If I could give more stars I would. Everything was just outstanding! The waiting staff were so genuinely friendly and so warm. It was nice to see this was a real family place as well! The food. Omg. The eggplant with cheese - so good!! The toro nigiri was beyond. But then the A5 wagyu came (we had it sukiyaki style): it was hard to know where the sauce ended and beef began. After having Kobe beef in Kobe I thought I’d have to go back to Japan to experience it again but I’m so glad we have a place right here!! Finished off with the prawn tempura which again was just so delicious and so beautifully presented!Thank you so much for a memorable night!
Set dinner is worth to try, between $40-$50. Grill squid and fry small fish very yummy. Homemade brownie is unexpected tasty, special recipe and not very sweet, with heaps of nuts make it smell so yumm. Strongly recommended
Sashimi is fresh! The presentation is great. The small dishes with octopus in the dinner set tasted surprisingly nice. They give us a slice of matcha red bean roll cake for free, which also taste really nice! 🍣
Got the eel, sashimi platter and fried tofu. Sashimi platter looked great and with a very generous amount. Eel was a tad a tad strangely sour. Tofu wasn’t that great with a different fried coating. Authentic Japanese food.
A tad expensive eg corkage for 1 glass $10 and other meals more expensive than nearby Japanese but beautifully served by a lovely waitress who had no problem explaining the menu and what we were going to have when we ordered. A bi annual visit here because of the price.
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Finally, a Japanese restaurant I can say is close to traditional authenticity and is an ENJOYABLE place to have a sit down dinner.
Masa is kind of out of the way, it's not in any of the eatery hubs, but once you find it, and step inside, it does deliver a really enjoyable experience.
We have been here twice so far, and three things really jump out at you 1) it's quiet, not head banging loud like most Japanese restaurants are these days (except fine dining) 2) presentation of the food is BEAUTIFUL 3) they all taste really really good. See photos.
Trifecta for me really, aside from all the things I've mentioned above, the taste here is quite genuine. Especially the traditional Japanese dishes like the tako, nigiri, unagi and yes, even the salad.
I strongly suggest you take some time to come here, order a Japanese beer, sit down at the bar, and order some sushi, watch the chef prepare it for you and hand them over you directly when they are done. All the while you sit there enjoying your cold beer (or sake) and just take in the fines and skill they put into making sushi, it is beautiful.
I will back again, it is a bit expensive, but I think worth the visit for a special occasion.
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Vegetarian chef special $80. Masa has been under new management since Apr 2018. I haven't been to the restaurant before this, but I can say I feel like I had a real Japanese experience here. The Japanese owner was extremely polite and accommodating of our daughter's request for her favourite udon noodle soup.
Each of our dishes (missed the photo for salad dish #1) tasted really delicious and balanced. Dish #2 trio of crispy wontons, capsicum and eggplant were so tender and paired with the perfect tasting sauces. Dish #3 was king oyster mushrooms, dish #4 deep fried tofu reminiscent of takoyaki? Dish #5 tofu steak with garlic, dish #6 assortment of sushi (yes for each person) wow, that's capsicum not nigiri, tasted so soft. A dessert platter to finish off the meal, I thought I was full but when that dessert came out, I grew a second stomach. We had Japanese cheesecake (uncle tetsu? This beats it hands down), brownies, swiss roll with strawberries and cream, strawberries, papaya, grapes... gosh, gluttony anyone? It was absolutely a pleasant dining experience. The only thing that could've made it better was a dimmer ambience, but that's my personal opinion.
I came here expecting your usual standard agedashi tofu, tempura vegetarian options, what I got was an interpretation of meat dishes with clever use of vegetables. It's very cool!
The chefs are definitely very creative and good at what they do, paired with Japanese hospitality... I reckon this place should be ranked way higher than what it is.
Went back yesterday to try their Special Lunch Menu for Summer. I ordered cold ramen ($13) and my husband ordered Teriyaki chicken don ($10). The food is good and taste is great. We definitely will go back again.
I had three courses with Japanese shochu. Sashimi, seafood teapot soup and wagyu hobayaki. Sashimi was fresh and the dry ice on the surface was amazing. Soup was so delicious, it has strong meaty flavor in clarified liquid. As for wagyu hobayaki, this is the best wagyu I have ever in Auckland.
Amazing food and great friendly and attentive staff. We were very blessed to have the owner order special dishes for us! Will definitely be going back asap!
Very nice experience, the service was great, I made booking in advance and staff texted me one day before to check if I’m ok to share with other group people. We had a private room n both celebrate birthday so that’s fine. We had set menu and the food was amazing, fresh sashimi n authentic Japanese taste. We would go again!
What a great little japanese restaurant. We walked in off the street before we went to the book fair and they asked if we would like to sit at the bar overlooking the chef preparing sushi etc...
Best seat in the house!
Food was lovely and seafood was fresh.
Staff were so polite and helpful.
Very enjoyable dinner. 😁
Small authentic restaurant with one chef, one waiter. We ordered an array of dishes which were all exceptional: steamed diamond clams, beef tongues, seafood soup tea, nabeyaki udon, fried tofu, sushi roll. The dishes arrive one by one and it was a delight at each bite.
If I lived in Auckland, this would be my go to place
Outstandingly good, authentic Japanese food in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. The staff are excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed both our visits during a recent stay in Auckland. Thank you.
Beautiful sashimi! Tuna was my favourite, as well as, Tuna & avocado sushi 🍣 The best takoyaki I’ve ever had 🥢 beautifully presented and delicious!
Masa is the Japanese restaurant that i have been looking for in Auckland for many years. The food is very nice and also the services, very relax and cozy atmosphere. if you had a tough day, go to Masa and have a drink.
The food is really fresh and 🤤 yummy ❤️ it
Honesty impressed this tiny japs place have hard workers sushi chef also charming waitress and friendly ppl here like a family. Food was so good as the quality.
In some way,i have been eaten this sashimi of Masa restaurant about 4 nights.however,i can not help recollecting this sashimi's flavour! Its so delicious and fresh. It is beyond double that Masa is one of the best Japanese restaurant in Auckland
By far the best sushi that I've had in a long time.
Courteous and immensely helpful staff. Wonderful atmosphere.
Thank you for such a magical meal.
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