Bar Yoku vs Mugen Sushi:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Bar Yoku had more branded searches than Mugen Sushi among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand. Bar Yoku had about 8,100 branded searches, while Mugen Sushi had 4,500. Bar Yoku made up 30.9% of all Christchurch Japanese restaurant searches we track, and Mugen Sushi accounted for 17.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Christchurch Japanese restaurants, Bar Yoku appeared in two of the three answers and Mugen Sushi in none.
Who do people search for more?
Bar Yoku, about 80% more searches than Mugen Sushi
Who does AI mention more?
Bar Yoku, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Mugen Sushi in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Bar Yoku, the only one of the two named
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Top Christchurch Japanese restaurants in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Bar Yoku was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Mugen Sushi did not appear in any of the three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Kinji1st
Sakimoto Japanese Bistro2nd
Bar Yoku3rd
Tanoshi4th
Hibachi5th
Mugen Sushi–
Tomi–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sakimoto Japanese Bistro3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Kinji3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Bar Yoku2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Tanoshi2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Hibachi2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Mugen Sushi0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Tomi0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about Christchurch Japanese restaurants
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Japanese restaurant should I go to in Christchurch, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Japanese restaurants in Christchurch, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Japanese restaurant in Christchurch, New Zealand for a sushi meal?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“japanese restaurants christchurch”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sushi christchurch”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Bar Yoku or Mugen Sushi more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bar Yoku and Mugen Sushi by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Christchurch Japanese restaurants we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Bar Yoku, Mugen Sushi. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bar Yoku | Tanoshi | Mugen Sushi | Sakimoto Japanese Bistro | Kinji | Hibachi | Tomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 31.4% | 25.6% | 17.9% | 14.5% | 9.4% | 1.2% | 0.12% |
| Dec 2025 | 27.8% | 27.8% | 17.3% | 15.6% | 10% | 1.3% | 0.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.5% | 25% | 17.4% | 14% | 11.2% | 1.8% | 0.12% |
| Feb 2026 | 34% | 22.6% | 16% | 12.7% | 12.4% | 2% | 0.17% |
| Mar 2026 | 35% | 23.3% | 16.9% | 13.2% | 10.3% | 1.1% | 0.18% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.3% | 24.7% | 19% | 13.9% | 10.9% | 1.2% | 0.15% |
| May 2026 | 39.7% | 21.7% | 16.8% | 12.1% | 7.7% | 1.9% | 0.16% |
| Jun 2026 | 35.2% | 23.5% | 17.7% | 10.8% | 10.5% | 2.1% | 0.26% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.7% | 25.9% | 17.6% | 11.7% | 11.4% | 1.5% | 0.16% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.1% | 26.1% | 16.6% | 11.9% | 11.6% | 1.5% | 0.12% |
| Sep 2026 | 35% | 23.3% | 18.2% | 10.8% | 10.4% | 2.1% | 0.13% |
| Oct 2026 | 30.9% | 25.2% | 17.2% | 14% | 11.1% | 1.5% | 0.11% |
How has branded search for Bar Yoku and Mugen Sushi changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Bar Yoku was ahead of Mugen Sushi in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Bar Yoku’s share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand moved from 31.4% to 30.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 8.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Mugen Sushi’s share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand moved from 17.9% to 17.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.6K to 4.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Christchurch Japanese restaurants in October 2026?
2 changes

In October 2026, Bar Yoku lost share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand, from 35% to 30.9%.

In October 2026, Mugen Sushi lost share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand, from 18.2% to 17.2%.
How are Bar Yoku’s and Mugen Sushi’s branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bar Yoku’s and Mugen Sushi’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Bar Yoku
1 branded search term
- bar yoku
Mugen Sushi
7 branded search terms
- mugen sushi
- mugen sushi burnside
- mugen sushi cbd
- mugen sushi menu
- mugen sushi moorhouse
- mugen sushi restaurant
- mugen sushi wigram
Other head-to-heads among Christchurch Japanese restaurants

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