Japanese cuisine is evermore popular in Bali, and, of course, where there’s Japanese food there’s sushi and sashimi.
With Jimabaran Fish Market just up the road, you can’t get much fresher than sushi in Uluwatu.
We’ve been trying as much sushi in Uluwatu as we could find, and we love sushi anyway, so it was an easy task for us!
Of the Japanese restaurants that we tried, some serve solely sushi and sashimi, while others serve a variety of Japanese cuisine.
But first…
What Is Sushi?
While many people associate sushi with raw fish, not all sushi contains it—some varieties use cooked toppings or even vegetarian fillings.
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of vinegared rice paired with various ingredients, including seafood (both raw and cooked), vegetables, seaweed, and sometimes meat. Common types include nigiri sushi, a slice of fish over rice, and maki, sushi rolls wrapped in seaweed.
Another dish, sashimi, is simply raw fish or other seafood served alone without rice.
Sushi is known for its delicate balance of flavors and textures and is popular worldwide.
It is usually served with soy sauce and wasabi, a Japanese horseradish with a sharp, nasal heat. Pickled ginger is served on the side, often used to cleanse the palate between dishes.
10 Best Sushi Restaurants In Uluwatu
YUKI Uluwatu
This modern style Japanese restaurant offers fusion food, cocktails and wood-fired specialities.
There’s a great selection of sushi and sashimi here. We tried several of the different maki rolls and they were delicious, also the kamakaze roll, four different sashimi fish in one roll topped with eel sauce!
This isn’t just a sushi restaurant, and it’s a bit of a Japanese fusion joint, so there’s some other cool things on the menu, like the wagyu sando, tuna truffle maki and vegan teriyaki pumpkin rolls.
If you’re feeling thirsty, they do some great signature cocktails also.
It’s actually one of two restaurants, the other being on Batu Bolong Beach, just up from Canggu Beach (and a stone’s throw from FINNS, which also has sushi!)
Find out more about sushi in Canggu here.
Where Is It? 53MV+5H5, Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Yuki Bali
Sushimi Uluwatu
This is a really fun and cool Japanese restaurant located not far from Thomas Beach. There’s a fairly large a la carte menu and an interactive sushi bar here.
The highlight here is of course the sushi train! All of the sushi is made fresh before being placed on the conveyor so you can pick out what you want!
Once you get on that train, it’s difficult to get off. We probably went a little overboard, and it was difficult to get out of our chairs by the time we left!
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Sushimi Bali
Uru Ramen & Sushi Garden
A great Japanese joint which focuses on ramen, Japanese noodle soup, and sushi.
We started on the sushi here, Philadelphia rolls and shrimp maki, with Maguro (tuna) sashimi, then went on to tonkotsu ramen and yakisoba for the main course. They also do some great gyoza here which are nice as a side dish if you’re feeling greedy.
Some of the best food we’ve eaten in Bali, paired with fantastic, friendly service.
Where Is It? Raya, Jl. Raya Uluwatu No.75X, Ungasan, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Shaka Riki
Located in the Bingin Beach area of Uluwatu, this is a great Japanese restaurant with regular dishes and sushi on the menu.
We tried the spicy tuna roll and the maki here, along with the miso soup which is renowned as being particularly good in this restaurant. There was some vegan sushi on the menu also.
The owner is Japanese, and as a result you can find some authentic Japanese cuisine here.
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Shaka Riki Bukit
Sushi Ulu Wasabi
Just a few doors down from Shaka Riki, this is another great joint.
While this may not be the most authentic Japanese restaurant, we like it here, it’s a down to earth sushi bar and that’s where the focus is. The price is pretty good too.
The sushi rolls here are great, we like the California roll a lot, and the salmon sashimi was delicious.
It’s a peaceful restaurant, a very chill place to kick back and enjoy some sushi.
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait No.45, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Sukha Sushi Uluwatu
A simple restaurant with a clean, contemporary dining room. There’s nothing simple about the sushi rolls here though.
There’s some really cool stuff on the menu, even if they’re not the most authentic dishes. The mango salmon rolls and tuna avocado rolls were to die for.
A family-run restaurant, the owner and chef here worked in the USA for 15 years, and came home with a dream of opening a sushi joint!
Where Is It? 54HW+F6F, Uluwatu St, Ungasan, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
IKA Sushi Bali – Uluwatu
Hands down some of the best sushi on the island!
