50 Best Japanese Restaurants near La Canada Flintridge

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Haruka Sake and Sushi and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was captivated by the inviting ambiance and the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared sushi.The food at Haruka Sake and Sushi was beyond compare. Every dish that graced my table was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The sushi was made with the utmost care, and the quality of the ingredients was evident in every bite. The fish was incredibly fresh, melting in my mouth with each sushi roll I sampled. The variety of options available ensured that there was something to suit every palate, from traditional favorites to inventive and creative sushi creations.But it wasn't just the food that left a lasting impression. The service at Haruka Sake and Sushi was impeccable. The staff members were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were more than happy to offer recommendations and answer any questions I had. Despite the restaurant being busy, the waitstaff managed to provide a seamless experience, ensuring that every customer felt valued and well taken care of.The ambiance of Haruka Sake and Sushi was enchanting. The decor was tasteful and soothing, creating a tranquil atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal. The lighting was just right, creating an intimate setting that enhanced the dining experience. Whether you're looking for a place to have a quiet dinner or celebrate a special occasion, Haruka offers an ideal setting.Overall, Haruka Sake and Sushi exceeded my expectations in every way. The combination of outstanding food, exceptional service, and a delightful atmosphere make it a top-tier sushi restaurant. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone seeking an unforgettable culinary adventure. Whether you're a sushi aficionado or new to the world of Japanese cuisine, Haruka Sake and Sushi will leave you craving more.First time experience pass the test.Thanks ?“

“Service is great! Food is delicious, especially the soft shell crab! It's nice and crunchy! Try the rainbow roll or the special Inside n out spicy roll!!! Pair it with a bottle of Nigori. Ambiance is nice and pleasant to dine during lunch or dinner. Enjoy!“

“Great little independent restaurant. The world needs more unique places like this. If only people could tear themselves away from McDonald's and other gross corporate dumps and try something new once in a while.The service was very good. Yeah, they were in the back working when I came in, but they came out right away, so I can't see why anyone would feel the need to complain about that.They were out of a couple menu items this last visit, like their açaí, but it's all good because they have a varied menu and good prices. The interior is decorated with custom art pieces. Just go, ok?Vegetarian options: Açaí and all that implies... several rolls are meatless (avocado, daikon, and so on).Dietary restrictions: Easy for a gluten free person to eat here.Parking: Tons of parking.Wheelchair accessibility: Handicapped parking very nearby. A wheelchair could easily roll in. Flat floor layout; no steps or stairs. Spacious, private bathroom.“

“Pictured are the Tokyo Rich Tsukemen and the Smoked Dashi Ramen.The Tokyo Rich Tsukemen carried my experience here at Tonchin LA. I came here solely for the noodles made in collaboration with Keizo Shimamoto from Shimamoto Noodle Inc. They are really the star of the bowl. The tonkotsu gyokai broth was alright, but overall, this was one of the better tsukemen you can find in Socal imo.The Smoked Dashi Ramen, on the other hand, was quite weird. It starts off fine but the longer you take to eat it, the fishier the broth will get so get ready to slurp fast ?“

“I've been wanting to try different omakase places in the LA area for a while now, and stumbled upon Omakase by Ozen online - and I'm glad I came! Reservations were made quickly and easily via Yelp, and I love that I was able to change my reservation time without much of a hassle. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate after I took the MCAT, so we were extremely hungry when we got here. I think this place might have had valet out front, but we opted to just find street parking in the neighborhood for a ~5 minute walk (which worked out afterwards since it let us walk off our food!). The actual restaurant is a very small and quaint place; we sat at a table instead of the bar but I thought the decorations were very cute. Service was very fast and attentive. They handed us a menu as soon as we came in, and we ordered the $130 omakase - which was a pretty good deal for the quality of the food and the whole experience. I do have to say that I was not full after the meal (so my boyfriend and I ended up getting more food afterwards at a different place), but I did enjoy my time here. Definitely worth a try if you're celebrating because of the food and the service, but I personally don't think I'd come back for the omakase.“

