Fancy some fancy Japanese food? Live out your teppanyaki, yakitori, sake-drinking dreams at these spots around the city that will have you ordering donburi after donburi, every single time you go. Here’s a list of where you can go to show off your chopstick-wielding chops.
Teri Maki: These Joints Have The City's Best Japanese Food
The information in this post might be outdated
Izumi, Linking Road
We had to start with this one, since it's highly rated by celebrity chefs, and by Bollywood stars, too. While the menu's filled with banger after banger, we've heard high praise with respect to the ramens, and the Goma Dofu, the Salmon Namban and the Unagi Nigiri seem to be unmissable. For dessert, get their impeccable Japanese Cheesecake!
This spot is always booked out, so call and place your reservation well in advance.
Cost for two: INR 2,500
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 - INR 2400 per head for the full meal, with cocktails charged additionally.
Cost for Two: INR 3,500
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, their Tobikko Nigiri, and their Teppanyaki options. Origami's Japanese-inspired decor makes it difficult to not take pictures, and their simplest dishes are beautifully presented. Do book your table in advance for this one, too!
Cost for Two: INR 2,300
Umame, Churchgate
Loved for their service and amazing, 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 eat a lot of Japanese food, this one is a great choice because they offer a mean buffet lunch. Maybe a work lunch this week sounds great, no?
Cost for Two: INR 3,000
Pa Pa Ya, Multiple Locations
Feeling fancy? Head out to Pa Pa Ya to celebrate with great cocktails and some of the best Japanese cuisine in town. 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 celebration. Do try the Chicken Gyoza. Pa Pa Ya in BKC turns into a club when the clock hits 11 PM, so stay back if you want to let your hair down on a weekend!
Cost for Two: INR 2,000
Yazu, Oshiwara
We’re glad this part of the ‘burbs has finally got a fancy Pan Asian spot! They have a lovely Avocado-Cucumber Roll with their Signature Sauce, and we love the Yazu Signature Ramen. You've got to try the 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.
Cost for Two: INR 1,700
Eight, Palladium
Just finished with your weekly round of luxury shopping? Head to Eight for top-order sushis - their Bon Bon Uramaki Roll, the Soft Shell Crab Timaki, and their Eight House Crispy Cheung Fun. Note that this spot is pan-Asian, but they do their cornerstone Japanese classics super well. Their set menus offer great value for money, too!
Price for Two: INR 3500
Shifuku, Andheri Lokhandwala
Shifuku in Japanese translates to "bliss", and we gotta say, the decor and food definitely embodies it quite a bit. 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 very reasonably priced Sunday Brunch deal, if you'd like to try all their specials in one go!
Price for Two: INR 2000
Kuuraku, Bandra West
With proper Japanese-style Tatami seating, a meal at Kuuraku is bound to be transportive, and 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 their 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