The best Japanese restaurants in Perth

Top-tier Western Australian produce and expertly-prepared Japanese cuisine is truly a match made in heaven, and there’s plenty of places in Perth cranking out top-tier meals that will make your jaw drop.

Ramen deserves its own list (which we’ve done for you HERE), and below you’ll find our selection of the best Japanese restaurants in Perth:

Hifumiya / Jigoro

It’s a testament to the quality of Hifumiya’s offerings that – in spite of its hidden location down a laneway running between Murray and Wellington Streets – it’s become a cult favourite amongst Perth noodle lovers. While their lunchtime offerings are excellent, in the evenings the restaurant changes its name to Jigoro and takes a pivot to traditional izakaya fare and a menu that is rarely seen in Perth – think seared stingray fin, monkfish liver, fermented squid guts and sea grapes with ponzu. Approaching its warm golden glow on a chilly evening? Truly immaculate vibes.

McLean Lane, 100-104 Murray Street, Perth

Rojiura Curry Samurai

These comforting bowls of Hokkaido soup curry have become a salve to gloomy winter days working in the city – and we’re not alone in thinking so! Rojiura Curry Samurai are Perth’s first eatery specialising in the regional curry, and each bowl boasts a mammoth assortment of veggies that’ll keep you nourished through the winter, alongside flavourful karaage, chicken Maryland or succulent pork belly. Not to be missed? The add-ons, which truly take this to the next level: garlicky fried broccoli, deliciously cheesy potato mochi or rice topped with soft-boiled egg and charred cheese.

4A Shafto Lane, Perth

Ekiben

This North Perth neighbourhood fave may be low-key, but their picture-perfect bento boxes are a must. Named for the bento boxes traditionally sold at train stations, Ekiben serves up a selection that you’ll want to stay a while and savour – especially if you’re treating yourself to one of their nourishing weekend brekkie bentos.

58 Angove Street, North Perth

Izakaya Tori

Fried chicken? Beers? Cocktails? Delicious skewers? Yeah, we can’t say we’re entirely surprised that this Vic Park spot has become such a fast favourite since opening at the end of 2023. Harnessing the easy-going, ultra-casual vibes of a Tokyo izakaya, Izakaya Tori is flavour-packed and heaps of fun.

610 Albany Highway, Victoria Park

Tosaka Ramen

Garlic lovers rejoice in the glory of Tosaka Ramen. Here you’ll find bowls of epic proportions, filled with tori paitan, the cooler older sister of a classic pork based ramen broth. Made with a chicken base, Tosaka ramen comes alongside spring onion, eggs and chicken chashu and the most important option, a $2 upsizing fee.

305 William Street, Northbridge

Bonsai

Under the tall ceilings and mood lighting you’ll find some delectable Japanese bites at Bonsai. On the higher end side, Bonsai is the perfect date night location if you and your boo are past the point of caring about fish breath. If you’re not, go straight for the caramel soy duck and eggplant mushroom mochi.

30 Roe Street, Northbridge

Sanco Japanese Cuisine

This low-key South Freo eatery has flown a little too under the radar for our liking – especially with how darn good it is. Sanco’s set menus are quickly becoming a thing of legend, finding the satisfying balance between meticulous and unpretentious. If you’re ordering à la carte, make sure you don’t miss the sashimi selection of the day.

2/19 Douro Road, South Fremantle

Egawa an

Tucked away down an East Perth side street, this Japanese eatery was one of 2021’s surprise hits, earning legions of fans with their traditional edomae-style sushi and 16-course omakase. As well as premium A5 wagyu and bluefin tuna, Egawa An is the only place in Perth where you can test your bravery and eat fugu.

1B/197 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth

Tsukaya

For one of the finest Japanese dining experiences in Perth, it’s hard to go past Tsukaya. While purists may balk at menu inclusions like tacos and umami fries, we could not be more on board – it really, beautifully, deliciously works. Plus it’s BYO! Outside of the tacos and fresh-as-heck sashimi, their fried chicken is…*chef’s kiss*.

167 Scarborough Beach Road, Mount Hawthorn

Haku

Haku‘s inclusion on just about any list must also include the caveat: we’re sorry that you probably won’t be able to get a booking! This six-seater omakase joint is as secretive as they come. Consider Haku’s motto “IYKYK” – whether it’s managing to get a reservation (basically impossible at this point!), or their incredibly restrained approach to high quality ingredients.

Location is top secret!

Taka’s Kitchen

There is a time and place for sashimi grade salmon in a dimly lit restaurant, but at Taka’s you’re going to find the everyday Japanese we all know and love. Whether it’s a piping hot katsu curry or the agedashi tofu which is crunchy, silky and swimming in sauce – you’ll find it in Taka’s kitchen. (Anna Cox)

150-152 Barrack Street, Perth

Furaibo

Furaibo’s first Australian location in Raine Square is already a CBD Japanese dining hit with Izayaka-style share dishes alongside a bar stacked with local and Japanese beers, along with plenty of tasty cocktails to mix up your weekends. Their specialty skewers are must-tries, as are the chicken wings, but with over 100 dishes to try we recommend experimenting as much as possible.

Raine Square, 300 Murray Street, Perth

Sado Island

Even though Sado Island has downsized in recent times from their old Stirling Highway corner location, the intimate new surrounds almost make it feel more authentic. It’s been operating for decades, and their bento box options are some of the best you’ll find around Perth.

