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.“

“This place is very hit or miss. I've had times where I order ahead yo get food on my way to work and they still take over 30 minutes from the time I arrive to get the food ready. The workers were standing around while everyone was waiting. It seems to be getting better but I would still order at your own risk.“

“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!“

“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)“

“I like the food in this restaurant very much. Healthy, clean, and tastes great too!“

“A friendly waitresses,waiters .“

“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.“

“We went to try out the new menu and what a great idea, We had the happy hour sushi and beers and everything was so delicious and the presentation was gorgeous!
We will make this our new spot for sushi, and can’t wait to try the Ramen and all the other choices on the menu. PS outdoor seating is wonderful during the summer months, plenty of umbrellas to go around. Fabulous service to boot“

“Fantastic sushi spot with good value. The Uzumaki sets are great - salmon and hamachi were standouts. The toro roll and unagi were worth it as well.

Hidden gem would be the fish kaarage - the fish was so soft and flavorful, highly recommend over the chicken one

Service is super quick and on point - they're always busing dishes and food came out quickly. Great for when you want something a little nicer but don't want the full Omakase“

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

“When I say I’m obsessed with a place, this is the perfect example. Anytime I get the chance to come in, 10/10 I will make the time and go in and enjoy this place. Found this place by chance and one of the best decisions I have ever done. The customer service feels so welcoming and just perfect. They are attentive and so sweet and ready to explain any questions you may have. Now for the best part? The freaking sushi. I promise you that you don’t even need teeth to eat. It’s so soft buttery and fresh, I feel like it’s a sin to eat this stuff. I swear I went back to back every weekend at this place.EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF FISH 10/10. Please try this place, but actually don’t lol so it isn’t crowded.“

“OWA Venice is an absolute gem — fun, stylish, and full of amazing people and energy. From the moment we walked in, we felt the vibrant atmosphere and were surrounded by beauty in every sense.

I have to give a special shoutout to Camila, who has been nothing but amazing since the days of Belles Beach. She continues to be the same incredibly kind, genuine, and radiant person. Seeing her again at OWA and experiencing her warmth made the night even more special.
And Amir, what an incredible host! He and Camila went above and beyond to make me and my friend feel welcomed and celebrated. Their energy, care, and attention truly made it a night to remember. Can’t wait to go back!“

“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.“

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“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 kind of like a restaurant cafe with a Japanese-Korean コンビニconvenience store together. Think 日本7-11, 7i, Gs25. They have instant ramen bowls and cute Shiba Inu and Kitty bags and totes. Freshly made onigiri… ? with good quality rice. ?“

“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!“

“IG/TT @eatwkris

@saijohandroll is LA’s newest hand roll restaurant where you sit in front of the chef and the handrolls are made to order. The fish is fresh, seaweed is crispy, and I love that they give you free edamame and miso soup.

I recommend getting the 2x2 for only $24. You get a salmon and toro hand roll as well as 2 chicken skewers (negima and Tsukune).

It’s the perfect little meal so light and fresh for summer but if you want more my favorite hand roll had to be their special!! It’s $8 but comes with 3 types of fish, seared salmon, shrimp, and crab!! This was the best bite and worth every dollar.

Their bluefin tuna was very fresh and just cut off the fish in front of us but it had a lot of blood on it, so the whole bite was very jrony. Unsure if they usually prepare it like this, but not our favorite.

❤️ $24 2x2 - 2 hand roll, 2 kushiyaki
❤️ $8 signature hand roll - salmon, shrimp, crab
❤️ free miso and edamame

📍 saijo hand roll, Culver City
12473 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066“

“The curry is very good and not too heavy or salt. It goes very well with the poached egg and beef nikutama was very flavorful with the onions. The tempura was very soft and flaky. I've been here a couple times and loved getting the dashi broth and miso udon along with other tempura items available like the shrimp or zucchini.

There's a fair amount of seating along with outdoor seating. Plenty of parking available in the plaza with other restaurants there. The staff was nice and attentive to the items you wanted.“

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

“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!“

“Dinner for 2 persons, shared appetizer and 2 combo plates, green tea, 100$.
Ueno could be a great restaurant because the food is of quality. The combo dinner plates were copious. Unfortunately, they were served with large portions of jasmine rice instead of quality Japanese rice like Koishikari.
But the worse part is the place itself. Country music? Puking. Kindergarten decor? Horrible. Lighting: bad. TV with sports? Why?

