – the tuna and salmon was melt in the mouth, something we will not forget in a hurry.
Now on to dessert!
The cedar roasted marou chocolate and hazelnut pudding with caramel miso ice cream was reminiscent of a chocolate fondant. Once the sponge surface had been broken, molten chocolate oozed out. The addition of green tea powder was also great.
Our second and final dessert was the carrot cake, yuzu cheesecake, cranberry sake gel and spiced pumpkin ice cream. Almost like a deconstructed dessert, this had a variety of textures and flavours.
As you will know from our previous reviews, we are never unnecessarily negative but the service was very slow and not on point the night we visited. We realise that our waitress was inexperienced and feel she may not have been quite ready to be left on her own yet (especially on one of their busiest nights).
However we’d love to return and give Masu a second chance as the food really was amazing and we hear their Sunday brunch is outstanding!
Hands down best Japanese food in Auckland. Luckily got to try multiple dishes on the menu for a friend's bday. A must see and try I would highly recommend if you wish to enjoy Japanese food at the highest quality.
We were lucky enough to walk in on a Saturday night and have a table made available for us after a short wait at the bar. I think it helped that we were staying in the hotel. We started with a cocktail. The cocktail menu was generous and creative though I still went for a standard espresso martini which was excellent. Our food was equally excellent. The sashimi tasting plate was so fresh and delicious, and the baby chicken was too good for words- we could have ordered it a second serve, but we were full. Desserts were a hit and a miss. The choc banana was the hit and the deconstructed carrot cake the miss...the cake part was dry. It didn't work well as a deconstructed version of a classic.
Service was spot on even for such a busy restaurant.
This place never fails to disappoint. Need to book otherwise very hard to get a table. The staff and service level is exceptional and the food is even better. Best Japanese in Auckland. Crayfish miso tacos and the pork gyozas are standouts
Amazing drinks list -it's so extensive its split into 2 menus. The place is busy, even on a Monday night so best to reserve ahead of time or be prepared to wait or sit at the bar.
Go to Masu! Don't think twice. I have been to Masu on many different occasions and recommend their Sunday brunch, their dinner set menus and the al la carte style menu too! All food is beautifully presented and extremely fresh and of good quality. The staff are excellent and attentive. The photos are of the brunch where you not only get access to their buffet but each adult also gets to order one main for the table - great value and worth it for a Sunday Brunch with friends and family.
I had high expectations of this place from its reputation, and was not disappointed! The service was prompt and friendly, and food flavours excellent. The venison Tataki was a particular standout.
Masu never fails to disappoint - the environment, the delicious cocktails & the innovative dishes.
Tonight the service was not as good as normal - a little slow to take orders & refill drinks etc... but other than that we had a great night.
We had a range of dishes - very fresh sushi & sashimi which was beautifully presented. Vege sides - broccoli, kumara & eggplant - all well made. The pork belly was melt in the mouth as was the beef. Although the beef was expensive at $38.00 it was well worth it for the quality & handling/preparation of it. The chicken skewers were also a hit as was the crispy squid. All dishes worked well.
We ordered the dessert platter to share which is such a statement dish. $60 but well worth it again for all the effort that goes into each piece. Enough for a minimum of 3 but it was shared across our group.
Drinks wise we tried a range of cocktails & they were all delish - looked great & had a good balance of flavours.
Another great night at Masu
Really top notch Japanese food. Fantastic service, great atmosphere and aesthetics. Could not fault it, will definitely be going back ASAP! Yum!
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+4.5
Feeling super spoiled on our 11th year anniversary. Came here for their Nichiyo Sunday brunch. Nice family friendly and great ambience. You get what you paid for, in this case high tag price but it comes with top notch service. Food is fresh, crisp and on point. Everything taste divine. They even wrote a 'happy anniversary' on a dessert plate for us - they definately look after their customers. Will be back again for dinner in the future. Recommend for special occasion with your love ones.
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Went for #Restaurant of the Month" menu $55 for 3 courses.
I was wrong. I knew Masu is a high end Japanese restaurant, I also knew Masu is Metro top 50, but I didn't aware the catastrophic result for these three combinations: high end + Japanese + find dining...
I should have seeing it's coming but it was already too late when we sit down and ordered first drink, Sake by the glass. "Glass" is very misleading, technically this is a teeny weeny cup, similar size of Espresso cup, costs $10 per cup (I do understand Japanese sake cup is tiny as part of tradition but you are still shocked seeing how tiny it is), followed by a teeny weeny 6 prawns (yes I counted) & miso soup. "Prawn" is again misleading, these are just tiny shrimps which literally can fit in your teeth gap, and the miso soup is the similar size of green tea cup, however great taste.
Main is Salmon with rice, cooked to perfection, a slightly burned on skin but taste great, however the spinach salad ruined the day, it was way too salty to taste anything, I didn't finish, my friends finished it and her tongue were numb due to the sodium overdose, poor girl!
We did get a very cute waiter came over explaining this is the way the prepare the salad, yes of course why wouldn't you, but this is the way the customer complaints when they almost felt poisoned by the food. however the service is polite and warm, great atmosphere.
Dessert is the only highlight of the night, OMG if I have to come back (which I don't think it will happen) I will only order dessert, don't be fooled by the humble name e.g choko banana, carrot cake, it's a very sophisticated dessert require many techniques and tastes like heaven, so the 3.5 score is just for the dessert.
Lovely food, great ambience. This place teases your taste buds, as the delicate flavours from each dish are exquisite. We tried the ribs and salmon for mains and it was beautifully prepared. There portion sizes can definitely get better. All in all a good experience!
Food - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4.5/5
Service -5/5
Went there for two friends' birthdays. Ate a lot 😁😁 the food was really nice... and the dessert was even better!
Crab leg was flavorful and well presented and their salads were one of a kind! Really appreciated the service and drinks.
Will definitely visit again.
The food here is to die for. If you intend on going here, prepare your wallet- I don't think I've even been here and spent less than $250 for a 2 person dinner. It is so worth it though. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The food is just amazing, my favourites are the fatty tuna sashimi and the crayfish tacos. This place is awesome! Top marks for ambience, service and food!
Had a birthday dinner with 2 friends and Masu did not disappoint. In fact it impressed my guests. The service was attentive but not pushy or stiff. The food----- ohhhhh the food. The crab legs and black cod were unforgettable. The rest- sushi, sashimi, beef cheeks, tempura were all excellent.
Excellent food. Everything was outstanding but for those prices I would expect nothing less.
Sashimi is stunning and the wagyu is melt in your mouth heaven. For two people we ordered six dishes which was enough. Small sashimi, wagyu, eggplant, spinach salad, kingfish tataki and black cod.
Kudos to the service and kitchen team. We had an 8pm show and they had us out by 7.30pm and we sat for a 6.30 booking.
Popped into Masu very quickly as I was after some Umeshu (Japanese plum wine). Masu definitely impressed as they had more than 5 varieties, not to mention excellent service, (only place in Auckland that could deliver when I requested "Umeshu") so I will definitely be back to try the food; paired with Umeshu of course.
Upon arrival we were wished a happy anniversary which was a nice personal touch. We ordered a set menu which involved dish after dish being brought out. First up a ceviche taco presented on bamboo, fresh and crunchy. The rest of the menu was a whirlwind of freshness and flavours. The sashimi was so fresh and needed no extra flavour. The wood smoked salmon was my favourite along with the soft shell crab. We ate so much and didn't leave bloated or hungry. My only let down was the dessert platter. Although presented on a heavy boat with ice chips it was merely some basic pieces of fruit and the tiniest scoops of gelato. Up until then every course had 2 of everything but this platter only had one which meant dipping your spoon into each item and sharing your germs. Pricey and worth the treat but probably won't be going back on account of the let down finish to the meal.
