4 Omakase Spots in Kota Kinabalu You Won’t Forget Soon
Kota Kinabalu is one of my favourite holiday destinations in Malaysia because of its beautiful beaches and diverse cuisine. I have to admit, though, that even though we’ve been here a couple of times, we keep coming back for its omakase restaurants.
As someone who loves surprises, there’s just something about not knowing what you’re going to be served with next, and these Omakase restaurants in Kota Kinabalu do this perfectly! From sushi to grilled meat and more, the dishes they’ll curate will never disappoint.
With that said, some fell short in delivering memorable dining experiences, and those are what we aim to help you avoid with this list! Keep on reading to experience surprise upon surprise curated by top chefs at these Japanese omakase restaurants in KK!
Mi Omakase
– Media credit: miomakase.kk
Address: G-08, Ground Floor
Contact details: +60 16-865 0988
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Cost: $$$
Mi Omakase is one of the classiest Japanese spots in Kota Kinabalu, with its dim-lit interior, wooden floorings, and sophisticated furniture. With that said, it’s an Instaworthy spot to take tons of cool photos of both the food and the interior.
Speaking of the food, it’s second to none, as it’s always served fresh and prepared by veteran chefs. A prime example of this is their sashimi, which is so fresh that it virtually melts in your mouth!
The best way to sample their sushi is by getting the five-roll set, which also includes a generous serving of miso soup along with dessert! We also love how they offer seasonal items, like the Japanese live abalone, which they serve during the summertime.
Pro tip:
If you happen to visit around Valentine’s Day, ask for their uni set! These are placed in cute heart-shaped containers and beat any kind of chocolates out there!
Enso Teppanyaki (Japanese Restaurant at Jesselton Mall)
– Media credit: enso.kk
Address: 3, Jln Haji Saman
Contact details: +60 11-2534 1187
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If you love fresh-from-the-grill meat as much as I do, then Enso Teppanyaki should be on your radar! They offer various sliced beef, but if you want our advice, go for the black Angus for the most tender texture and savoury flavour.
Pair these grilled pieces of meat with their signature garlic fried rice, and you’re good to go! However, don’t forget to peek at their omakase menu as well, because you’ll be missing out on some great surprises from sushi to nigiri, soup, and more!
Their desserts are the main stars of their curated omakase offerings because of their cute appearances! For instance, there’s this vanilla ice cream dessert that’s shaped like a kitten—how can you say no to that?
Pro tip:
If you’re on a budget, we recommend trying one of their bento boxes to get complete meals at low prices. Here’s an extra tip: go for the smoked duck tempura!
Sakagura Japanese Restaurant
– Media credit: hungryfoodiesabah
Address: G-23A & G-25, Oceanus Waterfront Mall
Contact details: +60 12-817 3604
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $
Sakagura Japanese Restaurant features one of the most varied menus in Kota Kinabalu, offering classics like sashimi, sushi, udon, and more. The main highlight here is the omakase experience, and you can only view this menu at the restaurant because it refreshes constantly.
One of our favourite things about this place is its authenticity, which makes sense, given its Japanese owner. The same goes with their chefs, who personally curate the dishes for their omakase using only the freshest ingredients.
Seeing these chefs in action behind the grill is a thing of beauty. From how they slice their tuna to how they assemble each sushi roll, every action is done with such finesse that you’ll be drooling before your order reaches you.
Pro tip:
Aside from the premium Wagyu, we recommend getting the ox tongue from their meat menu! Trust us, it tastes better than it sounds—plus, it’s extremely tender!
Wagyu Akira
– Media credit: wagyuakira
Address: Lot No.21 Block D
Contact details: +60 12-364 3568
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If you want premium meat in your omakase set, then Wagyu Akira should be right up your alley! As you may have gleaned from its name, it’s one of the best places to get premium Wagyu beef, in all its tender and marbling glory.
When you get their set, however, you won’t just be getting these slices of beef, as you’ll also receive curated items from the chef themselves! For instance, you can either get traditional stone pot rice or ramen to go along with the Wagyu beef.
Lastly, the set also comes with one of their famous desserts! It can change from time to time, but our favourite one has to be their creamy matcha ice cream, as it’s perfect for washing off the meaty flavours of Wagyu.
Pro tip:
You can head to Ekohaus Cafe just across the street if you’re looking for a good place to wind down and let your stomach digest your feast properly. They also offer sweet treats like matcha cheesecake and tiramisu!