Tai Pei Restaurant

Reviews

• Rob M.

  star star star star star 5 June 2026

  Honestly can't believe I hadn't reviewed this place yet!
  
  Daruma is a staple establishment for us, offering an extensive and varied menu that covers everything from a few snacks to go with your choice of drink, to a full on spread that will silence even the hangriest of otakus.
  
  Get in early to grab a table, this place is popular for a very good reason!

• Rui E.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  Daruma is a really nice Japanese restaurant: full stop. It is not dodgy, nor is too up market. I like its location which insulates it from the city which also adds to its unique style: hard wooden benches with a casual feel (words really are escaping while writing this review). It is indoors and the windows are bit opaque so you don't really see much of the street, giving it a twilight feel. But from memory I believe there is an outdoor section if you prefer that.
  
  Starting with the food: a lot on the menu. It covers a range of Japanese cuisine: Ramen, rice dishes, Sushi, Sashimi, Eel etc. And you can also eat within your means, that is if you want a meal for 12 bucks you can get that, but if you want to spend 60 buckaroos you can. From my very recent dining experience, I had some rice with Unagi (Eel) and some tuna sashimi
  
  And I always love a Japanese restaurant that allows you to buy a whole bottle of Sake (which to my untrained eye, they appear to have an extensive collection). You can get beer as well and I also observed those plastic tower dispensers (I don't know the word) that you can have alcoholic cocktails/slurpies lying in a corner.
  
  And the staff are super friendly, attentive and polite (very Japanese).
  
  Great place for a bite by yourself or to eat and drink with 16 friends.

• Amy A.

  star star star star_border star_border 29 May 2026

  Quite recently we've been making more appearances at this Japanese restaurant. Their lunch menu has all the usual Japanese food - bento boxes, udon, sashimi, teriyaki chicken - but it's quite decent fare for a uni student. Food servings aren't that generous but the food is quite tasty.
  
  Located in Haymarket, a short walk from Central station, Paddy's markets and UTS library, there's a range of customers at this place. It's quite a large place too, but for some reason their tables are always squished up against one another that you have to squeeze past someone else's table.
  
  Service is snappy but not always attentive - they have water jugs at the front which is self-service although all the dishes are delivered by the wait staff (you wouldn't know this until you've been there a few times). Also make note that you pay by cash only - so make sure you visit the ATM before you get here.

• Barry T.

  star star star star star_border 29 May 2026

  Very affordable Japanese place and popular with students and the lunch crowd.
  
  This place also accepts cards (including AMEX, which is something I dig for restaurants - particularly if they don't do a surcharge) despite the other reviews as long as you keep your purchase above $10 (main + drink will do it for you).
  
  Also this place has Shabu-Shabu hotpot which is a recommended dinner dish but make sure you pre-book for it. It's very affordable - for a party of 6 we paid around $15 each.