Best place to date with your newly-made friend if you happen to have terrible outfit today or too rush to wear your make-up. Because it can be super dark inside even at day time.
Sashimi was extremely good. We order the share combo ($34 approx.) and I felt like tasting the whole ocean. We got fresh raw oyster, prawn, and different types of fish, little bit of everything. They were pretty well presented. Were carefully put into separate small containers or baskets.
We came here for second time it didn't fail us. Had Japanese king fish for sashimi combo! And staffs are really considerate and helpful. What they recommended surprised me a lot.
Industry Zen has been a big part of my life since I was a little girl.. it’s a family favourite and we always eat waaay too much and have a jolly time. My go to dishes are the Harumaki spring rolls, hot and crispy with a prawn and cheese filling 🤤, gyoza, chicken karaage, Cha-han fried rice, Katsu chicken (so big and crispy), beef tataki, prawns with yum yum and a chocolate fondue if I have any room left 😘.
When it comes to Japanese cuisine this guys are pretty good.
The best sashimi, rolls and plump wine in CBD
Food presentation is A class. Love the design of the place and menus.
The only thing I would recommend to pay attention it’s the service. Sometimes they can be slow even though the restaurant it’s not full.
Still would go back if I want to have a nice Japanese dinner.
Absolutely fantastic all round - highly recommendable and a fantastic experience. Service spot on - food incredible, presentation spectacular. Excellent restaurant and will be back again and again.
The ambience is great, traditional izakaya elements with booming Japanese rock music and the food served with style and flair. Perhaps it was what we ordered (we asked the waiter to select the highlights for us) but frankly I've had better, although the food was still good. I saw the owner of sake bar Rikka working and remember the standard there was superior without losing any of the style. We still had a good night out but I expected the food to be better
Well, that was a surprise. In Auckland for business and wanted a quick good meal. Stumbled on this place and wow! Started with the Japanese pickles and then had the Omini Yaki. Described as a pizza style 😊 for those I guess who don’t understand this dish. Basically a fry-up with heaps of mayo, it is delicious which this was. All that with a hot sake and I was more than content and so was my wallet.
Quality of food was great, especially the sushi and sashimi. Service was also good. Presentation of food is excellent. Really enjoyed the food but portion sizes are quite small so it can get very pricey.
Went for my birthday last week- ordered the $25 lunch set and was very worth; the yum yum sauce shrimp was absolutely amazing. Highlight was definitely the jelly sparkling sake which was magical. Also ordered (for dessert shared between two) the deep fried sesame balls and chocolate banana spring rolls. Very unique and delicately made desserts, however a tad pricey :( I also feel like the lighting may have been a bit TOO dim so it didn't feel completely comfortable where I was sitting but it's not a huge issue. Definitely recommend !!
I have come here a long time and still love this place, my favourite Japanese restaurant. Authentic unlike most other “Japanese” restaurants, all staff are very friendly and food is incredibly fresh and high quality.
This place is amazing!
For starters great food, but that’s not the most amazing part! They put on a performance and celebrate special occasions! Honestly couldn’t recommend this place more! Every dish comes out on a special dish with fire and coals and other cool surprises!
5/5
This is a revisit after 4 years. I used to come here often four years ago, because I always get large sashimi, where you can eat sashimi from the top level of the palace to the ground level, it is very interesting. And I remember the restaurant should have a show including Ninja and Kabuki around 7:30 pm in the past. This fancy sashimi dish and the show are not existing any more. It is a little bit disappointing because I would rather go to Musashi if only for food.
Service is still great and the ambience is not changed during these years. I will say the way it presents food and its location and decor make the restaurant a fine restaurant, not the quality or taste of food. If the things I got attracted are missing here - like the evening show, I won't come back just for food.
We ordered the salmon & avocado sushi roll,karaage chicken, small sashimi platter, panko jumbo prawns, yum yum scallop teppan, agedashi tofu, and the meat lovers set.
All the dishes were beautifully presented and tasted delicious too. The dishes didn’t take too long to arrive which is always a bonus.
The staff were helpful with the questions we had about the menu.
Recommended if you like Japanese food. Total was $135 for four people with 2 drinks.
Decided to come by for dinner since it was in the area we were meeting. Once we got there we were seated and given ample time to look over the menu. We decided to order a few things to share. Most of the food was quite good. The dragon roll was blow torched at the table and the robata had the skewers sitting over embering coals. The teppan was on a hot plate and we were able to choose the flavoured salt to season it with. The food was nice in general but did come out a bit slowly.
Part way through the meal the curtain over the kitchen went up with a dramatic welcome from the chef and staff. They also brought out the drums for a birthday greeting.
It was quite an interesting dinner.
Polite and friendly staff. Love the vibe and culture of the place. The wooden place is very natural and greatly resemble Japan. A great place near the waterfront. Great seating and table.
Food was excellent. Love the way it was presented. Very tasty food and great fish. Keep up the fresh food. Love how they show the chef cooking it.
Highly recommended to check out this place a least once in your life. Everyone seem to enjoy it. One of the best atmosphere I've seen in a restaurant.
Check this place out. Worth the price. Excellent food. You will certainly enjoy this place alot. A great atmosphere on the waterfront.
Very good fine Japanese food. All staff are Japanese too. Service was good, food arrived quickly except for a sushi order that I ordered as soon as we arrived for my kids that was the last dish we received.... which was a bit dissapointed so the kids had to wait and nibble other plates. I’m overal good place and family friendly, will definitely go back.
