50 Best Japanese Restaurants near East Los Angeles

“Really great service the workers are very nice and the food came out very fast though I did pick up and ate there. I got the Vegas roll and it was delicious you guys should definitely come here! They give you wasabi and soy sauce and the rolls are very big. Definitely worth it and I’ll be coming here more😁“

“Amazing takeout family meal which features the most flavorful and delicious Char Siu Wagyu Short Rib with fluffy bao. All side dishes are well executed and delectable. One of the best staying at home meals I’ve had! Highly recommend it!“

“The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was delicious. However, the service was disappointing. Our server was condescending and repeatedly interrupted our moment by crossing between us without a word. When I asked about drinks, she was short and even gave inaccurate descriptions. This is my second visit, and both times with the same server have left a sour taste. I hope the service improves because the food deserves better! This is my second visit, and both times with the same brunette server, whose attitude left a sour taste.“

“I highly recommend this restaurant. Great food and great service.“

“I got in pretty much as soon as they open, so I got the special opportunity to get to talk to Kristine. After a lovely conversation and delicious food, I left feeling so full and at peace. The tempura was crispy and airy, the rice was perfectly cooked, the fish in the sushi tasted fresh. I cannot recommend visiting here enough. I am sure it can get busy, as the place is small, but I think that is part of its charm: meeting with a group of strangers for a good meal and a moment of peace before heading back into the world.“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“Delicious food. Fast service. Get here early to avoid a long line.“

“Exceptional food! Hamachi collar, red snapper soup! And sushi. Authentic; which is why it was so good!“

“I had Japanese breakfast w/ miso black cod, it was tasty.“

“Sushi Gen is simply the best sushi spot I’ve found in California and honestly, the only place in the U.S. that has ever reminded me of the sushi I’ve had in Japan.

I discovered this place a few years ago, and I still remember how happy I was after my first visit. I had been looking for that same freshness and quality I loved so much in Japan, and Sushi Gen was the first place where I genuinely felt like I found it.

I’ve been back many times since, and it has never disappointed me. The quality is consistently exceptional, the fish is incredibly fresh. One of those rare places I can recommend without hesitation.“

“Bento boxes are of great quality here. The attention to detail of this curated meal definitely lets your eyes feast first. All the little sides taste amazing, especially the candied sweet potatoes. The vegetables alternate between sweet and salty to balance out the meal. The Scottish salmon and mackerel are cooked to perfection. The little yolk in the rice also adds a nice touch to mix in and eat.“

“Tench is a gem of a restaurant. The shabu shabu experience is a unique culinary experience and Tensho does it right. The dishes that are part of the meal are delectable and always different. It is always a special night at Tensho. There is no place quite like it in LA - it is very special. An evening in Japan!“

“Service is amazing and the reason to get here. Big shout out to Miss Angela!! Attentive and such good energy! We ended up making late night 10:30pm happy hour. Sushi is yum. Wished they had just ref yellowtail vs spicy. And maybe different apps that are more traditional izakaya kind. Parking near by at the $4 lot or train it! Clean and inviting and just all around ppl who love their jobs. Ya feel their good vibes. For an izakaya, that’s definitely what makes the experience!“

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

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

“Yama Sushi Market Place has many locations in LA, tried all different locations, love them all. I usually do not give five stars for rating, but for this one, they deserve the 5 star. The fish is extremely fresh with reasonable price. It will cost three or four times more if you order the exact same varieties of fish from restaurants . They also have a very good variety of sake to select from. The Otoro, the fatty tuna melts in your mouth. Hamachi was extremely fresh. Salmon was exceptional. California roll was so yummy with soft rice. Definitely recommend.“

“Finding an authentic sushi spot in the US run by a Japanese chef feels increasingly rare these days. While I don't believe a chef's nationality strictly dictates their capability—by that logic, only French people could cook French food—the scarcity of these traditional spots made me search even harder. That extra effort led me to Toshi Sushi in Gardena, and it was entirely worth it.

I have visited twice now, both times for Saturday lunch. A huge plus was that it wasn’t overwhelmingly busy, allowing for a remarkably peaceful and relaxed dining experience. On both occasions, the ingredients were incredibly fresh, and every plate felt meticulously prepared. They even garnish the dishes with beautiful Hawaiian flowers, which the staff thoughtfully let us know are completely edible.

Sometimes, hyper-traditional spots can be a bit too conservative with their portions of wasabi and ginger, but Toshi Sushi provides a generous amount. It’s a smart, necessary adjustment to cater to the American palate, and it made the meal much more enjoyable without the need to constantly ask for refills.

However, the exact moment I knew this place truly cared about quality came down to a single, overlooked detail: the soy sauce. Real soy sauce should always be refrigerated to preserve its true flavor profile, yet countless sushi joints leave it sitting out on tables at room temperature for weeks, simply topping off the bottles. At Toshi Sushi, the second we placed our order, they brought out a chilled bottle of soy sauce straight from the fridge. Absolute respect. That standard alone speaks volumes about their discipline.

