Hibachi vs Mugen Sushi:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Mugen Sushi had more branded searches than Hibachi among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand. Mugen Sushi had about 4,500 branded searches, while Hibachi had 390. Mugen Sushi made up 17.2% of all Christchurch Japanese restaurant searches we track, and Hibachi accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Christchurch Japanese restaurants, Hibachi appeared in two of the three answers and Mugen Sushi in none.
Who do people search for more?
Mugen Sushi, about 12 searches for every 1 for Hibachi
Who does AI mention more?
Hibachi, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Mugen Sushi in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Hibachi, 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, Hibachi 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 Hibachi or Mugen Sushi more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hibachi 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 Mugen Sushi, Hibachi. 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 Hibachi and Mugen Sushi changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Mugen Sushi was ahead of Hibachi in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Hibachi’s share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand moved from 1.2% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 390.
- 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, Mugen Sushi lost share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand, from 18.2% to 17.2%.
In October 2026, Hibachi lost share of searches among Christchurch Japanese restaurants in New Zealand, from 2.1% to 1.5%.
How are Hibachi’s and Mugen Sushi’s branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hibachi’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.
Hibachi
1 branded search term
- hibachi christchurch
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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