10 best Japanese restaurants in JB
After developing a love for sashimi, I’ve been constantly craving its umami flavour paired with a refreshing touch of wasabi. For a while now, I’ve been on a quest to discover good Japanese restaurants in the city to satisfy my cravings, whether it’s sashimi, donburi, or ramen— basically, all types of Japanese cuisine you can imagine.
So, I’m excited to share my list of the 10 best Japanese restaurants in JB with those who, like me, have a passion for Japanese food. These spots are sure to satisfy your cravings until you can make the trip to Japan itself.
1. Hanazen Japanese Restaurant
The understated facade of Hanazen Japanese Restaurant often goes unnoticed amidst the lively street of Mount Austin. However, beneath its unassuming exterior lies a treasure trove of affordably-priced Japanese delicacies.
The restaurant offers a variety of traditional Japanese dishes that are not extravagant, yet delightful in their own right. One of my personal favourites, Zaru Cha Soba (RM11.90), stood out for its excellent flavour. The soba noodles were served with a dipping sauce accompanied by raw quail egg, grated radish, spring onion, and crispy tempura bits, adding a unique texture to the dish.
For rice enthusiasts, Hanazen Omu Rice (RM18.90) is a must-try, featuring a Japanese curry with a rich gravy that truly whets the appetite. It is topped with an omu egg that adds a fragrant touch to the dish. Alternatively, indulge in their signature Salmon Volcano Roll (RM24.90), where salmon maki is artfully stacked into a pyramid shape, drizzled generously with cheese sauce and lightly torched for a subtle, aromatic finish.
28, Jln Austin Heights 8/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6011 2055 6506
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
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2. Don House
Japanese cuisine offers diversity beyond sashimi, sushi, and soba. If you’re a fan of donburi, Don House Japanese Restaurant in Mount Austin is the perfect destination for you, as the name suggests.
As a fan of unagi, I always seize any opportunity to indulge in this tantalising dish, and at this eatery, the Tamago Don-Una (RM18.90) offers just the right option. The aromatic pearl rice is topped with a piece of fried egg and small cubes of unagi, all drizzled with teriyaki sauce. Mixing everything together creates a heavenly bite of rice that’s truly enjoyable. Additionally, the dish comes with a bowl of miso soup.
Alongside their specialisation in don, the restaurant also offers a variety of ramen flavours. For those who enjoy fusion dishes, the Smoked Duck Ramen (RM17.90) is a great choice. It features 5 pieces of smoked duck and an onsen egg on top of the noodles, garnished with fresh green onions.
27, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+607 361 2995
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
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3. Okuya Ramen
Okuya Ramen is a neighbourhood ramen shop tucked away in unassuming shop houses at Taman Daya. Occupying only half a shop lot, the humble eatery has garnered significant positive reviews online for its exceptional flavours.
The menu here is kept simple and straightforward, offering just 3 flavours in the ramen selection. One of the signature items is the Original Ramen (RM15.80), featuring 2 generous pieces of Japanese char siew, onsen egg, seaweed sheet, black fungus, and leek. The noodles here are on the thicker side compared to the usual thin ramen noodles, providing a chewier texture.
In addition to the original flavour, there’s the Spicy Ramen (RM16.80) for those who enjoy a bit of spice. It includes the same ingredients as the original version, but the broth has an orange hue infused with chilli, offering a light yet flavourful experience that’s pleasing in both texture and taste.
27, Jalan Sagu 33, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6011 1147 5251
Wed to Mon: 11.30am – 4.30pm & 5.30pm – 9pm
Closed on Tue
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4. Kyu Izakaya
I’ve seen many netizens singing praises of Kyu Izakaya for its delicious dishes. Founded by the team behind Kyudon, this modern izakaya eatery in Taman Pelangi has even been acclaimed as the best Japanese restaurant in JB by diners, a highly esteemed accolade.
If you’re pondering over lunch options, head to this eatery for their exclusive lunch set available from 12pm to 2.30pm. It offers a selection of 16 dishes including Chirashi Don Set (RM42), Cold Soba with Tempura Set (RM28), Salmon Mentai Set (RM26), Oyakodon Set (RM22), and more. Each set comes complete with chawanmushi, miso soup, salad, rice, and dessert— what a deal!
Sashimi enthusiasts can satisfy their cravings with diverse selections such as the Kaisen Carpaccio (RM58), featuring sashimi with ponzu sauce as an appetiser. For a fulfilling meal, indulge in the Nigiri Moriawase (RM88 for 6 pieces) to sample a variety. The restaurant also offers Yamaimo Wasabi (RM18), Japanese yam with quail egg, and Natto (RM9), a rare find in JB’s Japanese dining scene.
46, Jln Sri Pelangi 4, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6012 547 7886
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
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5. Kirishima Shuzou Japanese Restaurant
Being a steadfast presence in JB, Kirishima Shuzou Japanese Restaurant is well-known among locals, including the older generation. Established in 1998, it pioneered JB’s Japanese dining scene, offering excellent dishes on the first floor of Crystal Crown Hotel.
The sushi at Kirishima Shuzou features premium ingredients, with signature dishes like the President Roll (RM37.10), maki topped with sashimi, and the Volcano Roll (RM24.38), grilled maki with cheese and homemade sauce. Both dishes include 6 pieces of maki, making them perfect for sharing.
Their sashimi selection offers various options, with the standout being the Hamachi (RM42.40), or yellowtail. This dish includes 5 pieces of hamachi, known for its rich, buttery flavour and firm texture, making it ideal for sashimi. Notably, the restaurant also serves Kobe Beef Steak (RM190.80), featuring stone-roasted Japan A5 Wagyu with garlic sauce, sure to please your palate.
