There’s something about Japanese food that keeps pulling you back in. Somehow, it’s precise without being fussy, comforting without feeling heavy, and built on an attention to detail that you can taste in every bite. Across the world, everyone has an extreme relationship with Japanese cuisine—you either love it or you don’t, there’s no in-between. I remember trying its umami-heavy flavours for the first time and absolutely hating it. Perhaps because I hadn’t tried something quite like it ever before. But after trying it from some of the places that do it best, boy did I realise I was wrong the first time.
Yes, Japanese cuisine is an acquired taste, but no, it really is not all that hard to love. I may be biased, but it might just be one of the only guilt-free, healthy, and yet extremely delicious meals I enjoy when I eat out. What once started as a rather luxurious splurge has now become an India-wide addiction, and you best believe Gurugram is catching up. What was once just a handful of familiar spots has now expanded into a more varied landscape of Japanese fare across the city. Restaurants are paying closer attention to technique, sourcing, and authenticity while also making the cuisine accessible to a wider audience.
So whether you’re in it for a quick sushi fix, a celebratory meal, or simply curious to explore beyond your usual fix, these are the Gurugram spots that are doing Japanese best.
She’s Here
At She’s Here, the idea of Japanese dining is a carefully built experience. Opened by the team behind Call Me Ten, the space leans into contemporary Japanese cuisine with an omakase-style approach that lets the kitchen lead the narrative. It’s fancy and dimly-lit—Japanese fine dining at its best.
On the menu, crowd favourites include the Akamai tuna roll and gyoza platters for something familiar, while dishes like the yuzu butter garlic prawns and soft chicken buns have perfected the umami-heavy flavour that Japanese cuisine does so well. The robata section, featuring items like portobello mushrooms and chicken yakitori, comes straight off the grill with a smoky edge, while plates like miso squash risotto, lamb hamburger, and gochujang bucatini blur the lines between Japanese and global influences.
The bar follows the same philosophy, with an ingredient-led and precise approach. Their cocktails use elements like yuzu and miso, which bring an umami-rich edge to your drinks, so expect savoury cocktails at their best. The omakase experience is also built to recommend the best drinks to pair with the food, so if you’re looking for a highly curated meal, that’s the way to go.
With dark wood, terracotta tones, and low lighting, the space feels intimate without trying too hard. It works equally well for a long, unhurried dinner or a more social evening, depending on when you walk in.
Address: 1, Sushant Lok Phase I, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122009
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–3:30 pm, 6:30 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,000 (without alcohol)
Japonico
Located on Golf Course Road, here, dining feels just like stepping into a high-energy Tokyo nightscape, with equal parts food, theatre, and nightlife. The space is all about a contemporary izakaya-style experience, where the mood shifts as the evening progresses. From a polished meal setting in the day to a more electric, music-led bar scene at night. A dramatic robata grill anchors the space at the centre, with digital art and skyline views adding to the immersive, almost futuristic vibe.
On the food front, the menu stays rooted in Japanese technique, with touches of experimentation. The robata section is a highlight, with dishes like black cod miso and grilled skewers bringing that signature smoky, umami-filled flavour. Sushi, of course, is another strong suit. Most popular ones include their spicy tuna crispy rice, sashimi platters, and more elevated ones like truffle hako sushi. Small plates such as chicken karaage, bao, or crab-based dishes are good for sharing, ideal if you want to try a bit of everything.
At Japonico, you’re set to experience Japanese dining reimagined for a city that loves its nights out. Come for the robata and sushi, stay for the cocktails and energy!
Address: Second Floor, Tower D, Vipul Tech Square, Golf Course Rd, near Sector 42-43, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122009
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–4 pm, 7 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 3,000 (without alcohol)
EBISU
At EBISU, the focus is clear from the moment you walk in: this is Japanese dining that leans heavily into authenticity rather than trend. The space is designed to feel calm and understated, with a more traditional aesthetic that mirrors the quiet, detail-oriented experience for which Japanese cuisine is known, letting the food take centre stage.