“Outstanding food and service. Reservations were limited so we went right when they opened and snagged seats at the end of the sushi bar. The highlights for us were the inventive, perfectly seasoned hamachi choco and buttery salmon nigiri—but honestly we would reorder everything we tried and can’t wait to come back to sample the rest of the menu. Mariano made us feel like VIPs with his stellar recommendations and good conversation. So happy to have this gem in the neighborhood! We look forward to enjoying their sister restaurant, Bar Seco, opening soon next door.“

“Delicious and fresh seafood every time. The platters were amazing and the prices are very reasonable. The shop is filled with all types of snacks and additional sides to complete your meal. All the staff and chefs are super nice and very helpful. We went with Platter F & G.“

“The fish is soooooo sooooo fresh and the service was great! Me and my bf got the chirashi bowls and oh my gosh they were so seasoned and such a great serving amount. I didn't even have a photo to upload because I ate it so fast lol but my boyfriend took one lol. I'll definitely be back. Thank you“

“Most underrated restaurant in LA. The menu is always changing so, if you can afford it, you can go monthly. It's good it's not packed with hip foodies but I want this place to be recognized as every bit as good as N Naka or Hayato.“

“Quality of food was amazing. Taste was amazing. Customer service was excellent.The restaurant was clean and the atmosphere was joyful. We ordered 3 fluffy pancakes ( mango , Hazelnut, and Matcha) and all were delicious. Savory Eggs Benedict were so good and the potatoes just melt in your mouth. The breakfast comes with fresh salad and I ordered the sesame dressing, it was delicious. Karaage bento box was also very savory, the best karaage Chicken I have had so far in the Bay. Thanks for the excellent food and service.“

“I'm not too much a fan of fries these days, but the chicken was incredible! I wish the wasabi flavor came through a bit more, but it was all really good. Very nice owner and employee, great experience all around. A bit expensive for me, but so is everything in Pasadena. They seemed to go really hard in on the branding and I hope it pays off!!“

“I recently dined at a sushi restaurant in Pasadena. It's conveniently located close to public parking, which was a plus. The sashimi combo was excellent, and the side dishes complemented the meal perfectly. Overall, it was a great dining experience.“

“I walk by this place daily and it's always so busy. I decided to try it for myself and it was delicious. Everything seemed fresh and full of flavor. The waiters were all super sweet and attentive to our needs. We went for lunch so it wasn't as busy as it normally is, which was nice because the space is a little tight given its all bar seating. They play good music and it's a fun atmosphere. There's plenty of street parking and valet (10-15$). I will say this spot is on the pricer side, Im not convinced the meal was worth the price give theres an omekase down the street.“

“My teenagers and I were impressed with the simplicity of flavors of all our dishes. We started off with an assorted sashimi plate that had 3 pieces each of tuna, salmon, kampachi, and Japanese scallops and a plate of scallop carpaccio. It was soo yummy that we ordered another plate of scallop carpaccio and then we felt like we just had to try the kampachi carpaccio. Sooo good and the scallops just melt in your mouth! For our main dishes, we decided to share the Spicy Tonkotsu with extra bamboo shoots and the Truffle Butter Tonkotsu. The broths were very flavorful, the noodles fresh, and the chasu was delicious. For dessert, the friendly staff recommended the house-made Shio Koji ice cream with black sea salt to help cleanse our palates. It was very light and definitely refreshing. And I also tried the Genmaicha tea which was very light, aromatic, and soothing. All in all this place is a must go-to when you're in Ktown. The staff was very friendly, attentive, and very helpful for suggesting menu items. This is definitely our family's favorite find of the year!“

“I love this place. A bit pricy but everything is fresh and prepared with much tlc. The staff is always so sweet and there's a particular lovely trans server who always greets me as if I'm family. She has the most warm personality and to be honest, she is one of the reasons I keep coming back! She recommended the citron roll to me and I've been hooked ever since. I'll typically order that, and a couple other simple rolls that are discounted during happy hour. My fav thing to do is sit on the patio eating sushi and people watching. One time a guy decked out in Beyoncé fan gear came up to me and sang happy birthday to his Beyoncé pillow (it was her birthday that day). Nothing but good vibes here.“

