usually two things come to mind when speaking of japanese food. there’s the highly vinegar-y sushi packs with cold, tightly-packed rice from food courts, or there’s the delicate degustation-like eating experiences with ice sculptures and micro-greenery. janken (pronounced jaang-kehn) is neither of those things. this jervois road resident delivers healthy, homemade japanese cuisine; their delicate selection of gozen (or set meals) are a sight to behold, with the crockpot chicken steaming under a tiny flame, the broth clear with a perfect balance of sweet-savouriness which you can scoop out with wooden spoons. the staff are chirpy and helpful with their explanations of homemade pickles and macrobiotic desserts. did we mention that nearly everything’s gluten-free, and there’s more than one vegan option? shocking we know. we’re also a fan of how they can bring an aura of warmth and character to the industrial interiors (spot the felt blankets and a hiding godzilla). the huskies left feeling like they’ve made a friend in this cozy janken home. reserve your seat (there ain’t a lot) today, and make sure you stay for their desserts.
check out our individual reviews here: husk.co.nz/lunches/janken-july-2019