The Best Japanese Food in Western Sydney

The Best Japanese Food in Western Sydney

If your kids would happily live on sushi rolls and teriyaki chicken, you’re in luck, because Western Sydney is packed with Japanese spots that welcome families, from made to order rolls in Parramatta to sushi trains the little ones will want to sit at all afternoon.

We’ve rounded up our favourites across the West, with what to order, the dishes that win over fussy eaters and the tips that make eating out with kids that bit easier.

Kanzo – Parramatta

Kanzo is the little hole in the wall that Parra families swear by, and everything is made to order, so there are no sad sushi boxes that have been sitting in the fridge all day. Portions are generous and prices stay friendly, which is music to any parent’s ears when you’re feeding the whole crew.

The Magma roll and the grilled salmon roll are the ones everyone raves about, while the kids will happily tuck into the teriyaki chicken, tempura or a plain cucumber roll. For something hot, the Japanese katsu curry comes in a huge serve that’s easy to share, plus there’s ramen, unagi don and bento boxes.

Address: Shop 3/109-113 George Street, Parramatta
Link: Instagram

Sushi Densha – Rouse Hill

Sushi Densha has a seriously big spread going round the belt, and it stays fresh, fast and easy on the wallet even when Rouse Hill Town Centre is packed on a Saturday. Kids love grabbing plates as they roll past, and parents love that dinner is on the table in seconds.

Our go-to is the salmon sashimi, chicken karaage and udon, and the karaage and udon are both easy wins for little ones.

Address: Shop GR 112, Rouse Hill Town Centre, cnr Windsor Road and White Hart Drive, Rouse Hill
Link: Sushi Densha

Kaminari – Bankstown

Kaminari is cheap, fast and fun, with QR code ordering from your table and dishes that land in minutes, which makes it a go-to weeknight family dinner that doesn’t break the bank.

The garlic butter teriyaki wagyu don and the kimchi pork don are fan favourites, and a few pieces of sushi for the table keeps everyone happy while you wait.

Ordering on your phone means no hovering for a waiter with a hungry toddler on your hip. Walk-ins are welcome, but book ahead if you’re coming as a big family group on a Friday night.

Address: 74 Rickard Road, Bankstown
Link: @kaminaribankstown

Kaito – Castle Hill

Kaito is the Hills’ favourite sushi train, tucked inside Castle Towers, and families keep coming back for the properly fresh sashimi and serves that are far more generous than the price suggests.

Get the sashimi, tempura and chicken teriyaki, or the weekday lunch special if you want to try a bit of everything. Tempura and teriyaki are both safe bets for fussy eaters.

Parent tip: It’s right in the middle of the shops, so pair it with a Castle Towers errand run. The kitchen closes between 2.45pm and 5.30pm, so time your visit around lunch or an early dinner.

Address: Level 3, Shop 19, The Piazza, Castle Towers, 14 Castle Street, Castle Hill
Link: Facebook

Wonder Sushi – Norwest

Wonder Sushi is a hidden gem near Norwest that plenty of people walk past without noticing, with an on-demand sushi train, a spotless fit-out and portions that punch well above the price.

Get the eel rice bowl, which comes topped with almost half an eel, and the lava stone wagyu steak set, while the teriyaki chicken is a hit with the kids.

The order to your seat sushi train is a big hit with little ones, and the staff are happy to swap dishes around for fussy eaters.

Address: G04/8 Century Circuit, Norwest
Link: wondersushi

Sushi Maru – Blacktown

Sushi Maru is a sushi train on Westpoint’s top floor with easy QR code ordering and a massive variety going round, so even the fussiest eater in the family will find something they love. Around $40 a head is enough to leave everyone properly full.

Parent tip: QR ordering is a lifesaver when your hands are full with a pram and shopping bags, and it’s the perfect refuel after a morning at the shops.

Address: Shop 4002, Westpoint Blacktown, 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown
Link: Website

Okami – Penrith

Okami does all you can eat Japanese without the sad buffet trays, because every dish is cooked fresh and brought to your table, and you get two hours to work through more than 30 dishes from sashimi and gyoza to chicken katsu and green tea ice cream. Local reviews even call it a favourite with fussy kids.

Portions are sized to your group, so order a few small plates at a time and let the kids try a bit of everything without wasting food. Book ahead because sessions sell out in advance, and the all you can eat menu needs a minimum of two people, which makes it a great pick for family birthday dinners.

Address: Ground Floor, 19 Lawson Street, Penrith
Link: okamirestaurant.com.au

Tomodachi – Cabramatta

Tomodachi is a gorgeous Japanese fusion spot in the middle of Cabramatta, with modern decor, fresh sushi and matcha that’s hand-whisked for every single cup. Our go-to order is the tonkotsu ramen and the chicken katsu avocado sando with a matcha on the side, and the katsu sando is an easy one for the kids to share.

Expect to wait for a table at peak times, but it opens at 9am daily, so a late Japanese brunch with the kids is a smart way to skip the dinner rush.

Address: 38 Arthur Street, Cabramatta
Link: Tomodachi – Japanese Bistro & Café

Hanamaruya – Bankstown

Hanamaruya is a Bankstown institution for udon and ramen, and plenty of regulars reckon it serves some of the freshest sashimi in Sydney at prices that are more than fair for a family feed.

Order a bowl of udon or ramen each, plus a sashimi plate in the middle of the table to share. Thick, slurpy udon noodles are always a winner with little ones.

Parent tip: QR code ordering and quick service mean the kids won’t get restless waiting for their food.

Address: 286 Chapel Road, Bankstown
Link: Instagram

Mikazuki – Parramatta

Mikazuki serves modern Japanese with plenty of creative twists, and the menu goes well beyond sushi into ramen, fish, meat and a solid lineup of vegetarian dishes, so there’s something for every member of the family. The spicy sashimi tacos and the eggplant miso are the dishes the kitchen is best known for.

Parent tip: It gets packed at lunchtime with the uni and office crowd, so arrive early if you’ve got little ones in tow. The kitchen takes a break between 3pm and 5.30pm, so plan around it.

Address: 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta
Link: atparramatta.com

MakiMoto – Kellyville and Campbelltown

MakiMoto is a reliable family all-rounder with two Western Sydney locations and a menu that covers everything from sushi and sashimi to ramen, bento boxes and hot plates. Order the Snow Salmon Roll, which regulars say steals the show, and a rich bowl of tonkotsu ramen, while a chicken katsu bento keeps the kids happy.

Both locations close between 2.30pm and 5pm, so don’t rock up with hungry kids for a late lunch. The Campbelltown store is inside Macarthur Square, so it’s an easy stop on a shopping day.

Addresses: 90 Wrights Road, Kellyville / Shop C41, Macarthur Square, 200 Gilchrist Drive, Campbelltown
Link: https://makimoto.com.au/