Could this be the best Japanese restaurant on the Gold Coast?

I came here mid week after going to see a movie at Pacific Fair (Death at a funeral - really, really funny Brittish movie if you haven’t seen it already.) It was about 8:45pm and we were all trying to decide where to go for dinner as generally this time is considered ‘late’ by many restaurants on the Gold Coast.

I figured it would have to be an Asia restaurant as they generally stay open later than the others so I suggested Itoshin which was nearby on the Gold Coast highwasy in Mermaid Beach. I’ve been to this restaurant once before but I wasn’t overly impressed at the time. I think from memory I thought the teriyaki meals were a bit too westernised.

It’s a very funky/urban looking restaurant with graffiti on the walls. It was still very busy when we arrived - most of the restaurant is table and chair seating but I did spot a couple of tables where you can sit on cushions on the floor. 

The sushi is amongst the best I’ve had on the Gold Coast and was very fresh with nice large pieces of tender tuna pieces. We also ordered salmon and avocado. The tempura vegetables were crisp and firm and the hot pot was shared amongst four of us. I was skeptical at first becuase I thought ‘Why would I want to cook my own food when I’m at a restaurant’ but it’s all chopped up for you and it’s actually quite fun watching it cook and dishing it up to share. It was really filling too so next time I might just order one plate of sushi and a hot pot between two of us.

We ordered the teriyaki beef which was thickly sliced with teriyaki sauce poured over the top. It was still my least favourite meal as I prefer it to be more thinly sliced.

Overall I’d give this restaurant 8.5/10 - Service was fast and friendly, food was quick and fresh and the restaurant has a funky and fun atmosphere

Located:
Itoshin Japanese Restaurant

2484 Gold Coast Highway
Mermaid Beach, 4218

Phone: 07 5575 5733

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The sushi - this was salmon and avocado and in the background we had tuna sushi

Edamame beans - from memory about $7. A great starter snack to share. You just pop the salty soy beans in your mouth and discard the empty pods in a bowl.

Tempura vegetables - these were nice and firm and the batter was perfect.

Hot Pot - About $30. It’s a great meal to share. You add all the chopped ingredients into the hot pot to cook and dish it out when it’s ready.

The hot pot cooking away

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