The best Japanese restaurants in Jakarta

What is it? Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s first restaurant in Southeast Asia, located on the 63rd floor of The Langham. 

Why we love it: Like other Morimoto restaurants, fresh seafood is at the heart of the menu, featured throughout the selection of clay pots, rice dishes, robata, sushi, and sashimi. A standout dish is the ishi yaki buri-bap (Rp 298,000), a twist on the traditional Korean bibimbap with yellowtail fish prepared tableside in a hot stone bowl.

Time Out tip: If you don’t know what to get, opt for the omakase menu by Chef Juntaro Fujimura.

Address: The Langham, District 8, SCBD, Lot 28, South Jakarta City, Jakarta 12190
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6pm-11.30pm, Sun 6pm-11pm
Expect to pay: Rp 668,000 for a deluxe sushi platter (4 types)  

What is it? Contemporary Japanese cuisine in an open-kitchen setting, spread across the top floor of the Park Hyatt. 

Why we love it: Chef Takeumi Hiraoka elevates modern Japanese dishes, such as teppanyaki, shabu-shabu, sushi, sashimi, robatayaki, and tempura, with the freshest seafood and premium Japanese, Australian, and US beef. Whether you opt for the grilled wagyu beef curry (Rp 150,000) or the grilled eel skewers (Rp 75,000), the sheer variety of dishes and cooking techniques means it’s perfect for dining with large groups.

Time Out tip: Celebrating? There are nine private dining rooms with special set menus available, with some even coming with their own teppan kitchen.

Address: Park Hyatt Jakarta, Jl. Kebon Sirih No.17-19, Kb. Sirih, Kec. Menteng, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10340
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm
Expect to pay: Around Rp 300,000 per person for a main, side, and drink

What is it? A cosy izakaya serving simple but high-quality dishes, tucked away on the ground floor of The Orient. 

Why we love it: Headed by Chef Shinichiro Takada, Furusato’s menu is inspired by home cooking, featuring comforting deep-fried dishes, curries, rice and noodle dishes, sushi, and fresh sashimi and teppanyaki made to order. Even newbies to Japanese cuisine will find familiar dishes like ramen and gyozas.

Time Out tip: For first-timers, visit during lunchtime for an unfussy selection of classics, such as the chicken teriyaki (Rp 100,000) and takoyaki (Rp 40,000).

Address: The Orient Hotel Jakarta, Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.36 Ground Floor, Bend. Hilir, Kecamatan Tanah Abang, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10210
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10.30pm
Expect to pay: Around Rp 250,000 per person for a main, side, and drink  

What is it? A sleek and minimalist yakiniku house and sake bar in South Jakarta. 

Why we love it: As a grill house, Kenjiro's selection of premium meats does not disappoint. Experience family-style grilling at the table with Japanese and Australian wagyu, accompanied by sides like grilled chicken, scallops, and vegetable skewers. The rest of the menu is pretty extensive, with all the classic sushi and sashimi options, as well as favourites like chicken katsu curry (Rp 95,000) and beef yaki udon (Rp 120,000).

Time Out tip: The VIP rooms are well worth booking if you’re dining with a large group – one of them even has a karaoke room.

Address: Recapital Building, Jl. Adityawarman No.63, RT.3/RW.2, Melawai, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta City, Jakarta 12160
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am-10pm
Expect to pay: Rp 385,000 for 120g of Australian wagyu striploin, or Rp 320,000 for a nigiri platter (5 kinds)

What is it? An izakaya with a neck-to-tail approach to the humble chicken.

Why we love it: Following the success of Junsei London, chefs and founders Aman Lakhiani and Zach Farr have brought the same concept to Jakarta, rooted in the technique of yakitori. These are skewers like you’ve never had them before, grilled over white Binchōtan charcoal or Japanese oak. There are over 20 types of yakitori, with skewers starting at Rp 45,000. 

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for their events calendar throughout the year – Wednesdays means Skewer & Spin, where you can bring your own vinyl for the resident DJ to play.

Address: Graha Tirtadi, Jl. Senopati No.71 2nd Floor, Selong, Kec. Kby. Baru, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12110
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11am-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm
Expect to pay: Rp 850,000 for the omakase menu

What is it? An intimate sushi bar in South Jakarta, serving authentic dishes without the hefty price tag.

Why we love it: Kohai proves that you don’t have to pay high prices for quality sushi. Featuring a mix of imported and locally sourced seafood, the omakase menu (Rp 370,000) comprises 13 traditional and fusion dishes with an Indonesian touch. If you’re still hungry after that, the a la carte menu includes rice bowls, soups, sushi, sashimi, and tempura options.

Time Out tip: If there’s something you’ve really been craving, the crew is known to accept off-the-menu requests.

Address: 14, Jl. Perintis No.16, RT.14/RW.5, East Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta City, Jakarta 12950
Opening hours: Mon-Sun noon-10pm
Expect to pay: Around Rp 115,000 for a main, side, and drink

What is it? A wildly-popular eatery serving Japindo (Japanese Indonesian) cuisine in Blok M, Jakarta’s ‘Little Tokyo’. 

Why we love it: Founded by three Indonesian siblings of Japanese descent, Futago Ya has a simple, straightforward menu that reflects their heritage. Many of the dishes are paired with Indonesian flavours, such as the creamy miso udon (Rp 50,000) topped with Balinese sambal matah, and the gyoza colok (Rp 35,000) served with a peanut sesame sauce. The venue is cosy to say the least, with bar seating and an open kitchen, and is usually packed at meal times.

Time Out tip: Order the mugicha, a roasted barley-grain infusion, which makes a nice change from ocha.

Address: 2, Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin Dalam No.24, RT.3/RW.1, Melawai, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160
Opening hours: Mon noon-10pm, Tue-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm
Expect to pay: Rp 100,000 for a main, side, and drink