Restaurant Sasa

About Restaurant Sasa

Restaurant Sasa is an authentic Japanese and pan-Asian dining destination nestled inside the Riverside Hotel in Blenheim, Marlborough. Embracing the traditional Asian philosophy that dining is an inherently communal experience, the restaurant crafts a vibrant selection of sharing plates, fresh sushi, sizzling hot plates, and hearty noodle bowls designed to bring guests together around the table.

Guests can choose between welcoming indoor dining spaces and an open outdoor setting, complete with a covered deck for sun-drenched afternoons and serene evening seating beside the romantically lit swimming pool. The kitchen prioritises locally sourced Marlborough produce alongside classic Japanese culinary techniques, while the on-site house bar serves a curated range of local Marlborough wines, domestic and international craft beers, and traditional Japanese sakes and plum wines. Whether stopping by for an intimate dinner, a family gathering, or a relaxed drink by the water, Restaurant Sasa offers a warm and distinctive dining experience in the heart of Blenheim.

Restaurant Sasa: Authentic Japanese Flavours and Poolside Dining in Blenheim

Tucked inside the Riverside Hotel on Nelson Street, Restaurant Sasa provides Blenheim locals and Marlborough travelers with a dedicated Japanese and pan-Asian dining escape. Operating with an ethos grounded in communal eating, Sasa approaches every meal as an opportunity to connect, offering dishes structured around sharing across the table.

From the moment guests arrive, the restaurant presents a welcoming balance between relaxed hospitality and careful culinary craft. Whether taking a seat indoors or settling into the open-air covered deck overlooking the hotel’s swimming pool, the setting provides an atmospheric backdrop for casual evening dinners, celebrations, and gatherings.

A Philosophy Centred on Sharing and Fresh Produce

At the core of Restaurant Sasa is the Asian dining tradition of shared meals. Guided by the classic Confucian sentiment that happiness multiplied among others is greater than being happy alone, the kitchen prepares dishes meant to be passed, sampled, and enjoyed collectively. Rather than strictly Western individual courses, diners are encouraged to assemble a spread of complementary tastes.

The culinary team relies on locally sourced New Zealand produce to anchor the menu, allowing dishes to reflect regional freshness alongside imported Japanese ingredients and seasonings. Because seasonal ingredients guide the kitchen, the menu evolves regularly to showcase what is at its peak.

From Fresh Sashimi to Sizzling Hot Plates

The offerings at Restaurant Sasa span classic Japanese starters, fresh seafood, and robust hot mains. For lighter beginnings, the raw bar supplies sixteen-piece sashimi platters loaded with pristine cuts of fresh fish and sweet scallops, alongside fresh salmon and avocado sushi rolls. Starters such as Nasu Dengaku—grilled eggplant brushed with a rich, caramelised miso glaze—and tender Buta Kakuni braised pork belly demonstrate careful balance across sweet, salty, and umami profiles.

Those looking for interactive, high-heat cooking gravitate toward Sasa's sizzling platters and stone bowls. Sizzling garlic butter scotch fillet arrives sputtering with wok-fried greens, while Korean-influenced dishes like Bulgogi beef showcase tender slices marinated with kiwifruit. In the stone bowl section, traditional Bibimbap bowls arrive piping hot, crisping rice at the base beneath grilled salmon or teriyaki unagi (eel), crowned with a delicate, slow-cooked onsen egg and served with hot miso soup.

Noodle lovers are equally well catered for, with comforting bowls of udon noodle soup filled with tempura vegetables, grilled chicken, wakame seaweed, and soft egg, alongside wok-fried yakisoba noodles.

Poolside Ambience and Marlborough Pairings

Dining at Restaurant Sasa extends beyond the plate to a distinct Marlborough setting. On warm summer evenings, the poolside deck comes alive under ambient evening lighting, offering a tranquil outdoor retreat after a day exploring the region.

To accompany the food, Sasa operates a full house bar stocked with both domestic staples and international selections. Diners can explore Marlborough’s celebrated regional wine list without traveling between cellar doors, or choose from traditional Japanese sakes, crisp imported and craft beers, and sweet Japanese plum wine paired specifically to complement the aromatic spices and umami depth of the dishes. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner service, Restaurant Sasa remains one of Blenheim’s most inviting destinations for authentic Asian dining.