I will definitely be heading back soon, and I'm already planning to feature this hidden gem in an upcoming review video. If you appreciate genuine quality and strict attention to detail, Toshi Sushi is highly recommended.“

“I recently had the chance to dine at Sama Handroll in the Arts District, and it exceeded my expectations. The quality and freshness of the fish were outstanding, and every hand roll was prepared with great attention to detail. The menu offers a creative mix of traditional Japanese flavors and unique dishes that set it apart from other sushi spots.
The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. The atmosphere is modern, welcoming, and perfect for either a casual dinner or a night out with friends.
A few standout items were the hand rolls, grilled dishes, and the excellent presentation throughout the meal. It's clear that a lot of care goes into both the food and the guest experience.
I highly recommend to anyone looking for high-quality sushi and hand rolls in Los Angeles. I'll definitely be back.“

“We had a really nice experience! The side of the restaurant has enough space for a few tables to dine in, and it felt cozy. The service was quick, friendly, and efficient. I liked that they had sauces and water available right at the tables for self-service.

We dined in, and everything came out fast! We spent around $40 for a chicken bowl, two sushi rolls, and two miso soups ,perfect for two adults and a toddler. The food was amazing! My husband said the teriyaki chicken was really good, and I agree. the chicken was juicy, not dry at all. The salmon sushi was good too, just a little warm for my husband’s liking, but overall, everything had great flavor.

The music was a fun surprise, they were playing some techno, which we didn’t mind at all! It actually made the experience more fun. We even found ourselves dancing a little while eating. Definitely a place we’d come back to!“

“The best Japanese curry in LA, and we have tried a lot of places, believe me!!! Has options for vegetarians and vegans too! The miso soup comes with a lot of the meals and it's so good too. The staff know us now and they are all lovely! It's pretty small inside so probably not the best for a super big group but great for a more intimate night out and of course take out as well!“

“I had a great time over there. Delicious food 🥘“

“The best everything…so, Go!“

“I came in for lunch to grab a quick snack and get some editing done on my phone. I just ordered a sake cocktail that they made delicious! And i also ordered the chicken meatball skewer, which came paired with egg to dip and I loved that sweet with salty combination so much! I would say I couldnt really get any work done on my phone as I don’t believe its a work friendly place although the tables are great to do so. They dont have outlets anywhere near the tables so if you need to charge your laptop or phone here is impossible to do unless behind the bar.
I just ready a book for a bit and enjoyed my cocktail and snack. I do think the atmosphere is more of a come in with friends and share a meal and gossip a bit. Or for dinner I think its also a great spot. I loved what i tried although it wasnt much. I would come again with a friend to have some cocktails and some snacks as the food and drinks were really delicious!“

“This place is SOOO GOOD!! My friend and I got the spicy tuna and California rolls to split. They come with 12 pieces each and theyre such a good size. We also got the spam musubi and its DELICIOUS! So flavorful and the staff were very very lovely. I recommend ordering before you get there, so the staff have enough time to put love and care into your meal!!! :] I highly recommend this place!!! 😋“

“Salad Dressing is amazing. Parking is horrible. They said 10-15 for my order. 25 minutes and I got a $52 Parking Citation🤬🤬🤬🤬“

“The flavors of all the food was amazing.... everything on the menu was intriguing , I wish I tried it all!“

“good for romatic and I recommend here for everyone“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“first impression; wow!
service was nothing but attentive and top tier.
food was brought to our table as soon as it was ordered. every intention of returning to try the specialty rolls I was too full to try this time.

the jalapeno bomb roll was everything I could've dreamed of.“

“Needed something easy to eat for the road trip back to the Bay Area, so I thought a Japanese sando would be perfect—especially craving a tamago sando with whole soft-boiled eggs.

Located in a bit of a hole-in-the-wall spot in LA Chinatown, and it was surprisingly hard to find due to the lack of signage. I actually walked past it twice and had to ask a street vendor before realizing I was basically right in front of it.

Turns out they no longer offer the tamago sando (used to be a breakfast special), so I went with the egg salad sandwich instead and luckily got it on BOGO since they were clearing extra inventory.

I also ordered the chicken katsu, which took about 10 minutes to prepare—but it was worth the wait. Super tender and moist, with a great ratio of cabbage, sauce, and bread. It was a bit large, so I had to flatten it slightly to make it easier to bite into.

I do wish I had asked for extra katsu sauce on the side since I prefer mine a bit sweeter and more saucy.

Not sure why they don’t offer online ordering coz the 10-min wait was a bit awkward with no one else in the store and nowhere to sit“

“I’ve been hoping a place would come along to give me a riceball fix and this is absolutely it! Delicious & perfect for after school or work bite! Friendly staff clean and chill hip atmosphere. I hope nothing but the best for this place!“

“A friend who frequents this establishment brought me for lunch today with another friend. Being a vegetarian I was impressed by the selections I would love to try. I ended up ordering the salmon, scallop, spinach cream pasta with capers. It was delicious! My friends ordered the pork katsu and hamburger combo and it looked awesome. The portions are so generous and it comes with soup and salad for the combo and mine came with a small salad and homemade bread. And the family run restaurant is very service oriented, friendly and a very clean and comfortable place. Highly recommended“

“This place oozes character and craft. An excellent assortment of dishes all with unique elements to surprise you. The sashimi specials we tried were all unique and delicious. Feel free to go with staff recommendations, you won't be disappointed. A laid back atmosphere with excellent punk decor, superb service, and food I'm still thinking about.“

“Second time here and the food and service were just as good as the first time!

