50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Irwindale

“I just walked into this location for the first time and I ordered the Korean ramen spicy and it was very delicious it is served with a side of white rice, my only advice would be start with a mild spice level because the spicy although good was a bit much towards the end but still delicious. I am definitely going back so glad I can across this location since I work near by.“

“I've been coming here for over 10 years and absolutely love this spot. Hideo has been making sushi ever since I've been going here and he is excellent. Service is always good, the place is a little small, but always busy. They have the best muscles, best albacore capaccio and rolls. Nice vibe in there. I highly recommend as this is my favorite sushi spot in the SGV.“

“Came here for lunch and got their lunch special cold udon + mini (beef) curry rice set.

Starting off with the curry. It was very tasty and flavorful, rice was cooked well. The beef was also very tender and juicy. However, I wish the flavor of the curry permeated more into the beef as the beef tasted a little underseasoned.

I love cold noodles on a hot day, and I tend to prefer my noodles a little softer. The cold udon was served at the perfect temperature, but texture wise was a little on the al dente side. It was chewy but bordering a little too chewy/ hard. I wish it was cooked for 30-60s longer! Other than that, flavor of he broth was good.

The lunch set was a good amount of food and I left feeling full (couldnt finish my rice as it was too much carbs). Service is good and the restaurant was not too crowded when I was there. Would love to come back again to support a local restaurant and try out other stuff on their menu!“

“Only Rating on Food and Service since I ordered the food for delivery. Everything was packaged well. The food was all delicious. I was happily surprised to find that even the leftovers were still great the next day. Well done, great quality.“

“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! 🍣✨“

“Best Japanese Food in Whittier“

“nice little place... friendly staff... good food.“

“The service at little Tokyo exceeded all expectations. The staff was not only knowledgeable about the menu but also displayed a genuine passion for the culinary creations. They were attentive without being intrusive, and their recommendations were spot-on. Special dietary requests were accommodated with a smile, adding a personal touch to the dining experience. The pacing of the courses was perfect, allowing us to savor each moment without feeling rushed.“

“I was literally surprised that the place was empty when we went! It was my first time there, and I’m so glad we decided to give it a try. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, and the food was absolutely delicious! Everything was great, and I would definitely come back again. Highly recommend! ❤“

“Very authentic in atmosphere, food, and service. I got the chirashi bowl and it was absolutely delicious. Fresh. Excellent texture. I was such a huge fan of their sushi rice as well! They have lunch specials that I clue miso soup and salad. Highly recommend coming here for lunch. Your whole party must be there to be seated and it gets busy (always a good sign).“

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

“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 👍✅“

“Read my post it's the best around“

“Everyone this place is a hidden gem. Ordered a bento box and the portions are very large, has so many different sides, all tastes good and the price is reasonable. Food is super fresh not premade, and the pork katsu w cheese is delicious. Recommend to dine in cuz it tastes the best when it’s hot. I’ll definitely try other dishes next time!“

“Umebana has amazing food! I'm currently pregnant and I have been looking all over for a sushi place to make food accommodations for me when I have my cravings. Umebana is always so kind to me, the atmosphere is clean and enjoyable, and the food is always made exactly how I requested it, so delicious! Thank you for taking such great care of me“

“Fantastic. Great service and even better sushi.“

“Amazing food and amazing customer service!! I shared it on all my social media’s so all my friends would know about this place and be able to have their own experience at home. My whole family loved it and enjoyed it. Definitely recommend this place!“

“so far everything I've tried has been delicious!“

“Ever since I tried their curry plate, this place has been my go-to—it's honestly delicious! I haven't tried anything else yet, but the staff is always kind and the service is super fast. My only minor complaint is that they recently changed their containers, so it feels like a bit less food, but honestly, can you blame them in this economy?“

“Everything their soup is delicious“

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

“My go-to has always been the Saikoro Mazesoba and I like how much meat was given. The sauce is thick but it's not too intense to the point that it becomes too much, which is good for me. The vegetables added texture to every bite and it does well to prevent us from getting tired from eating the same texture and taste. I like the condiment choices they provide on the side as well. I feel like the price is fair and the atmosphere in this restaurant is pretty good. My only criticism is that the meat is a little dry. I gave it a 4/5 stars but on a 10-rating scale I would give it an 8.5“

“Pleasantly and delishly surprised. Place is unassuming. Its quaint and intimate.
Foodwise, its fresh and well presented. Sashimi is served warm temperture and not over ice. Which is how it should be. Rice was not overly sticky. Well balanced in combo with the fresh fish.
Service was welcoming and super friendly. Enjoyed the relax vibe.
Definitley on my list to be back“

“Sakura Tokyo is genuinely one of my favorite sushi restaurants, and I can’t recommend this place enough! The food is always amazing, fresh, and consistently delicious, but what really makes this place special is the people.

