Renkon

Only Renkon on the Shore– and so glad we have it. Friend took me here after raving about it and now I know what she’s talking about.
Order at the counter and then wait for it to be brought to your seats. You can sit at the long wall table bench otherwise they have simple wooden tables that are communal but with handy half dividers between sections.
Had to get their teriyaki udon noodle donburi– which you can switch up with chicken, salmon meats or tofu and rice. Their most popular dish and you can see why– it’s yummy! They come in cool heavy asian bowls with cutlery already on the table. Very filling but if you need it they have sides and soups as well as salads with an assortment of usual drinks.
Definitely very popular. If you feel like healthy fast food, this is the place to go.

Your typical japanese (almost fast-​food) donburi place. There’s quite of a few of these Renkons around Auckland.
Prices are fair, and if you feel like the portions are too small you can try upsize your veges or rice for $ 1 which I thought was a great option. Great choice for takeaways and a nice range of sides.

I wanted Burgerfuel but my boyfriend wanted Renkon. I had never had it before and I knew Burgerfuel was amazing. This was a tough decision!
We eventually decided to try Renkon, after all I had heard pretty good things about it from a number of friends. We both ordered the Chicken Terriyaki dish and some miso soup. Far out the miso soup was great! It had a really strong flavour, was nice and hot and we got an awesome spoon thing to slurp it up with. My main dish was sort of so-​so. It was enjoyable but really nothing special. I regret not getting the Chicken Katsu… and I also sort of regret not getting Burgerfuel.
Oh well I’m glad I tried it and I will go again and see what else they have to offer.

Spicy miso. That’s the most important thing you should know about Renkon. If you don’t order it, you’re some sort of self-​hating person, and if you’re that sort of person, why are you even in Renkon in the first place?
So, this is a total old reliable: it’s not going to blow you away, but you know what you’re getting and that it’s decent and well priced and totally fine. They basically have a range of options and you put them together in whatever combination works best for you. It’s not really a fancy night out sort of place, more a grab something on the way to somewhere else type of joint; it’s fast food, but made fresh and just all fine.

The hundred metres of restaurants between Hurtsmere Road and Lake Road is a competitive place to run an eatery. There are some great places and Renkon holds it’s own. The Teriyaki Salmon seems to be a universal favourite among my friends — quite often it will be the only main ordered by a group of 4 or 5 people. At $ 11 – 12 it’s great value too.
Renkon is a busy and noisy kind of place. It has a great energy like the yakatori bars in the city. If you’re after a quiet, romantic spot it might not be the ideal spot, but as a casual place to hang out with friends or grab a bite to eat before a movie it’s perfect.

Renkon Takapuna is very similar to the Ponsonby/​town Renkon experience. You have the same, simple, delicious and cheap eats on the menu. Edamame and Spicy Chicken Karaage are two faves. You have a relaxed, casual environment, and instead of a wine list, a free, endless supply of green tea. What sets the Takapuna Renkon apart is the spacious and modern seating and the location, as one of the few casual but nice restaurants of it’s type on the North Shore. Perfect for a casual mid-​week catch up with friends.

I am a grazer. By this I mean that i’m not a huuggee fan of massive meals — I like to pick. Now don’t get me wrong, Renkon definitely caters to those who love a big meal, but what I love so much about it, is that it also caters to grazers (I know there are a few of you out there). I started by going to the Renkon in the city, which is awesome, and then this puppy opened just up the road.
The food is typical Japanese but with a twist. Think Miso Katsu Chicken, teriyaki salmon, wontons, edamame, and insanely good spicy miso. Yummmmm. Either pop in and get a full meal for about $ 11, or do what I do sometimes and get a whole bunch of sides.
The service is great in that lovely loud Japanese way and your food is ready in no time. Have a complimentary green tea while you wait and get ready to be satisfied.
I’ve never met anyone who has only been to Renkon once, and I’m not surprised.