Israel has one of the most developed Japanese food scenes in the Middle East. More than 340 Japanese restaurants operate across the country — from an intimate 22-seat omakase counter in Jaffa to a Tokyo-trained ramen chef running a pop-up at a different venue each week, to a kosher izakaya in Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighbourhood. Whatever brought you here — expat nostalgia, culinary curiosity, or a community gathering spot — the options have never been better.
This guide covers the standout options by style and city. For the full searchable list, see our Asian businesses directory.
Fine Dining & Omakase#
Terasu — Jaffa
The most-discussed omakase counter in Israel. Located on Yefet Street in Jaffa’s old city, Terasu offers modern Japanese fine dining built around seasonal produce and Japanese technique. The intimate setting fills up weeks in advance — book early for special occasions.
📍 Yefet 20, Jaffa | @terasutlv | 055-989-9366
UMAI Izakaya — Jaffa
A 22-seat room helmed by chef Alex Abramov, who spent six years training in Japan. The menu moves between kaiseki-influenced tasting menus and a more casual izakaya mode: yakitori, niku kappo, seasonal small plates. One of the few places in Israel where the Japanese technique is genuinely contemporary rather than approximate.
📍 Abed El Rauf El Bitar 8, Jaffa | umai-tlv.com | @umai.modern.japanese | 052-597-7897
Izakaya: Japanese Gastropubs#
Kimuraya — Tel Aviv
The first Israeli outpost of Kimuraya, a chain with nearly 200 branches across Japan. That pedigree shows: the menu spans yakitori skewers, sashimi, kushiage, and a serious sake list, in a setting that feels imported rather than approximated. On Maze Street in the heart of Tel Aviv’s dining district.
📍 Maze 3, Tel Aviv | kimurayaisrael.com | @kimuraya.j_israel | 055-299-6579
ASA Izakaya — Tel Aviv
A charcoal-grill izakaya centred on robata cooking: fish, vegetables, and meats over binchotan charcoal. The menu also runs sushi, gyoza, ramen, udon, and tempura alongside sake and cocktails. Part of a group that also operates HIGHBALL by ASA. On Ahad Ha’Am, near Habima Square.
📍 Ahad Ha’Am 54, Tel Aviv | @asa__izakaya | 03-375-2977
Saka Ba — Florentin, Tel Aviv
A small, intimate sake bar with food in Florentin. The Japanese-pub format — sake and shochu paired with small sharing plates — makes it a good evening option when you want something low-key rather than a full sit-down meal.
📍 Zevulun 8, Florentin, Tel Aviv | @saka_ba_tlv
OBI — Sound & Kitchen — Tel Aviv
A DJ-booth-plus-kitchen concept on Yavne Street: sushi, ramen, and yakitori from chef Didi alongside a resident DJ and rotating guest-chef evenings. OBI hosts regular collaboration nights with Down Town Ramen’s Sagi Dadush — check their Instagram for upcoming dates.
📍 Yavne 31, Tel Aviv | @obi__31 | 077-880-1744
Izakaya Karkur — Pardes Hanna-Karkur
The best Japanese option north of Tel Aviv outside Haifa. A full izakaya menu — sushi, yakitori, small plates — in a relaxed setting in the Pardes Hanna artisans’ complex.
📍 HaMoshav 42, Pardes Hanna-Karkur | izakaya.co.il | @izakaya_karkur | 053-383-1680
Ramen#
Israel’s ramen scene has grown into something worth taking seriously. The complete ramen ranking goes deep — here’s the short version:
Wabi Ramen — Tel Aviv
Chef Dean Shoshani’s ramen bar on De Picciotto Street. Rich, powerful broth; the yaki soba, onigiri, and gyoza are solid supporting acts.
📍 De Picciotto 23, Tel Aviv
Koko Neko — Florentin, Tel Aviv
A neighbourhood ramen bar that’s built a loyal local following. Reliable and reasonably priced — good for a quick lunch or late-night bowl.
