Hikari in Teneriffe is a must-visit for Japanese food lovers in Brisbane. Tucked away on Florence Street, this spot blends casual vibes with bold, fresh flavours. From standout dishes like the Aburi salmon roll to melt-in-your-mouth pork gyoza, every plate showcases Hikari’s confidence and expertise. With a great wine list and a relaxed atmosphere, Hikari delivers an impressive dining experience worth returning to.
Location: 55a Florence St, Teneriffe QLD 4005
Cuisine: Japanese
Dishes Ordered:
- Wagyu tataki (Seared Australian Wagyu (MB8), Onion, Scallion, Garlic Chips w/Goma-Wasabi dressing)
- Oyster Trio (Spicy ponzu, truffle & yuzu, Lemon & Tabasco)
- Grilled Pork Gyoza (handmade nommm)
- Shiitake mushroom (deep fried)
- Aburi salmon roll (Torched salmon, shrimp tempura, cucumber, avo, tobiko, ebb mayo with amadare sauce)
- Shoga Ginger Brûlée (GF)
- Matcha cheesecake (soufflé cheese cake with green tea matcha powder)
What We Drank:
- Orange wine
- Chilled Sangiovese
*I didn’t take note of the specific brands at the time, though I was impressed with their wine list which included the likes of Unico Zelo.
The Details:
Overall, this restaurant was fantastic. Great vibe, great food, decent wine list, good price point, happy days!
The oysters to start did not disappoint. They were perfectly plump and fresh, with fab dressings like lemon & tobasco, spicy ponzu, and my favorite, ponzu and truffle. Talk about mouth-watering! What a blend of flavors!
The handmade Pork Gyoza were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, with a pan-fried crunch and soft steamed wrapping. The filling had a great texture, perhaps from water chestnut. I could have eaten plates of this just on my own!
The Wagyu tataki was good but felt like it was missing the raw fresh garlic. The dish had a strong horseradish flavor and no garlic, maybe because of the wagyu. Hikari has the confidence to say no changes to the food, which shows they’ve got this down pat.
The deep-fried Shiitake mushroom was something I wouldn’t have ordered myself but I actually loved. Crispy on the outside, fresh and juicy and chewy on the inside. So good. For my ‘main,’ I had the Aburi salmon roll with prawn tempura inside. Served without soy (see above, served as they suggest – ‘Hikari Taste’, but with a sauce on the bottom of the dish which was all I needed. Beautifully fresh and perfectly put together. A great roll.
Given the rest of the food was so good, we had to visit the dessert menu and try both on offer. The Matcha deconstructed cheesecake was fluffy and light and delicious, allowing you to choose your own flavor adventure. The ginger crème brûlée was also delicious, though I would have liked mine a little warmer as it was served quite cold.
Signature Dish:
Aburi Salmon Roll was a standout. With beautifully seared salmon on the outside of the roll, crisp prawn tempura inside, served with amadere sauce on the bottom of the dish instead of soy, it’s beautifully fresh and perfectly put together.
The Service:
The team was absolutely slammed when we arrived at 7.45 pm. Service was a bit slow and difficult to get attention at first, but you could see they were doing their best. After the crowd thinned out, they were much quicker and more attentive.
Vibe Check:
Casual and relaxed, slightly moody. Described as the Beccofinos of Japanese cuisine, and I’d agree with that. Dress up or dress down, as you please. Cool artwork on the wall – recommend reading the comments on them.
Food Investment: $$
Very reasonable price point for the quality of food and experience.
Why I’d Return:
They’ve got Japanese cuisine down pat. Hikari is a Brisbane staple for sure. I’d return to eat everything I’ve had already and try everything I haven’t yet.
Final Thoughts:
Hikari offers a delightful Japanese dining experience in Brisbane. From the fresh oysters to the delectable desserts, every dish is crafted with experience and confidence. Despite the initial slow service, the overall experience was exceptional, making it a definitely a spot worth returning to for both the food and the ambiance.
