Review Kazu - Mornington

Staff are very friendly but the food is disappointing. Sushi was prepared (and slice) in a unprofessional way and the rice are not holding together. We won’t be coming back

Great hidden gem, we had a mix of 8 tapas dishes, great service, reasonable prices and friendly staff

Food is seriously delicious. We love Japanese food- the carpaccio, the eggplant and tempura veg dishes were tasty and fresh with great flavours. Decor has been updated so a better look and feel. Definitely a MUST to try

Great ambience, fantastic service and delicious food.

Kazu was super nice! Although I was a little sad I could not have a oolong high! でも the tempura veg was amazing. After living in Tokyo for 4 years and being back in Melbourne for 2... my wife and I both agree it’s the best tempura since Japan. It’s also nice to go to a Japanese restaurant that’s actually run by Japanese... おいしかった。ありがとうございます

What can I say... very expensive, no ramen, egg plant raw and soaked in oil when it’s supposed to be roasted. Chicken was very oily and pink on the inside. Restaurant was empty on a busy Wednesday, so should’ve known better not to walk in. Overall feel of the place was outdated. Bad vibes. Don’t waste your hard earned money.

We had dinner at Kazu tonight and ate a combination of fresh shashimi on rice and delicious japanese flavoured chicken thighs on rice. It was gluten free with gf soy, and was delicious. Everything was really fresh. With a good selection of wines and friendly, quick service, it made a for a great experience!

We ordered take away. My husband usually sticks with Thai or Chinese. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered and all came with flavour and freshness. Could not fault a thing. Would highly recommend to anyone.

*3.5/5 but rounded up for Zomato. Kazu is hidden in a lane way off main street Mornington. Pretty small and quaint restaurant. Decor has been improved in recent years, however, it is still very basic and lacking a little bit. <br/>🍴beef tataki, sushi boat and dumplings. Sushi tasted fresh - would recommend the boat. <br/>💁🏼‍♀️ attentive and friendly staff

Really good food. Had quick take away fresh signature sushi, salmon terriaki, Chicken yakitori. I really like this quality fresh japanese and an easy go to place for Japanesse food which sits nice in your stomach at the end of the meal. Must try.

Left disappointed after soggy Goyza, soft prawns and over priced food and drink at every turn. $8.50 for a tiny bowl of edamame when it is the same price for 1.5kg at Costco???? Posnszu sauce was flavorless. Ambience was dull and a little bogan. A lady rang to ask for a table when we were paying, the staff member rudely ignored us, answered the call, dismissed the lady on the phone, hung up and said 'stupid'. Quality staff right there. <br/>

Visited kazu for a family dinner. Loved the ambiance of the restaurant and service was very prompt and friendly. We ordered gyoza- which was delicious, the sushi boat and the tempura prawn dish. All were fresh and very tasty. Well priced and would definitely recommend!

Hidden Japanese gem tucked away in Mornington. The food here is quite nice. We always order the sushi, the gyoza and the chicken yakitori and I don't think you can go wrong with those three. Only criticism is that the portions here are quite small and Kazu is quite overpriced for what you get.

Delish. The staff are very smart, knowing all the traditional Japanese names for each dish. The food was fabulous, the sushi and sashimi clearly being the specialty. Surprisingly the decor was charming, we were impressed with how homely the place felt. This place has the charm that we were expecting heading into Mornington, after almost 10 years. The prices seemed hefty merely because the menus and modest decor seemed at odds with the cost, but once we tasted the high quality food and delicious flavours we ordered more and didn't look back. Fabulous night out, well done.

Coming back to Kazu for the first time in 5 years. Very very disappointing and embarrassing in front of my partner. I was one of the first workers in Restaurant Soy back in 2006-2010 and had been seeing this shop with successful with absolute fresh and authentic Japanese taste. I can say this time the shop is a lot different than what I used to know.<br/><br/>I understand having a new staff on the floor is not easy but how can you leave a round serving tray on guest table and pointing the tip of a sushi boat at guest? Japanese won't even point the tip of chopsticks at people because it is offensive in their culture. The failure of service shows a lack of training from the manager and it's undeniable.<br/><br/>The sushi were very loose and most of them were broken when i try to pick them up.<br/><br/>Also noticing a few guests had been waiting to be seated at the front door for almost 5 minutes but unnoticed. One of them actually walked out,<br/>Came back and complained. Only to get laughed between the staff after he left.<br/><br/>The food used to be amazing but not anymore. Not the same old grandpa chef and professional team.<br/><br/>What a shame, the manager didn't even have the courage to come forward and probably laughing after I left with my comments.

