Best Japanese Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City That Are Affordable & Delicious

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Wondering what to eat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam? Try Japanese food! 

One of the positive things about living in Ho Chi Minh City is that we eat a lot of Japanese food – almost every other day. From fresh sushi, spicy curry to mouthwatering grilled eel (unagi), we can’t get enough of the cuisine.

Considering that Ho Chi Minh City is a melting pot of various cultures and gastronomy, it’s no surprise to see a large number of Japanese restaurants available here. From the main Japantown in District 1 off of Le Thanh Ton to the up and coming Japantowns in Binh Thanh District and District 2’s An Phu area, the opportunities are endless and easy to find.

Check out our favorite and best Japanese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City that are affordable and delicious. This list is in no particular order. You won’t see the super high-end and $$$$ type restaurants (ie: Ichiba Sushi, even though it’s very good!) on this list since we’re about eating food with good value and good taste. 

With each of the restaurants that we listed, we’re listing whether there are vegetarian options, if the restaurant is non-smoking, and payments accepted. Many Japanese restaurants allow smoking inside, so if you’re sensitive to the smoke, please avoid the restaurants.

As frequent diners, we’ve been to these recommended places many times and paid for our meals, so we’re not getting sponsored for our reviews. 

In addition, this isn’t a comprehensive must-try list as there are almost 800 listings of Japanese restaurants listed on Foody.vn (an equivalent version of Yelp in the U.S.)  We’ll try as many of these restaurants as possible during our stay here.

Get ready for some tasty meals coming your way.

Check out our other Ho Chi Minh City posts for more inspiration:

• One day in Ho Chi Minh City
• Spend 3 days in HCMC
• Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh 
• What to do in HCMC at night

Read More: Take a Cooking Class in Asia

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Map of Japanese Restaurant Locations in Ho Chi Minh City

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Best Japanese Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Ebisu Restaurant

Ebisu is our special date night type of restaurant yet still at a reasonable price.

The menu has over 300 items so it can be overwhelming. This place is well known for its homemade udon as there are over 20+ options to try. Order a few bowls for everyone at your table to enjoy.

We’ve had the kitsune (tofu puffs), beef gristle curry, natto (fermented soybeans), and more.

If you’re a sushi lover, try the 10-piece sushi nigiri moriawase at 298,000 VND ($13 USD). It’s our favorite dish as it comes with salmon, tuna, fish eggs, tamago, other delicious nigiri, and freshly grated wasabi. You can’t beat the quality of fish – so fresh that it melts in your mouth like butter. Each slice of fish is the right size and not too thick.

No need to go to Toyotsu Market in Tokyo when this place is just as good.

Multiple Locations Available:

• District 1 Location: 2A Chu Mạnh Trinh, Phường Bến Nghé, District 1 (Opening soon)
• Thu Duc Location: 66 Song Hành, Khu đô thị An Phú An Khánh, Thủ Đức (District 2)

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, try the seaweed salad, vegetarian maki sushi, vegetable topped udon, tofu, natto, etc. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: Yes

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Website / Facebook 

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2. Sushi Nhi

Sushi Nhi is where we go to satisfy our sushi craving at affordable prices. While the fish quality doesn’t compare to Ebisu, it has pretty good sushi and sashimi. When you’re seated, you get a small dish of kimchi as an appetizer.

The menu has a variety of foods besides sushi, such as curry, grilled meats, and more.

Our favorites include the salmon belly sashimi (order 1-2 servings during your initial order as they often sell out early), seared salmon and tuna nigiri, vegetable tempura (ask for tempura sauce or you’ll get a sriracha mayo type sauce), and dragon roll. All of this for around 350,000 VND ($15 USD) for two and a full belly.

Tip: The restaurant gets crowded during dinner time. Either make a reservation, come early, be flexible with sitting at the bar, or wait over 30 minutes for a table.

Multiple Locations Available:

• Binh Thanh Location: 21 Nguyễn Công Trứ, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh District
• Thu Duc Location: 210 Đường Trần Não, P. Bình An, Thủ Đức (District 2)

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, the menu has an icon for vegetarian options. Try the vegetable or avocado rolls and maki and salads. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Facebook

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3. Curry Shika

Curry Shika is a small, local restaurant down a hidden alleyway that serves tasty curry. The curry sauce tastes “homey” and is more peppery than other places that we’ve been to which gives it a unique flavor.

Try the curry with hamburg (Japanese beef patty) or the vegetable curry. You can even try the natto if that’s to your liking. The meal comes with a small side salad and pickles.

