The longest-established speakeasy restaurant on this list, Bincho first made waves when it burst onto the scene in 2013 with its cool and gritty concept as a yakitori bar hidden behind a coffee shop serving mee pok and kopi o kosong. As a matter of fact, the izakaya's concept is so gritty that the only way in is through the back alley, via a backdoor situated under an air-conditioner compressor and next to some rubbish bins. Once you enter, you’ll be greeted by an industrial-esque entryway that’s strongly redolent of the streetside izakaya of Tokyo and Osaka.

Binchotan JB is a unique place with a modern Omakase dining experience dining concept, where customers are able to see through the whole kitchen. For those who enjoy flavourful meals along with a dose of the art of fine dining, look no further as this place offers delicious and beautiful dishes perfect for Valentine’s!. Don’t forget to book a table near their kitchen for an experience to savour as the chefs cook your meals right in front of you!

It’s easy to miss this yakitori-slash-cocktail bar joint in the largely residential neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru. It is hidden behind Hua Bee, an ordinary-looking watering hole where aunties sell delicious piping hot bowls of mee pok from morning till lunch time. By sunset, the back door (accessible via the car park) that leads to Bincho opens and welcomes guests to a tiny narrow space with dim lighting, transporting diners to another world.

All-in-one unique dining concept featuring Japanese grilled dishes, a cocktail bar, fishball noodles, and kopi & kaya. Transformed from a 70-year-old traditional coffee shop, Bincho showcases elements of the past, present and future through the old skool mee pok stall, coffee & toast, marble tables, old blue square tiles, distressed walls et al. You will also find a modern open-concept yakitori bar with hues of copper by Chef Asai Masashi.

Binchotan is where culinary artistry meets passion, offering a luxury dining experience like no other. This modern Omakase destination brings imaginative cuisine to life, giving you a gastronomy experience you can always remember. It welcomes you to its enigmatic interior, featuring Sienna-clad walls, an intimate marble counter seating just 12 guests, and mood-enhancing lighting that sets the stage for an exceptional dining affair.

Binchotan is a modern, fine-dining omakase restaurant in Johor Bahru, delivering a unique Japanese culinary experience rooted in creativity, luxury, and seasonal ingredients. Recognised by Tatler Dining Guide Malaysia, the restaurant offers exclusive dining for just 12 guests at a time. Binchotan combines visual artistry and refined flavours, making it a destination for food lovers seeking sophistication in every course.

For a modern omakase experience to remember, make a booking at Binchotan. This intimate 12-seater restaurant has a sleek and moody ambience, with wooden furnishings, dim lighting and a gleaming marble counter. Take your pick from a range of omakase menus that each spotlight inventive interpretations of Japanese dishes crafted with premium ingredients – think sashimi, handrolls and flavour-packed grilled morsels.

From the same team that gifted Johor Bahru with Sushi Shin (which opened just a hair before the border shut in February 2020), Binchotan is well and truly a pandemic baby that opened in February 2021. It’s telling that despite the challenges, Sushi Shin managed to glide through the pandemic with flying colours and build enough of a reputation with Johor gourmands to set the stage for Binchotan.

If you enjoy modern Japanese omakase, you should definitely check out Binchotan, an award-winning fine dining restaurant!. It is so exclusive that the restaurant can only seat 12 people per meal service so be sure to make reservations in advance. During our visit, we were served delicious assorted tempura, hand rolls with fresh fish and unagi, a hearty soup and ice cream gelato for dessert!.

During the day, Hua Bee is like a regular Kopitiam that serves traditional kaya toasts and their famous mee pok noodles. But by night, the 70-year-old coffee shop transform to Bincho, a modern Japanese yakitori joint. This unique hide out is only accessible after 6pm by the backdoor where diners are invited to an industrial-styled chamber of copper and dim lights.

If you want to locate Bincho, you must first locate the mee pok-selling Hua Bee Restaurant before finding the yakitori restaurant and bar behind it. Chef Asai Masashi is the brains behind the establishment, who opened the eatery in 2013, and serves up a range of yakitori, sashimi and other Japanese bites. 78 Moh Guan Terrace, #01-19, Singapore 162078

Location: 15, Jalan Kuning 2, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor BahruAverage price: RM200–300 per person. This omakase-style restaurant specialises in binchotan charcoal grilling, giving dishes a subtle smokiness. Expect delicate skewers of wagyu, scallop, foie gras and unagi, often presented one by one in curated courses.

The inchotan decor with sienna-colored walls and vibrant marble counters seats just 12 people. The ambient lighting that decorates the restaurant exudes mystery. Additionally, theblack and gold color theme further enhances Binchotan’s luxurious atmosphere.

Binchotan JB is a fancy restaurant that serves high-end Omakase to food lovers. Besides, they aim to make sure every guest has a fancy dining experience. Plus, the restaurant has special and high-quality renovations that make it even more appealing.

Dine in sophistication and style at this JB omakase, where only a limited number of lucky diners can dine at the same time. Read Also: 11 Top Seafood Restaurants in Johor Bahru

Imagine savouring dishes grilled to perfection at this fine dining restaurant in JB; this restaurant knows how to do it right. Read Also: Only 7 Best Dog Café in JB

When the mainstream dining in Johor Bahru gets dull, we went a little bit out of the way and grab an Omakase Meal there.