1st floor, Crystal Crown Hotel, 117 Jalan Tebrau, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+607 276 2838
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm & 6pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Mon
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6. Yawata No Kami Japanese Restaurant
Mount Austin has attracted many foodies with its vibrant dining scene. Yawata No Kami Japanese Restaurant is one of those spots that has drawn plenty of regular customers. There must be something unique about these restaurants to have that kind of appeal.
Positioning itself as a modern fusion restaurant, Yawata No Kami offers a range of innovative dishes, with one standout being the Hamburger Curry Rice (RM32). Instead of the usual cutlet, this dish features hamburg meat drizzled with curry sauce. You can also switch your rice to omurice for an additional RM6. If curry isn’t your preference, the eatery also offers Yawata Hamburger Rice (RM29).
Aside from their fusion dishes, the signature dish here has to be their ochazuke. The Aburi Salmon Mountain Ochazuke (RM31) is highly praised by netizens on social media. Alternatively, raw salmon lovers can enjoy the Salmon Ichiban Jyu Ochazuke (RM47). For a premium treat, try the Hitsumabushi Unagi Set (RM95), featuring a bed of unagi on aromatic sushi rice with dashi broth and sides.
G02, BLOCK A, AKADEMIK SUITE, Jalan Austin Heights Utama, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6018 227 6861
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm & 6pm – 10pm
Closed on Mon
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7. Kuroma Buffet & Dining
Double your happiness at Kuroma Buffet & Dining with an unlimited feast! This restaurant at Taman Daya is widely recognised for its sashimi buffet, making it a popular spot for festive celebrations. They offer various types of Japanese buffet options beyond sashimi, ensuring all palates are well taken care of.
The weekday special menu offers up to 5 types of buffet choices. If you’re looking for a basic package, go for the Classic Buffet (RM165+), where you can indulge in various types of sashimi offered at the bar counter and other Japanese food like sushi, oden, and more. Otherwise, try the Premium Wagyu + Buffet (RM198+), which includes the basic buffet with an additional 50g of Kagoshima wagyu beef.
The weekend menu adds 1 more choice compared to weekdays, featuring the Amaebi Max + Buffet (RM198+), which includes the basic buffet with 10 pieces of pink sweet shrimp. Weekend prices are typically RM5 to RM10 higher than weekdays. However, the dining hour remains the same at 2 hours. Sashimi lovers are sure to delight in this buffet!
TD Central, 3, Jalan Sagu 21, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6019 773 0754
Mon to Thu: 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 2pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
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8. Shin Yo
Shin Yo is a new Japanese restaurant that’s buzzing on social media, and is known for offering wallet-friendly authentic Japanese cuisine. Located in Mount Austin, it spans across 2 shop lots and features aesthetic Japanese decor, making it particularly eye-catching on the vibrant street.
The offerings here are extensive, starting with the chef-recommended appetiser, Shake Carppaccio (RM32), a Japanese-Italian fusion dish featuring thinly-sliced salmon drizzled with a citrusy sauce. For something a bit more indulgent, consider the Hotate Carppaccio (RM48), which is a similar dish but uses raw scallop instead, garnished with luxurious caviar.
For mains, try the Nama Tako Wasabi (RM23), raw octopus with wasabi, or Sashimi Moriawase (RM79), which includes salmon, maguro, shiro maguro, ikura, and hokkigai—perfect for sharing. Alternatively, indulge in the Gyui Don (RM25) to have some hot food, delicately topped with a poached egg for a creamier texture.
7 & 9, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6011 1067 0920
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
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9. Awagyu Restaurant
Awagyu Restaurant is a halal eatery at Taman Abad that takes pride in serving high-quality A5-graded wagyu. Imported from Tanifuji ranch, located in Tokushima’s pristine environment, the establishment offers all parts of the premium wagyu, featuring up to 26 cuts!
With plenty of yakiniku platters to choose from, beef lovers will definitely enjoy the offerings. To simplify your decision-making process, the restaurant has meticulously prepared combo sets, so you don’t have to stress over the menu. The Premium Yakiniku Combo Set (RM290) includes 240g of meat, 2 cups of chawanmushi, 2 pieces of gyoza, 2 pieces of California maki, chicken thigh, wafu green salad, kimchi pickles, and 2 bowls of miso soup— best for 2 to 3 people.
In case you’re wondering, the set features meat platter with 8 different cuts: sirloin, rib loin, zaputon, ichibo, misuji, tokujo karubi, katarosu, and shinshin. This is also one of the popular items at the eatery as you can savour 8 types of meat in one go. Why not?
25c, Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Taman Abad, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
+6011 5776 4363
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
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10. Sushi Mentai
Established in 2011, Sushi Mentai has consistently been a popular Japanese spot favoured by students for its affordable prices. Over the years, it has expanded its footprint from the south to the west, and even to the East coast and Sarawak, marking its popularity among locals.
The restaurant features a conveyor belt with various types of sushi and other offerings. Similar to most sushi restaurants, the prices of dishes on the belt are tiered, with the most affordable ones priced at RM1.80. Choose from an array of 25 sushi types including Ebiko, Inari Mentai, Chuka Kurage, Cheese Chu Maki, Takoyaki, and more!
The second tier goes up to RM2.80, offering sushi dishes like Salmon, Shiro Maguro, Ebi, Unagi, Hotate Mentai, Hana Ebiko, and 19 other tantalising options. Sushi at this price— what more could you ask for? The eatery also offers agemono (deep-fried dishes), menmono (noodles), donmono (rice-based dishes), and sashimi beyond sushi.
For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, click here.
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