Shop 1 Timesquare Shopping Centre, Claremont

Ha-Lu

We’re sure we’re not alone when we feel a degree of skepticism every time we see the words “tapas- style” thrown around willy-nilly. But Ha-Lu can cover even the most cynical skeptic to the merits of sharing. The menu spans from moreish zensai and otsumami starters through to more substantial mains – think slow cooked soy pork belly or grilled beef and miso plum sauce – all elegantly presented and designed for sharing. And I mean, that okonomiyaki… big oof.

Shop 4, 401 Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn

Nobu

If you’ve had a special occasion in the last ten years – anniversary, birthday, folks are paying… chances are, you’ve hit up Nobu. This global, Robert De Niro-owned brand has made a name for itself in excellence, and its Perth outpost is no different. The opulent dining room and its Crown setting naturally lends itself to celebrations, while complementing its modern Japanese-South American fare. The omakase menus are always a safe bet if you want to sit back and enjoy their signature dishes, but as any seafood-lovers will know, it’s well worth scoping out any local and seasonal highlights.

Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood

KiRi Japanese

This teeny-tiny Shenton Park spot works extra hard doing double duty, with one half of the restaurant a cheerful, neighbourhood BYO and takeaway, and the other half a slightly more sophisticated, intimate, licensed dining room. Whichever half you end up in, you’re in for a treat. You can expect many of the classics, with sashimi and sushi, as well as dishes like katsu, karaage, teriyaki and tempura on offer. For those wanting to explore their seaonal, Kyoto-inspired specialties a little more in-depth, their kaiseki degustation can be booked in advance.

142 Onslow Road, Shenton Park

Ichirin

If you’d stumbled upon Leeming’s family-run Ichirin for a quick lunch on the go, it would be easy to file it away as a particularly good, neighbourhood shopping strip takeaway joint. And while the casual lunch fare is, to give credit where credit’s due, extremely well executed – you’d be doing both Ichirin, and yourself, a disservice: the omakase is where it’s at. When it comes to seafood, chef Shiro Okuchi knows his stuff, and the chef’s choice omakase menu is the perfect way to showcase the union of Japanese culinary excellence and West Australian produce.

Shop 2, Cnr Beasley Road and Dundee Street, Leeming

Izakaya Sumi

It may have only recently opened where Sado Island used to be in Claremont, but Izakaya Sumi is already gaining plenty of fans with their expansive take on Japanese. Serving up tasty plates like Aburi Salmon Nigiri, Chicken Karaage, Popcorn Prawns, Spicy Beef Sukiyaki, Scallop Fried Rice and much more (make sure you get the beef wagyu skewers), all ordered conveniently from an iPad on each table.

53 Bay View Terrace, Claremont

Marumo

Marumo’s seven course omakase menu has become the stuff of legends. A three-hour experience in the itty-bitty, minimalist dining room, which itself is tucked away in an otherwise unremarkable Nedlands shopping village. At $75 per head, Marumo is one of the best value fine dining experiences in Perth – its extreme mystique comes in part from the scarcity of its highly sought after reservations. Released only a few times a year and snapped up eagerly, this is an evening to plan well in advance for.

22/145 Stirling Highway, Nedlands

Nine Japanese Bistro

A Highgate fine-dining staple for years, Nine Fine Food morphed into Nine Japanese Bistro in recent times, and still manages to keep the vibe inside very relaxed while serving up some incredible set menus filled with Japanese cuisine, now with a modern Australian twist. The set menus range from $55 (3 courses) up to $100 (6 courses) and haven’t changed much over the years – a testament to just how delicious they are. Added bonus – the restaurant is also BYO (wine only).

227 Bulwer Street, Highgate

James Parker

You might want your sushi fresh and bright, but your setting a little more dark and moody… enter, James Parker. Entering through the dramatic archway, you know you’re going to be in for a treat. Also purveyors of aburi sushi, you can expect to find plenty of grilled or seared rolls, as well as a robust selection of nigiri and sashimi. If you’re feeling brave, you can even try the natto (fermented soybean) roll – all with a glass of sake, of course.

Shop 2, 182 James Street, Northbridge

Kanpai Yakiniku Japanese Style BBQ

Ultra tender cuts of meat make Kanpai Yakiniku a next-level BBQ experience, as does the high-tech extraction fan – meaning you won’t leave smelling like a piece of grilled wagyu yourself. Make sure to book ahead, this spot is often packed to the rafters!

280 Albany Highway, Victoria Park

JBento

After it’s humble beginnings as a Vic Park pop-up, to opening its first brick and mortar premise at its current Mount Pleasant location, JBento has transformed into a casual, modern Japanese joint that specialises in bento boxes and izakaya style dishes. Their bento range marries the simplicity and authenticity of Japanese cuisine with premium fresh Australian produce, and each dish is cooked fresh upon ordering. Crowd favourites include the miso butter steak and sashimi grade teriyaki salmon.

Unit 4, 21-23 Queens Road, Mount Pleasant

Hayashi Japanese Restaurant

This low-key Mount Pleasant eatery has flown under the radar for a while now – especially for how good it is. If you’re in the market for fresh, authentic Japanese, you’re in the right place. Hayashi boasts an impressive and extensive range of dishes worthy of a taste test, so make sure you don’t miss their smashing sushi rolls and dumplings!

2/15 Ogilvie Road, Mount Pleasant

Header Image: Hayashi