The 6 Best Japanese Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The careful preparation and precise flavors of Japanese cuisine are very popular among Malaysians. That’s why today, we’re listing the best Japanese restaurants in Malaysia to appease your craving for Jap food!
When someone tells you, “I’m in the mood for some Japanese”, just show them this list of the best Japanese Restaurants in Malaysia. We guarantee you can get your tempura, sushi, and sashimi fix at these places.
1. Oribe
| BEST FOR | special omakase, sushi and seafood. |
| PRODUCTS | Menu |
| WEBSITE | Oribe |
| ADDRESS | Vipod Residences, Ground Floor Block C-1, No 6, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +60321814099 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Sat: 12-3pm, 6-11pm |
Come here and you can watch Chef Ori slicing fresh fish sourced directly from Japan, shaping them into something delicious.
Dining at Oribe is straightforward: there are 5 multi-course options for lunch and dinner, including omakase. Their new head Chef/Master Chef is Chef Naoya Kawasaki.
For drinks, you are offered selections of Japanese beer, sake and shochu, as well as red wine and white wine.
Highlights
- Sushi is the key!
Customer Reviews
Here’s a review from a satisfied Oribe customer:
Truly the best counter experience in KL. Excellent food and banter at the sushi counter to guarantee an enjoyable meal every time. Serving fresh seasonal ingredients from Japan. Service is impeccable. The torched flounder sushi ( aka Oh my God! Fish) is a must!
And here’s another one:
Went to KL for a business trip and was so happy that I decided to try Sushi Oribe. Sat by the counter and an amazing omakase journey began. Chef Naoya was engaged, friendly and humorous. Plate after plate served in a nice pace. Each dish was fresh and flavorful and Chef Naoya explained with each dish he served the ingredients and where they’re sourced – the ingredients were fresh and of high quality! Service was excellent and attentive. Definitely I will visit Sushi Oribe again when I am back to KL.
2. Sushi Hinata
| BEST FOR | Sashimi and sushi platters, grilled dishes, tempura and dessert, omakase. |
| PRODUCTS | Menu |
| WEBSITE | Sushi Hinata |
| ADDRESS | Ground Floor St, 1, Jalan Tengah, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +60320221347 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tue-Sun 12:30-3pm, 6-11pm |
Treat yourself to premium-quality classic Japanese meals at Sushi Hinata. Their fresh seasonal ingredients are known among sushi enthusiasts.
Prepping is done passionately here, from quality control of ingredients that come straight from Japan to creating their own pickles. Hinata’s chefs pride themselves on their culture and tradition.
Most ingredients are sourced from Japan too, just like the mirin and soy sauce that is from Aichi prefecture. Their wasabi is grown and hand-ground fresh at the base of Mount Fuji.
Hinata offers a wide variety of Japanese goodies. That’s why it’s one of the best Japanese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.
Highlights
- Fresh wasabi that you don’t find just anywhere else
Customer Reviews
Here’s a review from a Hinata patron:
“Came here for my bestie’s birthday celebration. Serve fresh omakase and they do offer catch of the day menu too. Taste good but slightly expensive. Overall a good restaurant and suitable for those who really want to try out those traditional japanese cuisine.”
And here’s another one:
“My wife and I ate the Chef special. 350RM each, was a bit expensive but very well worth it. Best Japanese food I’ve ever tasted. Our lady chef who served our food was brilliant, she explained what each fish was. Highly recommended.”
3. Uokatsu
| BEST FOR | Mentai rice, air-dry saba, |
| PRODUCTS | |
| WEBSITE | Uokatsu |
| ADDRESS | Malaysia, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Sri Hartamas, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, B-0-7, Ground Floor Plaza Damas 3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +60 3-6201 0339 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Sun 12-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm |
If you’re looking for something simple and homey, then Uokatsu is the place for you.
Located at Sri Hartamas, away from the central district, Uokatsu is one of the locals’ favourites in the area. With simple interiors, this hassle-free restaurant serves fresh Japanese food at fair prices.
Try getting their mentai rice — mentai topped on egg on a bowl of rice; as well as their homemade air-dry saba, which has a darker and richer flavor than normal grilled saba.
Some other offerings include don dishes, fresh sashimi, and grilled seafood to top it all. See why it’s one of the best Japanese restaurants in KL?
Highlights
- Fresh classic Japanese food on the menu
Customer Reviews
Here is a review from an Uokatsu customer:
“Laid back and basic Japanese food. Fast and efficient service. A little difficult to find if you are not familar with the area but worth the effort. Fish is fresh and tasty. We had mentai rice,saba,salmon,kampachi and unagi. Great food.”
