50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Duarte

“wow... im at a loss for words. my experience? downright perfect. every bite was an adventure i could only describe either as colorful or blissful, im stuck between the two. the customer service? even better. all my needs were met, and all my wants were blown out of the water as i recieved my meal. going here is not something you should consider, it's something you have to do.“

“First time here and I am blown away. Sushi is so fresh. They have the special rolls and real tasty and fresh nigiri. Service was excellent and patient with questions. Will be back soon for sure. Prices are good for the quality you get. There is also plentiful parking. Can't recommend enough.“

“Food was delicious!!! We had our two great granddaughters with us, they treated them so nicely, gave them extra tofu and attention!!! We will be visiting again soon!!“

“Yes, I already have a review of Sushi Fire (and I stand by it), but I am compelled to add another review, here’s why.

My wife and I come here quite often these days. In fact, it is one of the very few restaurants we are still willing to spend our money at. (The dismal state of cuisine in Southern California is a topic for another day.)

Why? Because the food is good. It tastes good. It looks good.

No, they do not serve $30 per piece Bluefin Otoro, nor do they serve $400 a box Akatsuki Uni. Don’t get me wrong, they’re probably amazing (I will never know), but I don’t live in Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos world, nor do I live in Robert De Niro’s world, for that matter. I live in the real world, where $40 for one meal is a heck of a lot of money, but I’m willing to pay it, if it is good.

And Sushi Fire is definitely good.

In the past year that we have been frequenting Sushi Fire, I have gotten to know Winston. I started asking him to make me something different, something I have never had before. This is how Winston came up with the “Chef’s Special”.

The Chef’s Special is nothing more than Winston’s creative imagination. Almost every time it is different, but it is always good. I’ve uploaded a bunch of pictures here of Winston’s Chef’s Special, so take a look and see how creative he can be. (I call them all “Chef’s Special”)

I invite you to stop by and put yourself in Winston’s hands (it helps if you sit at the sushi bar). Ask him for a Chef’s Special (let him know if there’s anything you don’t like). Then, all you have to do is sit back and let him amaze you.

Definitely my favorite place right now. Way to go Winston! Way to go Sushi Fire!“

“Its open and they really made sure its safe , service and food perfect . Happy days“

“Sushi is delicious here and always fresh - this is our fave spot in Blossom Market Hall! Great quality food, friendly service, and decent prices given the portion sizes and quality.

I’ve tried the Dragon Roll and the Tiger Roll and loved them both. The Tiger Roll has plain cooked shrimp, shrimp tempura, crab and cucumber with a lovely mix of sauces over the top. The Dragon Roll has spicy salmon, shrimp tempura, crab, cucumber and onion also with delectable sauces on top.

The Dragon Roll was the winner for sure - the spicy salmon on top was some of the best I’ve had - not surprised it’s one of their best sellers.

Their rolls are quite large - more than enough for one person per roll and the prices are very decent. Their combos are pretty huge and an excellent bargain. We got my FIL a combo C and a Blossom Roll to go on our last visit - I was impressed by the presentation and he loved them both. Will have to try one next time!

Service was efficient and very welcoming. Order at the counter and they’ll give you a buzzer. The vibe in the market hall is lively and inviting - with lots of seating options and promising dessert choices once you’ve finished your dinner. Sushi Rolland is right inside the main entrance and there’s plenty of free parking on site.“

“It couldve been because I was early, dining in and the broth didn't develop a bitter after taste from over cooking, but it's been awhile since I've had good ramen. The champion ramen had a good mixture of wet and dry flavors. Chashu + seaweed had a subtle fish dry taste vibe which is new. Noodles were chewy and not clumpy mouth feel. Broth and ground pork were rich but not overly. Overall taste + texture was superb and especially warming during the winter. Also the waiter Rick is such a homeboy and service is amazing.