During lunchtime, the meal has a complimentary lemon iced tea or coffee.

The price for the curry is between 100,000 VND – 180,000 VND ($4.30 – $7.80 USD) depending on what you order.

The desserts are also good at Curry Shika. The mizu shingen mochi looks like a giant water drop and oh so pretty. While you’re waiting for your meal, check out their impressive manga library.

Address: 1/4 Nguyễn Văn Tráng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, try the vegetable or natto curry.

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash only

For more information: Website (in Vietnamese and Japanese only) / Facebook

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4. Coco Ichibanya

Established in 1978, this famous Japanese curry chain restaurant has fans worldwide.

Located in Landmark 81, the tallest building in Vietnam, this is the first Coco Ichibanya to open in Vietnam. If we don’t want to head to District 1 to Curry Shika, this place provides our curry fix.

Choose your curry type, rice amount, spiciness level (spicy level 2 and 3 is enough spice for us to sweat), and toppings (if desired). Unfortunately, this place doesn’t serve hamburg even though it’s listed on a sign in the restaurant.

We’ve been to Coco Ichibanya in Seoul, South Korea, Japan, and the flavors are consistent with the Vietnam store.

Prices for the curry are between 100,000 VND – 150,000 VND ($4.30 – $6.50 USD) depending on what you order. 

Multiple Locations Available:

• Binh Thanh Location: Landmark 81, Second Floor, 208 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Vinhomes Tân Cảng, Bình Thạnh District 
• District 1 Location: 13 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, try various vegetable curries and/or natto curry. The menu has a full page dedicated to veggie options.

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Website / Facebook

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5. Mutsumian (Yuugatei)

During my layover in Narita, I thought I had delicious grilled eel (unagi) until I went to Mutsumian (also called Yuugatei). This Japanese restaurant has the best unagi ever!

The simplest and must-have item on the menu is the unaju (unagi over rice and in a box) where you can choose a large (500,000 VND) or small size (250,000 VND). The charbroiled eel isn’t too fatty and has the perfect amount of unagi sauce when placed over the rice. We always eat every grain of rice soaked in the magical drippings of the fresh grilled unagi.

The meal comes with the daily special side appetizers such. No two consecutive days are the same. Also included are fried eel bones, edamame, pickles, and eel soup. 

The menu has expanded to include sashimi, sushi, tempura, grilled appetizers, and more. We love eating the sushi nigiri sets here and the fish quality is fresh.

If this place is crowded, you may wait over 30 minutes for the unagi. However, it’s well worth the wait.

Address: Hẻm 15A Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, but very limited. You’ll have mostly appetizer type dishes and salad.

Smoking in restaurant allowed: Yes

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

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6. Ateya

To be honest, we’re not beer drinkers. Why would we recommend an izakaya restaurant which is known to serve alcohol and izakaya-style snack foods? Because the food is amazing here!

Located off of a quiet street in the Binh Thanh district, Ateya serves a variety of food from delicious udon to sashimi.

One of the steller items on the menu is the Nagasaki champon. The deeply flavored noodle soup comes with vegetables, pork, seafood, and ramen. If you don’t want soup, they also have a fried noodles version that is just as good. 

Another of our favorites is the (Hiroshima style) okonomiyaki with layers of cabbage, seafood, noodles, and crispy rice. The okonomiyaki has meat in it but we request it without meat. The flavors are complex with each layer of ingredients and topped with okonomiyaki sauce. It’s one of the best okonomiyaki that we’ve eaten. 

You’ll get some privacy when dining as each table has a partitioned area.

Prices for dishes range start at 130,000 VND ($5.60 USD).

Address: 50, Mê Linh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh District

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, but limited. You can have natto omelet and wakame soba (seaweed soba noodles) or request no meat in the dishes.

Smoking in restaurant allowed: Yes

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

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7. Gyumaru

If you’re a relapsing carnivore, come to Gyumaru. You’ll get your fix of wagyu steak and hamburg on a sizzling platter. Choose your size of hamburg size, sides, and sauces. The LL size combo pictured below has a 250g Wagyu ribeye and a 270g hamburg. This meal is a bit on the pricier side.

If you’re on a budget, some of the cheaper options include going with American beef instead of Wagyu, burgers, and curries starting at 110,000 VND ($4.75 USD).

Vegetarians and vegans should avoid this place as there aren’t any options. The vegetable curry has beef chunks in the curry sauce.

