The Top 5 Yakiniku Restaurants in Malaysia
The yakiniku craze has swept all over the globe in recent years. And Malaysia is another country that’s not immune to it, with yakiniku places spread all throughout the country.
The top yakiniku restaurants in Malaysia give you the entire grilling experience at the best price. Let’s get into all of them down below!
How We Chose the Best Yakiniku Restaurants in Malaysia
The best yakiniku places often provide a unique experience that only the yakiniku style can offer. Knowing that, we recommend the top yakiniku restaurants in Malaysia based on the criteria below to ensure we give you the best choices:
1. Gerai Makan Japanese BBQ Taisyu Yakiniku
| Criteria | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Food | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
A unique yakiniku experience lies in the neighbourhood of Taman Desa in Kuala Lumpur. If you’re tired of stuffy and smoky yakiniku restaurants, then the open-air Gerai Makan Japanese BBQ Taisyu Yakiniku is a must-see.
We love that we can freely cook some of the most high-quality meat and seafood here. The open-air design makes it so all the smoke wafts into the night air.
Another thing that Taisyu Yakiniku has going for it is the unique variety in its menu. We got to cook uncommon cuts of meat like ox tongue and pork shoulder, all with the great help of the friendly staff.
Since Taisyu Yakiniku has a completely outdoor dining set-up, we found ourselves vulnerable to the weather. The good thing about it is that the staff has measures in place, whether rain or shine.
If it suddenly rains in the middle of your meal, as what happened with us, the staff puts up portable canopies. Still, we recommend coming prepared and dressing for the weather when you dine here.
Price-wise, Taisyu Yakiniku is more or less affordable. It doesn’t have the prices of high-class yakiniku restaurants, but it’s also not that cheap– but it’s definitely got a great value for money.
All in all, we definitely think Taisyu Yakiniku is one of the top yakiniku places in Malaysia. We know most others think the same because the place is always packed.
Whenever you’re in the Taman Desa area, check it out!
Pros
- Delicious variety of different meats, seafood, sauces, and sides
- Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable on what the restaurant offers
Cons
- Can get rained on unexpectedly if the weather is unpredictable
- Long wait times before getting a seat
Customer Reviews
Nice open-air yakiniku restaurant
“Very famous open air Japanese BBQ in Taman Desa. They start operate at 6pm, the best is to go earlier if not might need to queue up for long queue.
All the BBQ menu is good, the meat and seafood very nice! Having 1-2 bottles of Sake will be fantastic. The Mongolia chicken in pot just so so.. suggest to order BBQ menu will do” — chiew wernnie, Google Reviews
Great variety of food all around
“First time trying this place and was pretty good. There is a good selection of meat and cuts to choose from. The prices are slightly pricey for the portion. However, the meat tastes fresh and the sauces were amazing. The service was pretty quick too. Overall, great vibes and service.” — Felicia, Google Reviews
2. ROCKU Yakiniku @ Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
| Criteria | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Food | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The famous ROCKU Yakiniku has branches all over Malaysia. But we find that we just have to give a special mention to their branch at the Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur.
Located in one of the most popular food courts in Malaysia, ROCKU Yakiniku @ Pavilion delivers a great dining experience.
With the sounds of a live band in the background, we found the delicious variety to be much more enjoyable. As a whole, this branch’s ambience is very lively and delightful– a perfect place to dine with friends.
Now, let’s talk food! We adore the menu that ROCKU @ Pavilion has created, combining a great selection of tender meat and fresh seafood with a healthy salad bar.
Drinks aren’t included in the buffet price, and they can be a bit expensive, so do consider that when you dine here. And speaking of expensive, we definitely consider this place to be pricier than the typical yakiniku restaurants.
Since ROCKU @ Pavilion is inside one of the most well-known shopping malls in Malaysia, the place is almost always packed. We found it hard to get a spot during peak hours, with the staff being a bit slow.
Still, we can say that the experience and the flavours are worth what you’re paying for here at ROCKU @ Pavilion. It’s also a perfect spot for delicious food after you go shopping in the Pavilion KL!