Wonderful dining experience at MASU tonight, we had 2 sake to share as start and three small dishes, deep fried chicken, crispy squid and edamame; then followed with Toro sashimi, squid sashimi and Salmon & tuna tartare as main, small meals before a spa session. Food was amazingly good and staff are very helpful!! Strongly recommend.
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I love the open design of this place especially the open kitchen. The service was excellent and attentive. I started off with a sour cocktail plumberry sawa. I was a little bit underwhelmed. Unfortunately for me they have the same issue with their cocktails like a lot of places in Auckland. They skimp on the liquor. Rather skip the cocktail list and try one of their whisky's.
We ordered a large range of items. They were unfortunately out of the fatty tuna which was a shame but they made up for it by having wagyu nigiri - delicious. The kingfish sashimi salad with truffle and yuzu dressing was out of this world and one of my favourites. The crayfish taco was very tasty, the taco was not the usual mexican taco, I think it may have been made with a rice product maybe rice flour? Very tasty and beautifuly presented. The spicy tuna maki was very fresh and flavoursome too.
Another favourite was the xl tiger prawn - out of this world, quite spicy and cooked perfectly. The homemade tofu was much better than what I expected it to be. It was served with barley miso, spring onion, ginger, dried seaweed and soy sauce. You serve up your tofu out of the main dish then you add the bits and pieces to your liking. I thought this dish was very well thought out and creative.
The gyoza was pretty good nothing too special. The batter the soft shell crab was cooked in was ok. Was a bit disappointing as it tasted slightly burnt. It's a bit too hard and not light as what I would have expected and how I prefer it. The eggplant was very good, very well flavoured and I love the charred taste. The baby chicken unfortunately was not as good as I was hoping it to be. It was a very small portion for the price. I would have rather ordered more prawns. It tasted too burnt to me and to salty that I ended up scraping off most the paste. We finished up with the dessert platter. This has the most amazing presentation of all. It was presented in a massive large plate with lots of ice. Thete was a variety of fruit, homemade ice creams and I think 3 desserts from the menu.
Overall everything was good but I was disappointed with the baby chicken and cocktails. If it wasn't for the xl prawn, crayfish taco and kingfish sashimi salad I would probably have rated 3.5 or 3 out of 5. I felt that it was maybe also a bit pricey for what we got.
5 star service,as expected from a Japanese restaurant.
Staff are knowledgable, helpful and very attentive.
The restaurant is big and seating is staged either around the chefs central work station, or around the sides of the restaurant. The street facing bar always looks busy and the cocktail menu is extensive, with a heavy Asian influence. Plenty of new flavours to experience.
We ordered 5 varied plates between 2 of us and enjoyed every single one. I recommend ordering dishes in that manner, to get a broad selection of tastes and styles.
Nic Watt’s Masu at Sky City Grand has been bestowed with plenty of accolades over the years, including Metro’s Restaurant of the Year 2014, and currently holds two Cuisine Good Food chef hats. To be honest, I was never sure whether it would live up to the hype – pre-launch it even had it’s own TV series highlighting Chef Nic Watt’s Japanese cooking and recipes. Not a bad way to get word out there. Being part of the Sky City Grand and their Federal St development of high profile eateries doesn’t hurt either. Of course you still have to follow through with great food…let’s not forget previous Federal St neighbours such as Luke Dallow’s Red Hummingbird that failed to fly despite it’s prime position.
Went here for dinner. Great service and delicious fresh Japanese food. Really popular. We sat at the bar and watched the genius' at work.
Not cheap and portions small but this is typical of fine dining Japanese food.
Went with the edamame ($6.90), tofu ($10.90), 3 servings of sashimi ($25.50) and beef ($38.00).
The tofu was the most unique and beef the tastiest.
Beautiful! The wagyu is delicious and well cooked, the cod (signature dish) is absolutely stunning - perfect balance of sweet and salty flavours! My favourite ia the soft shell crab! Try their spider sliders (soft shell crab, spicy mayo in squid ink buns) it is a secret menu item!
Love this Japanese restaurant! My partner isn't too big on seafood but the kingfish salad was so good we ordered it twice! I'd also recommend getting the XL prawn and the crayfish tacos! Will definitely be back
Amazing food! Have variety selections :) tempura must try and the crab leg is so fresh and delicious must try it :) service really good and environment is fantastic too! Overall love it will be back again!
Excellent service and loved the atmosphere where the occasional Japanese phrase could be heard in the kitchen. We sat on the counter by the kitchen, and was enjoyable to watch the chefs at work. I was able to watch the creation of my sushi from my seat and I even noticed a sneaky smile from the chef when he noticed how fast we had finished our sushi!
The food was delicious and we enjoyed everything :)
Really enjoyed the food and the service there, the food is really well presented and tastes really good especially the beef fillet, highly recommended. Also the staff gave me a birthday surprise at the end with a 'happy birthday' dessert dish. Will definitely go again!!
We came here as part of a package deal with East Day Spa... So our dinner menu was a set menu... The service was excellent and the food that we had was delicious.... The presentation was excellent and we enjoyed all the courses, the miso soup was really nice as was the fried chicken with the sauce ... The dessert was a great ending that wasn't too sweet... Will definately come back to try more from the menu.
We also popped in here recently for lunch... And WOW... Absolutely delicious food... Tempura scampi was yummy... Lamb cutlets and black cod both delicious.
Excellent food and service. Food was outstanding served by polite, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Absolutely nothing I would ask to be done differently.
Came back here again today with my partner to celebrate our anniversary! My partner is gluten free so we got the set menu that was $88 per person, which is super pricy but for a special occasion we thought we would splurge a little bit. The dishes was nice and a good mixture of food. One dish came which was the broccoli and we both tried it and one minute later a waiter comes to tell us it contains gluten. My partner already took a bite but they said they would go change it and give us a new one which was fine but my partner is super allergic to it and one bite of it and it makes him feel super sick. The service was great but we just wish they would of taken the gluten thing a bit more serious or at least given us a discount on the mistake therefore I give them a 4 instead of 5. But other than that it was a good nice and the atmosphere was great.
Came here with a group the other night. Exceptional service! We were a little unsure of the best way to deal with our group orders so our server chose our dishes and kept them coming out in good time. Our table was always well cleared and the next dish ready to be served all the way through to the end of the night. Beautiful food, well presented, and extremely tasty. Highly recommend the beef which came out rare to medium rare - absolutely divine.
Very nice food and service. I had my birthday there and enjoyed it! We enjoyed the dessert platter there shared by 5 people and still couldn't finish it. The king crab's leg was awesome and also the black cod. Highly recommended to everyone!
Good atmosphere and good variety of food. Came in a group but food comes out quick
Service was good and a good collection of japanese food and drinks.
Will be back again!
The place is definitely one of the best in NZ. Although its supposed to be a fine dining, the place made it less formal which is a good thing. The shomi set menu was really nice even though I was expecting for something exceptional but the dessert was still one of the best in Auckland. The service was good overall, though its a little bit hard to call a waiter when ours was not around because most of them were busy but that can't be helped. Great place when you don't like those 'formal' fine dining.
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+4
Service was great, everyone was friendly with big smiles except for the lady at the reception. The presentation for the food was very nice. The plates seem to be specially made as I have never seen a plate that's almost the same length as the table.😆 Overall we had a great time there.
Amazing, love it, can't fault it. Delicious fresh food, fabulous service. By far the best Japanese (or food in general) I have ever had. It isn't cheap so is definitely a special occasion place. You won't be disappointed.
Amazing dinner at Masu! I took my friend here for his birthday and we got the degustation menu at $88 per person. It was sensational! A great variety of food and display of different cooking styles/techniques. The value for money is actually great as we got a lot of sashimi, succulent lamb, beautiful salmon and so much more, not to mention the amazing dessert platter. They also brought out a complimentary "happy birthday" written in chocolate with a candle and sorbet. Very nice. The staff were great and our waiter was very comical whilst remaining professional. It can be a pricey evening if you really went for it but I recommend the set menu as it is great value and let's you try a lot of food. I was completely full by the end. Definitely will go back but for special occasions rather than just a meal out.