“Morihiro was a solid omakase experience, but it's not as intimate as the other elevated omakase experiences in this price range...it was pretty crowded. There were only table seats the day we went, but we still enjoyed our dinner here. I was little a taken aback by the way the unique way the rice is prepared, but it was still pretty good. All the dishes were explained and presented well but overall Morihiro just lacked that wow factor. I think I also just prefer a more intimate omakase experience.“

“want to start off by saying that this place is definitely timeless and i understand why it is one of the first ever sushi places in LA. The prices are unbelievable and i went with 2 other friends and ended up ordering a lot of food. The thing with sushi it’s hard to get full usually, but here the sushi that would be 2-3x the price is affordable and delicious. The atmosphere is great and authentic and your surroundings are pleasant and vibrant. Lots of people speaking japanese to the sushi chef and made the experience at the bar feel fun. i wish i got more pictures but we were starving but we wanted to try a little bit of everything. This place is great for family and friends and even a date at the bar for a fun time. make sure to on off hours or make a reservation if you can cause it can get packed in there. Overall it’s worth a drive to the K town area and get full.“

“The atmosphere was nice with friendly service from the owner and staff, and the freshness of the fish and the setting were enough to whet my appetite.However, due to the catering schedule, the opening date isThere is a sign in front of the entrance, but you should check if it is open before visiting. Have a nice meal.“

“Shinkai sits low key in this multi-use complex within the heart of downtown Alhambra. We visited during their soft opening yesterday and tried out their omakase which was fresh, plentiful and delicious. Chef Alan and Dedy did a great job at the presentation on the following dishes. 1. Okinawa seaweed shooter with yamaimo and ikura 2. Jellyfish with kizami wasabi and 2 hr slow cooked abalone 3. Kumamoto oysters with green onion and ikura/uni 4. Shima aji, Chu toro and otoro 5. Sea Bream and golden eye snapper 6. Toro tartare with uni, ikura, truffle and avocado 7. Santa Barbara uni with black caviar and ikura 8. Japanese kegani 9. Black cod over mashed yam and drizzled with yuzu miso 10. Hokkaido scallop with Hokkaido uni and black caviar 11. Wagyu sushi We look forward to visiting again as they refine their processes and dishes during their soft opening. It's definitely nice to have a local sushi spot in SGV rather than having to head to LA or further for an omakase sushi dinner.“

“I love this place! Went for the first time tonight and was not disappointed. The fish was so fresh and good quality for a good price which is hard to find. Everything Looked good and tasted delicious . Thanks chef Sam and our server Vivian was a delight . New favorite spot for sure .“

“This place is clean, with a great welcoming ambiance. We tried the chicken curlet curry and beef curry. the portions they give are huge! The chicken cutlet was crispy outside and soft inside, the beef is soft with a brown curry. The staff here are all friendly and attentive. Will definately be back! You have to stop by and give it a try!“

“Had a great meal here. I have gluten allergy and was worried they didn’t have anything gluten-free because the menu online didn’t mention it. However, I called and the person I spoke to was amazing and knowledgeable about the options. There were not tons but enough that there were things I could eat. I had the Bento box and they were able to adjust it so everything was GF. That did come with a hefty surcharge but it’s worth it to me to know it’s all safe to eat. Sashimi is also an option however nigiri and rolls are not because there is soy in the rice.I’ve knocked down my review because there are plenty of Japanese restaurants that fully accommodate gluten allergies and I’ve been told by chefs and owners that at this point it’s not hard to do.Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free options but next extensive. The nigiri and rolls are not GF as there is soy in the rice (as of the time of my review)“

“This place is totally underrated and deserves more attention. Food is excellent and on par with other great Japanese restaurants. This is my second time here and I’ve throughly enjoyed it. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, sushi tastes fresh and they serve large portions. What else could you want?“

