Reviews Men Tatz Japanese Noodle Restauran

Zomato
Brad Vidovich
+5
Staff was frendley when walked in, even though it was busy got foid in a timely mannor and was amazing. Will go bck
8 months ago
Zomato
Ang Sarap
+4
There are a lot of good places to eat in Auckland CBD and most of them are not the big establishments, in fact the small eateries are sometimes way much better and this is one example, a small restaurant tucked in Lorne St in the middle of Auckland CBD called Mentatz. The dishes are great and servings are huge, there is a good selection as well but not too much that will leave you confused on what to order. From sushi to donburi there is something for everyone.
Sep 24, 2019
Zomato
Emma
+4
The tonkotsu ramen here is decent, the pork is super tender and flavourful and the soup is rich. I liked the texture of the noodles which were springy and had a good bite to them. There was a burnt garlic type ingredient in the ramen which I think is intentional but to me just made it bitter and astringent (although this complaint is probably my fault). I think they have a deal for $1 karaage per piece (which is a lot better than what is on the menu).
Sep 10, 2019
Zomato
Sylvia
+4
Have been here many times. Yummy and reasonable priced place on Lorne St, always have a long queue during lunch time. Tried new menu Italian Katsu Don for the first time, very cheesy with the fried pork on rice. Also recommend their Tonkotsu Ramen!
Sep 02, 2019
Zomato
Sophie Wang
+4
The classic uni day lunch meal. I ordered takeaway, got the chicken and egg oyakidon and teriyaki chicken ramen dry noodles. Food was ready in 10mins and still tasted good after bringing it back home to eat. Generous portions packed with flavour. Always consistently good. Saving your wallet too.
Aug 12, 2019
Zomato
Pig Cat
+4
A place to comfort a starving stomach.
Teriyaki chicken don and takoyaki were both tasty. The wasabi octopus was fresh but too spicy for me.
Jul 31, 2019
Zomato
ㅇㅇ
+4
One of my favourite Japanese restaurant in Auckalnd to go to get Japanese ramen and donburi. My favourite dishes are Miso ramen and Chashu-men.
Jul 13, 2019
Zomato
Grace Huang
+4
Cheap eats that make you happy.

Service: 10/10
The waiters and waitresses were all so kind and helpful. Whenever we asked for anything they would immediately come to our service.
The guy at the cashier was also very friendly.
The food was also served quite quickly considering the amount of people in the restaurant.

Food: 7/10
I ordered the prawn tempura ramen which came with the chicken broth base.
The broth was packed with chicken flavour, it was actually quite salty.
The tempura was super soggy even though it was just brought to the table. I can understand that since it was in soup it would get a little soggy, but the batter was complete mush.
The noodles were perfectly chewy and had a good bounce to it.

Ambiance: 6/10
It doesn’t really resemble your typical kind of Japanese restaurant since it is quite noisy and crowded inside.
It is pretty dark which doesn’t feel very nice since it can feel gloomy. The dark furniture also absorbs most light that is shined into the restaurant.
It can get quite loud since it’s cheap and Uoa is nearby.

This is an affordable option for Japanese food especially if you’re an university student. Not really the most authentic Japanese food I’ve had though.
Mar 19, 2019
Zomato
Lena X
+5
Love this restaurant. The food is yummy and big, for a good price. The restaurant is also very nice but a bit cramped. Waiting time is okay. When ordering take away, there's no where to sit so you kind of have to stand outside.
Mar 11, 2019
Zomato
“Dailee” 25% Off Zomato Gold
+4
Cheap, happy go lucky, simple Japanese. Always full and if you don’t go early, hard to find seats. Generous servings and reasonable price due to the University vicinity. Note that they take a break from 3-5:30pm. Prefer their ramen than their donburi or nabe. Gyoza, Takoyaki and karaage quite good too.
Mar 04, 2019
Zomato
Klinsmann
+5
I seriously love this place so much. Mentatz offers lots of great food, at a very affordable price. Around $10 for a decent sized bowl of ramen/ donburi. The food takes a little while to come but it’s really worth it at the end and even when it’s busy it still comes in at the same time. I’ve been here multiple times and never got disappointed, and I really recommend people to try Mentatz.
Feb 18, 2019
Zomato
Food2belly
+4
| Spicy dry ramen | -
A cheap and fulling meal under $10. They are very accommodating to vegetarian, this dish they swapped the bbq pork for tofu. I love the bamboo shoots other condiments that goes so well with the noodles. The spiciness level is very mild!
Rating: 4/5
Feb 16, 2019
Zomato
Floyd Moratti
+4
Mentatz is the go to for Ramen in Auckland. The Wafu Tonkatsu Ramen is my favorite. The opening hours are a little disappointing on the weekend. I don’t recommend ordering other dishes outside of ramen here and occasionally the noodles can come over-cooked. But overall this is great tasting busy little restaurant where you can have a filling meal for as little as $10.
Feb 08, 2019
Zomato
Tabby De Guzman
+4
Great authentic japanese ramen and very affordable!
The ramen's portion are huge and always had to take away half of it.
I also recommend the miso katsu donburi and takoyaki.
Feb 06, 2019
Zomato
Lizzie
+4
Always a great ramen here and such a reasonable price too! Came here for lunch yesterday and had the teriyaki chicken dry ramen and it was so flavoursome! Only $11 for a massive bowl that I couldn’t even finish.
Feb 05, 2019
Zomato
Gemma Burke
+5
I'm a regular here and the service is always lovely and food comes quickly! The ramen is delicious and the soup base is very flavorful! Great place to stop in for a quick meal on your lunch break even when its busy!
Jan 16, 2019
Zomato
Erin - Gold Code For 20% Off : CATH6386
+4
Spicy dry ramen + salmon sashimi with super big portion to fulfill my craving for Japanese food the whole week.. and i can say this is the best one, even-though i like their other branch in Anzac avenue which have more bigger portion of Sashimi 🤪😛
Jan 12, 2019
Zomato
Hungry Man
+4
Great service and good food for the price. I wish they would have more varieties on the dumplings. Good place to eat when you are on the go.
Dec 19, 2018
Zomato
Joy Eats
+5
Great place. The prices are very reasonable for students and the portion sizes are quite good. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice. Would totally recommend coming here!
Dec 14, 2018
Zomato
The Poor Foodie
+4
Came here by myself and was seated at the bar seat near the kitchen so I saw all the orders coming out and they made me so hungry. I had quite a long wait and finally my special shoyu ramen came. It had a combo of pork, egg and spinach with ramen noodles. Noodles were chewy and the chicken soup base was quite rich.
The food in this ramen place is very affordable so it’s good for having dinner here if you are having limited budget.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Nov 17, 2018
Zomato
Donna
+4
If you want to taste authentic Japanese ramen then this is the place to be. Their prices are really really reasonable and their ramen and soup base is delicious. Their donburi are also a huge portion and really cheap too.
Sep 26, 2018
Zomato
Clare Ang
+5
Good ramen and an extremely affordable price point! Had cha shu ramen for $12 and got 5 relatively thick slices of tender cha shu.