Kazu would be one of the best Japanese restaurants on the peninsula. Food is fresh with good presentation. The Gyoza and dipping sauce is prepared well. The okonominyaki would be nice with some visible cabbage rather than all soft batter inside and it would be nice with the traditional bonito flakes on top for extra flavour. The sashimi was fresh though I think the cutting of the fish needs a lot more care and attention. I find it really makes a difference in taste when there is care taken in cutting with a nice clean consistent cut and thickness. Service is always prompt and friendly.

Great place, great food! What more can I say. Apparently I have to say more or else I can't post. This place is worth posting! Check it out!

It's pretty obvious why this venue has been in operation for so long, I'd eat here every night if I could afford to! Exceptional food, kind and obliging wait staff, can't pick a single fault with our dining experience. Take away menu also exceptional and beautifully presented.

Kazu is delicious! If i could eat here for the rest of my life i would. The first time i came here i literally thought of it months after until i could go again. They create such fresh and simple food yet its bursting with flavor. The restaurant is almost like a special little secret hidden among cafes along main street.Cost is a minimum $25 per person but for a special night out can be seen an reasonable. The girls working there seem nice and energetic and there is little wait for food which is good because as soon as you see someone else eating their food your already drooling.Love!

Firstly let me just say I am not a big fan of eating out and don't do it very often and indeed this review is not about the restaurant experience but purely just about the food I bought a couple of days ago take away. I have bought take away here several times since moving to Mornington and each time it was absolutely delicious, clean, fresh, great quality and expertly put together with beautiful delicate balance and care.My wife and I felt like something easy, flavourful and relaxing hence out came the bottle of wine and the phone and I ordered: oshinko (pickled vegetables) Agedashi Dofu, Nasu Dengaku (baked eggplant), Gyuniku Tataki (eye fillet lightly seared with a ponzu sauce), Unagi Kabayaki (grilled eel) and some Tekka Maki (raw tuna rolls). It was ready for pick up in 25 minutes which meant a quick trip to Mr Pauls for a beer and then get the food and get home.Easy! Gotta love Mornington!!!All I can say about the food is that is was perfect! Perfect in it's flavour, perfect in that it was exactly what we had hoped for and made for a perfect evening and that is what food is all about. The flavours, the delicate balance, the umami, the freshness, the expert care in the cooking - WOW - what an absolute treat and what an absolute gem to have in Mornington.I am not a fan of the décor of the restaurant but as I don't eat out that is of no concern - I am how ever a BIG fan of the food and the chef!!!! Many thanks to Hidekazu Yanagisawa for giving us some wonderful food at home!

Is it 1970?. Firstly the service was good, especially from a trainee who was eager and attentive. The menu, as the décor, reminded me of an unimaginative menu for Australians circa 1970. The quality was only fair. My main dish was no different to a $10 lunch time special - it was $25. OK but not 4 stars!

Uninspired and overpriced. What a disappointment! Uninspired menu, depressing old fashioned atmosphere and outrageously expensive. Ordered Avocado and prawn sushi and for $28 for ten small pieces expected to be pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately the sushi was bland, heavy, and the rice tasted a day old. it appears that Kazu has not evolved much since 2001 in terms of cuisine. The only thing that has risen in any form are the prices. Will not return

Excellent. We ate at Kazu last night and I can only say that the food was fabulous. There were 4 of us and we had many different dishes from the menu and all exceeded our expectations. I would recommend this restaurant highly. The service was very attentive. Stand out dishes were- Yakatori, Tempura Seafood, Teriyaki Fish and all the Gyoza. If I could I would eat here every night! Thank you staff at Kazu!

Delightful dinner. Wow!!!<br/>From when we walked in to once we finished our dessert we were amazed.<br/>The service was outstanding from the lovely Morgan who not only helped us choose the right sized meals for the 4 of us, but was truly interested in making our first visit to kazu amazing. <br/>Fresh food, beautiful flavors and just a sensational vibe throughout our night. <br/>Will be back!!!!!