We were lucky enough to have our work conference and I have been meaning to go back ever since! The décor of this place is beautiful and sophisticated. We were served an assortment of small plates – all very good quality and really tasty. The food went too quickly I was unable to get some photos which was a shame as the presentation the plates was to a high standard. However I did get a photo of dessert, which looked stunning! Would have loved a few extra dishes as I was still a little peckish by the time we left. The service was very good during our visit, they had staffed appropriately and well prepared for our event.
Would recommend Masu for special occasions or for those fine diners. It is a bit of a splurge for Japanese food but the overall experience is definitely something else.
Very interesting place. Beautiful setting and great service. Loved the decor and the ambience. We chose a set menu amd we were definitely not let down. The sushi was fabulous. So flavourful with just the right amount of heat. The steak was cooked perfectly, just melted in my mouth. My winners were the duck, salmon in seaweed and truffle sauce and the dessert platter. The honey glaze on the duck was spiced just the right amount and the persimmon to go with it was a great choice. The dessert platter was to die for! The most decadent chocolate brownie with green tea powder...drool worthy! And the meringues were just heavenly with an assortment of beautiful ice creams. Definitely recommend this place.Mohsin Zahoor
Beautiful dishes that just melt in your mouth. A bit expensive but the service and food makes this place a must try! Definitely try the crab sliders. #gidschallenge
I've come to this nice fancy little restaurant next to Skycity a couple of times already since 2014 (at least 4 times) so I have tried a variety of things on their menu and no longer feel like going back :P
PRICE: It's quite pricey but definitely should go if you want to splurge a bit on food or a long overdue date night, anniversary etc. It's always quite busy so make sure to book beforehand! For a once in a long while thing, the price for the food is bearable :P otherwise...it's not really worth it.
SERVICE: Out of the few times I've been, service has been really great and also kind of bad xD Remember to check what beverages comes with a price and which dont because when they offer you green tea, you might think it's free but it's actually not.
FOOD: The food are really well displayed, which I liked (great for photos :P). None of the dishes I've had have stood our as terrible - all quite tasty and...edible xD
OVERALL: It's definitely a place worth going to try at least once!
Best sushi I've tried in Auckland by far!
It was so fresh, beautifully presented and oh-so-delicious. This place has made me very critical of other sushi restaurants as nothing has beaten the taste of masu.
My family and I went there for lunch and the atmosphere was nice, relaxing and felt quite casual for being a well-known, fine dining restaurant. Service was quick and great.
We got various sushi, sashimi and hot food dishes. Sushi & sashimi:4.5/5. Hot dishes- 4/5. I don't like dishes that are too salty and found the hot dishes slightly too salty.
Overall, my favourite sushi restaurant in Auckland! I would definitely come back.
Exotic Japanese and European mixed style restaurant. It is something that you have to try at least once in you life time. Food are very pricy but very fresh and well presented. Must try taco and any kind of sushi. They also have a great collection of Japanese wine and sake. Lunch time usually has less people then dinner time.
Only restaurant I have rated till date as a 5...difficult to flaw out on this... Best food, best service and best ambience.. Value for money and time spent...
This joint has the best Japanese iv ever had! The wagu beef and the sweet fish main are just insane- staff are friendly and not in ur face. Not too noisy for a big place too, it was very pleasant. So good
we were very lucky to have a table as we didn't make reservation. super yummy food and great drink menus. didn't have time to try their dessert menu but heard great things about it so will definately visit again!
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Not traditional Japanese, but the food is still delicious!
Went here last Friday. Loved the decor and the atmosphere. Dresscode - smart casual. We got in around 6pm and the place was about ¼ full. By 7pm, the place is packed! I would definately suggest to call in and book a table. There's an array of diners including family with kids and toddlers - a plus for me (I have a toddler)! Whilst the place looks very "swanky", they don't turn down dinners with kids and toddlers. This is often a problem if you have kids and toddlers. It's very hard to find a nice place like this to dine that are more than happy for you to have a toddler in tow.
The food was not traditional Japanese, but they were still delicious! Perhaps you can call it modern Japanese. Serving sizes were fair, enough to share a dish between two people. We did not go for any set menu, instead we ordered a number of their dishes with the intention to share in order to make a good dent at trying as much as we can of what they have to offer. We ended up ordering 10 dishes in total including 2 sides (brocollli and kumara). Safe to say each dish was great - well seasoned, flavours well belanced, each dish highlighted the flavour of its main ingridient and was not masked with seasoning or sauces at all. Our stand out dish was the smoked black cod, it just melts in your mouth. It's a must try!
If you are a sake drinker, they have a vast selection of sake and you will not be dissapointed. If you are not a regular sake drinker, don't be shy asking the staff for suggestions. They are very knowledgeable.
Unfortunately we did not order sashimi. The sashimi that were coming out look great and they are all thick cuts. They even come out served on what looks like individually sculptured ice. They looked impressive! Also sadly, we were so full, we did not have enough room to try their dessert. This just gave us a reason to come back!
All in all, great night, great service, great food - each dish takes you into a journey.
Expect to spend a minimum of $80pp to really enjoy what they have to offer.
Was very very impressed with Masu!! The food was delicious, looked and tasted great.
The ambience is great. And flavours -spot on.
Totally worth the money. Will be back soon :)
The food here is amazing! Totally worth going - reasonably priced too! Cost is $95 for 3 of us not including any drinks. Fabulous gluten free menu too!! Only thing bringing this score down is the service isn't the greatest, I mean I'm not complaining about it - it's just not outstanding which you would think it would be compared to the rest of the experience. Defiantly will go back here!
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We came to Masu at 6.30pm to find a full restaurant (no surprises there judging from what we have heard about the place). It was a Friday so they had a live DJ which we absolutely loved, she seems like she was having such a fun time the whole night.
We were offered a big table in a corner next to the bar. It was a bit hidden away thankfully so the noise didn't bother us. I can imagine sitting elsewhere in the middle can be a bit bothersome if you don't like a loud atmosphere. The bar menu is certainly impressive with a decent selection of wine, beer, sake, umeshu, delicious Sochu tonics and most impressively a cocktails range based on the 5 basic tastes. We ordered some from the bitter, sour and sweet range. Unfortunately none of us were adventurous to try a umami based cocktail, I'm interested to see what they would be like. A savoury cocktail, imagine that!
Being really hungry we all opted for the Masu Tokusen menu and upgraded to the black wagyu as well. The night started with their famous salmon tartare served with rice crackers. One of us jokingly said that it was like a fish pate and I half heartedly agreed, a light but creamy paste with a gentle saltiness added by the roe. The star of the dish though was definitely the rice crackers, it was so light and "airy" that I would happily have eaten it on its own. Throughout the night the highlights were the chef's omakase, the sashimi collection and the Masu dessert platter. The omakase, as our waitress explained it, means “leave it to the chef” so it's different every couple of days. Our omakase was a delightful salmon confit with miso butter and a black bread (which I’m assuming is from squid ink), after being cooked in fat the salmon just melted on the tongue. The chef’s 5 choices of sashimi was very decent and our favourites were trevally, yellow fin tuna and hapuka.
I wasn’t too impressed with the black cod, perhaps maybe because I don’t tend to like fatty fish. It definitely was very oily with a robust flavour. The vegetables were also a bit of a let down, the tempura batter was very soft and light but what I was disappointed about was the sauce which wasn’t strong enough. Often I find that for tempura dishes the accompanying sauce either can be too bland or the opposite. It has to be very well balanced to give taste to the otherwise under-flavoured tempura.