Good price and the most special thing is their plate and setup of food. Totally unexpected the features of their setting. Good taste and everyone cannot help taking photos with their cellphone. Lol
Beautiful wooden panels across the restaurant floor and traditional Japanese decor quickly make you fall in love with Industry Zen's Japanese vibe. At lunch time the set menu offers a variety of raw dishes including sashimi and sushi as well as cooked dishes that are wonderfully affordable. Mr Piggy and I have been a big fan of this place for a long time and return every time we visit Auckland.
Fraser Lewis-Smith And Alana Ah Tani
+5
Honestly the best Japanese I’ve ever had. Amazing service such awesome friendly staff who were so helpful, the food is just amazing. We have been there twice for lunch and it never fails to disappoint, the way the display there food is amazing and the fish always tastes so fresh. Would recommend this place to anyone, it’s worth the price you pay. As you get entree, huge bento box main and a little ice cream at end for dessert. What are you waiting for, go check it out!
Very good place for family or friends dining.
Zen set was very good and contained variety of dishes like sashimi, sushi, grilled beef and something deep fried.
Plum wine is worth to try.
we r choose two mains sooooooo full～udon so nice i like it～sashimi so flesh～tuna its best～sushi just so so～but its quiet place～maybe go to again～
Great place to hang out next to the harbor. Recommend sashimi set for the power lunch and getting the set menu for dinner. Great service and fresh food!
Yummmmy! Ordered the prawns hot plate! So Devine and full of flavour: customer service is really good to. Came as a big group and didn't have to wait very long for the food. The donut was a bit hard :/ but still tasty!
Couple Of Cheap Westies
+5
We came here on a quiet Monday night 6.30pm for a birthday dinner with the family. The ambience is soothing with dim lighting and the interior is beautiful. We had the $55 set menu and there were 7 dishes - all which were presented beautifully and tasted Devine! They were small dishes but you filled up pretty quick! There's a projector that plays karate movies and half way through the night they play the drums and dedicate happy birthday songs/shoutouts to birthday guests/anniversaries etc. then they introduce the chefs! It's a great time with great food! Highly recommend!
Came here on a Wednesday night. Wasn't reasonably busy. The restaurant has a cool vibe and dim lighting which is nice. They greet you as you walk in. We got a HUGE range of food and different dishes all of which were AMAZING! The seafood was exceptional and so was the presentation at this restaurant. The staff were very attentive and lovely. They also stopped and wished people happy birthday and introduced the chefs which was a cool touch. I would defiantly come back here and would recommend to everyone!
Yummy food and lovely atmosphere. Great service and love the decor. Highly recommend the beef tataki and kookai box, contains lots of goodie.
Came here on Friday night for dinner, it was extremely packed and the vibe was amazing. The fire alarm went off which kinda sucked because we all had to evacuate the building (it's better to be safe than sorry though right!) definitely will be back again the sashimi platter was delish and the edamame was ridiculously good!
This restaurant is an absolute hidden gem. Everytime I parked in front of this restaurant I've always thought it's almost out of business until one day I actually went in to give it a try. I went for lunch and thought it was pricey until I saw the copious amount of food we got. I had the Ramen with scallops on a hot plate smothered in yum yum sauce while my partner got an array of sashimi and sushi. Well worth the trip. lighting was quite dim in the restaurant but had a distinctly Japanese vibe. Extremely attentive waiters.
One of the few special experiences I've had with Japanese food! Definitely worth to go if you go to Auckland cbd. Every dish is carefully presented in a matching plate or container. The subtle taste of some dishes lingering in mouth is what I like most. Interior looks unique but too much and crowded.
Food is spectacular and filling. The only reason it's not a 5 for me is literally because it's so loud and I felt like I was at a club trying to talk to the other people on my table.
Wow the food was amazing and presented like art!
Eye filler - awesome. Meet on skewers over coals - awesome. Sashimi - awesome.
And the home made creme Broule with banana Spring roll for desert - awesome.
Great authentic atmosphere. Come here every time I get to Auckland.
Some friends of mine suggested set menu here, I am regretted not trying. The table behind ordered set menu, very attractive dish decoration, just like what I had in Japan.
Impressed by the fried squid legs, it was the best one I ever had in my life. The dessert platter was also tasty with Japanese okashi. The service was outstanding as well.
Price was a bit high, especially for BBQ skewers....That's what I said, go for set menu.
If you go to industry zen, definitely go for their set menu. They give you so much food! All of it is presented amazingly with a strong Japanese theme. There is a wide variety of food you get to try from sashimi to noodles. We were stuffed by the time we were done and when we got up to leave we were stopped and told there was more! The amount of food they give you is definitely worth the price. However, I found all the starters a bit oily and not that interesting flavour wise. As for the other dishes there was really nothing amazing about them, but all were definitely above average. Don't bother with the oysters as there is they were not very fresh and very small. If you like seafood go for the yum yum prawns and if you have more people definitely try their tofu.
This is by far the best Japanese food in Auckland. Prices are a little steep but the quality and flavour of the food totally makes up for it. The yum yum prawn spring rolls are worth the visit alone! Also the slow charcoal cooked skewers are also great. Get ready to enjoy a sensory overload! Oh and the atomoshere is pretty boss! Get into it.
The best restaurant in Auckland 💯 staff, effort, presentation, yum yum prawns are my favourite food on the planet!!! I found this place only a month ago and Iv returned four times. I go with my partner and we choose 8-10 different things from the menu every time we had something new it was to die for and I now have two servings of yum yum prawns to myself because it's just that good! Don't skip dessert either the chocolate fondu is perfection
Go to this place
Industry Zen was fantastic, the salmon was delicious and the chicken katsu crispy and juicy! The presentation of the dishes is out of this world, just so creative - check out the pictures!! Service was good and the restaurant nice, they even do a bit of a show and introduce the chef.
