Nagisa Japanese

Address: 1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle NSW 2300

Website: www.nagisa.com.au

It may still be a few months til I hit Japan for a second time but when the feeling hits I don’t have to travel far to get my fix of Japanese cuisine right here in Newy. Sure, we’ve got quite a few sushi places and a couple of other Japanese joints but none beat the taste, view and variety of Nagisa.

The Honeysuckle precinct is jam packed with awesome restaurants and bars overlooking Newcastle’s foreshore. There aren’t a great deal of options on the strip however you can usually find something and Nagisa has a few somethings you simply have to try next time you’re in the area.

Lunch is the premo time to visit to make the most of the epic waterfront view but mainly because of the Vegetable Bento Lunch Box. A bloody treasure-trove of Japanese delights, the vegetable sushi and inari are both freshly made and taste better than any other sushi you’ll get in Newcastle. The goma ae (spinach in sesame paste) is one of the best I’ve ever had (I don’t think anything will top Cha-Ya in San Francisco!) and the edamame are cooked just right with the perfect amount of salt. Throw in some greens, melon and Japanese pickles and really there’s not much more you could ask for. Just be sure to specify you’re vegan when ordering, the waitstaff are all over it.

Beverage-wise there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to choose from but Nagisa do have an extensive cocktail, sake and whisky selection. I didn’t try any on this occasion but if you’re looking for a refreshing meal served with some unusual drinks, this would be a great option, though you would have to do your research on the vegan-friendly nature of the alcohol.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Nagisa haven’t forgotten about vegans for dessert either! Their ice creams are made in-house and have several different flavours that are vegan-friendly, just ask for what’s available. On this occasion I went for the creamy coconut and vanilla however I opted to take it away and didn’t manage to get a good shot (soz!)

It’s meals like this that make me excited to dine out in Newcastle and the more time goes on, the more we’re seeing restaurants cater to those with varying dietary needs. The perfect warm up to the onslaught of Japanese food in May!

Got a fave joint you’d love me to check out in Newcastle? Let me know in the comments!