How Zushi Maintained Premium Service Standards While Handling Complex Dietary Questions
Zushi delivers Japanese cuisine with confidence – even when guests have complex dietary needs.
RESTAURANT TYPE
Premium Japanese Dining
Zushi operates two premium Japanese restaurants in Sydney – Barangaroo and Surry Hills – offering a stylish dining experience inspired by traditional Japanese izakayas. The venues attract a diverse clientele, including corporate professionals hosting business lunches, couples celebrating special occasions, and groups of friends or families gathering for birthdays and events. Guests expect consistently high-quality service that aligns with the premium feel of the venue.
THE CHALLENGE
The menu offers a broad mix of dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients – including sushi, sashimi, signature rolls, and share-style plates like pork gyoza and honey prawns. There are also tasting menus and seasonal specials available throughout the year.
However, Japanese cuisine often includes complex ingredients that many Australian diners may not be familiar with. Guests frequently ask for detailed information about allergens and dietary requirements, which takes staff additional time to confirm. This can slow down service and impact the overall dining experience. Inconsistent or unclear information may also reduce customer confidence—particularly among those with specific dietary needs.
THE SOLUTION
Maintaining Service Excellence with Dietary Clarity
To make things easier, Zushi introduced Foodini at both venues – a tool that gives instant access to detailed dietary and allergen info for every dish.
Now, if a guest wants to know whether the chicken karaage contains gluten or if the agedashi tofu is vegan-friendly, the answer is just a quick scan away. The Digital Allergen Menu, available via QR code, gives both staff and guests clear, accurate info in seconds – without slowing down service.
Foodini also digitised the full menu with complete ingredient breakdowns, making it much simpler for staff to manage even the trickiest Japanese dishes with ease. No more second-guessing whether the tempura batter has egg, or if the ponzu sauce is suitable for vegans.
"At Zushi, we approach dietary needs with the same confidence and care as we do our premium wagyu sourcing. That's what sets our service apart. Our guests trust us because they know they will be looked after—there are no awkward moments where someone is left without an option."
Serena Ang-Jablonski
Co-Owner & General Manager, Zushi Group
THE RESULTS
Foodini helped Zushi maintain their premium service standards while actually improving their ability to serve diverse dietary needs. Large group bookings, including corporate functions and parties, increased by 15% as clients gained confidence that their guests' requirements would be handled seamlessly.
The biggest win? Staff now spend 80% less time on dietary questions while providing more accurate information. It's helped create a smoother, more confident dining experience and made it easier to meet the growing demand for dietary transparency.
Faster Service
Confidence Boost
for dietary inquiries and client bookings
LOOKING AHEAD
Expanding Premium Service to Catering
With both restaurant locations running smoothly, Zushi is expanding Foodini's dietary management to their private dining and corporate catering services. The same confidence that serves individual diners now supports larger corporate events where dietary accommodations can make or break business relationships.