50 Best Japanese Restaurants near La Canada Flintridge

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Haruka Sake and Sushi and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was captivated by the inviting ambiance and the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared sushi.The food at Haruka Sake and Sushi was beyond compare. Every dish that graced my table was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The sushi was made with the utmost care, and the quality of the ingredients was evident in every bite. The fish was incredibly fresh, melting in my mouth with each sushi roll I sampled. The variety of options available ensured that there was something to suit every palate, from traditional favorites to inventive and creative sushi creations.But it wasn't just the food that left a lasting impression. The service at Haruka Sake and Sushi was impeccable. The staff members were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were more than happy to offer recommendations and answer any questions I had. Despite the restaurant being busy, the waitstaff managed to provide a seamless experience, ensuring that every customer felt valued and well taken care of.The ambiance of Haruka Sake and Sushi was enchanting. The decor was tasteful and soothing, creating a tranquil atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal. The lighting was just right, creating an intimate setting that enhanced the dining experience. Whether you're looking for a place to have a quiet dinner or celebrate a special occasion, Haruka offers an ideal setting.Overall, Haruka Sake and Sushi exceeded my expectations in every way. The combination of outstanding food, exceptional service, and a delightful atmosphere make it a top-tier sushi restaurant. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone seeking an unforgettable culinary adventure. Whether you're a sushi aficionado or new to the world of Japanese cuisine, Haruka Sake and Sushi will leave you craving more.First time experience pass the test.Thanks ?“

“Service is great! Food is delicious, especially the soft shell crab! It's nice and crunchy! Try the rainbow roll or the special Inside n out spicy roll!!! Pair it with a bottle of Nigori. Ambiance is nice and pleasant to dine during lunch or dinner. Enjoy!“

“Great little independent restaurant. The world needs more unique places like this. If only people could tear themselves away from McDonald's and other gross corporate dumps and try something new once in a while.The service was very good. Yeah, they were in the back working when I came in, but they came out right away, so I can't see why anyone would feel the need to complain about that.They were out of a couple menu items this last visit, like their açaí, but it's all good because they have a varied menu and good prices. The interior is decorated with custom art pieces. Just go, ok?Vegetarian options: Açaí and all that implies... several rolls are meatless (avocado, daikon, and so on).Dietary restrictions: Easy for a gluten free person to eat here.Parking: Tons of parking.Wheelchair accessibility: Handicapped parking very nearby. A wheelchair could easily roll in. Flat floor layout; no steps or stairs. Spacious, private bathroom.“

“Pictured are the Tokyo Rich Tsukemen and the Smoked Dashi Ramen.The Tokyo Rich Tsukemen carried my experience here at Tonchin LA. I came here solely for the noodles made in collaboration with Keizo Shimamoto from Shimamoto Noodle Inc. They are really the star of the bowl. The tonkotsu gyokai broth was alright, but overall, this was one of the better tsukemen you can find in Socal imo.The Smoked Dashi Ramen, on the other hand, was quite weird. It starts off fine but the longer you take to eat it, the fishier the broth will get so get ready to slurp fast ?“

“I've been wanting to try different omakase places in the LA area for a while now, and stumbled upon Omakase by Ozen online - and I'm glad I came! Reservations were made quickly and easily via Yelp, and I love that I was able to change my reservation time without much of a hassle. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate after I took the MCAT, so we were extremely hungry when we got here. I think this place might have had valet out front, but we opted to just find street parking in the neighborhood for a ~5 minute walk (which worked out afterwards since it let us walk off our food!). The actual restaurant is a very small and quaint place; we sat at a table instead of the bar but I thought the decorations were very cute. Service was very fast and attentive. They handed us a menu as soon as we came in, and we ordered the $130 omakase - which was a pretty good deal for the quality of the food and the whole experience. I do have to say that I was not full after the meal (so my boyfriend and I ended up getting more food afterwards at a different place), but I did enjoy my time here. Definitely worth a try if you're celebrating because of the food and the service, but I personally don't think I'd come back for the omakase.“

“Outstanding food and service. Reservations were limited so we went right when they opened and snagged seats at the end of the sushi bar. The highlights for us were the inventive, perfectly seasoned hamachi choco and buttery salmon nigiri—but honestly we would reorder everything we tried and can’t wait to come back to sample the rest of the menu. Mariano made us feel like VIPs with his stellar recommendations and good conversation. So happy to have this gem in the neighborhood! We look forward to enjoying their sister restaurant, Bar Seco, opening soon next door.“

“Delicious and fresh seafood every time. The platters were amazing and the prices are very reasonable. The shop is filled with all types of snacks and additional sides to complete your meal. All the staff and chefs are super nice and very helpful. We went with Platter F & G.“