Last time I liked having ramen was when I was running around in an orange jumper. Hope the guys and gals stay in business.“

“Every dish was delectable, and great service! We all had a fantastic time there! Definitely will be back, and for celebrations.“

“Me encanto el lugar muy agradable el personal no se diga muy amables“

“ABSOLUTELY the BEST ramen I have ever had!!! The service is amazing, the fried pumpkin... off the hook!!! Spring rolls, yaaasssss!! I had the King Ramen...whoaaaaa! Daaaaammnnn!! You will NOT be disappointed. Thanks to the owners for the great experience.“

“Cute homey Japanese vibes. It’s a small restaurant so I can see there’d be a wait on busy days. Luckily we only had to wait about 5 min. The menu is straightforward. Comfort Japanese dishes. Service was great, they’re super nice and very attentive!

The tempura was good, sauce was great too. Katsu was fried perfectly, sauce was tangy and fantastic, just wish the pork was more moist/tender. Karaage was just okay, probably wouldn’t order it again, most of the flavor came from the sauce. My dad loved his eel bowl set, flavored and cooked well. My katsudon bowl was delicious, again katsu was a little dry, togarashi is a must with this bowl. And the cold soba noodles were great, the sauce dip was perfectly seasoned and noodles were perfect texture, very refreshing to eat.

Parking - small free lot! We had no issues getting parking.“

“If not one of the best sushi 🍣 bars in Southern California or is the best in Southern California if you are ever in the West Covina San Gabriel Valley area it's a must stop and check it out the owner is so sweet and if the same sushi chefs one of the most premier chefs in the business I consider myself a condasuer now in sushi try the Javier roll and for the begginers in trying sushi go for the lobster roll u won't regret it well it will pinch your wallet u Will definitely enjoy the meat“

“Came in on a Monday and the vibe was very calm. Server was attentive and quick to bring out food. Food tastes great all the way down to the miso soup. I got the chirashi and my partner got the bento box and we enjoyed the quality of the fish. Will definitely be coming back when around the area again“

“Ginkgo Katsu is a hidden gem for anyone craving crispy, flavorful Japanese katsu. The chicken and pork cutlets are perfectly fried — golden, crunchy on the outside, and tender inside. Portions are generous, especially with the bento boxes that come with rice, salad, and sides.“

“Hidden gem of an authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi market. The entrance is located in the back of a side driveway. Though this market is small, I carries fresh sushi, sashimi trays ready to eat. Plus they have a kitchen made to order & ready to cut sashimi at your request. I'm also amazed to see the varieties of different raw fish, uni from Santa Barbara and raw scallops; all at reasonable prices.
They also carry cute Japanese stationary, frozen and regular food items. Definitely this is a place I heartily recommend.“

“On my last visit, I accidentally ordered the wrong item, but the manager was so kind and accommodating. They not only brought me the dish I had originally wanted but also let me keep the first item I ordered by mistake. That level of customer service really stood out to me and made me feel valued.
The food here is consistently delicious great portions, flavorful, and always fresh. Every time I come, I leave satisfied. Highly recommend this place for both the food and the excellent service!“

“Good food, portions & service...“

“This place rocks! You get so much food for the price and it is all so good. I especially like their gigantic california rolls, inari sushi, and their tempura. They have a plum wine that is dangerously delicious so be mindful!

The atmosphere is very retro seafood joint but in a fun nostalgic way. I love coming here with my husband and having a delicious (and budget friendly) date night.

They also have a loyalty stamp card so make sure you get your stamps!“

“this place is bomb.!! and the service is incredible..“

“Solid ramen spot, got the classic ramen recommended by chef as well as their limited time curry ramen. Both options were filling and delicious. I personally prefer the pork belly over charsiu but was surprised they didn’t cut it in half to make it easier to eat this time. Still delicious and would come back when craving a bowl.“

“I love this place, the family is so incredibly nice.
I usually get a #5 beef/chicken combo, extra veg, teriyaki and curry sauce on the side. It's a lot of food so I try my best to eat half for 2 lunches. Their ice tea is good, most places tend to have a dish rag taste.ive been going there for over 30yrs and it's always the same delicious quality. Unlike fast food chains that charge more and more with quality dropping every year.

