Best Japanese Restaurants in KL

The teriyaki chicken at Izumi certainly looks the way teriyaki chicken should; dark and rich with the right amount of caramelisation on the chicken pieces. The taste of the chicken certainly matches its visual appeal. The chicken is very succulent. This, coupled with the sweet and salty flavour of the teriyaki marinade, as well as the smokiness from the chicken, all add up to a plate of teriyaki chicken that can't fail to satisfy your taste buds. Adding salad together with this helps to add freshness to the dish and helps to cut through some of the richness in the dish.

Right smack in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, within the Petronas Tower 3 in KLCC, lies a luxurious gem that serves extravagant traditional japanese cuisine with some special Peruvian fusion variants. Acknowledged as a brand of Japanese premium fine-dining, Nobu was started by Japanese celebrity chef and restaurateur, Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa, and veteran actors Robert De Niro and Meir Teper. Nobu KL is the first Nobu restaurant in the region of Southeast Asia. Situated on the 56th floor of the towers, one would be treated to an amazing view of Kuala Lumpur cityscape, especially at night when the city truly comes alive with all the lights. Dishes you should definitely try on your visit here are the Black Cod Miso, Tuna Tataki with Ponzu, Salmon Sashimi New Style, White Fish Tiradito, and Toro Tartar with Caviar.

Thriving in a quiet unseen corner, this neighborhood Japanese restaurant serves ever praiseworthy dishes; from sashimi, maki, sushi, to dons (ricebowls). The ingredients always tastes as fresh as they can be. What makes Nihon Kai great is that the value of their set meals are so worth the price you are paying for; they have different sets for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant layout and design is a mix of both traditional and modern, as the private rooms have blinds, bamboo flooring and floor tables but the common walk-in area has nicely lined up tables and chairs. It is always busy when they begin service so the atmosphere may feel a little hectic.

Kamikura is one restaurant serving japanese cuisine whose regular customers come from the many offices surrounding it at Menara Weld Shopping Centre on the 2nd floor within Kuala Lumpur. The authenticity and originality in this place reflects exactly those of Japan, and many visiting from japan enjoy visiting this place as it replicates what is at home so well. The price range here is about middle, between the most bang for your buck and premium. 

Introducing a traditional method of slurping through some icy cold noodles from a flowing stream, Tsubohachi allows you to relish in this playful and immersive experience. Using your precision dexterity to pick up your noodles flowing through a cold stream- simulated by the apparatus; you get a refreshing serving of cold noodles dipped in shoyu sauce and sided with fruits and tempura. 

The one thing that would make a dish even better is if cheese is incorporated into it somehow. That is the case with Ishin’s Kaki Cheese Yaki. The name literally means Cheese Grilled Oysters, and it is a creamy heaven in a shell. The dish is served in the oyster shell itself of fresh chewy oysters with a concoction of cream, cheese, onions and mushrooms. More than a generous portion, having one is enough to sample its exquisite taste. Another popular dish is the Sakura Soba; soba noodles served on a bed of ice to stay fresh and a cup filled with soba with spring onions and wasabi served separately, for patrons to dunk the noodles in. The amount of spring onions and wasabi is according to individual preference. This refreshingly cold dish is just a joy to eat on a hot day.

A restaurant situated at perhaps one of the busiest places in Kuala Lumpur; Nu Sentral, a mall that is directly linked to the hub of travel where almost every foreign traveler or daily commuter would pass through coming into the city. Sushi Zanmai has been praised for their consistent quality in food and service when dining in, and also how convenient it is to reach a place that satisfies anyone's craving for delicious japanese cuisine while on the go. 

Taka by Sushi Saito, once highly anticipated to come over to the shores of Malaysia, this high end and prestigious restaurant that was awarded (3) Three Michelin Stars can be reach at the luxurious St Regis Hotel. Best known for the extravagant quality and top notched taste of each dish they serve, the staff service is equally exemplary. All this praise, however, is expected given the premium prices that comes along with a reputable high quality restaurant. Though the general public might not find the trade off between price and value worth while, you cannot deny that if someone ever walks into Taka, they would be served royally.

Aragan Yokocho, located at the Quill Cuty Mall in Kuala Lumpur, is the first largest Japanese restaurant in Malaysia with different dining areas, each section is themed after the four seasons that Japan experiences throughout the year. The restaurant focuses on Japanese Boutique Cuisine. The restaurant boasts to introduce and have more than 200 types of dishes. Every week, fresh seafood is continuously imported from Japan directly from all of the different districts and prefectures to truly present what japanese cuisine has to offer as a whole. So you can expect a high standard of quality in the ingredients and taste the dishes the way they were made to be tasted; thus emphasising on Authenticity.