Absoloutely amazing food with amazing presentation. A really unique dining experience in the viaduct with the drums and the chefs addressing you directly and being able to watch them cook.
Was treated to a work dinner here and oh my lord, you do feel very much treated here! The location is perfect, the staff are over achievers (in the best way), the food is amazing but most of all THE PRESENTATION 🔥⭐️😱💕. It's an experience all on its own I tell you! From the drum show to the plating - this is the place to go for dinner! I can honestly say I haven't experienced such intricate and well thought out presentation anywhere else in Auckland. Please check this place out ASAP!
We have been to Industrial Zen from time to time over the years and it have always been an experience. Given this background we decided to have lunch there on Saturday. The initial thing that struck is was how tired the restaurant was looking and unfortunately the food was the same. Don't get me wrong it look great but the quality and the amazing flavours of the past experiences were gone. It was also extremely quiet and the staff lacked their usual pizzazz. In the light of our latest experience I don't think we will be back.
First time here for official dinner party enough verity in vegetarian menu . I love to visit again. Ordered multiple different items and all were so good. Love the presentation ..
My go to for Japanese in Auckland, not only is the presentation amazing and unique but the food just melts in your mouth, the staff are lovely and attentive and i love how they give you "shout outs" for any birthdays/occasions you may be celebrating that night, really adds to the experience.
We find it very well priced and usually get 3-4 larger dishes with one smaller dish to share between the two of us and we are always stuffed at the end, note that dishes do tend to come out in a random order so don't expect them to come out in the order you've said.
Industry Zen will continue to be me & my partners favourite restaurant in Auckland and we can't wait to come back soon!
First time here. Really recommend you guys who read this to come. It's really good. I had tempura and chicken lunch box! Really full. Place is nice and cozy :)
Came here for a work event. If you want to be wowed by small delicate portions, a variety of stylish presentational skills and a weird drum show where they announce random people for seemingly random reasons. Then this is the place for you. Of you get the sake, they serve it on a teeny box of ice. Well worth going to. We got the $50 set menu. So worth going.
At Industry Zen is all about the looks! The food is presented in a fancy way but at the end of the day is not that much, not that great and the service is very bad.
We visited on a Saturday night with another couple and had the most amazing dinner, nice drinks and good service. The entertainment they provide is a welcome change. We
would return and recommend to all
This place has by far the freshest and most delicious fish I have ever had. We got various dishes and shared them between 4 people. The presentation is immaculate and really cute. Would highly recommend the sashimi and skewers, and definitely come here if you enjoy good Japanese and seafood.
After a failed attempt at the grand habour, industry zen saved my night. Not knowing what to expect, I walked in with an open mind and was very impressed. The food was amazing and would definitely go back again.
Entertaining, lively, and great value meals. The type of restaurant you'd walk straight past if you didn't know it was here, because the facade really is nondescript and doesn't scream out 'here we are'. But once you walk inside, you don't really want to leave - the atmosphere of Industry Zen is spectacular.
My girlfriend and I visited here in 2015 during 'Restaurant Month'. We were initially drawn here by what we thought was their great deal of the month, but then thought we'd prefer to select our own dishes. And my goodness, what wonderful food - even the seasonal vegetables on the hot plate were delicious, and it's such a simple dish. I recommend that you try the YumYum prawns, which comes with teriyaki poached egg.
As you can see from the photos, the servings are generous, so we left feeling absolutely buggered - we were actually going to order more, so we were really glad that we didn't. My partner has returned since, of which I very jealously missed out on.
This place never seizes to amaze, entertain or teach you the true tradition of Japanese food. Its a great place for lunch or dinner on the viaduct.
Industry Zen is another thing you bloody Kiwis have got over us in Oz. Absolutely love the place - food, service, ambience all fantastic. Would like to package it up and take it home with me.
Absolutely stunning Japanese food. The service was without fault, the presentation was impeccable and the food itself was divine. I had the agedashi tofu and the vegetable gyoza, and my friend had the set menu for one. The miso soup also deserves a shout out!
Love this magical cave of a restaurant. Such unique presentations and delicious food. The drum interlude was endearing. Unlike anywhere else! Recommend it.
I came here before for lunch but came today for dinner. The service is honestly one of the best I have ever experienced. They are always one step ahead and that's how it should be.
The food was presented so beautifully nothing like I seen before, so unique and the food was good too! Just perfect service and food couldn't be happier. The prices are high but I feel like it's really worth the money!
This place is nice if you wanna go on a special occasion. Absolutely in love!!
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Finally crossed this one off our 'Need to go there' list. Japanese cuisine is one of our favs. Was recommended by a Jewish Pizza chef in Niue (I know!). We'd stopped in for a quickie meal before going out. Nice atmosphere. This place (you wouldn't think it) is HUGE! so plenty of options for seating from a more Foodcourt style to catering for large groups to very intimate 2 seaters for datenight! Love the oldskool Japanese movies playing and service staff are friendly and attentive. Food presentation was fantastic. More on the side of 'arty'. Husband had the Blue Fin tasting platter which was definitely in this category where you had to really explore around your plate. But I wouldn't suggest this if you're hungry as it's more about the taste and cuts on this dish. I had the yumyum Prawns. Lived up to it's name! Very filling and a side of Edamame (who can go past those!). It's the only place we've seen with a Dark Asahi too. So that was a must. Quite a light dark malt I thought but still punchy in flavour. I'd say yes, value for money (excluding the Blue Fin menu but you gotta try everything once right?)
