Hiraku Japanese Bistro

Good ramen… had the spicy pork! Place is a little hard to find but it’s well worth it once located.

After a recent ownership change, I was hesitant about the new Hiraku Japanese, the old one had been a staple for many months, but the food at the new Hiraku is even better!
ALL food is made-​to-​order, including the sushi! It’s well worth it, the sushi tastes incredibly fresh and almost the same price as before AND you get a massive serving.
The miso soup is super yummy and never watery.
The lunch menu is great. All the classics (teriyaki chicken, katsu chicken etc.) and comes with rice, salad and miso soup for under $ 10. I’m working my way through it.
The interiors have on a more traditional Japanese vibe that sort of clashes with the modern building style, but it is easily made up for by the food.
Also, they play a lot of Queen…(?)
Overall, love the new food. Hiraku is still my staple lunch.

I almost missed this place because it is set back from the street quite a bit. The place is very clean and tidy and well stocked. I decided on the Katsudon which is $ 9.80. I ate in and was served promptly while I watched some K-​pop (I think) on the tv inside.
The Katsudon was delicious, not overdone as sometimes it can be with just the right amount of sauce, though next time I may skip on the mayonnaise part of the sauce. They have burgers which start at $ 8.90, but I would suggest to go for the rice combo because you can always have a burger… well not a katsu burger but you know what I mean. I will be back the next time I’m in the area, or I may even make a trip just to eat here.

The Bento Box Combo cost between $ 8.50 — $ 9.50 including rice, salad and a drink. The Burger Combo cost $ 9.90 with chips and a drink. Great value! The favorite of the day was the Chicken Katsu Burger with crunchy chicken piece (huge I may add), mayo and lettuce. Simple but yummy!
My other favorite on the menu was the side of Crispy Squid Tentacles ($ 4.50). They indeed were very crispy and huge bonus with the big dollop of japanese mayo on the side! More please!
The Green Tea Ice Cream with Azuki Beans came in a cone — that was the best dessert out of the three. The Crème Brulee and Marble Cake were on the average side, maybe too fusiony for me!
Overall it was a great lunch with good value food, great atmosphere and friendly service. Good choice for something quick, or fast food fusion, japanese in a burger!

After hearing about this place online and walking past most mornings, I went for lunch.
Hiraku Japanese Bistro offer sushi, desserts, burgers and bentos (with a ramen menu coming in the winter too!).
The layout is spacious and colourful, and the staff are extremely friendly.
I got a pork tonkatsu burger combo — which is a burger, chips and drink deal for $ 9.90. Talk about value — I didn’t need dinner! The burger was huge, the chips were huge and seasoned with seaweed and seasalt, and a regular canned sugar cane drink. YUM! Best chips i’ve had in ages.
I will definitely be coming back here!