Address: 8/3 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: No, unless you want the corn puff pastry soup in the appetizer section. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Facebook

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8. Miyama Cafe

Located in Saigon Center, Miyama Cafe provides a contemporary twist to Japanese cuisine. The open seating and natural sunlight provide a calm and relaxing ambiance during lunchtime.

Try the lunch menu which has beautifully presented sets (similar to kaiseki style.) We recommend sets with kobe beef or sea bass which is around 300,000 VND ($13 USD). 

The main stars of this place are the desserts and drinks.

Even though the dessert menu changes often, the popular dessert is the matcha millecrepe. With over 30 crepe layers with matcha cream in between, it’s a piece of heaven. Each slice is 118,000 VND ($5 USD) which is a bit pricier, yet worth it! Miyama usually runs out of the millecrepe after 7:30pm so you must get there early to enjoy this dessert.

We also like the earl grey souffle and an avocado (avocado ice cream in an avocado shape) dessert.

Top off your meal or dessert with colorful fruit drinks such as purple dragon fruit, mango juice, or the Serbia cherry (one of our favorites!)

Read More: Try matcha desserts at Uji, Japan

Address: Saigon Center, L3-01, 65 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, check out the menu for veggie options. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Website / Facebook 

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9. Morico Modern Japanese Restaurant

We’re in matcha dessert heaven. Morico has plenty of tasty Japanese desserts, especially if you love matcha.

From mochi, matcha chocolate lava cake to matcha shaved ice, you’ll want to try everything on the menu. The desserts are on the sweeter side.

There are other non-matcha desserts and seasonal desserts as well. The matcha or hojicha (roasted green tea) lattes and juices are also good. Desserts start at 80,000 VND ($3.45 USD). 

If you don’t fancy dessert, meal options are available such as sushi.

Multiple Locations Available: Around District 1, Binh Thanh, and District 7. Check out Facebook below for the current locations.

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, desserts are vegetarian-friendly. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Facebook 

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10. Pizza 4Ps

Japanese food meets Italian food. With over a dozen locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Danang, Pizza 4Ps is one of the top pizza joints in Vietnam.

Established in 2011, its mission is to “Delivering Wow, Sharing Happiness” and exceed it with its warm hospitality.

One of the unique things about the history of Pizza 4Ps is that the Japanese owners couldn’t find fresh mozzarella cheese in Vietnam so they decided to make their own to use in their restaurants. Now they have a cheese-making studio at Don Duong, which is one hour from Dalat. We can say that the cheese brings together the flavors of the pizza.

Delve into the unique pizza toppings such as salmon sashimi, smoked cheese spicy seafood, and chả cá Hanoi (fried fish famous in Hanoi). The toppings may sound weird, but they’re heavenly. If you want to try the burrata cheese, try it ham or anchovies.

Vegetarian pizzas are available. The vegetarian Four Flowers pizza is our favorite and a must try with the tonkin flowers and other edible flowers toppings. It’s only available in Ho Chi Minh City.

If you don’t want to commit to one choice for the whole pizza, we recommend the half and half combo. Pick two choices and each will come in half of the pizza. You can try more pizza flavors this way.

Pizza cost is between 150,000-300,000 VND ($6.50-$13).

Tip: It’s recommended to have a reservation if you’re dining at popular times and/or have a large group.

Vegetarian pizzas are delicious at Pizza 4Ps. This is the half eggplant margherita and half four flowers pizza.

Half seafood and half anchovies with small burrata cheese

Multiple locations available: There 12 locations throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Stay up to date with the locations here. 

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, plenty of vegetarian pizzas available. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Website / Facebook

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11. Ittou Ramen

Where is the best place for ramen? It’s a difficult question since ramen is a personal choice, just like pizza. There are different flavors of the broth such as chicken, miso, pork, and seafood.

We’ve tried a variety of ramen shops and one that stands out to us is Ittou Ramen. This unassuming, tiny shop is located in the same alleyway as Pizza 4Ps on Le Thanh Ton. 

The menu has ramen and tsukemen (dipping ramen). You can get a standard Hakata-style ramen (from Fukuoka area) with toppings such as chashu and soft boiled egg. Spicy shrimp ramen is also available (and what we usually order). 

As with the tsukemen, the broth is made with a tonkotsu soup (pork bones) and seafood sauce. Since it has a more seafood flavor, it’s very flavorful. 

Choose the firmness of the noodles from soft to very hard. We prefer the noodles to be more al dente, especially as the noodles will continue cooking in the soup. You can also add extra noodles to your order. 

