Fancying some fancy Japanese food? Live out your dreams of devouring some authentic teppanyaki, yakitori and donburi at these spots. Here's a list of the best Japanese food joints in the city where you can show off your chopstick-wielding chops.
Oishii Desu! These Joints Have The City's Best Japanese Food
Izumi, Linking Road
We had to start with this one since it's highly rated by celebrity chefs and Bollywood stars alike. While the menu's filled with one banger after another, we've heard high praises for the ramen, the Goma Dofu, the Salmon Namban and the Unagi Nigiri. For dessert, get their impeccable Japanese Cheesecake!
Make sure you reserve your spot well in advance, as the place is always booked out.
Price For Two: INR 2,500
Zomato Ratings: 4.4/5
KOKO, Lower Parel
This is where the ultra-bougie corporate crowd dines when they've got foreign investors flying down to the city. Lower Parel's KOKO has unmissable Edamame Money Bags and the KOKO Special Sushi Rolls. If you can make it to their Sakura Brunch, take advantage of the sweet deal with INR 2400 per head for the entire meal, with additional charges for the cocktails.
Price For Two: INR 3,500
Zomato Ratings: 4.5/5
Origami, Powai & BKC
This fine dining establishment in Powai is a great place for a date or one of those formal dinner meetings. Get their Sashimi Moriwase, Tobikko Nigiri and check out their Teppanyaki options. Origami's Japanese-inspired decor makes it difficult not to take pictures and even their simplest dishes are beautifully presented. Book your table in advance for this one, too!
Price For Two: INR 2,300
Zomato Ratings: 4.5/5
Umame, Churchgate
Loved for their service and authentic preparations of Japanese food, Umame is one of South Mumbai’s most popular restaurants and is one of the OGs when it comes to Japanese fare in the city. If you’re in the mood to binge on some Japanese cuisine, then this one is a great choice as they offer a mean buffet lunch. Maybe a work lunch this week sounds great, no?
Price For Two: INR 3,500
Zomato Ratings: 4.3/5
Pa Pa Ya, Multiple Locations
Feeling fancy? Head out to Pa Pa Ya to celebrate with great cocktails and some great Japanese cuisine. Their sushi is some of the best that we’ve had in Mumbai. They’re priced on the higher end, so reserve this one for a special occasion. We recommend their Chicken Gyoza. Pa Pa Ya in BKC turns into a club when the clock hits 11, so stay back if you want to let your hair down on the weekend!
Price For Two: INR 2,500
Zomato Ratings: 4.6/5
Yazu, Oshiwara
We're glad this part of the 'burbs finally has a fancy Pan-Asian spot! They have a lovely avocado-cucumber roll with their signature sauce, and we love their Yazu Signature Ramen. You've got to try their Green Goddess Uramaki, their super experimental Asian-Style Pizza and their Donburi. End the meal with their Pull-Me-Up Tiramisu or the Chef's Mess.
Price For Two: INR 1,700
Zomato Ratings: 4.5/5
Eight, Palladium
Just finished with your weekly round of luxury shopping? Head to Eight for some top-tier sushi. We suggest the Bon Bon Uramaki Roll, the Soft Shell Crab Timaki, and their Eight House Crispy Cheung Fun. Although the spot is pan-Asian, they do their cornerstone Japanese classics super well. Their set menus offer great value for money, too!
Price For Two: INR 3500
Zomato Ratings: 4.6/5
Shifuku, Andheri Lokhandwala
Shifuku in Japanese translates to "bliss", and we gotta say, the decor and food here definitely embody it. We loved their Purple Yam Dumplings, their Spider Roll with multiple meats, their Usuzukuri (Carpaccio-style) Hamachi, and their Soba noodles. Shifuku also has a reasonably priced Sunday Brunch deal if you'd like to try all their specials in one go!
Price For Two: INR 2000
Zomato Ratings: 4.5/5
Kuuraku, Bandra West
With proper Japanese-style Tatami seating, a meal at Kuuraku is bound to be transportive and make you feel like you're living in a Ghibli movie. Kuuraku is a true-blue Japanese spot with no wide "Asian" net to dilute the authenticity of its offerings. The restaurant offers foods we've not really spotted on other menus, such as a Kotteri Ramen, the Hourenso Ohitashi, the Butabara Oroshi and more. We'll leave you with the suspense so you can try 'em all out yourself!
Price For Two: INR 2000
Zomato Ratings: 4.1/5