10 Top Japanese Restaurants in Johannesburg

The Big Mouth in Nelson Mandela Square is the perfect date-night spot. The beautifully decorated restaurant boasts a white marble sushi bar complete with a conveyor belt. The menu is large and includes many contemporary options, but the poke bowls and sushi are definitely the stars of the show. Be sure to try the salmon skin futomaki.

This modern Asian eatery has branches all over South Africa. Everything from the sushi to the dessert and the décor is top notch. The miso soup is a great start to your meal, and the variety of small plates is perfect for sharing. There’s also a large sushi menu.

Since opening in 2000, Yamitsuki in Bedfordview has gained popularity and continues to impress patrons. The menu includes all kinds of noodles, as well as yakitori grilled chicken kebabs and a large teppanyaki grill selection.

Kong in the Fourways neighbourhood is one of the most recommended Asian restaurants in Johannesburg. The sushi is out of this world, and happy customers always leave with a smile. They also have an extensive cocktail menu. Their signature marinated tuna nigiri is one of the best dishes on the menu.

Hashi fuses Japanese and South American cuisine to create interesting fresh dishes that’ll take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. You’re guaranteed to go back for more. Think tuna curry, salmon kitzu, gyoza, all the sushi you can eat and much more.

Yamato serves some of the freshest sushi and sashimi this side of Japan and has won a variety of awards. They have 10 set menus that allow you to taste a range of their dishes, but the donburi (rice bowl) is a must.

Japanese-trained chef Hajime Kikuchi opened Japa in 1998, and the offering is nothing short of amazing. From the osui mono soup and the su udon, to the wide range of rice dishes and sushi, Kikuchi whips up some of the tastiest food in Johannesburg.

Everyone in Johannesburg is familiar with the food scene in Norwood; when looking for a tasty bite to eat in a bustling neighbourhood, this is the area to go. Hokkaido serves traditional sushi and tempura, as well as a wide variety of lesser known and exotic dishes, including soups, salads and teppanyaki.

At this restaurant-slash-spa-slash-beauty-salon, visitors can book a massage and enjoy an authentic Japanese meal all in one go. The colourful décor includes wallpaper displaying Asian landscapes and bamboo trees scattered all over. The menu is large and includes a variety of rice options, as well as six tasty (and complimentary) table sauces to accompany your meal. Try the salmon sushi doughnut with avocado and cucumber—it won’t disappoint.

YuMe is known for their exciting sushi offerings at branches scattered all over the city. The sushi menu is large and includes traditional dishes, as well as more adventurous options. Try the reload roll, which is a rainbow roll drizzled with teriyaki, sushi mayo, tobiko and topped with sesame seeds. In addition to sushi, YuMe also serves delectable hot dishes, such as chicken katsu, chilli teriyaki beef fillet and customised noodle bowls. Keep an eye on their social media pages and website to be sure you don’t miss out on their many promotions.