Japanese cuisine is popular not only among Japanese residents in Indonesia but also among Indonesians. In large cities like Jakarta, a wide range of restaurants, from affordable chain stores to high-end establishments, serve Japanese food, allowing people to enjoy Japanese dishes easily while living in Indonesia.

In this article, we will summarize six popular Japanese dishes in Indonesia. Additionally, we will introduce some popular Japanese restaurants in Jakarta, so those who want to know about the local Japanese food scene can use it as a reference.

Japanese Cuisine in Indonesia

There are many Japanese restaurants in Indonesia. Among them, the capital city Jakarta offers not only traditional Japanese dishes like sushi, ramen, and yakiniku but also specialized shops like ones focusing on ochazuke (rice with tea) that provide a more refined dining experience, allowing customers to enjoy meals just like they would in Japan.

In particular, the Blok M district in South Jakarta is home to many Japanese-style eateries such as izakayas and teppanyaki restaurants, making it a hub for the Japanese community. For those living in urban areas like Jakarta, it’s safe to say that there will be no shortage of Japanese food options.

Additionally, well-known chain restaurants such as Yoshinoya, Marugame Udon, and Ootoya are also operating, attracting both Indonesian and Japanese customers.

Popular Japanese Dishes in Indonesia (Rice Dishes)

Here are six popular Japanese dishes in Indonesia, along with the Japanese restaurants in Jakarta that serve them:

Sushi

Sushi is very popular in Indonesia, with a wide range of restaurants offering everything from affordable conveyor belt sushi chains to high-end sushi restaurants.

While tuna and salmon nigiri are common menu items, there are many Indonesians who are not used to eating raw fish. As a result, many restaurants offer sushi with ingredients that have been cooked or seasoned to suit local preferences, such as sushi with grilled or cooked toppings.

Moreover, some high-end restaurants are offering not only sushi but also sashimi and seafood bowls, which have become quite popular.

Sushi Tei

Sushi Tei has around 30 stores in Indonesia. In Jakarta, most of the restaurants are located inside large shopping malls such as Plaza Senayan and Pondok Indah Mall.

In addition to standard nigiri sushi, they offer menu items like “Spicy Tuna Rolls,” which cater to the local taste by incorporating a spicier flavor. Sushi Tei is also known for its wide variety of other Japanese dishes, such as tempura, yakitori, tamagoyaki, and matcha monaka.

While the prices are a bit higher than local standards, the variety of dishes and the restaurant’s comfortable atmosphere make it a popular choice.

Note: Sushi Tei is managed by the Indonesian company PT. Sushi Tei Indonesia, which owns seven other brands of Japanese restaurants and cafes as of November 2023.

Kappa Sushi

Known in Japan as an affordable conveyor belt sushi chain, Kappa Sushi has also expanded to Jakarta. Compared to Sushi Tei, the prices are more budget-friendly, making it a more casual option suitable for families.

One difference between the Indonesian Kappa Sushi and the original in Japan is the dining style, which is divided into à la carte and buffet (all-you-can-eat) options. The buffet costs around 2,000 yen for adults, with a time limit of 75 minutes. Customers can enjoy as many dishes as they want from the buffet menu during this time.

In addition to sushi, Kappa Sushi also offers a wide variety of other Japanese dishes such as yakitori, karaage, tempura, noodles, and rice bowls. Some customers come specifically to enjoy the non-sushi menu items.

Reference: KAPPA SUSHI MENU

Gyudon (Beef Bowl)

Japanese chains like Yoshinoya and Sukiya have also expanded to Indonesia. While the prices are not as inexpensive as in Japan, they are still affordable and popular among both Japanese and Indonesian customers.

To cater to local tastes, these restaurants often offer variations such as the addition of sambal sauce, a chili-based condiment, which is placed on the beef bowl. Like other Japanese foods, the menus are localized to meet Indonesian preferences.

Yoshinoya

One of the popular gyudon chains in Indonesia is Yoshinoya. Since the first store opened in 2010, the chain has increased its presence, using the catchphrase “JAPAN’S No.1 Beef Bowl.” The stores vary from independent restaurants with large tables and sofas, resembling family restaurants, to food court outlets in shopping malls. The price for an original beef bowl (regular size) is around 400 yen.

One of the distinguishing features of Yoshinoya in Indonesia is the wide variety of menu options other than beef bowls. The menu includes rice bowls like yakiniku, ebi fry, black pepper beef, and teriyaki chicken. Additionally, there are many options for beef bowl toppings, such as egg mayo or red hot chili.

Reference: yoshinoyaid

Popular Japanese Dishes in Indonesia (Noodle Dishes)

Ramen

When visiting supermarkets in Indonesia, you can often find aisles filled with instant noodles or cup ramen similar to those in Japan. For many Indonesians, “mi” (noodles) is a familiar meal, and there are also many people who enjoy Japanese ramen, which is similar to these noodles.

Additionally, some ramen restaurants in Indonesia are certified halal, allowing even Muslim customers to enjoy ramen without religious concerns. This has contributed to the popularity of ramen among the local population.

