6 of the world’s most celebrated Japanese restaurants – outside Japan

It is a truth universally acknowledged in the hospitality business that two global cuisines stand out above the opposition when it comes to filling seats in restaurants: Italian and Japanese.

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, it’s a no-brainer to see why it’s such a deliciously compelling draw. The vast variety of techniques and ingredients, from tropical Okinawa up to snowy Hokkaido, ensure that even the most difficult of eaters will be happy.

Some – possibly many – will turn their nose up at a delicacy like shirako, otherwise known as cod sperm sacs, but will happily enjoy skewered chicken yakitori hot from the charcoal grill or impeccably fresh sashimi at a sushi bar.

Then, of course, there are the health benefits associated with the cuisine. Not for nothing is Japan home to many of the world’s longest living people. A 2022 Japanese Ministry of Health report revealed that the country had more than 90,000 centenarians.

But perhaps more than anything, the lure of Japanese cuisine comes from the country’s absolute obsession with quality, delivering the finest possible experience whether you’re in a steamy local ramen joint or a three Michelin-starred gastronomic temple.

Here we look at six celebrated Japanese restaurants around the world, revealing what makes them so special – and why they should feature in your travel plans.

Los Angeles has 11 Japanese restaurants holding either one or two Michelin stars, so lucky Angelenos have a world of Japanese fine dining to choose from – as long as they can bag a seat, that is. Those looking to reserve at two Michelin-starred Hayato will wait longer than most, as the kaiseki specialist only has one service per night – and only seven seats. Not only that, but the LA Times also recently named Hayato the best restaurant in all of the city, making reservations even harder to come by.

The reason for all the acclaim is chef-patron Brandon Hayato Go, someone who grew up working in his father’s sushi restaurant before undertaking stagiaire placements at fine dining legends including Tokyo’s Ishikawa. The seasonal, seafood-focused kaiseki menu that he crafts in the tiny space has quickly become arguably the most sought-after Japanese cuisine in the entire country.

From the suimono clear soup course through to seasonal fish in a rice pot, every dish is served with reverential focus and attention to detail, plated on antique Japanese porcelain. If you are one of the very lucky few to experience the 14-course menu – and no, reservations are not transferrable – then consider your culinary bucket list well and truly ticked.

1320 E. 7th St, Suite 126, Los Angeles

In a city like Hong Kong where Japanese food is universally adored, you’re not exactly short on options when it comes to high-end sushi. The challenge, usually, comes in securing bookings at the counters which usually feature less than a dozen seats. Currently, however, thanks to the weak yen, many Hong Kong guests are heading to Japan, meaning that local world class sushi spots are more accessible than ever for business and leisure visitors in the +852.

Sushi Fujimoto is a charming spot in the heart of Central. Chef Kenichi Fujimoto’s stunning traditional Edomae-style sushi is prepared in front of you and served with flair and warmth, while his wife Ai crafts flower arrangements that change weekly and complete the authentically Japanese experience.

The freshest catch flown in daily from Japan is served both at lunch and dinner. Fujimoto trained under both Shinji Kanesaka and Takashi Saito, so expect a lightness of touch and total mastery of his craft. For example, sakura masu (cherry trout) from Yamagata is beautifully rendered, while hamaguri clam features remarkable texture atop perfect rice. Along with sake, conversation with the fluent English-speaking chef flows too, which is not always the case in serious high-end sushi dining.

6/F 48 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong

Taku Mayfair, London

Regular visitors to London know that Mayfair is the capital’s swankiest and priciest district, so it’s no surprise that it’s also home to some of the most exclusive and authentic Japanese dining experiences. Taku is a 16-seat omakase restaurant on Albemarle Street, which is also home to designer boutiques, five-star boutique hotels and the elegant Royal Arcade, London’s oldest purpose-built shopping arcade dating from 1879.

Inside Taku, the design motif emphasises clean, minimalist lines, as do all great Japanese restaurants where the food shines as the brightest star. It comes from the hands of Takuya (Taku) Watanabe, who formerly ran Jin Paris that was awarded a Michelin star just months after opening.