Shop seems unassuming from the outside, but menu is very extensive. But the atmosphere in the restaurant is rather noisy due to the background music (One Republic?) and the crowd in the restaurant.
Sep 23, 2018
Zomato
Mark Tiemann
+5
Been here now twice, and really like the ambiance. Small menu makes it easy to choose from and you m own it will be fresh quality too. Will definitely come back again🍲🍤🍥🍜
Jul 16, 2018
Zomato
Arlette Goldsbury
+5
Been coming here for the last 2 years. The food here is always delicious, and the price is incredibly cheap and you always receive a large amount. The staff here seem very friendly and the wait times are minimal even though this place can get packed out. Will continue to keep coming here
May 19, 2018
Zomato
Leonie An
+3.5
Very good price. I guess I can't complaint for such good price, but the soup of  tonkotsu Ramen  is way toooooooo thick, is even became jelly like........ . I ordered the seafood grill twice, the first time was great the second time was not so tasty, but overall not bad
Apr 29, 2018
Zomato
Two And A Half Asians
+3.5
Today's trip to Mentatz consisted of just the two asians today as our other half couldn't be there. We've always wanted to try it out as it is seemingly packed every time we walk by and ya'll already know we loooove our asian food. A large range of choice made it difficult to choose what to eat however in the end Lucy ordered the tonkatsu while Amy chose seafood ramen with chicken broth and then a side of takoyaki to share. While waiting for the food, we were pleased with the atmosphere of Mentatz, with nice lighting, decor and an authentic Japanese mood in which the staff spoke in Japanese. The only downside to this was the need to maximise space due to how popular they were and so the tables were close together, making it a little difficult for there to be wiggle room. The tonkatsu broth was both thick and creamy, a real hearty and flavourful dish. However it was a touch too salty and after a while, became slightly sickening due to the rich flavour. A lot of water was consumed hahaha. The prok was really tender and seasoned and cooked well - not too salty or fatty. However overall, a good dish, perfect for cold weather and a reasonably sized portion. In terms of the ramen, the broth was both light and refreshing and was complimented perfectly with the thin and chewy ramen. A subtle seafood flavour made it enjoyable to eat with there also being a good variety of seafood such as squid, prawns and mussels. The takoyaki was pretty average, a little bit soggy in texture and we've had better before, so would not be our first recommendation.
Overall, a solid 3.5 rating from us.
Signing out,
2 and a 1/2 A's
Apr 19, 2018
Zomato
Cvthy Marion
+5
Amazing place ~ must come here ~ Delicious and affordable. I highly recommend this place. Staff provided great service and I spent less than I would usually spend when I eat out. Ramen is top notch and also all their other dishes. Check it out fam.
Apr 18, 2018
Zomato
Yum Cha
+4
This place is great for a quick bite. Ramen comes out pretty quick. The price is great around $10-$12 per bowl of ramen. Taste is great however it is lacking meats and veges in ramen. Service is also good.
Mar 13, 2018
Zomato
Inez Chong
+3.5
Came here on a Saturday. Was pretty busy and it was obvious why. The prices are fairly cheap with a bowl of ramen at around 8 to 10 nz dollars. Ramen soup was on the salty side but overall was worth the price paid.
Feb 06, 2018
Zomato
Aimee
+5
I've been to mentatz a few times now. They get super busy around dinner so recommend coming earlier to avoid waiting or book a table. Service is fast and efficient. Staff are friendly. Very reasonably priced. Place is nicely dimmed to create a nice atmosphere. Chatty, lively place. Definitely recommend.
Dec 28, 2017
Zomato
Gracia
+4
This place is ALWAYS ALWAYS busy during food hours, so go early or later. If you go in you’ll notice everyone eating ramen, and that’s because they're the better dishes the restaurant serves. My friend and I ordered rice dishes and they were incredibly average I didn’t see the big deal about mentatz, but when I came back and tried the ramen, I can 100% see why it’s so popular. My meal came to about $9.50 which is amazing for a hot meal in city. Definitely recommend, but don’t go with a big group and expect seats, because that’s pretty much impossible and especially during food hours.
Oct 12, 2017
Zomato
XED 🐘
+5
We have been at Mentatz for several occasions and I'm always looking forward for their cheap price but high quality food.

Like most restaurants along Lorne Street, Mentatz is often packed with customers, most of them are students from nearby universities. I always wished that the resto space will be a bit wider but nonetheless waiting time for a table wasn't so bad at all.

The most striking experience we had was when we rushed to the table right after the other customers shoot off. A senior staff immediately stopped us and we though we were held for something - but to our relief, he just wanted to make sure that the table was clean and ready before we took our seats. I really appreciate his action as despite how busy he was dealing with the rest of the crowd, he took time to ensure that we will have a comfy dining experience.

As previously stated, the menu is of very good quality and very cheap. I would personally recommend the Tonkotsu Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, and Seafood Tomato Ramen. Also, don't forget Takoyaki, Gyoza, or Tempura for your sides.
Oct 04, 2017
Zomato
Momo
+4
Most authentic tonkotsu ramen I've tasted in Auckland so far! Has the same type of broth as you'd find in Japan. Just take out the garlic pieces they put in at the bottom of the bowl and it's quite tasty. Or maybe if you can be bothered just ask them not to put it.
Sep 19, 2017
Zomato
Edwin Gu
+3.5
Agetashi tofu should use soft / tender tofu NOT firm tofu. Even I pointed out this is a mistake, the staff only said this is their owner's choice, there is nothing they can do. I will never order agetashi tofu here.

However, I do love the ramen here. Good taste and served in good portion. Other side dish I will recommend is chashu pork and takoyaki. I will come back for ramen.
Sep 16, 2017
Zomato
Cathy Fan
+4
Out of the Japanese places I have tried in Auckland, I would say this is the best place yet!!
Been here a few times with friends and family and it's been busy every single time. Last time I was here, it was a Friday night and we had to wait I n line for roughly 15ish mins which is quite understandable.
The food are all well priced for the large portions they have, and it's only $1.5 for an extra bowl of noodles (quite a lot for a single serve of noodles)
Personally I found their ramen soup a bit too salty, and had to drink heaps of water afterwards but maybe that's because Japanese ramen tend to go for more strong flavour? < Not quite sure, but their taste is very genuine Japanese ramen flavour similar to the ones I tried in Japan.
I have also tried their takoyaki balls and it was also very good!! Never tried their donburi dishes so can't say much.
One downside I found was that the Japanese workers weren't very fluent in English and it was a little hard to communicate through your orders.

Overall I would definitely recommend this place to other people!!

Sep 08, 2017
Zomato
Aimee.
+5
Mentatz has efficient and great customer service. We were promptly seated and given menus immediately. Not only do you get a good portion for your money but you always get great and tasty food. We ordered so much food and the bill was still relatively cheap. You can get a chicken don for only $10.
Sep 01, 2017
Zomato
Ellynn
+3.5
Tried this place out once with my friend. I had the ramen and she had the tempura set. We were seated quickly but it was really crowded. The food was good however my friend didnt like her tempura. She said it was just full of tempura batter and I saw the disproportionate ratio of batter and shrimp. I will come back to try other stuff and hopefully it will be better.
Aug 26, 2017
Zomato
ViviAn JC WU
+4
Big size and cheap! Really worth the price. Highly recommend the classic ramen with pork or chicken soup. Seafood one was quite salty. Always need to wait for queuing. Overall it's a great choice:)
Aug 26, 2017
Zomato
Bryan
+4.5
Last time we came here a while back it was a terrible experience and if i had been writing on this then i would definitely given it a one star rating. Service was so slow and when they brought our dish it was given to the wrong table and sat there for a bit until they realised the mistake and came to sort it out. Anyway to cut that experience short it kind of made us never want to come back again....but i guess we thought we'll give them one more chance. As was not to our surprise we got there just before opening time and there was a decent size queue forming. This can be taken as a sign that somewhere is good to go to ...and cheap( maybe ). Anyway on entering the staff were really good at telling people where to sit and in no time at all the place was full and a queue was forming yet again outside of people waiting to come eat.  After looking through a decent choice on the menu i chose the Pork Miso Katsu Don and the Takoyaki ( Octopus Dumplings ) . My other half ordered the Teriyaki Chicken Ramen.  And lets not forget the Asahi for that bit of liquid refreshment. Well now ...the Takoyaki came out pretty quickly and they were so YUM!! The Ramen followed soon after and the opinion on that came over as okay...not bad and not fantastic.  Then waiting for my dish a while longer one of the girls came up and apologized for the delay in getting my dish out but it took a while to prepare and it was so busy.  They actually came to us twice to tell us so. Fantastic!! By me that's okay...at least they came and apologized instead of saying nothing. Very good.  I was impressed by the service this time. When it did come out the dish had a decent amount of pork on it but was a little bit tougher than what i have had before . But still it was really good and to be honest left me full at the end of eating, such was the portion size. So overall this time i would give it a whopping 4.5 , service was great despite delays , the food was very good and the price well worth it.  And they even apologized for a third time when went to pay the bill!!! Will definitely be coming back.  Thanks for not having us lose faith in you again!!
Aug 21, 2017
Zomato
May Lee
+4
I visited Mentatz on a busy Friday night, the wait for a table wasn't too long but our food did take about 20 or so minutes to arrive. I ordered the seafood tomato ramen which was hearty, we also ordered the gyoza which was juicy and the tempura kakiage was hot and crispy albeit the batter slightly thick and oily. I find the portions here to be generous and the food is consistently tasty. The restaurant is always bustling and it's easy to see why, they serve decent food at decent prices.
Aug 12, 2017
Zomato
Marggie Pascua
+4
Ate here with a group and they couldn't get out of their way to get us a table so we had to separate. At the end when a group left we just moved around tables ourselves. Anyway, I loved the tempura and not so much their prawn egg don because there's always too much rice on their bowls. In general, all Japanese restaurants do this to make it look like there's a lot but there's just too much rice that I can't finish.
Aug 05, 2017
Zomato
Heidi
+4.5
Not the best lighting but really yummy and authentic. Everyone spoke Japanese to each other and the potions of the Kakuni ramen was so big. I also ordered takoyaki which came first. The pork belly in the ramen was very nice but quite chunky and big. The broth tasted very like boiled pork.. Very yummy place to eat if you want some cheap and delicious ramen place!!
Aug 02, 2017
Zomato
Sangyeon Won
+4.5
Been a regular for many year and must say they really know how to drag me back in every time. They provide best bang for buck meals (that is why this place is always crowded with university students) with authenticity! My regular dish is Miso Katsu don, and oh boy, they serve the crispiest and most juicy piece of pork cutlet ever! And I hear from some reviews people complaining about rice being too sticky, but short grain rice is very commonly used in Japan and this is something I personally love. If you are looking for a comfort food with big portion, this is definitely one of the most recommended place to go in town! (And it won't hurt your wallet) p.s. Food preparation can be quite slow during peak hours. So prepare to wait for those delicious meals.
Aug 01, 2017
Zomato
Dxlche
+4.5
Cheap food, good food.
$3 shaved ice, $9 (huuuggeee) spicy prawn salad. Their miso ramen at around $10 and most of their Don at that price too. This is the place to be for hungry university students.
All their food tastes really good especially the Miso Ramen and Spicy Prawn Salad.
Recommended!!
Jul 24, 2017
Zomato
Natasha Kohler
+4
Ive been here a few times, each time ordering the same thing. Teriyaki tofu don, its my favorite! And very well priced too. Went on a busy Saturday night and got seated quickly although very busy.
Jul 08, 2017
Zomato
Justin Bieber
+3.5
Located goodly and priced goodly.
Understandably convenient, especially for university students who rely on Studylink for income.
Service was relatively standard.
Flavours tingled my tastebuds.
Jul 02, 2017
Zomato
Lorenzo Orenz
+4.5
Good food at relatively cheap prices. The serving of their ramen is so large! I really enjoyed it until I can't eat anymore. Lol. Going to go back here sometime soon!
Jun 29, 2017
Zomato
Kho Lidya Merina
+4
We had :
1. Tonkotsu ramen
Which is pork based broth. The taste is quite nice.

