7 Izakaya Spots in KL Guaranteed to Satisfy Japanese Cuisine Lovers
When seeking Japanese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, people typically turn to establishments that serve dishes such as tempura, ramen, and sushi. If you’re in a place like Kuala Lumpur, however, we recommend broadening your search and considering visiting Izakaya restaurants!
I remember my first Izakaya in KL, as I was culture-shocked about its no-fuss dining style. Plus, it was my first time trying highball, kickstarting what would become a bustling nightlife experience in the capital.
Since then, Izakaya restaurants have been a mainstay in after-work hangouts with my friends. So, if you’re looking for a casual spot that serves authentic Japanese food and offers cold drinks, keep reading!
Robataya Izakaya
– Media credit: robataya_izakaya
Address: D4, G3-09, Jln Dutamas 1
Contact details: +60 3-6211 2785
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Cost: $$
Entering Robataya Izakaya feels like stepping into an alleyway in Japan, where multiple hawker stalls line the streets. It’s dazzled with Japanese lanterns, an authentic Izakaya bar, fairy lights, and cherry blossoms, all while featuring the aromas of grilled meat from the kitchen!
Speaking of grilled meat, they’re some of the biggest highlights from their menu, whether it be the Australian beef, pork belly, or anything in between. If you want our advice, however, we recommend the A5 Wagyu due to its exceptional tenderness and rich flavour.
You can also order a wide variety of fresh sashimi, including their bluefin tuna, which is the most tender and melt-in-your-mouth option due to its high-fat content. The restaurant also features various seafood flown directly from Japan, such as sea urchins and scallops!
Pro tip:
If their location at Publikation Shopping Gallery is full or simply out of your way, you can also check out their branches at The Exchange TRX and 1 Utama Shopping Centre!
Senya Izakaya
– Media credit: whatweieats
Address: D5-G3-5, No 1, Jln Dutamas 1
Contact details: +60 3-6205 4999
Operating hours: Daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Senya Izakaya offers one of the most varied menus in the city, offering staples like ramen, sushi, and sashimi. Starting with their sushi, they offer the freshest ingredients and feature diverse flavours, with their California maki being one of the best.
This place is also known for its grilled offerings, with pork belly being one of its best sellers, thanks to the amazing flavourful marinade. These different types of meat feature the perfect BBQ aroma and grill marks—perfect for pairing with a cold pint!
Senya also offers an overall lively ambience akin to those Japanese bars you’ll find in the streets of Tokyo. It also helps that the place features an extensive drink selection that makes things get extra rowdy, especially if you’re with friends!
Pro tip:
You can get one of their bento boxes if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly. They feature various dishes like gyoza, sashimi, tempura, etc.
Tono Izakaya Changkat KL
– Media credit: tonoizakaya
Address: 17G, Jalan Angsoka
Contact details: +60 11-1112 1330
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Thursday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
If you’re looking for lively nightlife and Japanese food rolled into one, Tono Izakaya is the best option to check out. This bustling Izakaya restaurant sets the tone with its Instaworthy interior, complete with neon lights and a lively bar where you’ll find their expert chefs at work.
Watching these chefs at work, assembling various Japanese dishes with finesse, is a feast for the eyes! However, the best part is getting to try them for yourself, and this goes for all of their dishes, but especially their signature tono maki roll.
You can also indulge in various fried foods to satisfy your savoury cravings! Some of their best offerings from this menu include chicken karaage and ebi tempura, but our favourite has to be the gyoza because of its savoury filling and rich dipping sauce.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking to enjoy a heavy meal, we recommend ordering their chicken teriyaki don! It comes with a generous serving of chicken teriyaki, shiitake mushrooms, onions, and rice.
Yaki Soul Izakaya
– Media credit: yakisoul.izakaya
Address: 1, Jln Mesui, Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 12-458 1683
Operating hours: Daily from 4:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Cost: $$
Yaki Soul offers one of the most authentic Izakaya experiences in Kuala Lumpur, thanks to its vibrant interior and lively ambience. Its neon-lit signs, charcoal grills, and striking wall murals will make you feel like you’re in one of Shibuya’s Izakaya restaurants!
As for its food, our favourite dishes to order here are their different types of sashimi because of their freshness—plus, the authentic wasabi they’re served with is the cherry on top. However, a close second would be their sake-steamed clams, which are perfectly tender!
As previously mentioned, the restaurant does offer a charcoal grill, where you can choose to have vegetables, meat, and seafood grilled to perfection. We love the king oyster skewer, but you can’t go wrong with their mackerel, chicken thigh, and prawns!
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on their homemade ice cream, which features seasonal flavours throughout the year! They also offer ice cream that’s been wrapped in a shell to resemble a cigar, but don’t worry; no nicotine is present in this dish.
Butaya Izakaya
– Media credit: butayaizakayamy
Address: 14, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8
Contact details: +60 11-3993 7576
Operating hours: Daily from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Cost: $
Butaya Izakaya will immediately draw you into its doors with its striking facade, consisting of multiple Japanese lanterns. Entering it isn’t a decision you’ll regret, as you’ll be greeted by one of the cosiest Japanese gastropubs in the city that offers Iyazaki and yakitori.
Our favourite thing about this place, however, is its affordability, which is more impressive considering that their dishes don’t skimp out on quality. Some of their most affordable offerings are also their best, such as the pork belly skewers, which are perfectly tender and smoky!
Their gyozas are show-stealers as well, as they’re filled to the brim with juicy meat and veggie fillings. These savoury dishes, paired with a cold bottle of Sapporo or their highballs, are a match made in heaven!
Pro tip:
If cocktails are more up your alley as opposed to whiskey and Japanese beer, you can continue your night at Kokomo KL! It’s located just across the street from the Butaya Izakaya and offers an elegant drinking experience.
Raito Izakaya
– Media credit: raito_izakaya
Address: Suite G-1, Ground Floor level & Mezzanine
Contact details: +60 17-867 1884
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Cost: $$
If you’re looking for an izakaya spot that can double as a nightlife destination, then Raito Izakaya should be right up your alley! It offers a wide array of cocktails that will get you grooving to the upbeat music blasted on the speakers or by the live DJs.
However, we have a feeling that your focus will be solely shifted to the food, as they’re the main stars of this restaurant! One of the standouts is, hands-down, the lobster don, which features the signature white meat of the crustacean and umami rice—yum!
They also make cocktail drinks fun by offering blind boxes, think gacha, but instead of toys, you’ll get a surprise drink! Their shelf doesn’t play around as well, as they offer a wide variety of whiskey, gin, sake, and everything in between.
Pro tip:
Check out their official IG page before visiting because you may be just in time for one of their deals! Also, this page is where they typically post announcements regarding live acts and new menu items.