[Updated 28 May 2021]
Konnichiwa! It's no secret that we love all things Japan - especially yummy, authentic Japanese food ? Unfortunately, many Japanese restaurants in Malaysia use non-halal ingredients (like mirin, a sweet rice wine that is considered essential in Japanese dishes) in their cooking process, even if halal meats are used. If you're craving for some Japanese cuisine, check out this list of best Japanese restaurants in the Klang Valley.
1. Sushi King
Serving colourful plates of nigiri, maki or sashimi, to bento meals and slurp-worthy noodles, when you think of a place to get your halal sushi fix, look no further than Sushi King! Take your pick from the sushi belt or order ala-carte, Sushi King offers a great variety of dishes that suits even the non-Japanese food lover ?
Selected stores are now offering dine-in during RMCO so you can get your conveyor sushi fix in a flash! Click here for a full list of outlets that are offering dine-in, takeaway, and delivery, and do check with the outlet directly about their opening hours as they may change according to the situation. ?
Halal status: Halal-certified
Outlet details: Click here for a list of all outlets and opening hours
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2. Wagyu Kokoro
Wagyu Kokoro Halal Yakiniku serves premium quality Japanese wagyu and their chef has been in the yakiniku industry for over 30 years. So expect high-quality meats that will leave a lingering wagyu taste on your taste buds. A small grill is provided on your table for you to cook it the way you like it too. It's one of the few fully halal certified places in town that serves yakiniku ?
Other dishes include Wagyu Kokoro Spicy Ramen and Beef Bone Ramen! For those that are not too keen on beef, the place also serves chicken yakitori, bibimbap and seafood to grill.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 12PM-3PM, 6PM-11PM (closed on Mon)
Address: B1, 1-7, Jalan Teknologi 2/1C, Taman Sains Selangor, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +6010-265 3690
Find out more about Wagyu Kokoro and its tantalizing wagyu delights here!
3. Toyyiban Sushi, Bangi Gateway
For a cosy and personal experience, check out Toyyiban Sushi located at Bangi Gateway! A family business and owned by a local Muslim who once studied in Japan, Toyyiban Sushi named themselves after the verse in the Qur’an (Surah Al Maidah 5:88)where Allah commanded Muslims to consume “Halalan Toyyiban”, Toyyiban meaning good and Halal meaning their sushi!
Although they don’t have a wide selection of sushi compared to bigger sushi retails, Toyyiban Sushi is an intimate restaurant and you will get a personalised experience. Many customers love their crispy fried sushi coupled with spicy soy sauce and wasabi - it’s like eating deep fried banana fritters, only its sushi! For more options, Toyyiban Sushi also serves choices of noodles like Udon and Soba, as well as Bento for a reasonable price compared to others. What’s best about this place is that they also give a local twist where they serve sambal kicap (spicy soy sauce) as an option to the traditional wasabi and soy sauce.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Address: Bangi Gateway, Seksyen 15, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Bangi 43650
Contact: +6012-320 6393
4. Konichiwa Cafe
Located in the heart of Bangi is Konichiwa Cafe. It's a well-known eatery among the locals for its large selection of Japanese delights such as cheezy tori karaage, temaki rolls, bento boxes, teppanyaki, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) and sushi!
The cafe also serves a variety of western and Malaysian dishes too such as chicken chop, lamb chop, pasta, curry mee and fried rice ? If you and the rest of the family can't come to an agreement on which cuisine to have for dinner? This is definitely the right place for you! With this variety of food, no one can complain.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Tue-Thu; 12PM-10PM, Fri; 2.30PM-11PM, Sat-Sun; 12PM-11PM (closed on Mondays)
Address: Konichiwa Cafe, No.9, Jalan 6/7b, Persiaran Pusat Bandar 2, Seksyen 6, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
Contact: +6012-200 2090 / +6012-227 7036 / +603-8210 4152
P.S. Looking for more Muslim-friendly places to eat in Bangi? Here are 11 places in Bangi you must try!