2. Chicken ramen.
My friend really like it somehow.

3. Prawn tempura egg don.
It was delicious. My friend likes it.

4. Takoyaki.
Slightly different texture with the other takoyakis I've ever tried. However, it was quite nice tho.

In overall, the foods were nice. We really love the takoyaki. Price compared to the portion is reasonable. Nice warm place to hang out with friends.

Xoxo
Jun 22, 2017
Zomato
Kathleen Tambis
+4
perfect ramen for rainy, cold days. reasonable price. staff are attentive. must come early as there is always a queue esp. weekends. highly recommended!
May 21, 2017
Zomato
Bz Wonder
+4.5
Food - Great
Ambiance - Cozy
Service - Good
Price - Good

Best Japanese food I've tasted around the City. We had tempura and special ramen, which are tasty. Ramen itself is not floury. A bit of veggies will add more flavour to the soup but otherwise it is still a go to come back for. We also ordered Tempura veggies which makes it now my favourite to order. Its crunchy and light dip it with the soya sauce makes the flavour play in your palate.

Very popular so come early to guarantee a seat. At busy times food gets delay in service but it is reasonable time to wait. Definitely coming back!! 😊
May 21, 2017
Zomato
Jade0289
+3.5
Tried their Spicy Shio Ramen.

The shio soup was delicate(not too oily like donkotsu/ miso ramen) with hint of chili oil on it. It was pretty good.

But what made me disappointed was the egg, it was a well-done, totally boiled from-inside-to-outside egg. But for my personal opinion, authentic Japanese ramen always comes with medium rare eggs.

And there were just a few of vege in my ramen.

But for this price( around 10 bucks), I think their ramen is not bad though.
Apr 19, 2017
Zomato
AJ
+4
Really cheap good eats with huge portions! Miso ramen was slightly spicy and creamy, loved the sweetness of corn on top. Special shoyu ramen was lighter in taste but was on the salty side. Noodles were still undercooked when we first got them but after letting them sit in the hot broth it was alright. Gyozas were stuffed full of filling and bursting with flavour, despite some bitterness from being a little burnt at the bottom. Overall, a reliable option in the city that is sure to satisfy.
Mar 22, 2017
Zomato
AA
+5
Japanese ramen, student budget friendly. Again, another store worth checking out. Great as a place to hang out with your mates after tiring lectures. Ramen was good, the broth was rich and tasty....... and the shaved ice too, should give them a try!!!
Mar 15, 2017
Zomato
ANKIT
+4
Very busy Japanese restaurant in CBD.most of uni students prefer to go mentatz because the menu is affordable & the meals are delicious.further,large quantity of various dishes. lastly, Very warm welcoming service . 🇯🇵
Feb 23, 2017
Zomato
Emma Patricia Katili
+4.5
Yummmmm........... honestly this place is really cheap considering it's generous portions and delicious food. The staff are also very welcoming.
Feb 12, 2017
Zomato
Peiqi Li
+4.5
good flavor at reasonable price. The meat is chuncky and tasty. The dessert is yummy and fresh. Highly recommended Japanese restaurant. I think I will bring my friends here. The only thing I think they can improve is that it is not spacious but it is understandable because it is at Lorne st!
Feb 10, 2017
Zomato
Kaylene Jessin
+4.5
This place offers good food for its price. The interior is great and theyre always playing nice jazz. The food always tastes and they prepare it fast. This place is really for a rainy day when you want something warm to eat :)
Jan 13, 2017
Zomato
Foodie~~
+4.5
One of my favorite spot in city~ this place provides the perfect spot for quick lunch and the food is beautifully presented. There isn't much places like this in city which provides great food at a excellent price~
Dec 09, 2016
Zomato
Magic Bleeds
+3.5
Went for a Birthday dinner to Mentatz. We got seated at the bar while placing our order. It was a Thursday night & the place was packed. We got the takoyaki, hot pork pot, grilled oysters, teriyaki chicken, grilled gyoza and butter corn shio ramen. I had the takoyaki which tasted divine, the gyoza was good too (not as good as the takoyaki) & I enjoyed my ramen a lot. But, as it was a generous serving, I couldn't finish it.

3 hours later...at home, I had a mild case of food poisoning ( thank goodness I was able to go in to work today). I am not sure if I was allergic to anything or if something was off.

Having said that, nothing happened to the others, so may be it was the ramen!?!?! I have no clue; but all I know is the food at the time was yum.☺
Dec 02, 2016
Zomato
Robert
+4.5
Great ramen place with yummy broth. I have also tried their oyako don and it's also good. This place is family friendly. Visited with my wife and our toddler and they immediately offers small bowl and high chair without we even asked. Excellent service and satisfying food, definitely deserves my recommendation!
Nov 26, 2016
Zomato
Hs Kim
+4
Love miso pork katsu! I think it is the best priced katsu in the CBD. Its good quality and portion with the price. You better be there out of lunch and dinner time because they are super busy and wont able to find any seats. Also cold salad ramen and spicy ramen is recommendable.
Nov 26, 2016
Zomato
Pattarintorn Emmy Jusakul
+5
I went there on Thursday and ordered Katsu Don. When a waitress served me my dish,my eyes widened because of the size!
Besides,the taste was just perfect and unbelievable.
I paid only 10 NZD so I absolutely recommend this restaurant.
Oct 29, 2016
Zomato
Christian
+4
Lovely ramen in town with rich soap, decent toppings and good quality noddles. I particularly liked their dumplings- nice and juicy! The staff are really friendly too.
Oct 11, 2016
Zomato
Gee
+5
We all know that their ramen is a real winner. For the sides, I really liked the takoyaki and agedashi tofu. Reasonably priced given the generous serving and taste.
Sep 30, 2016
Zomato
Eugene
+4.5
Really like this place, great tasting ramen for a cheap price of around $10. Place looks nice too! I normally get a ramen with takoyaki. My favorite ramen is the pork + chicken soup with miso ramen. Though be warned, this place is super packed during weekend dinner times.
Aug 13, 2016
Zomato
Joseph Brian P. Lee
+4.5
We had dinner here last week. The place is clean. The servers were courteous. I had katsudon and gyoza! The food was delicious and affordable. Definitely I'd go back.
Jul 23, 2016
Zomato
Coffeeomg
+5
Well, the secret is in the broth, I believe, which made the Ramen dishes so yum!  My Japanese friends told me that it tastes the same as back home. After reading other reviews here, I am keen to try other dishes other than my fav ramens!
Jul 21, 2016
Zomato
Eggster Eats
+4
Dined in at Mentatz for dinner after trying to find a spot. I ordered the Egg and Tofu donburi, Katsu Donburi and the Tempura Donburi with a side of the takoyaki and sashimi. The food was definitely great and filling and the space of the restaurant was toasty and warm. Enjoyed it.
Jul 17, 2016
Zomato
Diogo Reck
+4
I am a big fan of broths and the flavour they add to any kind of food. In Mentatz I found one of the best pork stocks I've ever tried in Auckland.

My dinner was a pork noodle with dumplings and agedashi tofu. All portions were well served and delicious.

The service wasn't the best, but I would definitely comeback to try other dishes.
Jul 06, 2016
Zomato
Raymond Tiong
+5
Mentatz has been one of my go-to Japanese restaurants since I was a uni student. This joint is known for serving hearty, authentic food in generous portions and I’m glad to see that it hasn’t changed much over the years.

