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.“

“Freshest restaurant quality sashimi and sushi at a reasonable price in the U.S. Their sashimi is top notch. Highly recommend the Hamachi/yellowtail toro (so underrated), the scallops, and the squid/ika, but honestly any of the options won’t disappoint. Also a big fan of their tamago and their Takuan roll (which has fresh perilla leaves inside)!
If you’re a big sashimi/sushi enjoyer and value quality, this place is perfect!“

“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.“

“A friendly waitresses,waiters .“

“Both dishes were so good! I really liked the way they cooked the Bento- Shio Koji Marinated Norwegian Mackerel. The side dish Side- Chicken Karaage (Mild or Spicy)- had just the right amount of spice (l ordered mild). Overall, this will definitely be my go-to lunch spot now! (Doordash Pickup)“

“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 😊“

“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!“

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

“Excellent Japanese food. I got takeout: the Gindara Saikyoyaki Bento. It was delightful. Excellent service.

I'm going to have to come back because it's a lovely spot, and I want to actually sit and enjoy in the establishment next time.

Highly recommend. And El Segundo is a very pleasant, calm downtown to visit if you're waiting around for a flight, like I was. It can be fun to go up to Venice where all the excitement is, but I'm grateful that I had a nice calm afternoon in El Segundo this time. And my fantastic supper here was part of it.“

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“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.“

“Wonderful experience! When my party of 5 got here the entire couple of blocks were experiencing a power outage and they told us they could only serve sushi since the gas was also turned off. Luckily that is exactly what we came for and we decided to stay. They were very accommodating, really nice, and the sushi was delicious. We ordered the yellowtail roll, spicy tuna roll, sushi combination, and the red dragon roll. Prices are reasonable for sushi as well. Definitely coming back here again!“

“Located in the food court of Tokyo Central in Gardena, this Japanese Tonkatsu restaurant is an authentic hidden gem for Tonkatsu lovers?

Tried their pork Katsudon set (you have a choice between pork or chicken also) and the pork upon first bite was juicy and meat was very tender. Outside katsu was crunchy, the pork is lean and didnt have any fat too. Miso soup and cabbage salad was fresh and not instant, I would visit this place again. 5 stars??“

“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“

“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!!“

“Absolutely amazing vegan food, the staff were so kind and professional, their food is top-tier 👌 Can’t wait to come back for more !!! 🥰“

“My boyfriend and I took our sushi to go. We ordered the crunchy spicy California, Torrance roll, and teriyaki chicken roll. They were AMAZING. We both absolutely loved them. The service was quick- they were quiet but very friendly and happy to see us it felt like. I definitely recommend. Good pricing also!“

“Genuinely exceptional from the warm welcome, the unique and beautiful atmosphere, and the attentive above-and-beyond team service. The Spicy Tuna Lemon roll was incontrovertibly the most uniquely mouthwatering sushi I’ve ever had the pleasure of savoring. I cannot recommend this place enough“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

“I had the mini Katsudon combo (bottom) and my boyfriend had the Nikuyasai Soba (top) and as our first time here we were very impressed! Everything had so much flavor, our waiter was very attentive and kind. Definitely worth a try if you’re looking for an authentic experience. Would definitely come again“

“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.“

“Ramen is so good I cried.“

“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!“

“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“

“Very satisfied great friendly service“

“Ok this is the first time I write a review before I even start the dinner. As long as I saw the chief ar Japanese I know I’ll give 5 starts for sure at the end!!!!

Ok update. I’m so full and everything is amazing
My friend orders everything double so we two finished 4 yellowtail, 4 tuna, 4 halibut, 8 eel, shrimp tempura rolls,dragon rolls, and a soba 😂“

“yummmmm so good. highly recommend“

“Solid place for yakitori, with a menu that actually is more expansive than it looks at first glance. Chef Yoshi and his staff are excellent.

Just note it's pretty warm inside, which makes sense, considering a grill dominates the interior“

“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!“

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

“I came here with a friend expecting to eat salmon belly sashimi as it one of the only few places in the area that has it. And wow, it didn't disappoint. We were planning to have a plate of salmon belly each, but unfortunately they ran out. Makes sense as it's hard to get. The other dishes we ordered were good as well. The server was nice and the atmosphere was welcoming. If you didn't pay attention to the sign, you would miss this place driving by. I would recommend this place.“

“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 :)“

“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“

“Nice restaurant. Happilybsurprised it wasn't busy at 8 PM. You can smell the skewers grilling if you are by the bar. Didn't have an alcoholic drink, but there was a pretty sizeable list available on the menu. Staff was welcoming and quick to take orders and refill requests.“

“great food and atmosphere!“

“4.5 rounded to a 5 - came here around 9pm after a round of golf in pv. This place had been on my bookmarked list, and their late (ish) hours led us to give the place a try, and boy, it did not disappoint. We ordered the mascarpone and black beans with crackers app, and it was delicious!

Their main chicken entree, garlic fried rice, and their udon were also all very good (would pass on the rice next time). We ended the meal with the matcha tiramisu and left super stuffed and satisfied.“

“Every so often you come across one of those restaurants, where you know the owners and general manager's sole purpose is to send people home absolutely full and satisfied.

This is one of those places.
This hits the mark on Japanese soul food. The noodles good. The super good. The bowls and plate sizes are just insane. Have you ever eaten at a Japanese restaurant with a dinner plate? Was the size of a medium pizza?

The food was so tasty. Fact. I love this place so much that I came back two nights later. And the cool thing is they are open until 10:00. I rolled in after 9:00 on both times and I was able sit down immediately. The place is extremely cozy. Very casual and a very homely feel from the staff to welcome you in. I'm coming back... Again and again.“