The best Japanese restaurants in Blenheim run from a quick lunchtime bento to a long evening of shared izakaya plates and sake. Sushi, sashimi, house made gyoza, ramen and donburi rice bowls are all on the table here, whether you are eating in, picking up takeaway or booking a table for a group. Gohan on Scott sits in the middle of town, while Restaurant Sasa serves beside the pool at the Riverside Hotel.
1Gohan on Scott
Gohan on Scott is a Japanese restaurant in central Blenheim serving izakaya style small plates, sushi and full donburi and teishoku sets from one kitchen. It opened on 11 February 2021 under founder Boe Aitchison and co-owner Nat Moran, and the menu blends traditional Japanese dishes with a creative Asian twist. It suits anyone after a proper sit down meal as easily as a fast weekday lunch, with pickup and table bookings both handled through the restaurant’s own ordering page.
Services
- Izakaya small plates including beef tataki, takoyaki, karaage and tempura platters
- Sushi and sashimi, from nigiri and hand rolls to chef’s assorted platters
- House made gyoza and steamed dumplings, including prawn har gao and shumai
- Ramen, udon and soba noodle soups such as tonkotsu ramen and nabe miso udon
- Donburi and teishoku main meals covering katsu, teriyaki, bulgogi and Japanese curry
Highlights
- Founded in February 2021 by Boe Aitchison with co-owner Nat Moran
- Owner brings more than 23 years of hospitality experience in Marlborough
- Open seven days for both lunch and dinner service
- Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options marked across the whole menu
Location & Contact
Name: Gohan on Scott
Address: 16 Scott Street, Blenheim Central, Blenheim 7201
Phone: 03 577 8433
Website: gohanonscott.co.nz
2Restaurant Sasa
Restaurant Sasa serves modern Japanese food inside the Riverside Hotel in Mayfield, with indoor seating, a covered deck and tables beside the pool. The kitchen works to an izakaya sharing style, and the chefs use locally sourced produce so the menu changes regularly. It suits a relaxed dinner out, a group who want to order across the table, and private functions, with parking directed to the Parker Street side of the site.
Services
- Izakaya starters for sharing, including pan fried gyoza, takoyaki and tempura platters
- Salmon sushi rolls and mixed sashimi platters
- Sizzling plates and hot stone bibimbap bowls, including bulgogi beef and unagi
- Japanese curries, panko katsu and udon noodle soup
Highlights
- Poolside setting inside the Riverside Hotel with a covered deck for outdoor dining
- Menu changes regularly around locally sourced produce
- House bar carrying Marlborough wines alongside local and international beers
- Available for private events, weddings, functions and conferences
- Same team also runs Saku at Cloudy Bay on Jacksons Road in Rapaura
Location & Contact
Name: Restaurant Sasa
Address: Riverside Hotel, 20A Nelson Street, Mayfield, Blenheim 7201
Phone: 03 577 5996
Website: restaurantsasa.co.nz
How to Choose the Right Japanese Restaurant in Blenheim
- Check the service times before you plan around them, because some Blenheim Japanese kitchens open for lunch and dinner while others run dinner only
- Decide whether you want a plated main such as katsu or teriyaki, or a spread of izakaya plates to share across the table
- Read how the menu handles gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, since coverage varies a lot between kitchens
- Think about the setting and the parking, comparing a walk in town centre spot against a hotel restaurant with its own car park
- Confirm whether the restaurant takes online bookings, does pickup orders, and can seat a larger group or host a private function
Frequently Asked Questions About Blenheim Japanese Restaurants
What kind of Japanese food can you get in Blenheim?
Blenheim covers most of the familiar Japanese menu. You will find sushi and sashimi, house made gyoza, tempura, karaage, ramen and udon noodle soups, donburi rice bowls, panko katsu, teriyaki and mild Japanese curry, along with izakaya small plates built for sharing.
Can you get Japanese takeaway in Blenheim?
Yes. Gohan on Scott takes pickup orders and table bookings through its own online ordering page, and Restaurant Sasa also has an online ordering option alongside its dine in service.
How much does a Japanese meal in Blenheim cost?
Small plates and sides generally start around 8 to 15 dollars. At Gohan on Scott, donburi and teishoku mains run from about 26 dollars to 42 dollars, with lunch specials such as a bento box or poke bowl in the low twenties. At Restaurant Sasa, starters run from about 8 dollars and mains sit between roughly 22 and 55 dollars depending on the cut.
Are there gluten free, vegetarian and vegan Japanese options in Blenheim?
There are. Gohan on Scott marks gluten free, vegetarian and vegan choices throughout its menu, including vegetarian gyoza, tofu dishes, vegetable curry and vegetarian fried rice. Restaurant Sasa carries agedashi tofu, nasu dengaku, tofu champuru and a vegetable curry.
Do I need to book a table?
Booking is worth it for a weekend evening or a group. Both restaurants take reservations online, and walk ins are easier at lunchtime than at dinner.
What does izakaya style dining mean?
An izakaya is a Japanese pub style eatery where the food arrives as a run of small plates rather than one main each, usually alongside beer, sake or wine. Everything is designed to be shared, so a table orders several dishes at a time and keeps adding to them.
Is there Japanese food out in the Marlborough wine country?
Yes. Saku at Cloudy Bay on Jacksons Road in Rapaura is run by the Restaurant Sasa team and serves Japanese food in the vineyards, opening for lunch daily and for dinner on Friday and Saturday.
How is food safety checked at Blenheim restaurants?
Restaurants in New Zealand operate under a registered food control plan and are verified against it, with national rules set by the Ministry for Primary Industries at mpi.govt.nz and local registration and verification handled by Marlborough District Council. Any premises serving raw fish, such as sushi and sashimi, has to document how it controls that in its plan.