The dons here are easily among the most value-for-money meals you can find in the CBD. Although it's a bit of a cliché, my favourite is the teriyaki chicken don. It  comes with juicy chicken, heaps of rice, salad, and that delicious Kewpie mayonnaise! I’d prefer more substantial greens for the salad but let’s be honest – what they give you is already amazing compared to the oily stir-fried mess other eateries offer for ‘salad’. 

For something lighter, I’d recommend the elegantly flavoured agedashi tofu or a plate of edamame beans as appetisers.

The only word of caution I would give is that, due to its popularity, Mentatz gets packed around peak hours. Best to avoid the rush by going for a really late lunch or very early dinner (at around 4pm).
Jun 11, 2016
Zomato
Lovely Maralit
+4
Been here a few times! I love how big the meals are I can never finish it. I had chicken ramen tonight it was delicious. It took 10mins before we could be seated as it was very busy, despite this I enjoyed my time.
May 20, 2016
Zomato
Daniel Kim
+4
Very affordable and tasty ramen place. Casual atmosphere. Staff is friendly. Ramen we were served were tasty and was alot more filling than it looked.
Apr 26, 2016
Zomato
Foooood
+4
I think it's one of the most well-known ramen places and I've been there many times now. The taste of ramen isn't as good as Tanpopo's and it's a little inconsistent every time, but Mentatz's price and location make up for it all. Perfect place for students because it's really cheap and close to uni :)
Apr 20, 2016
Zomato
Michelle Ma Belle
+5
First time trying this place and could not be more impressed!

Service was fast and friendly, the portion sizes were HUGE, and the price was beyond reasonable! Their teriyaki sauce and takoyaki were a lot better than other places we have tried 👍👍

Definitely a go-to place if you are craving Japanese comfort food!
Apr 13, 2016
Zomato
Tony Ma
+3.5
use to come here all the time during uni, it's the closest raamen place. The raamen is not as good as tanpopo. however on the plus side it has lots of side dishes available to order from.

Competitive prices and close to cafes to sit and chill nearby!

Food Quality: 3/5

Food Quantity: 3.5/5

Environment: 3/5

Wait time: 4/5

Price Range: $20pp
Apr 12, 2016
Zomato
Queena
+3.5
Been here a few times now and they seem to be always busy. Service wasn't so great the first time I came here on a Friday night. But the next time I came it wasn't as busy and the service was better.

The ramen here is good and it arrived pretty fast considering how busy they are. It's not very filling if you just order a bowl of ramen and no entrees though.
Apr 09, 2016
Zomato
Jamie Chiang
+4
There's always a line leading from the entrance to the store - even before the store is actually open. Evidently, they're doing something right, and I have to find out what it is. 
Authentic Japanese ramen, or if you're not up for that, nice snacks like gyoza or takoyaki (recommended!) or filling dishes like donburi. Many, many different ramen options available, so it won't be hard to find something that suits your taste. You can also ask for additions or deletions of toppings, which is great if you're a super picky eater like me. 
The place is often crowded, and so you might be seated in some...slightly awkward places, if I may, like wedged right next to the stairs and the pillar. The staff are very professional and efficient in terms of seating, order-taking and food delivery. There is a slight wait for the food to be ready, especially if you go during lunch rush, but quality is always worth the wait. The serving sizes were unexpectedly large - I found it hard to finish a bowl of ramen even when I went with a completely empty stomach. You may find some of the tonkotsu ramen slightly oilier than typical, so do be cautious if you're easily nauseous. 

Overall, the price is reasonable even for a university student, and you should always come out with a full and satisfied stomach.
Apr 04, 2016
Zomato
A
+5
Obsessed with this gem on Lorne Street. The food is so insanely cheap and such amazing quality. The portion sizes are perfect. There's a few really great vegetarian options and I usually get the tofu teriyaki don. Highly recommend if you want some tasty Japanese on a budget, although it doesn't feel cheap at all.
Mar 29, 2016
Zomato
FoodieOodie95
+4.5
■ Cheap eats
■ Great food
■ Great atmosphere

■ Very busy

This place is one of the best cheap eat joints Ive been to. So reasonable and well worth the portions. Very good for those of us on a student budget. Speedy service despite the constant bustle so its always expected to be super busy! Their donburi's are delicious so it's usually what I get. I am yet to try to their popular Ramen and Calamari dishes but their Donburis are just so consistent that I always end up ordering the same everytime! For a place so fast paced, the service is real prompt too. If youre ever in town, it's def worth dropping by here for a Japanese fix at really good prices.


Mar 18, 2016
Zomato
SS
+4
Mentatz is a hidden not so hidden gem… Hidden in the sense that if you don't know about it, you're likely to walk straight past the restaurant. No so hidden given the hustle and bustle this joint boast! Come lunch time and this place is packed! 

Not to worry though, restaurant is bigger than it looks from the outside and food is served up pretttttty quickly! Today I had the Miso Ramen and my friend the Teriyaki Chicken Don, we shared grilled dumplings and he had a beer. $30 for the whole lunch! SooOoOoo cheap and decent portions therefore a win win for all! 

Tastewise I could critique the chicken (not very flavoured, tasted like plain grilled chicken) but for a quick, cheap and cheerful lunch, definitely not complaining. Service was good - attentive and efficient. 

Give it a go!
Mar 16, 2016
Zomato
Kirsten
+4
Came in here with a friend at lunch hour and I was surprised there wasn't a queue this time. I heard about this place since it's one of the popular cheap eats restaurants that students like to dine at. We both ordered the Prawn Tempura Ramen for only $10. Now that's worth it! The soup base is great and the ramen was delicious as well. The hype for Japanese food is real. Staff are nice, there are so many customers every day, thank goodness there was a table for us! I will come back to try their Donburi next time! Very satisfied.
Mar 07, 2016
Zomato
Rubyn Park
+4
The ramens are very consistent sometimes,
Often they're salty then sometimes they're okay.
The donburis are so good though!!
Definitely one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in town :)
Feb 09, 2016
Zomato
Blossoms Lapitan Cruz
+5
my all-time favourite ramen place! a place my family goes to when we want comfort food. very generous servings and the prices have remained the same in the 10 years my hubby & I have been going to their place, which is awesome! i like how they've now renovaed the interiors a little and added those funky lights. my 'default' order is shio butter corn ramen and it never fails to satisfy.
Jan 28, 2016
Zomato
Renor Kay
+4
Price 5/5
Food 3.5/5
Quality 3.5/5
Service 4/5
Cheap eat in CBD
Popular Japanese restaurant

Jan 22, 2016
Zomato
Janine Milena Soo Thow
+4.5
This place is amazing! Prices are so cheap and you get a lot for what you pay for. Staff were so helpful and friendly. I can definitely see why a lot of people come to this place because of the amazing food!!! I ordered the fried dumplings and the chicken with rice-so incredibly filling! Will definitely take my friends here.
Jan 18, 2016
Zomato
Elle
+4
Great place, always busy and food is served fast. More for students and casual friend catch ups and not a date as it is quite noisy and cramped. Food is amazing and portion sizes are large! Got to try the spicy shrimp salad!
Jan 16, 2016
Zomato
Anna Wang
+4
nice quality japanese food! love their ramens and pretty good service as well. Always dine here when i'm running low on $$ as their food are relatively cheap for its size, totally worth it!
Dec 28, 2015
Zomato
Heidi Chapman
+4.5
Delicious donburis for a very reasonable price. The place is nearly always packed so it's definitely a popular place to eat Japanese food on a university student budget
Dec 21, 2015
Zomato
Karen
+4.5
So good!! Will definitely return!

I've always walked past this place and it was always so busy so when I visited it was no exception, but the staff were super friendly and attentive regardless. 

Everything about my ramen was perfect, and my friend thoroughly enjoyed hers too. There's not much to say but, yum!
Dec 18, 2015
Zomato
Cecilia Paredes
+4.5
Really not sure why Mentatz has so many negative reviews - I come here a lot for lunch and regularly order the wafu tonkatsu ramen and am never disappointed. I've tried a handful of ramen dishes in Auckland but nothing really compares to Mentatz. Definitely full during lunch time, you want to come in early or trust your luck in finding a seat but I've never had to wait too long. Mentatz is definitely the place to go for an inexpensive and incredibly filling meal! I always leave with a full tummy and love bringing my friends here.
Dec 18, 2015
Zomato
MissEstherZ
+4
One of my new favourite places to eat in the city, this place is cheap, has great ramen and has got a good vibe.

I recommend the ramen over their rice dishes, just because I think ramen is harder to find then dons and Mentatz does it wonderfully. Their portions for their dons and their ramen are generous which I really appreciate, because food is love! You shouldn't skimp for portions of food, that's the skimpiest thing out there!