“We were able to get seated right away at 7pm on a Monday night- I know it’s usually super busy here so we were lucky. The atmosphere is nice and the food was good. I really enjoyed the red bean dessert with strawberries and their scallop tempura and okonomiyaki. I wasn’t as big of a fan of the steak - it was a bit dry.“

“Wow! What a wonderful experience! We had an early dinner on a Thursday evening to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. It was busy, but we were sat almost right away. The ambiance of the restaurant is the first thing that hit me. It was very dark, but in comforting way. It is a very small place. The server walked us through their choices and we were immediately served. We chose their silver level. The bone marrow and toast was crazy delicious. It was full of umami flavor. It was the perfect way to start off. We ordered the spicy miso and the house broth. Both were great. The spicy miso wasn't too spicy at the beginning, but rather rich and flavorful. It did build on the spice level when it became a bit more concentrated. The house was mild and light. These soups were refilled at appropriate times as well. The meats that were served with this were melt in your mouth amazing and only took a second to cook. The veggie platter that accompanied it was a nice assortment. They also had a serve your self rice/ condiment bar. It was very clean and had a great assortment of sauces. My favorite was mixing the sesame with a bit of soy sauce and spicy chilies. It also included eggs, rice and minced beef. We had three rounds of the amazing meat and finished up the veggies. We finished our meal with the green tea ice cream at the self serve station. It is a bit pricy, but worth every penny in my opinion. I can't wait to come back.Parking: Parking in the lot right in front of the restaurant was available for an early dinner on a Thursday. They also have parking around the back of the building as well.“

“Had a great dinner at Kogane again. The food and service were great. The sushi chefs were friendly and gave very interesting tidbits about the fish, process and taste. The meal lasts about 1 hr and 45 min. Since everyone eats at the same rate for each dish through the course, don't forget to be on time. :)“

“Cozy, chill hand roll bar. Inside is all bar seating, which is nice as you get an up close view of the rolls being made. There is outdoor patio seating as well but it was a bit chilly when I went. Staff is really attentive. There are a lot of roll combo options on the menu but I went a la carte. I loved everything I ate - spicy tuna and the avocado crispy rice as well as the crab and the salmon roll. The person I was with ordered a bowl which was a good size. Nice spot for solo lunch or a group of two. Very relaxed vibes.“

“Finally got a chance to try this out since had my eye on it since it opened in the neighborhood. The restaurant is on the smaller side and has about 15 tables total so definitely have a bit of patience if going right at dinner time. They only take reservations for parties over 5. If you go at non-peak times, should be able to get seated right away. The host and servers were friendly and constantly came by to clear plates as they were finished and refill drinks. Food wise, you can order a la carte or from 2 levels of AYCE. We went for the premium AYCE and enjoyed it after leaving stuffed and wagyu oozing from our pores. The meat quality was excellent and while each plate was only 4-7 slices, you can just keep ordering if you can handle all the rich and fatty meats. The carpaccios and other appetizers were good and you can order 1/2 size of many dishes so you don't overstuff yourself. So while the price ($75), for premium is definitely up there, it is fair for the quality of the meats and other options. You have a 90 min. limit so be mindful of that as the food does not come out as quickly when the restaurant is full. Overall, something to splurge on once in a while and if you're looking for premium meats. Friendly tip- wear clothes you don't mind smelling like bbq/smoke as their exhaust system could use some improvement as you can visibly see the smoke later in the night when busy as the exhaust at each table is lacking in effectiveness.“

“Came here solo for dinner and wow, what a cool concept… one roll at a time! I got 6 for $29 and it was the perfect amount to taste all flavors and just enough to fill me. Service was great and the beers were reasonably priced. I would definitely recommend for a chill date night. The salmon and scallop roll were the best! I wish I could have tried more and or the dessert.“

“The food was absolutely amazing! Everyone at the party loved the food. The meat was super Tender and juicy. All the salads and bread was delicious. I’m so impressed with their service. I wish I took pictures of the presentation before we ate all the food.“

“Probably the best place I've tried sushi. Large portions and excellent prices. As a fairly big guy, I was pleasantly surprised that I couldn't finish two regular plates. The service is top-notch. My best wishes to this establishment“