They truly care about their customers. They remember you, make you feel welcome every time you come in, and always treat everyone with so much kindness and respect. That kind of customer service is rare, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back.

You can tell they take pride in both their food and the way they treat people. I’ve had nothing but great experiences here, and they’ve always been so good to me. In my opinion, this is the best sushi place around. Amazing food, amazing people, and an atmosphere that makes you feel like a valued customer every single time.

If you’re looking for great sushi in West Covina, definitely give Sakura Tokyo a try. They deserve all the support! 🍣❤“

“Great food and great service“

“This is such an amazing restaurant! I first came here in 2024, but I left LA for a while and hadn’t been back in a long time. When I decided to come again today, I was honestly a little worried. Two years had passed, and I wondered if the food would still be as good as I remembered, or if the fish would still be as fresh. Thankfully, my worries were completely unnecessary!

I ordered a similar combo to what I had two years ago. The price has gone up a little, but honestly, I think that’s completely reasonable given how much the cost of everything has increased. My friend initially thought it was a little expensive, but once the food started coming out, he completely changed his mind and said the meal was absolutely worth it.

We ordered the $90-per-person combo, and it was SO much food. Every time we thought the meal was finished, the owner would come out with another dish! The lobster was unbelievably fresh—you could actually see its antennae still moving when it arrived at our table. At the end, they took the lobster head and claws to make soup for us, and the soup was delicious.

The uni rice was just as amazing as I remembered it, and the grilled salmon head was another highlight. It was incredibly fatty, rich, and flavorful. You can really tell they use high-quality salmon. My friend even joked that the salmon must never have exercised in the ocean because it was THAT fatty 😂

The staff are Korean, and they were incredibly kind and attentive. I asked the owner if I could take some of their barley tea home because I really liked it. They didn’t have any disposable cups available at the time, but the owner actually went out of his way to give me a cup and poured some barley tea for me to take home. I really appreciated that small gesture!

We also had some sashimi left over, and when they packed it for us, they even included an ice pack to keep it fresh.

Overall, this is absolutely a restaurant that gives you way more than what you pay for. The food was incredibly fresh, the portions were generous, and the service was wonderful. Most importantly, this restaurant genuinely made my night. I will definitely be coming back again! ❤

One little note: English isn’t my first language, so I used AI to help polish and improve the wording of this review. However, all of the thoughts, opinions, and experiences described here are genuinely my own.“

“Located right next to Cal Poly college, Jinza Teriyaki is a great spot to eat after classes, my all time favorite is the Loco Moco bowl. The people are incredibly nice and especially early the place is a nice quite area to eat in. My only wish is that they would open earlier as someone who's out n about by 7am, but I understand not wanting to open at the crack of dawn.“

“This is a delicious Chinese restaurant! Staff were really friendly and helpful. Parking is very limited because it is on a tiny lot but I came early so parking wasn't an issue. It appears there is free street parking. The food was amazing and reasonably priced. I had the Cheung fun with peanuts, Cheung fun with egg, shrimp fried rice, this green dessert, and tofu wrapped around rice roll. Everything was delicious. Cheung fun and tofu wrapped around rice roll were my favorite. The Cheung fun was thin and the sauce was so delicious! The tofu was crispy and it had some garlic inside and it was so delicious. The waitress brought out an extra sauce for my Cheung fun without me asking. They were very attentive. Restaurant was also really clean. I live in Thousand Oaks but needed to come into this area for business and decided to give this place a try. Well worth it and I will be back again next time I am in town. I also purchased another Cheung fun with peanuts to go and my daughters loved it and they are picky eaters.“

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

“This cozy mom-and-pop sushi restaurant has been a neighborhood gem for well over a decade, and it’s easy to see why. It’s run by the sweetest elderly Japanese couple who pour their hearts into every meal they serve.

The sushi is always incredibly fresh, the portions are generous, and every dish is prepared with care. What makes this place truly special, though, is the genuine hospitality. Every time I walk in, I feel like I’m coming home. They work tirelessly to make sure every customer is taken care of, and it’s amazing how she remembers my order by heart every single visit.