Vegetarian options: Good Been burritos and veggie Rice bowls.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“You came back hungry and got the perfect welcome — a spread that looks both filling and delicious. 🍣🥗

On the long plate, you’ve got a mix of sushi varieties:
• A beef-topped gunkan (ground or marinated beef wrapped with seaweed).
• A spicy minced topping, likely spicy tuna or spicy salmon.
• Grilled eel (unagi) with that glossy sweet soy glaze.
• Shrimp nigiri with a touch of sauce.
• At the bottom, wrapped in plastic, looks like a musubi — rice with grilled meat or spam, perfect for later.

On the side, a fresh salad with crisp lettuce, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and dressing — and best part, it’s unlimited. 🥗✨

By the last picture, you’ve also got a dipping sauce ready and a sushi roll off to the side, so you’re set for a feast.

If you walked into this starving, that first bite must have hit the spot.“

“I had delicious sushi here today for the first time in a while. All the staff were very friendly. The fish was fresh and tasted great. The tempura was perfectly crispy, and the salad dressing was excellent.

Also, having the Green Tea Honey Yuzu Tea with the meal made everything taste even better. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“honestly The food is very very good, I rate the his place a 10/10 in food and service. For being a Japanese restaurant this food is very tasty, the only thing is that they will serve your food in to go plates. Understandable, but if you are craving something with a lot of variety very good food, healthy and good in nutrients I have to recommend you this place. Also, if you are on a diet this place have the BEST fresh produce you can imagine so gymbros and gym girls do not miss this place 👍✅“

“Highly commendable service and absolutely stunning set menu! we went here for dinner last night for our Halloween date night! Their wagyu cuts are 100% top-grade and not just random "wagyu" that are below the marks. We tried their A5 and M9 meats, not to mention their salmon carpaccio that is to die for. Their sides are absolutely delicious and smart, one great example is their fried pork buns that is like a spin on soup dumplings. To top it off, you get premium ice cream in the end. Their salad is so good with yuzu and smokey salt, plus you get a chili mix too. They serve the meats fast plus your tablet menu is in front of you so you don't have to keep calling the staff to refill. I give them 9 stars! 🌟 🐄 🥩“

“Fantastic. Great service and even better sushi.“

“Delicious. Perfectly cooked katsu every time. The curry and katsu sauce are both great but the curry is the winner here. Portions are big. Definitely more than enough for most people to take home a nice size of leftovers. Definitely stop in and try this place!“

“Absolutely delicious! I decided to try this place today and I'm immediately reviewing to get people to support this local gem. I had the tofu vegetable combo plate and it was tasty as hell. The tofu was soft, the veggies had the perfect bite, and the brown sauce was well seasoned. The entire dish was warm and light enough that I almost cleaned my plate despite it being so satisfying. I'm happy I was able to bring some home for later and will be going back regularly now!“

“The food was really however you had to pay like 2 dollars for each additional topping which wouldn't be so bad if it were a sharable size so more than one person could use them

Kid-friendliness: Not many kid friendly options“

“ok I was craving Cali rolls but my usual spot wasn't taking orders at the time on Uber eats. so I looked for another spot. I settled on this one because they had some good deals going plus the Cali rolls looked really tasty in the pic lol. I got 2 orders Cali rolls and a yellowtail roll. I also asked for teriyaki or eel sauce on side . everything was fresh and when I say the avocado and meat melted in my mouth .. it was so amazing . I will definitely be ordering again and trying some other rolls my fave. yellow tal isn't my favorite for sushi but I'm glad I tried it and it was very fresh .

ps.. I poured sauce on the rolls they didn't come like that lol one pic is the yellowtail roll and other is all the rolls together .“