And here’s another one:
“Mentai rice is a must! Portion seems small but it’s just right (for me). Grilled ocean trout belly is fantastic, it’s so soft and flaky (one of the best in klang valley). Sashimi was really fresh and price is very reasonable!!! Salad was decent, just your usual salad. But what amazed me the most was the Grilled Saba Fish. It’s super soft, unlike your usual dry saba you get from other places. And it is only RM6.70 per portion, what a steal! Would definitely come back again.”
4. Hanare
| BEST FOR | Fresh sashimi, wagyu beef and oysters |
| PRODUCTS | Menu |
| WEBSITE | Hanare |
| ADDRESS | Vista Tower 182, Jalan Tun Razak, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +60321642133 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Sun 12-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm |
Usually in demand and visited for its wide selections, Hanare offers Malaysians food you can’t find just anywhere else. Fresh, high-quality seafood flown from Tsukiji Market in Japan is the star of the show in this restaurant.
Stationed in the downtown area, it’s a familiar choice for lunch with its modern and cosy interior. Seafood lovers consider it among the best Japanese restaurants in KL.
Highlights
- Fresh seafood from Tsukiji Market
Customer Reviews
Here are a few thoughts from a Hanare customer:
“Had the Wagyu Beef Teppanyaki set during my lunch hour – the beef was tender and not overcooked (I asked for medium). Loved the miso soup. Very good service and the ambience is quiet and calm except for the occasional staff greetings to arriving customers.”
And here’s more:
“I can’t seems to find fresh sashimi like what i eat in Japan back home. Missing it so much.. until a friend recommended Hanare. Hanare air flown fresh seafood from Tsukiji market twice a week. I am so happy and leaving Hanare full of satisfaction after trying their Hanare Kiku Dining set. I will definitely going back! Oishiii!!!”
5. Bari-Uma Ramen
| BEST FOR | Their ramen soups |
| PRODUCTS | Menu |
| WEBSITE | Bari-uma |
| ADDRESS | 7.101.01 & S7.101.00 Pavilion Elite, 168, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +60321642133 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Sun 12-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm |
Do you like nori, or something light like shoyo? How about something spicy like Kara?
If you’re having a hard time finding these, we suggest going to Bari-Uma Ramen.
They say the soul of a ramen exists in the soup. Using hig-quality soy sauce as the base, with thoroughly selected ingredients like chicken feet and pork bones, Bari-Uma Ramen consistently comes up with a delicious broth that makes people come back for more.
From the first slurp of the broth, the intense savory flavour will be amazing until the very last drop.
Highlights
- Their oh, so tasty soup is the best!
Customer Reviews
“totally can’t resist for Bari-Uma Ramen, you can’t even say NO for this! Best ramen I ever had so far, so rich flavours and super thick soup.”
“Recommended place for Ramen especially if you prefer the pork based soup and their Ishiyaki-Chaofan i also love it… yummy!!”
6. Tori Doki
| BEST FOR | Chicken and duck dishes |
| PRODUCTS | Menu |
| WEBSITE | http://toridoki.net/ |
| ADDRESS | No40, Jalan 24 / 70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS | + 60-3-6206-4676 / + 60-12-937-3754 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Lunch (Only Sat. & Sun.): 12: 00 noon 〜 2:30 pm (Last order) Dinner: 5:30 pm 〜 10:30 pm (Last order) |
Are you craving for authentic Japanese cuisine? Not quite sure what you want to get, be it something grilled or a dish with broth? Well, there’s no reason to fret since Tori Doki has got them all.
While the restaurant is most known for their Yakitori, particularly the chicken skewers, their other dishes are extremely noteworthy as well. Each one brings along flavours that only Japanese cuisine can offer — the entire experience made better by the perfect ambiance as well as a staff that works to deliver your food quickly.
Highlights
- Yummy yakitoris!
- Quick service
- Friendly staff
Customer Reviews
Here are some of what happy customers have said about Tori Doki:
“ToriDoki is most known for their yakitori. Their food quality is pretty good, probably one of the better yakitori places in the area. However, having a meal here can be a little expensive, since the serving size is relatively small, as with most yakitori places.”
“The yakitoris were great. The staff were friendly and service was fast. It is best to make reservation as it is always busy!”
“Second time here already, and the food never disappoints. It’s the juiciest Toriyaki you can find . Price is a bit high, but will be worth it for important occasions.”
It’s time to free some space in your tummy and be ready to get a taste of Japan with these favourites.
We know it’s really inconvenient when you’re craving some sushi or sashimi and there are a lot of places to choose from, but we’ve done the hard part picking the best Japanese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur!
If you think you’re up for the challenge of eating all the Japanese food you can, though, check out the best Japanese buffets in Malaysia for your next meal instead!
*Images sourced from featured websites