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Restaurant Association of New Zealand

Sushi Ninja is a member of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.

Sushi Ninja is the only Japanese-owned and operated Sushi Bar/Japanese Restaurant in New Plymouth. It is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Ken and Sophie Kurota.

Our Mission Statement

“To provide our customers with the highest quality service and food so that they will be come back for more.”

Two Very Different Styles

Casual café-style dining during the day includes a wide range of takeaway sushi packs and dine-in meals such as bentos (lunch boxes filled with a variety of favourites), donburis (large bowls of rice with different toppings), curries and more.

At night ‘izakaya’ sake-bar style dining emphasises communal ‘tapas’ meals in great variety where friends can share the different flavours.

Our Story

Ken and Sophie dreamed of moving out of Auckland to a nice environment and opening their own restaurant somewhere near the sea, but weren’t sure where until they heard about what was happening in Taranaki in 2003. This was the shooting of “The Last Samurai” movie starring Tom Cruise with a host of Japanese actors, extras and film crew.

They purchased a small caravan, converted it into a Japanese food kitchen and (with the kind cooperation of the authorities) set it up on the Foreshore opposite Centre City. The mobile sushi shop immediately attracted lots of Japanese from the movie as well as local customers.

The immediate success of this venture, and the friendly reception they got from the people of New Plymouth convinced the Kurotas that they should open a permanent restaurant.

(The fabulous New Plymouth surfing may have also had an influence!)
Sushi Ninja opened in March 2007 and has been going strong since. Ken, as Head Chef, still loves indulging his passion for creative cooking, and Sophie, as Manager, cares for her staff and customers in the Front of House as though they were all members of her own family.

Experience & Enthusiasm

Ken Kurota had 12 years experience as a chef in Japanese restaurants both in Japan and New Zealand. In Auckland he worked for Edo Bento, famous for its bento meals and sushi rolls, was Head Chef and manager for Okonomiyaki Columbus which specialized in teppanyaki meals, and also worked as a chef at Nishiki Robatayaki, a very popular sake-bar.
He was born and bred in Yamagata, a mountainous region of Japan, so feels at home near beautiful Mt Taranaki. As a keen surfer he couldn’t resist ‘the Naki surf’.
Sophie, with a Kiwi dad and Japanese mum, grew up in Tokyo and also lived in Auckland, so really appreciates the friendly people and the natural environment of Taranaki. She feels sure this is the right environment to bring up her only daughter Minami, who incidently loves sushi and is often seen ‘helping out’ at the restaurant.

Awards

Winner of Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant 2008 Halamoana Hospitality Awards

Winner of Outstanding Chef 2008– Ken Kurota Halamoana Hospitality Awards

Finalist of Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant 2009 Halamoana Hospitality Awards

Finalist of Outstanding Takeout Establishment 2009Halamoana Hospitality Awards

Finalist of Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant 2010 Halamoana Hospitality Awards

Finalist of Outstanding Ethnic Restaurant 2011 & 2012 Halamoana Hospitality Awards

Career Opportunity

We are always looking for quality staff. If you are interested in working for a friendly team known for its drive for excellence, send in your cv with references to info@sushininja.co.nz.

Connect with Sushi Ninja

At Sushi Ninja we love to hear from our customers, so please catch up with us on Twitter or Facebook. We also have a contact form that you can use to get in touch with us.

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