“The sushi here is seriously awesome. It's prepared right in front of you if you sit at the bar/counter, and the taste, and smell is to die for. This is one of my absolute favorite sushi places in the area. Everyone is very warm and friendly, and welcoming. It has a cozy feel to it. Trust me, it will be worth your time!“

“This is a hidden gem on the first floor of the Eagle Rock Plaza Mall. We ordered the Colorado Roll (my favorite bc I like tempura rolls), the lobster crunch, salmon carpaccio, and the atomic albacore. We loved everything. The staff is super friendly, knowledgeable for recommendations, and the seats are comfy for a great ambiance. Will be back“

“Honestly, was amazed at how good the sushi / sashimi was at this place. Didn't expect it from a food hall. WAY better quality tasting food than a more legit mid-level sushi places. Highly recommend coming here just for this. We got another roll to go because it was so good.“

“This is my favorite sushi place. Small unassuming location in a strip mall. There’s no Cheetos and bacon roll or whatever, if that’s your kind of thing. This is a sushi master serving simple, fresh, perfectly prepared, traditional sushi. The toro, the uni, the oysters, the mackerel, it’s perfect. The server let us know which plates they didn’t want us to use soy sauce on. I thought it was beautiful and I didn’t use that stuff on a single dish anyway.“

“Stepping into Joon Shabu Shabu was like opening the door to a dining experience that was not only new but truly magical, marking my delightful introduction to the art of hibachi-style soup creation. This wasn't merely a meal; it was an opportunity to dive into the exhilarating world of cooking right at your table, blending the joy of do-it-yourself cuisine with the comfort and elegance of dining out. The welcoming vibe, accentuated by tantalizing aromas, set a perfect stage for the culinary symphony that awaited.The team at Joon Shabu Shabu was exceptional, radiating a blend of genuine warmth and professionalism that made me feel immediately at home and cherished. Their guidance through the menu and the dining process was like having a personal culinary coach by our side, ensuring that my companion and I felt confident and excited about the adventure we were about to undertake. This thoughtful, non-intrusive support allowed us to savor the array of sauces and ingredients at our own rhythm, adding layers of joy and discovery to our meal.As we placed our orders, the excellence of service continued to shine. The dishes served were a feast not just for the taste buds but for the soul, with every bite bursting with freshness and flavor. The ingredients were abundant, and the equipment was so clean and simple to use, making the entire cooking process a breeze and incredibly fun.Visiting Joon Shabu Shabu was a transformative journey for me, turning what I presumed might be a complex dining style into a celebration of simplicity and conviviality. If you're ever in Glendale, I wholeheartedly encourage you to treat yourself to this gem of a restaurant. It's a place where your culinary dreams are met with a vibrant atmosphere and a chance to play chef, promising not just a meal but an uplifting experience that will brighten your day and warm your heart. Joon Shabu Shabu isn't just about satisfying your hunger; it's about creating memories that linger long after the meal is over.“

“After success with the jajiang noodles, I had to try the stall right next door. Inside the fantastic Hmart market, is Kazu Mori. I’d say Katsu is there specialty with pork and chicken. I had the pork tonkatsu with curry. Huge portions and so good. I actually thought I was a bit pricey bit after I saw the quality and portions, I reconsider. Also, not a Bricks and mortar saves a bit.I think the key is to get a bunch of people and order two or three items from each stall. The choice are fantastic.“

“Katsu Jin has the best katsu outside of Japan. The tenderloin katsu is made with a think cut of pork and fried to perfection. I try to get here once a month even though it is 45 minutes from my house. The gyoza are also fantastic! Can't recommend this place enough.“

“We came here on a Tuesday night looking for a quick but savory meal. It was busy but there were some seats open. casual place. The food came out quite quickly, and as a whole it was very good. We got chicken kaarage, which was a good portion for its price. The accompanying spicy mayo was unexpectedly quite nice. boy got the blaze, which he really liked. I got the classic ramen, which was flavorful and not too salty. The noodles were cooked very well, and the broth warmed me nicely. I have came here before craving the tsukemen, and it is for the most part quite good but always ends up tasting very salty by the end. will probably still come back and order it again though.“