Industry Zen has always been a favourite of mine to visit for Japanese food! Everything is always nicely presented and fresh. Definitely recommend
Love love LOVE. If only I lived in Auckland! This place is incredible! The food is perfect, the staff are gorgeous and the atmosphere is unlike any other. Definitely worth putting it on the Auckland bucket list.
Beautiful Japanese restaurant, the food was amazing and I love how decorative and well presented their dishes were. Very good place to visit with friends and family. Their food is very authentic and tastes very good.
Came here on a fairly busy Saturday night, however despite the crowd still felt incredibly welcome due to the Japanese greetings from the staff. I'm in love with the decorations and there was a Japanese film playing for the crowd to enjoy on a large projector.
We ordered two sets, and were utterly stuffed by the end. You do get value for money, as a seemingly endless amount of dishes quickly come out from the kitchen. We enjoyed all the dishes that were brought to us and all were nicely presented. Each dish had it's own individual plate that was distinct from the others which was a nice touch that set the restaurant apart from the rest.
We stayed just in time to watch the drums and to hear the host address the guests about the celebrations and to have a round of applause for the chefs. We were lucky enough to see him on his last shift, and I believe his enthusiasm was fantastic.
We could truly see the passion their staff have in their work, and this was reflected through our experience.
Always good Japanese food.
Love their presentation their yum yum prawns and Teriyaki chicken are the best.
They announce your birthday if you tell them , later in the evening with a big drum.
It's always about of fun.
They do get busy and sometimes you feel you have to flag them down to get more drinks etc.
But the food is always consistently good and well presented.
Update: Feb 2018. The Lunch menu has changed and the Bento Box is no longer on the menu. Other choices are nice, but if you are looking for Bento, it's not available.
Went on a Sunday night and it was not too busy which is good. We ordered the Zen Set, Sashimi platter (medium), beef tataki and also two desserts to share between 2 and half. Food in general is average but their presentations of food is great looks so detailed personally i think they somehow took over the taste of their food. More like a place to take photos than for its quality of food.
Half way through our dinner there was a show where chefs will come out and traditional drum will be played.
Generally it's not bad but what saved the meal was the dessert. We got the sake brulee (can be seen in photo) and also the dessert of the day (dried iced photo). Service is average if to compare to the amount of money I spent I would expect more.
I'd heard very good things about Industry Zen, so when I went expectations were high.
It's an eclectic place, the food was very good, especially my sashimi. The service was at times a little awkward...not as polished as it should be.
Auckland has some amazing Japanese restaurants (Masu and Ebisu)...Industry Zen is good, but not quite in the same league.
YUM - that's all there is to say about this place. A must to go to (service can be a bit slow at first but then when the food starts to roll out)... YUM!
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I've heard of industry zen from many friends but has yet to try it. It's situated in the viaduct, not on the waterfront but next to the bath house. The dining style is similar to ebisu and masu or any new age modern Japanese dining. It is made of a small, medium, and large dishes. Not the bento boxes or rice+dish combos I'm used to seeing. You've also got the option of getting set menus starting at $49pp if you can't make a choice from their vast menu. I opted for the zen set which cost $79. You get 7 dishes which includes things like top grade wagyu beef salad, tray of bites, sushi/sashimi, yumyum prawns, and miso (re:photos). My partner got the gourmet robata skewers, he picked the wagyu option and also soft shell crabs. Our other guests ordered one each of the robata sets, yum yum prawns, onigiri, and renkon chips. Everything was amazing, no complaints about the food. For what I got for $79 I think it was fair. (Compared to tatsumi which i had degustation at recently for $80, I left there hungry and wanting much more). I think the service here is abrupt and the wait staff seems to constantly be stressed or on the move, always trying to clear your table. At one point I was asked if i wanted my plate taken away when I hadn't finished my food. We were asked if we came here for a social occasion. We did, one of guest was celebrating her graduation.
Midway thru service they started Japanese drumming which startled us and other diners and did an announcement of all the celebrations that was happening in the restaurant. Which I found quite nice. They also introduced their head chef but, what he said was inaudible. It was a little awkward because no one understood what was happening and none of the staff gave us an intro to what was going on.
Food: 5/5
Service: 3.5/5 (awkward and abrupt)
Drinks: 5/5 (good range, my jelly sake was delish)
Atmosphere: 4/5 (decor is very nice with a lot of semi private dining areas. But, again awkward atmosphere with the abrupt announcement)
Value for money: 4/5 (still on the exxy side but we paid around $120 for two.)
Industry Zen is a really classy, authentic Japanese experience. The food is on the pricier side but the presentation and taste makes up for it. I came here for a girlfriends birthday dinner. I did enjoy my evening, from the food to the service. This wouldn't be my favourite Japanese place to dine but it still carries a range of delectable dishes.
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The presentation of the dishes at Industry Zen is impeccable and definitely sets them apart from other Japanese restaurants in Auckland. Every night, about half way through dinner service they announce the guests' special occasions and open the curtains to the kitchen and introduce the chefs - something simple but very unique and interesting.
Medium sashimi - lots of variety, very fresh
Nigiri sushi mix - my favourite!
