Rice Kitchen Japanese Takeaway, Epsom (Japanese Cuisine) - Order online from our menu

"It has been about a year or so since I ate here, so I decided to order some takeaways for a nice easy sunday dinner for wife and me. We ordered the Karaage donburi and the Vege tempura donburi. We went for the large size and ended paying $43 for both meals. Back in the days I never paid this much for the donburi meals but I thought it was a way to cope with rising food costs. To be clear I am not against paying more money for good food that tastes great, but not for food that is substandard and ruins your evening. Let me elaborate on what my wife and I experienced. -Vege tempura donburi: Half of the tempura vegetables were burnt, you could see that it was a brown black colour and the taste was bitter and acrid. The chef's cooking technique failed here as he probably didn't pay attention to the cooking or maybe got lazy? Not an excuse since I was the first customer to place the order, and there was no 'rush'. There is also a lack of variety of veges in the dish, and if you are charging the same price as a protein based donburi, as a customer you'd expect something to the same value. -Karaage chicken donburi: I believe because the chef used the same oil he burnt the tempura in, or even other food he cooked, the same oil was used to do the Karaage chicken. I could tell the seasoning of the chicken was well done and very tasty BUT the burnt oil was a huge let down as the aftertaste of eating into the Karaage chicken left a very unpleasant aftertaste and also not a nice feeling in your stomach. Overall, there are a number of fundamental problems with Rice Kitchen. The prices have gone up but the value or consistency of great tasting dishes is not there. The chef needs to realise this since there are many other competing takeaways in the same area. I read somewhere that the owner had changed but it would seem that the problems are still there and nothing has been done to improve the business except jacking up the prices. I am afraid I can't recommend coming here for anyone that is after a Japanese meal, there are other places that would do a better job and especially chefs who would not dare smudge the reputation of quality Japanese food.

"The best Japanese take away ever!!!!!!! Definitely worth a try. The food is amazing!!!!! Love the chicken curry rice so much. Beef rice was really nice as well. The most important thing is that the owner of the shop are really really nice and kind. Had a meal there. Wish all the best for them and will come there again!

"Not a fan of Uber eats because the food never travels well. Ordered a donburi cause I was desperate for some lunch and it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever ordered on Uber eats ever!

"The Rice Kitchen is one of the the best Japanese takeaways in Auckland; the miso soup is my fav around, the sushi super tasty, & the service is top notch! Highly recommended... :)

"Great services! And tasty food 😋 🥘