Signature items

• WasaBeef Tataki
• Buta Kakuni
• Squid Chilli Crunch
• Surf n’ Turf Sizzler
• Unagi Bibimbap
• Sashimi Platter

Menu

Starters

• Edamame — Classic steamed soybean pods.
• Chunky Chips — Thick-cut golden potato chips.
• Nasu Dengaku — Grilled eggplant finished with a sweet and savoury miso glaze.
• Agedashi Tofu with Egg Plants — Lightly fried tofu and eggplants served in savoury tsuyu broth.
• Takoyaki Octopus Balls — Japanese savoury octopus balls featuring big, chunky octopus pieces.
• Karaage Nibbles — Crisp Japanese fried chicken pieces served with spicy honey mayo dip.
• Icky Sticky Chicken Nibbles — Korean style crispy chicken bites coated in a sticky glaze with crushed peanuts.
• Angry Birds — Thai style spicy deep-fried chicken wings seasoned with garlic, chilli, and coriander.
• Squid Chilli Crunch — Deep-fried marinated squid tossed with garlic, chilli, and coriander.
• Stuffed Mushrooms — Mushrooms stuffed with seasoned pork mince and finished with ginger oyster sauce.
• WasaBeef Tataki — Eye fillet seared to perfection and subtly flavoured with house wasabi dressing.
• Buta Kakuni — Slow-braised pork belly, cooked until tender, juicy, and flavoursome.
• Kamo-Negi Bao — Crispy duck paired with fresh salad inside two steamed bao buns.
• Gyoza Pan-fried — House-made Japanese pork dumplings pan-fried and served with soy dipping sauce.
• Sui Gyoza — Boiled house pork dumplings served in a garlic sesame soy dipping sauce.
• Tempura Platter — Assorted seafood and fresh vegetables fried in light and crispy tempura batter.
• Salmon Sushi Rolls (8pcs) — Sushi rolls filled with fresh salmon and avocado.
• Sashimi Platter (16pcs) — Chef's selection of assorted fresh fish and delicate scallops.

Rice & Noodles

• Fried Rice Chicken / Prawn — Wok-tossed seasoned fried rice with choice of chicken or prawns.
• Udon Noodle Soup — Noodle soup with tempura vegetables, onsen egg, grilled chicken, and wakame seaweed.

Mains & Burgers

• Smash Burger — House smash burger served with chips.

Sizzlers & Stone Bowls

• Surf n’ Turf — Garlic butter scotch fillet, salmon, and prawns on a sizzling hot plate with rice or chips.
• Sizzling Garlic Butter Scotch Fillet — Scotch fillet steak served on a hot plate with wok-fried beans and rice or chips.
• Sizzling Bulgogi Beef — Sliced beef marinated in kiwifruit dressing and served sizzling with rice.
• Sizzling Yakisoba with Onsen Egg — Wok-fried noodles tossed with pork belly, fresh vegetables, and a soft-boiled onsen egg.
• Unagi Bibimbap Hot Stone Bowl — Teriyaki glazed eel, soft onsen egg, and vegetables served over rice in a hot stone bowl with miso soup.
• Salmon Bibimbap Hot Stone Bowl — Pan-fried teriyaki salmon, vegetables, and rice served in a sizzling hot stone bowl with miso soup.

From The Wok & Deep-Fried

• Tofu Champroo — Rustic Okinawan stir-fry prepared with pork, firm tofu, and vegetables.
• Miso Teriyaki Chicken — Pan-seared chicken glazed in sweet and savoury miso teriyaki sauce.
• Nan Ban Chicken — Deep-fried chicken fillets coated in sweet and sour nanban sauce, topped with rich Japanese tartare sauce.
• Katsu - Chicken or Pork Fillet — Freshly crumbed panko cutlet served with crisp Japanese coleslaw.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Restaurant Sasa located in Blenheim?

Restaurant Sasa is located inside the Riverside Hotel at 20A Nelson Street in Mayfield, Blenheim.

Where should diners park when visiting Restaurant Sasa?

Patrons are kindly requested by the restaurant to park vehicles on Parker Street (accessible via 33 Parker Street).

What are the restaurant's opening hours?

Restaurant Sasa is open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

Can I book a table or order online?

Yes, table reservations can be booked online via ResDiary or Google Reserve, and takeaway orders can be placed online.

Does Restaurant Sasa cater to dietary restrictions like gluten-free diets?

Yes, customer reviews and menus confirm that Restaurant Sasa provides a wide range of gluten-free friendly dining options.

Is outdoor seating available?

Yes, the restaurant features an outdoor covered deck and seating right next to the hotel's swimming pool.

Can the venue host private functions?

Yes, the poolside deck and restaurant facilities are available for private events, weddings, functions, and conferences.

Tips

• {"body":"The restaurant requests that all visiting patrons park on Parker Street at 33 Parker Street for the easiest venue access.","title":"Park on Parker Street"}
• {"body":"Reserve a table on the covered outdoor deck to enjoy a balmy evening dinner alongside the romantically lit swimming pool.","title":"Try the Poolside Deck in Summer"}
• {"body":"Embrace the restaurant's philosophy by ordering a selection of starters, sizzlers, and rolls to share family-style.","title":"Order for the Table to Share"}
• {"body":"Take advantage of the house bar's local Marlborough wine list, imported beers, or traditional Japanese sake and plum wine.","title":"Sample Marlborough Wines or Sake"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Family-friendly sharing plate concept with diverse noodle and rice dishes.","dietary":"Offers a wide range of gluten-free friendly dining options.","parking":"Guest parking requested on Parker Street (33 Parker Street entrance)."}