Azuma Japanese Restaurant Sydney
By Lisa Nguyen | Published 9 February 2024
Does this spot match the hype?
TL; DR | Summary
Azuma, nestled inside the prestigious Chifley Tower, is a Japanese restaurant with beautiful traditional decor, including artworks and traditional Japanese elements. The service is phenomenal, but the food isn't that impressive. It's an ideal place for people without much sushi exposure or those seeking Japanese dishes. Overall, it's a place that works well for an intimate dining experience in a beautiful Japanese setting.
Azuma Japanese Restaurant Review
@bestspots.com.au Step into a serene slice of Japan right in Sydney ⬇️ Azuma, nestled in the prestigious Chifley Tower has a beautiful setup throughout the restaurant 😌. With every step, from the art-adorned entrance to the traditional décor 🖼️, you're wrapped in the beauty of Japanese culture 🌸. Walking into Azuma is like entering a different world, where every detail, from the velvety chairs to the wooden tables, whispers elegance ✨ and tradition 🌿 Located conveniently near Martin Place, Wynyard, and Circular Quay, Azuma's not only a feast for the eyes but also easily accessible with a ramp at the entrance 🚶♂️♿. The menu's a curious mix of classic and unique, offering a taste of Japan for both sushi novices 🍣 and those after a bit of adventure 🐟 But, here's the irk – while the ambiance sings perfection, the food sometimes misses the mark. It's a place of highs and few lows, where the service shines bright, but some dishes don't quite hit the mark for me. However, it's perfect for a dive into Japanese dining or an intimate night out 🌆 📘 For the complete insight, find it at bestspots.com.au #azuma #japanesedining #japanesefoodlover #sydneyeat #sydneyfoodieblog ♬ GASLIGHT - INJI
@bestspots.com.au Be embraced by the essence of Japan at Azuma ⬇️ The journey begins at the door, where art and tradition weave a tale of serenity ✨. Every corner, from the pathway to the loo, is a tribute to Japanese elegance 🌸. Imagine settling into velvety chairs, surrounded by wooden grace, ready for an epicurean adventure 🍣 Azuma's menu is a canvas of intrigue. Grilled Imperador head, steamed monkfish liver, and the classics of Japan paint a diverse palate 😋. Opt for the eight-course tasting or wander through the à la carte. It's a tale of hits and misses in my opinion, but ideal for those new to sushi or craving the comfort of Japanese flavours 🍜🥢 🔥 My picks? 🔥 - The Glacier 51 Toothfish is a symphony in Saikyo Miso - The daily Nigiri and Sashimi selection that sings of the sea - And to sip? Momo Cocktail 🍹and Lychee Butterfly Mocktail dance delightfully on the tongue 🦋 Azuma might whisper more to the novice of Nipponese cuisine, offering an elegant, albeit uneven, tapestry of dishes 🍽. It's a journey worth taking for its moments of brilliance and comfort in tradition 📗 For the complete insight, find it at bestspots.com.au #azuma #japanesefoodlover #sushilovers🍣 #sushilovers❤️ #japanesedining ♬ BORN FOR THIS - Foxxi
From the moment you enter Azuma's entrance, you're surrounded by an ambience reflecting Japanese culture's beauty and serenity. The restaurant's detailed interior, from the entrance to the path leading to the bathrooms, is decorated with artwork and traditional Japanese decor, creating a beautiful dining environment.
Located in Chifley Tower, it is within walking distance of Martin Place, Wynyard, and Circular Quay train stations. Notably, it is very wheelchair-access-friendly with a dedicated ramp. The seating, with lovely velvety chairs against wooden tables and decor, enhances the overall elegance and comfort.
There is also the option of Omakase or Kaiseki which fits a maximum of 6 people. However please note that the seating is separated into groups of 4 and 2, meaning two people will be sitting on their own.
What stood out to me was the seating, with lovely velvety chairs against wooden tables and decor, enhancing the overall elegance and comfort.
The menu at Azuma can be intriguing, featuring specials like grilled Imperador head and steamed monkfish liver alongside classic Japanese dishes. Guests can choose between à la carte dining or an eight-course tasting menu.