“Love Ajito!! Has been my favorite local sushi spot for over 8 years!“

“Most underrated restaurant in LA. The menu is always changing so, if you can afford it, you can go monthly. It's good it's not packed with hip foodies but I want this place to be recognized as every bit as good as N Naka or Hayato.“

“Super delicious pancake. Good service. *****“

“I'm not too much a fan of fries these days, but the chicken was incredible! I wish the wasabi flavor came through a bit more, but it was all really good. Very nice owner and employee, great experience all around. A bit expensive for me, but so is everything in Pasadena. They seemed to go really hard in on the branding and I hope it pays off!!“

“i have been 4tunate enuf 2 have tried both locations but of course, many more times in HH since its been there 5+ yrs ~ originally i often didnt fill up after their omakase mealz but they have since improved & i dont leave hungry i started visitin HH location cuz an old friemd used 2b da chef there; he has since retired & im happy i got 2 try this new location ~ food is yumz, service is good, place is clean & modern wished there were somethin they can do bout da noisy background ~ its very echoey, thus hard 2 hear wut frenz r sayin (def less noisy @HH location)“

“I recently dined at a sushi restaurant in Pasadena. It's conveniently located close to public parking, which was a plus. The sashimi combo was excellent, and the side dishes complemented the meal perfectly. Overall, it was a great dining experience.“

“I walk by this place daily and it's always so busy. I decided to try it for myself and it was delicious. Everything seemed fresh and full of flavor. The waiters were all super sweet and attentive to our needs. We went for lunch so it wasn't as busy as it normally is, which was nice because the space is a little tight given its all bar seating. They play good music and it's a fun atmosphere. There's plenty of street parking and valet (10-15$). I will say this spot is on the pricer side, Im not convinced the meal was worth the price give theres an omekase down the street.“

“The food was amazing, our server Helen was informative & friendly. Harry came out to greet us & made sure we’re enjoying our time & meal. Will definitely be coming back to Kombu Silverlake“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“Morihiro was a solid omakase experience, but it's not as intimate as the other elevated omakase experiences in this price range...it was pretty crowded. There were only table seats the day we went, but we still enjoyed our dinner here. I was little a taken aback by the way the unique way the rice is prepared, but it was still pretty good. All the dishes were explained and presented well but overall Morihiro just lacked that wow factor. I think I also just prefer a more intimate omakase experience.“

“We came here on a Tuesday night looking for a quick but savory meal. It was busy but there were some seats open. casual place. The food came out quite quickly, and as a whole it was very good. We got chicken kaarage, which was a good portion for its price. The accompanying spicy mayo was unexpectedly quite nice. boy got the blaze, which he really liked. I got the classic ramen, which was flavorful and not too salty. The noodles were cooked very well, and the broth warmed me nicely. I have came here before craving the tsukemen, and it is for the most part quite good but always ends up tasting very salty by the end. will probably still come back and order it again though.“

“super fresh of fish and peaceful interior“

“Best hot pot in SFV! Always come here when we want some amazing flavors for a worthy price. Recommend asking for the garlic sauce and peanut sauce. Love spicy so asked for chili oil and flakes. The portions are great, come hungry. 100% recommend to anyone and come frequently“

“Shinkai sits low key in this multi-use complex within the heart of downtown Alhambra. We visited during their soft opening yesterday and tried out their omakase which was fresh, plentiful and delicious. Chef Alan and Dedy did a great job at the presentation on the following dishes. 1. Okinawa seaweed shooter with yamaimo and ikura 2. Jellyfish with kizami wasabi and 2 hr slow cooked abalone 3. Kumamoto oysters with green onion and ikura/uni 4. Shima aji, Chu toro and otoro 5. Sea Bream and golden eye snapper 6. Toro tartare with uni, ikura, truffle and avocado 7. Santa Barbara uni with black caviar and ikura 8. Japanese kegani 9. Black cod over mashed yam and drizzled with yuzu miso 10. Hokkaido scallop with Hokkaido uni and black caviar 11. Wagyu sushi We look forward to visiting again as they refine their processes and dishes during their soft opening. It's definitely nice to have a local sushi spot in SGV rather than having to head to LA or further for an omakase sushi dinner.“

“I love this place! Went for the first time tonight and was not disappointed. The fish was so fresh and good quality for a good price which is hard to find. Everything Looked good and tasted delicious . Thanks chef Sam and our server Vivian was a delight . New favorite spot for sure .“

“Love the Chicken and pork curry. crispy outside and juicy inside. Dip it into the curry sauce, take a bite with the rice, just so comforting! I like the side dish salad to keep me have healthy balance too. Big portion for sharing.“