Softshell crab wrap - I usually love soft-shell crab but not a fan of the sushi here unfortunately
Eel wrap - sooo yum, huge pieces of eel
Yum yum prawns - no wonder these are a crowd favourite, large prawns with yum yum sauce and an egg in the middle
Karaage chicken - so juicy and tender, , served with wasabi mayo
Chicken katsu - this came out last and we were too full, but we were amazed at how big the size was!
I have also been here a few times for lunch - the lunch boxes are a great value!! So much food, nicely presented, and good service.
Definitely one of the best Japanese restaurants in Auckland!
Was recommended to go by a friend, got there service was very good, we ordered and instantly the dishes came , constantly filling our table with portions of a lot of different variety, presentation was awesome, pricing was ok..
Loved this place. Has to be my favourite Japanese restaurant in Auckland by far. The presentation of the food was so unique and innovative. It was very reasonably priced and tastes amazing. They also put on a bit of a show just for the guest and acknowledges special occasions. Would go back as much as I can.
Had dinner here a few years ago and always remembered being impressed by the food and atmosphere. A few weeks ago, we decided to come here again for dinner and take advantage of the $55 for 5 courses special menu for Auckland restaurant month. I have to say the servings were very very generous and I left very full! So far, for a 5 course dinner, i have never been served as much food elsewhere as in industry zen. At $55 it was definitely very cheap. However i found that the food was not as good as i remember it to be anymore. It was NOT bad, but i didn't leave the place feeling impressed like i was the first time i dined here. I would still come back here though. Maybe they were having an off night that particular night?
Such a unique dining experience and so much fun. We ordered way too much food for three little girls, but had the best time. I also love the atmosphere here
A hidden gem tucked out the back of the Viaduct, those lucky enough to walk inside will be immersed in a visual treat!
Both the decor of the place and the food is presented with such effort and uniqueness, it's impossible not to appreciate the art and passion that's behind the concept at Industry Zen.
Everything I've tried is delicious, and the menu is extensive for Japanese food.
This is our favourite restaurant by a mile. We came here a few months ago on quite a busy Saturday night and the service was still impeccable. The staff were welcoming and very happy to help.
We got the degustation and it was absolutely faultless. Everything was perfect and one of the best Japanese meals we have eaten. We thought that cost vs food was brilliant considering that neither of us could finish it because it was just so filling.
I would recommend this restaurant to anybody that enjoys Japanese food. There are so many fantastic things to say about this restaurant and the entertainment is also great!
Industry Zen is one of my favourite go-to's in Auckland for great Japanese food. It's miles and miles above the 'Japanese owned by Korean/Chinese' restaurant that you'd find locally, as it carries authenticity and flare in all it's dishes. One slightly confusing bit is the menu - price does not correlate to portion size, so my recommendation to get the most from Industry Zen is to go a-la-carte. My favourites are the Teppan select (especially the Yum Yum prawns) and the grilled beef. Service is excellent, not posh but quick, delightful, polite and efficient. An excellent spot for those that truly appreciate truly brilliant Japanese cuisine, but isn't in the mood for the pressures a fine dining establishment brings to the experience.
Went here for lunch today with work mates. We ordered off the Set Lunch Menu and had the Teriyaki Chicken Box (Little Wagon), The Teriyaki Chicken and Tempura Plate and the Yum Yum Prawn Teppan Plate. All the meals came with miso soup, a small salad and a petite dessert.We all thouroughly enjoyed our meals. I had the prawns with came with chicken sushi and lots of sashimi. I am not a sashimi fan but thought I would try it and am VERY glad that I did. We had a good time, the staff were attentive and the food was delicious.One of my new favourites.
Visited here again today and had the Karage Chicken and the Prawn Teppan Hot Plate... Awesome food and more than enough of it!
Industry Zen, is an amazing experience where the food is art and service second to none. The servers are just brilliant and every dish is part of the entertainment. If you are there celebrating a special occasion, be sure to tell the staff. Simply love this place. Will return again and again....and again
Visited Industry Zen for the first time at friend's birthday lunch. Was absolutely awe-struck by the presentation of the food. I ordered $21 Grilled-Eel box and loved the way it was in a temple-shaped box. The food was stacked in 3 layers and each layer (part of the temple) can be taken off. I was a little bit disappointed by the variety within the lunch box as my main dish was just eel and rice and nothing else (i.e. salad etc.) Had 2 sushi rolls and 2 small fried potato/chicken as side dishes. I would prefer if the fried food was warm/hot and there are a little more to the main dish other than eel and rice. However, I understood that's probably due to the price of the lunch box, as my friend who ordered the Teppan fillet lunch box had an amazing range of food including the beef fillet, sashimi and fried chicken pieces. Overall satisfied with the quality of the food, but more amazed with the presentation. It's definitely a place to go if you want to impress your guests!
Time and date: Weekend dinner
Food and beverages ordered: large warm sake, renkon chips, toro tasting platter, soft shell crab wrap, beef tataki, chicken skewers
Environment: vibrant, modern and entertaining
Service: friendly and exceptional
Costs: $50 per person
Will I return: definately
Comment: while I do love the traditional japanese cusine, industry zen mix of innovative and traditional flavor did add an extra "wow" factor. The otoro or "fatty tuna" is a must try, and the chicken skewers are awesome.
Came to the zen on Thursday for dinner with some customers and we had a most enjoyable time. I love coming here, they make my time here Avery memorable time, love this place!!!
