The Best Japanese Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Aptly named the House of Happiness, you will definitely leave Fukuya with a big smile on your face after dining here. Set up to resemble the home of a wealthy Japanese family, you can dine in peace while enjoying views of the beautifully designed courtyard surrounded by mock houses and secret corridors. Known for its Kaiseki, a multi-course traditional Japanese dinner, Fukuya uses only fresh seasonal ingredients and dishes are prepared to abide to strict traditional methods. There are four options for the Kaiseki menu, including wa-fuku, sushi and omakase. Other items on the menu include lunch and dinner sets, sashimi platters, maki and desserts. The beautiful setting serves as the perfect backdrop to such a pleasurable dining experience.

Take a seat behind the sushi bar, where you can watch Chef Ori slickly slice through fresh fishes flown-in from Japan and deftly shape them into delectable bites. The elegant atmosphere, paired with exquisite flavours from the dishes, has attracted quite a crowd in Kuala Lumpur. Chef Ori is not one to sacrifice quality and tradition. No sugar is used for the sushi rice, and like many top Japanese restaurants in the area, pickled gingers are handmade and wasabi is freshly grinded. The menu is fairly simple at Oribe. Lunch and dinner menu each offers five multi-course options, including omakase. For beverage, you can choose from their selection of Japanese beer, sake and shochu as well as red wine, white wine and soft drinks.

Sometimes all we want is a simple, homey meal. Away from the city centre, Uokatsu is located at Sri Hartamas and has been a favourite among residents in the neighbourhood. With simple furnishing, this no-fuss restaurant serves delicious fresh food at reasonable prices. Some of their highlights include the mentai rice – mentai topped on egg on a bowl of rice; and homemade air-dry saba, which has a deeper flavour than normal grilled saba. The menu here boasts a number of don dishes, fresh sashimi, and grilled seafood.

Usually sought after for its extensive menu, you can find authentic Japanese dishes of fresh quality using seafood flown directly from Tsukiji fish market at Hanare. Located in the city centre, it is a popular choice for business gatherings as well as family events, with its classy and homey settings. Favourites here are definitely the fresh sashimi, wagyu beef and oysters. The icing on the cake? Hanare offers a Sunday buffet brunch where you can enjoy all their delicacies

Bocosan, located in Bangsar South, brings a refreshing take on izakaya with its contemporary Japanese food. The sophisticated interior is designed to bring friends, family and coworkers together over delicious food and drinks. Even with the modern design, the restaurant clearly practices the Japanese philosophy of attention to detail and minimalism. For lunch, you can find a variety of rice and noodle sets, appetisers, soups, salads, maki, sashimi, nigiri and desserts. Some of the highlights on the dinner menu include the Hamachi Carpaccio (thinly sliced yellowtail sashimi with truffle salt), Bocosan Wagyu Don and Bone-in Short Rib Ramen.

Hailing all the way from New York City’s Manhattan, Sushi Azabu is a cozy, fuss-free sushi restaurant at The Table, Isetan Lot 10. In NYC, this eight-seat sushi bar is a one-star Michelin gem. In KL, it exudes the same level of detail to ingredients and flavours. Seafood is imported from Japan two to three times a week for an authentic Japanese sushi experience. It is recommended that the seafood and fish dishes are eaten as served without any additional soy sauce or wasabi, as the chef has seasoned them before serving. Reservations are required and walk-ins will not be entertained.