Japanese food and green tea is a match made in foodie heaven. The earthiness of the green tea combines perfectly with the umami-rich flavors in Japanese food. Have unlimited refills on your green tea at these 9 Japanese restaurants in Klang Valley!
- Hana Japanese Dining
Under the A Plus Dining Group, Hana Japanese dining is the second overseas Japanese food outlet (an outlet in Sunway Pyramid is the first). They offer modern and innovative Japanese cuisine to its loyal patrons that keep them coming back for more! Their hot green tea is RM2 per glass and is refillable for free. Besides green tea, they also offer a variety of sake, Japanese beers, cocktails, mocktails and other beverages. Enjoy delicious sushi, sashimi and even an Omakase course! If you’re looking for a Japanese food fix, this is the place to head for!
No pork, no lard (alcohol served on-site)
Address: Ground Floor, IPC Shopping Centre, G23a, No.2, Jalan PJU 7/2, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Selangor.
Contact: +603-7491 3903
- Rakuzen
Rakuzen is now synonymous with Japanese food with its proliferation of outlets across Klang Valley. Hot green tea is FREE and refillable too! Already waiting to go to Rakuzen? Here are a few more reasons why you should! Their Salmon Shioyaki Set is a crowd favorite. Fresh salmon is grilled with a sweet sauce and served with rice, chawanmushi, soup, Japanese pickles and fresh fruit for dessert. The Tofu Steak served Teppanyaki style is really good as well. Besides green tea, they also have a small curated collection of sake too. For great Japanese food in a comforting environment, look no further than Rakuzen!
No pork, no lard (alcohol served on-site)
Address: Various locations across Klang Valley.
Contact: Contact respective outlets.
- Ishin Japanese Dining
This Japanese restaurant in old Klang Road is a chosen haunt for KL residents who love authentic Japanese food. Interact with the chefs at the sushi counter where they prepare fresh sushi and sashimi in front of you! The Gyuniku Tataki resembles a semi-cooked beef tartare which is seasoned with spring onions, garlic and citrus sauce. Juicy till the last bite, the Gyuniku Tataki will leave you speechless! You definitely need to try their Sashimi Moriawase that consists of the chef’s selection of 5 varying sashimi. You need not ask for green tea refills as the waiters and waitresses will keep filling till you say stop. An unforgettable dining experience awaits you at Ishin Japanese Dining!
No pork, no lard
Address: No. 202, Persiaran Klang Batu 3 3/4 Off Jalan Kelang Lama, 58000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-7980 8228
- Ichiriki Japanese Restaurant
If you’re a huge fan of yakitori, Ichiriki is your best bet. You will find the most creative concoctions in their pork yakitori selection. Imagine papaya with pork, the enzymes of the papaya react with the pork for extra tenderness of the grilled meat. A combination of fish and meat is something to be apprehensive about but the fish and pork yakitori here will leave you dumbfounded with deliciousness! Priced at RM5 onwards per stick, you won’t be disappointed by the unique yakitori offerings. Hot green tea is refillable so don’t worry about that cup ever drying up! Ichiriki is definitely worth a visit!
Non-halal
Address: The Gardens, 1st Floor, Lot F237b, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2284 0688
- Sushi Tei
Sushi Tei has several branches in Klang Valley and across Malaysia as well. They serve delicious Japanese food that is truly worth every sen you spend. The menu alone has 33 pages, you will be spoilt for choice! From sushi and sashimi to heavy meals like bento and ramen, as well as cold and hot drinks, it’s all there. Hot green tea is bottomless here so don’t feel shy to get the service staff to refill your cup! Vegetarian options are also available for some menu types. Really customer friendly!
No pork, no lard
Address: Various locations across Klang Valley.
Contact: Contact respective outlets.
- Ume Tei Japanese Restaurant
Looking for Japanese food with large servings, reasonable prices, absolutely delicious and with free green tea refills to boot? Ume Tei gives you all of these! Bookworms can rejoice too as this restaurant is located in Book Xcess’ bookstore! You can purchase a book and dine while reading or grab a bite before you continue book browsing! The Chicken Karaage comes highly recommended here. Crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, it’s the true definition of Japanese fried chicken. The sashimi is also a must-try for its freshness and beautiful presentation. Keep returning to this quaint Japanese restaurant nestled in a bookstore!
No pork, no lard
Address: Lot L1-012, Level 1, MyTOWN Shopping Centre, Jalan Cochrane, Seksyen 90, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6012-247 7911
- Himawari Japanese Cuisine
Think of Himawari when you are in need of some serious Japanese comfort food that tastes like it’s coming from a Japanese home kitchen. Located on the second floor of a shoplot in Taman Desa, the beautifully Japanese furnished restaurant will bring you into Japan. The Pork Belly Sukiyaki is one of their bestsellers here and is served with a raw egg to stir into the piping hot soup, salad and rice. The Korokke (or croquette as we know it) consists of mashed potato and minced pork that is coated in breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Free flow of green tea is also available here so it’s definitely worthwhile trying out this hidden Japanese gem!
Non-halal
Address: 20-1, Jalan 1/109E, Desa Business Park, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6012-220 1934
- Uroko Yakitori Sushi
Uroko means fish scales in Japanese and the design of the restaurant has gold linings on a black background to envisage the shimmering scales of a fish. Truly premium Japanese dining, the table is already set with cutleries before you get seated. Green tea is served in a beautiful porcelain cup and service staff are on standby to refill as soon as your cup is emptied. The Tokujyo Sashimi Platter will pamper your tongue with the freshest slices of salmon, prawns, tuna and kampachi, all on a bed of ice. Their signature Uroko Salad with deep fried soft shell crab and nutty sesame mayo dressing will leave you dreaming! A great choice of Japanese delights and wonderful service awaits you at Uroko!
No pork, no lard
Address: G-19 & G-20, Nova Saujana 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Contact: +6017-673 9223
- Ma Maison Ebisu
A totally tonkatsu restaurant, be ready to indulge in porcine delights! The crispy Pork Loin Skewers at Ma Maison Ebisu is served with shredded cabbage and a miso curry sauce that’s really addictive! The tonkatsu sets and katsu don sets are major favorites for the crispy pork chops served with rice. They even have fried oysters as appetizers here too! Crispy yet still filled with brine when you bite into it, the fried oysters are bombalicious! Refillable green tea is available alongside other beverages. Porky wonderland at Ma Maison Ebisu!
Non-halal
Address: Level 4, Js Gate Dining, Lot 10, Jln Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2110 3511
Written By Kartini Kannan
