Review Asahi Japanese Restaurant - Ballarat

Positioned atop a motel and facing a quiet street you're not quite sure what to expect from this restaurant but fear not! Asahi provided a wonderful Japanese experience. The waitress was fantastic, to greet, seat, recommend and serve everyone that entered with such efficiency takes skill and passion. No sooner was I made comfortable at my seat did a complimentary appetiser appear, a delightful little dish that set me up for what was to follow. I opted for the Yakiniku (BBQ Wagyu beef and onion, with broccoli florets, homemade slaw and steamed rice), followed by the Dora Yaki (sweet bean pancake) for dessert. The Wagyu was tender, the onions lovely and caramelised and the slaw fresh and tangy. The pancake was soft, with the filling luscious and rich without being overwhelming. The ice cream matched well as you'd expect as did the golden syrup drizzle, though maple syrup may have been a better option. Lovely touch with the fresh strawberry too. Reasonably priced, quick and great quality food, easy to park at too. Highly recommended!

Eight of us dined there and after having a chat with the wonderful staff we left it to them to choose what to serve us (including one coeliac). The food we shared was simply fantastic and we'd make the trip from Melbourne every week if we could. The prices were very reasonable and the wine and beer we had to go with the food was exactly right and reasonably priced. These people care about getting it right!

At this point, we really didn't have high hopes for desserts. Not wanting to write the place off just yet, I ordered their dessert special - amaretti biscuit cake - Alas, it was very soft and unenjoyable. We kept getting rushed by the rude manager named Federico even though the dessert only arrived at 12:55pm. The bill came for us at 1:07pm and we were basically scurried away for overstaying our welcome.

I don't know where to start. The Asahi experience went from bad to worse and we were left dumbfounded that it could get that bad for such a highly rated restaurant. It would take too long to go into everything so we decided to contact management directly to help them rectify the issues. But based on the experience we had, unfortunately we have to rate it 1 star. Long story short, our issues were mainly with the woman apparently managing the restaurant that evening. We've since found out she has left which can only be a positive step forward, nevertheless, the food wasn't worth the price paid and we don't plan to return.

Quite disappointing! I heard really good about this restaurant but I must say that just the atmosphere is nice, food is ok but maybe too expensive and service is horrible! I went for dinner with my partner, I had to ask for water and they brought one glass a time, the bottle of white wine left on the floor on the side of my table without ice. Always people around asking if everything was okay but never really wathing what our needs were! And at the end they even didn't accept the entertainment card! Sorry to say, never again!

Spent nearly a 100 dollars with my family there and was extremely disappointed. Food quality were as cheap as any noodle box shop but with a fancy price tags and restaurant plate and cutlery for those who have no ideas about authentic Japanese food. Services were just ok.

We had a wonderful lunch there with eight people after visiting the Archibald prize exhibition. The staff were very friendly and helpful with description of the food served. Perfect sized portions and variety of food provided. Thankyou

The food is amazing! They only had one waitress for the whole night and she was fantastic, busy but managed to look after everyone - great job!

Very few vegetarian options and very overpriced. Went there for $1 dumpling night and it was only pork dumplings that were available, I feel like you can't say it's a dumpling night when there's only one kind of dumpling.

Absolutely amazing food, cannot fault it at all, service was great, atmosphere was great all round great restaurant, highly recommend.

Had a 2 course meal, food was absolutely wonderful, service was terrific and the wine was good. Will be back. Nice quiet restaurant where you can have good conversations with good food and not wind up with a headache from all the noise!! Great place

The best meal i have ever had in ballarat. Nice romantic place. I LOVED every minute a d mouth full.

No vegetarian dumplings available at all, also no vegetarian mains and entree's were overpriced

Our favourite restaurant in Ballarat...a hidden treasure I think. Amazing food, professional, friendly staff and the restaurant is presented beautifully. It is quiet and very customer friendly. An adult atmosphere, but in saying this we took our 10 year old grandson...a great introduction to fine dining.

Had a beautiful 3 course meal tonight with really great service. An absolute pleasure. Sorry its taken me so long to get there. Will be back again soon.

My husband and i dined at Asahi celebrating our wedding anniversary. The staff were very attentive and professional. The food was so fresh and well presented...will definitely be regular diners

Omg we loved it food was amazing the staff were fantastic it was an amazing night

Asahi is our favourite restaurant! The staff are so friendly and the food is amazing!

Absolutely devine! From the artistic cuisine, almost too gorgeous to eat (but you MUST!) to the warm, accommodating service, Asahi Sushi is the real gold you will find on your visit to Ballarat.

Awesome food! Love it! So fresh and so tender and a lovely environment 2 b in.

If you want seriously delicious Japanese dishes with very relaxing ambiance.. look no further. A great range of wines and very efficient friendly service. We had a ball at Asahi... take a group of friends. Perfect!!

Delicious food and drinks. Attentive and friendly service. Pleasant atmosphere. Definitely recommend.

Expensive but good decent meals. Nice ambience. Thanks!

Food is great and have dined here before but was most disappointed tonight with takeaway. $34 for a meal that mainly consisted of rice, two prices of broccoli and small amount of meat. My total bill should have been $47 but the front of house women tried to charge me over $70 and wasn't too apologetic when I said that wasn't right, same thing happened to another takeaway order while I was waiting, again not much of an apology. Very disappointed tonight

Worked here best Japanese food every had my 19th here