50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Lawndale

“Absolutely smacks. For less than $20 this is the best meal you can get in the area. Service is good, food is better. I like the chicken more than the beef but both are great. My order is chicken avacado. Only think is I miss the chili garlic that other places have but this place is still better. Been coming here for two years. Always hits. Not a lot of seating so order takeout if you can.“

“If I could leave more stars my Lord knows I would!! Never have I been treated with such amazing customer service at any other Yoshinoya. The young manager with the blue hair, Suzy or Suzana, I think she said was her name, was amazing, she gave me incredible customer service with a smile! Even though I seen her taking both indoor and drive thru. This was my first time coming to this location since I was close by and was craving some gyoza but I will absolutely be coming back and you can thank that manager!!!“

“The food has a great taste and I can tell the recipe of the broth is thoughtfully designed and flavored. The service was fine but the restaurant felt too crowded and loud. While I understand it’s a ramen spot, their décor and presentation are more refined than most, so the hectic atmosphere detracted slightly from the overall experience.“

“This place is a true gem and I love shopping there for all my sushi and Japanese food and sake amazing selection and excellent service! If you enjoy fresh sushi fish that are reasonably priced then you most definitely must check out this gem!!! Also they teach lessons that sell out quickly so you must sign up for their monthly news email that gives you so much information about all that they do!“

“My mother and I celebrated her birthday at Nnaka Restaurant and it was a fantastic dining experience. The set menu included 13 courses, with some special dishes. Every dish was beautifully prepared and delicious.“

“Amazing place. A real gem and great find. The mackerel bento tier 2 was amazing. The fish was butter and crispy. All the vegetables were so tasty too. The area it’s in is a bit rough, but this place is worth it. The inside is decorated nicely and it’s a nice atmosphere. The staff was nice and the even gave us cute holiday cookies. Can’t wait to visit again“

“A friendly waitresses,waiters .“

“What a gem! Small, quiet, refined - here it’s all about quality, not quantity. Food is prepared really well and presented nicely. Staff is nice and helpful without being in your face all the time. The drinks menu could be a bit more inclusive. Otherwise this is an awesome place for a quiet diner for two (they only have bar seating so a party with more than 2 people would have a hard time communicating).

Also, I wouldn’t call this place especially child friendly but we took our 2 year old with us for dinner and he enjoyed most of the food (the cooked items) and the staff and patrons were rather pleased to have him there 😊“

“An adorable, cozy sushi restaurant with INCREDIBLE fresh fish. We got the special and regular omakase, and the special is absolutely worth the extra $20 because it comes with an amazing toro collar and tiramisu, along with more sushi, soup, and a carpaccio. Some memorable bites were the monkfish liver, fresh oyster, toro collar, daikon marinated red snapper, golden eye snapper nigiri, and the AMAZING housemade tiramisu.“

“This was my second time at Shunji and since it was so consistent, I thought I should give it a shout out. You may miss it if you aren’t paying attention, nestled behind a non-discrete door on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, Shunji Japanese Cuisine is a Michelin-starred gem that redefines the art of sushi dining. Chef Shunji Nakao is a legend and this intimate restaurant offers an omakase experience that is as unforgettable as it is refined.

The heart of Shunji’s allure lies in its sushi, which showcases decades of expertise as one of Los Angeles’ sushi pioneers. Each piece of nigiri is a testament to his meticulous attention to detail, with fish sourced primarily from Japan to ensure unparalleled freshness. Shunji’s (somewhat new Santa Monica location) is a departure from its former chili bowl-shaped home on Pico Boulevard, embraces a minimalist aesthetic that keeps the focus on the food and quaint experience. The space is divided into two small rooms, each with a blonde wood counter that seats just seven, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and intimacy. Soft jazz hums in the background, and a wall of orchids adds a touch of elegance, celebrating the restaurant’s decade-long legacy. The service is impeccable, with staff (one Shunji’s wife) moving gracefully to anticipate every need, from refilling sake glasses to presenting dishes on stunning ceramic plates.

Shunji is more than a restaurant; it’s a destination The sushi is exceptional, the ambiance serene, and the overall experience a masterclass in hospitality.“

“The seared salmon and tuna were absolutely unforgettable, just as I remembered. What makes this omakase experience so special is that you can keep enjoying dish after dish until you feel completely satisfied. Truly grateful to Uzumaki for such a delightful meal!“

“I came here for dinner and ordered the Tonkatsu set.
The pork cutlet was thick, crispy, and the meat quality was really good. Everything tasted solid overall.
The only minor downside is that parking in this area can be a bit tough.“

“This place was amazing!! I got the lunch special of the black miso cod and it was $19.50 and the portion was so large and truly one of the best I ever had. The sashimi was also very good and very fresh! I truly loved all the food I tried. I had also tried the blue fin tuna, yellowtail, and kanpachi and all three were very good and very fresh. The prices of the restaurant are fair for the quality.“

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“LOVE the poke bowl options including the gluten free/lo carb noodles!“

“One of the best Omakase (chef's choice) sashimi platters I've enjoyed in awhile. The restaurant has a fresh selection, including our favorites of sweet shrimp, albacore, Hamachi yellowtail and scallops. I loved the presentation with the whole deep fried head and artistic design with the tail and other special aesthetic details that made this a work of art, not just lunch. I hope to come back sometime soon!

