
Jizo Japanese Restaurant
Dunedin's original Japanese restaurant since 1997, beloved for fresh sushi, ramen, and innovative vegan/keto options.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
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Jizo Japanese Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dunedin's original Japanese restaurant since 1997, beloved for fresh sushi, ramen, and innovative vegan/keto options.
"Jizo Japanese Restaurant: Dunedin's best Japanese cuisine, known for fresh sushi, ramen, and unique dietary options."
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant is very popular.
Try the Vegan/Keto Menus
Explore flavorful vegan dishes or keto sushi made with cauliflower rice.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 3 479 2692
Address
56 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Website
jizo.co.nz/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Innovative Keto & Vegan Options
Explore a full keto menu with cauliflower rice sushi & a dedicated vegan menu. Options for everyone!

Signature Sushi Balls
Unique and delicious sushi balls that are a must-try for any sushi lover.

Authentic Ramen & Japanese Curry
Experience rich, flavorful broths and hearty curries that are a local favorite.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant is very popular.
Try the Vegan/Keto Menus
Explore flavorful vegan dishes or keto sushi made with cauliflower rice.
Mind the Closing Time
The restaurant closes early for lunch and dinner, so plan accordingly.
Order Courses Separately
Entrees and mains can arrive simultaneously; consider ordering one course at a time.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant is very popular.
Try the Vegan/Keto Menus
Explore flavorful vegan dishes or keto sushi made with cauliflower rice.
Mind the Closing Time
The restaurant closes early for lunch and dinner, so plan accordingly.
Order Courses Separately
Entrees and mains can arrive simultaneously; consider ordering one course at a time.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Jizo Japanese Restaurant is celebrated for its authentic Japanese cuisine, especially its diverse sushi and ramen offerings, and its innovative vegan and keto menus. While many praise the delicious food and inviting atmosphere, some diners have noted that courses can arrive too quickly, leading to a rushed experience. Service can be hit or miss, with some finding it efficient and friendly, while others report feeling rushed.
"Foods are amazing. It's not a cheap price but worth. I love the tofu in the Bento Box. The miso soup is a bit salty for me. Rice ball size is very tiny, but good for appetizer. Pretty quick served, good customer service. The dining area vibes is awesome."
Erika Astried
"A lot of good meals to choose from. Keto Bento was a nice surprise on the menu and was definitely worth trying for my diabetes. The food is tasty and nicely presented.
The restaurant closes quite early for lunch, I walked in just after 1pm and I was not able to get any of the empty tables by the window as they were already cleaning up the sunny part of the restaurant, I could only get a table looking at a dark corridor with a lift. The closed sign was on before 2pm and at 2pm we were reminded that the restaurant will be closing 15min later. You might have to consider this when planning to eat in. Overall it was a nice lunch experience."
Vlad Kra.
"The food was okay with a decent portion size, but the service was quite disappointing. The restaurant wasn’t busy at all, yet the front-of-house staff cleared our plates immediately after we finished eating, and quickly removed the utensils and sauce soon after. It felt rushed and quite rude, making the dining experience uncomfortable. A more considerate approach would have made the visit much more pleasant."
Jia Sing Ng
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Jizo Japanese Restaurant has an extensive separate vegan menu with many flavorful options.
Absolutely! They offer keto sushi made with cauliflower 'rice' and cream cheese.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as it's a popular local spot.
The restaurant closes early for lunch and dinner, often before 2 pm for lunch and around 8:30 pm for dinner.
Customers rave about the sushi balls, ramen, Japanese curry, and their specialized vegan/keto dishes.
While possible, some guests prefer to order courses separately as entrees and mains can arrive simultaneously.
Mentioned in
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Jizo's salmon platter wows from the ground up with uber-fresh slices of fish, a smoky centrepiece, pops of floral colour and hand-crafted garnishes. With eight pieces of sashimi, six nigiri pieces, a salmon maki roll and smoked salmon, this is a feast fit for royalty – or rather, anyone who appreciates high-quality sushi. Enough to fill at least two very hungry bellies, it's a dish that will transport you from Aotearoa to Japan in just a few bites.
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The Jitsu is a local favorite with a diverse menu of Japanese dishes. Jizo Japanese Restaurant, operating since 1997, is an iconic spot known for classics like sushi, sashimi, karaage chicken, donburi, and udon. Kamome also offers a variety of traditional Japanese dishes, while Takeichi, opened in 2020, is the first authentic Japanese restaurant in Australasia owned by Yuya and Gillian Sugiyama.
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Tucked away on Bath Street in the city centre, Jizo Japanese is a small, cosy restaurant that offers a range of traditional Japanese dishes. The menu includes a variety of sushi and sashimi options, as well as hot dishes like tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) and udon noodles. Jizo Japanese is known for its excellent quality and attention to detail, with each dish carefully prepared and presented.
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Conveniently located on Princes Street just up from The Octogan, this Dunedin restaurant is a popular spot for groups looking for a social setting to dine in. Order piles of their sushi balls for a unique and delicious take on sushi, along with other favourites like sashimi, donburi, ramen and bento boxes. Their keto and vegan menu is extensive and ensures everyone is happy.
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Jizo Japanese Restaurant (56 Princes Street) is Dunedin’s original Japanese restaurant serving unreal ramen and Japanese curry!. They’ve also got a full keto and vegan menu with loads of options which is pretty cool. They’re considered by many to be the best Japanese restaurant in Dunedin and it’s easy to see why!
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Right by the Octagon, Jizo Japanese Restaurant is a mainstay for its ranging menu that includes sushi, sashimi, bento, udon, ramen and Japanese sharing plates. It’s also known for its separate menu full of vegan and keto dishes – even keto sushi, using cauliflower “rice” and cream cheese.
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Serving up some of the best Japanese food in Dunedin, Jizo also has a lovely ambiance. I love Japanese food and the ramen, bento boxes, and sushi (and sushi balls) at Jizo are truly unforgettable. You can’t go wrong with their yummy poke bowls too.
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Jizo keeps it fresh with a sensational menu of Japanese staples delivered with creative flair and funky décor. It pays to book ahead as this is always a popular local haunt. Try the renowned sushi rice balls or go full Poke.
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Dunedin’s original Japanese restaurant has a relaxed friendly style. They serve traditional Japanese cuisine with fresh local ingredients, in a space great for intimate dining or group celebrations.
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56 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand. “Staff knew the menu and were great at explaining dishes and making recommendations. Food was super tasty.
Dunedin is great for Japanese and it's all fairly cheap - Jizo on princess st, Minami on lower Stuart and the other place opposite Minami whose name i can't remember.
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Jizo offers traditional Japanese cuisine with fresh local ingredients. Jizo is a great destination for an intimate dinner or group booking.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit