Made in Nippon

As I mentioned on my previous post that I found Japanese restaurant on every corner of Auckland city, there are also some Japanese supermarkets in town where you can find Japanese foodstuffs, sake, as well as Japanese traditional products. I happened to visit two of them, one is Japan Mart in Newmarket and the other one is Made in Nippon on Queen street, Auckland City.

(Made in Nippon, Japanese shops in Auckland)

Once you visit here, you must feel like you are in Japan! That's what they said on their web and it's true! I felt like I was in Japan! The Japanese chocolates and biscuits on the shelves are so irresistible and on the upper floor they have all kind of Japanese sake including Umeshu, my favorite Japanese drink. I did buy myself a bottle of Choya Umeshu and a small can of Ohshukubai Umeshu (never tried this one before).

(Choya Umeshu)

(Ohshukubai Umeshu with real green ume inside the can)

Talking about Umeshu, I also tried the Kikkoman Umeshu while having dinner at Daikoku, I know that Kikkoman is famous for soy sauce and other cooking stuffs but never knew that Kikkoman also produces Umeshu and it tastes great too!

(Kikkoman Umeshu)

Sushi Walker

First thing first, Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best!

Just came back from Auckland yesterday and now I'd like to share some Japanese things I came across in that city. I had heard that there are a lot of Korean and Japanese eateries and shops in town but it still surprised me as I found sushi and sake bar on every corner of the city. Most of the Japanese restaurants and sake bars do serve a wide range of imported Japanese Sake and Japanese beers like Asahi and Sapporo beer on tap. During my three-day visit I went to five Japanese eateries in town, Tanuki Cave and Kura Sake Bar (both on Queen st), Daikoku Restaurant and Fuga Japanese Brasserie (both of them on Victoria st West, Auckland Central), and Motto Sushi in Parnell Village. I am happy to say there was no disappointment but if I had to choose my favorite one I'd say Kura Sake Bar, the cozy ambiance and the fusion dishes are just perfect.

(Kura Sake Bar on Queen st, Auckland)

(Kura Sake Bar)

(Seafood lovers donburi from Kura)

(Pan fried white fish with butter from Kura)

(Asahi beer on tap from Kura)

(Daikoku Restaurant)

(Tofu Salad from Daikoku)

(Deep fried flounder from Fuga Japanese Brasserie)

(Agedashi tofu with steamed vegetables from Fuga Japanese Brasserie)

(Sushi and Tempura Combo from Moto Sushi)

Kiaora Japan

Kia ora! It means Welcome in Maori language, yes I am in New Zealand at the moment, in the city of Rotorua, a city well known for its geothermal spas scattered around the region where you can smell the sulfur from every corner of the city. Taking a break after a nine-bloody-busy-week during Christmas season, I am staying in Rotorua for three nights and heading to Auckland tomorrow. Walking around the city, much to my surprise that there are few Japanese restaurants in town, one of them is Kiaora Japan on Tutanekai street, the main street toward the lake.

(Kiaora Japan in Rotorua)

It comes to my surprise when I found a few Japanese restaurants in town, one of them is Kiaora Japan on Tutanekai street, the main street toward the lake. It’s an authentic Japanese restaurant packed with tourists and local people during lunch time serving a wide range of Japanese sake and Sapporo beer on tap.

Here are my lunch dishes today,

The lunch set special is NZD 10 comprises two sushi, teriyaki chicken on rice, salad and miso soup, while the shoyu ramen costs about NZD 12

(Shoyu ramen)

(seaweed salad)

On another note about Rotorua,
Are you a fan of Lord of The Rings trilogy? If yes then you should visit the hobbiton movie set tour located about 50 minutes driving from Rotorua. Despite the gusty wind and wet weather this morning I did enjoy walking around the ‘middle earth’ valley, the farm has amazing scenery of thirty-seven hobbit holes, oak trees and breathtaking views overlooking the valley.

Unfortunately, as a condition of entry you are not allowed to share anything on the internet including facebook, you-tube, and blogs. You are permitted to take as much photos or video as you like but Peter Jackson doesn’t allow you to share anything on the internet so I couldn’t share any picture or further information about this beautiful 'middle-earth' valley.