“Had a great meal here. I have gluten allergy and was worried they didn’t have anything gluten-free because the menu online didn’t mention it. However, I called and the person I spoke to was amazing and knowledgeable about the options. There were not tons but enough that there were things I could eat. I had the Bento box and they were able to adjust it so everything was GF. That did come with a hefty surcharge but it’s worth it to me to know it’s all safe to eat. Sashimi is also an option however nigiri and rolls are not because there is soy in the rice.I’ve knocked down my review because there are plenty of Japanese restaurants that fully accommodate gluten allergies and I’ve been told by chefs and owners that at this point it’s not hard to do.Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free options but next extensive. The nigiri and rolls are not GF as there is soy in the rice (as of the time of my review)“

“Great service awesome food A+“

“Wow! What a wonderful experience! We had an early dinner on a Thursday evening to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. It was busy, but we were sat almost right away. The ambiance of the restaurant is the first thing that hit me. It was very dark, but in comforting way. It is a very small place. The server walked us through their choices and we were immediately served. We chose their silver level. The bone marrow and toast was crazy delicious. It was full of umami flavor. It was the perfect way to start off. We ordered the spicy miso and the house broth. Both were great. The spicy miso wasn't too spicy at the beginning, but rather rich and flavorful. It did build on the spice level when it became a bit more concentrated. The house was mild and light. These soups were refilled at appropriate times as well. The meats that were served with this were melt in your mouth amazing and only took a second to cook. The veggie platter that accompanied it was a nice assortment. They also had a serve your self rice/ condiment bar. It was very clean and had a great assortment of sauces. My favorite was mixing the sesame with a bit of soy sauce and spicy chilies. It also included eggs, rice and minced beef. We had three rounds of the amazing meat and finished up the veggies. We finished our meal with the green tea ice cream at the self serve station. It is a bit pricy, but worth every penny in my opinion. I can't wait to come back.Parking: Parking in the lot right in front of the restaurant was available for an early dinner on a Thursday. They also have parking around the back of the building as well.“

“Tasty bbq take out outside. Amazing desserts to ans friendly staff“

“Lovely and uber yummy new spot for Poke (bowl of fresh, raw fish on rice w/ toppings) & Temaki (sushi hand roll) in Highland Park.Being a transplant from the 626, Poke has always been one of the food staples of my life.  These folks here do it right.  After 5 separate visits over a month, I can most definitely say:*Super fresh fish and seafood.  Not a hint of fish past its prime or, worse, not properly stored.*Rice is hot and freshly made.*Topping selections are plenty and very familiar to those who love Poke.*Sauce is just right.  Not too sheisty and not drenching the whole thing.*Hand Rolls are made on the spot.  All the same qualities above.*Kitchen and preparation area are PRISTINE clean.  This is so important for a Poke place since they're serving raw fish.*Staff are courteous and kind.Overall, I am so so happy that there is now a reliable and great spot for Poke and Hand Rolls in Highland Park.  If you enjoy Poke or Hand Rolls, come pay this place a visit to see for yourself.Will definitely be a regular from now on.*Parking: Plaza lot.  Decent to good.*Online Ordering: Yes.  See their website.*Payment: Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay.*Interior: Clean, pleasant, and cute.  Plentiful seating.*Bathrooms: Yes.“

“Cozy, chill hand roll bar. Inside is all bar seating, which is nice as you get an up close view of the rolls being made. There is outdoor patio seating as well but it was a bit chilly when I went. Staff is really attentive. There are a lot of roll combo options on the menu but I went a la carte. I loved everything I ate - spicy tuna and the avocado crispy rice as well as the crab and the salmon roll. The person I was with ordered a bowl which was a good size. Nice spot for solo lunch or a group of two. Very relaxed vibes.“

“Finally got a chance to try this out since had my eye on it since it opened in the neighborhood. The restaurant is on the smaller side and has about 15 tables total so definitely have a bit of patience if going right at dinner time. They only take reservations for parties over 5. If you go at non-peak times, should be able to get seated right away. The host and servers were friendly and constantly came by to clear plates as they were finished and refill drinks. Food wise, you can order a la carte or from 2 levels of AYCE. We went for the premium AYCE and enjoyed it after leaving stuffed and wagyu oozing from our pores. The meat quality was excellent and while each plate was only 4-7 slices, you can just keep ordering if you can handle all the rich and fatty meats. The carpaccios and other appetizers were good and you can order 1/2 size of many dishes so you don't overstuff yourself. So while the price ($75), for premium is definitely up there, it is fair for the quality of the meats and other options. You have a 90 min. limit so be mindful of that as the food does not come out as quickly when the restaurant is full. Overall, something to splurge on once in a while and if you're looking for premium meats. Friendly tip- wear clothes you don't mind smelling like bbq/smoke as their exhaust system could use some improvement as you can visibly see the smoke later in the night when busy as the exhaust at each table is lacking in effectiveness.“