Overall I was mostly happy with my experience. But for the price tag that comes with a night at Masu I expected more, especially when you can get very decent Japanese at half the price around the city. I was full after the tonkusen set menu but I can imagine that if we were ordering a la carte it would have taken quite a few dishes and a dent in the wallet to be satisfied. I was impressed with the elegant settings, the choices behind the contemporary menu, the discipline of the chefs behind open kitchen and the staff on the floor. I found some of the plating and presentation to be a bit “tired” and sometimes it wasn’t even there. I’ve heard about the one of a kind, handmade crockery at Masu but at the end of the day it doesn't make up for the fact the some of the food looked a bit dull. I don’t want to be asking too much from an establishment that is somewhat “casual”. However I think I’m justified in my expectations when they charge a hefty price and once carried the title of “restaurant of the year.”
Rebecca Stringfellow
+4.5
First time at Masu I wasn't too sure what to expect but by looking at reviews I was really excited for an awesome dining experience. With such a extensive menu we finally decided on our order, and being a Saturday night I thought it may take awhile..though 5mins later the first few orders were ready for us which I was very impressed about. Overall the food was beyond anything I expected, though the service was what really made it worth while. I would definitely be here again, and would recommend anyone to go here.
Stunning food. Perfect getaway in winter and would be great if they had more of an outdoor area in summer. The tempura flounder is a must! You must not leave there without trying it
Went here as a group of 11 and were looked after amazingly well. The food is on point and the cocktail selection for the ladies or lads is also something special. The spicy tuna sushi, the ribs and the braised pork cheek were my favourites considering we ordered half the menu. Don't be afraid to try new foods here if you're hesitant this place is a stand out in Aucklands restaurant scene.
Been here a couple of times now, and although it's not your traditional Japanese food, the chefs certainly provides a nice twist on usual dishes. Loved the spicy crayfish miso taco, really nice combination on the delicate flesh. I wouldn't bother with the miso soup, a bit bland and generic - only upscaled by a bit of seafood. Yellow fin tuna and kingfish sashimi is a must try, and give the Masu dessert platter ago if you have enough people - refer to photo. The service is great, clearly having waiters assigned to each tables needs. Love the open layout of the place, overseeing the kitchen and Federal street.
Ohhhh my goodness the brunch is amazing! Such good value considering the quality of the food, service and the fact that I could eat as much sashimi as my belly could hold. Please don't stop this fantastic dining experience! Also, I highly rate any establishment that has oscar and co hand wash and diffusers in the bathrooms!
This was not the first time we had our dinner here. The food served was not authentic I would say they were more towards fusion style. I loved the sashimi. If you have time to spare, trying the set menu was a good choice. The set meal was not cheap though. The environment was good but very noisy after 6pm for dinner cause there was a bar in front of the restaurant serving not less than may be 30, 40 guests?! Overall experience was wonderful, especially the food unfortunately they had a policy of NO OUTSIDE FOOD allowed in the restaurant including cake for celebrating birthday there. This was not cool...
As you would expect. Good food, good service, and good ambience. Will come back again. Of note were the attentive staff who were helpful and considerate to the diner. This is a special establishment offering exquisite food and a fantastic dining experience.
Came her for dinner on my birthday 2 weeks ago and had previously came for graduation dinner in May 2014.
The staff have always been very friendly and helpful, as well as the decor being very pleasant.
On this occasion we ordered the Alaskan crab leg which was very tasty. The grilled eggplant was quite nice, however a bit too sweet in some spots. The fried squid was different but pleasant, the same for the crispy prawn maki roll. One of our favourites was the salmon and tuna tartare, with every bite making you want more.
One of the highlights at Masu is the dessert platter which we had tried on the previous Occassion. It's very ideal when you want to try a bit of everything, and was enough for 4 people.
Masu is a nice place to eat on special occasions or wanting a smart dining experience.
Very nice food. Love the black cod dish. They got a DJ in house on friday night. The service was very nice. Friendly staff and efficient service.
I was treated to dinner at Masu for my birthday. Everyone had raved about Masu and I really wanted to try it. It has a lovely ambiance and a sophisticated wooden style to it.
The menu is packed with a variety of Japanese dishes but we decided to try the Masu Tokusen degustation menu ($120 per person). The sushi and sashimi was the best I have tasted in Auckland. The highlight for me was the yaki gamo which is grilled duck breast, honey Sancho and persimmon. The duck literally melted in my mouth. I coulnd’t fault any of the dishes and they were all beautifully presented.
The staff were all attentive and friendly. When they brung the dessert out they had wrote ‘Happy Birthday’ on it which was really thoughtful and made the night that extra bit special.
It is definitely on the more expensive side for Japanese but if you are a Japanese cuisine lover and feel like a treat then try Masu.
Outstanding!!! Among the best Japanese restaurants I've dined in.. The food, the service and the atmosphere were all exceptional... I'll be back next time.
Food & atmosphere lovely but just reminded me how lucky we are in Auckland with great quality Japanese at good prices so just felt overpriced. Good drinks menu
Masu is a brilliant creation from Nic Watt; a classy restaurant that has true Japanese fare - you can even hear the work of the chefs from their open kitchen, as the exec chef yells out orders to a simultaneous 'hai' from the sous chefs and chef de parties.The food is pricy if you go via a la carte; but this is the only way to truly test the skill and creativity of the menu. By glancing over the standard tasting menu (which is reasonably priced), you will find that the menu caters for the wider audience by playing it 'safe'. The a-la-carte is well executed but didn't leave any lasting impressions, with the exception of one of the visits I had comprising of a sake dessert (which to this day, is one of the most amazing dessert creations I've tasted). Overall an excellent experience and I can see why Masu has won the accolades it has; but for this foodie, Nic Watt needs to bring more of what he's learnt in Japan rather than fear of the food not appealing to the masses.
The food here is unbelievably good! The soft shelled crab was so crispy, so were the tempura. The chicken skewers and lamb cutlers were amazing. And I still dream about the chocolate and hazelnut pudding! But it is a tad pricey.
I've been to Masu twice recently and have been impressed on both occasions. The food is an amazing modern twist on traditional Japanese (with plenty of options for those who don't eat raw food). The food is also amazingly presented.
There is an extensive wine list with a choice for everyone and the mocktails are yummy for those who are driving.
I'll definitely be back!
Outstanding!
Just got in on shared table without booking on a Friday night! In a hurry to make a show an food was surprisingly speedy!!
We ordered the signature blackened cod with miso; was delightfully tasty an succulent centre with a charred outside cooked in a banana leaf although eater overpriced for the small dish. Also got the Hapuka which was also tasty an cooked perfectly an accompanied by a small salad garnish an avocado. The eggplant miso was delicious an juicy an the broccoli nice, the prawn leg was a little overrated as wasn't a fan of the sauce/cheese like stuff on top, however other whole king prawn with chilli was very very tasty! All round very delicious food but a little frustrating how everything comes out separately so some dishes begin to get cold. A little pricy but never the less very tasty good quality find!
Went to Masu with my wife to celebrate our Wedding anniversary. It was a faultless evening! The food was amazing as we sampled from throughout the menu - sashimi to start, then red chilli tiger prawns, scampi tempura, eggplant, black cod and the beef fillet. No wonder the black cod is the signature dish - it just melts in your mouth. The tiger prawn was my favourite so I had to order a second one. On to desserts where we tried the Chawan Mushi and Maccha To Banana No Pafe - both very original but highlighted and complemented by the sparkling sake Mio which was recommended by the waiting staff ((who by the way were exceptional). Overall, a perfect evening hence my rating of 5.
I have been to Masu several times and tonight did not disappoint! We had the chief's selection of 8 sashimi, pickles for two and black cod amongst other things. The black cod was incredible, the true highlight and my dining friend rated it and he has had it fresh before in North America. The service was attentive, the atmosphere just buzzing especially sitting at the grill area. We also had four rounds of sake curated for us by a lovely senior staffer who proceeded to explain the regions and the style of manufacture. All round, this was a fantastic evening.
