36 Best Japanese Restaurants in Gardena

“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.“

“Ramen is so good I cried.“

“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! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“蕎麦、日本食　最高 !“

“The service was really good and fast. The staff was friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The food tasted great and the portions were worth the price. Overall, it was a nice experience with good food at a decent price. I would definitely come back again.“

“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“

“Cherrystones catered my brother's celebration of life memorial last Sunday at the Toyota Meeting Hall in Torrance. We were about 120 people. The food and presentation was excellent. We opted for the Kalua Pork and the Teriyaki chicken, both delicious. Loved the broccoli salad and Mac salad. Our guests raved about the food. Cherrystones catered my dad's memorial in 2016 and the food was excellent then. I would not hesitate to use them again if I needed a catering service. Thank you Cherrystones for doing my brother proud.“

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

“I saw this place while driving and saw a line waiting for their food, so I decided to give it a try.. Ì asked those in line, what was good there.. The answer was either the teriyaki bowl or plates, and the teriyaki burgers.. I got the teriyaki chicken bowl.. it looked and smelled great driving home.. After eating it, I didn’t understand the line of people waiting.. It was okay, but in my opinion, no big deal.. I’ll be honest, I did eat it ALL, and the serving size was BIG, so by no means was it bad.. To be fair though, I’m gonna have to try again, and see what I missed the first time..“

“I visited this restaurant with my date for dinner, and we were welcomed with a pleasant attitude and seated immediately. The atmosphere was nice and inviting. We were fortunate that there weren’t many guests that evening, which made the experience very peaceful and enjoyable.

We started with two Asahi beers while deciding what to order. We chose the A5 Wagyu Set, which included tongue, ribeye, short rib, chuck flap, and tenderloin. The set also came with a salad, kimchi, and bean sprouts, and we ordered a few bowls of rice on the side.

Our server was very friendly and even gave us helpful tips on which cuts of meat to start with. Although there was a button at the table to call for service, she would occasionally check in on us to see if we needed anything or were enjoying our meal, which we truly appreciated.

All of the meats were phenomenal, and the portion size was very satisfying for both of us. To end the evening, we ordered Wagyu sushi—one piece served raw and the other cooked—and both were absolutely delicious.“

“Why Kagura?
- Affordable and quality
- Grab it after visiting Tokyo Central

Food 4/5 = Solid choice not to mention always busy
- Katsu sando $12
- Loin Demi tonkatsu set $16.50

Not dry perfectly cook and no issues for a simple quick bite.
Tonkatsu Marushichi is still #1 though pricing but AMAZING!

Service 4/5
- Quick ordering and moves pretty fast

Parking 3.5/5
- Free parking but can get really busy during peak hours due to ppl shopping.
- Parking lot is the entire perimeter of complex

Try Go Go Curry next to Kagura is you're open to trying curry!“

“Nice portion and delicious! The portion is very big, sharing is better but if you are dining alone, you might need to pack some back. The tempura is nicely fried and teriyaki beef is nicely cooked too. The food comes really slow and the Japanese waitress look really tired even though we understand it must be tired for her to serve such a busy restaurant.

I ordered tongue and gizzard chicken but it’s not that great because the gizzards are too hard and it’s doesn’t taste fresh or nicely cooked or rather overcooked.

Overall, u might need to wait 10-20 minutes but worth it with such a price and portions!“

“とても懐かしい味 間違いない“

“My absolute favorite Japanese-Chinese restaurant in town!
Umemura truly feels like “町中華” — a warm, family-run neighborhood Chinese restaurant just like in Japan. Their Umani Ramen is hands down the best ramen in California… maybe even in the entire US. That’s how amazing it is!

I also love their Kanitama Chahan (fried rice topped with an imitation crab omelet). Everything is always super fresh, flavorful, and authentically prepared. This place is loved by all my Japanese friends, Japanese American friends, and even my American friends — everyone falls in love with it!

