Langkawi Sushi
Langkawi is known for its postcard-perfect sunsets and island escapades, but tucked quietly away from the beach towels and jet skis is a far more unexpected attraction. It’s not a spa or a secret cove. It’s sushi, served in a house and rolled from scratch by the humble ‘Aunty Jepun’.
Naturally, curiosity got the better of us, and off we went to find out what’s behind the shop, Langkawi Sushi – and more specifically, who.
A Japanese-Muslim with Patani roots
78-year-old Aunty Maseko isn’t your typical island host.
Born in 1947, she’s a quiet blend of cultures and history. She’s Japanese-Muslim with Patani roots, and has a soul deeply connected to Langkawi. “My grandparents were from Patani, and my mother travelled to Kelantan”, she shared with TheSmartLocal Malaysia.
Living on the island for over four decades, she carries the kind of culinary intuition that can’t be taught – only lived.
With a ready smile and an apron tied just so, she surprises many first-time visitors by speaking fluent Malay. “People around here call me Aunty Jepun”, she mused.
Her journey into sushi began in 2006, with a simple desire to feed her friends something they loved and to pass time – “I just started making sushi to pass the time”, she recalled.
What began as thoughtful plates shared with neighbours quickly turned into event orders, and before long, her reputation began to quietly rise. She eventually took her sushi to the local Ramadan bazaars and the night market in Pasir Hitam, where word of her Dashimaki Tamago – a delicate rolled omelette – and her seaweed salad with a sweet-and-savoury kick started drawing loyal fans.
She now runs an eatery from her own home, where the modest family hall operates as the dining space that’s filled with the soft murmur of conversations, the scent of rice vinegar and fresh fish, and the quiet clinking of plates and cutlery.
It’s not flashy. It’s full of charm and flavour.
In the kitchen, Aunty Maseko works shoulder to shoulder with her husband, the two moving in quiet rhythm. Their day begins at 6am, starting with the sticky rice, then carefully crafting each piece with steady, practiced hands. “I like to use Japanese rice”, she told us, explaining how the added moisture creates a softer, more delicate texture that’s perfect for sushi.
Her menu spans from hand-rolled to hand-pressed pieces, with Inari making a modest but beloved appearance. For locals and ocean-weary travellers who find their way to her doorstep, it’s a warm, familiar embrace of Japanese flavour served with Malaysian grace.
Affordable sushi priced from RM1 each
Aunty Maseko prepares over 50 pieces of sushi a day, and by noon, they’re often gone. It’s a bit of a gamble – some days, there’s enough to go around. On other days, the trays are cleared in no time.
There are over 10 varieties of sushi here. The Takenoko Makizushi is the most affordable at just RM1, while favourites like the Smoked Salmon Avocado Makizushi (RM3/each) and Tobiko Kanikama Sakasamaki (RM2/each) tend to vanish before the sun goes down.
Each purchase comes with a generous side of wasabi, soya sauce, and Japanese mayonnaise.
Aunty Maseko’s signature lies in the protein. She uses only Norwegian salmon, a tradition that has been passed down from her late mother, whose quiet philosophy was simple but profound: fresh ingredients make for honest flavour.
Her Wakame (RM3/bowl) is another quiet star on the menu. With a sweet, vinegary punch, it’s a crowd favourite, often prompting requests for second helpings. “I make it a little sweeter”, she shared. “The [Malaysian] locals seem to prefer it that way”.
And if you’re wondering about a secret ingredient, there isn’t one. “No secret”, Aunty Maseko laughed. “I just do it from the heart”.
Which, in truth, might be the most important ingredient of all.
Visit Langkawi Sushi for no-frills sushi
While Malaysia is home to many culinary delights, every so often, a no-frills, off-the-beaten-path place like Langkawi Sushi quietly rises and steals the show. One that’s less about trend, and more about soul.
“I don’t think I’ll stop making sushi”, Aunty Maseko shared.
With hands skilled by time, stories wrapped in seaweed, and a home that doubles as a tiny sanctuary for flavour, she is a reminder of what food truly is about: memory, care, and love on a plate.
Address: No.127, Kampung Pasir Hitam, 07000, Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: Wed, Fri-Sun 12.30pm-7pm (Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Contact: 011-3729 2025 | Langkawi Sushi Facebook
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Some quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Photography by Yusintha.