Votes for Japanese restaurants?

chocaholic
By chocaholic

This is a question for ardent fans of Japanese food -
I've read about some restaurants : Sakura (Ramada), Yen (La Cigale), Neo Sushi, Oishi Sushi and Sushiminto.

How would you rate them?
I'm a fan of both sushi and Japanese grills (teppanyaki, robatayaki, etc.) and am craving a Japanese (at least sushi) fix already! Which one should I try first?
In terms of the quality of the food, as well as the quality-price balance.
I've also heard of 'all-you-can-eat' promotions at some of these places - are they worth it?

The great thing about the 'Marhaba' directory is that it gives you all the lists. However, reviews based on first-hand experience are invaluable! :) Speaking of which, is there a restaurant guide (book or website or blog) for Doha? One with real reviews and not just lists?

I look forward to your comments!

*(I put this post on 'Socialising' as that seemed the closest-related forum.)

By britexpat• 22 Apr 2011 17:24
britexpat

Let's meet at the restaurant. I'll give you a wave :o)

By chocaholic• 22 Apr 2011 17:03
chocaholic

Really? Thanks, I need the money.

My lawyer will be asking your lawyer to lunch.

By britexpat• 21 Apr 2011 16:20
britexpat

There's a new restaurant place catering mainly for lawyers..

It's called sosumi ..

By chocaholic• 21 Apr 2011 14:56
chocaholic

Thanks! :) After searching for weeks for Moon Palace, I discovered just 2 evenings ago that Arirang (which I'd never seen before) was the new Moon Palace!

Yes, must try now, thanks for the review.

By ysmem• 18 Apr 2011 11:46
Rating: 5/5
ysmem

Arirang (Moon Palace) is our favorite, in terms of quality of food & price. Under it's new management, they cut down their prices...like from QR75 of bento box to now QR 60=), they also offer good appetizers and fruits after meal for free though they have to improve their dessert & beverage selection....overall, must try restaurant!!!!

By Mandilulur• 23 Jan 2011 16:56
Mandilulur

Sigh, true.

Mandi

By nomerci• 23 Jan 2011 16:50
nomerci

Mandi, they have it in the Belgian restaurant in the Intercon. Have to say though, would not touch raw mince anywhere except in my home country. We have super strict laws regarding hygiene etc.

And raw mince can be very dangerous if not 100% fresh and stored/ prepared the right way.

By Mandilulur• 23 Jan 2011 16:39
Mandilulur

Mmmm, steak tartare! Let me know when you find it here!

Mandi

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 14:12
chocaholic

So they are not the same, but in their (professed) love for chocolate.

By britexpat• 23 Jan 2011 14:04
britexpat

You're getting old..

One is Choc(o)holic

Other Choc(a)holic

By anonymous• 23 Jan 2011 14:03
anonymous

IS it my eyeeeeee signt or what. Are there two Chocoholics on QL?

Sushi is or sushi is not the same?

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 14:00
chocaholic

Not for me! I need a good tartare fix even more often than I need a sushi fix.

I read about the Belgian cafe. Do they do real Belgian food? In that case, I'm sure to get a nice steak tartare there! :)

By britexpat• 23 Jan 2011 13:56
britexpat

Why is it more acceptable to eat raw fish than raw meat ?

By plushed• 23 Jan 2011 13:42
plushed

havent tried neo yet. :D

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 11:36
chocaholic

The Four Seasons is opening a Nobu restaurant soon!

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 11:36
chocaholic

What is the new name for Moon Palace? I read a couple of good reviews.

Nomad - Sakura seems a to-try place, again based on reviews I read. When I read mixed reviews, I always check a place out in order to form my own opinion :)

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 11:33
chocaholic

Just tried Korean Garden yesterday!

Wasn't the best evening to choose - S.Korea was playing Iran at dinner hour. It was like sitting in someone's living room, watching the whole staff immersed in the match, and politely (hopefully) waiting for them to take a few minutes' attention off the TV and bring you some food.

:)

So well, service was verrry slow. Didn't help that the match went into a very long extra time :) And their attention span for one's questions about the dishes was rather limited. Smiling faces, nonetheless, just distant eyes :)

But the food, when it did come, was almost worth the wait.

I'd go back, but after checking all football schedules :)

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 11:28
chocaholic

Oishi sushi is next on the list. And how's Neo?

By chocaholic• 23 Jan 2011 11:27
chocaholic

I tried the Friday brunch at Sushiminto. The quality of the sushi itself was rather good. The disappointment was that sushi (along with some sashimi and maki rolls) forms only a small part of the spread. Based on the flyer I saw before deciding to go there, I'd assumed it was a sushi-centric brunch with (Japanese) main courses.

In reality, no. It's a 'multicuisine' brunch with a sushi counter. And I have to say that the other stuff was extremely uninspiring (what on earth is Spaghetti Anastaciana? :)).

On the whole, stick to the miso soup, sushi and maybe throw in a few dumplings - fair price, happy belly :)

Avoid the rest.

By plushed• 23 Jan 2011 08:37
Rating: 5/5
plushed

oishi sushi is good! although a bit on the pricey side.. i love their tako and japanese curry (large serving)! they have an exhibition too, you can ask the staff for it. ambience is comfy and staffs are nice.. they do have eat all you can (sushi).. im just not sure what day, they have a sushi belt that runs throughout the tables on this day.

sushi minto's food is okay and pricey (like oishi).. staffs are nice. their sushi is good. for main course, i tried their steak, well.. its really not the best item on their menu, although the shrimp is okay.

i'd go for oishi sushi anytime! :)

By anonymous• 23 Jan 2011 07:59
anonymous

@ britexpat,as always,nice one! :)...

By britexpat• 22 Jan 2011 21:29
britexpat

I asked Chocoholic to bring me back some Japanese food.

Sushi did :O)

By longlifestories• 22 Jan 2011 21:07
longlifestories

You can read more reviews on this excellent site, too: http://diningindoha.com/index.php

And although Sakura is relatively pricey, it's the only one that I've not been disappointed with.

By Mandilulur• 22 Jan 2011 19:36
Rating: 4/5
Mandilulur

I like Korea Gardens at the Ramada Junction.

Mandi

By nomad_08• 22 Jan 2011 16:16
Rating: 2/5
nomad_08

Sakura is an excellent Japanese restaurant.

By Sirsandy• 22 Jan 2011 16:11
Rating: 4/5
Sirsandy

what's about Moon Palace Restaurant? but now it's changed the name of restaurant It's about Japanese and Korea food, nice sushi and barbecue there, the place is on Al nasser street

By anonymous• 21 Jan 2011 10:11
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

I'm not sure what Kafi is talking about, but it's EXTREMELY expensive for what little sushi you get. The 4 times I've been there they've screwed up my takeaway order 3 times. In fact, each of those 3x they screwed up the order multiple times. It happens to be the closest sushi to where we live, otherwise I wouldn't use them for my sushi fix. The food is good, but they're very slow and very expensive.

By kafi• 21 Jan 2011 00:33
kafi

you a high value for money.

By chocaholic• 20 Jan 2011 22:02
chocaholic

Thanks, WK!

Now I know where to post the results of my restaurant exploits :)

By anonymous• 20 Jan 2011 21:52
anonymous

You will find reviews there too

http://www.qatarliving.com/reviews/restaurants/Sushi

By chocaholic• 20 Jan 2011 21:51
chocaholic

Not just 'ardent fans', this question is for anyone in Doha who likes Japanese food and has a comment to offer :)

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