We literally just left, but the service tonight was so top notch that I had to leave a review and give the staff a shoutout. We brought our kids this time and everyone was so nice and attentive. Even my son said, “Everyone there is so nice!” which pretty much says it all.

We tried a bunch of things we didn’t get last time, and the Katsu Caesar Salad was definitely our favorite this time. Everything we ordered was so good.

My husband is vegan and the rest of us aren’t, so we love finding a place where he has plenty of options and the rest of us can enjoy everything too. Such a great spot and definitely one we’ll keep coming back to! Worth the drive for us“

“It was Absolutely delicious!“

“Very delicious 😻 very beautiful presentation“

“It was very nice. Loved the hellos and thank you for coming. I can’t wait to come back next time I visit the area.“

“Protect RICE at all costs!!! As a celiac it’s amazing to have a GF sushi option, especially a high quality one. I would happily eat here even if I didn’t have to avoid gluten. Their food is delicious and the staff is very accommodating. Have been twice already and will be going back again very soon.“

“Such a great sushi spot in San Gabriel! Everything we tried was fresh and delicious. I definitely recommend the Six Flags Roll and the gyozas both were so good! The service was great, the staff was super friendly and the ambiance was really nice. Definitely a place I’d come back to! 🍣✨“

“my friend and I stopped at this cute lil sushi spot because we wanted a more intimate vibe than a full on restaurant. it was quaint and cozy and the sushi was absolutely AMAZING!!! Vivian and her husband were the absolute sweetest couple that treated us like long time friends. we had fantastic conversation and it is clear that they both are extremely passionate about what they do. i’m so grateful we visited during our time in LA. we will SO be back !!!! 😊😊“

“I've visited this restaurant four times now, and the experience has consistently been great. The food and service quality are excellent, and the staff is incredibly accommodating. When one of us mentioned not eating raw fish, they prepared several complimentary cooked dishes to ensure we left satisfied. While I have noticed that portion sizes seem slightly smaller than before, I still left feeling full. The kaiseki and shabu are must-tries, and I am already looking forward to returning for their sukiyaki.“

“My son and I came here specifically for the takoyaki as my son is a big fan when we arrived however around 2 PM on Sunday, it was already sold out. Also, whoever owns the business should have a talk with the person working the counter when I asked him for a recommendation, he says he doesn’t eat there and I asked him if the shrimp one was good and he said no.“

“Food is legit!
We tried the pan fried and deep fried pork gyoza and both were fire.
Don’t miss out on the daikon and gobo.
Noodles tasted home made.
The staff and owners (I think) were super friendly and attentive. They were amazing!“

“One of the best sushi I’ve had in Southern California, small place not fancy at all but it is a recommended experience must try.“

“Excellent service, great food, too bad there wasn't extra room in the parking area.😊😊“

“Kotohira Japanese Restaurant in Gardena is well-known for its incredible udon and hearty combination sets that pair a steaming bowl of noodles with a delicious donburi (rice bowl). It is located in a vibrant plaza alongside popular dessert spots like Honeymee, It's Boba Time, and Northern Cafe. Because the parking lot is massive and spacious, it draws a steady crowd but remains incredibly convenient to visit. 🚗🍜

This was my second visit here, and I went with the Mini Katsudon Set. The menu describes it perfectly: crispy pork cutlet, eggs, and onions simmered in a semi-sweet sauce over rice, paired with a bowl of hot tanuki udon. The udon noodles are perfectly chewy and the broth is exceptionally clean and flavorful. The overall food quality is top-notch, and the portions are incredibly generous and filling.

The rest of the table loved their meals as well. My wife ordered the Nabeyaki Udon with an Ume Onigiri, and their nabeyaki udon is absolutely delicious—packed with flavor and served piping hot. My brother-in-law tried the Unagi Don Set, which was also fantastic. For an appetizer, we shared the Garlic Shrimp, which featured large, juicy shrimp tossed in a rich, deeply aromatic garlic sauce. It was an excellent way to start the meal! 🍤✨

The ambiance inside feels just like a cozy, authentic local restaurant in Japan. It is the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner with a small group of 3 to 4 people. While the layout might make it difficult to host massive parties, they have about ten comfortable 4-person booths available. If you are looking for authentic, comforting Japanese cuisine in the South Bay, this place is highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“Amazing! Will definitely come again! The food was so good and customer service was so amazing! :) the decoration of this place is so cute and amazing to look at the person who attended us was so sweet and definitely treated us so kindly and kept up with us making sure we were always doing well. I would definitely recommend coming here for the vibes, food, and sweet service.“

“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! 🌟 🐄 🥩“

“Fresh sashimi, cozy atmosphere & friendly staff! A must visit Japanese dining restaurant in Pico Rivera :)“

“I love the quality and quantity of food you get. Their Portuguese Sausage is amazing and their fried rice is always delicious“