Once you’re done eating, you can also add wari broth (lighter dashi soup) to your leftover tsukemen broth. It’ll give the broth some extra flavor and lessen the saltiness.  

Expect to pay around 150,000-180,000 VND ($6.50-$7.80) for each bowl of ramen and tsukemen.

If you’re a local, you can get a stamp card. After 10 orders of ramen, you earn a free bowl of ramen. 

Address: 8 8Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: No

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Facebook

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12. Quon Restaurant

If you like soba and tempura, then you need to visit Quon Restaurant. This place is located on a second level in an alleyway in the Japantown area of Le Thanh Ton. 

This place has some delicious fresh soba and tendon (tempura with a bowl of rice). It’s hard to decide what to get since everything looks delicious. 

You must order the soba. The cold soba is springy and isn’t overcooked. It’s the best soba that we’ve eaten in Ho Chi Minh City. The soba can be eaten by itself with dipping sauce, tempura, or with natto (the flavor and texture isn’t for everyone but it’s yummy here). 

The popular dish is the tendon. We like to get the highly recommended entree is the Quon Tempura Bowl. It has tempura shrimp, veggies, chicken, conger eel, and seaweed on top of a bowl of rice. This hearty meal comes with miso soup, salad, and steamed egg (to add to the rice later).

We think this place has one of the best tempuras. The tempura batter is not the typical one used at other Japanese restaurants. The tempura is on the crunchier side and doesn’t get soggy as time continues. The seaweed tempura has so much umami flavor and is one of our favorite items about this dish. 

There are other variations of the tempura bowl based on your preference. A chicken tempura bowl costs 100,000 VND ($4.40) while the Quon tempura bowl is 150,000 VND ($6.50). It’s so affordable and you will get full after eating everything. 

Address: 5b1 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, there is a vegetable tempura dish and soba with veggie tempura.

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash only

For more information: Facebook 

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13. Fujiro Restaurant

Fujiro is a popular spot to order tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet). 

The typical tonkatsu set comes with rice, soup, and cabbage. If you eat the set meal, you will receive a bowl with sesame seeds and a pestle. You get the chance to smash the sesame seeds and pour the tonkatsu sauce (one of the condiments on the table) and use the combo as a tonkatsu dipping sauce.

You can also have the tonkatsu in curry or as a katsudon (with egg on top of rice). 

One of the best parts about the tonkatsu is the crunchy batter and the tender pork cutlet.  The portions are hardy so you won’t leave this place hungry. 

If you don’t eat tonkatsu, the menu has side dishes and a few grilled fish dishes such as salmon and saba (mackerel). We tried a saba meal set but it was okay. There are other places in Japantown that make better saba. 

The cost of a meal will be around 120,000-180,000 VND ($5.25-$7.80). 

Multiple Locations Available: 

• District 1 Location: 8A/5B1 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, District 1
• District 7 Location: 32 Đường số 6, Tân Phong, District 7

Vegetarian-friendly: No. There are a few vegetarian side items, but mostly meat-based. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash only

For more information:

• Facebook for District 1 location  
• Facebook for District 7 location 

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14. Wakana Japanese Restaurant

This unassuming Japanese restaurant is located in the back part of Japantown’s residential area. It’s a bit hidden as it’s located behind the Yuugatei Mutsumian restaurant. (We wrote about this restaurant above.)

The taste is more home-style Japanese food, yet it has some delicious but izakaya-style foods and set meals. 

We like to get the salted grilled saba meal (saba shioyaki). It comes with a generous piece of saba (mackerel), miso soup, side dishes, and rice. The fish is cooked perfectly.   

There are also lots of other items on the menu such as sushi, soba, udon, curry, and izakaya snacks. 

Expect to pay from 140,000-260,000 VND ($6.00-$11.20) for a meal. 

Address: 15a/32 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, there are a few dishes that are vegetarian.

Smoking in restaurant allowed: Yes

Payment: Credit card and cash accepted

For more information: Facebook 

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15. Suizan Sagami

Suizan Sagami is a small Japanese restaurant serving udon, soba, tonkatsu, and tempura. They’re known for having set meals. If you visit the District 1 location, you can see the food replicas of what is served in front of the restaurant. 

The udon is a popular dish here as there aren’t a lot of places in Ho Chi Minh City serving udon. The udon can be hot or cold. We’ve had the udon with salmon. 

The tonkatsu set is a best seller and is very large. You’ll want to be hungry to eat this! 