Ambience - comes across as very authenticFood - this is where MASU really shines. Beautifully presented and very different to what I'm used to for Japanese. Tastes great but you'll walk away from the meal actually full and not be starving again in 60 minutes time, my typical gripe with Japanese food.Service is great, nothing to critique.I would suggest MASU as the perfect place for groups/families to have a nice dinner out.
reasonable price…derserts are awsome. High quality food. Especially the sashimi, very good fish. Even their wasabi is different from other japanese restaurant very fresh.
Located in the Heart of Auckland CBD This Japanese Restaurant has a Broad range of different style and Unique food presentation Great customer service and excellent for fine dine Experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Masu is amazing. Every dish is a flavour explosion. Highlights include the Eye filet with chili, Tiger prawns, and if course the tuna! Plus a sour plum cocktail. Will not disappoint.
Great experience. On holiday in Auckland and we know they do Japanese cuisine well in that city. Ended up in Masu by chance and were grateful fate led us there. The food was excellent with a great selection of Japanese cooking styles. We sat at the counter overlooking the charcoal grill pit so were endlessly entertained. Atmosphere was excellent with many different areas throughout the restaurant including the cool bar at the front. Service was good and attentive without being annoying. Overall a great night out. We will definitely visit again when in Auckland.
My partner and I decided to enjoy the friday night by treating ourselves to one of the best restaurants in Auckland. I have always been intrigued of what difference Masu can offer since there are already alot of existing Japanese restaurants here in CBD. As we entered the restaurant, we have been greeted by the maitre d as we confirm our booking, then we have been guided to our reserved seats. We then ordered chef's selection of perfectly filleted sashimi which was accompanied by soy sauce and wasabe. We also had Alaskan king crab leg with wasabe lime butter on top and must say that it was my favorite dish of the night, it just melted in my mouth! We also had medium rare steak, ebi tempura and chef's selection of ice cream which I really enjoyed too. The service was excellent! Ambiance was really good as well in a sense that it is not uptight where you can relax, chat, laugh and enjoy the premium dishes. Will definitely go back here. :)
The Incredible Edible
+4.5
Well we went back and we were not disappointed this time. Maybe because we knew what dishes to avoid
It was delicious and we were stuffed by the end of it.. We ordered too much
Check out the photos, presentation was appetizing
We went to Masu for our wedding anniversary earlier tonight. We went for the $120 per person set menu with wine/sake match. The highlights were the sashimi, sushi, lamb and desert. We were less impressed with the soft shell crab and black cod which are apparently two of the signature dishes. The wine lady and the waiter were fantastic and some of the sakes that we were introduced to were sublime. Highly recommended / give it a go even if you aren't a fan of Japanese food.
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Absolutely delicious. I came here because everyone was raving about it. When I first walked in there was an instantly chic ambiance, very sophisticated. The menu is packed with mouth watering Japanese fusion dishes. I ordered an array of small dishes: crayfish tacos, tuna tataki, soft shell crab, crispy fried squid, chicken skewers, chicken wings, tiger prawn, beef fillet and eggplant. I cannot honestly say that I didn't enjoy every single meal. My personal favourites were the crayfish tacos: perfectly poached crayfish, avocado, pickled veggies in a crispy rice taco- indulgence in its finest. And the tuna tataki: tuna sashimi on picked veggies, I swear the tuna tasted as if it were just swimming before they served it! As far as food goes it's delicious, as far as service goes it's quick and the staff are helpful, and regarding price it is a tad expensive but well worth it. There is also a wide range of sake and sushi that really gives that authentic Japanese feeling to the restaurant. Would definitely go again, prefect for sharing and large groups.
A total culinary delight from start to finish. The masu tokusen with matching wine is a must have for all great foodies out there.
The service from start to finish was absolutely superb and the food was outstanding. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I've had in Auckland
Very nice place, presentation and quality of food was a job well done. Recommended to everyone who loves there sushi and dessert was definitely something to remember.
Was an amazing meal and very professional staff, recommended to everyone to dine there. Also great atmosphere and decor. ....................
Been here twice! Loved the fatty tuna, soft shell crab, their dessert platter, tofu, sushi, selection of alcohol, including sake. The decor and atmosphere were amazing. The wait staff were very attentive. The idea is to order dishes which are quite small and share. It's possible to get seats in front of the chef. The glassware that water and sake that were served in was pretty cool.
Loved this restaurant!! Good friendly waitresses & a nice helpful manager. The decor was really beautiful and felt like the perfect way to enjoy such delicious fresh Japanese meals. I couldn't fault any of the dishes I ordered & the dessert at the end truly was like summer in your mouth! All the flavours worked harmoniously together. Definitely will recommend to family and friends. Well done MASU! :)
Great ambiance, great customer service, great food presentation, a great range of food and the food tasted great as well.
We had in particular the Alaskan Crab Leg, cod (which was just under-cooked (which, trust me, is a good thing)), and a selection of sashimi cuts. Not only did they taste great, but the waitress was willing to request for the sashimi pieces to be cut according to how many diners there were.
The one thing preventing a higher score was the cost of everything. Although many may certainly believe they are getting what they pay for, the taste of the food, however, can be provided by much less costly Japanese restaurants. Then again, that is according to my personal standards.
Went to Masu for xmas lunch with 9 people who all loved the food. The place can get loud when full, and the menu is pricey but worth a try. Reccommend the sashimi (super fresh), crayfish taco (pricey but perfectly flavoured and constructed), black cod cooked to perfection and beautifully seasoned, tuna tataki also perfect. Our group also loved the baby chicken and lamb with gochujang (actually a korean chilli paste...) i wasnt a huge fan but thats just personal preference. The lamb however was cooked for perfection and was incredibly tender.
I was expecting a lot when I went here. While the food was good I didn't think it lived up to its reputation. Worth another go but I think Depot is a much better choice.
Overall we thought our tasting menu was amazing. We're no all that into seafood but have to say that we enjoyed everything immensely especially the quinoa crusted soft shell crab! That was to die for! The atmosphere was great, and although the place was packed, we could still have a private conversation. Great. We enjoyed everything immensely. The wine and sake pairing was well selected too. The only thing which we could complain about, is that the desert platter had recycled fruit on it which wasn't all that edible and let it down a little. However, the lychee desert was soo good. Definitely want to come back. Really worth every penny and highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely stunning evening of great, high quality food and a warm atmosphere. Food and staff presented to a very high standard and at an affordable price.
I must say straight off that I enjoyed the overall experience dining at Masu. The dining room is great, the service excellent and the food very good. We had the full monty tasting menu which is always fun. The sashimi was beautifully fresh and the other show stopper was the dessert platter. We ordered the wagyu upgrade. The meat was lovely and tender although more fatty than I have had before (this was not a problem for me but my wife did not find it enjoyable) so if you have a problem with fat don't do it. It came out on a charcoal burner but sadly this had gone out and the meat was not very warm. Small criticisms, but I didn't mark more because I just expected more at that price point. Still worth a visit though
The best japenese in Auckland by far, love how you can sit around the kitchen and watch them cook, or if you sit near the bar you can see them cutting ice off a huge brick to make their amazing cocktails.
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I'd been recommended Masu by several friends, so on a very rare child free night out, we were excited to experience the hype.
The service was fantastic, friendly and attentive. The food was amazing and beautifully presented. We shared the Shiitake, enoki, green bean and tofu Maki Rolls and Vegetable Tempura. The hubby thoroughly enjoyed his meat intake of Chicken Skewers and Chilli Tiger Prawn. But the highlight had to be the Eggplant dish with ginger miso and sesame. It literally melted in your mouth - so delicious. To top it off, we also treated ourselves to the decadent chocolate pudding - OMG!
As a vegetarian, there was plenty of selection and every main dish sounded super tasty.
My highlight of the evening was learning about Sake, and how similar it is in the way it's explained (dry to sweet, etc). I'm all for trying 'different' things on a beverage list, and was extremely impressed with the Kozaemon Junmai Kabosushu - Gifu (made from Kabosu lemons and served on ice) selected from the 'Unique, Fun, Alternative' Sake menu.