Our server kept our cups full of green tea and was attentive but not intrusive. They even gave us a complimentary matcha green tea cheesecake at the end, with cold grapes. Definitely sit indoors when it gets breezy, but the door is open to allow for fresh air and people watching.“

“Good taste noodle, great customer service! interesting old Torrance neighborhood.“

“We decided to try out SOBAR as it was close by to our stay while in LA
It was a great chance as the food was great. Everything was excellent to include our communication with other patrons
The food was awesome and we plan to go there again before we leave LA“

“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 is one of the BEST sushi restaurants you will find in LA county. With the fish being so fresh and high quality, the fact that they continue to keep the price reasonable, and the pride they put into every dish they serve. This place is so good, even the miso soup will melt your heart. And here’s my theory, if the place has good quality miso soup, then you know you’re in the right place 👍🏻“

“First time.coming down to this one. Usually hit up the one in Little Japantown.

The soup here tastes just as good!
Only gripe... Not nearly as many of the tempura options or musibis like Sawtelle. But they do have the main dishes here and it was fast on a Friday night to order.

This place is bus your own dishes after.“

“Stumbled across Oh! Banzai on an IG ad….stopped by for lunch because I was in the area. What a gem! Had the eel sunomono (light and delicious!), and a few hand rolls. Really lovely place, great service, food is fresh and feels like a higher level dining experience than the price suggests. Definitely coming back“

“Really liked this place. It offers quick prep moderately priced sushi that tastes good for moderately priced sushi. The only weakness was the shrimp nigari which was skimpy on the shrimp. My meal included miso soup, salad and roll, wrap & funnel sushi. I had 2 bites of the roll and drank some soup before I took the picture. I was hungry!“

“Favorite place to eat quickly. It is affordable and reasonable price w loading amount food. The food here has big serving size w amazing taste. The service was rlly good(we got a free drink lol). The restaurant overall is soo cute, styled w cute cat miniatures. I’ll definitely recommend trying out here!!“

“蕎麦、日本食　最高 !“

“I really enjoyed the food here. The cutlet was juicy and crispy. The rice was really good and the service was awesome. I look forward to coming back. Keep in mind this location is within a market so dining is cafeteria style but there's plenty of seating“

“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..“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

“Japanese homestyle bento bliss with a legacy! Hard to believe this cozy gem has been serving locals for 25 years.

At the heart of the menu is their Sanuki Udon...a silky, springy noodle born in Japan’s historic Sanuki Province (now Kagawa Prefecture) on Shikoku Island. This isn’t just comfort food—it’s a taste of centuries-old tradition.

Bonus points: the menu is loaded with photos so you know exactly what deliciousness you’re ordering.

Generous portions, wallet-friendly pricing. I went for the Sukiyakidon which was hearty, flavorful, and satisfying.

Old-school interior that feels like stepping into a Japanese home kitchen.

Can be busy depending on the time thanks to all the great eateries in the plaza“

“Gardena’s gem of a restaurant. Great food, atmosphere all with authentic food with a Hawaiian flair. I enjoyed a kalbi bento (it’s not on the menu but they will gladly make it for you with double Mac salad). I also had the famous chili which is THAT good. Not pictured is the somen salad which is a family recipe and is always a must. Leonard and his staff are friendly and engaging like our server Nancy.“

“I tried Azuma for the first time a few weeks ago was very pleasantly surprised how good and authentic it was. Its a small restaurant with a line starting at 5 when they open. I went with a big group and we tried the chicken teriyaki, vegetable tempura, and curry which we all enjoyed. The portions are big enough to share! I would definitely come back and recommend!“

“First discovered musabi’s in Hawaii and was excited to find this spot in Santa Monica. The shop is small with no seating, but the food is the real draw. Great selection, fresh and flavorful, and perfect for a quick snack. Love the Santa Monica vibe, a fun place to grab a bite before heading to the beach“

“Really loved this spot! Easily top 5 in LA - great food, ambiance, friendly but not imposing staff. Highlights: sashimi, chicken karaage, kabocha squash. Lowlights: mushroom rice, tuna handroll (just not as unique). We also enjoyed the duck meatballs and beef tongue. Impressed with the cocktails and n/a selection as well. Can’t wait to try the duck ramen!“

“Very satisfied great friendly service“

“Sakura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar is an absolute find. The food is consistently fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. I especially loved the Chirashi Bowl generous portions of high-quality fish over perfectly seasoned rice. The California Roll was delicious and well balanced, and the Carpaccio was a standout dish with its clean, delicate taste. Service was genuinely good, too. The staff were attentive and friendly without ever feeling rushed. Whether you’re in the mood for classic rolls or something a bit more refined, Sakura delivers on quality and consistency. A great spot for anyone craving excellent sushi in the area!“

