8 japanese restaurants in Ljubljana

Japanese cuisine is recognized worldwide and since 2002, you can try here harmonized meals in Ljubljana as well. With their approach, they are usually among the more expensive restaurants. Below is a list of places that specialize in this cuisine. Most of them are in the city center, and locations can be found on the map below

Sushimama

This restaurant is not by accident in the first place. One reason is that this was the first restaurant (Chef Hiroki Ishikawa, since 2002) of this kind in the capital. The venue has a nice interior in a great spot in the city center, Wolfova ulica 12. Here you can find tempura, miso soup, sushi, a selection of wines… Great quality is acknowledged by the Michelin Guide. All this means this is the most expensive restaurant in this category, you will quickly go over 50€. I would choose this place if I wanted to treat myself (my experience).

Maru

Next on the list is MARU (CIRCLE, chef Joshi Fujita, since 2013) in the Šiška quarter of the city, in a nice ambience. Again, quality ingredients in meals as edamame, tempura, sushi, udon/soba noodles, teriyaki… They also have a good selection of Japanese whiskeys. In my opinion, close to the first one, also with pricing (my experience). Location is the biggest difference. So if you want a quieter location at the same level, come here.

Moy sushi

This restaurant has been open in the old town (Mestni trg) since 2010. Nice place with a wide selection of meals: edamame, tempura, gyoza, udon noodles, miso, teriyaki, ramen, domburi, yaki soba, sushi, … It has moderate prices. Here I would stop to meet a friend after work (my experience).

Sato bento

This restaurant has been hidden on the edge of the city center (Ledina center) since 2016. Chef Shin Sato named the place after his surname and lunch-box (bento). So it is a great option for lunch break or takeaway. Here you can find teriyaki, karaage, udon, sushi, … Prices are OK. Best choice for lunch break (my experience).

Ondori Street Food

This is the first spot on the list that is declared as street food. Alena, with her partner, named it Ondori (rooster) as it is located on Gallus-Rooster bank of Ljubljanica since 2023. Here you will find endamame, gyoza, karaage, ramen, rice (poke) bowls, … I would suggest this place if you are in the city to meet with friends for a drink and snack (my experience)

Tokyo Piknik

Tokyo Piknik was the first in Ljubljana to offer street food (2013). It is located a hundred meters closer to Prešeren Square than Ondori, with a big terrace. A similar menu with edamame, gyoza, ramen, yakisoba … Here you can enjoy some snacks and nice cocktails (my experience).

Ramen by Maru

This place on the other side of the Ljubljanica river (Gosposka ulica 4) was opened by Maru (above) in 2018, and was shortly closed during COVID. As the name suggests, they specialize in ramen (shoyu, miso, yuzu, curry, tan tan men, vegan). So if you are looking just for this comfort food, you will stop here (my experience).

Matsuri

Matsuri was first opened in 2022 by Taiki Otsuka. They specialized in takoyaki (diced octopus in batter from Osaka) and also had on the menu karaage and seaweed soup. They started as a whole in the wall in the railway station underpass. Later, they moved to a kiosk in BTC and added a few more dishes to the menu, like oyakodon, katsudon, and curry udon. In my opinion, they capture the best street food vibe from Japan with basic settings and low prices (my experience). After shopping in the mall, you can stop here to regain some energy.

Mentions

Below are a few mentions of Japanese restaurants that are now closed:

• D’sushi – this place was in the same place as Sato Bento
• Mumu – this sushi bar was in the Supernova Rudnik shopping mall
• Roll to Door – sushi rolls in Šiška