Gohan On Scott

About Gohan On Scott

Gohan on Scott is a Japanese kitchen and sushi bar in the heart of Blenheim, run since 2021 by co-owner Boe Aitchison and Nat Moran. Bangkok born and a Blenheim local for more than thirty years, Boe learned to cook from her mother and auntie on the streets of Bangkok, and after 27 years in Marlborough hospitality opened her own place with a simple rule: what you see is what you get.

The kitchen blends Japanese technique — rice seasoned properly, fish sliced to order, broths simmered long — with the boldness and generosity of Boe's Thai roots. Sushi is rolled to order rather than sitting in a cabinet, sashimi is sliced on the spot, gyoza are made in house, and izakaya plates come out hot for the whole table to share.

Gohan on Scott regularly hosts birthdays, work functions and family catch-ups, and many dishes on the menu are available gluten free, vegetarian or vegan, with staff happy to accommodate allergies when notified in advance.

Gohan on Scott: A Thai Heart in a Japanese Kitchen, Blenheim

Gohan on Scott is a Japanese kitchen and sushi bar right in the heart of Blenheim, run since 2021 by co-owner Boe Aitchison alongside Nat Moran. Boe was born in Bangkok, where she learned to cook from her mother and auntie on the city's busy streets, among woks, charcoal grills and steam.

A holiday that never ended

In 1992, Boe came to Blenheim on holiday, met her husband, and never left. Marlborough became home, and hospitality became her life — more than 27 years of cooking and looking after locals across the region, before opening Gohan on Scott in 2021 exactly the way she believes a restaurant should be run.

Thai heart, Japanese kitchen

At Gohan, Boe blends her Thai roots with Japanese cooking technique — rice seasoned properly, fish sliced to order, broths simmered long — while the flavours carry the boldness and generosity of Bangkok. It's why Thai salads sit comfortably beside the sashimi on the menu, and why, as Boe puts it, nothing here tastes timid. Her philosophy is simple: what you see is what you get.

Made fresh, made to order

Sushi is rolled only when ordered, not left sitting in a cabinet, and sashimi is sliced on the spot. The Salmon Volcano — torched salmon under a creamy volcano sauce and tobiko — is the restaurant's signature dish, while the Aburi Jewel Dragon roll serves as the showpiece, layering flame-seared salmon and avocado over seasoned rice. Beyond sushi, the menu runs through gyoza dumplings, a slow-simmered Tonkotsu Ramen, wok-fried rice and noodles, and full main meals like a Seafood Teppanyaki and Scotch Fillet. A dedicated Gohan Lunch Special, offered from 11am to 2pm every day, covers a Bento Box or Poke Bowl.

Everyone leaves as family

Gohan has hosted plenty of birthdays, work functions, first dates and family catch-ups on Scott Street, and welcomes larger groups with advance notice. Many dishes are available gluten free, vegetarian or vegan, and guests are asked to mention any allergies when ordering or booking so the kitchen can look after them properly.

Visiting Gohan on Scott

Gohan on Scott is open every day from 11am to 2pm for lunch and 5pm to 9pm for dinner. It's located at 16 Scott Street, Blenheim Central, and can be reached by phone or email for bookings and enquiries, with online ordering also available for pickup.

Signature items

• Salmon Volcano (9 pcs)
• Aburi Jewel Dragon
• Tonkotsu Ramen
• Seafood Teppanyaki
• Sashimi Four Kinds
• Kara-a-age, Gyoza & Tempura Soft Shell Crab

Menu

Cold Fresh

• Thai Beef Salad — Seared beef, fresh herbs, chilli and lime dressing. Gluten free available.
• Thai Chicken Salad — Chicken with crunchy vegetables and a zesty dressing. Gluten free available.

Noodle Soup

• Tonkotsu Ramen — Slow-simmered pork broth with chashu, soft egg and nori.
• Nabe Miso Udon — Thick udon in a rich miso broth with vegetables. Vegetarian available.
• Tempura Soba — Buckwheat noodles with crisp tempura on the side.

