Fresh sashimi, intoxicating wasabi, crispy tempura; Japanese cuisine is definitely a favourite for many. If you love your sushi, then you should definitely indulge in a healthy and delicious Japanese buffet. Kuala Lumpur, a food haven, has a variety of Japanese restaurants to cater to everyone’s taste, budget and convenience. So, here are our top pick, of the five best places for Japanese buffets in KL.

Jogoya

T3, Relish floor, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL, 03 2142 1268

Jogoya is located in the heart of Bukit Bintang, making it very popular among tourist, and anyone and everyone who passes by Starhill Gallery.  You can choose to sit in four different places in this 3000 square foot restaurant; the disclosed area, semi-disclosed area, private seats for couples and the VIP rooms. But this is no typical Japanese buffet; Jogoya’s buffet is actually a fusion of Japanese, Italian, Western and Chinese! What makes this restaurant cosy is the soft-orange lighting with wooden chairs and tables. The selection of food is never-ending (sometimes more than 100 dishes), and the sashimi station – the most popular one- is always fully stacked with fresh seafood.   

Kampachi

Equatorial Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL, 03 2161 7777

Kampachi is the second oldest Japanese restaurant in Malaysia. Located within the Equatorial Hotel, the restaurant is famous for its Sunday brunch buffet. The chefs’ unique way of presenting the food on serving dishes, and on the buffet line is a sight for sore eyes. The price might be a little high, because the restaurant is located within a hotel, but, the impeccable service and fresh premium ingredients make it all worth it. Getting to Jalan Sultan Ismail during peak hours will give you a migraine, so make sure you plan to leave early. And don’t forget to make reservations!

Sen Tsuru

B-G 01, Block B, Jalan Persiaran Surian Palm Spring Damansara, PJ, 03 7801 8897

This is a popular spot if you are looking for something affordable and delicious. The buffet consists of more than 80 dishes, and you can be sure that they make it fresh – you can just taste the freshness! The favourite here seems to be the handrolls and the maki’s. Space is limited here, so it will be wise to make prior bookings. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare though.

Zipangu

Shangri-La Hotel, 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL, 03 2074 390

Zipangu is always packed, but you won’t find the noisy, messy, food grabbing hyenas here. The crowd that frequent here are more behave, you could say. You won’t find three people rushing to grab the last piece of California roll (people can be a little crazy when it comes to an all-you-can-eat situation). The interior is simple, big and spacious, with simple wooden tables and chairs.  

Shogun Healthy Japanese Buffet Restaurant

LG2, 119-120, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, Bandar Sunway, 03 5622 1831

The seating capacity of 400 in this restaurant is not enough because the place is always full, especially on weekends and meal times. Tempura, sukiyaki, sushi, sashimi, you name it, they have it. They offer straight up Japanese food, but if you don’t mind a little fusion, they also have a selection of Chinese, Thai and Western, infused into their Japanese dishes. The service is fast and efficient, and the waiters always have a smile on their face, to counter the frown on yours, after waiting in the long queue.

Have you been to any of these top five restaurants? Or maybe you have your own suggestions? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

A big thank you to Sarah of http://youhadyourlunch.blogspot.com/ for the lovely photos!

Written by Jivani Jeyasingam