Ajisen Ramen: Chain originally from Japan, with branches all over Jakarta and Asia (more than 200). Cheap, well-marketed, but disappointing taste.
Akane (Crowne Plaza, Gatot Subroto ; Tel: +62-21 522 0735): Modern Izakaya, regularly listed as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Jakarta. Tokyo-style, creative cuisine, yet unpretentious and not too expensive. Same owner (Ueda-San) as Boci-Boci, Konoha, Tsukinofune, Sumiya. Recommended dishes: Sushi, yakitori, bento boxes…
Aoki (Gran Mahakam Hotel, Blok M ; Tel: +62-21 7209 966): Reputed all-you-can-eat buffet shabu-shabu with grade 9 wagyu beef (Rp159++).
Asuka (Marriott Hotel, Mega Kuningan ; +62-21 5798 8898): Modern interior, with strictly authentic Japanese cuisine.Headed by a Japanese Chef. The omakaze will cost you above Rp1,5 million per person. Cheaper, you can try their buffet on Sunday Buffet for Rp300k without drinks. Voted Jakarta’s Best Japanese restaurant a few times.
Aya restaurant (Jalan Mahakam 11A ; Tel: +62-21 7279 5184): Authentic restaurant, omakase for Rp1 million or more. Japanese chef.
Basara (Summitmas Tower, Jalan Sudirman ; Tel: +62-21 520 1233) Old, but underrated restaurant, popular with Japanese expats and executives. About Rp200,000 per head, rather old, – popular with japanese expats and businessman
Blowfish (Same building as the eponymous nightclub, Gatot Subroto ; Tel: +62-21 5297 1212): Chic venue, with prices higher than average. Creative fusion sushi.
Boci Boci (Ambai Building, GF, Jl. Melawai 8 No. 4 ; Tel: 7279 8463) : Great Izakaya in Blok M, excellent Japanese bistro-style cuisine, affordable. Recommended dishes: Ramen, Yakitori. Popular with Japanese expats.
Bushido (Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel, Jalan Sudirman ; Tel: +62-21 570 4444): Set lunch or à la carte. Affordable but needs to be improved both in taste and atmosphere.
HonZen (Intercontinental Hotel MidPlaza, Jalan Sudirman ; Tel: +62-21 570 7796): Contemporary Japanese restaurant, with Japanese Chef. It has a sushi bar and a kushiage bar. Very good, probably underrated.
Ippachi (Plaza Senayan Arcadia ; Tel: +62-21 5790 1461): Nice, authentic setting and good sushis/sashimis. Japanese chef. A bit pricey.
Ippeke Komachi (Mall Kelapa Gading 3 ; Tel: +62-21 4585 3722): A decent Japanese restaurants for North Jakarta. Affordable menu set 80k. Good takoyaki.
Joobu Sushi (Jl. Kelapa Gading Boulevard, Blok WD2 No. 19 ; Tel: +62-21 450 8551): Sushi bar, opened by a mixed Indo-American. Received mixed reviews so far.
Kahyangan (Hotel Nikko ; Tel: +62-21 230-1122): Supposedly the best shabu-shabu in Jakarta. Also the most expensive. Great view and romantic. See my
review on Jakarta100bars.
Kaihomaru (Jalan Melawai VI ; Tel: +62-21 739 8741): This authentic restaurant has it all: great atmosphere, freshness, presentation of the dishes. The only problem is the price: Expect to pay more than Rp300,000 per person. In my Top 3 of the best Japanese restaurants in Jakarta. Also opened in Pondok Indah.
Kamogawa (Pavilion Apartment Retail Arcade, Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur Kav. 24 ; Tel: +62-21 574 1988): Upscale restaurant serving good sushi, tempura, gyoza, udon, shabu-shabu. All-you-can-eat on weekends for Rp200k++.
Katsura (Plaza Senayan ; Tel: +62-21 5772 5226): Elegant design, it serves teppanyaki, shabu-shabu, sukiyaki. Affordable set menu for lunch (under Rp100k).
Kawana Sushi (Jl. Melawai IX no. 18, Blok M ; Tel: +62-21 722 0291/8842): Expensive sushi restaurant. Owned by a Japanese, their fish is imported from Japan every 2-3 days. Authentic.
Keyaki (Hotel Sari Pan Pacific, Thamrin, Tel: +62-21 2993 2752): Their sushi is recommended. You have an all-you-can-eat buffet for Rp180k/pers excluding tax. Also available: Robatayaki, Sukiyaki, Teppanyaki.
Kihana (Plaza Indonesia ; Tel: +62-21 310 7596): Same owner as Kiyadon. More expensive than better restaurants, but still decent taste with nice atmosphere and service. Recommended for sushis.
