The best Japanese restaurants in Dublin

We’re going to start things off with a Japanese restaurant with a difference! Yamamori Izakaya specialises in made-to-share Japas (that is, Japanese tapas). With a distinctive underground bar and top DJs every night of the week, this place is a fantastic entertainment spot. Happily, the food is also exquisite. From Wagyu Sliders (served on squid ink brioche with fried potato shavings and yuzu mayonnaise), to Ama Age Tofu (lightly fried in Teriyaki sauce and topped with cashew nuts), the flavours are super exciting. If you can, leave room for dessert; we love the white chocolate and miso cheesecake, not to mention the Craic Pudding, silky vanilla ice cream served on miso caramel and topped with sweet potato crisps. Wow!

Located on Lower Georges Street in Dùn Laoghaire, SOUP Ramen is a neighbourhood restaurant serving up ramen, fermented foods, kombucha and cocktails in a casual dining environment. The dining room aims for ‘casual comfort’ and is kitted out with large wooden communal tables. Choose from a base (chicken, pork, veggie, vegan), a seasoning (shio, shoyu, miso, satay, kimchi, extra hot), and add your extras! All of the ramens come with Nori, spring onion, fermented red cabbage, pak choi and fennel. If you’re in the mood for something other than ramen, why not try one of the other Japanese inspired main courses like the kimchi mussels (pan-cooked in a chipotle chilli and kimchi sake cream), or the teriyaki pulled pork bao, complete with crispy onions and chilli sesame mayo. Prices are reasonable (most plates come in under €15), and the staff are always on hand to give you recommendations.

No Dublin-based Japanese restaurant guide is complete without reference to Zakura. If it’s sushi you’re after, this is the spot for you. Using only the best and highest quality fish (delivered to the restaurant each morning), the team here are dedicated to serving fine, expertly crafted plates. Real highlights include the sashimi and norimaki (both delightfully light), and the tasty homemade gyoza, jam-packed with prawns, garlic, and chives. It’s not all about the sushi, though; Zakura’s more substantial dishes are equally pleasing. We like the hearty chicken katsu curry and the veggie-friendly Yasai Yaki Soba (with crispy tofu, mixed veg, and fried egg). With plenty on offer for veggies, vegans and meat eaters alike, no one will feel left out. A must-visit!

Bites by Kwanghi is an Asian-Irish fusion street food restaurant, with a menu full of Japanese-inspired dishes. The decor is uber-trendy, with industrial looking ceilings and comfy leather booths, and the atmosphere is always lively. If you’re avoiding meat, the tofu miso ramen is second-to-none; hot and fiery, it’s guaranteed to tantalise the taste buds. For something a little fresher we recommend the raw Irish Salmon poke bowl or the teriyaki Irish salmon, served with nori and avocado. The crispy fried chicken dumplings are a brilliant accompaniment to the larger dishes, and if you’re in a group, the Asian-style tacos (filled with chicken, pork or tofu), are perfect for sharing.

The Ramen Bar is a bit of a Dublin institution. Loved by locals, visitors and food critics, it’s arguably the best spot to enjoy a ramen in the city. Home to Ireland’s first state-of-the-art noodle making machine, the team make all of their noodles on-site, and the chefs work tirelessly to provide ramens from many of the different regions in Japan. From tonkotsu ramen (pork bone broth) to ramen of Kyushu and Hokkaido (where miso ramen is the order of the day), they do it all — really well! There’s a brilliant set lunch menu, where you can order a ramen and add on an appetiser for just €3! And there’s even something for little ones: a simple Kids Love Ramen dish, complete with a light chicken broth, chicken chanshu, seasoned egg and nori seaweed.