My favourite ramen is the miso ramen which is spicy. I used a lot of tissues while eating it, and my spice tolerance is average for an Asian (I can eat those Korean Nongshim noodles no sweat) so if you think jalapeños are spicy then the miso ramen might be a bit too spicy.

I also really liked their takoyaki which is a bit expensive for what it is, but for some reason takoyaki is always expensive :( but it's sooo nice. I have been thinking about it all week, because I had it for the first time when I went to Mentatz on Sunday. I think I am a takoyaki convert. Can't get enough of them octopus balls!

I don't recommend getting the butter ramen. I could not taste a difference between it and the regular ramen. I also had the house sake with my meal a few weeks ago and I'm sure I've had better sake, because this was so hard to swallow. Never again!

However, i would definitely come back, have taken my friends to it and am trying to plot my next visit. Love love Mentatz!
Dec 10, 2015
Zomato
Bayu Purnomo
+4.5
A really nice place to have a bowl of pork ramen for less than 10 bucks. Been there twice in past week only, The portion is really good for the value of money. 
The tonkotsu ramen was my only choice since the noodle is firm and the soup was thick and very rich. Loved it!! 
Went there on Sunday where they opened the door a 6 pm and the place is cramped with costumer in 15 minutes. That's how popular this place is. 
Surely will comeback for my other tonkotsu ramen. 

I'm not going to review on the service since I'm just there for my nice cheapass pork ramen. :D
Dec 08, 2015
Zomato
Food 24/7
+3.5
Convenient and cheap place to go for dinner when I finish work late . Staff are alway nice and smiling . We were both so hungry but did not want to over eat (health conscious for summer lol) so I got the Salmon pot ($11) and my partner had the tofu don ($9) .
The salmon pot came with 5 -6 small pieces of cooked salmon with few cubes of tofu and some white cabbage all in a meso pot. Nothing impressive , but OK for its price . It is quite salty tho so be prepared to drink lots of water after
The Tofu don looked nice , 4 reason chunks of tofu with crispy/ crunch layer. And some salad with rice.
I like the place for its price and convenience
Dec 04, 2015
Zomato
Phillip Liu
+4.5
Great food, very cheap and great customer service. About $75 for 5 plus sides. The food arrived fast but we sat next to the door and however it was windy it was inside it was still warm. I would definitely come here again!
Nov 08, 2015
Zomato
Jojobaby
+3.5
Wasabi Ramen is a must try, which was surprisingly nice and refreshing. Good portion and fresh ingredients. Good selections of ramen and as well as rice dishes. 👍🏻
Nov 07, 2015
Zomato
Ezzz
+4.5
Great place! I'm a huge ramen fan and I really enjoyed my meal here. Had the hot pot for two($25) , pork ramen ($10 so cheap) and grilled cheesy oysters($16). The oysters were a bit expensive as there only 6. I can buy a pack of 12 for $16 -.- not worth but the sauce is soooo good! The noodles were nice, the hotspot was handy as we can heat our food and make it nice and hot. The shop is a bit small but such nice deco and interior. The soup has a bit of fat in it which was ew, but tastes really good. The ramen is pretty cheap and really worth. Keen to come back!!!!! :D
Oct 30, 2015
Zomato
Lily
+4.5
A very nice warm restaurant, with all kinds of ramen, donburi, noodles, and other dishes. Quite clean and busy. Polite staff. Reasonable prices. Dreamy lighting. And delicious foods.
Oct 30, 2015
Zomato
Shelly
+5
The service here is very efficient, staff are very friendly and portions and prices are great! They're also very busy like all the time! I had the takoyaki, a bowl of rice with their seasoning and grilled calamari with miso sauce! So delicious!
Oct 15, 2015
Zomato
BrinkersMad
+3.5
This is a bias opinion since I've only been there once:

- serving size is generous
- cheap meal in town
- close to uni is a plus
- seating arrangement awkward but satisfactory
- service is good, the guy who welcomed us was nice considering it was busy and we looked lost 
- good ambience
- need music playing! XD
- i got park katsu don - slightly chewy but i'm not fussy but i was given good size (the more meat the better!)
- will come again
Oct 08, 2015
Zomato
Kelsy Fletcher
+4
Mentatz is always full, and for good reason. The wait staff are lovely, the decor is nice, abd the food is excellent.
We hadn't been for ages and I was happy to see that it's just as good as I remembered. We got a table after a few minutes waiting outside. The dishes were massive - way too much for any of us to finish, especially the tempura kakiage, though this lacked a little bit for seasoning.
The prices are extremely reasonable. We usually go to the Don, down the street, but this one is a close second for our favourite Japanese in the city.
Oct 04, 2015
Zomato
Heartshrooms
+4
Not sure why Mentatz has quite a few bad reviews, everyone knows it's the to-go place for a really good, cheap meal in town! The first time I came here was a few years ago with my cousins and was immediately wow'd by the bustling restaurant, the delicious ramen, and of course the extremely generous serving sizes, I wasn't even close to finishing it by myself. 

Recently decided to get a tofu salad to takeaway during my work lunch break, having had a delicious one at it's sister restaurant Genzui ramen bar and it was pretty much the same but the tofu was just plain, firm tofu that had been cut into cubes. Wish they fried it like Genzui because it does need that bit of oomph/ crunch.
Oct 03, 2015
Zomato
Sheena
+4
Mentatz is another of my favourite ramen restaurants! I used to come here all the time when I was in the city, and even more since I started uni. I ALWAYS get the shio butter corn ramen, which is delicious. I love every part of the dish especially the corn, seaweed and bamboo shoots. Sometimes I get extra bamboo shoots for my soup ahaha. I've also tried other ramen here, but shio butter corn will always be my favourite. 

I've also had the chicken hot pot, which came out on a pot with a little fire underneath. The concept was cool, but it wasn't as nice as the ramen. 
The donburis are good also! And I love the teriyaki chicken sides as well as the tofu steak. Yum! Prices are cheap for the value and portion sizes that you get. Service isn't too bad either, with meals brought out quite fast! :)
Sep 30, 2015
Zomato
Razelle Icaro
+4
One of the best cheap eats in town! A large bowl of donburi only costs between $9.5-11! They also have an extensive seafood and noodle menu. Our servings were delivered real quick! We got the oyaku donburi, katsu don and the salmon. The serving sizes so large you'll even struggle to finish it. We didn't even get to finish half of it because we were so full already so we just took the rest as takeaway. The taste is definitely worth the price. The staff are really nice, they're actually japanese so you can trust the authenticity of the food. The interior is really nice too and their seats are comfortable. ZomatoStudents
Sep 30, 2015
Zomato
Ed
+3.5
A popular and affordable restaurant offering a wide range of Japanese meals.
The manager could be friendlier and the dishes take a while to come out.

Food: 6/10
Service: 3/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 16.5/25
Sep 30, 2015
Zomato
Globalfoodlover
+5
True value for money
Great consistent good quality
Awesome seafood and home made ramen
I'm a big fan of their bamboo shoot salad and their mussels in garlic butter
I keep going there and I will do that always
Great job chef and staff
Sep 24, 2015
Zomato
Josh Law
+3.5
We came here on a Thursday night after a movie. The restaurant is a strange shape, quite long and thin so the seating capacity isn't that good. We ordered some katsu, a japanese salad type dish and some Gyoza (dumplings). The dumplings were delicious. Incredibly thin skin and strong flavoured filling. The katsu was tasty but the meat was way too tough. Never experienced meat that tough in a Japanese dish before. Good food, just need to finetune a few things. With meals between $9-12, it is great value.
Sep 12, 2015
Zomato
Christina
+5
I've been coming here since my uni days (many moons ago now) and their menu prices have not budged once, except for maybe 1 or 2 items. Quality is as good as it ever was, with generous portion sizes. My favourite is the miso pork katsu don. 