The menu reflects that same philosophy. Expect a strong emphasis on classic Japanese staples done right. From fresh sushi and sashimi to ramen, donburi, and grilled dishes, each item on the menu is crafted using traditional techniques and ingredients. Sushi and sashimi are obvious go-tos here, especially if you’re looking for something clean and well-executed, while the ramen bowls and yakitori-style grilled dishes are good for those looking for something warmer and more filling. Their EBISU Special Cheesecake is the only right pick for dessert, so don’t leave without trying at least a spoonful.
EBISU is also known for omotenashi: the Japanese philosophy of thoughtful, heartfelt, and attentive hospitality. Hence, service here is warm and unobtrusive, adding to the overall sense of ease and authenticity of the space.
Address: Palm Spring Plaza, Golf Course Rd, DLF Phase 5, Sector 54, Gurugram, Haryana 122009
Timings: Monday to Friday (12–3 pm, 6–11 pm), Saturday & Sunday (12–11 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,000 (Without alcohol)
Harajuku Tokyo Cafe
Harajuku Tokyo Café brings Japan’s vibrant streetside energy, complete with manga murals, neon lights, and a giant sushi conveyor belt, to the city’s dining scene in a way that’s more of an experience than just a meal.
By day, the restaurant turns lunchtime into a unique Japanese experience with its Kaiten Zushi (conveyor belt sushi) concept. Plates of fresh sushi glide past you on a moving belt, and the fun is in the chase—you must grab the ones you want before they disappear. By night, Harajuku turns into an after-hours experience, providing diners with a look into what Tokyo’s nightlife is really like.
The menu at Harajuku offers a world of options, with dishes that taste just as good as they look. Expect fresh sushi like Rainbow Rolls and Spicy Avocado Cream Cheese Rolls, which are quick to vanish off the belt, alongside sashimi, asparagus tempura, and vegetable-topped options that are perfect for both adventurous and comfort-seeking palates. Small plates like shrimp dynamite, Korean-style corn dogs, and crispy chicken popcorn dusted in Harajuku’s signature spice are good for sharing. Meanwhile, crowd favourites for mains include coal-fired miso salmon, king oyster mushrooms, and comforting bowls like chicken katsu curry or ramen inspired by Japanese street and izakaya experiences.
And then there’s dessert—the part that blows your sweet tooth away! The café’s jiggly Japanese pancakes, impossibly soft and tall, have become an Instagram favourite, while other treats like fish-shaped taiyaki filled with ice cream or red bean and bear-shaped mochi are loved by everyone who visits.
Address: M3M IFC, Badshahpur, Sector 66, Gurugram, Haryana 122101
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,700
KUURAKU
The dining experience at Kuuraku is closest to what you’d expect from a casual Japanese izakaya. Unpretentious, lowkey, and built around grilled food, drinks, and long, easy evenings. Originally a Japanese chain, the space brings that culture with it: low seating with floor cushions, semi-private cubicles, and an open kitchen where skewers are constantly on the grill. It’s warm, buzzy, and feels just like a neighbourhood Tokyo spot.
On the menu, while you’ll see a fair share of Japanese delicacies, the standout here is yakitori—Japanese-style charcoal-grilled skewers. Chicken skewers are their signature, but the grill goes beyond that, with options like pork belly and even grilled eggplant that’s known for its smoky, melt-in-the-mouth texture. If you’re ordering right, start with a mix of skewers, add a comforting side like their potato salad with smoked egg, and then move on to something more filling like ramen or a donburi bowl. Their ramen, served with rich broth, pork belly, and eggs, is another popular pick, while sushi rolls like California rolls or signature variants round out the meal if you want variety.
Come here when you’re less in the mood for experimentation and more in the mood for something reliable, warm, and comforting.
Address: 15, Global Foyer, Global Foyer Mall, Golf Course Rd, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122009
Timings: Monday to Friday (12–2:30 pm, 6–10 pm), Saturday & Sunday (12–10 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,500 (without alcohol)
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