Best-of Guides Hong Kong SAR China

The Best Japanese Restaurants in Hong Kong

8 Restaurants
From MICHELIN-Starred sushi to izakaya-style skewers, tempura and teppanyaki, these carefully selected Japanese restaurants are not to be missed in Hong Kong.
Updated on 14 October 2025

From handpicked ingredients to masterful techniques and thoughtful drink pairings, these Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong bring the art of Japan’s cuisine to life. Each establishment reflects Japan’s culinary philosophy through precision, seasonality and craftsmanship, offering diners a memorable experience where refined skill and pure flavor meet in harmony.

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Sushi Shikon
7F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
$$$$ · Sushi

Behind its minimalist, understated interior, Sushi Shikon quietly holds its place as Hong Kong’s only Three-MICHELIN-Starred Japanese restaurant. From the moment the meal begins, diners are captivated by the refined craftsmanship and impeccable attention to detail — from the precisely balanced shari (sushi rice) to artful fish aging techniques. Highlights include the tiger prawn nigiri, where fresh prawns are gently cooked to seventy percent doneness  before being briefly steamed at the counter for a perfectly tender texture, and the signature tuna trio, featuring akami, chutoro and otoro — each prepared with meticulous care to showcase their distinct flavors and textures.

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Godenya
UG, 182 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
$$$$ · Japanese

Tucked away in a quiet alley, this restaurant exudes understated elegance with its modest façade and minimalist design. Offering a single kaiseki-style omakase menu each day, the chef selects premium ingredients from Japan, adjusting dishes to the day’s catch and changing seasons. A standout is the abalone simmered in dashi and served with rice — tender abalone and plump grains harmonize with seasonal mushrooms and a rich liver sauce for lingering umami depth. Another highlight, the grilled nodoguro fish, boasts crisp skin, succulent flesh and aromatic oils. Chef-owner Shinya Goshima, who is also the sommelier and host, pairs each course with perfectly tempered sake, adding a creative touch that elevates the dining experience.

RELATED: Inspectors Reveal All: Discover Godenya’s Masterful Sake Pairing Journey and Culinary Excellence in a Hidden Gem

I M Teppanyaki & Wine
1F, SL Ginza, 68 Electric Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong
$$$$ · Teppanyaki

An understated teppanyaki restaurant in Tin Hau, run by experienced local chef Lawrence Mok. Known for its intimate setting and high-quality ingredients flown in daily from Japan and France, the restaurant offers a front-row seat to the chef’s refined teppan artistry. A highlight is the amadai fish with sea urchin cream sauce, featuring crispy golden scales and tender, flavorful flesh. With both set menus and à la carte options available, it’s an excellent destination for those who appreciate expertly crafted Japanese cuisine served in a warm and welcoming setting.

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Kappo Rin
7F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
$$$$ · Japanese

Located on the seventh floor of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, Kappo Rin offers an intimate dining space where every detail is carefully considered. Its 10-course kappo-style menu changes monthly, highlighting the season’s finest ingredients and premium Japanese produce. Each dish, from raw to cooked, showcases the chef’s versatile techniques and a delicate balance of natural flavors. The signature shaved ice dessert, crafted on a nearly century-old hand-cranked machine, melts instantly on the tongue and is paired with seasonal fruits for a unique and refreshing finish to the meal.

RELATED: Discover Hong Kong’s MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants by MTR: Island Line, Western Section

Nagamoto
8F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong
$$$$ · Japanese

Led by Chef Teruhiko Nagamoto, the restaurant embraces the philosophy of shun cuisine, strictly following the seasons and selecting only the finest ingredients at their peak. The dishes highlight traditional kaiseki techniques, and the chef often demonstrates the preparation of essentials like bonito flakes and dashi to give diners a deeper understanding of the craft. With decor that changes along with the seasons, the restaurant creates an atmosphere that reflects the beauty of nature’s cycle. The service team is attentive and multilingual, knowledgeable about both ingredients and the stories behind the dishes. The sake pairings are also thoughtfully curated, bringing guests a dining experience that is both complete and memorable.

Yardbird
154-158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
$$ · Yakitori

Yardbird's innovative yakitori cuisine centers around using fresh, locally sourced three-yellow chickens. The menu features over 20 different cuts, including common chicken breasts and wings, as well as rarer cuts like heart, thyroid and neck skin. Cooked on a binchotan (charcoal) grill, the rich smoky aroma locks in the juices, emphasizing the natural flavors of the ingredients. Its signature chicken meatball is a must-try: crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, it's paired with a raw egg yolk and tare sauce for a smooth, rich texture.

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Takeya
Shop 1, On Wah Building, 31C1 Tak Man Street, Whampoa Estate, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
$$ · Japanese

Tucked away in a quiet alley and themed around bamboo, this intimate Japanese eatery is run by Chef Mitsuru Harada and his wife, specializing in traditional izakaya fare, where small plates are enjoyed in a casual setting. The menu offers a wide range of skewers, with ingredients carefully selected by the chef — including pork and chicken sourced directly from Japan. A daily highlight is the limited salt-grilled chicken hearts, simply seasoned and cooked to crispy perfection to showcase their natural flavor. Pork skewers come in multiple preparations, including classic salt, miso and plum, with the miso pork particularly rich and aromatic. The house-made mentaiko tamagoyaki (spicy cod roe omelet) is not to be missed, with a delicate, silky texture, rich egg aroma and a subtle hint of spicy mentaiko (marinated cod or pollock roe). A curated selection of Japanese drinks is also available, perfect for pairing and enhancing the dining experience.

Ippoh
39 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
$$$ · Tempura

Tucked behind its yellow walls, the restaurant exudes a calm, understated charm despite its small size. Founded in Osaka in 1850 and now run by the fifth generation, it sources all ingredients fresh from Japan, changing seasonally. Each tempura, crafted with safflower oil and a light, airy batter, showcases Chef Koichiro Seki’s mastery, turning seemingly simple dishes into precise, expertly timed creations.

Further Reading: 2 Days in Central Hong Kong for Food and Art Lovers

Hero image: Nagamoto (©Raymond Ngai/Nagamoto)

Further Reading: The Best Dim Sum or Yum Cha Places in Hong Kong

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