Yaruki Japanese Restaurant (Henderson, Auckland NZ)

I love eating out and just 2 years ago, I fell inlove with Japanese food, why just recently? because i thought japanese food consist of only "raw fish or meat", silly me i know....I eat out at least twice a week for the last 3 years now and my favorite is trying out small but great restos around town...
Last saturday night, after a week of overtime and deadlines, i decided to treat some of my "teenage girls" (daughters of my cellgroup friends). I wanted to take them to town but didn't want to drive 30 minutes in a bad weather, so decided to try out one of the local japanese resto, Yaruki...it's a small restaurant next to National Bank, along Great North Road in Henderson center....I parked my car in the off-street parking outside it (30 min. free) then moved it at the back of the building.

We enter the restaurant and greeted by charming staff, its small and already packed at 6:00pm, they suggested we take the table upstairs, we are a party of 5...Upstairs, its decorated with assortment of japanese dolls, umbrellas etc...We ordered briefly and decided to get different foods to sample...One katsu ($16.00) dinner box for Abigayle, Chicken Karaage&Tempura ($20.50) for Shamaine, Sushi assorted ($13.00) for Claudine, Octopus balls x2 ($13.00) for Diane and I ordered Sukiyaki ($20.00) (hot pot). Our food arrived after 15 minutes, i find it quick and just delighted to start eating as we were hungry.

After our dinner, we all agree that the food was great, quick service, charming staff and the cost is reasonable. The only downside was the rice included in the Chicken Karaage/Teriyaki was too small for one person.

But overall, it was a good restaurant, my personal rating will be " 4 stars" (1-poor, 5- excellent)...