Best sushi restaurants in KL

The chefs at Sushi Oribe uphold a standard of unyielding perfection – rocking the compulsories (nigiri and sashimi) and acing seasonal ingredients, from Seiko snow crabs and shirako (cod sperm sacs) to the freshest Hiroshima oysters. The Japanese maestros here know their ingredients, with lunch and dinner menus available in pre-ordained multi-course sets – you only have to sit back and submit to the will of the chef. The sets are carnivals of colours and, depending on type of set, can comprise an appetiser, specialty sushi (number of pieces depend on set), steamed egg custard sushi roll, miso soup and dessert. Oribe is making triple axels in a Japanese-saturated dining scene: technically sound, classy, with a polished culinary sensibility.

Pork free

A Michelin-starred sushi restaurant from New York, Sushi Azabu imports their seafood from Japan two to three times a week, and they specialise in tuna, sea eel and gizzard shad (a type of herring). You’ll be spoilt for choice here with a varied selection of fish that includes amberjack, big-eye snapper, horse mackerel, eels and more. 

Seats at the three-Michelin-star Sushi Saito in Tokyo are hard to come by, which is all the more reason one should make a pilgrimage to Taka by Sushi Saito, Chef Takashi Saito’s maiden venture out of Tokyo. Here you'll find nothing less than first-rate seafood flown in from Japan thrice a week and a collection of the finest sake. Definitely one for the bucket list. 

Sushi Ori is the latest venture Chef Ori-san (of Sushi Hinata and Oribe fame). Diners can expect meals made with utmost care and skill, using the freshest carefully selected ingredients as well as seasonal items. Focusing on quality over quantity, Sushi Ori offers meals that showcase various elements of classic Japanese cuisine, including steamed egg custard, sushi rolls and traditional Edo-style sushi pieces, of course. Sit at the counter to catch Chef Ori-san in action, and have a chat as your sushi is prepared. With him at the helm, you can be sure of one of the best sushi experiences in town. Splurge a little and go for the omakase menu.

This modern sushiya serves sushi and sashimi made with premium ingredients, and Chef Okabe (with Michelin star credentials) works wonders with signature dishes like chopped otoro and white fish sashimi. Go for the omakase menu, and after a satisfying meal head next door to Bar Shake, a Japanese-style cocktail bar that serves a variety of saké-based cocktails.