Industry Zen offers up the best lunch bento boxes. I got the Ju bento which came in a Japanese carriage with little compartments that housed each dish separately. I felt like a little kid opening up the doors, pulling out draws to see what was hidden - it was soooo cool. Lunch had never been so exciting. The Teriyaki chicken was so delicious with a hint of char which gave the chicken a slight smoke flavour! Sushi was fresh, Tempura yummy, however I get a little sick after the deep fry - but still really good. I was extremely excited to find out they sell the saki jelly shots. Its a must try - just imagine, liquid/jelly/fizzy/alcoholic goodness. Its just a little can of fun to finish off eating a fun meal. The decor is Oriental & dark with a lot mood lighting. The staff were lovely and I look forward to returning.
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I have some very poor quality photos here, but the food was soooooo amazing that I have decided to upload it anyway!
Had dinner here with 2 friends last Sunday. Took us a while to find this place as we got confused with our streets, but was very glad to eventually stumble through the door.
Lovely layout inside the restaurant, and offers a very authentic Japanese feel. We sat in a table next to a projector screen and wondered what that was about. Only later to find out that the projector winds up later to introduce the chef and kitchen staff. That was a very different experience.
When we sat down at our table, the 3 of us felt that it was unnecessarily huge (kind of awkward to talk to the person across), however when our food starting arriving, we were quite grateful for the large table!
We ordered an item each under most of the headings on the menu. I would highly recommend the following: the spider wrap, the california wrap, karaage fried chicken and the teriyaki chicken with 5 sauces! Those were my absolute favourites!
We also had the pleasure of watching their mini drumroll performance to congratulate customers who were celebrating an event.
I am dying to return again!!
We came here one rainy night and left stuffed.
The food was beautifully presented and tasted amazing and fresh.
We ordered way too much food. The sashimi platter filled up all three of us!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Just went back to Industry Zen, the first time was with a large group and there was lots of seafood which I am not a fan of however the last visit was just a catch up dinner with a friend so I got to try all the yummy things on the menu that caught my eye the first time. First thing I have to say is - lots of seafood option. Wow! Unfortunately I have a mild allergy to seafood so I couldn't enjoy the seafood selection, the upside was that there is an amazing selection of non seafood items on the menu. My friend and I shared the Kara age chicken, the gyoza and the agedashi tofu. The chicken was amazing - fried and crispy on the outside but the meat was still juicy and succulent on the inside. The tofu was also one of the best I have ever had soft and silky, the sauce was amazing as well. I had the mayo chicken which came out on a hot plate. Flavour wise I found it a bit salty and there was a bit too much mayo on it however as the name suggests it is mayo chicken so no complaints there. Ambience was alright ad wait staff were friendly. I did find it a little bit dim however I believe that is the look they are going for. I would recommend this place if you are looking for good jap food.
I haven't been here for about 3 years, and it was pleasantly, better than I remembered. My partner and I decided to choose our own selection of dishes rather than opting for the standard 'set menu'.
The oysters were spectacular with a lovely array of dressings that surprisingly, really bought out the natural salty oyster flavours.
The sashimi entree set was fresh became quite a memorable experience to eat. Think melt in your mouth fish, scallops, octopus, and prawns, all presently beautifully and delivered in interesting serving dishes.
The teriyaki chicken plate was very tasty. The alaskan crab Robata delicious, and the yum yum prawns and scallops devine.
A great Japanese venue if you don't mind spending a bit extra to get the full experience. Service was good, although I would've liked a little more attention to keeping my wine glass full.
Great food with unparalleled presentation. Staff are very accommodating and helpful. Best Japanese I've ever had. Very cool layout and added bonus of kitchen show shortly after 8pm.
Been here a few times with different friends and feedback is unanimous that this place is awesome. Service is always excellent with staff who serve diners well, know their offerings and are very friendly and accommodating. Food is presented very nicely and food quality is great and high quality. Atmosphere is really nice and quite unique. Every hour they have drums banging as a tradition which could be mildly annoying for some but would highly recommend. Slightly pricey but would say it's very fairly priced.
Go at least once a month. Delicious food. Good friendly service. Great reliable restaurant. I always start with beans & lotus chips. Then the must haves of the spicy tuna roll and the fried rice.
Great entertainment
Each night we have been here they do a little announcement for people's birthdays, anniversaries etc, it adds a little fun to the night. You can also see the food being prepared through a window to the kitchen.
Food is really good too, I especially like the lotus root chips!
Karage chicken is also one of the best around, and the other staples are very good too
Twice in two weeks - must have enjoyed our experience. The food is fresh and delicious and beautifully presented in a variety of ways - lacquered rickshaw boxes reveal sushi and dumplings, porcelain pots contain homemade marshmellow and chocolate fondue. Interesting and eclectic interior - Japanese dolls and fake sushi in the bar. A huge drum gets beaten during the course of the evening to introduce the Chef and all his kitchen staff - bizarre, but fun. Only bum note was delivery of food a bit haphazard and a few dishes forgotten.
This is the first time that I didn't feel ripped off after having Japanese food. My expectations were not very high considering previous experiences with the price vs value of Japanese food.
I loved every dish I had but especially liked the sushi. $9 for 3 pieces seemed a bit steep but for example the soft shell crab sushi came with 2 big pieces of soft shell crab on the side. I can't wait to go back, everything was outstanding including presentation, atmosphere and service.
I love Industry Zen! Safe to say it's one of the best Japanese restaurants in Auckland. The food is so delicious and beautifully presented. My personal favorites are the tepanyaki with five sauces, the chicken is always tender and the sauces so full of flavor, the yum yum prawns, the title of the yum yum sauce speaks for itself really, the renkon chips, which are a deliciously crispy lotus chip covered in a yummy salt like flavoring, and the beef robata, I love that you get to choose between three different types of rock salts. Highly recommend, it's great for groups of friends or family dinners, or just for a couple.
