Jordan Alexis Yap cooks for twelve people at a time, along a marble counter at 15 Jalan Kuning 2 in Taman Pelangi. He opened Binchotan JB in February 2021, and unlike most omakase rooms it leans on the grill rather than the sushi case, the white binchotan charcoal that gives the place its name. Menus run from RM188 at lunch up to RM1,288, and dishes like the Chirashi Truffle have made it one of the most talked-about Japanese tables in Johor Bahru. Tatler named it among Malaysia's Top 20 in 2022.
The Kitchen
Jordan Alexis Yap runs the kitchen and the counter, and his approach pairs Japanese technique with French finish. The room seats only twelve along a single marble counter at 15 Jalan Kuning 2 in Taman Pelangi, so every plate is handed across in front of you. The signature is the grill: binchotan, the dense Japanese white charcoal the restaurant takes its name from, which burns hot and almost smokeless and gives grilled fish and wagyu a clean char without bitterness.
Where most Johor Bahru omakase rooms build everything around raw sushi, Binchotan JB puts as much weight on hot, grilled courses. The Chirashi Truffle, a bowl of seasoned rice and sashimi finished with shaved truffle, is the plate people come back for. Sashimi is cut to order, and a sake list runs alongside. Menus are tiered from about RM188 at lunch up to RM1,288 for the fullest dinner.
Yap opened the restaurant in February 2021, and within a year Tatler had placed it among its Malaysia Top 20 in 2022, with later guides naming it one of the country's best Japanese restaurants. For a twelve-seat room a short drive from the Singapore causeway, that is quick recognition, and the cooking holds up the billing.
The Room
Binchotan JB is a counter, not a dining room: twelve seats along a single slab of marble, facing the chef and the grill. The mood is intimate and quiet, closer to a private dinner than a restaurant, and the sound rarely rises above conversation and the hiss of charcoal. Lighting is low and pointed at the counter. Because there are only twelve seats, reservations are required and the room fills well ahead. Dress is smart-casual; most diners have dressed for an occasion. There are no tables to retreat to and no background noise to lean on, which makes it ideal for focused conversation and poor for a rowdy group. Book the early seating for a calmer pace.
Best for Impress Clients
Book Binchotan JB to impress a client when you want a room that signals care without shouting about it. Three reasons it works: twelve seats and a chef working in front of you make the meal feel personal and considered; the binchotan grill gives you something genuinely distinctive to talk about between courses; and the tiered menus let you set the budget before you arrive. Reserve the counter, choose a mid or upper tier, and let the Chirashi Truffle and the grilled courses carry the conversation. For a quiet, high-end client dinner near the Singapore border, it is among the best rooms in Johor Bahru. See more client dinners.
Not for groups or a casual night out. Binchotan JB seats just twelve at one counter, requires booking ahead, and is built for a quiet, focused omakase, not a party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Binchotan JB worth it?
Yes, for a distinctive, charcoal-led omakase that does not just copy Tokyo. Chef Jordan Alexis Yap seats twelve at a marble counter and builds the menu around binchotan-grilled courses as much as sushi, which sets it apart from the city's other omakase rooms. Tatler placed it among Malaysia's Top 20 in 2022. Menus run from RM188 at lunch to RM1,288, so you can match the spend to the occasion.
How do I book Binchotan JB?
Book ahead through the restaurant's website or its social channels, since the counter seats only twelve and fills early, especially at weekends. Binchotan JB sits at 15 Jalan Kuning 2 in Taman Pelangi, a short drive from the Singapore causeway, which makes it popular with cross-border diners. Choose your menu tier when you reserve, as the kitchen plans the courses around it. The early seating is usually the calmer one.
What should I order at Binchotan JB?
The Chirashi Truffle, seasoned rice and sashimi finished with shaved truffle, is the dish to order and the one diners return for. Beyond it, lean into what the room does best: the binchotan-grilled fish and wagyu courses, cooked over white charcoal for a clean char. Pair the meal with something from the sake list. Since the format is omakase, much of the menu is the chef's call by tier.
How much does Binchotan JB cost?
Menus are tiered from about RM188 per person at lunch up to RM1,288 for the fullest dinner, so the bill depends entirely on which tier you choose. The lower tiers are an accessible way into the room; the upper tiers bring more premium seafood and wagyu. Drinks and sake are extra. Decide your budget before you book, since the kitchen builds the courses around the tier you reserve.
Is Binchotan JB good for impressing clients?
Yes, it is one of the strongest client-dinner rooms in Johor Bahru. The twelve-seat counter and the chef working in front of you make the evening feel considered, the binchotan grill gives you something to talk about, and the tiered pricing lets you set the spend in advance. It is poorly suited to a large or noisy group. For more options, see our impress-clients guide.