“I have been regularly coming here for a couple last years and I love this place.I usually go for fillet mignon because it turns out to be so juicy and tender.My boyfriend gets fillet with sea food options. Scallop and lobster tail.I absolutely love their ginger dressing!Each time I promise myself that I’ll skip on a fried rice, by always end up eating it, because it is good!They sell beers in pitchers that completes the meal!Always a great dinner!Highly recommended!“

“We came here on a weekday evening at around 6pm and had no wait. They have only one option for dining at this Chubby Cattle location, which is an AYCE menu including Wagyu, pork, seafood, appetizers like Wagyu tartare and salmon carpaccio, rice, sushi and soup. For $65.99 (non-member price) per person, you definitely get what you pay for here!“

“Wow! Just found this place and the food was ALL amazing and perfect. Literally all of it. The steak teriyaki was tender, the fried octopus was tender and flavorful, the sashimi was very fresh and all the plate were presented SO beautifully! The service was wonderfully attentive. I’m definitely coming here again.“

“We were greeted warmly and were seated at a lovely table. Cameren was incredibly attentive and we were happy to be seated in his section again. We ordered some of our favorites—both drinks and food and even tried some new things including the outstanding A5 Nigiri. We hope this becomes a menu staple. Katsuya is our go-to spot for a reason. The service, the food, the drinks, the beautiful restaurant itself. Can't wait to return!“

“The service was GREAT and the mango sticky rice was super delicious! The mango was super ripe and sweet and the rice had the perfect salty edge to it. It could use a bit more of the coconut sauce, but other than that it was absolutely amazing! The ambiance was great and calm with minimal music playing the background. The interior was also nicely decorated with additional seating outside.“

“Happy to see a new business open up in this strip mall. Don't let the sketchy pharmacy next door scare you off. Food is fantastically fresh. Grab a ticket, check off what you want and place your ticket in the rack next to the register. Recommend half/half of soba and salad. We've tried pretty much all the ingredients/toppings in our three visits so far and all have been extremely fresh, including all the proteins. Garlic wasabi or spicy mayo sauce are great. Tempura flakes add texture to your bowl. Handrolls are their secret weapon. Affordable and generous, we really like the soft shelled crab handroll but they are all good. So what's not to like? The boba is mediocre, passable for convenience but you're not coming here for boba. The interior has been overhauled from when it was a pizza place. It's now modern and clean with a little bit of seating, we get our orders to go. Plenty of parking as it's in the same lot as Fresco's market. If you are coming here swing by the donut place where both the owner and her donuts are local legends now.“

