Food and traveling are amazing stressbusters and the best ways to take a break from the tedious and tiring lives we lead. Traveling to Thailand is on the bucket list of most people, and while Bangkok is the first option, the country has way more to offer. In this article, we’ve recommended the best Japanese restaurants on Thailand’s largest island, Phuket.
Keep reading to learn more about Phuket, Japanese food, and the best restaurants for authentic Japanese cuisine in Phuket.
Where Is Phuket In Thailand?
Phuket is the second smallest province and the largest island in Thailand. Located at the southern tip of the country, Phuket is the size of Singapore and lies on the gorgeous Andaman Sea. The island is surrounded by 32 smaller islands, making it one of the best places to go island hopping and come back to exhilarating nightlife in high-spirited cities like Patong and Chalong, or calm and relaxing port cities and villages like Rawai and Surin.
Phuket has a variety of beaches too, again ranging from crowded and entertaining to calm and tranquil beaches like Kata Beach, Surin Beach, and more. Similarly, Phuket has every type of restaurant you can imagine too. While Thai food is easy to find in your everyday local shop or a high-end fine dining restaurant with 7-course meals, finding other international cuisines is not that hard either, because Phuket is so inclusive.
You can find vegan and vegetarian restaurants, Indian restaurants, Japanese restaurants, and many more at both budget-friendly restaurants and expensive fine dining restaurants. We’ll introduce you to the highlight of this article, Japanese food, before we dive into the list of the top Japanese restaurants to check out when you’re visiting Phuket.
Japanese Food: A Cultural And Culinary Delight
Japanese cuisine is a traditionally acclaimed cuisine and one of only three cuisines recognized for its traditional significance by the UN. Japanese cuisine takes the ingredients, preparation, and presentation of the food into serious account. Dishes are made with seasonal and fresh ingredients instead of the same recipe throughout the year. The food is usually very simple and made in small portions, but the entire meal is a combination of many different courses with several condiments, which add up to make a delicious and filling meal.
Japanese food is usually seared, boiled, or eaten raw. It also uses little oil for frying and minimal seasoning, with little use of chilies, garlic, and other spices. Apart from the varied menu, Japanese cuisine is also served differently, with great care in choosing the serving dishes. Ask your server at the restaurant about the significance of the selected dish, and you’ll be surprised. The best Japanese food is made from seafood, so it’s no surprise that Japan is big in the seafood industry. The good news for Phuket is that it is surrounded by beautiful bays, so seafood is easy to find. Keep reading to check out the much-awaited list.
The Best Recommended Japanese Restaurants In Phuket
Finding the best Japanese restaurant in Phuket might seem tricky because there are just too many options. That’s why our list of recommendations below is the perfect Japanese restaurant guide if you live in or ever want to visit Phuket.
#1 Little Edo
Hands down, the best Japanese restaurant in Phuket and our absolute favorite. They serve the best sushi rolls, shabi, sashimi, sukiyaki soup, wagyu, and Japanese rice, along with many other menu offerings. Although their most attractive point is the table BBQ, this stylish restaurant takes plating very seriously. The restaurant also has a relaxing atmosphere on its own, but guests can make it a little noisy. However, the food will make you forget any minor inconveniences. With reasonable prices, great food, and great service, Little Edo will not fail to impress and will also set high standards for other Japanese restaurants.
Location
4/60, Wirat Hongyok Road, Wichit, Phuket Town.
Open Hours
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
#2 NOZOMI Sushi and Izakaya
Nozomi Sushi and Izakaya is one of the most atmospheric restaurants in Phuket, located on a beautiful yacht marina known as Boat Lagoon and boasting great architectural design, which is itself very attractive. The food is a huge plus, on top of the amazing decor. The Japanese favorites at Nozomi Sushi are the Salmon Foie Gras Maki and various sushis at the sushi bar. The don and kushiyaki also taste fantastic, but customers always recommend the sushi rolls the most.
However, Nozomi Sushi and Izakaya is always crowded, so you’ll need to reserve a table and still bear with a little slow service, but trust us when we say the food is amazing at this great place for lunch or dinner! Give your eyes and taste buds a treat at this beautiful restaurant with an amazing view.
Location
20, 9, Ko Kaeo, Mueang.
Open Hours
Open daily from Thursday to Tuesday, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
#3 Gin Teppanyaki
Gin Teppanyaki is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Phuket, serving food in the “teppanyaki” style of grilling or cooking food on an iron plate. The restaurant has fantastic staff and a talented chef that cooks up excellent teppanyaki food using high-quality ingredients front of you. The gyoza fillings and scallops are also very tasty and filling. The menu items include a great range of meat and other age-friendly items, along with a wide selection of alcoholic drinks and soft drinks for accompaniment.
Location
57, Ratsada Road, Talat Yai, Phuket Town.
Open Hours
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
#4 Hana Ramen Rawai
If you’re into Japanese cuisine and love ramen, this is the perfect place to indulge in your favorites. Tonkatsu and gyoza are the best dishes at the restaurant, and customers never fail to rave about them. The sushi and sashimi are also very popular, but not as much as the ramen, which isn’t surprising given the name of the restaurant.
While they do not have very reasonable prices, you still get what you pay for, and you will be content with the excellent Japanese food on the menu. They also have a cute atmosphere, along with some of the best service, but the restaurant is always crowded, especially around lunchtime, so you would want to keep that in mind before you head there.