Pros
- Wide variety of meats, seafood, sushi, salads, and drinks
- Fun and lively scene with a live band
- Delicious marinated meals to cook
Cons
- Drinks are not included in the buffet price
- A little on the pricier side compared to other yakiniku places
- Service is slow when there’s a lot of customers
Customer Reviews
Great yakiniku place to dine at with a big group
“The price is reasonable if the restaurant isn’t too crowded. Need to consider time to visit this place. All you can eat offers several options from the menu. Recommended for family and group of friends. Though they have a lot of customers, the staff were still attentive. And they have live band too.” — Star M, Google Reviews
Good variety of food
“Had dinner here last Sunday. Environment is nice, ventilation is good. Price wise for the BBQ itself is good, however the alcohol is at a higher side. Overall enjoy the BBQ experience here, the varieties, though was hoping they could offer more sushi varieties, mapo tofu tofu is good, wanton too. We ordered seafood and beef and pork for BBQ. Will return, prolly will try different branch.” — Simone S, Google Reviews
3. Kyomo
| Criteria | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Food | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Expect the genuine and delicious flavours of high-class Japan when you dine at Kyomo. Located in the upscale township of Desa Sri Hartamas in Kuala Lumpur, Kyomo is famous for its delightful wagyu.
When we stepped into the restaurant, we knew that this wasn’t any typical yakiniku place. There were quaint private rooms for small groups, with charcoal grills for each table.
We fell in love with their menu at first glance (not so much with the prices though but that’s expected). Kyomo showcases its famous wagyu, with each cut sliced to the right size and thickness by the chef.
Kyomo’s wagyu options are the star of their menu, there’s no doubt about that. But we also love their other offerings of authentic Tokyo-style cuts of meat, delicious beef tongue, and well-made sushi.
Such a great range in the menu shows the high prices in Kyomo. The price point makes this restaurant more of a “special occasion” type of place.
With regards to the staff, they’re alright in our book. We did notice that it can take some time to get the staff’s attention, but they are generally helpful and knowledgeable.
We also appreciate the quick and handy valet service that’s provided.
If you ever find yourself around Desa Sri Hartamas, Kyomo is definitely worth a visit for some great-tasting yakiniku.
Pros
- Delicious wagyu and beef selection
- Has uncommon yet delicious cuts of meat
- Private room is available for dining in
Cons
- A bit expensive to dine here
- Staff can be inattentive sometimes
Customer Reviews
Melt-in-your-mouth meals
“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! SUPER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The beef slices literally melt in your mouth. The onion rice is really good that the aroma just lingers in your senses. Every beef cuts in this restaurant is just juicy, tender and delicious. The staffs were friendly and warm. For the 3rd time, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!” — Edmund JP, Google Reviews
Great dining experience
“Absolutely love the whole experience. Private dining area for different number of pax, good quality food & bev, service and ventilation (important for yakiniku places).
The plum picked rice is a pleasant surprise and we like the basket of vegetables.
Parking can be a hassle but we used the valet service of RM10.” — Ainz (ainz_gourmet), Google Reviews
4. Yakiniku Great Kuala Lumpur
| Criteria | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Food | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
When we think “yakiniku”, we imagine the typical “do-it-yourself” grilling in a restaurant.
But Yakiniku Great Kuala Lumpur sets itself apart from all the DIY cooking. Professional chefs cook cuts of meat and seafood right in front of you so all you need to do is watch, enjoy, and eat!
We found this place in Damansara Heights’ The Republik, surrounded by high-class outlets. It is the first Malaysian branch of the original Yakiniku Great in Utsunomiya, Japan.
And boy, does it deliver the most authentic tastes of Japan. The meat used is of very high quality, with Japanese wagyu served in different styles.
Prices here are at a premium but honestly? It’s so worth it. The popular misuji wagyu and the lean prime fillet are only two of the many standout dishes.