The servers are kind and friendly, and the cozy atmosphere makes every visit feel comforting.
Highly, highly recommended!“

“Their recipes are undefeated“

“This is a favorite of mine! Service is very friendly and accommodating. The food is plentiful and delicious! I highly recommend!!“

“Fukuno Restaurant is a hidden gem! No need to go to Japan, this is an even better experience. We were served by a kind older Japanese duo. The sushi was incredibly fresh. Other side dishes like pumpkin, eggplant, and bamboo shoots were delicious. Everything was fantastic and I would come here again in a heartbeat.“

“Fresh Tofu. Best in LA/So Cal!“

“Go to place in Gardena for the lunch and the dinner.“

“Very satisfied great friendly service“

“Been for years ..! Love it“

“First time trying shabu shabu and it did not disappoint!!!“

“Love their signature Boneless Chicken Thighs and their potato salad too! 👍👍“

“Yoooo! If aint had their Cali rolls youre missing out on life. These are THE BEST cali rolls I've had. Sakae Sushi Cali rolls big and the flavor is thru the roof. You dont need to add anything lol maybe a little wasabi but thats it. Its very old school sushi please GO!!!“

“Great service, friendly staff and the owner, Paul, showed warm hospitality. The prices were great and the quality of the food will definitely have me going back!“

“Best Yakitori in the U.S.!!!

Already 5th time back, amazing grill flavor at just right amount, best meatball no-place-else, the taste of skewers are always surprising me. Better than any in Hawaii or NYC(I’ve been to too many yakitori places).

Reasonable price, lower than average, which makes it even better!

Such nice staff, nice and friendly. Bless to the chef. So altogether the best Tori place☺.“

“This is a secret gem in Gardena! The prices are great for the quality and quantity of food. Between the group, we had several types of rolls, Ramen and salmon. It was thumbs up across the board. If you life sushi, you should give them a try!“

“By far the best sushi I’ve ever had! The quality here is unmatched—the sushi is extremely fresh and cannot be beat. I ordered the Rainbow Roll, and it was made to absolute perfection with beautiful presentation and incredible flavor.

Not only was the sushi outstanding, but the Udon noodles were unbeatable—rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. This place really delivers on taste, quality, and overall experience.

I will definitely be back in the future. If you’re a sushi lover, Sushi Island is a must-try!“

“The squid, sea urchin and seaweed spaghetti pasta was nice—the pasta was best part. The complimentary french bread was very soft; it would have been excellent if warmed. The service was very polite and generous with menu suggestions. The day ambiance was quaint and reminiscent of an earlier time.“

“Friendly sushi chef and staff Fresh sushi and tasty kitchen food Highly recommend“

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

“lovely and cute cafe. will definitely go back for another boba or ube ice cream. 😊“

“Located inside the smaller Tokyo Central on Main, this is one of those places that you want to gate keep to yourself because you don’t want this place going viral.

Hands down one of the best Japanese bakery in the greater Los Angeles area. Everything is made in house. The soft and fluffy texture is what makes their bread really special, and everything is super fresh.

My favorite is the curry croquette roll ($3.25), French toast ($2.75), mini cream puffs ($4.50), melon pan custard cream ($3.50), and fig walnuts bread loaf ($5.30). Everything is so good here, I always end up buying way more than what I intended to buy.

The cashier lady working is so kind and if she has any extra bread, she will throw in one for free with your purchase.

Make sure to bring your own bag as they will charge for a plastic bag.

Free parking in the shared open parking lot.

Highly recommend.“

“Been meaning to try this place for a while and it was definitely worth checking out. The sushi tasted really fresh, and the ramen had a rich broth that hit the spot. Portions were decent and everything looked nicely presented without feeling too fancy. Service was polite and quick, even during the dinner rush. Only thing I'd say is the prices are a little higher than some other Japanese spots nearby, but the quality makes up for it. Overall a chill place for dinner, and I'd come back to try more of the menu.“

“Amazing small sushi spot that is open late, which is very rare in south bay! The fish are all fresh, and the omakase dinners are great as they add special sauces to each fish so it isn’t just normal sushi. We ordered the 12 piece dinner, we got a small house salad, two appetizers which included a soy sauce butter mushroom dish and a seaweed salad with octopus and conch. The meal came with 6 nigiri pieces and 6 sashimi pieces. Price is not the cheapest, but it makes sense because of how fresh and how high the quality is.“