Ipoh is better known for its kopitiam classics and white coffee, but the city has quietly built a serious Japanese food scene to go with them. From bright, busy sushi counters in Greentown to charcoal izakaya grills, free-flow shabu-shabu, tidy bento houses, and steaming bowls of ramen, there is now a Japanese meal in Ipoh for almost any mood or budget. The tricky part is working out which spots are genuinely worth your weekend.
We did the digging for you. Every restaurant on this list holds a Google rating of at least 4.0 from real diner reviews, and we have ranked them by the total number of reviews, so the most-loved and most-visited names sit right at the top. We have also kept it to one outlet per brand and left out the places that have closed or drifted below the mark. From long-running favourites with thousands of reviews to smaller specialists doing one thing well, here are the 10 best places for Japanese food in Ipoh to plan your next meal around.
What Kind of Japanese Food Can You Find in Ipoh?
More than you might expect. Ipoh covers the full range, from conveyor-belt and made-to-order sushi to donburi rice bowls, bento sets, teppanyaki, kushiyaki skewers, and proper tonkotsu ramen. There are buffet-style shabu-shabu hotpots for big groups, casual izakaya spots built for after-work drinks and small plates, and quieter sit-down restaurants for a calmer dinner. Greentown and the Medan Ipoh area hold the biggest cluster of options, so you are rarely far from a good Japanese meal.
Is Japanese Food in Ipoh Halal-Friendly?
It depends on the spot. Several Japanese restaurants in Ipoh serve pork, alcohol, or both, so they are not suitable for Muslim diners. That said, halal-certified and no-pork Japanese options do exist in the city, such as Kaiten Sushi by JJC, which brands itself as a halal Japanese restaurant. If halal matters to your table, always confirm the latest certification directly with the restaurant before you book, since suppliers and menus can change. We have noted the style of each place below so you can plan around it.
Table of Contents
- 1. Sushi YA Greentown
- 2. Shabuya
- 3. Sushi Mentai Greentown
- 4. Dozo De Garden, Ipoh
- 5. Sushi Zento Festival Walk Ipoh
- 6. Hasshu Izakaya Ipoh
- 7. Taiyo Bento House
- 8. Jun Japanese Cuisine
- 9. Ramen Hitoyoshi Ipoh
- 10. Mad Ramen Bar
1. Sushi YA Greentown
With the biggest following of any Japanese spot in Ipoh, Sushi YA in Greentown is the name locals reach for first. The draw is fresh, generously cut sushi and sashimi at prices that feel fair for the quality, plus a wide menu of rolls, donburi, and hot dishes if raw fish is not your thing. It gets busy at lunch and dinner, so the turnover keeps everything moving and the fish tasting clean. The dining room is bright and casual, easy for a quick solo lunch or a family sit-down. Come for the salmon, stay for the aburi rolls, and expect a short wait on weekends.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 12, Greentown Business Centre, 1A, Persiaran Greentown 8, Pusat Perdagangan Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 011-5589 2201
Google Review: View on Google
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2. Shabuya
Set inside Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites, Shabuya brings Japanese-style shabu-shabu to Ipoh and does it as a free-flow experience that suits hungry groups. You pick your soup base, then swish thin slices of meat through the simmering broth and build your own bowls from a spread of vegetables, tofu, noodles, and dipping sauces. It is interactive, generous, and easy to linger over, which makes it a favourite for family gatherings and celebrations. The hotel setting means comfortable seating and parking, and the lunch and dinner sittings give you room to plan around a busy day. Pace yourself and go for the premium beef.
Operating Hours: Mon–Sat 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Sun 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Address: Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites, Jalan Lim Bo Seng, Taman Istana, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 012-735 6995
Google Review: View on Google
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3. Sushi Mentai Greentown
Sushi Mentai is the wallet-friendly conveyor-belt option in Greentown, and its huge review count shows how many people rely on it for an easy Japanese fix. The appeal is simple: colour-coded plates that start cheap, a long menu of sushi, rolls, ramen, and rice sets, and a steady supply moving past your seat. It is not fine dining, and it does not pretend to be, which is exactly why families and students keep filling the place. Order off the menu for the freshest items, grab a few belt plates while you wait, and you will walk out full without spending much. Good for a casual weekday meal.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 3 & 5, Persiaran Greentown 5, Pusat Perdagangan Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-255 8228
Google Review: View on Google
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4. Dozo De Garden, Ipoh
Dozo at De Garden leans a little more polished than the casual sushi bars, plating Japanese dishes with a modern touch in a comfortable mall setting. It is a good middle ground when you want something nicer than a food-court meal without the price of an omakase counter. The menu runs across sushi, sashimi, grilled mains, and set lunches, with presentation that photographs well and portions that satisfy. The midday break between lunch and dinner is worth noting, and weekends run straight through, so it is an easy stop while you are shopping. Bring a date or a small group and order a mix of raw and cooked plates.
Operating Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm; Fri–Sun 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Address: DGR-1, Ground Floor, Zone D, De Garden, No. 1, Persiaran Medan Ipoh, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-543 0666
Google Review: View on Google
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5. Sushi Zento Festival Walk Ipoh
Sushi Zento at Festival Walk is a dependable family choice, part of a well-run group that keeps quality steady across a broad menu. You get the full spread here, from sushi and sashimi to bento sets, udon, tempura, and grilled mains, so mixed tables with different cravings are easy to please. The lunch sets are the smart order for value, and the Medan Ipoh location comes with easy parking and mall comforts. It splits into lunch and dinner service on weekdays and runs through on weekends, so time your visit accordingly. A safe, crowd-pleasing pick when you want variety without any fuss.
