Hubby and I swung by Komtar JBCC for one reason: takeaway from Chow Chow Stir Fry. Fried rice, back to the hotel room, feet up. Simple plan. Then we spotted a queue at Empire Sushi. Hubby took one look and wanted a few pieces to go with our fried rice. I didn’t fight him on it.
What Is Empire Sushi?
Empire Sushi is a homegrown Malaysian grab-and-go sushi chain with more than 150 outlets across Malaysia. The Komtar JBCC branch is a newcomer. It only opened in July 2026.
More Empire Sushi Outlets Around JB:
- City Square
- Toppen
- Paradigm Mall
- AEON Tebrau
- AEON Bukit Indah
- Mid Valley Southkey
Check the Empire Sushi store locator for the full list.
What We Tried at Empire Sushi
Inari Lobster (RM3)
A smooth, creamy lobster-mayo mix sits on rice inside a sweet beancurd pouch. Is there real lobster in it? I honestly can’t tell. The filling has no real texture. To be fair, I feel the same about the “lobster salad” sushi at chains back in Singapore. At that price, I have my doubts. Hubby loves creamy sushi though, so he polished it off happily.
Inari Spicy Salmon (RM3)
I preferred this one. A distinct chilli kick cuts through the mayo and keeps things lively.
Cheesy Ebi XL (RM3.30)
A large prawn lies over the rice under a thick blanket of cheese sauce. Not bad. But the sauce smothers everything and turns sickly fast.
Spicy Ebi Roll (RM2.90)
Tempura prawn sits in the middle, with a zesty, fiery sauce on top.
Spicy Futo Maki (RM1.60)
The cheapest of the lot. A classic roll packed with mixed fillings, plus a dusting of chilli powder for a kick.
Unagi Cheese Roll (RM3.50)
Crabstick inside. On top, unagi rests on a slice of processed cheese. An odd pairing. Strictly for cheese fans.
Inari Spicy Chicken, Fried (RM3.60)
A winner for me. The chicken pieces carry good seasoning. Serve them fresh and hot, and I reckon they’d taste delicious.
My Honest Verdict on Empire Sushi
Empire Sushi plays two cards: chilli powder for heat and lots of sauce for richness. They carry a regular selection too. We skipped it. Nothing there tempted us.
The problem? Those sauces and spices dominate. You lose the taste of the actual ingredients. After a few pieces, the richness gets heavy. Sickly, honestly.
Quick Takeaways
- Price: Very affordable, RM1.20 to RM3.60 a piece
- Best picks: Inari Spicy Chicken, Cheesy Ebi XL
- Skip if: You want clean, fresh flavours
- Best for: A quick snack, a few pieces now and then
Would I keep going back? Probably not. I still prefer freshly made sushi at Genki Sushi or Sushiro. There, tempura prawns arrive hot and crispy, and the fried chicken stays juicy. But if you love mayo, cheese sauce and big, bold flavours, give Empire Sushi a go. Think of it as sushi done Malaysian fast-food style. Fun as an add-on. Just don’t expect Japan.
