Nishiki Restaurant
About This Spot
Walking into Nishiki Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu is like stepping into a quiet, thoughtful retreat where the pace softens and the hum of everyday bustle falls into the background. Here, the lighting is warm and inviting, setting a calm frame for an experience that feels both intimate and unhurried. Whether you're settling in for a meal with friends or sharing a quiet dinner with family, the atmosphere invites lingering conversations and shared moments over food crafted with care.
The space reflects a balance between familiarity and gentle refinement—there’s a groundedness to the rhythm of the place, where attentive service blends unobtrusively with the steady choreography of chefs working diligently behind the scenes. It’s a spot where the essence of Japanese culinary tradition is quietly present without ever feeling formal or distant.
On the table, dishes arrive as an expression of thoughtful craftsmanship. The freshness of the sashimi and the delicate balance of flavors in each sushi piece speak to a respect for the ingredients and a deep knowledge of the cuisine’s roots. Bowls of ramen or udon invite a comforting warmth, while more textured plates like tempura or teppanyaki bring variation and playfulness to the experience. The meal unfolds naturally, with familiar elements alongside touches that hint at the hands behind the scenes—locals guided by a heritage that lends the food a certain authenticity and steadiness.
It’s a place that suits well-paced gatherings—where the portions satisfy without rushing, and the mood encourages those subtle pauses that help a meal feel less like a routine, and more like a shared moment. The ebb and flow of the day here can vary, with busier evenings bringing a gentle energy, while quieter meal times offer a cozy corner to exhale and simply enjoy.
For those who appreciate the rhythms of a neighborhood spot that still holds on to the essence of tradition, Nishiki quietly offers an experience that’s genuine and warm—a subtle invitation to slow down, savor, and connect over each carefully prepared plate.
What’s Available Here
-
Takeaway - Dine-in
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Groups
- Tourists
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Good for kids
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM | |
| Tuesday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM | |
| Friday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:45 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM |
Guest Reviews
Share Your Experience
Related Listing
Recently Viewed Listing
Bar restaurante Babel
El Chalan Restaurant
Bakers Lakeside Pub
Irene's Café
Dennison R Indang 30 Dec 2025
We had a very pleasant dining experience at Nishiki Restaurant. The quality of the Japanese food was excellent. The sashimi was fresh and generously cut, the sushi was well presented, and everything tasted great. It is an ideal place for group or family dining, with a good variety of menu options. The restaurant has a calm and comfortable atmosphere, suitable for relaxed meals or discussions. The staff were polite, attentive, and efficient from ordering to serving. If you are looking for a reliable Japanese restaurant with consistent quality, good taste, and a pleasant dining environment in Kota Kinabalu, Nishiki is definitely worth a visit. We would gladly return.
PrinceT 18 Dec 2025
1. Taste: 4/5 2. Presentation: 5/5 3. Portion size: 4/5 4 Temperature: 4/5 5. Service: 4/5 6. Value for money: 4/5 7. Overall: 4/5 B sure to make reservations esp on a Saturday, it's gets very bizy. If u come late thy hv I think 5 tables outside n inside not any bigger. Although owner is from Japan the 2 cooks dat I can see we're locals n inside was another chef which I cld not c his face. Inside is fully ac w minimalist Japanese deco. Large variety to choose from, I had the unagi eel with rice large n I think it was 65-68 per bowel. Japanese food has never been cheap, it's the Asian version of fine dining. For the price I was a little disappointed esp for large it was almost small to me. U get 4 pieces of the eel which means standard u only get 2. It tasted nice w the rice n some carrots plus the soup which wasn't hot at all. I hate warm soup but there u hv it. The veggie was delicious mo so on the source thy used, extremely nice. The ice cream was ok n I'm guessing it's home made. Overall ok w a nice price range of rm368. Dis plc kinda brought me back in time as thy offer a wet towel as u set down, no body does dat anymo so it was greatly appreciated. Staff are helpful n thy greet u even after u leave, Japanese style. If u want quality Japanese food u can't go wrong at Nishiki est since 1987.