In a world full of trendy restaurants, this place is a reminder that great food, hard work, and kindness never go out of style. If you’re looking for authentic sushi made with heart, this is the place.“

“Wow! I called today, Sunday, last minute for a party of 12. We were accommodated and seated within 30 minutes. Rashad the manager was our waiter. He was kind, personable, accommodating, just amazing. The staff that assisted Rashad also very nice. The food was outstanding. My party could not pick a favorite. However, we reordered the fried rice and Wagu Dumplings. You cannot go wrong with any item on the menu. The atmosphere is beautiful and intimate. Always a good time and great vibes. The owner is consistently pleasant and gracious. Highly recommend! Check out Nyx as well.“

“Went to Midoh in Rowland Heights today after finding out Umi Buffet was closed due to a power outage. Since it was already in my bookmarks, I decided to give it a try. Ordered the tonkatsu loin, hamburg steak spicy curry rice, karaage, and takoyaki. Everything was delicious and extremely well‑flavored. A solid spot for comforting Japanese dishes.“

“I just tried this place and I was amazed by the food. One of the workers who I learned was named Kevin was one of the sweetest and most sincere people I’ve ever met. I don’t think I ever had such great customer service in all my life. Thank you for the great food and hospitality and for Kevin for making it such an enjoyable experience.“

“I loved my experience here for lunch. The Spider Roll is an actual, real soft-shell crab roll, which is rare, and I found the Sashimi to be well-prepared, fresh, and tasty. The portions were just right, and the front of house Allyssa was kind and attentive.

The menu is very large, so it can be overwhelming, but you can’t go wrong here! To the team members and ownership, thanks for a nice lunch.“

“The food it’s delicious ,very clean ,service fast ,owner very polite prices are decent I really recommend this place“

“Came here randomly on a Monday and was back by Friday to have more of their delicious sushi tacos. I tried both the tuna and the salmon taco...both were delicious and full of flavor! So delicious I had to come back 4 days later. The portion and size is just right. We also tried one of their other rolls and also their hibachi style spicy chicken with fried rice special that also come with a miso soup and a salad. We were all satisfied and I am currently craving it again 😋“

“the tall Asian guy Nate was hands down the best server I had! Made me feel very welcomed, the food was amazing and he had the funniest jokes ever, I could tell that he really enjoys what he’s doing! Would definitely take the fly out again and come back here! 🛫💕“

“Conveniently located nearby!!“

“WOW! got a lot of food for the money paid! we ordered the chicken and pork combo 3 pieces of katsu , a cabbage salad , a soup, a side of rice and 4 dipping sauce/ dressing!! easily 2 people can share this dish. food was really good can't wait to go back!!“

“Shabu Shabu good prices with great quality meat. My kids and I loved the ribeye, beef belly, and pork belly the most. All of the meat were good but these three were the table fav. Their appetizers were amazing as well. The fried squid legs, shrimp eggrolls, the blue crab, and the potato wrapped shrimp were sooo sosososososo good. you can tell a restaurant knows what they're doing when the fried appetizers are on point. I got one regular house soup and I got the mala for myself. They were bot so delicous. Also, the prices were very 2016 even in this infaltion. A must try. we went to chicha san chen right after. it was only 3 minutes away. Love this spot on the edge of rowland heights!“

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

“The food is really good!!! More specifically the beef bowl is delicious but its pricey roughly $15.00 for a regular bowl
and $20.00 large bowl.
Plus a drink gets over priced. But good food is expensive. If they adjust the prices this place could see way more volume.“

“The Kobe stakes is so testy . Assassins was as“

“I recently tried Koki Ku Sushi, a newer Japanese restaurant in Duarte, and came away pleasantly surprised.

I stopped by for their lunch special and found the service attentive and welcoming throughout the meal. The 5-piece chef's choice premium nigiri was fresh and enjoyable, with each piece offering a nice variety of flavors.

I also ordered the Salmon Teriyaki with Spicy Tuna Roll combo. The teriyaki salmon was flavorful, although the slices were a bit thinner compared to what I've had at other sushi spots. The spicy tuna roll was generously portioned and filling enough to make for a satisfying lunch.

The restaurant itself has a clean, modern design and is conveniently located in the Target plaza, where parking is plentiful and easy. Overall, Koki Ku Sushi is a nice addition to the Duarte dining scene, and I'll be back to try more items from their menu.“

“great sushi and reasonable price..“

“Kevin and Eric are the proprietors and they deliver great poke dishes! Love the food. Love the atmosphere.“

“A Delightful Sushi Experience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The sushi was outstanding—fresh, expertly crafted, and beautifully presented. The chef’s special sashimi, were bursting with flavor. The nigiri was a standout, with perfectly seasoned rice and melt-in-your-mouth fish. Service was impeccable; the staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They even made excellent recommendations based on my preferences. One thing to note: Fillet doesn’t have a liquor license yet, so if you’re someone who enjoys pairing sushi with sake or wine, this might be a consideration. They said it’s coming soon, I can’t wait to come back here again.“

“Yesterday, my best friend, her sister and I drop by for lunch. We ordered mohinga, coconut khao soi, paratha, opo squash tempura and samosa. The food was delicious. This is the 5th Burmese restaurant I've been to and one of the best. My best friend and her sister were born and raised in Burma. They speak Burmese and are very knowledgeable about Burmese food. If I'm in the area, I will definitely drop by again.“

“Out of this world omakase. Yum!“