Local Guide

5 Best Japanese Restaurants in Jakarta You Can’t Miss

Hello FlokqJune 12, 2020

Japan is famous for many things, and cuisine ranks near the top of the list, as you might know, Japanese food is not just about sushi. Japanese cuisine is so diverse and surprising! Whether you like raw fish, grilled meat, noodles, or rice, Jakarta offers a great variety of lip-smacking Japanese food to satisfy your appetite. There are plenty of Japanese spots in Jakarta to choose from. So, picking the best place to eat can feel a bit intimidating. Luckily for you, In this Japanese food guide, we handpicked the best spots in Jakarta to get a taste of the Japanese culinary tradition! Despite listing only five of tens of thousands of Jakarta’s Japanese restaurants, I do hope this list does recommend some places that you might get obsessed with or not find in most culinary guides.

We have also reviewed the Top Japanese Restaurant Chains in Jakarta you can easily find in any shopping malls.

Without further ado, here are our top 5 recommendations of some of the best classics to modern and fusion Japanese restaurants in Jakarta that will surely satisfy your Japanese food cravings!

1. OKU Restaurant and Bar

If you’re feeling fancy or wondering where to take your significant other, go to OKU. OKU is an excellent Japanese restaurant and bar located in the heart of Jakarta, precisely at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski. The exquisite restaurant is chef Kazumasa Yazawa’s playground, where he and his team serve delicious, elaborate, and creative food to their clients. OKU offers a modern take on Japanese dishes combined with alluring traditional flair; the quality of their meals is beyond compare, OKU fresh seafood is imported from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo. To ensure that the restaurant only serves the most refreshing and state of the art quality sashimi, sushi, and other seafood-based items, OKU imported the ingredients twice per week. 

OKU is not only stealing our hearts with their delicious dishes; this restaurant has a Zen-like atmosphere and laid-back jazzy vibes that make it an excellent choice for business lunches, special occasion dinners, and after-work destinations. If you’re looking for a post-work pick-me-up or just a laid back afternoon sip, just head to OKU’s bar and lounge located just adjacent to the restaurant where you can enjoy relaxing sake, whiskeys, and other spirits. So, trust us that you can’t be missing out on this restaurant because you are indeed in for a surprise! 

Address: Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.1, RT.1/RW.5, Menteng, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10310

Phone Number: +62 21 2358 3896 (Table booking recommended)

Price Range: 
Mains start from Rp185.000,00 
Bar drinks start from Rp85.000,00 

Dress Code: Semi-Formal

Opening Hours:  
Mon – Sun 12:00 – 15:00 (Lunch), Mon – Sun 18:00 – 22:30 (Dinner)
Bar:
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 00:00
Fri – Sat 12:00 – 01:00

Official Website: https://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/dining/oku/

Social Media: @okujakarta on Instagram

2. Ippudo Ramen

There are plenty of Ramen places in Jakarta, and the several branches of infamous Ippudo Ramen, where you can enjoy excellent Ramen in complete anonymity that you will have heard about already are worth visiting. Ippudo Ramen was founded in 1985 in Japan, famous for its Hakata-style Tonkotsu (pork-based broth) made it is Ramen famous worldwide, opening 80 branches in Japan and more than 40 stores worldwide. In Jakarta itself, you can access Ippudo Ramen in several locations, and they have six stores all around Jakarta.

Specializing in Tonkotsu broth,  we recommend you to order Shiromaru Motoaji ramen one of Ippudo’s signature dish, and the ramen is served with their signature Tonkotsu soup, ultra-thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, and spring onions. You can also choose 4 of Ippudo’s noodles ranging from soft, normal, hard, and very hard or modify your ramen with different toppings. Some say it’s the best authentic Ramen you can get in Jakarta.

Address: Pacific Place 5th Floor. Unit 5-37 – SCBD, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53, RT.5 / RW.3 Senayan, Kebayoran Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan (IPPUDO Pacific Place)

Phone Number: +6221 5797 3339

Other Branches: Central Park, Grand Indonesia, Lippo Mall Puri, Lippo Mall Kemang

Price Range: Rp250.000,00 for two people (approx.) Without alcohol

Opening Hours:  10:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Sun). All Stores

Official Website: http://www.ippudo.co.id

Social Media: @ippudoindonesia on Instagram

3. Kintaro Sushi

The experience begins as soon as you enter through Kintaro Sushi front door; the interior of the establishment is reminiscent of modern, vibrant Tokyo meets traditional Japanese flair. Here, you can enjoy some of the bar’s fabulous cocktails. The vibe is lively, and the service is excellent, making it a top spot for group gatherings. The sharing-style menu has everything from sushi and sashimi to Gyu-Katsu, tempura, and more. And everything is as delicious as it looks. Some of our absolute favorites included Emperor Bento, Aburi Moriawase, and Kintaro Gyu Kushi Katsu.

Address: Rukan Garden House B-21, Pantai Indah Kusuma, Jakarta Utara., RT.6/RW.2, Kamal Muara, Kec. Penjaringan, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14460

Phone Number: +62-21-2257-0366

Price Range: Rp200.000,00 for two people (approx.)

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Sun)

Social Media: @kintarosushijkt on Instagram

4. Nara Senopati

Nara is a new player in Jakarta, but Nara is a Japanese dining and drinking experience you can’t miss out on! They are is inspired by Tokyo’s popular izakayas or Japanese-style bar, known for its karaoke, never-ending range of beautiful Japanese sake, whiskeys, spirits, and vivacious energy. Nara Restaurant & Loung indulges us with fusion Japanese dishes to excite and satisfy your palate. The mezzanine levels decorated with ornate furnishings, dark paneling, and an open bar complete with perfect chandelier is a sight to see. Our favorite dish from Nara is Chutoro Tacos made from crispy wonton skin taco filled with spicy diced chutoro and mashed avocado, eat it while sipping on your favorite Sake!

Address: Jl. Senopati No.86, RT.7/RW.3, Selong, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12110

Phone Number: +62-812-9960-7722

Price Range: Rp500.000,00 for two people (approx.) Without alcohol

Opening Hours:  
10:00 – 03:00 (Sun-Thur)
10:00 – 04:00 (Fri-Sat)

Official Website: http://www.narajakarta.com

Social Media: @narajkt on Instagram

5. Katsutoku

Deep-fried pork cutlets, or tonkatsu, should be on every foodie’s radar. They might not be the healthiest but are among Japan’s most-loved comfort foods! While Katsu is popular and has many restaurants in Jakarta, the best quality katsu in the city is in the palm of Katsutoku. Katsutoku is quite a hidden gem in Jakarta. This eatery is located in two locations; Thamrin and Senayan area. Craftily mixing between the traditional and modern Japanese cuisine, Katsutoku is dedicated to providing pure pleasure through food. Their pork sirloin katsu set is the most popular menu as it is the staple type of Tonkatsu. Katsutoku also serves beef, chicken, and seafood-based katsu to cater to all of their customer preferences!

Address: Plaza Senayan Sentral Senayan 1 Basement 1 Unit 10 BI Jl. Asia Afrika 8 RT.1/RW.3 Gelora Tanah Abang RT.1, RT.1/RW.3, Gelora, Tanahabang, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10270 (Plaza Senayan)

Phone Number: +62-21- 573-1001

Other Branch: Plaza Indonesia 

Price Range: Rp350.000 for two people (approx.) Without alcohol

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Sun). All Stores

Social Media: @katsutoku.id on Instagram

So, are you ready to try one of these amazing Japanese restaurants in Jakarta?