The wine list is also filled with interesting brands and varietals. It was exciting to be able to sample The Doctor's Arneis by the glass, and not have to purchase an entire bottle.
Although it was a very busy Saturday night, the food was served very quickly - in fact, it almost felt too fast.
My only criticism is that even though we'd made a reservation many weeks beforehand, our intimate group of two was plonked on a large round table in the middle of the restaurant. We kind of felt like we were taking up too much space and were in the way. Next time - and there WILL be a next time - I'll request one of the more intimate tables against the wall.
It was just an amazing night to have dinner in Masu. The waiters and waitresses were always ready to help and the environment was just beyond description.
Highly recommend the black cod and the dessert. Hope to visits Masu again! :-D
Genie @ BunnyEatsDesign
+3.5
I came to Masu with a group of ladies for a Tuesday dinner during Auckland Restaurant Month. I was super excited to dine at Masu with all it’s recent accolades. A warm, honey interior with interesting architecture, several open kitchen areas and bar. Gets busy fast. There has been a lot of hype about Masu so understandably the place is humming.
We all got the ARM set menu special. $55 FOR THREE COURSES: Includes a spicy tuna tempura roll and iceberg salad to start, with main choice of baby back pork ribs or Gurnard fillet, with sesame elderflower pannacotta to finish. Good value.
The lettuce was unexpectedly delicious. The deep fried tuna roll was too spicy and overpowering. I’m not a huge fan of deep fried sushi, it seemed a shame to waste the tuna as you couldn't taste it through the spice. The baby back ribs were glorious. Tender and full of flavour. I found my fish was bland in comparison. I wish I’d gotten the ribs. The dessert was pretty to look at and fun to eat. Highlights of the meal were the iceberg salad and the ribs.
I ordered a cocktail from their salt section: Tiger Tanaka. It was incredible. I wish I had ordered two. Instead, thinking I would save money, I got a glass of wine but the wine ended up being the same price.
Our waiter was amazing. He took our coats, answered all our questions and was perfect in his delivery. He went through the specials with us and was very attentive. He even offered to take a group photo - thank you! We never felt rushed and he made us feel very welcome. Unfortunately, I found some of the other staff a bit rude. For example, we were told that it wasn’t worth having our parking validated and splitting the bill seemed like a huge issue. It was just a Tuesday, I hate to think how stressed they would be on a busy night? Maybe they would just flat out refuse to validate parking and bill splitting?
I would come back for cocktails if I was in the area, but the food was not as good as expected. Even with the ARM special, I spent $86 for a casual Tuesday meal. Ouch.
Masu was an amazing experience. Was at a work function so I got to try a variety of dishes that I normally wouldn't pick. Service was great and overall experience was superb. It's not cheap but it certainly makes up for "melt on your mouth" dishes. Definitely recommend it's added to your must dine at bucket list
The staff; 10/10 from the time I made the booking until the moment we left - Absolutely outstanding. They went above and beyond making our evening extremely enjoyable.
The food; 8/10 lots of different clever tastes which had our taste buds tingling - those tacos though, yum!. Slightly lacking on the lamb portion . Dessert platter was to die for!
We will be back and strongly recommend you give it a go!
High-end dining indeed. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for an experience in Masu.
But having said that, you do get what you pay for in terms of quality (not so much quantity, if you're a value-for-money sorta person). I found it amusing when the waiter explained that the quality of sashimi we were getting were top-notch 'export quality' - kinda makes you wonder if us locals are getting the raw end of the deal...!
To have a 'once in a lifetime experience' would make the visit worth the visit. But apart from that, you'll prolly get better value for money (yes, I'm that sorta consumer) if you ate at an authentic Japanese izakaya joints like Tanuki's Cave, Kushi or Kabuki - just a few steps away.
Loved everything about Masu! We tried it out after a friend's recommendation. The service was great - our waitress was extremely helpful and the food was just divine. Personally, my favorite was the Maki. Not sure what all the complaints are about - it is definitely a place I would recommend! :)
MASU was amazing!!! Excellent service and the food was incredible! It is on the pricey side but defiantly worth it as the food is amazing!! I would defiantly recommend this restaurant to anyone, and I will be coming back.
We went for a birthday dinner a few weeks back,
Food was top notch =)
staff were friendly, everything melted in your mouth and we actually left full most times dining in Japanese restaurants your left feeling starving after but we were well satisfied, would totally recommend
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The best in Auckland! I went with three foodies and they all agreed. We rated it and three of us gave it a 10 and one gave it a 9.5 because "there's always room for improvement." We've been everywhere (French Cafe, Vinnies, Clooney, The Grill, The Grove, etc) and this place beats them all. First, the atmosphere is great. Very modern, chic but welcoming and relaxed. The bar is fabulous with cocktails to die for...very refreshing with surprising mixes. The Azure sake was a revelation. Google it! The black cod that they fly in (kept at a certain temperature and not frozen) from Alaska was orgasmic. It's a MUST. All of us had sake, cocktails and heaps of food including the dessert platter and the bill was only $140 per person. That is not bad at all for Auckland and a steal for the BEST in Auckland. The waiter was Japanese and very proud and knowledgeable about the food and really enjoyed explaining the dishes as they were presented to the table. He added that extra something to the experience that put this place over the top. Nic Watt was there and we made sure to thank him. He was very cordial and seemed to genuinely appreciate our comments. This is the way dining should always be!
Make reservations early because after winning the Metro's Best Restaurant and Best New Restaurant this place is not easy to get in to.
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We were recommended this restaurant by hospitality industry professionals so our expectations were high. Easy to make a reservation, courteous and accommodating. Greeting was warm & professional. Friendly & informative intro to the food and drinks menu. So confidently presented was the menu and the well thought out wine list, we confidently selected the Chef's 6 course menu on the back page and set about to enjoy some pretty swanky ambience. The place was filling, there were enough staff for us to see all tables were being attended and no doubt with the same passion and knowledge we experienced. The staff were smiling. That's always a good sign of a well run establishment.
The food was excellent and arrived like clockwork with a small description of each course and a top up of the glasses, water and wine. Our waiter was so good. She even managed to tempt us into a small bottle of sparkling sake with the dessert course.
This is dining as it should be. Ambience, table service, food quality and choice, wine options all first class and to top it off the chance to share a new and exciting experience at the end of the evening.....Sparkling Sake
Well done Masu. We'll be back.
Fabulous experience! We wanted to try a new dining experience and the nice mix of casual but high end was great. Buzzing city location, good decor and fit out. Music with further entertainment from the open kitchen but still able to talk all evening without having to shout. Good wine list with Japanese drinks and cocktails as well. Attentive (to just the right level) friendly interesting non-pretentious staff. Gorgeous simple multiple different flavours on a tasting menu that was also voluminous (important for me) and actually satiates. A desert selection that was varied and refreshing…good coffee. Clean shiny bathroom facilities. We walked out of there having had a lovely evening with plans to return soon.
Masu Restaurant, Sky City, Auckland
My husband and I are addicted to Japanese food and went to Masu for a special occasion after watching 'Testing the Menu' TV series. We had the tasting plates at $80p/person as we couldn't decide what to have. Best decision as we got to try a number of Sashimi, Sushi, and other hot dishes. Everything was tender and melted in our mouths, the flavours were fresh and clean, the food just kept on coming. Combined with a glass of Gewurz and Viognier. We felt we could have had an extra person to help us eat the food as there was a lot! Best lamb my husband has ever had, great selection of desserts, flavours and textures! Would return for a special occasion at that price or have a smaller meal of entrée, main and dessert next time. Met Nic Watt afterwards who was there with his daughters, gave him our feedback in person, simple efficient service.
OMG is all I can start to say....
We went to Masu with friends, what we experienced was simply stunning. This restaurant has truly brought international style and flair to Auckland..!
The bar was alive when we arrived, as our table was being prepared we had a cocktail...loved the ice being chipped away in front of us to make drinks ;) must try their mojito's overflowing with fresh mint!