Its a pretty relaxed and casual dining place, but great place to catch up with friends. The fact that they're always so busy is a testament to how good their food is.
Sep 04, 2015
Zomato
HangryChow
+5
Best tokoyaki in town! So damn fresh. I always enjoy the ramen soup, the nooes are high quality and the broth has sooo much flavour. Give the garlic grilled mussels a go! Took my mum here once, she just couldn't believe how delicious the mussels were. Great portions.
Aug 29, 2015
Zomato
Monique Porteous
+4
Absolutely love this place for a quick lunch! The food is of high standard and it always comes quickly. The staff are kind but sometimes they don't quite understand any special requests (such as 'no mayo') but apart from that I can't really fault the food or service. The place is always full of people and has a great 'city vibe'. Definitely check it out if you're in the city and want a quick feed!
Aug 28, 2015
Zomato
Ngothanhphong
+5
Nice restaurant, i was so surprise about the size. Cheap price with a big portion. Friendly staff. The taste is good, and main dish was too big for me. I couldn't finish it. Generally, the Mentatz beats the foodcourts around with low price, big portion, and good food with really nice presentation. Will back soon.
Aug 27, 2015
Zomato
Joycee
+5
First time in Mentatz today... heard great things about this place and it definitely didnt disappoint. Ramen was on point and the tofu thingy on the side was fresh and complimented the whole experience. Will be coming back soon 😍
Aug 18, 2015
Zomato
Jo
+4
Great food, pretty good (if not hilarious) service, and great end to a progressive dinner...full review here: https://withapinchofsarcasm.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/a-dinner-of-progressive-proportions/
Aug 15, 2015
Zomato
Frank
+4
Lorne St is full of eating places for us unqualified diners, however most of them look desolate, unimaginative and uninviting. This is one of the exceptions, tucked away or almost hidden if it weren't for the obvious small queue waiting to get in. Normally I wouldn't bother queuing at lunch (seriously who can be bothered - but shows how popular it is) but I wasn't going into one of those cafes nearby... The service was super friendly, we got sat pretty quickly and my teriyaki chicken don and gyoza were top notch. Great to see a menu with pictures and the prices seemed really good.. how long is that going to last I ask?? Get there quick if you can get in....
Aug 07, 2015
Zomato
Brave Eat
+4.5
Salad ramen is my favourite dish in this restaurant its huge and big enough to share with two people. I would love to see their service improve tho.
Aug 05, 2015
Zomato
Charlotte
+4
Mentatz is always very busy... Because they're so popular! Unfortunately you can't book, so sometimes you'll have to wait. Because of this, a large group is not recommended as we tried once and it was quite troublesome for them to fit us in. Their food is very good; full of flavour and their dishes are very generous in size. Staff are quick and very friendly. I enjoy coming here for a quick lunch :)
Aug 03, 2015
Zomato
Angela (A Style Collector)
+3.5
My sister introduced me to this place a few months ago. I probably wouldn't have tried this place if it wasn't for her. From what I know, this place is popular for uni students because of the cheap but filling food.

I've been here a few times and my first order was a katsu donburi. I didn't expect the bowl to be filled. It was a great size for what you pay for so I understood how great this place is for uni students. The food is affordable and you get a lot. My donburi was okay. I've had better. I think I was overwhelmed with the portion and there was so much of everything. The bowl is also small for how much is in there. The rice is all the way down the bottom and it's hard to dig through unless you eat all the salad and meat first to make room.

The last time I went here I tried the prawn tempura ramen and also ordered the dumpling as a side. My sister said he dumplings are better than the gyoza. He dumpling were quite nice but nothing extraordinary.

My ramen was pretty good though. It had more prawn tempura than I expected which was good and it was tasty.

If you're after a quick, cheap and filling Japanese meal, this place is a pretty good option.
Jul 30, 2015
Zomato
Zoe Huang
+4
It is a MUST GO place for japanese food in auckland CBD. I like both of their rice and noodle dishes. People can also sit at the bar and watch chef cooks.
Jul 30, 2015
Zomato
Ryan
+4
Enjoyed the ramen here, nice flavour and a good amount in the bowl. Found it very filling. Good amount of space inside and friendly service. Feels like a nice restaurant experience without the price tag. Meals average around $10 a head, leaves lot of change for drinks and dessert.
Jul 29, 2015
Zomato
Tian Tian Zhang
+4
This is definitely a convenient and good value for money place for uni students and people who work in the vicinity. The dishes come in large portions, so much so that i couldn't finish mine last time, which normally doesn't happen as I was trained from a young age to finish everything on my plate. It is almost always very busy when I go for lunch, which reflects its popularity and is a nice place to catch up with friends.
Jul 29, 2015
Zomato
Helena Chen
+4.5
One of my all time favourite ramen places on Auckland! The best value for money in my opinion, with too many delicious flavours to pick from. So good on a cold winters night. The portions are very generous, and they don't skimp out on the meat/other ingredients either. Favourites would have to include miso ramen and teriyaki chicken ramen. The wait time is always really quick, and the staff are friendly. I also like sitting up at the bar which looks into the kitchen, so you can watch the chefs prepare the dishes :)

Sarah Reynolds #challenge
Jul 27, 2015
Zomato
Nk Zeng
+4.5
Oyako Don. Big bowl ! Reasonable price ! Although i have to queue about 15 minutes, i gonna do it again for the tasty meal !!! Lol there are many people on Friday night.
Jul 26, 2015
Zomato
Auckland Eats
+4
Mentatz is a friendly, cozy place to have a cheap and filling meal. The interior of the restaurant is inviting and the service is great. The ramen was tasteful and rich and we really enjoyed our experience. For a cheap, inviting experience we would recommend Mentatz.
Jul 24, 2015
Zomato
Andrea
+4.5
I'm giving this place a 4.5 because my partner and I dine here all the time, we love it! We come here at least every 1-2 months ordering the same thing. He always gets the Teriyaki Dry Ramen and I get the same, OR I get the Teriyaki Donburi. The chicken is always amazingly tender which we look forward too. There is a generous amount of noodles or rice and japanese mayo! We always get sashimi on the side and 1-2 bottles of hot Sake. The meals are reasonably priced & great portions too. I dont think I could try other things on the menu though. I did try their dumplings and didn't enjoy it as much. I've also tried their tempura prawn donburi once and didn't enjoy that because by the time you have your 2nd mouthful the tempura prawn was soggy and not crispy. Although this isn't enough to change my rating because I still think the food here is fantastic! We are always left very full and wanting to go back the next day. Not to mention my partner took me on our very first date here a few years ago so it does have some sentimental aura to it.
Jul 22, 2015
Zomato
Victoria
+4
I have a soft spot for Mentatz, seems to be the popular view that it's over-rated. But I think it's consistent, well priced and very good portions. It's not always my first pick for Japanese, but it's my pick if we don't want to put too much effort into finding a place to eat (only to be disappointed). You know you won't walk away unhappy from Mentatz. 

Had the ramen and katsu dishes, both good quality and filling.
Jul 17, 2015
Zomato
Jaya
+4
I always leave Mentatz feeling so full, and in a good way. Their rice bowls are amazing and the portions are huge. This place seems to be always packed which is a great testimony to its delicious food & great service. The moody decor is a nice upgrade too. Definitely, Japanese comfort food on a budget.
Jul 09, 2015
Zomato
John
+5
As a little boy, I always had a passion for exploring. While the Internet expanded my horizons for knowledge, culture and information, exploring on foot provided a more immursive way to expand my physical environment. I remember every weekend in the early 90s I would go exploring with what society would call my 'friends'; Davey & Brian. First we'd explore our street, then we'd go to the local park and explore the bushes behind it, our courage building everytime we laced up our dirty sneakers and ventured out into the neighbourhood and cover more land. Eventually we mustered up the bravery to explore into one of the lesser traveled areas of the suburb; a little gully known as Friday Stream. Rumour had it that a boy was drowned in the stream back during the Nixon Administration on Friday the 13th, but our jolly trio brushed off the thought as we waddled through the long grass into Friday Stream. A small twinkle caught Brians eye as the stream came into view, it was coming from behind a tree root, so we decided to take a look. It was a tag, attached to something buried by the tree. The three of us spent the next 2 hours trying to dig up a small cardboard box about the size of a toolbox. After smashing the rusting lock open, we opened the box and our lives changed forever.

The point I'm trying to make is that if you commit yourself to exploring, you might find yourselves your own little gems. In this case, that gem was Mentatz. While I was exploring along Lorne Street one day, I decided to try out this restaurant. I had always seen it, out of the corner of my eye, it was like a recurring dream; you never think much of it during the day, but when you rest your head at night, it's again familiar like the sweet scent of spring. The menu had a myriad of Japanese food, from donburi, to ramen, served in all sorts of different styles. I ordered the miso pork katsu donburi, and pulled a tired smile at the waiter as I handed him the menu.

I looked around at the restaurant as I waited, the restaurant was almost full, there were about 5 busy runners serving and waiting tables. There was an old man in a suit eating his ramen up by the kitchen counter, he could have been a teacher, or the experienced senior CEO of his company, but there was something off with the way he moved, as if every time he lifted his arms, it hurt him. There was a young couple, in conversation about grades and who was the best lecturer in their Medsci class. Around a table nearer to the street, a group of 3 businessmen with their jackets off, were just finishing their meals as they continued a convoluted conversation about the office, their words caught in a loop revolving around accounts management, their commute times and their mortgages.

When my food came out, the flavor was just something else. The pork was fried to crispy perfection, the breadcrumbs golden, fragrant and crunchy. This was the first time I had pork katsu since I was a young man eating it back at the local foodcourt after high school. The salad was fresh, neat and brightened up the dish like a new chandelier hanging from an old ceiling. The rice was steaming, glistened by the miso sauce, and I could almost smell the slight build up of moisture on each individual grain. This was a must have dish, a gem hidden among the various other choices on the menu.