Just like the quality of their food, their service also meets our high standards. We found that the friendly staff are also very knowledgeable about what they offer.
We did notice that this branch of Yakiniku Great KL always has diners. During peak eating hours, the place is full of customers so it’s best to have a reservation before going here.
There’s also no need to worry about the place being full of smoke as the ventilation here is top-notch.
All in all, Yakiniku Great Kuala Lumpur is a must-try for its delicious food and unique service. Check it out to enjoy the legitimate Japanese flavours!
Pros
- Legitimate Japanese yakiniku
- Great omakase experience
- Delicious and high-quality meat
Cons
- Very expensive prices
- Always packed
- Hard to get a reservation on a short notice
Customer Reviews
Main Thing
“Overall experience is 4/5, staffs are all very friendly and helpful with great smile and service. Meat are quality so can’t beat that. Tried the omakase, would go back for special occasion when run out of idea. Would not say they serve the best meat but it’s definitely very quality meat and cut. Encourage to make booking in advance or can try your luck for last min cancellation by others. A great place to bring a date but price is on a higher side for sure.” — Seong Chow Lim, Google Reviews
Delicious food
“We had an amazing wagyu beef omakase experience! We had the Kiwami set that includes 7 different cuts: Shakushi, Engawa, Misuji Briand, Misuji, Dai Sankaku, Tougarashi, and the signature Uni Chateau Briand. Each cut was served with different types of sauces, different styles of serving, with detailed explanation from our server. We had Raw Oyster Kimuchi (fresh) and Ago Dashi Somen (refreshing) as extra sides. Our meal ended with Strawberry Panna Cotta and flavourful Macha+Goma ice-cream as a birthday service. Thank you Awang Qadir and all the other staff from Yakiniku Great for your very enthusiastic and impeccable service!” — Suzanne Yin, Google Reviews
5. Crazy Yakiniku
| Criteria | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Food | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Crazy Yakiniku is a unique yakiniku restaurant in Negeri Sembilan. This yakiniku place offers a great dining experience and a delicious variety on the menu, and it immediately became one of our favourites!
We love that Crazy Yakiniku is a cool yakiniku-steamboat combination restaurant. Aside from grilling marinated meats, you can also cook your food in a typical hotpot set-up.
The quick service allowed us to enjoy a huge selection of meat, seafood, and ready-made food like sushi. We also appreciate how nice the staff is when assisting diners throughout service.
Another thing that Crazy Yakiniku has going for it is its wonderful interior. Alongside the open dining area, there are also VIP rooms with karaoke sound systems.
Before going here, you should know that there is a time limit of 2 hours for dining, which is not a problem for fast eaters like us! We believe this is to accommodate all the hungry diners who line up to try out everything the restaurant offers.
On the downside, we found that the rates here are more on the pricier side compared to other yakiniku restaurants in the area.
Still, we think that the prices are worth it for the entire experience we got! Great food, beautiful ambience, friendly staff, and quick service–what more could we ask for?
Pros
- Wide variety in their food
- Good ambience
- Nice staff
Cons
- Dining time is restricted to 2 hours
- Pricey food
Customer Reviews
Nice service
“A lot meat you can choose, also have bbq and steamboat. They allowed for booking start from 6pm and 8pm only and only 2 hours to enjoy your meal, this restaurant quite alot people, if you never booking i guess need to wait.
The service very nice and fast. seniors citizens is cheaper than adult, if you are birthdays, you can get 50% discount. the food very fresh, overall is pricey.” — Choco Starfish星星魚, Google Reviews
Good variety of food
“Bbq + shabu shabu. Very awesome place! Great price with variety of foods.
From chicken, beef, lamb and duck. Complete menu.
Definitely will return!” — Simon Lim, Google Reviews
FAQs about Yakiniku in Malaysia
More Resources about Restaurants in Malaysia
- 5 Best Food Courts in Selangor
- 7 Best Japanese Buffets in Malaysia
- 6 Best Chinese Restaurants in Malaysia
- 7 Best Dim Sum Restaurants in Ipoh