Zipangu Japanese Dining Bar

45 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby / Tel : 09-376-4565

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“Zipangu” is an ancient word for Japan used by Marco Polo, however, Zipangu, the restaurant, bills itself as a 21st century dining bar. Its head chef has fi fteen years’ experience of living overseas, and working with international haute cuisine. From this, he has crafted a fusion combining the best of European and Japanese foodstuffs.

A few menu highlights : the deep fried camembert; the salmon and avocado natto (natto are fermented beans − very healthy); hirayachi (like okonomiyaki, a Japanese savoury pancake, but this is Okinawan style); kakuni (slow-cooked pork belly); & the Pad Thai udon (an excellent idea, and interesting Thai-Japanese combination).

Ask the chef/staff about food and Japanese liquor combinations. In Japan, many owner-chefs’ knowledge of sake is like that of a sommelier. The drinks menu has shochu (a potato, Barley, or rice-based spirit) and chu-hi (a “shochu highball”, sort of like the Japanese equivalent of a shandy…? Sweet and refreshing, with a bit of a kick). Sake varieties are classed according to region, and rated in terms of their dryness factor. Listed under sake, but slightly different, is plum-sake, a sweet liquor. Take a trip.
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