Superb food and amazing service with an authentic charming interior (worth a visit on it's own) - what is there to not like about this place? Standards are consistently high, the dishes come out one after a tantalising other, and no matter what you choose on the menu, you can't really go wrong! I like the mid service announcements (birthdays etc) and the reveal of the chefs, adds a bit of mystery. Definitely my favourite Japanese restaurant in the vicinity of the Viaduct!
Courtney @ A Food Awakening
+4
Industry Zen is Japanese with a difference. With most Japanese restaurants in Auckland, they all bring similar menus, with a range from sashimi, tapas and bento meals etc. Alike is Industry Zen, but they present their food in such innovative ways.
From what we received looks pretty standard but as we were dining, we think the lunch combos we saw, are served in replicas of the traditional Japanese huts, or with Japanese bridges. Japanese is one of the best cuisines to share with others. I almost always order soft shell crab, whether it is its own dish or comes in the form of sushi, its just that something else you don't get from other cuisine's. This one really stacks up, whilst being served on mustard sauce - sounds weird but it really works and just enhanced the flavours of the dish.
Takoyaki was hot and fresh, but there was less octopus than I would have liked. These yum yum prawns really were yum yum - sorry thats cheesy. But delivered on this hot sizzling plate and probably not the most healthiest dish with all the sauce it was coated it, but omg, good.
The service is efficient and friendly but the atmosphere was a let down. Although its well themed inside, there was an annoying loud noise from the air conditioning unit on the roof I think and the inside is a bit dated. Its a shame because the food is almost top notch! Just a few hiccups but overall a decent meal.
Rating
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 8/10
Value for Money: Good
104D Customs Street W, Auckland Central
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-3pm, 530pm-11pm
Great place nestled in the Viaduct. I went here with my family and had a $49, 5 course set menu. I was blown away, the presentation of each dish was unique and amazing. The 3 level sushi house was a highlight for me. All the food was delicious and fresh. Wait staff were good, but could have been a bit more attentive. Our waitress had trouble understanding some of our requests and also forgot our miso soup. Overall, would definitely recommend if you are looking for lovely Japanese restaurant with good value for money (set menu).
Food = awesome
Service = awesome
Price = pretty high considering the portion sizes.
This place is pretty epic in regards to decor and presentation of food, this is probably why the meals themselves are priced quite high.
The staff speak Japanese which is nice and everything tasted great.
Will be back here for sure, perhaps to try the lunch menu!
My friends and I had lunch here the other day as we heard great things about this restaurant. The place was quite busy when we arrived and were told to sit where we liked. The food came out rather fast and we all really enjoyed it. The guys in the group didn't find it very fulling but I was satisfied. Only negative point is that it is slightly over-priced but most japanese food is, especially in the city. Beautiful presentation and the toilets were really clean!
I was ere last night for a work Xmas function. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. We all dove into the 7 course set menu which was absolutely divine. I have never had such impeccable Japanese in my life. Service was outstanding, with little English from the front of house staff things were slightly difficult but they never ceased to try and understand. Amazing food, great service. I'll be back here soon!
Have been here for lunch and dinner, both times food was really good, service okay.
The lunch bentos are huge and presented very well.
Dinner is good if you go is a large group and get lots of little dishes to share.
They had a little show when we were there for dinner - was cool and something different.
A very busy place on a Friday night with a great atmosphere and selection of Sake.
We found the service very good and each dish presented perfectly. Hard to go past the Sushimi on salt and ice.
Well worth hunting this place out in the back of the viaduct.
What a great experience. We will be back whenever we visit Auckland. Quality food, great presentation. Yes, it wasn't always easy understanding the staff, but hey, it felt like I was in Japan for the evening...can't wait to return. A wonderful restaurant that really delivered for me as a vegetarian.
Thank you Yoshi & Manami; this is easily the best Japanese restaurant in Auckland! Fantastic food and service! The half-time entertainment is amazing! Highly recommended for anyone whether family, function or date-nights! - Ken & Annie
**Amazing Experience!!** My partner and I walked in off the street for a meal on a Monday night. The service was very friendly, the food was fresh & delicious with EXCELLENT presentation! I rate this restaurant very highly!! Truly magical dining experience. I'm so happy we choose this restaurant & definitely will be back :) Thank you Industry Zen!
Fantastic! Food, ambience and service all memorable for the right reasons. The set meals are superb and suitable for those both old and new to Japanese food. It is a little pricey for the portion size but I will certainly go back time and time again without hesitation.
This place is a solid favourite, the food is really fresh and delicious. They set menus are very well priced and you get a beautifully presented meal.
Always recommend, you can rely on it meeting everyone's needs.
Amazing place, high quality and extremely well presented food. I have been here for both lunch and dinner on many occasions, both with large groups and couple dining and could not fault it.
This place has got it right - don't change a thing!! Save room for desserts they are the best.
Highly recommended.
Loved Industry Zen. Went there with a large group and we were asked to pre order which was fair enough and we had food consistently arriving all night! Great for sharing and the food was great. Staff were friendly enough. Would definitely go again.
We dined once again at this great venue Friday 11 Feb, 2012. Industry Zen is nothing short of amazing, everyone of our visits has been as memorable as the last, the menu is full and interesting, the presentation spectacular, and the staff are great, very efficient, love the big "welcome" from
the kitchen staff, decor is tops, atmosphere is tops, tables are roomy enough for dinners, the incredible serving platters and wine glasses, and make a point of trying the NZ made Shochu, try it on the rocks - delish, there are even some flavored styles, couldn't recommend mote highly, well done Industry Zen!!!