As you know, soba is one of our favorite noodles and Suizan Sagami does a good job with it. The cold soba is yummy and is springy. We had it with tempura and the tempura batter is average. We wish the tempura had more crunch, but it’s the style here. 

At the Takashimaya Basement level, Suizan Sagami serves mostly ramen and noodles. We haven’t tried this location yet, but it’s usually full whenever we pass by. 

Multiple Locations Available:

• District 1 Locations:
  • 29 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, District 1
  • Saigon Centre/Takishimaya, B2 Floor, 65 Đ. Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé, District 1

• Go Vap Location: Lotte Mart, 242 Nguyễn Văn Lượng, Phường 10, Gò Vấp District

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes, there are a few dishes that are vegetarian such as udon without the soup. 

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit card accepted

For more information:

• Facebook for Thai Van Lung location
• Facebook for Takashimaya location
• Facebook for Go Vap location

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16. Sushi Wagao 

We love finding affordable and delicious sushi and Sushi Wagao needs to be on your must-try list. 

The sushi quality is fresh and tastes better than what you would find at Sushi Nhi. It’s not slathered with spicy mayo sauce like other places. 

We enjoy the toro (fatty salmon), hamachi (yellowtail), aburi salmon (seared salmon), and aburi hotate (seared scallops). Each order (comes in two pieces unless otherwise stated) is around 37,000-72,000 VND ($1.60-$3.10). 

If you like mochi, try the mochi tempura. It’s so yummy with the batter and the chewiness of the mochi. The dish came with four pieces and we wish there were more! 

The menu is extensive and has plenty of options that are not sushi such as tempura, grilled foods, noodles, and more. The lunch special meal sets are also popular here. 

Tip: On the weekends and evenings, consider calling to make a reservation. It can get crowded. 

Address: 41B Đường Tôn Thất Tùng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit card accepted

For more information: Facebook

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17. Sushi Tiger

If you’ve been to Japan, then you’ve seen the standing sushi bars at the subway stations. Sushi Tiger is a new standing sushi place in District 1’s Japanese area. You stand either inside or outside (there is a ledge along the outside of the store). 

This place has Japanese and English translated signs on the walls of all of the sushi offered. Don’t worry, there is also a menu which has pictures. 

As a heads up, this place charges per piece instead of two pieces per order. Therefore, it can get pricey if many orders are added. 

Yet, if you’re stopping by here for a quick snack and eating a second meal afterward, then it can be an affordable place to get your sushi fix. 

You can’t go wrong with any of the choices. Some of the highlights include any of the tunas (the o-toro is delicious), ika (squid), and grilled hirame (flatfish). There is soy sauce already brushed on top of the sushi, but you can use more soy sauce if needed. 

This place is only open in the evenings and closed on Sundays. 

Address: 15B/12A Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1 (Look for the yellow building made out of yellow plastic crates)

Vegetarian-friendly: No

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit card accepted

For more information: Instagram

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18. Basement Level of Takashimaya/Saigon Centre Shopping Mall

Technically, this is not a restaurant. Yet the basement level of the Takashimaya/Saigon Centre shopping mall has numerous kiosks and small stores that sell Japanese food and snacks. Our favorites include:

• Azabu Sabo: One of the best places to enjoy iced matcha floats on a hot afternoon. Or, try the two-scoop ice cream on a square cone. Choose from the seasonal flavors or the popular matcha and black sesame.
• Yamazaki Bakery: Thank goodness we don’t live nearby here or we’ll stop by this bakery every day. You’ll find fresh baked goods (sweet and savory) that are replenished consistently throughout the day. We love the red bean filled baked bun.
• Suizan Sugami: We mentioned this place above.

Address: Basement Level, 65 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé, District 1

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes

Smoking in restaurant allowed: No

Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted

For more information: Website

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You’re probably drooling over this post. We don’t blame you. As Japanese food lovers, we hope you enjoy eating Japanese food in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.

Besides eating, check out some recommended sightseeing activities in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Spend 2 weeks in South Vietnam
• Try one of these fun things to do in Vietnam
• Explore Ho Chi Minh City in 6 days
• Check out the views of Ho Chi Minh City from the Saigon Skydeck
• Take fun 3D photos at Artinus 3D Art Museum
• Visit Can Gio Island to see monkeys
• How to travel around Vietnam

If you’ve eaten Japanese food in Ho Chi Minh City, which restaurants should we try next? Which place do you want to try? Share in the comments below. 

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