Kikugawa (Jl. Cikini Raya IV No. 13, Menteng +62 21 3150668): Old-time favourite Japanese restaurant in Jakarta, but now average compared to the best ones in the city.
Kinokawa (Menara Thamrin, Jalan Thamrin ; Tel: +62-21 315 8877): One of the best Japanese restaurants in Jakarta, it serves the best sushis and the best omakase (up to Rp1,5 million per person). The chef Tate-san left in 2011 for Tatemukai though so I don’t know if the quality is still the same. Reservation necessary, it is better to visit on Tuesday and Friday, when the imported fish arrives from Japan.
Kira-Kira Ginza (Jl. Melawai IX No. 30 ; Tel: +62-21 726 2611): Specializes in katsudon (katsu with pork, rare in jakarta). Also excellent takoyaki, gyoza and okonomiyak. Good value, around Rp80k per person.
Kirishima (Gran Melia, Kuningan ; +62-21 526 8080): Teppanyaki, decent and not too expensive compared to other Japanese restaurants in 5-star hotels (not to be mixed with
Kirishima Kitchen, much cheaper, in Pondok Indah)
Kiyadon (Usually in high-end malls): Rather expensive, similar to Sushi Tei (rp100k/pers). Good tempura. Even wider choice of sushi (fusion and traditional) in some branches called Kiyadon Sushi.
Konoha (Melawai 2 ; Tel: +62-21 720 6906): Authentic, good yakitori, affordable
Kushigin (Melawai IX No.10F ; Tel: +62-21 723 4289): Izakaya with good value yakitori and ramen.
Le’zzzaat (Permata Bank Tower, Jalan Sudirman ; Tel: 021-250-0528): Japanese-Italian restaurant.
Marufuku (Jl. Melawai 6 no. 11, Blok M ; Tel: +62-21 726 7777): Affordable restaurant owned by a Japanese. Rather basic but excellent food, in particular the shabu-shabu and sushi.
Marutama Ramen (Sentral Senayan 1 ; +62-21 572 4050, eX Plaza Indonesia ; Tel: +62-21 316 0705, Pluit ; Tel: +62-21 669 1199, Puri Indah Mall ; Tel: +62-21 582 3193): Chain specializing in ramen and nabe. Good service and food, but Ramen 38 may be a little better.
Midori (Kebayoran Baru ; Tel: +62-21 726 7249, Pondok Indah ; Tel: +62-21 769 2737, Kelapa Gading ; Tel: +62-21 451 3920, Puri Kencana ; +62-21 582-6855, Jl. Wahid Hasyim ; +62-21 314 8957). Authentic and unpretentious, good value-for-money. Recommended Sushis.
Misticanza (Sahid Sudirman Residance, Jalan Sudirman 86 ; Tel: +62-21 2902 2837): Italian food à la Japonaise, similar with Le’zzzaat.
Miyama (Hotel Borobudur ; Tel: +62-21 380 5555): Modern Japanese cuisine with Japanese chef. Affordable for a fine dining restaurant.
Nippon Kan (Sultan Hotel, ex-Hilton ; Tel: +62-21 570 3600). Beautiful design but not reputed.
Nishimura (Shangri-La Hotel ; Tel: +62-21 3048 8565) Replaces Nadaman. Fine dining Japanese, specializing in preparation with Wagyu Beef (Teppanyaki/Shabu-Shabu). Expensive for dinner, reasonable for lunch (with set menu and a non-alcoholic drink, less than Rp200k).
Ootoya (Senayan City, 5th floor ; Tel: +62-21 7278 1552, Pacific Place Mall 5th floor ; Tel: +62-21 5797 3858, Plaza Indonesia ; +62-21 3983 8252). Huge chain of family restaurant, originally from Japan. Best for Donburi (rice dish bowl). Rather good quality and healthy. Set menu for lunch for around Rp80k++.
Origami (Nikko Hotel, Jalan Thamrin ; Tel: +62-21 230 1122): Fresh sushis and sashimis. All-you-can-eat at Rp250,000 . The chef is Japanese chef.
Poke Sushi (Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jalan Gatot Subroto ; +62-21 522 0733): Reasonably priced quality sushis, all-you-can-eat for under Rp150k (also located in Dharmawangsa Square). Check their facebook
here as well.
RA Sushi: (Bellagio Boutique Mall, Mega Kuningan ; Tel: +62-21 3002 9970): Creative, fusion sushis in a modern setting. Relatively expensive.
Ramen 38 Sanpachi (Main branch in Kamome Bldg, 2nd Floor, Jl. Melawai Raya 189B ; Tel: +62-21 7280 0268): Originally from Japan, it is a pioneer chain of Japanese noodle in Jakarta (Ramen). Good and affordable (less than Rp50k net). Famous for its spicy jigoku ramen.