This brought back memories of when Davey and I would eat Japanese food after high school some days; the youthful days almost like a dream as we found ourselves lost into adulthood. But I would never forget the day that we explored Friday Creek together with Brian. The three of us promised to keep what we found in the box a secret, a secret that has been kept up to this day. Davey and I bonded over this secret, our friendship lasting all the way up to when he suddenly left his wife and child behind and disappeared to Europe.

Brian on the other hand, didn't do so well. Ever since he'd been exposed to the contents of the box he changed, all throughout high school he was always the quiet kid that kept to himself. When we graduated, he never really kept in touch with us, or even added us on Facebook. I don't know exactly what he's doing with his life right now, I just hope that he found peace with himself after Friday Creek.

As for the contents of the box, we had divided it equally among the three of us, and it's safe to say that I would not have been here today had it not been for that discovery. When I tell this story to others, some people believe the box contained large amounts of cash, or small firearms, or even drugs. All I can say is that I've kept in hidden a hole in the wall in my childhood home after returning from the creek that day, where it will probably remain forever, as my room there has been empty for over 20 years.
Jul 05, 2015
Zomato
PJ
+4
Nice restaurant, good service, good price for the food especially in CBD, the noodle size are big enough to feed a male adult. I love the cha shu men and the salmon hot pot.
Jul 05, 2015
Zomato
Roseabella
+3.5
Staff are very friendly here and their vegetarian dumplings are amazing ! I love the flavour all though they are more like mini mashed potato balls rather than dumplings I also got the teriyaki tofu don the tofu was delicious only problem with it would be there is more rice than anything else which was quite saddening... My friend had one of the chicken dons and didn't really enjoy it very much either .
Jun 23, 2015
Zomato
Gentlepig
+4
Not quite sure how some have rated this establishment a mere 2.6, but clearly some people don't know a good bowl of ramen when they see it. I've been periodically visiting Mentatz for the past 3.5 years, and every time they've upheld the quality of their cooking. The broths are distinct without trying to hard to be different to each other, and the char-shius are cooked perfectly. Daring too - they've got a Wasabi Ramen that's great for showing off how tough you are. A staple for University students and those whom enjoy a good simple bowl of ramen.
Jun 22, 2015
Zomato
HJ
+4
Surprised to see this place is rated so low! I went here tonight and it was packed! I only saw a empty table once the whole time we were there. We ordered a few tofu dishes (miso sauce / teriyaki) and the vege balls between us - just the right about for two people. The food was pleasant and portions were good. All had delicious sauces to top it off. It's cost $24 all up which is was very reasonable! The service was ok, nothing less than you'd expect for such a busy evening.
Jun 13, 2015
Zomato
FOODFANATICJIMMY
+4
Another restaurant that I can not agree to be an average 2.4. Ok.... Ill get this straight. If you're looking for an A+ grade japanese restaurant that serves utterly delicious but small servings of food and perfect displays, then you are clearly in the wrong place. Ive been going to this place for over 6 years now. This place is the powerhouse for students that want good japanese food with GOOD portions. For donburi that average $10, it tastes good and the overall portions BIG (nice thick cuts of meat). I do understand the let down is the customer service. This place is usually PACKED and the waitresses/waiter are full on most of the time. I know this is not an excuse for bad customer service and is something that they definately should improve on. In terms of Ramen, to be honest, a lot of the japanese restaurants that serve ramen is quite bland in Auckland. I mean, most of the soup is based on miso and soy which arent the most flavourful ingredients to a soup (mostly being salty). If you want to go to this place, try their donburis, GREAT value for money. In terms of ramen, I normally only go for the spicy shio ramen, and for good reasons (Ive tried literally 90% of the ramen there). For entrees, their kakiage (seafood pancake) is VERY well portioned and tastes ok. Their takoyaki and sashimi are good also (but most takoyaki, actually most japanese ingredients for that matter, in Japanese restaurants are purchased from the same place so nothing spectacular). Id recommend this place for student and those who want PORTION size.
Jun 13, 2015
Zomato
Khoa Le
+4
Even though I no longer frequent the CBD area I still find myself at Mentatz on a fortnightly basis. The menu is quite diverse with many options of Ramen, Donburri and side dishes. The sides are particularly interesting ranging from salted whole fish,salmon, pork belly, bamboo shoots, takoyaki balls (octopus) etc. The ramen comes with 3 different broth and I suggest trying them all if you go several times. Prices are amazing for how much they offer; most of the times I barely manage to finish a whole bowl of ramen that costs 9-10 dollars. Talk about a decent meal without breaking the bank!

I've heard and read a lot of complaints about the slow service at Mentatz yet I've never really had a problem. Every time I've been here my orders are taken within 10 minutes and the food out 15-20 minutes right after. The service, although not polished, is polite and quick.
May 25, 2015
Zomato
Cheapster
+3.5
Went a couple of months ago with a friend for dinner. We both ordered the tonkotsu ramen, but found out they were out of the tonkotsu pork broth! Interesting for a ramen restaurant. I settled on a chicken salt broth, and she got a teriyaki dry ramen.

They were pretty good, with decent portions for the price, especially compared to other Japanese eateries. Great texture of noodles, I've always loved ramen. Friendly staff, decent waiting time, filling meal. I want to come back to try the pork broth, I was a bit disappointed to come and find they were out.
May 17, 2015
Zomato
Charica Roche
+4
I came into this restaurant in the hopes of being "cured." Yes, you heard that right. You see, one of the "arms" of my prescription glasses snapped off. But despite the DIY repair using Super Glue, the realignment caused a major headache on one side. And based from past experiences of eating ramen helping soothe my upset tummy, I decided to come here.

The place was almost packed with customers a little after 6pm, but luckily at least a few tables were available. I chose one of the front tables nearest the counter where you can get your own glass of water. The assistant handed me the menu, and after browsing the first two pages asked her the difference between tonkotsu and shoyu ramen. Since tonkotsu had the thicker soup base, according to her, I chose it.

When I approached to get water, I noticed that it wasn't cold. There was no slice of lemon in it at all, compared to most restaurants. This is a bit of a letdown as the sister restaurant Genzui had a lemon slice and ice (or at least served cold) in the water jug. While waiting, I managed to scan the interiors, which was lovely overall, so took few pictures of them.

After just a few minutes, the lady assistant placed a steaming bowl of ramen in front of me. Presentation-wise, could have done better. It looked like it was made in a rush. Well, understandable since Mentatz is always packed every time I passed by, but the presentation of miso ramen at Genzui was way better. When I slurped the first tablespoonful of soup, however, I was relieved. It was indeed thick. The noodles used was different from that at Genzui. I did wonder how they managed to prepare and serve it immediately, until I saw a microwave behind the counter. The Genzui chef cooks all dishes from the stove, and doesn't have a microwave at all. Hmm...

Although there were not many veggies on my bowl, I reckon the thick soup and mushrooms made up for it. The big question now is, was I cured after eating it? Yes, I can say with confidence. The headache disappeared, although my tummy became too full I had to get out of the restaurant immediately to walk towards Britomart. Didn't bother to consume the water from the glass as it was not cold. 

The price was reasonable, NZ$9, as opposed to other ramen restaurants that charge at least NZ$10. Would love to come back here though, as I think tonkotsu in ramen is much better than miso.

UPDATE: I have visited few more times after this was posted. Really love their ramen.
Jan 28, 2015
Zomato
Royce
+5
I read reviews with some ridiculously low rating so...
Let me start with this,

I have been going to this restaurant since 2006 and I would always eat at this place AT LEAST once a week. I have tried Daikoku and Tanpopo, other ramen shops in Auckland and this place beats them hands down.

Undoubtedly one of the best ramen place I know of, I've been to Japan and I still believe this place is still one of the best.

Food here is very cheap (Considering the price range of food in Auckland CBD) you can eat a very generous portion with 10-12 dollars per person. And not forgetting to mention again, food is amazing.

Reason why I find it hard to give 5 stars despite my love of this place's food is,

1. Serving time around lunch and dinner peak time is ridiculous.. it takes good 20-25 minutes minimum to get my food.

2. Staff is pretty rude, they could improve a lot.

3. Very very busy and cramped. Why? Because despite the bad customer service, food is too damn good and cheap. People still come back.

People giving low rating are ridiculous. Take my word for it, This place is one of the best Japanese restaurant in Auckland if not the best in NZ. it's extremely busy for a very good reason.

If you are 'customer-service-decides-all' person, I recommend you not go there, because you won't get what you want.

This place serves one of the best food I know of out of all the food I had so far in my life and I am not even exaggerating. I took my girlfriend, mates and even guests, in casual lunch, dinner, to drink sake with and many different occasions. They have never disappointed me or my company with food for past 8 years and I am sure they will not for years to come.