This is my family's absolute favourite restaurant, I've lost count of the number of people we've taken there and converted. The ambience is great, the staff are friendly, the prices are amazing considering the quality of the food, the presentation is awe inspiring and the food itself is swoon-worthy. I especially recommend the Teriyaki Chicken 5, the Beef Tataki and the fondue dessert. We often go for a walk around the viaduct after our meal and feel sorry for the people dining at the more visible restaurants in the area -they don't know what they're missing!!
Had birthday for hubby there last night. What an experience! Food delicious, service prompt and ambience great. Presentation fantastic. Not cheap, but there was seven of us with drinks and we went for the biggest menu choice. Can be done a lot cheaper as we ordered too much food. Really recommend chicken skewers! Yum!
Simply the best Japanese dining experience in Auckland.
The food is amazing, the wine list is extensive, the Japanese beer is delicious, and the prices are fair.
The overall experience is something to behold, I won't go into more detail as there are some real surprises to be had when you eat there for the first time.
Good luck getting a booking during Rugby World Cup, that place will be making a roaring trade.
The food here is delectable, my favourites are Teriyaki Chicken 5, Harumaki (Spring Rolls), Prawn, Avo and Mayo Wrap sushi and Pork Shu-Mai. The flaming fried rice is also neat as they bring it out on a skillet and cook it at the table. I come here for special events and also occasionally for lunch, service is great and staff are friendly. My only gripe is that they are open from 12 - 11pm but if you come at an odd time (eg at about 4pm) they will take you but they are between services. My food was wonderful but another person dining with us received a salad that was still almost frozen. They were obviously catering straight from the fridge! However this is the only time I have ever experienced something negative from this restaurant, overall it is an excellent experience every time. Prices are reasonable too.
This is my special event place. I love the food and presentation. it takes you away to another place of gastronomic delight. Can't recomment this place highy enough. I love the teriyaki chicken, oysters and dessert. Theatre and fun with gourmet food. This is my favourite restaurant.
Good food, nice atmosphere and food presentation is excellent. Price is a bit expensive (but reasonable) and need to wait quite a while for food to arrive.
Beautiful food presentation with an authentic feel and all very tasty. Amazing decor even in the bathrooms! This place is really popular so be sure to book - and make sure you're there at 9pm for 'the show'. The only negative is that service can lack at times - probably due to how busy they are. Solid 4.5 stars.
We had a great evening at Industry Zen. The food is presented like a work of art, and is very tasty. We highly recommend the Agedashi tofu, tofu croquettes and yum yum prawns. You can read a more in depth review, with photos at http://celestereviews.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/japanese-food-art/
Great ambience, gorgeous food presentation and attentive staff. The food is Japanese with a modern slant and exceptionally fresh. Even the wine glasses were changed for each variatel.
Theatrical take on Japanese. If like me, you are sick of boring and predictable meals out - head to Industry Zen. Food is outstanding and the atmosphere is imaginative to say the least. Its not cheap but try the 7 course special. And around 8 there is a Taiko drum intro to the kitchen staff worth experiencing if you have not seen it before...
Went here for a nice family dinner and wow! The food is incredibly fresh - all presented on a giant stone platter and some were torched to perfection. Atmosphere also makes you feel like you're in Japan - a great place with great food!
Our absolute favorite Japanese restaurant and probably our favorite restaurant period! Food here is amazing, extremely fresh, and wonderfully presented. Portions are also very generous as other reviewers have mentioned so be careful not to order too much. Between the quality and the generous portions you absolutely get value for money here, unlike some similar fine dining restaurants in the area. Staff are also lovely - we come here probably too often but the staff are nothing but gracious and friendly, and even remember how we like our food ☺️ Zen is definitely a must for celebrations as well as just a treat now and then. They have also been very accommodating when we’ve brought vegan guests. Photos are from several different visits
Love the food. A bit pricey but maybe becoz they're in the city. Presentation of food was awesome. And they allowed us to stay a bit longer.
Absolutely DELICIOUS! Food was amazing and seafood was incredibly fresh. Oysters are very big and fresh too! Service is 10/10 - husband came late and they replaced his miso soup with a warm and fresh one when he arrived :) Very caring people, food came quickly as well despite it being a weekend.
The best dining experiences we have in New Zealand; even better than some of the fine dining in Melbourne. Everything was amazing with attention to details. The customer service was above and beyond. The staff were warm, friendly and very considerate. Every dish was plated so beautifully and tasted just as delicious as it looked. Especially the sashimi and Aburi nigiri, great value for its high quality.
Yum!! oysters are so fresh and food is really good. The lunch set is also very filling!
Without a doubt one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. Everything was amazing with such attention to detail. The restaurant has lovely decor and a great welcoming atmosphere. The customer service was above and beyond. The staff were warm, friendly and very attentive. The food was sensational. Every dish was plated so beautifully and tasted just as delicious as it looked. It was definitely some of the best and most authentic Japanese food I've ever had. I will remember this dinner for a very long time!
We had an amazing dinner experience. Superb, really efficient waitress; delicious food with generous portions and beautiful presentation. The pricing was fair. Highly recommended!
Definitely recommend you to give it a go! Salmon just melt in your mouth 👌
Went to this place for my birthday, great selection of Japanese dishes, and they are tasty too, just wish it's cheaper. I find the wagyu quite basic and not really worth the price.
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