Delicious food and great service. Saturday night in the summer holiday season and managed to get a table for 2 without making a booking but the restaurant quickly filled up after we arrived so we were pretty lucky. Quick and friendly service and food came out quickly too. Delicious meals - we shared 2 entrees and 2 mains and we were comfortably full. Cant wait to go back again! Might BYO next time - whilst corkage is $7 per bottle it actually seems worth it as wines on the menu are either $30 or $50 per bottle or $9 per glass.

Kingfish Teriyaki and Fresh Made Gyoza. Teriyaki not too salty it sweet-perfect!

I am a fan of Japanese food and Kazu is one of the best Japanese restaurants on the Mornington peninsula!! Service is very friendly and very quick if you need something. Food is simple but I have to say the sushi is the best!!! I can't wait to go back thank you Kazu for a pleasant dining experience.

Incredible Japanese food & good service. I cannot count the amount of times I have been to Kazu - it has become my yearly birthday dinner spot. The authentic and fresh food is some of the best Japanese I've had (and I have certainly tried a lot!). The agedashi tofu and Avocado maki are dishes of note. High quality, authentic and tasty cuisine. Definitely book beforehand.

We had a fresh, tasty and really nice dinner really enjoyed it! Thanks to the waitresses really much!

Had dinner there the other night,great food,friendly staff.would recommend.

We walked out after 5 minutes.... We were really looking forward to trying out Kazu. My girlfriend having spent a few years living in Japan was especially excited. To be fair, I have to say we cannot comment on the food since we left before we placed our order.<br/>A couple of minutes after the staff realised we were there (we politely waited by the door to be seated), we were greeted by a distant yell "do you have a booking?". The place was empty (people on one table only) and we called them 5 minutes before to make sure they were open and had vacant tables. Although one of the waitresses was serving a table right next to where we were waiting she failed to acknowledge us completely. The hostess finally bothered to come over to talk to us and without a "hello, welcome" we were once again asked whether or not we had booked. Now there was apparently one table we could have so we sat. Menus were delivered wordlessly and upside-down and we were then more or less left to ourselves. After a few minutes of just feeling disappointed and not getting a 'good vibe' at all we decided to take our business and hunger elsewhere.<br/>We noticed they were looking at hiring a 'junior waitress'. If any Kazu staff actually takes the time to read this: Please hire someone with decent experience in hospitality - you owe it to yourself and your customers!

Couldn't even make a booking. Went last April, loved it. Attempted to make a booking tonight, on hold for ten mins, listening to jibber jabber, then the phone was picked up, I heard who is this? Then got hung up on. Appalling. What a shame. I guess they are thriving.

This place is great. The food is outstanding and the service is good. Great flavours and excellent tempura

Great food but.... We went to Kazu yesterday with great expectations. The food did not let us down but the service was the worst I've ever come across. It started with a 2 minute explanation of what glasses we'd need for a bottle of red and a bottle of white when there were only the two of us drinking. The entree plates sat there and were still there when our mains arrived. The mains dishes sat there on the cluttered table until the end of the night with various waitresses walking straight past back to the kitchen. We asked one waitress for the bill only to see her 20 minutes later wiping glasses out the back, must have been too much to remember.

Really....your not slipping you have slipped. I used to come and dine here quite often, prices were good, meals were great. Now prices are steep servings are small and nowhere near as good the service is slow inexperienced and rude. Byo beer not allowed anymore.... Acoustics makes u feel like ur in a mental asylum. NEVER AGAIN.

Very good and Authentic. This place is a hidden gem. Tucked away down a little ally way. The food is so fresh and very authentic. Well worth going and not too over priced. It's BYO so don't forget to take your wine like we did! We drank the tea instead and really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.