“Thank you again Sanyo staff for being AMAZING to my special needs daughter!! Thank you for being great to us!!!! And thank you for giving us a safe place for our baby after another place threw us out because she was having a hard moment. You guys accommodating us made my heart happy even though i cried outside!! All i have is thank you for making a family with a special needs child feel welcomed. Your staff is the MVP thank you!!“

“Well worth the drive from Palm Springs! Excellent food and service!“

“Such a great place to come to if you want affordable sushi. It hits all the right spots for the cravings and fun to go on little dates. My fiancé and I love to come eat here on a regular. My favorite place by far. The owner is very sweet and takes care of us well. Highly recommend it.“

“AB Shabu Shabu is one of my favourite shabu places in this area. I've been coming since childhood, for longer than I remember (maybe 15 years?), and it's remained such a lovely restaurant that my family and I keep coming back time after time.

The meat is always so tender and delicious. I usually get either the angus beef short rib or the beef ribeye, and both options are always so fresh and flavourful. The medium size is my preferred portion size -- filling but without feeling too stuffed.

The meat goes so well with the rich and savoury beef bone broth, which is my go-to. I also really like the sukiyaki broth, which is a perfect balance of sweet and salty and goes so well with the beef.

The veggie plate that comes with the hot pot is a lovely finishing touch -- all the vegetables are so fresh and yummy when cooked in the delicious broth. The portions are very generous and complement the meat very nicely for a very well-rounded meal overall.

The price point is also very reasonable, especially in the past few years as dining out has gone out so much :') Portion size is very fair and very filling. The owner is also such a nice guy -- it's been the same person running the show as far as I can remember, and he's always so eager and kind to everyone.

Cannot wait to come back again soon!“

“Very enjoyable visit. I spoke with one of the head chef Moe and he was very polite and helped me and my wife in deciding what sushi to get. He even recommended some Burmese dishes that were amazing. The environment was very welcoming and understanding of someone who had no prior knowledge to the food. Will definitely be coming back soon!“

“I think I tried this place once before and didn’t think too much of it, but decided to give it another shot recently—and I’m glad I did. I called in an order for the Pork Katsu Sando and the 2 Chicken Tenders with Fries box. Picked it up about 15 minutes later, all ready to go.

The pork katsu sandwich really hit the spot crispy, juicy, and just the right amount of fat to keep it moist and flavorful. Definitely the star of the meal. The chicken tenders were alright, nothing super memorable.

I’d definitely come back just for the sando. Might explore the rest of the menu next time.“

“Super cute spot, with goldfish in pond outside. They take care of their customers… but the best part was THE FOOD. High quality sushi (compliments to the chef) - well curated rolls. Just plain awesome spot.
Nice place to hang and watch the game, or drink with friends.“

“Yummy food! Very nice atmosphere and friendly service ☺️ Got the broiled salmon bento box and the sashimi soba bowl! Large serving with all the accompanying side dishes. Our server was very sweet and gave us ice cream and a new dessert to try as well. Will come back again to try other menu items for sure“

“Really good food great service“

“The sushi here is solid. You get lots of pieces and thicker pieces of fish for a good price. My favorite roll was the sunset roll!

My family and I also ordered the tempura ice cream for dessert. It wasn’t the best tempura ice cream we’ve ever had. It could have had a crispier exterior and the ice cream didn’t have a strong matcha flavor.“

“I dont know why this place isn’t packed! I came and got the Small with 2 protein. Double Shrimp brown rice and spring mix cucumber pineapple kale edamame and cilantro spicy mayo and sweet chilli sauce and it’s straight perfection! I added avocado and all the nuts toppings and its super refreshing crisp and fresh! Best part is you feel good after eating this amazing food! I’ll definitely be coming back for more!“

