9 Japanese Restaurants Worth Visiting In Dubai
Roka
In the iconic Zaha Hadid-designed Opus in Dubai’s area of Business Bay, think of Roka as a contemporary update on Izakaya dining. The semi casual restaurant artfully combines the ancient grilling technique of robatayaki with a modern approach. Dishes like the delicate yellowtail sashimi with yuzu truffle dressing, succulent Korean spiced lamb cutlets, indulgent miso black cod and the bone marrow teriyaki, garlic confit skewer, miso buns and onion salad are all cooked to perfection over charcoal flames. From Monday to Friday, the business lunch menu priced at just Dhs130 is a great way to savour some of Roka’s most notable dishes.
Visit ROKARESTAURANT.COM
Honeycomb HiFi
Inspired by Tokyo’s intimate listening bars, Honeycomb Hi-Fi is a vinyl-first Japanese eatery and cocktail lounge that combines elevated food with a serious love of music. Tucked away in the backstreets of Business Bay, it has a moody, low-lit atmosphere where custom-built analogue sound systems take centre stage. The curated playlist – including everything from soulful jazz to rare grooves – sets the tone for a laidback but still elevated experience. Think of the menu as a modern take on Japanese comfort food, including wagyu sandos, miso eggplant and perfectly crisp chicken karaage, alongside an impressive selection of natural wines and house-crafted cocktails. Whether you’re popping in for dinner or lingering over drinks, it’s the kind of place where good food, good music, and good company come together effortlessly.
Visit HONEYCOMBHIFI.COM
Nobu
Part of the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, Nobu blends traditional Japanese techniques with innovative Peruvian flavours. Helmed by renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, signature dishes such as the black cod miso, thinly sliced yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and nobu-style wagyu beef are all exquisitely prepared to make the most of the flavours. Recognised by the Michelin guide as one of the best in Dubai, you’ll find it on the 22nd floor with breath-taking views to match.
Visit ATLANTIS.COM
Hoseki
Hoseki is a hidden gem within the Bulgari Resort Dubai. Translating as “gemstone” in Japanese, the minimalist dining space is where guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience overseen by chef Masahiro Sugiyama. With just nine seats, dining at Hoseki is a unique Omakase experience – the most authentic way to consume Japanese food that means “I leave it to you”. After arriving through a special Tokonoma, or entry room, guests turn their palates over to the whims of the chef here – you don’t know what you’re getting, but it’s guaranteed to be exceptional.
Visit BULGARIHOTELS.COM
Kinoya
The Kinoya concept is primarily focused on two vital Japanese experiences: Izakaya and Ramen. Izakaya is an informal Japanese dining experience where people gather after work to enjoy snacks and beverages, and Ramen is an everyday dish in Japan. At Kinoya, ramen takes centre stage – delicate and nuanced, the carefully selected ingredients are cooked to perfection to transport you to the bustling streets of Japan. We’d recommend the Shio Paitan ramen, as well as the duck option. Other noteworthy dishes on the menu include the burnt butter scallops, beef chimichurri ponzu and Onsen egg on rice with dashi.
Visit KINOYA.COM
Kokoro
Kokoro has fast become one of Dubai’s most talked-about Japanese concepts. With locations in Alserkal Avenue and Nad Al Sheba, it’s the UAE’s first dedicated handroll bar – known for serving warm, crispy rolls directly from the chefs’ hands to yours. The menu is tight but refined, with favourites like spicy tuna, hamachi and A5 wagyu, alongside lighter bites like maguro crudo and hijiki seaweed salad. Walk-ins only and strictly first-come, first-serve, Kokoro recently launched the world’s first handroll omakase drive-through at its Alserkal branch – a playful twist on its fast, fresh approach that’s made it a firm favourite.
Visit EATKOKORO.XYZ
@Kokoro.DXB
Reif Kushiyaki
Its second venue in Dubai, Reif Kushiyaki’s Dubai Hills outpost makes for an intimate and authentic dining experience. Michelin-recognised chef Reif Othman’s concept offers up an extensive menu of sharing dishes – staying true to Izakaya-style eating. The licensed restaurant boasts two private dining rooms and a seated bar, where diners can indulge in Reif’s unconventional Japanese street food favourites including the wagyu katsu sando, 18 hours ramen, and truffle udon and escargot takeyaki, which the original venue in Dar Al Wasl is known for. Several exciting new dishes have been introduced specifically for the Dubai Hills location such as the delicate aburi scallop with gooseberry sauce and crispy arare, and duck gyoza with miso and chilli ponzu.
Visit REIFKUSHIYAKI.COM
Mimi Kakushi
Mimi Kakushi pays homage to a bygone era – think smokey jazz bars dotted along the streets of Osaka in the 1920s – a golden era in which traditional Japanese values collided with modernity. In the same spirit, Mimi Kakushi’s menu consists of reimagined versions of noted Japanese classics. The sushi, sashimi and tempura offerings are plentiful and delicious – but it’s worth indulging in small dishes such as the baked bone marrow beef tartare with pickled onion and fried buns, or the octopus carpaccio with red kosho vinaigrette, pickled shallot and shio kombu. Heartier dishes include the grilled beef tenderloin with chipotle soy glaze, shiso mayo, truffle mayo and spicy ponzu, and the donabe rice pot of seasonal mushrooms with seaweed butter, shiso leaves and fresh truffle. On the weekends, Mimi Kakushi’s brunch has a great vibe.
Visit MIMIKAKUSHI.AE
Gohan
Gohan is the kind of place you want to keep to yourself and your inner circle. The small venue exudes plenty of character and is often referred to as a “celebration of authentic and conventional Japanese dining rooms.” Cosy and intimate, the restaurant is discreetly tucked between the wine fridges at famed Dubai eatery, La Cantine. In Japanese, the word Gohan translates to, “meal of any sort” – often in reference to any cooked rice dish. The restaurant’s interpretation of traditional Japanese street food is to serve it up in the most elegant way possible. The selective menu includes robatayaki style skewers, sushi, and gyoza meticulously cooked up using the finest high-end ingredients infused with unconventional flavours such as caviar and foie-gras. Standout dishes include the spicy crab miso soup, crispy chilean sea bass in Japanese curry sauce, and wagyu tataki served with crispy mushroom and ponzu.
Visit GOHAN.AE
@Kokoro.DXB
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