The setting is really cool, it’s like a Japanese take-away joint with elements of Zen gardens. You can dine in or take away in custom cardboard boxes, and there is a variety of sets on the menu, like shrimp set, maki set, etc, all at good prices.
If we lived a little closer we’d be ordering take out from here all the time!
Where Is It? Jl. Toya Ning II, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Noriya Sushi
Another small but cool sushi restaurant, up on the hill looking out towards the Indian Ocean.
It might be a small restaurant, but the atmosphere is great, and the chef puts real effort into the sushi, using only fresh ingredients.
The shrimp Ngiri here was really good.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Uluwatu Pecatu, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Kawase Sushi
This is a solid sushi bar, selling great food at good prices. It’s not all authentic sushi here, and mixes Japanese styles with the island life.
We liked the Kawase roll and the salmon attack roll. They also have some American style things such as the Philadelphia roll and the classic California roll.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Uluwatu Pecatu, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
The Room Uluwatu
A bit of everything here, as it markets itself as The Room Uluwatu – Sushi, Roll, Salad, Wok, Coffee!
But we came here mostly for the sushi, and it was worth the visit. The tempura syake maki was something like we’d never tried before, very delicious.
They put a lot of time and care into training their chefs here, and it’s paid off.
Where Is It? Pantai Suluban St No.18, Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online Instagram
FAQs
What Is The Best Sushi Bar In Bali?
Ok, maybe we’re being a touch biased here, but without a doubt the best on the island is the sushi at Monsoon in FINNS Beach Club,if you’re in the Berawa area then be sure to check us out!
What Other Cuisine Can I Find In Japanese Restaurants?
Japanese food isn’t all about sushi and sashimi, and some of the Japanese restaurants listed above serve a variety of dishes.
These include ramen (noodle soup), tempura (battered and fried seafood or vegetables), teriyaki (grilled meat with sweet sauce), donburi (rice bowls with meat or seafood), yakitori (grilled skewers), miso soup, gyoza (dumplings), and bento (boxed meals).
Another popular cooking technique is the teppanyaki grill
Can You Name Some Of The Best Japanese Restaurants In Other Places Around Bali?
There are a fair few Japanese restaurants in Bali, and there is no doubt it has some of the best Japanese restaurants in the region.
A few we can pick from the top of our heads are Kyoka Japanese Kitchen and Nagi Kitchen, both in Ubud, Kayu Aya and Rayjin Teppanyaki in Seminyak, the Apurva Kempinski Bali, and Sakura Japanese Restaurant in Nusa Dua.
There are a couple of fine dining options also, such as Mulia Resort, Nusa Dua, with its novelty sushi burritos, and the Grand Hyatt Bali, also in Nusa Dua.
Just up from Uluwatu, overlooking Jimbaran Bay, is the Ayana Bali, which has internationally trained chefs overseen by the Executive Chef Takumi Kimura.
What Are Some Authentic Drinks I Can Find In Sushi Restaurants?
Everyone likes to wash down delicious food with a good drink. Most Japanese restaurants will have ice cold Sapporo in stock, but if you fancy something stronger, then try the Japanese sake and Japanese whisky.
Some of the sushi restaurants serve up Japanese inspired cocktails, such as sake cocktails.
What Is The Difference Between Sushi And Sashimi?
Sushi is rice with various toppings, like raw or cooked fish, vegetables, or meat, often wrapped in seaweed. Sashimi, on the other hand, is just thinly sliced raw fish or seafood, served without rice.
Is It Safe To Eat Raw Fish In Bali?
Yes, if you choose reputable restaurants, like those in the list above, with high hygiene standards and fresh seafood, it should be safe to eat. Avoid sushi from street food stalls or small warungs with questionable storage. When in doubt, opt for cooked sushi like tempura rolls or grilled eel.
Final Thoughts On The Best Sushi Restaurants In Uluwatu
To wrap it up, Uluwatu isn’t just a surf haven, it’s a sushi lover’s dream!
From the classics to wild creations, the sushi scene here is fresh, full of flavor, and definitely worth checking out.
If you’re looking to further your sushi obsession then Uluwatu’s got you covered!
Read more:
Best Restaurants Uluwatu: The Ultimate Guide To Eating In Uluwatu
The Best Uluwatu Hotels: Your Guide On Where To Stay In Bali’s Surfer’s Paradise