Location
5, 61 Moo 5, Wiset Road, Rawai, Mueang.
Open Hours
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
#5 Kapi Sushi Box
Customers call this a wonderful little gem that is hidden in Patong and one of the best sushi bars they know of. The franchise restaurant has a branch in Karon, which is unfortunately closed. The vibe at the restaurant is very welcoming, as are the employees, and customers always compliment the service. If you’re into seafood, the salmon sushi rolls are to die for. The highlight at Kapi Sushi Box, however, is their mouth-watering ramen. and maki, both flavorful and well-presented dishes from the extensive menu that keep customers coming back for more.
Location
162/108, Phungmuang Sai Kor, Patong, Kathu.
Open Hours
Open daily from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
#6 Nanami Yakiniku
Nanami Yakiniku serves wonderful and mouthwatering yakiniku (Japanese grilled beef), which never fails to impress customers. This is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Phuket, serving the best meats cooked with the freshest and highest quality ingredients. They still use real charcoal to grill, which is rare nowadays. The yakiniku sauce is delicious, served with extra garlic and chopped Thai chilies. They also serve the best sushi and sashimi you could ask for.
The best part about the restaurant, on top of the excellent food that is out of this world, is their great service, leaving customers completely satisfied with their experience. Prices are affordable but sometimes pricey depending on the dishes, but the restaurant runs many offers, making this a popular and favored Japanese restaurant for those in Cherngtalay or Bang Tao.
Location
21/8 Lagoon Rd., Cherngtalay, Thalang District.
Open Hours
Open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
#7 Baba Iki
Baba Iki at Sri Panwa Resort in Phuket is one of the top Japanese restaurants in Phuket with a panoramic view. The restaurant serves some of the best dishes from a large selection of Japanese food. From the good variety served at Baba Iki, sushi, udon noodles, sashimi, and edamame are some of the most popular dishes on the menu. The service is good, but the waiters do struggle with a little English, so you can go prepared beforehand. Prices are also on the higher end, so Baba Iki is ideal for a special occasion.
Location
88/31 Soi 8, Wichit, Phuket Town.
Open Hours
Open daily from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
#8 SHUN Sushi
Another one of the best sushi bars in Phuket, SHUN Sushi serves amazing sushi and sashimi. The restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine and has a lovely, welcoming atmosphere. The shrimp tempura is also one of the Japanese favorites served at SHUN Sushi, so if you’re a fan of shrimp, don’t miss out on it. The restaurant is unfortunately on the expensive side, so if you’re feeling adventurous or ready to splurge, this is the place for you. If not, try the restaurant out when they’re running promotions and when the prices are more reasonable.
Location
46/10, Moo 5, Wichit, Phuket Town.
Open Hours
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5- 9 p.m.
#9 Benihana
Benihana is a teppanyaki restaurant that takes the experience of live cooking to the next level. Enthusiasts of this authentic Japanese cuisine enjoy the show completely and find the whole experience elevated. Chef Prem and the other Teppan chefs at Benihana do an amazing job of creating well-presented and delicious food. The restaurant itself has a great ambiance and a good variety of choices. The meat is always fresh and well-cooked, leaving the taste buds delighted. At Benihana, the prices are very expensive, and you pay more for the experience than the food, which is unfortunate given that the food and service are great.
Location
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, 231, Mai Khao, Thalang District.
Open Hours
Open daily from 12-2:30 p.m. and 5–11 p.m.
#10 Ariake Restaurant
This stunning restaurant is a mix of great food, outstanding service, and an amazing experience. The teppanyaki bar is a display of great cooking and splendor and keeps even kids engrossed. Apart from the wagyu, the sushi rolls and scallops are also huge fan favorites. Soft Shell crab karaage and crispy salmon rolls are also some of the unique but delicious dishes at Ariake Restaurant.
The restaurant is in Karon, only a few kilometers away from Patong, and customers are always willing to take the drive for the great experience at Ariake. Prices are quite reasonable for the experience and even more affordable when promotions are running, which makes it quite a steal! The only drawback is that the restaurant is closed from Monday to Wednesday, so you will need to plan around it if you’re interested in trying out this amazing Japanese restaurant.
Location
29, Soi Karon Nui, Le Meridien Resort, Karon, Meaung.
Open Hours
Open from Thursday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
#11 YUZU Japanese Restaurant and Bar
This lovely restaurant has a calm atmosphere and is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner. The all-you-can-eat buffet is the highlight of the restaurant, and they are also very inclusive and have many gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options to choose from. The sushi rolls are delightful, and so are all the seafood dishes. The prices are also very affordable, so if you’re in the mood to dine to your heart’s content, YUZU Japanese restaurant is a great place to indulge.
Location
102, Bandon-Cherngtalay Road, Choeng Thale.
Open Hours
Open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Satisfy your Japanese Food Cravings in Phuket!
We hope these recommendations find you well because you will not regret choosing from our splendid list of the best Japanese restaurants in Phuket. Take a well-deserved break from Thai food, and enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine to fill your heart with satisfaction and great dishes. Phuket has something for every taste bud. Unfortunately, this list misses out on the amazing grand wagyu sushi served at Tai Omakase by Red Snapper because the restaurant no longer operates, but you’ll find people raving about it on other blogs.
Regardless, we’ve given you amazing options to choose from for the best of Japanese cuisine in Phuket, so start packing, visit Phuket, and indulge in scrumptious Japanese food.