On the menus, expect exquisite Edomae-style sushi along with truffle, caviar and other decadent embellishments. But the stellar ingredients are local wherever possible, so Cornish turbot is served sashimi style, brushed with white soy and accompanied by fresh English wasabi, no less. From slightly further afield, carabineros (Spanish red prawns) are lifted with hazelnut oil and come topped with caviar and seasonal flowers. Impeccable nigiri and an extraordinary scallop and truffle tempura are other highlights.

Taku Mayfair, 36 Albemarle Street , London , W1S 4JE

The Principality of Monaco has an astonishing range of fine dining for a country measuring just 2 sqm, but Yoshi at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is the only Japanese restaurant on the entire Cote d’Azur to have been awarded a Michelin star since 2010.

French designer Didier Gomez was responsible for the elegant restaurant’s feel, combining stone, silk and ebony with ivory and green tones, while doors open onto a Japanese garden.

Most credit however goes to chef Takeo Yamazaki, someone whose enviable resume includes stints working at Le Chateau alongside the legendary Paul Bocuse and opening L’Atelier restaurants for another legend, Joel Robuchon, in Tokyo, London and Hong Kong.

Yoshi – which means ‘respectful’ in Japanese, as fans of Super Mario Bros will know – was Robuchon’s first ever Japanese restaurant, but still retains French touches. On its signature Yoshi Menu, scallops cooked in yuzu butter are followed by marinated, grilled black cod, before wagyu tataki with wasabi mashed potatoes and then a selection of sushi before almons panna cotta to wrap. Choose from multiple sake, wines, whiskies or green teas to accompany.

4 Avenue de la Madone, 98000 Monaco

Just as in Hong Kong, you’d be hard pushed to find a more popular cuisine in Singapore than Japanese – and the same arguments also surface about which spot is the best. Dozens of restaurants would vie for best teppanyaki, sukiyaki, ramen or izakaya, even before you hit up shabu-shabu or yakiniku.

For sushi, the Michelin inspectors have crowned Shoukouwa as the city’s finest, but for ‘Japanese contemporary’, the plaudit and two stars go to Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands. 

Michelin are clearly not the only barometer – and many disagree vociferously with their judgements – but the Singapore flagship of Tetsuya Wakuda continues to win acclaim, while the support of celebrity fans like David Beckham also helps.

The Yohei Akao-designed space exudes warmth across different areas including private dining, the 10-seat chef’s table, sushi room or the relaxed bar, but wherever you choose to eat, the same focus applies of letting the finest seasonal ingredients sing. From donburi bowls decked in the freshest ikura and uni to carpaccio of chutoro tuna, Kagoshima white pork gyoza to Tasmanian ocean trout with yuzu, dishes are beautifully executed.

Waku Ghin, L2-03 The Shoppes, 2 Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Provok, Doha

Japanese food is another firm favourite across the Middle East, as seen by more than 350 restaurants in Dubai alone serving everything from bento boxes to curry, robata grills to noodles. The Qatari capital of Doha is also home to a range of options, from perennial favourites Nobu – who now boast more than 50 locations around the world – to standalone destinations such as Provok within the jaw-dropping Fairmont Doha.

There’s no mistaking you’re in the right place as the new landmark of The Iconic Towers – representing the country’s national seal, as well as traditional scimitar swords – can be seen from all over the city. Once inside, past the world’s largest chandelier in the lobby, no less, you are whisked up to the 33rd floor where ice sculptures and an ice bar are home to creative sushi and sashimi with intriguing flavour combinations, such as O-Toro and Chu-toro tuna with optional truffle salsa for extra extravagance.

One floor up, ice turns to fire with robatayaki and teppanyaki grills that give serious cuts of meat and seafood the charcoal treatment. Chicken, squid, lobster, miso slicked lamb chops and A5 Japanese wagyu are just some of the proteins to be kissed by fire but be sure to save room for their creative and decadent desserts.

Provok, Marina District, 33/34 Floor, Fairmont Doha 6th Street Lusail, Lusail, Qatar