Our table was ready and our lovely French waitress looked after us...she was perfect.
The food was the best I have had... I don't know where to start, was it the sashimi, robata or desserts that we will be marching back for.. This is without question the best sashimi I have eaten in NZ.
We all agreed it felt like we had had some of the best food and service we had ever experienced but to make things even better... With the open kitchens.. We felt like we had been to a broad way
show as well.
Masu is a must go!
Our experience couldn't be further from the previous reviewer. This is a class act. If we had the Michellin rating here it would get at least two stars! The range of food is very tempting and exciting. The presentation alone is worth a visit. But the mix of flavours and textures still has me salivating as I write this. Well done on the price point also. You could experience high end cuisine for as little or as much as you like. Service was fantastic with the right balance of attentive versus over or under attentive.
Amazing display of fusion at its finest. Japanese flavors with an artistic flare on every plate. Wonderful service and definitely worth the money spent. I couldn't stop eating until I was completely stuffed. The only let down for me was not being able to have take aways so I can continue to enjoy the food at home. It left me craving for days. :(
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This place has won so many restaurant awards this year alone it’s ridiculous! I was lucky enough to try Masu for a work lunch-do, otherwise I don’t think I could justify spending so much on dining out. Don’t get me wrong, the food was amazing but it does put a dent in your wallet! This is one is definitely for special occasions or when you feel like splurging.
We were in a big group so was seated in a private dining area. The atmosphere is great, very minimal decor, dim lighting and an open kitchen where you can see the chefs working the open charcoal grill.
The food - Masu is set up so that dishes are meant to be shared and the food comes out as they are cooked. We tried a selection from the Sushi Bar. We had the Chef’s selection of sashimi and a plate of sushi to share. The highlight for me was the Robata grill. The hapuka dish was amazing! The fish was cooked perfectly and had so much flavour. The beef fillet was also super yummy. The meat was very tender and I seriously I wanted it all to myself because it was so good. All the dishes were presented and everything was top notch. They were very small portions though – definitely quality over quantity. For dessert I had the Masu Chocolate pudding with miso ice cream, it took awhile for it to come out but it was worth the wait!
Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of all the dishes and only managed to take a snap of the dessert. I definitely recommend Masu for a Japanese dining experience. I’m conquering the Skycity restaurants one by one – next up are Gusto at the Grand, The Grill by Sean Connolly, The Sugar club and Bellota.
Carmella @ Easy Food Hacks
+4
Masu, part of the SkyCity complex, needs no introduction after being named the 2014 Metro Restaurant of the Year Supreme Winner. We decided to come here for lunch to celebrate BL’s birthday. We booked online, and they ring you the day before to confirm, a nice touch. The layout of the restaurant is beautiful, I love the way wood and stone are used to convey an elegant simplicity.
The kitchen is divided into three sections; a sushi bar, the robata grill and the kitchen. Each is staffed with multiple chefs (I counted nine in total across the three stations on a reasonably quiet Sunday lunch).
The extensive drinks menu also had some intriguing non-alcholic cocktails ($10); we had a refreshing drink made with grapes and aloe vera juice.
We started with the sashimi moriawase chef’s 5 sashimi selection ($42), which came with three pieces each of kingfish, salmon, tuna, scallop and trevally. The beautifully presented seafood came with freshly grated wasabi. This is potent stuff; fresh wasabi is even more pungent than the imitation ones that comes out a tube, but the pungency dissipates quickly with no lingering burn. I found the scallop too delicate for me; the stronger tasting kingfish and salmon were my pick.
The cloudy bay clams tobanyaki ($22) came steaming in a miniature pot seasoned with garlic, lemon, green chilli and ponzu butter. I enjoyed this, flavoursome and perfectly cooked. We were hoping for the baby back pork ribs, but they had run out.
The saikyo miso and yuzu marinated black cod ($46) is the signature dish. This is reminiscent of the miso marinated black cod made famous by Nobu Matsuhisa. Saikyo miso is a naturally sweet golden miso from the Kyoto region, which permeates the flaky cod with a divine sweet-savouriness.
The vegetable dishes did not hit the same high notes. The eggplant with ginger miso and sesame ($8.30) was dull, and I wished there was a combination of textures. The soy glazed tofu ($9.90) was tasty but the texture was inconsistent with the visual aspect. I was expecting silky soft texture, but it was the normal firm tofu, which tasted too strong for the other flavours.
I expected more from Masu. Sure, the ambience is wonderful, the service top-notch, and the presentation was excellent. However, there was little originality to the dishes we ordered, even if they were executed well. The vegetable options were disappointing. Was it worth the extravagant prices charged? I wasn’t so sure. But I will bring my dad here; he spent many, many months in Japan over his working career, and he has developed a very discerning palate for Japanese food.
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Feel like something fancy?
Masu Japanese Robata Restaurant and Bar has been receiving a load of buzz lately. It’s taken out a load of Metro Magazine 2014 Restaurant Awards recently too.
Last weekend I was fortunate enough to hear we would be heading to Masu for a family dinner. Typical last minute plans became what was one of the best dinner experiences I’ve had in a long time - which is why my review is a 5.
The attached picture is the “Plumberry Sawa” – and it is a DIVINE cocktail. I’m getting cravings just thinking about it. Masu has a fantastic drinks list. Cocktails, wine, sake, beer…
How about the menu? It’s designed so you order many small dishes and they just continue to roll out from the kitchen. Because we were a group of 7 and we all love to eat we ordered loads:
fresh sashimi, chicken wing skewers, chicken yakitori, baby chicken, delicious spicy tuna sushi, the black cod, beef, gyoza, kumara with teriyaki glaze, tempura… I’m probably forgetting some. Let’s just say it was a continuous stream of tastiness and everything was amazing. The black cod is a stand out - it came recommended by our waitress and we were all raving about it when we left. The service here was really helpful overall just great.
Now, the dessert menu! I got the sesame elderflower pannacotta. Don’t be intimidated by the dessert options – my brother got the tofu cheesecake and man it was amazing. It’s not like eating actual tofu (I’m not a tofu fan).
You know a meal’s good when everyone won’t shut up about it afterwards.
Be adventurous and you will be rewarded!
Jenna
http://hellorelax.com
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After tasting Masu's Salmon Tataki at Big Day Out's Chow Town, something changed. I now liked salmon.
So in no time at all I found myself dining at their Federal St restaurant.
Masu is a bit of a flash guy. Part of SkyCity it sits next door to Depot but is nothing like it’s neighbour. On entry multiple waiters greet you and a bowl of chilled water with towels is passed to you to wash your grubby mits. A waiter explains the menu and then you hop to ordering. It was a bit more glittery than your usual Japanese Izakaya experience but we were there for a reason.
With a show to attend in less than an hour we quickly ordered our picks – Salmon Tataki, Soft Shell Crab Sushi, Soy Glazed Tofu and Broccoli with Moromi Miso and Ginger dressing, accompanied with a Pinku and Kissy Suzuki Cocktail for good measure. It wasn’t a huge feast, just something to fill the gap before the show and fill the gap it did. The Salmon Tataki was once again divine and the Soft Shell Crab Sushi so good that we had to order a second plate. The tofu and broccoli rounded out the meal nicely.
Objectively there’s nothing that different about the food at Masu when compared to any other good Izakaya restaurant, it’s as delicious as you’d expect and has all the usual offerings. It isn’t even more expensive! What makes it a bit more special are those cocktails (insanely good) and the option to sit up against the kitchen, watching the chefs work their magic.
Would I head back again? Well for that salmon tataki, most definitely.
