Itadakimasu: 6 Best sushi bars in Kuala Lumpur

Dione Chen

11 Jul 2016

updated the Monday, July 11, 2016

Japanese cuisine is so delicious, and so easy to eat. We dish out the best places to get your sushi fix.

1/6
Sushi Oribe
Sushi Oribe prides on its use of raw, healthy ingredients and its provision of the finest dining experience to attract an exclusive KL crowd. The menu choices here are completely omakase, specially curated by the Japanese head chef, and makes use of the best ingredients to make sure you leave only with raving reviews and a satisfied belly.
Ground Floor, Block C-1, Vipod Residences, No. 6, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur
Photo: Sushi Oribe
2/6
REI Contemporary Sushi
REI is not a lone outlet, but a pop-up sushi bar located inside DC Restaurant, which serves sushi and sashimi omakase-style. The dishes are seasoned prior to serving, so you don't need to dip them in soy sauce or wasabi, making this a very novel experience for first-time customers as this is rarely practised anywhere else. This means that the chef can infuse his own flavours like truffle, for example, for a different approach to Japanese cuisine, rendering this little sushi bar a very special one.
44 Persiaran Zaaba, Inside DC Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: REI Contemporary Sushi Facebook
3/6
Sushi Hinata
Sushi Hinata is another fine dining establishment that employs the use of only the freshest ingredients and finest culinary processes to bring to its customers a melt-in-the-mouth sashimi experience. Preparations for food are done using the most traditional methods, no matter how long the process takes, so that the exquisite taste of the sushi or sashimi is retained. Prices here may be steep, but that just means you'll be sure to savour each and every bite.
A-0-1 , Ground Floor St.Mary Residence, No.1, Jalan Tengah, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Sushi Hinata
4/6
Ichiro Sushi Bar
Tucked away in a corner of the ever-so-popular 1 Utama Shopping Centre lies Ichiro Sushi Bar, a quiet dining spot that serves one of the best maki rolls in town. It really is a hidden gem, considering how most only know about its neighbour Sushi Zanmai, but come to Ichiro during lunch to get away from the crowd and you'll be surprised at how worth it its lunch sets can get.
Isetan Eat Paradise, 1 Utama Shopping Center, Bander Utama, Petaling Jaya
Photo: Ichiro Sushi Bar Facebook
5/6
Kinme Sashimi & Grill Bar
This is one of those restaurants you'll return to not only because of the delicious food spread, but also due to the wonderful service by the friendly staff that has left such a great impression of this place on you. You'll also get more than just the usual Japanese food fare here, since this bar serves kushiyaki as well for the grill fans. Crispy, oily and everything sinful, you'll definitely fall in love with this place before you even know it.
26 Jalan Medan Setia 2, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Kinme Sashimi & Grill Bar Facebook
6/6
Taka by Sushi Saito
If you've ever heard of Tokyo's three-Michelin-starred restaurant Sushi Saito, you'll be very excited to know that it has branched out for the first time to no place other than Malaysia, right here in the heart of the capital city. It has been touted as the best sushi restaurant in the world, but continues to maintain its cosy, 16-seater ambience, perfect for those who enjoy an exclusive dining experience. Make sure you reserve a spot way in advance, as we would expect this sushi bar to be very popular with the masses.
No. 6 Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur Facebook

Japanese restaurants have made a name for themselves all over Malaysia, and especially in the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpur. If asked about your favourite place to get a dose of Japanese cuisine, there is a high chance you’ll name a famous restaurant that everyone has grown to love over the years. But, today, we are not here to talk about these big, successful restaurants that have franchises all over the country. Today, we’re going to introduce to you tiny, cosy Japanese sushi bars that deserve our mention as well.

Small sushi bars may not be so well-known, but usually provide a more authentic, Japanese street-like feel due to its humble setting. We can also assure you that food quality will not be compromised since quality control will be easier to manage. This means that you, the customer, will only be served the freshest ingredients and the most memorable experience at these unassuming but oh-so-amazing sushi joints.

Head up to our gallery for a list of sushi bars we would personally recommend for you to try out this week, or any other week.

Dione Chen

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