Operating Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 am – 2:15 pm & 6:00 pm – 9:45 pm; Fri–Sun 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Address: Unit 2-26 to 2-28a, Festival Walk Ipoh, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1, Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 016-425 2966
Google Review: View on Google
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6. Hasshu Izakaya Ipoh
For a livelier evening, Hasshu Izakaya on Jalan Sultan Iskandar nails the after-dark izakaya vibe. It is built for grazing and drinking, with grilled skewers, sashimi, small plates, and rice dishes that suit a table of friends working through a few rounds. The mood is relaxed and social rather than formal, so it is a fun spot to settle in for the evening rather than rush a quick meal. Order a spread to share, try the grilled items straight off the fire, and let the night run long. A strong choice when you want food and atmosphere in equal measure.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: Palo 101, 191D & 191D1, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 010-365 8006
Google Review: View on Google
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7. Taiyo Bento House
Taiyo Bento House in Medan Ipoh Bestari is the neighbourhood pick for tidy, satisfying Japanese sets that will not empty your wallet. As the name suggests, bento boxes are the speciality, arriving neatly packed with a main, rice, and a handful of sides that make for a complete, balanced meal. It also serves donburi, sushi, and other everyday favourites, all with a home-kitchen sense of care. The room is small and unfussy, so it works best for a casual lunch or an early dinner rather than a big group night out. Note it closes on Mondays, so plan your visit around that.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Closed Mon)
Address: 7 & 9, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1D, Medan Ipoh Bestari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-549 2083
Google Review: View on Google
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8. Jun Japanese Cuisine
Tucked along Jalan Haji Eusoff near Kampar Road, Jun Japanese Cuisine is the kind of steady, well-liked local restaurant that regulars quietly guard. It focuses on doing the classics properly, with fresh sashimi, sushi, grilled dishes, and comforting set meals served in a calm, unhurried room. The vibe suits a proper sit-down dinner or a relaxed lunch rather than a quick grab-and-go, and the consistency is what keeps people coming back. It runs a lunch and dinner service with a break in between on weekdays, so check the timing before you head over. A reliable, no-drama choice for a satisfying Japanese meal.
Operating Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm; Sat–Sun 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Address: 19, Jalan Haji Eusoff, Perumahan Jalan Kampar, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 012-784 6606
Google Review: View on Google
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9. Ramen Hitoyoshi Ipoh
When the craving is specifically for a proper bowl of ramen, Ramen Hitoyoshi at Palo 101 is the Ipoh specialist to know. The focus is the broth, simmered for depth and served with springy noodles, a soft egg, and toppings that let you build the bowl your way. It is a small, focused menu done well, which is exactly what you want from a ramen shop rather than a sprawling all-rounder. The long daily hours make it an easy stop for a late lunch or an early dinner, and the casual seating means you are in and out without a wait most days. Slurp it hot and add extra garlic if you like a punch.
Operating Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30 am – 10:00 pm; Sat–Sun 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: 187-F, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-246 1570
Google Review: View on Google
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10. Mad Ramen Bar
Rounding out the list, Mad Ramen Bar on Jalan Market keeps things casual and central, a handy option when you are around the old town and want a warming bowl. The menu leans into ramen with a good range of broths and toppings, alongside a few side dishes to round out the meal. It is a laid-back, unpretentious spot rather than a design-led restaurant, and the daily lunch-to-night hours make it flexible for a spur-of-the-moment stop. Portions are hearty, so come hungry, and pair your bowl with a side of gyoza if they are on. A solid, easygoing finish to any Japanese food crawl through Ipoh.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 13, Jalan Market, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 017-800 4071
Google Review: View on Google
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Ipoh has grown into a genuinely good city for Japanese food, and the right pick really comes down to the occasion. For fresh sushi and sashimi you can trust, Sushi YA and Sushi Zento rarely miss, while Sushi Mentai keeps things easy on the wallet. When the group is big and hungry, Shabuya’s free-flow shabu-shabu is the move, and Dozo steps things up for a slightly dressier dinner. For a lively evening of grills and drinks, Hasshu Izakaya sets the mood, Taiyo and Jun handle tidy sets and classic dishes, and Ramen Hitoyoshi and Mad Ramen Bar cover the ramen cravings. Every spot here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can book any of them with confidence.
Hours and menus do change, and a couple of these places take a weekday off, so a quick call or a check on Google before you set off is always worth it. Now round up your crew, pick a counter or a hotpot, and make a proper weekend of it in Ipoh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Japanese restaurant in Ipoh has the best sushi?
Sushi YA in Greentown is the most popular sushi spot in Ipoh, praised for fresh, generous cuts at fair prices. Sushi Zento at Festival Walk is another strong choice for consistent quality and variety, while Sushi Mentai is the go-to when you want conveyor-belt sushi on a budget.
Is there halal Japanese food in Ipoh?
Yes, though many Japanese restaurants in Ipoh serve pork or alcohol and are not halal. Halal-focused options such as Kaiten Sushi by JJC do exist in the city. Always confirm the latest certification directly with the restaurant before booking, as suppliers and menus can change over time.
Where can I find good ramen in Ipoh?
For a dedicated bowl of ramen, Ramen Hitoyoshi at Palo 101 is the specialist to know, with broths simmered for depth and build-your-own toppings. Mad Ramen Bar on Jalan Market is a handy, casual alternative when you are around the old town area.
How much does Japanese food in Ipoh cost?
It varies by style. A conveyor-belt sushi meal, a bento set, or a bowl of ramen can run around RM15 to RM35 per person, while a full sushi and sashimi spread, an izakaya feast, or a free-flow shabu-shabu buffet typically lands between RM40 and RM90 per person, depending on how much you order.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