Ippudo

Ippudo, which has nine stores in Indonesia as of October 2023, is located in various shopping malls. The restaurant is famous for its Hakata tonkotsu ramen, but it also offers a variety of menus that do not contain pork, such as chicken tantanmen and chicken soy ramen.

Since Ippudo entered Indonesia in 2014, it has maintained steady popularity by providing menus for Muslim customers while keeping the same Hakata tonkotsu ramen that meets the needs of Japanese customers.

In addition to ramen, the restaurant offers a variety of a la carte Japanese dishes such as salmon mentaiko rice, soboro chashu rice, chicken nanban, and edamame.

Reference: IPPUDO

Barii Uma Ramen

Barii Uma Ramen, which prides itself on authentic Japanese flavors, is expanding in Jakarta, Bali, and Medan. The ramen served here uses broth imported from Japan, noodles made in each store, and char siu that is grilled to perfection, combining the best of both Japanese and local styles.

They offer a wide variety of ramen, and similar to Ippudo, they cater to local tastes by offering ramen options that do not contain pork. This shows their responsiveness to local preferences. The store’s interior also features traditional Japanese designs, giving customers the feeling of dining in a Japanese ramen shop.

Reference: RAMEN BAEI-UMA

Udon

The success of Marugame Udon’s expansion in Indonesia has significantly increased the awareness of udon among locals, making it one of the popular Japanese foods in the country.

However, apart from Marugame Udon, there aren’t many other large udon chain stores, and for many Indonesians, the image of udon is closely associated with Marugame Udon. In some areas, you can find boiled or dry udon noodles in supermarkets or Japanese food stores.

Marugame Udon

Marugame Udon expanded to Indonesia in 2013 and has steadily increased its number of stores. In October 2023, the company celebrated the opening of its 100th store in Indonesia.

One of the reasons for Marugame Udon’s success in Indonesia is its localized menu. They offer udon dishes like “Spicy Chicken White Soup Udon,” “Chicken Katsu Curry Udon,” and “Teriyaki Oil Udon,” which are flavors that cater to the local taste for bold, strong flavors.

Marugame Udon has also obtained halal certification, making it not only delicious but also a safe choice for Muslim customers. The prices for dishes such as the Kamatama Udon, Kake Udon, and Zaru Udon are all just under 400 yen.

Reference: MARUGAME UDON

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Company Formation in Indonesia

Other Popular Japanese Dishes in Indonesia

Takoyaki

In Indonesia, you can find street vendors known as “Warung” selling various dishes, including takoyaki. However, unlike Japan, where takoyaki typically contains octopus, many vendors in Indonesia serve takoyaki filled with sausage instead, as octopus is less commonly eaten by locals.

Takoyaki is also affordable and often sold as a snack, making it easy for people to buy and enjoy on the go. One of the reasons for its popularity is the ability for customers to choose their own toppings and sauce, allowing for personalized flavors.

Gindaco

Gindaco Indonesia, a well-known Japanese takoyaki chain, does not use pork or lard in its recipes. In addition to takoyaki, popular items include yakisoba and okonomiyaki.

The basic flavors of takoyaki include Original, Teriyaki, and Cheese Mentaiko, but new menu items are also introduced from time to time. For example, as of October 2023, Gindaco is offering takoyaki topped with crab roe and mayonnaise.

Reference: Gindaco Indonesia

Yakiniku (Grilled Meat)

The last popular Japanese dish in Indonesia that we’ll introduce is yakiniku.

In July 2023, the Japanese yakiniku restaurant “Yakitate Kalbi,” known for offering halal-compliant Korean BBQ-style kalbi rice bowls, opened its first store in Indonesia. This store’s development has been notable for its successful product localization, addressing the needs of local customers.

Additionally, “Yakiniku Like,” a Japanese chain that offers a unique dining experience where customers grill their own meat, also expanded into Indonesia. This innovative concept has drawn attention for introducing a new dining style.

Gyu-Kaku

Gyu-Kaku, a well-established yakiniku chain in Japan, expanded into Indonesia in 2015. The restaurant offers a variety of dining styles including à la carte, buffet, and lunch menu options, making it adaptable to various group sizes and budgets.

In addition to the highly popular Gyu-Kaku Kalbi, the menu features a wide range of beef options, including premium cuts like Harami (skirt steak) and Sukiyaki Shabu. Gyu-Kaku also serves over 50 side dishes, such as beef tendon stew and agedashi tofu, giving customers a comprehensive yakiniku experience.

Reference: Gyu-Kaku

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The Future of Popular Japanese Cuisine and Restaurants in Indonesia

Japanese cuisine has long been popular in Indonesia. As people’s incomes rise and the middle class expands, combined with the increasing participation of women in the workforce, the demand for Japanese food may evolve and change over time.

For example, the one-person yakiniku chain “Yakiniku Like,” which we briefly mentioned earlier, is one of the business models that takes into account diverse lifestyles.

It will be interesting to see which types of Japanese food become popular in Indonesia in the future, and which Japanese restaurants will succeed in this evolving market.