“yummmmm so good. highly recommend“

“Sakura House – Sizzling Skewers of Kushiyaki\n\nSakura House has become our favorite restaurant in the Los Angeles area. Having traveled to Japan many times, I can say with confidence — this place is the real deal.\n\nThe kushiyaki here is outstanding — perfectly skewered and grilled to perfection over special imported Japanese charcoal, which gives every bite an authentic smoky flavor. In addition to the skewers, their bacon-wrapped creations are a must-try! From asparagus, okra, and string beans to tomatoes, enoki mushrooms, and jalapeño peppers — each one is packed with flavor and cooked just right.\n\nWe also loved the fresh edamame, Yoshi’s Owari Chicken, and the incredibly tasty black pepper chicken wings. Everything was expertly prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious.\n\nIf you’re looking for an authentic taste of Japan in LA, Sakura House is a must-visit. Highly recommended!“

“Excellent in every way. Perfect!!!“

“Best sushi and miso soup we've had so far!“

“I dream about their fried rice, it's that good. Their ramen is a clear, light broth that is much different and lighter from the offerings on Sawtelle, but it's just as flavorful and delicious. I recommend it if you're looking for a lighter broth. But definitely get at least a side of their pork fried rice!“

“What a neat experience in the south bay. We came across this restaurant thanks to Infatuation's 2025 list of best new restaurants to try.

We made a very last minute call to the restaurant to see if any spots opened up, and we were very fortunate to nab two seats. Parking is a little tight in this small strip mall area but not too bad in the evening.

Coming in, you're immediately greeted to a really neat setup - bar seating that surrounds an open kitchen with grills per every tea seats. Loved the modern decor with classic wooden Japanese items throughout the kitchen and fun, friendly chalkboards.

We were seated and given a tour of the menu. There are two pretty competitive omakase style beef walkthroughs. We opted to go with the $50 option as we didn't want to go with the wagyu sushi (that and a couple items were the main difference between this and the $70 option). We also had the ability to order more specific cuts of meat or go straight to the a la carte option as well.

The drink menu for non-alcohol items are a bit limited but for sake lovers, there are some great competitive options like a $30 5-sake cup flights.

Going into the $50 omakase, the options for the most part are super solid. We really enjoyed the multiple sauces that came out with the meat. The beef tongue trio was also fantastic all-around. Meats were cut right in front of you as well as marinated/seasoned. The butcher's cut curry also is oddly fantastic. It's a clever way to close out the meal using parts of the ends of meat. The grill in front of you also uses side vents so makes it a much more enjoyable experience.

I think the only bits of feedback we had (and something it seems like they are actively trying to address) is getting more helping hands. There was a bit of a chaotic energy as the tables were full and not enough hands on deck with things like front of house having to be done by the chef.

I think the servers were still superstars amidst everything going on and super kind in keeping us updated as to the situation.

They also do run out of some items of food so would advise to try to get an earlier time than later. Getting there after 8PM also means that you usually aren't able to go the omakase route as a heads-up.

Can't wait to come back and see how they continue to improve and refine a great idea.“

“They offer a wide variety of dishes, ranging from traditional Chinese cuisine to creative Western cuisine, and there are many surprising combinations. In addition, the restaurant pays attention to the selection of raw materials and the innovation of cooking techniques to ensure that each dish can bring you the most extreme taste experience“

“Glad Hurry Curry has reopened after closing their Sawtelle location. if you are new and don't know what to order, try the chicken cutlet curry and the Chicken pasta with Alfredo sauce. The curry is bold and savory. make sure to request picked vegetables for the curry. the chicken pasta is also rich and savory. both dishes complement each other without repeating the same experience. the portions are large so bring friends or bring home plenty of portions for leftovers.“

“it was yakitori and izakaya place. it was sooo nice and good. it's pricey though, but that's what fine dining is right..!? so i think it is pretty good, to come with famz or colleagues 😃👍🥰“

“Great quality meat and wagyu. You need to get the wagyu plates to try all the different meats. Beautiful Yakiniku place with veggie options and they change out your stove promptly. Oxtail soup and wagyu sushi plate was delicious as well. Staff was so nice :)“

“Ramen is so good I cried.“

“If you haven't been here you areissong out. I consider this place to be a local gem. Get there right at 5 if you don't have a reservation. This yakitori is fantastic. It is cooked perfectly every time. There are lots of options for both those who are adventurous and those who like to stay a little closer to home. This place will not disappoint.“

“Clean, cozy restaurant with a nice selection of food. Extensive happy hour menu and the sushi was very fresh and authentic. We just dropped by because we were looking for a place near our appointment. But it was good; I would go there again.“

“muy sabrosa y delicious la comida lo recomiendo y sobre todo El servicio muy bien“

“great food and atmosphere!“