Terry Lam 15 Dec 2025
Stepping into Nishiki Japanese Restaurant always feels like entering a quiet pocket of comfort — warm lighting, calm energy, and the kind of hospitality that makes you exhale before the meal even begins. Today’s visit turned into a beautiful parade of colours, textures, and classic Japanese flavours executed with care. Sashimi Symphony The sashimi platter arrived like a chilled canvas of craftsmanship. Salmon slices glowed with natural marbling, while the salmon belly, carved into a delicate flower shape, felt like edible art. Maguro brought that deep ruby tone and clean, iron-sweet bite, a grounding counterpoint to the buttery salmon. The catch of the day — red snapper — offered gentle, translucent slices with a soft crunch and a refreshing oceanic sweetness. Every piece tasted like the chef’s quiet confidence. Oyako-don – A Bowl of Warm Familiarity The Oyako-don arrived steaming, a comforting tangle of tender chicken and silky egg draped over fluffy Japanese rice. Savoury, mildly sweet, and soul-soothing — the kind of donburi that wraps around you like a warm blanket. Salmon Teri Don – Glazed Perfection The Salmon Teriyaki Don offered a richer contrast: a lacquered slice of salmon with caramelised edges, its natural fattiness amplified by a glossy teriyaki glaze. Every bite was satisfying — sweet, smoky, and deeply umami over rice. Ingen Itame – Bright, Light & Crunchy To balance the meal, the Ingen Itame brought a refreshing crunch. Stir-fried green beans remained vibrant, tossed lightly in soy and garlic, dotted with baby scallops and red carrot. A simple dish, but executed with finesse — an elegant side that cleans the palate between heavier bites. Nishiki delivers that rare combination of thoughtful preparation, fresh ingredients, and understated elegance. Whether you’re here for sashimi artistry or the comfort of classic donburi, every dish feels like it was cooked with intention. A dining experience that leaves you full, satisfied, and already planning your next visit.
Chan KS 16 Nov 2025
Alright, so I gotta say, this Japanese place in KK is seriously top-notch. You can just tell someone involved knows their stuff, and I'm pretty sure it's because one of the owners is actually Japanese. That makes a huge difference in the food, it tastes like the real deal. Honestly, the food is just consistently good. But the best part? The portions! You get so much for your money, especially compared to other Japanese restaurants around here. You definitely won't leave hungry. And the staff? Super efficient. They're quick, even when it's packed, which is pretty much always. Now, here's the thing – it's small. Like, really small. So, it gets crowded, and finding a seat can be a challenge. I usually end up sitting outside, which is way more comfortable. If you want more space and a nicer atmosphere, you might want to check out their other place, Orion, in Damai. That one's got a much better vibe and more room to breathe. But yeah, for the food and the value, this place is hard to beat in KK. Just be prepared for a bit of a squeeze!
Lulu31 17 Sep 2025
This is a long-standing Japanese restaurant originally run by a Japanese owner and now managed by his son. We always patronize for its high quality sushi, though it comes at a higher price. However, our visit tonight was a bit disappointing. The restaurant was packed, and perhaps due to the dining peak hours, the sushi didn’t look as fresh or appetizing as usual. The ramen was also overloaded with vegetables and lacking the rich flavor I remembered from previous visits. Service was handled by three waitresses who seemed new and inexperienced. They appeared a bit overwhelmed and panicked, which affected the overall dining experience. Looking forward to their improvement especially during peak hours.
Eric Teoh 16 Sep 2025
The salmon teriyaki rice is delicious. They used salmon along with some fats. My first experience with grill salmon was here and it surprised me because it tasted nice and was cooked perfectly, not too dry or raw. The udon also taste fantastic. The best part is their miso soup, which I assume they cook from scrap and is quite different from those who use instant powder