A place with potential but needs some rethinking
From the website the food looked delicious, but in reality it really missed the mark for me. If you don't mind a mediocre food that is very much doused in MSG then go on ahead and dine here. On arrival I was instantly unimpressed with the interior - though Japanese themed it was lacking dining "ambience". I got that I wasn't walking into a 5 star restaurant, but it just felt oddly all over the place. Seating area was very uncomfortable and tables lacked even the little dining touches like a bamboo placemat? .... ambient lighting ~ found overheads blaring hard on the eyes....and some quieter music Japanese perhaps....
I have eaten (and served) at a lot of dining establishments worldwide ~ from low to high end, and would rate this as a sit in take away bar with an overhead oriental theme going on in the upside down parasols that at best needs Japanese music quietly in the background, not pop music!! In my opinion it could do with just a wee bit of tweaking, to make a few improvements in the kitchen and front of house. So I hope this HONEST review really helps. It isn't meant to be mean. I know people are trying hard.
When I was seated I was waiting to be given the menu but my drinks order was taken and no menu brought. After a few minutes I realised the plastic placemat (?) menu for sushi was THE menu and the rest was on the back. My bad. The drinks menu was a thin little booklet standing on the table. with a very limited wine list. Saki offered. Chopsticks provided and European cutlery in a wooden holder against the wall.
Food arrived promptly, but it did not look as appetizing as the photos on the website or taste freshly cooked. The Seaweed salad was served in a coconut half shell. Interesting but salty. And my chicken on skewers was in a very salty sauce. It was overpowered with salty and sugary sauces. I have eaten at more authentic Japanese restaurants and this was clearly bought in food, heated up and just covered in a suspicious MSG infusion. If not, it gives that impression. Very sticky hands after eating our appetizers....may I suggest offering a lemon finger dip bowl and flannel? Or some wipes of some kind.... I really felt embarrassed for my guest.
Service was fine. Staff were polite and helpful. Very helpful.
SOME of the prices were reasonable. It is not terribly expensive, but please put some freshly cooked food on the menu and lower the lights and theme the music and it could be miles better. You are the only Japanese restaurant in Paisley so put yourself on the map! People won't mind paying a bit more for better quality food and atmosphere .