5 Japanese Food Spots to TRY in Miri

“Washoku” is a wide know Japanese term that means food of Japan. Japanese food is one of our many favorite cuisines to enjoy from time to time. If you are a huge sushi lover like me, I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Itadakimas” before. But do you know what does it mean? It is a saying to express your understanding of how much was sacrificed to prepare the meal. It is such a meaningful term, right? So, let’s value Japanese cuisine by dining at these 5 Japanese food spots in Miri!

1. Momiji Japanese Restaurant | Miri

Momiji Japanese Restaurant has been operating in Miri for quite some time now and Mirians seem to love it very much. Fun fact, The word “Momiji” means red leaves in Japanese which explains why there is a huge red leaf on the signboard. What makes this restaurant so special? Well, this particular restaurant is operated by an actual Japanese family so rest assured that you will be served a hearty authentic Japanese.

[ Image source: Momiji Japanese Restaurant Miri – Facebook ]

The one thing I love most about Momiji Japanese Restaurants is the bento style dishes. A crowd favorite is the Chicken Curry Katsu. The curry has a thick texture and tastes sweeter when compared to Indian Curry. The sweetness comes from the potatoes and carrots that are cooked with the curry gravy.

The delicious curry gravy is poured over crispy chicken katsu. The idea of this dish is enough to make you drool. The teriyaki mackerel is also worth a try. It is sweet and salty with a bit of tang from the squeeze of lemon.

[Image source : @Florencechong90 – Instagram]

Major bonus points are given to this restaurant for its side dishes that come with the meals. First of all, we have a light and easy salad which is a mix of shredded cucumber, tomato and onion with a tangy dressing.

A warm bowl of miso soup is also served on the side to make the meal extra warm and hearty. Then, we have sides of seaweed and anchovies with an extra side of vegetables to go with it. Pair up all these side dishes with the main dish and you are in for a delightful treat!

Location:

Shop Name: Momiji Japanese Restaurant

Address: Lot 1864 Marina Square Phase 2, Marina Parkcity, 98000, 98000 Miri, Sarawak

Operating Hours & Offday: 11.30 am – 2pm , 5.30pm – 9pm , Close on Mondays

Waze/ Google Maps: Momiji Japanese Restaurant

Status: Non – Halal

Facebook Account: Momiji Japanese Restaurant ≪marina square≫

2. Aoki Japanese Restaurant | Miri

Aoki Japanese Restaurant is definitely one of the more popular Japanese spots in Miri. It is very well received by locals and many of them have claimed Aoki Japanese Restaurant one of the best places for sushi in Miri. Even though it has a higher price range but it is worth every penny.

[ Image source : Aoki , Miri – Facebook]

One of the highlights on the menu is Omurice or Omu-raisu if you want to pronounce it with some Japanese flare. Omurice is an example of a yōshoku which is western-inspired style of Japanese Cuisine. The western element of this dish is the omelet. The omelet is placed on top of the fried rice. Think of it as a Japanese version of nasi goreng pattaya.

So, what makes it stand out more? The omelet isn’t cooked all the way through so it will have a runny and silky texture. Demi-glace is poured over the omelet giving it some rich flavor. The rich brown sauce is literally icing on the cake as the word glace means icing in reference to sauce. You can enjoy the Omurice with a side of crispy chicken katsu. YUM!

Aoki Japanese Restaurant also has an impressive sushi boat. With different varieties of sushi , it definitely looks stunning and tastes as amazing as it looks. Let’s talk about Sashimi. The Japanese delicacy of eating raw fish , usually Salmon. You can enjoy this delicacy at Aoki Japanese Restaurant. FRESH and THICK are the perfect words to describe the Sashimi at Aoki. Go ahead and try it.

Location:

Shop Name: Aoki Japanese Restaurant

Address: Lot 2945, Jalan Bulan Sabit, Faradale Commercial Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak

Operating Hours Offday:

Monday Closed

Weekdays: 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30–9:30pm

Weekends: 11:30am–9:30pm

Waze/ Google Maps: Lot 2945, Jalan Bulan Sabit, Faradale Commercial Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak

Status: Serve No Pork

Facebook Account: Aoki , Miri

3. Kyuzu 90s Ramen | Miri

[Image Source : @thekyuzu90sramen – Instagram]

Kyuzu 90s Ramen is located at one of Miri’s most popular food spots , Krokop Old House. Even though ramen is originally from China but it is often associated with Japanese Cuisine as well. The word ramen is Japanese transcription of the Chinese version “lamian”. Either way, this dish is super popular among food lovers. It’s a bowl of noodles with warm broth making the ultimate perfect comfort food.