For more photos and to read the full review head to http://madicattt.com/2014/02/03/masu/
Amy @ My Dining Journey
+5
Housed beside the lobby of Skycity's Grand Hotel, Masu, a contemporary Japanese Robata Restaurant and Bar, is the latest creation of Nic Watts, who returned to Auckland from London after a stellar career at Roka, one of the most highly regarded Japanese restaurant groups and younger sibling to Zuma. The concept of Watts’ robata restaurant is not solely on the cooking techniques, it’s an overall dining experience where the atmosphere and ambience is just as important. The open kitchen is comparable to a theatrical show where you see some of the chefs work their magic over the hot charcoal grill, slowly cooking the lightly seasoned meat, vegetables and seafood while others create a stunning display of sushi and sashimi at the sushi bar or cook away by the stove.
As we were a table of two, we had the opportunity to sit in front of the kitchen and admire the chefs at work. We ordered a good selection of dishes to share and they came out at different times throughout the night. Our meal kicked off with two servings of crayfish taco ($9 each), which is the priciest I have eaten. But it was worth it. The seared pieces of crayfish was cooked just right and there was plenty of crayfish in each serving. This was combined with avocado, coleslaw and a spicy miso dressing on a crispy rice taco which added a nice crunch to the overall dish. The chef’s selection of five different sashimi ($40) that included John Dory, tuna and kingfish, was artistically displayed on a plate of ice which kept the thick slices of fish cool. This dish is an excellent demonstration of the quality of ingredients used by Masu. The sashimi was fresh and because it was only eaten with a touch of soy sauce and wasabi, the flavours of the fish really shined.
One of their signature dish, the lightly seasoned tuna and salmon tartare ($24.6) was presented like a framed artwork and this was accompanied with a side of the most amazing rice crackers we have ever tasted, it even managed to outshine the tartare! The crackers were light and airy and had a similar texture to prawn crackers, but much thinner and less greasy. It added a crispy texture to the tartare and by the end of the night, we were just eating the crackers on its own. We then moved on to the clam tobanyaki ($22). Clams and crab are my all time favourite seafood, and these clams were some of the largest I have eaten. These were cooked with garlic, chilli and ponzu butter which complemented rather than overpower the natural flavours of the clams.
We felt we needed some greens to counter the richness of the seafood, so we opted for the robata grilled long-stemmed broccoli ($8.3) and eggplant ($8.3). The broccoli, garnished with moromi miso and ginger dressing and the eggplant, flavoured with a sweet ginger miso sauce and garnished with toasted sesame were all perfectly cooked and had a nice grilled flavour. The tempura soft shell crab Maki roll ($15.90), paired with daikon, cucumber and drizzled with wasabi mayonnaise was a delight. The soft shell crab, cooked in a light tempura batter was crisp and meaty, our only complaint was that it wasn’t enough!
And yes, we left room for dessert (never underestimate how much two girls can eat) so we tried the chawn mushi ($14.3) made with a fragrant mango custard and a pulpy passionfruit sauce, topped with coconut cream and pomegranate. The custard had a light and creamy consistency and it is important to have a big spoonful, so you can have all the components in one bite. The pieces of freeze-dried lychee was a nice touch.The robata grilled drunken pineapple ($15.9) could have benefited from more time on the grill. The taste of the alcohol was strong and the pineapple has yet to caramelise, a longer cooking time could have easily fixed that.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Masu. The food was amazing but with great food, comes with a high price. The food is not cheap in Masu, so be prepared for an expensive night. I have to applauded the staff for their attentive service during such a busy dining session and we had none of the bad attitudes that I have read in reviews. This place is without a doubt, worth a try.
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We had dinner at Masu and thought it was a wonderful Japanese restaurant we’d be visiting again! The ambience is great, with high, lofty ceilings and an open kitchen, which is a hive of activity. The service is attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Order some cocktails – they are delicious – and a variety of things from the menu. We’d recommend among the things you try are the spicy tuna maki roll, hapuka fish, yakitori chicken skewers and the beef fillet – which just melts in your mouth! Check out our blog for more reviews of eateries in Auckland: http://yummyauckland.com/
Quality of the food was just superb. Among the best Japanese food ive eaten in auckland
Went there for diner a while ago and it was the best dining experience I had in Auckland.
The sashimi is a 'must try', no matter you chose one type of the fish or chose the 'platter' like us. The thick-cut style makes you can feel the sweet of these seafood. So we ordered another one after we had the first plate.
Spring onions in chicken skewers lift the flavor to another level. My partner ordered king crab leg, the only downside for that is the mayo is a bit heavy and override crab.
Will 100% come back for another fantastic diner.
A very nice place. We made reservation two weeks before the trip and it is definitely an amazing experience with MASU. The food was fabulous especially the kingfish salad and the dessert. Everything was meet or exceed the expectations.
Service was really warm. The manager and waiter were very considerate.
Nice experience.
This is by far, one of the best and authentic Japanese restaurants, that I have ever been to. Servings is generous. Everything here was tasty and flavourful. It's one of the places that you just want to keep eating even if you are full. Highly recommended for both quality of the food, ambience and service. Can’t wait to come back again!
I was back for the third time to celebrate my birthday at this wonderful Japanese restaurant. Three of us had the Tokusan tasting menu and every dish was perfection. The standout was the nigiri platter especially the scallop. I was surprised with a special birthday platter at dessert. Service was exceptional especially from the maître d/mgr who took the time to come over and explain many of the dishes in detail. This was a real treat and we thank him (sorry we didn’t get his name).
Loved it loved it loved it! Celebrated hubbys 50th with our adult children. Opted for the set menu Shomi $99pp and well worth it. Loved every dish. Beef Wagu dumplings were the favourite. We got a taste of so much. Some of the dishes may sound a little strange but give them a go we weren’t disappointed. Appreciated the bar tenders suggestions as we weren’t familiar with Japanese alcohol. Dishes came out at a good pace and cleared timely. I also arranged a Chocolate Vanilla Crème Brûlée Bday cake which is amazing. Took 3/4 of the cake with us to enjoy the next day. Will be back.
Have to try the Masu Natsu Tokusen Menu as it provides an excellent variety of food for someone who is indecisive like me lol. One of the best meals had in New Zealand and unlike other tasting menus, we were full afterwards :) My favorite dishes were the chicken wing and crab legs, but all the food was good! Also the dessert platter at the end solidifying a great experience. If you are looking for a sweet cocktail, I encourage you to try the Masu Royale, you barely notice the alcohol. If you are looking for something a little stronger and/or that looks like a flower bouquet the ikebana is the one.
Overall excellent experience and service phenomenal!
We ordered everything separately, my first time trying Wagyu beef and it was amazing. Everything was perfect and amazing, highly recommend Masu, must try at least once in your life. If you like alcohol, Tokyo whiskey is nice too.
We ordered the set menu. You will not be disappointed with it. Each dish was delicious offering a different taste explosion. We also ordered a King crab leg. Barely managed to eat it all. Definitely an awesome choice if you are overwhelmed with what to choose. Worth every dollar.
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Quality of food was great of course.
Went in on a Saturday and booked 2 weeks ahead for 7pm. We were told items were out as we tried to order them, rather than up front. First the fatty tuna (toro), then the Chatham Island crayfish and then we decided on the king crab leg as a back up but we were told only then that too was sold out.
The waiter said at this point that the seafood arrives on a Friday and they're closed on Sunday, Monday which is fair but it was a 7pm booking on a Saturday. We would have booked for a Friday had we known...
Service in that case was average. I assume we were not told what was sold out in the beginning because the waiter didn't think we would spend alot of money? Seemed friendlier after all this had happened.
On a good note, the "yaki hamaguri" Cloudy Bay Clam dish was one of the best dishes I've had in my life. Delicate, subtle and fresh. A MUST try. Kagoshima Wagyu was great but not the best I've had. The crayfish tacos were awesome and the sashimi was amazing.
I would go again, but any day other than a Saturday.
This restaurant has been the best Japanese restaurant I've ever been to. We got a wide selection of small dishes ranging from sushi rolls, tempura veggies, sashimi tuna and sliders. Everything we got was fantastic and it's definitely worth going too at least once!
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