Tabe Tomo is the in place for those who are always looking for the latest. Stepping up into the restaurant reveals a space where fine cuisine meets a Yakitori bar. This means you're up for imported beer, whiskey and refined Japanese dishes off the honed skills of the chefs. Speaking of which, Tabe Tomo boasts an open kitchen concept where customers and wow in the presence of flames and silverware that sculpts the very meal they're having. 

Dubbed as the best omakase sushi restaurant in KL, Oribe Sushi offers an authentic fine dining sushi bar experience. Situated in the middle of the city, Oribe serves the freshest ingredients and seafood flown in directly from Japan for those that who places an emphasis on high quality ingredients. 

Ozeki offers a variety of Japanese cuisine ranging from fresh seafood imported from Japan’s famous Tsukiji fish market to Japanese household staples such as sukiyaki hot pot and chicken katsu curry rice. Even with variety, Ozeki presents the dishes with their own flair for a sense of distinctiveness. 

With it’s cosy and casual ambience, this place offers a wide array of authentic Japanese food native to Enoshima, Japan in KL. The restaurant is themed accordingly to Enoshima, a small island off the coast of Japan. The interior is provides an atmosphere of a beach bar perfect for casual social gatherings so all you need is good company and a cup of beer to go along with servings of okonomiyaki, various sauteed vegetables and nabe hot pots. 

Tucked away cosily inside Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur, Tatsu Japanese cuisine is the epitome of Japanese fine dining with it’s dark timber interior which includes a sushi and sake bar alongside several private rooms to complete the experience. Tatsu aims to put a sophisticated twist to the traditional cuisine for a contemporary yet conventional blend.

Situated in Kuala Lumpur’s Japanese food haven in Lot 10 is a traditional fine dining sushi bar. Michelin starred in it’s New York City joint, Sushi Azabu is bringing it’s unique and authentic taste to Kuala Lumpur. It’s light wooden interior complete with Japanese shoji walls maximizes the traditional sushi bar experience! 

If you’re intrigued by what a typical Japanese household eats in a day, Saisai is the place to go! For a casual and relaxing dining experience, Saisai is making a statement with their home styled cooking as they bring comfort with their food such as ramen,oden, grilled fishes and many more.

Toridoki may look like your typical Japanese izakaya. However, they specialises in yakitori or freshly grilled chicken skewers on a charcoal grill! Guests will be able to choose from a variety of chicken parts for their yakitori alongside with many other izakaya staples such as gyoza, tamagoyaki, various sauteed vegetables and different kinds of hot pots! Be sure to grab a cup of draft beer to go with your yakitori for the ultimate izakaya experience!

It’s not an exaggeration to say Ippudo Ramen serves one of the best authentic Japanese ramen, since they won an award for ‘World’s Greatest Ramen King Finals’ aired by TBS to be crowned the first “Ramen King” according to their website! From ramen, takoyaki, salmon roll, sushi, to desserts, Ippudo Ramen serves a broad range of Japanese food that will make you feel like ordering everything from the menu! 

If you’re on a budget and you’re craving for some Japanese food, Sushi Jiro is the place for you! Sushi Jiro offers over a hundred choices of sushi flavours with affordable price. From sushi to garlic rice, crab meat to octopus, your plates will be stacked at the end of your meal! 

As the name suggest, Ri-Yakitori is known to serve Japanese’s grilled chicken on skewers, which is called Yakitori. Located inside Gardens Mall, the tenderness and the flavour of the chicken skewers will make your mouth-water. Besides chicken, beef and vegetables skewers, Ri-Yakitori serves classic Japanese dishes to satisfy your Japanese food cravings! What are you waiting for? Stop by at Ri-Yakitori to try out their famous Yakitori!

Located in Grand Millenium Kuala Lumpur, Hanaya offers authentic Japanese experience when it comes to their dishes and atmosphere. The food selections on their menu are such as Japanese Premium Wagyu Steak, Sukiyaki, Sashimi and more that will make you drool! The interior of the restaurant is designed in earthen tones that will make guests feel welcomed and comfortable. 

Located in Four Seasons Place, Sushi Hibiki is a high-end Japanese restaurant that serves premium and authentic dishes by using fresh and high-quality ingredients from Japan. Guests can choose from the Hibiki course (Omakase), Iki course (10 pieces sushi course), Miyabi course (Premium Omakase) or Kiwami course (Chef’s special Omakase). Everything served here is excellent and a paradise for those who loves Japanese cuisine!