From bustling izakayas serving sake and small plates to tranquil sushi bars offering artful creations, the capital of Wales is home to a growing number of eateries that blend tradition with contemporary flair. Whether you're craving the comforting warmth of a steaming bowl of ramen or the precision of fresh sashimi, Cardiff's top Japanese restaurants promise a journey that’s as much about culture as it is about flavour.
Where To Eat Japanese Food In Cardiff
YO! Sushi
This fun spot has been making a name for itself since 1997 with its colour-coded dishes presented on a fun conveyor belt. YO! Sushi has over 100 restaurants up and down the UK, one of which is slap bang in the heart of St David's, Cardiff.
Perfect for an affordable, low-key bite to eat, it sources sustainable seafood to create an array of crowd pleasing dishes like California handrolls, beef teriyaki, chicken gyozas and katsu curries, followed by tempting sweet treats like Little Moons mochi and banoffee chocolate harumaki. And if you fancy learning how to make some yourself? There's a sushi school for that.
Add YO! Sushi to your list of Japanese restaurants in Cardiff city centre.
Yakitori1
For sticky teriyaki-marinated meats and salty hits of soy, Yakitori1 in Cardiff's Mermaid Quay can deliver. Upon entry, you'll be met with trendy wooden tables, low lighting, and a buzzy, fast-paced atmosphere. The restaurant uses local ingredients to form its delicious sharing plates, bringing fresh takes to classics and getting creative in the kitchen, too.
Wolf down three pieces of teppanyaki grilled prime beef fillet from the traditional robata grill, served over blow-torched sushi rice, and pair it with the likes of sea bass nigiri, crispy prawn and chicken parcels, and soft shell crab tempura.
Get your hands on this moreish nigiri for dinner.
The Ivy Asia
Visually stunning, The Ivy Asia makes a beautiful dining destination for a date night or special occasion. Prepare to unleash the Instagram stories as you cast your eyes upon the green onyx floor, pretty cherry trees and bronzed antiques. Here, you can devour tempting fusion flavours paired with fruity cocktails from a curated menu featuring an array of plant-based dishes too.
Our favourites include the yellowtail sashimi with a black truffle salad (super refreshing), the seared wagyu beef maki roll topped with a barbeque glaze, and the fiery gochujang glazed chicken alongside a kaffir lime mayonnaise.
This gorgeous restaurant boasts not one but two cherry trees.
YukiYan
Tucked away on Woodville Road in Cardiff’s bustling Cathays area, YukiYan is a vibrant gem for lovers of Japanese cuisine. With its quirky, cartoon-decorated walls and welcoming ambience, this modern eatery offers an extensive menu that caters to both traditionalists and adventurous diners.
From expertly rolled sushi and crispy tempura to hearty kyushu tonkotsu ramen bowls and flavourful teriyaki dishes, it serves up a feast of authentic Japanese flavours. Perfect for both casual dining and takeaway, it has quickly earned a reputation for its fresh ingredients, generous portions, and friendly service.
Let's face it, there's no dainty way to slurp.
Osaka
Located in the heart of the city on Cowbridge Road East, this stylish restaurant combines traditional flavours with a modern twist. The menu features a variety of dishes, from spicy tuna rolls to salmon sashimi, all made with the finest ingredients.
Osaka is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere, where guests can enjoy a fun dining experience surrounded by authentic wall art, elegant typography and rich, wooden furnishings. Perfect for both casual meals and special occasions, it brings the best of Japan to Cardiff.
Hunting for Japanese food in Cardiff? Osaka knows a thing or two about noodles.
Tenkaichi Sushi And Noodle Bar
Tenkaichi Susi and Noodle Bar just so happens to be the oldest Japanese eatery in the city, fronting award-winning plates and sustainably sourced sashimi. If you're on the hunt for some quality grub, then a place that's been serving top-tier noodles for over 20 years will definitely suffice. Oh, and did we mention its the UK's first carbon-neutral restaurant of its kind too?
The spot is all about 'good friends, great food', as its motto sums up, and we'd agree. You'll find a relaxed, friendly space full of happy diners chomping on chicken katsu maki, salmon ramen, and deep-fried prawns in breadcrumbs on a bed of rice with seaweed, leek, onion and shiitake mushrooms topped with egg and donburi sauce.
This Japanese restaurant on City Road, Cardiff, is bursting with umami flavours.
Don Don YATAI
Takoyaki? Charshu buns? Spicy chicken gyozas? Sign us up. You'll find all of this and more on the menu over at Don Don YATAI in Ely, and that's only the appetisers. This cosy and traditional spot has an array of hearty plates to get excited about.
Warm up with steaming rice bowls with your choice of meat, or tuck into one of its signatures like the sauce katsudon, featuring deep-fried pork cutlets coated in a sweet and sticky Japanese sauce. There's also warming ramen, quality sashimi, plus a selection of mochi for dessert.
Feeling a little ramen-tic? Get down to Don Don YATAI.
Volcano
Volcano is an all-you-can-eat Cardiff Japanese restaurant specialising in all things maki rolls and tempura. If you've ever wanted to see how much teppanyaki you can devour before you erupt (sorry), this is the place to visit.
Located in The Red Dragon Centre, it's an incredibly laid-back spot complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, a stone bar and ruby red lanterns. Delight in around 100 hot and cold dishes, and bag 50% off the a la carte menu when you visit for lunch from Monday to Thursday.
Load up on all the Japanese treats you can manage.
Hungry for more? Check out our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Cardiff.