This place does not deserve any lower than 4 star rating even with their bad customer service.
Jun 19, 2014
Zomato
Natalie
+4
I can't believe there are so many bad reveiws about this place. I've been here quite a few times now and have never had any problems.

At the end of the day it's not a 5 star restaurant - it's a cheap place to eat and the food is pretty damn good for what you pay. You can't expect 5 star service from a place where you're paying a pittance for a meal - becasue if you want cheap food you have to sacrifice something.

The place is always packed and you always know this a sign of very decent food.

I'm heading here again tonight so can't wait ;-)!!!
Dec 11, 2012
Zomato
Akay
+4
Great place to have ramen here. Tongotsu ramen was the best since I have been Auckland. You guys well done. However, the service need to be improved tho.
May 19, 2012
Zomato
Xtina
+5
I've been eating here since my uni days, and 3 yrs on I still LOVE it! The prices are very reasonable and are of generous portions, and the food is divine. The fact that they are always packed is evidence of this. I've eaten at many Japanese restaurants and this is always my favourite. Sure their decor isn't flash, but this is of no worry for the price and food you get. Service is also great too, even when they are absolutely packed.
They specialise in ramen, Japanese style noodles, but my favourite dish is their miso katsu don, which is deep fried pork fillet on white rice, topped with miso sauce and salad. Their menu is the same for lunch and dinner, and the price remains the same too, which means dinner outs don't break the bank.
I say definitely give this place a go, and be sure to turn up early- although its still worth the 10-15 min wait!
Nov 02, 2011
Zomato
Theresa Chan
+4
This place is really popular for students because it fits students' limited budget and I used to go there all the time but less so now that I'm working only because I can afford other choices.

Great food and very consistent standard. Its rice bowls are generally better than its sashimi, and that's what most people go there for: hot meals.

The $5 green tea shaved ice is a really good dessert to share with someone to finish off the meal.

Staff are always busy because they have a lot of customers but still, it's not hard to get their attention.

Excellent place for having a quick satisfying meal.
Jun 03, 2010
Zomato
Vivien @ KJAS Blog
+5
One of my first favourite ramen places in the city because it's affordable with excellent portions. It's always packed at night but if you stand or sit at the bar and wait for a bit there'll soon be a free table for you. It's really cosy in a crowded sort of way that's particularly great for winter nights. All the items there are around $9-$12 and the bowls generous, so it's great for a cheap filling meal on a cold evening. I really recommend the tonkotsu ramen with its delicious thin slices of meat and fragrant rich-coloured broth. You can actually taste the pork bones they use to make the broth as opposed to tasting some artificial flavouring, and I always finish off all the soup as well. The noodles are seriously amazing, with a smooth texture and soaking up all the flavour, and most importantly they aren't too thick. The bowl looks deceptively small but it seems to go on and on and finishing it each time is always a feat. I guess the noodles are hidden in the broth. Ramen makes up most of the menu, but there are also similarly priced donburi and gyoza (dumplings) if you prefer. Personally, I eat so much rice at home and ramen is their specialty, so I definitely recommend trying out their ramen.
Jan 07, 2014
Zomato
Dog Eats World
+4
mentatz is pretty awesome, it's cheap and the food ain't too bad either. it's authentic japanese food in the heart of auckland. I personally think that the ramen dishes are better than the rice dishes, especially their shio ramen. I also recommend the miso katso don if you're into rice dishes more.
all in all, this is a good cheapeat place
Dec 07, 2013
Zomato
Trace
+3.5
Mentatz is a relatively cheap Japanese restaurant on Lorne Street in Auckland City. They have a large menu that is largely ramen, donburi and a relatively large selection of other dishes. Prices are affordable, with most of the menu being under $10 dollars and portions are generous, especially if you order ramen.

The core of the menu is probably the ramen, there are several different kinds based on different stocks. I like their Wafu Ramen quite a lot (which is advertised as a special normally), which has thick and flavourful stock and pork. It is rich and hearty, but is not paired with fermented or pickled vegetables in the way that some of the other Ramens are. I also enjoy the shoyu ramen as well, which is a pretty standard ramen with pork belly.

Like most lunch crowd oriented Japanese places, there is also a selection of Donburi. The rather intense, rustic and somewhat unsubtle nature of the cooking at Mentatz, means I think the Katsudon and the Miso Katsudon and bolder donburi are better than those that require finesse like the Oyakodon. The pork in the Katsudon is usually a bit undercooked and so not quite as tender as I would like, but the sauce is nice and the protions big. The coating is generally pretty good. Mentatz is providing hardly flavoursome fare and as such the attention to detail is sometimes lacking, but the accompaniment of salad with their food is good.

They also have a range of sides. I am a sucker in general for seaweed salads, which I almost universally like unless they are too sweet. Mentatz is pretty respectable, although for what you get at the price point, it isn't an amazing deal. I think the Agedashi (fried tofu) and the Takoyaki are the best of the sides, although be warned both are served piping hot.

They also have a menu of other dishes without rice that can be shared with others. The tempura is quite good, althought it is not a traditional tempura, rustic and heary, rather than refined and light. It is julienned vegetables fried in batter and is affordable, but gives you a lot of food. The sashimi is hardly worth it and while not bad, is really nothing special in terms of fish. They also serve icecream for dessert which is fine, although nothing special.

I like Mentatz, but largely because it is cheap and easy. It is not the best food around, but at its price point it offers a very reasonable option in the city, particularly for students and it is popular for a reason. I am glad places like Mentatz exist, because I can get a nice bowl of Ramen on a cold night, for not a lot of money.
Sep 04, 2013
4
LT Trinh
+4
Perfect Japanese diner. Inexpensive and generous serving size, recommended for everyone, especially students and family. Authentic koshi udon noodle soup available both as cold and hot dish. Self ordering kiosk and food came out soon after.
5
Sara H
+5
Went there already twice. Loved the food, it's really Japanese cooked by Japanese. And it's not expensive at all ! Takoyaki were really good. The cold udon could use a little bite more soup to it.
5
Jonathan Ross
+5
I only got the chicken katsu egg don but that was pretty fantastic. If I were from around here, I'd be back for that.... I came back and got the udon and tartare chicken. Okay, and less impressive. I wish I'd ordered the chicken katsu again.
5
Rook De Mel
+5
Been here several times now, always eaten the udon with kashiwa chicken tar tar. Reasonable price for the porion and taste.
4
Annie Avilés
+4
Tasty ramen and rice options. I was happy to find vegan miso ramen and the prices are reasonable. The other vege option is fried tofu don. The gyozas seemed to be frozen, but I'm not so sure if they're made fresh or not. Service was quick. The place seems not so clean and the floor and tables are sticky.
5
Megan M.
+5
We enjoyed our udon - we got the small size btw (you can choose to get a small or large bowl) as reference to the photos, and it was still a good amount! 🤗 you can choose a variety of sides to go with it. Good experience overall, would definitely come back!
4
Eric Chou奧克蘭寶哥
+4
At first I was worries this could have been just another "NZ ramen", not the Japanese one that I love. Unexpectedly this one was as good as what a Japanese ramen should be. I ordered a meat combination, hmm, yum yum, that definitely worth the money you pay. The lean pork and the pork belly were made perfectly. Juicy and tender, not a bit porky. Ramen itself and the egg cooked just fine, the best mates with the bone broth.
4
Thi Mai Phuong Du
+4
Definitely one of the best value for money, cheap eat spot in the cbd. They’re doing $1 per fried chicken which is tasty and great if you have a kid with you. I would recommend to have any of the noodles. The only thing I didn’t like here is that the Don having too much sauce. Staffs are lovely too
4
Budi Lay
+4
New owner taking over Mentaz. The udon taste great, it will taste even better if the soup temperature a bit hot. You should try kashinawa chicken spicy tempura. A bit pricey compared to the previous Mentaz.
5
Nicholas Chin
+5
The food is delicious, and the price is reasonable with a generous portion. The restaurant is always packed with people during peak hours, which means it might get a bit noisy and squeezy. There are only a few selections of side dishes, but this won't bother me as all their side dishes taste great. Staff is very friendly and they are quite attentive.
5
ProtectedSquid
+5
Amazing Donburis! For 15.90 I was provided with a regular sized bowl and a wooden tray to complement. Food took about 5 minutes to serve, and both water, cutterly including chopsticks was available at zero cost. The process of ordering was done online or on the menu screen inside the restaurant which provides a variety of options to suit their customers preference. If I visit this district again, I'll definitely be coming back!
5
Odyssey L
+5
I must say I was sleeping on this Ramen Place, walking past it over the years. The Mentatz Ramen here was crazy tasty! The servings were large very generous with the meat. The other Ramen we had was also 👌 anyone suggest a better place, I'm yet to find out. This will be my go to for now! The servers were friendly and patient with our orders. Will definitely be back here!
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