Best Japanese restaurants in JB
Crossing the Causeway for food is practically a national pastime, and Johor Bahru‘s Japanese food scene gives you every reason to make the trip. JB has built up a solid lineup of Japanese spots, featuring fresh air-flown sashimi, charcoal-grilled Wagyu, and wallet-friendly dining. Whether you are looking for free-flow sushi buffets or cosy izakayas, we have rounded up 10 of the best Japanese restaurants in JB to add to your weekend itinerary.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.31 as of 25 August 2026.
Table of Contents
1. Kuroma Buffet & Dining
Image credit: Nicole Choo via Google Maps
Instead of splurging at sushi restaurants, consider going to an affordable Japanese buffet! At Kuroma Buffet & Dining in JB, prices start from just RM179++ per person for their Classic Buffet! Else, they also have a more premium buffet that includes A5 Kagoshima Wagyu steak for RM198++.
Start by grabbing as much fresh sushi and sashimi as your heart desires, including salmon, tako, maguro, kani, and unagi. If raw seafood isn’t your thing, head to the teppanyaki table instead for gyoza, chicken teriyaki, lamb rack and more. Then, load up on carbs such as kimchi fried rice, aglio olio, and yaki soba, among others. That’s not all; they also have tempura, ramen, don, salad, and desserts!
Check out our Kuroma Buffet & Dining feature.
Address: TD Central 3, Jalan Sagu 21, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5:30pm to 10pm, Fri-Sun 12pm to 2pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: +60 19-773 0754
Website
Kuroma Buffet & Dining is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
This $50 Japanese Buffet In JB Has Free-Flow Abalone, Oysters, Sashimi And More
2. The Wagyu Tavern
Image credit: Irene Lim via Google Maps
If you’re looking for the ultimate, splurge-worthy decadence in JB, look no further than The Wagyu Tavern. After all, where else can you find a night of unlimited A5 Miyazaki Wagyu cuts, all served on a golden cow platter? For RM498++ per person, you can feast on cuts of Top Round, Shoulder, and Flank, as well as thin Karubi cuts for yakiniku. Go for the Supreme Buffet (RM598++) for a greater selection of Ribeye and Sirloin options, and a premium selection of sashimi that includes Otoro and fresh Oysters. What’s more, the house pour wine and sake are bottomless as well!
Address: 34, Jalan Pendekar 13, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Skudai, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 6pm to 12am, Sat-Sun 1pm to 4:30pm
Website
The Wagyu Tavern is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
3. Tanba Japanese BBQ
Image credit: Aaron Leong via Google Maps
If you’re on a budget but still want to impress a special someone, consider Tanba Japanese BBQ for your next date spot. At this all-you-can-eat buffet, you can indulge in as many servings of premium beef as you wish at affordable prices. Plus, they have a whopping 1,300 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Google, so they seem to be a well-loved spot! They have two outlets, one at Jalan Molek and another at Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir.
Their most basic tier is their Signature Buffet Course—the lunch buffet sets you back just RM188++ per person, while the dinner buffet sets you back RM198++ per person. Tanba’s lunch period runs from 12pm to 5pm, while their dinner runs from 5pm to 12am. For the grill, you can grab pork belly, pork shoulder, chicken gizzard, Angus beef, salmon cubes and more! Barbecue aside, they also have a large selection of agemono, sushi, sashimi, and more. Their salmon and maguro sashimi are especially praised for being thick and fatty.
Jalan Molek outlet
Address: 31 & 33, Jalan Molek 3/20, Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 2pm to 12am
Tel: +60 7-361 0505
Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir outlet
Address: Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Taman Abad, #01-03, Twin Galaxy Residences, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm to 11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 12am
Tel: +60 12-737 5838
Website
Tanba Japanese BBQ is not halal-certified.
4. Kyu Izakaya
Image credit: Paris Tan via Google Maps
Kyu Izakaya, located at Taman Pelangi, is one of the premier spots in Johor Bahru for assorted Japanese fare. Though touted as an izakaya, it functions more as a premium sushi restaurant, with the Nigiri Moriawase (RM88++) featuring six pieces of seasonal sushi picks. You’ll find all kinds of popular Japanese dishes as well, ranging from Tempura Moriawase (RM32++) to Kushiyaki on Charcoal Grill (RM32++). They even have a selection of lunch sets, where you can go for the Salmon Mentai Set (RM26++), Tendon Set (RM36++), Barachirashi Don Set (RM35++) and more.
Address: 46, Jln Sri Pelangi 4, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 10:30pm
Website
Kyu Izakaya is not halal-certified.