📍 Florentin 5, Tel Aviv
Kamado Ramen — Pardes Hanna-Karkur
Run by Tokyo-born chef Tomoaki Sasazaki and his partner Maya Spencer. The menu is largely plant-based — an unusual and well-executed angle in the Israeli ramen space.
📍 HaShalom 4 (Orvot HaOmanim complex), Pardes Hanna | kamadokitchen.co.il | @kamado.ramen.il | 054-629-8760
Down Town Ramen — Tel Aviv (pop-up)
Chef Sagi Dadush’s Tokyo-style ramen project. No fixed address — he rotates residencies at different Tel Aviv venues (recent run at OBI). Follow @down7own_ramen for current locations.
Sushi#
Wat Sang Sushi & More — Tel Aviv
A reliable sushi-and-ramen spot near the HaRakevet complex (old train station area). Popular for weekday lunches and evening delivery across central Tel Aviv.
📍 HaRakevet 12, Tel Aviv | watsangsushi.co.il | @wat_sang | 077-980-0443
Yoko Sushi Bar — Florentin, Tel Aviv (Kosher)
All-you-can-eat sushi with freshly prepared rolls made in front of you, plus dim sum. Delivers across Tel Aviv. Kosher-certified.
📍 Florentin 5, Tel Aviv | sushiyoko.co.il | @yoko.sushibar | 077-332-2230
Onigiri-ya — Florentin, Tel Aviv
Japanese rice balls with fillings ranging from classic tuna mayo to seasonal market specials. Cheap, fast, done right — a standout for quick Japanese street food.
📍 Florentin 34, Tel Aviv | @onigiri_ya_tlv | 03-620-9922
SUKka Sushi — Multiple locations
A premium sushi chain with three branches and delivery covering Rishon LeZion to Hadera.
📍 Ramat Gan · Bat Yam · Netanya | sukkasushi.orderss.co.il | @sukka_sushi.il
Otoro — Ramat Gan (Kosher)
Hand-roll sushi bar in Ramat Gan. Kosher-certified.
📍 HaChilazon 1, Ramat Gan
Outside Tel Aviv#
Azia 19 — Jerusalem (Kosher)
The standout Japanese option in Jerusalem. An izakaya-style menu in Rehavia: sushi, sashimi, kushiyaki on charcoal grill, and Japanese-style burgers. Opened in 2024 and quickly became the go-to for Asian food in the capital. Kosher-certified.
📍 Aza 19, Jerusalem | @azia19_ | 02-587-7722
HaYapani — Mishmar HaSharon
Chef Guy Toledo’s Japanese restaurant in the Sharon region, in the Alonit complex. Sushi, ramen, and donburi bowls using quality ingredients. One of the better options outside the main cities.
📍 Alonit Complex, Mishmar HaSharon | hayapani.com | @hayapani_sushi | 077-772-9065
Kisu — Kiryat Ono
A modern Asian restaurant combining Japanese-influenced sushi and wok dishes with a cocktail bar. Good for families and groups, with vegan and gluten-free options.
📍 Rafael Eitan 1, Kiryat Ono | ki-su.co.il | @kisu_rest | 03-7501111
Kosher Japanese#
For observant diners, the options have improved significantly:
- Azia 19 (Jerusalem) — full izakaya menu, kosher-certified
- Yoko Sushi Bar (Tel Aviv) — all-you-can-eat sushi and dim sum
- Otoro (Ramat Gan) — hand-roll sushi bar
Note: many non-certified Japanese restaurants in Israel naturally avoid pork and shellfish, but this does not constitute kosher certification. Always confirm directly with the restaurant if kashrut matters to your group.
The Full Directory#
This guide covers recommended options; our Asian businesses directory lists all 342 Japanese restaurants in Israel, searchable by city.
Looking for ramen specifically? See the complete ramen ranking.