The service is polite and quick, contributing to a smooth dining experience. However, while satisfactory, the food had a few misses, particularly in some of their dishes. I've been here twice, had some of the same dishes and felt the same underwhelming feeling. Azuma would appeal more to those who haven't had too much exposure to sushi or generally enjoy Japanese dishes.
I had the set menu, and my friends ordered a à la carte dish and a few drinks.
The cost of dining at Azuma leans towards the steep side for what you get. At the time of dining, the price for a set of 9 sushi pieces was $70, a chef-selected assortment, without the option to choose specific pieces. That's over $7.75 for one piece of sushi you can't pick.
Furthermore, the classic miso soup with tofu, a simple yet classic dish in Japanese cuisine, was priced at $8. This is rather expensive, given the basic nature of the soup and the accessibility of its ingredients.
But, let's take a look at the whole meal before you decide if it's worth it for yourself.
Premium Japanese Restaurant: Will The Food Live Up To The Hype?
The service at Azuma, especially during my birthday visit, was exceptional. Thoughtful gestures like photographing our group added a personalised touch to the whole experience. The staff's attentiveness, humble nature and efficiency were consistently impressive throughout our meal.
sET MENU:
Ostra Caviar, Hokkaido Scallop & Salmon Tartare with Amazu Ponzu Sauce
This luxurious Ostra caviar is paired beautifully with the delicate Hokkaido scallop and salmon tartare tied together with the zest of amazu ponzu sauce. A solid start to the set menu dining experience.
Nigiri Selection of the Day (tasting menu)
The nigiri selection of the day comprised of Seared Salmon and Seared Whitefish, both of which are popular choices. The searing technique added a subtle smokiness to the fish, enhancing their natural tastes without overpowering them which I quite enjoyed.
Sashimi Selection of the Day
The sashimi was fresh and beautifully presented, offering a variety of tastes and textures. Generally, you can't go wrong with a sashimi selection unless you don't enjoy raw fish.
Crispy Chicken Karaage with Lotus Root Crisps and Salad
While not officially on the set menu, this was a nice introduction to the starters Azuma has to offer. The chicken karaage was fried nicely but didn't stand out from other karaage chicken you'll find elsewhere. The thinly sliced crispy lotus root adds an enjoyable textural contrast, and the accompanying salad provides a fresh, light balance. It is a well-rounded taster for the entire course to come.
Pan-fried NZ Sea Perch with Seasonal Vegetables Broth
Despite having this dish on Sano San's Omakase and Azuma's set menu, it did not resonate with me. The pan-fried New Zealand sea perch, accompanied by bell peppers and seasonal vegetable broth, felt mismatched. The broth's texture was slimy, subtracting from the overall enjoyment, and the flavours were underwhelming, failing to boost the natural taste of the sea perch.
Grilled WA Scampi with Seared Mayonnaise
The grilled Western Australian scampi was cooked to a delightful tenderness. However, the seared mayonnaise might not appeal to everyone, especially if you're not keen on mayo. Additionally, including dried persimmon and pickle alongside the scampi didn't add anything to the dish.
Grilled Glacier 51 Toothfish with Saikyo Miso
The toothfish was well presented with attractive grill marks and had a delightful meaty texture. However, the slice of the orange placed beneath the fish did not contribute to the flavour and was more of an inedible element to the dish. Additionally, the quantity of rocket served with the dish felt excessive, slightly overpowering the delicate taste of the fish. Then, while the Saikyo Miso sauces provided a delightful enhancement, I wish there were more generous portions to fully enjoy their rich, umami qualities with the toothfish.
Rangers Valley Wagyu Striploin Steak with Seasonal Vegetables and Azuma Steak Sauce
While the Wagyu steak was cooked with a succulent and tender texture, the accompanying Azuma steak sauce didn't meet expectations. Its tomatoey base was overpowering and lacked the proper flavour depth often found in more complex steak sauces. The seasonal vegetables served alongside provided a pleasant crunch and freshness, but the dish felt somewhat basic overall. This dish comes across as a standard steak and vegetable plate to me.