5. Ramen Village
Slurp on a delicious hearty bowl of ramen at Ramen Village ? Enjoy tender chicken pieces and noodles in miso broth and fried chicken gyoza appetizers ? The eatery also offers a modern twist to their ramen noodle meals with Thai and Korean influences!
Halal status: Uses halal-certified ingredients
Opening hours: Open daily; 10AM-10PM
Address: NU Sentral, Lot L5 09, No. 201, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6017-393 8828
6. Suki-Ya
Why not enjoy a hot pot, shabu-shabu or sukiyaki buffet? At Suki-ya, you can enjoy all three in one place! Savour their free flow of four soup bases, freshly sliced meat such as chicken and beef, eggs, and a whole range of vegetables and sauces ? With its unlimited refill of meat and soups, your tummy will thank you for the satisfying shabu-shabu meal!
Halal status: Uses halal certified ingredients.
Opening hours: Pavillion outlet; Open daily: 11AM-10PM
Address: Pavillion outlet; 6.24.04, Pavilion, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: Pavillion outlet; +603-2141 4272
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7. Zipangu Japanese Restaurant
One of the older and well-known Japanese restaurants in KL, Zipangu is a must-visit for every Japanese food lover. Indulge in the best of sashimi, sushi, temaki, and other Japanese delights ?
Halal status: Uses halal-certified meats and ingredients. Do note that alcohol is served separately on the premise, so we recommend that readers dine at their own discretion.
Opening hours: Open daily; 12PM-2.30PM, 6.30PM-10.30PM
Address: 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603-2074 3900
P.S. Looking for more cafes in KL to try out? Here are 19 cafes in KL that you should try in 2019!
8. Momotalo Yakiniku
Yakiniku lovers, you do not want to miss out on this place! Enjoy beefy delights such as wagyu and kobe cuts! Their melt-in-mouth meats will surely leave you wanting more to satisfy your cravings ? The meats will be served to you raw, and you can cook it on a charcoal grill (on your table) to your liking. For dipping, you are given a special dipping sauce which is a mixture of spicy miso paste, garlic and homemade soy sauce. The place also boasts a variety of seafood for you to feast on such as salmon, unagi and squid.
#HHWTTip: The place is well-known for its supreme ox tongue cuts!
Halal status: Uses halal-certified meats and ingredients. Do note that alcohol is served separately on the premise, so we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening hours: Mon; 6PM-11PM, Tue-Sun; 12.30PM-2.30PM, 6PM-11PM
Address: 20, Jalan 24/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-6206 1557
9. Kampachi KL
Kampachi is one of KL's star Japanese restaurants since it was established in the Equatorial Hotel Kuala Lumpur over 40 years ago. Now there are multiple outlets ranging from Pavillion to Jaya 33 mall. And it has kept its quality by flying in shipments of fresh fish from Tokyo's Tsukiji market a few times a week ? This is the place to enjoy Japanese cuisine classics such as o-toro (tuna belly) sashimi, springy handmade soba noodles, a selection of lightly battered yet crispy tempura or tender beef-rolled enoki mushrooms! The restaurant also offers a variety of bento sets for those who prefer a single complete meal rather than a variety of ala carte orders ?
Halal status: Uses halal-certified meat and ingredients (except mirin sauce in the miso soup and rice). Pre-book your meals beforehand and the restaurant can arrange for a fully halal meal without mirin sauce. Do note that alcohol is served separately on premise, so we recommend that readers dine at their own discretion.
Opening hours: Mon-Thu & Sun; 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat, 11AM-10.30PM (last order 30 minutes before closing time)
Address: Multiple outlets in Kuala Lumpur
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P.S. Dining with the kids instead? Here are 9 kid-friendly cafes for a fun-filled family day out
Time to head out for some Japanese! Itadakimasu!