Nihachi

Some diners say they enjoyed the chicken skin chips so much they ordered another serving; others returned to the amberjack sashimi time and again. At Nihachi, a light first plate can lead to a meal built around whatever catches your eye. The chicken skin chips are listed as a crisp snack, and some diners enjoyed them with mayonnaise before ordering more. Other fried options include chicken tenderloin wrapped with plum paste and shiso, and Chicken Nanban, served with sweet vinegar and tartar sauce. Choose a fresher, lighter-tasting bite or something more substantial to go with your drinks.

Amberjack and salmon sashimi offer a change of pace between fried dishes. One diner reported ordering the amberjack repeatedly, while the menu describes its thick-cut salmon sashimi as meltingly tender. An assorted sashimi platter is listed for 2 people, making it a natural choice to share while the group decides what to order next. For a heartier meal, there is Hakata salt offal hot pot: a single-serving pot of offal and vegetables simmered in a light salt broth. The menu also lists extra cabbage, chives, bean sprouts and tofu, as well as ramen to finish. It is a satisfying way to carry the flavour of the broth through to the end of the meal.

For a dish to share, consider the jumbo omelette yakisoba: yakisoba wrapped in soft, fluffy egg, listed for 2 people. One diner recalled being surprised by its size and enjoying it with the group. Nihachi offers all-you-can-eat options on an ongoing basis, so diners can choose between sampling a range of dishes and ordering individual plates. Private rooms are available, and one group reported enjoying the all-you-can-eat food and drinks while chatting together. A diner also reported that orders were placed by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. For a gathering with a varied order of food and drinks, one possible progression is to share chicken skin chips and sashimi, then finish with hot pot or noodles.