Newtown is packed with affordable eats that go way beyond kebabs and Thai takeaway. And luckily, that includes Japanese food. One of our favourite cuisines, it’s flavoursome, healthy and can be very affordable. Especially if you’re after a cheap sushi lunch.
Take Sushi and Ramen Bar
Where is it? 7/292 King Street, Newtown
Price range: $15-$25 per person
Close to the station with speedy service, Take is one we often forget about as it’s just off King Street, but we’re delighted to remember and check out. The sushi serving sizes are similar (and similarly priced) to what you’d get at a sushi train but are made fresh.
✅ We’ve eaten here!
Google review and location:
Shinmachi
Where is it? 1/239 King Street, Newtown
Price range: $20-$30 per person
Above Shenkin at the corner of Church and King, Shinmachi has been around for a while. And on a cool, rainy afternoon we decided to give it another go. It had been years and we were swayed by some Instagram influencers (guess it works!). The menu had since changed, and very much for the better. The ramens on the menu were creative and delicious. If ramen isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to try, too.
✅ We’ve eaten here!
Google review and location:
Sushi Wow
Where is it? 235 King Street, Newtown
Price range: $15-$20 per person
If we want sometime delicious and quick, Sushi Wow is our go-to. One of the best sushi trains we’ve been to outside of Japan, everything on the conveyor belt is fresh. But, if you prefer things to be made just for you, there are always a few chefs on the other side of the counter rolling up fresh bites. There’s also other affordable Japanese dishes here, including udons and katsus with rice that start at less than $10.
✅ We’ve eaten here!
Google review and location:
Mamuki
Where is it? 147 Enmore Road, Enmore (Okay, technically in Enmore, but close enough to Newtown!)
Price range: $25-$35 per person
A relatively new find for us, Mamuki is a great option for a Japanese-style breakfast. It serves up a mix of Japanese and Western dishes with a Japanese twist. We had a katsu curry and an eggs Benedict that came topped with lotus chips and edamame beans. If you’re a matcha fan, then you’ll want to order one with your meal. We had the berry matcha and a genmatcha, which was roasted to perfection. On the way out, we spotted some baked goods and couldn’t resist getting a takeaway matcha brownie. And it was well worth the treat!
✅ We’ve eaten here!
Google review and location:
Azuki
Where is it? 3/63/71 Enmore Road, Newtown
Price range: $5-$10 per person
While Chinese and Hong Kong style bakeries can be found all over the city (hello, BreadTop!), Japanese ones aren’t quite as common. This Enmore Road shop bakes up Japanese baked goods right in-store, so everything you get here is fresh. And if you’re after some matcha-infused options, then you’re in luck.
✅ We’ve eaten here!
Google review and location:
Hikaru
Where is it? 134 King Street, Newtown
Price range: $15-$25 per person
Our go-to Japanese joint in Newtown, this staple serves up tasty bowls of udon, sushi rolls and lunchtime bento boxes that are a fabulous value. The boxes run for about $15-$20 and will fill you up.
✅ We’ve eaten here!
Google review and location:
Japanese restaurants in Newtown by type
Keen for a specific type of Japanese food in Newtown? Here’s where you can get your favourite dishes, including more than just our top picks above.
Matcha in Newtown
- Mamuki: 147 Enmore Road, Enmore ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Beantown Cafe Newtown: 10 Wilson St, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
Sushi in Newtown
- Sushi Wow: 235 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Take Sushi and Ramen Bar: 7/292 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Hikaru: 134 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Sushi Train: 316 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
- Akira Sushi Newtown: Shop 2/330 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
- Shinmachi: 1/239 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
Japanese baked goods in Newtown
- Mamuki: 147 Enmore Road, Enmore ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Azuki Bakery: 3/63/71 Enmore Road, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
Ramen in Newtown
- Shinmachi: 1/239 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Take Sushi and Ramen Bar: 7/292 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Rising Sun Workshop: 1C Whateley St, Newtown NSW 2042 (Not traditional ramen, but it’s a cool location) ✅ We’ve tried it here!
Japanese curry in Newtown
- Ken-chan Curry: 155 King St, Newtown NSW 2042 ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Mamuki: 147 Enmore Road, Enmore ✅ We’ve tried it here!
- Hikaru: 134 King Street, Newtown ✅ We’ve tried it here!
Japanese BBQ in Newtown
- Doko Yakiniku: 229A King St, Newtown NSW 2042 ✅ We’ve tried it here!
