Tiny sushi bar Bian - not to be confused with the also brilliant Bien restaurant on Shortland St - supplies the local area with lunch every day, pumping out a fantastic selection of donburi, soups, nigiri and maki rolls. Lovely fresh tuna and salmon, along with more unusual fillings such as deep-fried oyster, rare beef, and sesame-fried green beans. The wasabi is fresh, home-made, and free of additives. And it's self-service, so you can pick a mixed selection of your favourites.
The busy, cheery kitchen will make up a roll for you if they run out of anything. Reliable, friendly and surprisingly cheap - and it's also BYO and open at night. You can't really go wrong.
183 Symonds St, Auckland
Phone: 09-309 5609
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
However you can find really good Japanese food in Auckland.
Yakatori: Ken Yakatori chain and Tanuki are excellent.
Kura for a wide variety of Japanese foods.
Rikka is probably the best for sushi, both branches have a great ambience as well.