Sushi Tacos, Mochi Ice Cream, & More: A Guide To The Best Japanese Cuisine Across Mumbai

I am a huge fan of Japanese food. From Sushi to Ramen, and Katsu cutlets to Mochi ricecakes, I love everything about Japan's culinary inventions. If the growing number of Japanese restaurants, bakeries, and tea bars that have opened in Indian megacities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata in the last five years are any indication, I am not alone. In recent years, Japanese cuisine has exploded in popularity across India, and Indian chefs and restaurateurs are now making the cuisine our own by combining traditional Japanese techniques and ingredients with classic Indian flavours. Because of its globalist, melting-pot nature, Mumbai has been at the forefront of this Japanese renaissance in India's culinary landscape. From hole-in-the-wall noodle bars serving sushi tacos to Mumbai's first Matcha Bar, here are four of the hottest Japanese eateries in town:

Founded in 2022, TAATSU became synonymous with Japanese-style baked cheesecake tarts in Mumbai with their hyper-curated menu. Now, three years later, the bakery has finally opened a physical store on Chapel Road in Bandra. Beautifully designed in the same minimalist style as TAATSU's branding by designer Shreya Parasrampuria, the store is everything you'd expect. Learn more about TAATSU here.

Founded by coffee enthusiast Meher Kohli and Michelin star chef Rahul Ramnani, the Tokyo Matcha Bar & Café is Mumbai's first Matcha café. But the outlet's dine-in menu goes far beyond the ceremonial Japanese green tea and boasts of popular Asian fare like Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Gyoza, Chicken Wonton Mee, and Taiwanese Fried Chicken Popcorn. Follow them here.

The popularity of mochi, or traditional Japanese pounded rice cake, stems from its unique, soft, chewy, and slightly sticky texture. Mumbai-based MochiCo's handmade, vegan mochi ice creams blend the best of classic Indian flavours such as rose sandesh, rabri rasgulla, coconut laddoo, and pistachio kulfi with the soft, chewy delight of Japanese mochi rice cakes. Learn more about their limited edition flavours and order here.

Bandra West-based noodle bar Tamari markets itself as "A slice of Japan, served with Bandra's flair", and lives up to its lofty claims. Mumbai's answer to Bengaluru's Naru Noodle Bar, Tamari is the go-to spot in Bandra West for authentic soba ramens, savoury okonomiyaki pancakes, deep-fried savoury takoyaki balls, and sushi tacos. Learn more about Tamari here.

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