Izakaya Bites

• Salmon Volcano (9 pcs) — Torched salmon, creamy volcano sauce and tobiko. The restaurant's signature dish. Gluten free available.
• Sashimi Four Kinds — Salmon, tuna, hamachi and kingfish, sliced to order. Gluten free available.
• Beef Tataki — Seared beef with ponzu, ginger and spring onion.
• Tuna Tataki — Lightly seared tuna with citrus soy and daikon.
• Hamachi Crudo — Kingfish with yuzu dressing and chilli.
• Sushi Taco — Crisp shell, fresh fish, avocado and house sauces.
• Tempura Platter — Prawns and seasonal vegetables in a light, crisp batter. Vegetarian available.
• Tempura Soft Shell Crab — Golden soft shell crab with spicy mayo.
• Kara-a-age — Japanese fried chicken, juicy inside and crisp outside.
• Wings on Fire — Chicken wings with a fiery house glaze.
• Takoyaki — Octopus balls with bonito, mayo and takoyaki sauce.
• Cheese Bomb — Molten cheese parcels, crisp and golden. Vegetarian available.

Gyoza Dumplings

• House-Made Gyoza — Pork and cabbage, crisp bottom, juicy inside.
• Spicy Gyoza — The same dumpling with a chilli kick.
• Vegetarian Gyoza — Seasonal vegetable filling.
• Har Gao — Delicate prawn dumplings.
• Shu-Mai — Steamed pork and prawn dumplings.

Gohan Lunch Special

• Bento Box — A little of everything — protein, rice, salad and sides. Served 11am-2pm, seven days.
• Poke Bowl — Fresh fish, rice, vegetables and dressing in one bowl. Gluten free available. Served 11am-2pm, seven days.

Dragon Rolls & Sushi

• Aburi Jewel Dragon — Flame-seared salmon, avocado, tobiko and house sauces — the showpiece roll.
• Dragon Roll Sushi — Prawn tempura inside, avocado and eel sauce over the top.
• Sushi Platter — A generous mix of nigiri, maki and rolls to share.
• Temaki — Hand rolls filled to order in crisp nori. Vegetarian available.
• Torched Salmon Cheese Roll — Salmon and melted cheese, seared to finish.
• Nigiri — Single pieces of fish over seasoned rice.
• Onigiri — Rice parcels with classic Japanese fillings. Vegan available.

Main Meals, Teishoku & Don

• Seafood Teppanyaki — Prawns, scallops and fish seared with garlic butter.
• Scotch Fillet — Grilled scotch fillet with teppanyaki sauce and vegetables.
• Teriyaki Salmon — Grilled salmon glazed in house teriyaki.
• Tonkatsu — Crumbed pork cutlet with tonkatsu sauce and rice.
• Gyudon — Simmered beef and onion over steamed rice.
• Mapo Tofu — Silken tofu in a spiced, savoury sauce. Vegetarian available.

Fried Rice & Stir Fried Noodles

• Gohan Fried Rice — Wok-fried rice with egg, vegetables and a choice of protein. Vegetarian and gluten free available.
• Yakisoba — Stir fried noodles with cabbage, onion and yakisoba sauce. Vegan available.

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Gohan on Scott serve?

Japanese cuisine with a Thai influence, drawing on co-owner Boe Aitchison's Bangkok roots.

What is Gohan's signature dish?

The Salmon Volcano — torched salmon with creamy volcano sauce and tobiko.

What are the opening hours?

Every day, 11am-2pm for lunch and 5pm-9pm for dinner.

Are there dietary options?

Yes, many dishes are available gluten free, vegetarian or vegan; let staff know of any allergies.

Can I book for a group?

Yes, Gohan hosts birthdays, work functions and family catch-ups; larger groups can call ahead.

Is there a lunch special?

Yes, a Bento Box or Poke Bowl, served 11am-2pm, seven days a week.

Where is Gohan on Scott located?

16 Scott Street, Blenheim Central.

Tips

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• {"body":"A popular spot in Blenheim — reservations recommended.","title":"Book ahead for dinner"}
• {"body":"A Bento Box or Poke Bowl, served 11am-2pm daily.","title":"Ask about the Gohan Lunch Special"}
• {"body":"Many dishes have GF, vegetarian or vegan options.","title":"Mention any allergies when booking"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Welcomes family catch-ups and group bookings, including birthdays and work functions.","dietary":"Many dishes are available gluten free, vegetarian or vegan; please mention allergies when ordering or booking."}