A hidden treat. Tucked away at the end of an alley off Main street Morninton, there has not been a time where Kazu has been empty. Fresh produce is always a delight which compensates for the slow service. If you truly enjoy your Japanese food and are on the Peninsula it is not to be missed. <br/><br/>If you are not too sure on what to order the Sushi Sashimi boat is always a wise choice, providing an array of delicate delights. Or perhaps try the Unagi (smoked eel) one of the best I've ever had and the Gyoza is also beautiful.<br/>A lighter option of course would be the Japanese style of Beef Carpaccio (Gyuniku Tataki) with thin sliced king island beef with ponzu sauce, garlic and spring onion. A melt in your mouth moment every time.<br/>Dessert for me is always the Ice-Cream with Dorayaki - ice cream (green tea) served with sweet red bean paste pancakes.<br/><br/>If you've hear the raves from other diners they aren't lying to you, it is a fantastic hidden gem in Mornington, but just make sure you book a table, or if you can't get in grab take away it's just as amazing.

My favourite!. I love kazu!<br/>the girls that work there are beautiful, i think some people are a bit harsh on them and maybe dont realize if they're busy and having a tough night.<br/>the food is always consistantly wonderful! i have never onece had a bad experience after being there many times, ive worked out a menu that i order every time, beef tataki, age gyoza, the chicken sushi rolls on the specials board, tuna zuke and if ive got a crowd the boat! always a winner with my friends and family<br/>well done Kazu!

Too expensive for what u get. I've learned how to make my own sushi rolls to subsidize expensive run of the mill japanese cuisine. The sushi boat was so overpriced and I was starving when I left!

Great service, beautiful food & good value. Go in once a week for an awesome feed.

Maybe I am lucky that both times we were there the food was great and the staff was nice. I had the banquet and the mini selection of appetizers was a highlight. Took a bottle of sake with me and the waiter offered to warm it up in one of those small flasks. Didnt even charge corkage. Maybe she forgot.

Don't go here. Last night I took some friends from out of town here to thank them and I was embarrassed that I chose this place. I rang in advance and was told BYO wine only, but realistically it is BYO anything as they don't serve any beer either. It took 20 minutes for any of the rude staff to acknowledge we were there, and only after we got their attention. Ordering our meals was difficult and When I asked about the sizes of the sushi boat, all our waitress could do was nod and say "yes". When I went to pay the bill (because it never came) it was inevitably wrong. <br/>The food was ok, but far inferior to any Japanese cuisine I've had in my life. Service is non existent and attitude is rude. Decor is awful. Noise levels are ridiculous (even on a quiet night). $7.50 for corkage is a bit rich, when our cold bottle of white wine was left sitting on the table. How do you justify corkage if you won't offer to chill our wine!? <br/>Do yourself a favor and make the trek elsewhere for Japanese cuisine.

Not bad but not great- head to Megumis on Nepean Hwy in Frankston, much better service, and food!

I keep going back to this awful restaurant because it is the only Japanese around but never again after tonight. I was served raw chicken that was barely warm in the teriyaki, I asked the rude unhelpful staff to exchange my meal for something else as I did not want it after spitting out a mouthful of raw chicken and told not only would they not exchange it, they said I had to pay for it, and then the waitress and 3 kitchen staff laughed at us and told us not to come back! Awful disgusting restaurant, my advice, avoid it like the salmonella they serve!

Loved Kazu! Food is fresh & tasty, will make it a regular spot to eat.

This place was such a let down, we are locals and heard so much about this place.. acoustics were terrible and the menu was disappointing.. such a shame when there arent any japanese restaurants on the peninsula..

Love it !! Can happily feed 2 hungry people for $100. It's delicious sometimes our take away phone orders are a bit crazily wrong but that means we try something we didn't order !! Haha get a take away menu to keep on hand !! Definately order: Ebi Fry (crispy prawns) & my total Fav Tuna Maguro (fresh tuna slices topped w mashed avo & Japanese mayo) & Tataki Beef !! Mmm Mmm !!

Was recommended this place by a friend and I loved the experience. Sushi is always fresh and yummy! Although it was a bit of a hike to get there from where I am from - it was definitely worth it. Can't wait to go back.

The ecoustics are atrocious, the service pathetic and the recent increases in prices are unfounded. BUT there is something special about the food. I agree that it is well short of some japenese joints in the city, but the avocado maki certainly helps ease the pain of the above and I will visit again.

Its OK. I should probably just be thankful I have a local Japanese. The food is consistantly good, although certainly not up to the standard of some city based japanese restaurants. The decor and ambiance is average. It gets very noisy when full. The staff are generally "awful" - seem to lack experience, customer service ability and generally appear not to care. Maybe this is why I've started to get take away only.