“Great food. Fast service.“

“This is my favorite sushi place. Small unassuming location in a strip mall. There’s no Cheetos and bacon roll or whatever, if that’s your kind of thing. This is a sushi master serving simple, fresh, perfectly prepared, traditional sushi. The toro, the uni, the oysters, the mackerel, it’s perfect. The server let us know which plates they didn’t want us to use soy sauce on. I thought it was beautiful and I didn’t use that stuff on a single dish anyway.“

“Fresh food, good quality, recommended“

“want to start off by saying that this place is definitely timeless and i understand why it is one of the first ever sushi places in LA. The prices are unbelievable and i went with 2 other friends and ended up ordering a lot of food. The thing with sushi it’s hard to get full usually, but here the sushi that would be 2-3x the price is affordable and delicious. The atmosphere is great and authentic and your surroundings are pleasant and vibrant. Lots of people speaking japanese to the sushi chef and made the experience at the bar feel fun. i wish i got more pictures but we were starving but we wanted to try a little bit of everything. This place is great for family and friends and even a date at the bar for a fun time. make sure to on off hours or make a reservation if you can cause it can get packed in there. Overall it’s worth a drive to the K town area and get full.“

“Good food, portions & service...“

“Best sushi on the West Side ❤️“

“I really enjoyed coming here for sushi, been to alot of places but this place is very surprising, don't be fool by th mail this place is extremely excellent.“

“My fiance and I came in on Tuesday during lunch time and the service from Jun, our waiter was impeccable. It is slower during the week so we got to have a personal experience where Jun cooked some of our meats for us, came out with his recommendations, and showed us how to eat the proper way with nori sheets, fresh garlic, and lettuce! The food was amazing, and their seafood options are so fresh and delicious. I used to go to the Monterey Park location but this will be our permanent go to spot instead.“

“Honestly, was amazed at how good the sushi / sashimi was at this place. Didn't expect it from a food hall. WAY better quality tasting food than a more legit mid-level sushi places. Highly recommend coming here just for this. We got another roll to go because it was so good.“

“Very nice little whole in the wall restaurant! Service is very attentive. For starters, I like ordering their edamame or takoyaki. Their chicken katsu with curry is my go to plate here because it's very filling with decent sized portions.“

“After success with the jajiang noodles, I had to try the stall right next door. Inside the fantastic Hmart market, is Kazu Mori. I’d say Katsu is there specialty with pork and chicken. I had the pork tonkatsu with curry. Huge portions and so good. I actually thought I was a bit pricey bit after I saw the quality and portions, I reconsider. Also, not a Bricks and mortar saves a bit.I think the key is to get a bunch of people and order two or three items from each stall. The choice are fantastic.“

“Such a good experience. We had so much fun coming here. The food is amazing. I don't understand the one stars. There's no reason for this place to have one star. This location you have to walk in to make an appointment or just be a walk-in. They are so busy they can't answer the phone. The food is worth the wait trust. The owner is an OG. He is the best of the best.“

“Had a great dinner at Kogane again. The food and service were great. The sushi chefs were friendly and gave very interesting tidbits about the fish, process and taste. The meal lasts about 1 hr and 45 min. Since everyone eats at the same rate for each dish through the course, don't forget to be on time. :)“

“High quality, friendly service“

“We were greeted warmly and were seated at a lovely table. Cameren was incredibly attentive and we were happy to be seated in his section again. We ordered some of our favorites—both drinks and food and even tried some new things including the outstanding A5 Nigiri. We hope this becomes a menu staple. Katsuya is our go-to spot for a reason. The service, the food, the drinks, the beautiful restaurant itself. Can't wait to return!“

“The service was GREAT and the mango sticky rice was super delicious! The mango was super ripe and sweet and the rice had the perfect salty edge to it. It could use a bit more of the coconut sauce, but other than that it was absolutely amazing! The ambiance was great and calm with minimal music playing the background. The interior was also nicely decorated with additional seating outside.“

“I like this location more than Little Tokyo due to distance and ease of parking. They both aren't that much different to each other, but there's a few differences. Parking: no seriously, you don't have to struggle to find parking here. They share a huge lot behind the plaza so parking is a breeze. No struggling to find a space when you're in DTLA Indoor seating isn't as big at the OG spot, but it doesn't feel as outdated and rundown. Food is pretty good here. The 3 hand roll set is enough to fill me up, but I was hungry and opted for 5. The unagi and the snow crab are pretty good. The reg hand rolls like the salmon and spicy tuna deserve an honorable mention. Portion sizes are fair and you get an equal rice:protein ratio. Service is good. Would return again“

“Excellent food. Authentic Japanese. It was really delicious, thank you!“

“Excellent food. ambience is also very good. we had udon noodle soup which was freshly made and great taste“

“Really nice place to relax and enjoy good food. It's a really cute place that I'm happy we got to try ! I took my friend for her birthday and liked meals + desserts ^^ The mister who helped us was so nice and didn't rush us to leave even though we didn't notice it was closing time. Definitely want to come back again!“