PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAA sleek, polished, wood-panelled room above Wintergarden Shopping Centre, this is undoubtedly Brisbane’s most stylish sushi train. Red and black lacquered surfaces and tranquil Japanese prints give it a very Zen, Tokyo-chic look. With separate tables for a la carte diners, Hanaichi would be a seductive place to take a date if it weren’t so predictably packed - although unlike many sushi bars, they do take bookings. Unfortunately the pace of the service is out of sync with the leisurely revolving sushi conveyer-belt, and diners can sometimes feel pressured to finish their meals in a hurry.
Hanaichi scores strong points on the food front. The high-turnover means almost everything you pluck from the stream of dishes has been freshly prepared. The selection of sushi is excellent, with plenty of variety including more unusual ingredients like saury pike, abalone, Wagyu beef and Peking duck. Behind the chef’s workstation is a seafood tank housing lobsters which can be cooked or sashimi-sliced to order. A variety of Japanese beers and a small wine selection are on hand to complement the delicate cuisine. The Hanaichi Company also run a commendably healthy fast food outlet in the Wintergarden food court. Offering udon, teriyaki and Japanese-style curry they have some of the quickest, tastiest meals in the centre and are incredibly good value for money.