Kyuzu 90s Ramen offers 3 types of broth flavors which are Ninniku Tonkotsu Ramen, Chicken Paitan Shoyu Ramen and Double Broth Ramen. My personal favorite has to be the Ninniku Tonkotsu Ramen. The Ninniku Tonkotsu Ramen is a garlic broth made from pork bone marrow. It has a deep and rich flavor, perfect for people that like strong taste for their flavor palate.

Another thing worth mentioning about the ramen is the toppings. The main topping is the slices of Japanese style barbeque pork. They use 3 layer pork meat which will give you a combination of fat and lean meat. Perfect for absorbing the barbeque flavor. The barbeque pork is torched before served, giving it a nice charred flavor. One hard boiled egg and some vegetables are also added as toppings. It only costs RM13-17, so it’s definitely worth your money.

Location:

Shop Name: Kyuzu 90s Ramen

Address: 9, Jalan Krokop Utama, 98000 Miri, Sarawak

Operating Hours Offday: 6pm onwards

Waze/ Google Maps: 9, Jalan Krokop Utama, 98000 Miri, Sarawak

Status: Non- Halal

4. Sushi Mentai | Miri

Sushi Mentai is one of the many sushi restaurant chains that is available in Miri. The name Sushi Mentai comes from the term “ Mentaiko”, a sought after top fish roe dish that is lightly flavored with sauce. A classic Japanese homemade dish.

[Image Source : Sushi Mentai Miri ,Sarawak – Facebook]

Sushi Mentai’s philosophy is to bring affordable sushi and quality Japanese food to the masses. As we all know, Japanese cuisine can be quite pricey as it is not just some random food. It is a medium for us the experience Japanese culture. However, Japanese cuisine is no longer an experience reserved for the privileged. All thanks to Sushi Mentai!

Sushi Mentai’s sushi comes with three different price points. First on the list , the yellow plate which cost RM 1.80. Yellow plate sushi consists of Tamago which is an omelet sushi, wakame (seaweed) sushi, Cheese Chu Maki , Inari ( Stuffed sweet bean curd skin) and many other options. With RM2.80, you can enjoy the red plate sushi selection.

Red plate includes various types of Inari ( Inari Tuna, Inari Ebiko , Inari Idako), seafood sushi such as scallop, octopus, clam and shrimp sushi.

The highest price point is the blue plate selection which cost RM3.70. The blue plate selection is mostly salmon sushi with different variations such as Inari Salmon, Salmon Mentai and Salmon Mayo. Head over to their Facebook to check out their full menu.

Location:

Shop Name: Sushi Mentai Miri

Address: Lot 3526 & 3527 Ground Floor, Miri 101 Commercial Centre, Albayt Square, Jalan Miri-Pujut, 98000 Miri, Sarawak.

Operating Hours and Offday :

Weekdays : 12pm – 9.30pm

Weekend :11.30am – 10pm

Waze/ Google Maps: Lot 3526 & 3527 Ground Floor, Miri 101 Commercial Centre, Albayt Square, Jalan Miri-Pujut, 98000 Miri, Sarawak.

Status: Serve No Pork

Facebook Account: Sushi Mentai Miri

5. Zen-Fuduba | Miri

Zen-Fuduba is a cocktail bar with an attached dine in restaurant. They serve a variety of Japanese fusion food as well. A lot of foodies like to come here and have a chill evening at the bar.

One of the Japanese fusion foods on the menu would be the Yakimono. Yakimono means a variety of Japanese dishes that are either grilled or pan fried.

It is believed that Yakimono was invented by Soldiers who impaled chunks of meat on their swords and stuck them into fire. Zen-Fuduba offers many variations of Yakimono.

For seafood options , you can try out their yakimono cuttlefish and prawn. Prefer something meaty? Try their Yakimono from the Buta section. They have Butabara which is pork with leek and Enoki Bekon.

Zen-Fuduba also serves ramen with their own twist which is Yaki Soba. Yaki Soba is a type of Japanese stir fried noodles. They have a selection of Yaki Soba for you to choose which are vegetarian, chicken, pork, beef and seafood. The noodles are fired with the meats or vegetables with a rich and tasty sauce.

For those who are allowed to drink alcohol, give their Oriental Sake Daiquiri a try. Sake is an Japanese alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. It has a mildly sweet taste and has a balance of combination of astringent and savory taste. This cocktail contains rum and lime juice in it as well.