“Great food and great service“

“I originally went next door to the pita to go place and after standing inside the dark restaurant for 7 minutes a rude guy came out and was so rude I wasn’t going to spend my hard earned money inside this establishment so I went next door to wasabi n roll “sushi “ and I’m so glad I did… I ordered the bento #1 beef and it was soooo amazing and what was even more amazing was the customer service and the cleanliness of this establishment. I’m actually back again for the 2nd time this week lol“

“Lotus Kitchen is a delightful addition to LA Myanmar restaurant scene.The flavors of Myanmar truly shine through their dishes, offering a unique and authentic experience. The service here is really friendly, and the ambiance takes me back to Myanmar.The shuffling menu got me really want to check out their facebook page frequently. Recommended!!“

“They had pretty short hours focused around lunch time, so I had trouble making it here before they closed for the day. I was finally able to stop by during the week after a doctor's appointment maybe 30 min before their 3 pm closing time and pick several different onigiris that were not yet sold out for the day.

We went big and ordered several to go:

* 3x Karaage wrapped in Dashi Shiitake Gohan (Japanese Fried Chicken in Shiitake Dashi Rice) - $4.50 each
* 2x Spam Onigiri (Grilled Spam with Tare Sauce) - $3.25 each
*1x Tuna Mayo (Cooked Light Tuna mixed with Japanese Mayo) - $3.75
* 5x Grilled Salmon with Shiso Leaf - $4.25 each
* 1x Mentaiko Mayo with Tamago (Mentaiko mixed with Japanese Mayo with Japanese Egg Omelette) - $4.60
* 3x Buta Kakuni (Slow Braised Pork Belly) - $4.50 each

I personally liked the karaage, spam, salmon, and pork belly. BF enjoyed the karaage and salmon the most. They have more on the menu that we wanted to try next time, so hopefully we make it early enough before they sell out!

There's parking in the plaza, but it can be a little hard finding a spot since there's not too many spots. The other challenge is getting out, as there's only one entrance to get in and out of off Walnut Grove Ave, so if you need to head north, good luck getting out and beating opposing traffic.“

“Did you know the SGV is home to a Michelin Guide ramen spot? 🔥 Tucked into a small strip in Monterey Park, this establishment is one of those spots that doesn’t rely on flash to stand out — the food speaks for itself. As a Michelin Guide-listed ramen shop, it’s built a reputation for quality, and after our visit, it’s easy to see why.

Here’s what we enjoyed:
🍗 Kaarage — crispy + tender, pairs well with the dipping sauce.
🍣 Tuna Crispy Rice — my fave app!
🐖 Chashu Buns — flavorful and soft
🍜 Mazemen — exclusive to this location + packed with flavor! Slight tanginess adds the perfect touch!
🍥 Shoyu ramen — rich broth & tender chashu!
🌱 Vegan ramen — creamy and packed with yummy veggies.

Hironori nails the balance of comfort and quality without trying too hard. Highly recommend a visit to experience it all!“

“It's one of the best ,beef or chicken teriyaki plates and Japanese food in California .“

“A nice and cozy mom and pop Japanese restaurant that has lots of options for a great value. The sushi is fresh and very tasty. They have a counter for omakase style dining too. The owner is super friendly and caring. Overall a great spot for a nice meal.“

“Riquísima la comida y muy buena atención y servicio 100% 👍🏻“

“This restaurant is standing alone in the middle of office buildings. There’s no other restaurants nearby and pretty small. Just 10-15 tables. I ordered the hot & sour ramen soup and spicy seafood one I can't remember the name! But it was super flavorful!.💯👍🏻 Also got some appetizers of mixed tempura. The noodles are delicious here! We ordered another noodle on the side. I’d recommend coming to try they had a big menu! It’s unique and can’t really find these elsewhere. It’s also filling! Keep in mind, you will have to wait for a bit. Parking is also limited. I gotta come back to try the other noodles! Just got only one picture cuz when they served it I can't wait and I realized when all the noodles are gone!🤣
Highly recommended 💯“