5. Don House
Image credit: Jason Deng via Google Maps
If you’re a fan of Japanese rice bowls, head over to Don House, where you’ll find a huge variety of donburi! Popular favourites include the Salmon Don (RM35+), Bara Chirashi Don (RM35+), and San Iro Don (RM35+), which is topped with three variants of sashimi. The adventurous can go for the Spam Donburi (RM20+) or the Unatama Don (RM59+), crowned with an immense marinated eel and a block of tamago. Oh, and that’s not all: you can also find a wide range of sushi, maki, kushiyaki, and agemono on the menu!
Address: 27, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm to 10pm
Don House is not halal-certified.
6. Sushi Mentai
Image credit: Jackson Goh via Google Maps
Sushi Mentai is a ubiquitous favourite amongst both locals and Singaporeans as one of the most budget-friendly sushi fixes in JB. Think Sushi Express or Genki Sushi, but with plates starting from RM1.80++! Every time I head there, I will spam plates of Salmon Mentai (RM2.80++), but you’d also never go wrong ordering heaps of Unagi (RM2.80++), Kani Mayo (RM1.80++), Shiro Maguro Mentai (RM2.80++), or Hotate Mentai (RM2.80++). If you’re feeling hungrier, go for the Tempura Moriawase (RM13.80++) or Unagi Don (RM19.80++) too!
Address: 145, Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/19, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Sushi Mentai is not halal-certified.
7. Sushi Shin
Image credit: Yokefu Wok via Google Maps
One of the most highly-rated omakase restaurants in JB is Sushi Shin, serving ultra-premium chef’s menus full of seasonal produce and fish. For dinner, go for the Waza Omakase (RM488++), which comes with three cold dishes, one hot dish, nine courses of nigirizushi which includes uni and caviar, and soup and dessert to finish off the meal. If you’re looking to splurge instead, you can try the Tokushu Omakase (RM1288++), where the menu is decided entirely by the chef’s whims on that day! Sushi Shin also offers lunch sets, with the Tsuki Omakase (RM268++) available during lunch and premium donburi starting from RM150++.
Address: 55, Jalan Keris 1, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Website
Sushi Shin is not halal-certified.
8. Binchotan
Image credit: junwei low via Google Maps
Another premium omakase experience in JB is Binchotan, featured in the Tatler Dining Guide as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Malaysia in 2024. The dinner omakase here starts from RM488++, and comes with two zensai, a cold dish, four hot dishes, and a kamameshi to fill you up. Similarly, you can also blow the bank on the Shirogane Omakase, with a mysterious menu befitting the noir ambience of the restaurant. The lunch omakase menu starts from RM268++, and each features beautifully plated Japanese fare that is perfect for a special occasion.
Address: 15, Jalan Kuning 2, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Website
Binchotan is not halal-certified.
9. Kyudon
Image credit: cytheria via Google Maps
Though Kyudon seems like a casual donburi and ramen restaurant, there’s also an omakase menu offered here! Starting from RM188++, you’ll be presented with five to seven courses based on weekly availability, which includes an appetiser, main course, and dessert. Otherwise, go for the standard Japanese menu items; there’s no shortage here. Their signature Unagi Don (RM43++) and Fresh Oyster Chirashi Don (RM65++) are top picks, alongside a wide variety of nigiri sushi, maki, and handrolls. I’d personally go for the Salmon Feast (RM120++), featuring multiple variations of salmon sushi served in a halved bird cage!
Address: 13, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 8:30pm
Website
Kyudon is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
10. Nagomiya Japanese Cuisine
Image credit: Jelssie Tay via Google Maps
For a Japanese spot with cosy, homemade vibes, look no further than Nagomiya Japanese Cuisine. The homely wooden facade gives the impression of a neighbourhood eatery tucked somewhere in the heartlands of Tokyo. Choose from a long list of a la carte dishes, including Unagi Kabayaki (RM29.90+), Jidori Nanban (RM18.90+), Mentai Tori Katsu Furai (RM19.90+), and Salmon Teppanyaki (RM24.90+). If you’re feeling more peckish, go for their signature Ishiyaki Stamina Butadon (RM26.90+) or Tonkotsu Cha Siew Ramen (RM19.90+), which we hear is no slouch.
Address: 49, Jalan Meranti, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10pm
Website
Nagomiya Japanese Cuisine is not halal-certified.
Guide to affordable Japanese restaurants in JB
The Japanese food craving hits often for most of us Singaporeans, and now you know where to go in JB whenever it hits!
For more related content closer to home, check out our Singapore Japanese food guide and our omakase restaurants guide.
25 Best Japanese Restaurants In Singapore For XL Don, Famous Beef Cutlet And More
Feature image adapted from Nicole Choo via Google Maps, Irene Lim via Google Maps, Yokefu Wok via Google Maps, and junwei low via Google Maps.
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