Miso Soup with Hamaguri Clams
This was one of the dishes on the set menu course that I enjoyed the most. Adding Hamaguri clams to the classic miso soup infused it with a deeper, more complex flavour, making it a comforting and satisfying dish.
Selection of Desserts
A delightful assortment of desserts, including a mousse cake, mango sorbet, and fresh fruit, concluded my meal on a sweet and refreshing note, each dessert showcasing its unique flavours and textures. Then, with the addition of the 'Happy Birthday' biscuit, it added a genuinely personalised and thoughtful touch, enhancing the celebratory experience.
A LA CARTE MENU:
Miso Soup with Scampi
This dish offers an intriguing twist on the traditional miso soup by incorporating scampi, which adds a luxurious seafood element to the comforting classic. While delicious and more sophisticated, it costs $15 for a small bowl, which I can't justify.
Wagyu Tataki with Azuma Citrus Soy Sauce
Unfortunately, this dish fell short of expectations. The Wagyu, typically known for its tenderness, was overcooked, resulting in a less delicate meat than usual. This left the dish lacking the fresh characteristic of well-prepared tataki. While flavourful, the Azuma citrus soy sauce couldn't reasonably compensate for the overdone nature of the beef.
Main Size Rangers Valley Wagyu Striploin Steak with Seasonal Vegetables and Azuma Steak Sauce
A whole serving of the set menu version. The steak was cooked well but felt like a basic dish with vegetables and an underwhelming sauce.
Nigiri Sushi Selection of the Day
You can expect Mini Tuna Rolls, Tuna Nigiri, Whitefish Nigiri, Salmon Nigiri, and Ikura Maki rolls with wasabi and ginger. It's a well-prepared selection that offers an insight into Azuma's sushi craftsmanship. It is similar to what you would find at other sushi establishments.
Want to learn more about all the different types of sushi? Check out our blog post: The Different Types Of Sushi: A Comprehensive Guide With Different Kinds Of Sushi Names.
Pan Tossed Teriyaki Salmon
This dish offers a classic flavour combination, with the salmon skilfully cooked and tossed in a rich teriyaki sauce. The sauce provided a sweet and savoury glaze that complemented the natural oils and flavours of the salmon, enhancing its overall taste. However, while the salmon was cooked well, achieving the right balance of flakiness and moistness, the dish could have benefited from a more innovative or unique twist to elevate it beyond the standard teriyaki preparation.
DRINKS:
Momo Cocktail
This beautiful red cocktail blended tropical flavours, featuring peach, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. Its fruity and refreshing taste made it a perfect accompaniment to the meal, adding a vibrant and enjoyable twist to the dining experience.
Lychee Butterfly Mocktail
The Lychee Butterfly Mocktail was lovely, and I recommend trying out the drink's menu at Azuma. Combining lychee purée with the unique butterfly pea syrup, lemon, and iced chamomile tea offers a beautifully balanced mix of sweet and tart flavours.
Sencha Tea
The Sencha Tea is a wonderful way to end the evening. The smooth and soothing tea finishes off the meal on a pleasant note before you have to make your way home.
RECOMMENDED
- Good restaurant if you want ambience and top-tier service
- Trying out their drink's menu
- Your usual sushi selections
Final Words
Azuma Sydney offers a one-of-a-kind Japanese dining experience that mixes classic and modern twists in a stunningly decorated space. Although the dishes might not be the highlight for sushi lovers and Japanese food aficionados, the top-notch service and inviting atmosphere make it worth a visit for anyone looking for a high-end Japanese dinner in Sydney.
Looking for the best sushi in Sydney? We've got you covered. Check out our article, The Best Sushi Restaurants In Sydney, for your next sushi fix.
Where To Find Azuma Japanese Sydney
Address
Hours
Website
Phone
+61 2 9222 9960
https://www.instagram.com/azumasydney/
People Also Liked
People Also Liked
Request An Update
Have a suggestion or an update? Head over to our Restaurant Review page and let us know!