Mumbai’s romance with Japanese cuisine has grown into a full-blown love story. What started with a handful of sushi counters has now matured into a diverse dining culture where ramen bowls, robata grills, and Omakase experiences sit comfortably alongside neighbourhood charm. Each area of the city, whether Colaba’s historic elegance, Bandra’s bohemian cool, Lower Parel’s luxury towers, or the fast-paced corporate heart of BKC offers its own take on Japan’s culinary artistry. These five restaurants are the city’s finest, serving not just food, but moments that linger.
Wasabi by Morimoto
A landmark in every sense, Wasabi by Morimoto remains the gold standard of Japanese dining in Mumbai. Curated by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the menu here blends timeless Japanese traditions with global sophistication. Every dish feels curated with care, from the buttery miso cod to sushi elevated with truffle.
The setting is just as iconic: polished interiors inside The Taj Mahal Palace and sweeping views of the Arabian Sea outside. It’s the kind of place where dining transforms into an indulgent ritual, perfect for special celebrations.
What to Try: Black Cod Miso, Truffle Sushi Rolls, and the Chef’s Omakase Menu.
Price Range: INR 8,000–INR 12,000 for two (without alcohol).
Kofuku
For those who crave authenticity without excess, Kofuku is a Bandra gem. The restaurant recreates the cosy charm of a Tokyo Izakaya with its wooden interiors, intimate low seating, and a focus on soul-warming food. Here, ramen bowls brim with comfort, sashimi is served fresh and precise, and hotpots make for communal dining at its best.
The Bandra vibe adds to the experience, artsy, casual, and eclectic, just like the neighbourhood. Whether you’re catching up with friends or settling into a quiet evening, Kofuku feels like a slice of Japan tucked into Mumbai’s most vibrant suburb.
What to Try: Salmon Sashimi, Pork Belly Ramen, and Chicken Yakitori.
Price Range: INR 2,500–INR 3,500 for two.
Mizu Izakaya
While the sublime flavours and the sharp techniques of Japanese cuisine effortlessly lend themselves to fine dining, the haughty creations particular to an Izakaya are also just as truly Japanese. Mastering it is none other than Mizu Izakaya that practically brought the trend to Mumbai, and by a stretch, to India. Located in Khar, this cosy outpost is home to big, bold Japanese flavours fused with locally sourced ingredients to create something you can barely get anywhere else. Our picks from the menu include salmon yuzu gondhoraj and truffle, shio kombu mushrooms that feature a stunning sea algae dashi caramel sauce, and the matchamisu for dessert. If you’re a fan of Nigiri, the menu offers a decadent selection of sustainably sourced fresh cuts.
What to Try: Salmon yuzu gondhoraj and truffle, shio kombu mushrooms, matchamisu, and chakin from the cocktail menu.
Price Range: INR 3,500–INR 4,500 for two.
Yuuka
For fine dining with a view, Yuuka at The St. Regis is unmatched. Set high on the 37th floor, it offers sweeping cityscapes that glitter beneath you as you dine. The interiors are sleek and understated, allowing the food to take centre stage.
Yuuka’s menu celebrates refinement, think truffle-scented edamame, sashimi platters that look like edible art, and tuna tartare with just the right kick of spice. Perfect for a date night or a celebratory evening, Yuuka is as much about the ambience as it is about the food.
What to Try: Spicy Tuna Tartare, Truffle Edamame, and Sashimi Platter.
Price Range: INR 6,000–INR 8,000 for two (without alcohol).
Otoki
Otoki is a new Japanese izakaya-style restaurant in Colaba, Mumbai, founded by Pranav M. Rungta and Anurag Katriar. Unlike other Japanese restaurants in the city that often fuse cuisines, Otoki focuses on delivering an authentic, traditional Japanese experience.
The menu, created by Chef Mohit Singh, who trained in Japan, features classic dishes like kozaras (small plates), sashimi, ramen, and robata grills. Ingredients such as kanpyo, ikura, and sansho peppers, which are typically rare to find in Mumbai, are also used.
Otoki’s drink program is also a key highlight, with a three-page sake list curated by Maia Laifungbam, India’s only sake brewer. The menu also offers a variety of cocktails, mocktails, and other traditional Japanese beverages like umeshu and soju.
What to Try: Katsuyo Tataki, Prawn Tempura, Chicken Sando, Miso Chicken Ramen, the vegetarian Shoyu Ramen
Price Range: INR 3,500 (without alcohol).