“Jonathan Gold always told us to look out for the strip mall restaurants. He's right.Given the seasonal-rotational menu, the omakase at $95 seems like a great way to experience Soregashi, but I generally like to order whatever I like, especially as the seasons provide new ingredients I can order.Onto the food.Usuzukuri is their special dish. It's hirame (fluke, not halibut!) that's cut so thin it's nearly transparent. It comes with a ponzu sauce, some daikon-chile paste, green onion, and lemon. The manager will recommend to mix the ponzu with the paste but will ultimately say to just eat however you like. The hirame is pretty mild, slightly sweet, and instead of being overly chewy, is a bit soft, will melt slightly in your mouth, and is a great way to open a meal. They seem to serve this first because it's mild and you want to experience the dish without blowing out your tastebuds.Soregashi does know their audience, though. They also serve a California roll. However, this is with real crab. When I asked to confirm it wasn't krab, the manager looked almost offended. The fact I gave him such momentary distain means I clearly went to the right spot. There's baked crab, cucumbers, and avocado. It's soft, crunchy, and essentially the Platonic ideal of a California roll since they don't cut corners and use quality ingredients.For my last visit:We started with madai nigiri (sea bream). The fish was soft and slightly crunchy with a sea-touched flavor with some sweetness. It's a good fish to start with but would absolutely get lost if it was eaten after a few sushi courses. It's pretty mild.From the special menu, we ordered the live ama ebi (spot prawn, sweet shrimp, sometimes called botan ebi [different!]). The heads come fried; the manager asked to confirm we wanted that. I'm not sure if they serve head-in miso soup, but I like it fried and it looked only lightly battered, possibly with a non-tempura blend. They were sweet, creamy, and with a soft crunch. The heads were crispy and to pay attention to detail, Soregashi cuts out the eyes. For some proteins, the eyes can be bitter, so this was a detail I took a note of but didn't necessarily need. The heads sit in a small pile of salt, so they're extra salty. I didn't need this, but that's a matter of taste. Generally, they seem to get flash frozen ama ebi, but seasonally, they can get live shrimp, such as right now.The mirugai ("jumbo clam" or "giant clam" or geoduck) was also served nigiri style. The meat was crunchy, sweet, and also sweet. To compare to the ama ebi, it was less creamy and with a lot more crunch and sweetness. There was a particularly toothsome mouthfeel that was satisfying. Apparently this comes from Seattle.We also tried nasumiso, which is eggplant smothered in a sweet miso sauce. The eggplant tasted broiled since it had some crispy parts to it at the edges. The meat was generally soft but there were some crunchier parts in the flesh to provide a great texture. The sauce covering it was great and vaguely tasted like a teriyaki mixed with a lot of miso (which makes sense given the shared ingredients). The sesame seeds also added an extra flavor.We ordered the kaarage (Japanese fried chicken). They only use free-range Jidori chicken. The batter is fairly light and the chicken is not in large pieces. It's served with lemon but otherwise is not strongly seasoned. This could have used some more salt and pepper in the batter, at least. However, the kaarage had a very crispy texture and maintained all the juice of the chicken thighs.Coho salmon was on the seasonal menu. The standard menu had king salmon. To compare and contrast, the coho was soft, buttery, and the salmon oil mostly came out at the end. For the king salmon, the flesh was even softer than the coho, but the flavor was more mild. The oily flavor was present throughout as opposed to just coming out at the very end in a flavor bomb.Shima aji (trevally, striped jack) was oily, but also very meaty and firm“

“I like this location more than Little Tokyo due to distance and ease of parking. They both aren't that much different to each other, but there's a few differences. Parking: no seriously, you don't have to struggle to find parking here. They share a huge lot behind the plaza so parking is a breeze. No struggling to find a space when you're in DTLA Indoor seating isn't as big at the OG spot, but it doesn't feel as outdated and rundown. Food is pretty good here. The 3 hand roll set is enough to fill me up, but I was hungry and opted for 5. The unagi and the snow crab are pretty good. The reg hand rolls like the salmon and spicy tuna deserve an honorable mention. Portion sizes are fair and you get an equal rice:protein ratio. Service is good. Would return again“

“The best sushi place in town ! I had a special birthday night with my friends.It my first time here, I'm so happy finally to try here.Service very friendly & Chef very professional!The best plate for tonight is Sea urchin sushi very fresh and so sweet . Hokkaido rolls was unexpected! So delicious.All the sashimi are very fresh and the way that they cut is the perfect slices, It will be on my favorite place for sushi.“

“On a Sunday afternoon in March, my sister wanted to try the Japanese pancakes so came here for lunch. We parked in front on the street. Inside interior looks nice with tables and cute stuff at the counter. The staff seem nice and we got seated right away. The menu was easy to read so I ordered gyudon beef with rice and my sister ordered the original soufflé pancakes. My dish came first and everything was really good. Then the 3 pieces of pancakes arrived and it was fluffy and light after I took a bite. Next time I will try other items. I hope they get more business.“

“You guys, this place is awesome! Our party of 6 tried several things from the menu and everything was fantastic. Our bottle of sake was awesome and so was the service. This is a cozy romantic darkly lit space that you should definitely try! Nadia was our server and her recommendations were on point. We can't wait to come back for date night! Be prepared to drop some $$$$ but it's worth it!“