Rakuzen (Pacific Place, +62-21 5140 0499): All-you-can-eat at Rp188,000++, nice atmosphere and design. The chef is Japanese and so is the fish (imported). Rakuzen is part of a chain with branches in SGP and KL. Pricey.
Sakana (MidPlaza Basement Floor, Jl Jend Sudirman ; Tel: +62-21 570 6200): Izakaya serving one of the best takoyaki in Jakarta. Authentic and affordable. Good sushis too.
Sakura (Graha Niaga, Financial Club Jakarta Sudirman ; Tel: +62-21 5296 0070, Lebak Bulus ; +62-21 751 1193, and Sakura Cikampek ; +62 264 350665). Provides buffet, bento lunchbox, sushi bar. Great ramen too.
Sekai (Jalan Suryo 30, Senopati, Tel: +62-21 7278 8750 ): Cheap all-you-can-eat sushis or shabu-shabu (Rp125k net). You get what you pay for.
Sekitei (Dharmawangsa Hotel ; Tel: +62-21 725 8181): Among the top Japanese restaurants in Jakarta: Perfect service, perfect food and atmosphere. Dinner could cost you around 1 million, but you can get much better deals if you come for lunch (set lunch menu Rp100,000). Serves sushi, sashimi, shabu-shabu, sukiyaki among others.
Shabu Nobu (Dharmawangsa square ; Tel: +62-21 7278 6650, Plaza Indonesia ; Tel +62-21 310 7710, Kemang Raya no17 ; Tel: +62-21 719 5246, The Bellezza Permata Hijau ; Tel: +62-21 2567 5874): Affiliated with Sushi Nobu, around Rp100k for shabu-shabu (more or less depending on the type your order). Average taste.
Shabu Tei (Various locations in Jakarta, usually middle class malls): Affordable shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. Not great but decent considering the price (less than Rp100,000).
Shabuya (Central Park Mall ; Tel: +62-21 5698 5585): Shabu-Shabu/Sukiyaki, with all-you-can-eat at Rp115++ (with Angus beef). Good but the prices should go up.
Shima (Aryaduta hotel ; Tel: +62 21 2352 1234): Old restaurant, decent teppanyaki, not too expensive.
Sumibian (In two locations, Mangga Dua Square (Tel. (62-21) 6231 0002), and Chase Plaza (Tel : +62-21 2512888 the best one, with great view): Authentic Japanese BBQ or Yakiniku): Best in Jakarta for authentic Japanese BBQ (Yakiniku). . Expensive, Rp400,000 per pers, all you can eat Rp700,000
Sumire (Grand Hyatt, Plaza Indonesia, Tel: +62-21 390 1234): Very, very expensive, in the top 3 of the best Japanese restaurants in Jakarta, teppanyaki at Rp1,5 million per person .
Sumiya ( STC Senayan ; Tel: +62-21 5793 1826): Izakaya serving delicious, authentic Japanese food. Excellent value-for-money (normal spend: Rp100,000). Popular especially after work, pub-like atmosphere. Must-try restaurant.
Sushi Nobu (Dharmawangsa square and other location ; Tel: +62-21 7278 6650): More expensive than average, fusion sushi.
Sushi Sei (Plaza Senayan ; Tel: +62-21 572 5510): Excellent sushis and sashimis, but not good value, at least Rp200,000k. If you are on a tight budget you can find cheaper options with similar taste.
Sushi Tei: (All over Jakarta): Slightly overrated (surprisingly, it is the best Japanese restaurant in Jakarta on TripAdvisor), Sushi Tei has a good marketing team, but the sushis are not impressive, nor authentic. It remains a decent venue, in particular for the service and atmosphere.
Sushi Tengoku (Jl. Radio Dalam Raya ; Tel: +62-21 739 6940): Good, traditional sushi at affordable prices.
Taichan (Plaza Senayan ; Tel: +62-21 572 5262, Jl. Melawai VI/No.5 Blok M ; Tel: +62-21 726 1281 (Izakaya Taichan)): 20 years-old, authentic restaurant. Recommended for its Stamina Ramen (Rp50,000).
Takemori (Senayan City (Sencity), 5th Floor ; Tel: +62-21 7278 1177): Mid-range shabu-shabu and grill restaurant with decent food. Meat imported from Australia. Around Rp150,000 to Rp200,000 per person, which is quite expensive. Also in Grand Indonesia (Tel: +62-21 2358 0368)
Tarakagima (Menteng ; Tel: +62-21 316 0359, Kelapa Gading ; Tel: +62-21 3281 7866): Previously called Sumo Sushi. Cheap sushi restaurant with weekend all-you-can-eat for Rp 120k++.
Tatemukai (Grand Indonesia, East Mall 3A ; Tel: +62-21 2358 1807): Reservation only, amazing dining experience, at least Rp1 million (but probably more) for Omakase . By famous Chef Tate-san