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.“

“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“

“Been meaning to eat here forever. Finally, I came in today for lunch. Got the Combo C and the Blossom Roll. I've eaten at all the Japanese restaurants in SGV and Little Tokyo. This one is up there. High quality of food, while flavors go together well without being overpowering.“

“Very welcoming, courteous staff, and super varieties of delicious sushi. Will surely come back with friends.“

“GOD TIER. Everyone keeps getting the ramen, BUT THE MAZESOBA IS WHERE IT’S AT!!! RAMEN FOOLS!! GET THE MAZESOBA!!

Super decadent, generous with the sauce (you can request a small scoop of rice for free afterwards to finish off the sauce), great noodle texture, amazing taste!! The first bite was heaven.

Looks small at first but that’s just because the bowl is big/I was struggling to finish halfway through.

AJ, our server, is super friendly, chill, and attentive! He brings amazing vibes.

10/10 will come again“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“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 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!“

“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! 🌟 🐄 🥩“

“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.“

“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 👍✅“

“Fantastic. Great service and even better sushi.“

“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“

“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!“

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

“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“

“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!“

“Have been coming here since the 80s, always have Excellent sushi 🤟👊👊“

“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 .“

“Wanted to try a new place and I saw pictures of the food and thought it looks good. Went to try it out and just overall all the sushi taste great fresh sushi! They had fried softshell crab and that was one of the amazing dishes we had but everything we had tasted great! Definitely will come back!“

“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.“

“Everything here was sooo yummy! The sushi was super fresh, full of flavor, and honestly some of the best I’ve had in a while. You can tell they use really good ingredients, and the rolls were put together perfectly. The sea urchin was delicious!!

The service was amazing too, the owner was soooo sweet, friendly and funny! The absolute sweetest, highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Great customer service, fresh food and a local spot!“

“Really good food great service“

“Great food and great service“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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 .“

“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“

“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.“

“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!!“

“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.“