Greeting was non existant. One chef looked at us from the kitchen but simply ignored us after just a glimpse. Is this a private club? A waiter entered the dining area but did not notice us, we had to make some sound and gesture.
The place was around 30% occupied, quite underwhelming
This place has all the potential of attracting a nice clientele because the food quality is there. Make it seriously Japanese !
Cover the windows (who wants to see traffic?), remove the preschool decor, dim the lights, remove the TV, add a sushi counter, and mainly, train the personnel. Being ignored at the door when only 4 tables are occupied is strange.
No reservation needed, place is empty! By 20:00 parking was full, with quite non existing street parking. Not good.“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

“Sei-Ko-En is a Japanese yakiniku restaurant in Torrance, Los Angeles. The restaurant is simply decorated with promotional menus and posters. Ventilation is not the strongest, so expect to be smelly after the meal. Servers are friendly, attentive, and accommodating. Food is reasonably priced and of good quality. The crunchy Bean Sprouts (USD 8) and Minced Raw Beef (USD 12.50) are both refreshing. Highly recommend the silky-smooth Raw Beef Liver (USD 12.50), which will rock your palate! Don’t forget to order the Mega Mug Sapporo Premium Beer (USD 12) to go with the juicy Kobe Style American Wagyu Prime Rib (USD 22) and flavorful Kobe Style American Wagyu Tongue (USD 22)!“

“We were just passing through and looking for something close to our hotel, and so happy we found this spot! Because it was our first time, we got complimentary chili - definitely see why it’s 7 times award winning! Very flavorful and just the right amount of spice. The staff is incredibly kind and welcoming, and very accommodating to make sure our order is to our liking. We had 2 bento boxes, Kaula pork and bbq pork. The portion sizes were perfect and the meat was very flavorful. The sides of macaroni and cucumber salad were just as good. We also had one of their many specials of the day, fish tacos, which were incredibly fresh and simple, exactly what I want for fish tacos. Next time we’re visiting LA, we’ll be sure to be back!“

“A joy to be at Rice, the staff so attentive, a celebration of small plates filling our table for three. A perfect sunny evening shared.“

“Had a really great first time experience today! always searching for places to go whenever I'm in Torrance, portion sizes are perfect and personally I really like the sets cause you get more variety with the meal, really recommend the Age Mochi if you like unique textures and ginger tastes. Service was all over amazing, didn't wait long for our food at our server was very helpful and friendly about recommendations, for the Inari Sushi set and it didn't disappointm Definitely coming back here again.“

“We went as a family! We have a small child, so the kids’ club was really appreciated! Soft drinks, toys, and snacks were free all the time, which was fantastic. The BBQ was delicious, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was great. The staff were all very friendly. Next time, I want to bring my parents along too. It was an absolutely wonderful place!“

“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“

“Ise-Shima is the Japanese restaurant of the Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance, Los Angeles. The main dining room of the hotel restaurant is elegant and spacious. Servers are polite, accommodating, and professional. Although price is not cheap, the Tuna Lunch Special (USD 46) is fresh and delicious.“

“Excellent in every way. Perfect!!!“

“yummmmm so good. highly recommend“

“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??“

“We celebrated a friend's birthday here and discovered a neighborhood gem! Sushi was fresh and delicious, the rolls were exceptionally good and the izakaya menu was very tasty and fun to explore with generous portions. With such a varied menu, we want to return and try more. Service was kindly and attentive and the atmosphere is very welcoming and serene. It's that rare place where any one can feel comfortable dining, solo, couples or groups. Prices are reasonable, and the happy hour is great! Thank you Hamakaze for a good night of fun and happy eating.“

“Friendly environment. Fast service, Fresh food, clean. love the Poke there.“

“I first came here around 1992/3. I believe it’s the same owner?!?! Ramen is excellent…and huge portion. Their chahan (fried rice) is also to die for. And their gyoza is also excellent. These are the 3 main things I order every time. We moved to the east coast but every time I visit Southern California, I MUST stop here. I’m so happy that after all these years, they still are around.

It is a very small restaurant…but I like it and the food is what I come for, I could care less how small it is.“

“I really enjoy this place every time I visit. Japanese cuisine is one of my favorites and would definitely recommend this place. I lived in Japan and the food and flavor is very authentic.
Place is too small but that’s how actually is in Japan.“

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

“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 😃👍🥰“

“This restaurant is one the most peaceful and very homey places that I've been too. All of the servers are very generous and nice, the chef makes all of the food in a good quantity and leaves me full. This place in my opinion is very underrated“

“蕎麦、日本食　最高 !“

“No dress code, friendly staff and good food.“

“Walked in on a Tuesday night after a nearby basketball game when I'm on a desperate diet to lower my cholesterol - this restaurant is an absolute hidden gem. Wasn't expecting 10 pieces of freshly made high quality Nigiri sushi to only cost just over $20...and the chef was quick. (Pic was after I added 2x extra yellowtail) Didn't charge me for green tea too.
I can see myself coming back to this place probably every week from now on. Truly affordable yet high quality & authentic sushi!!!“

“Yamaya Japanese Wagyu & Grill is a Japanese yakiniku specialist in the Torrance area. Ventilation is not bad, but expect to get smelly. The dimly lit dining room is clean and tidy. Servers are friendly, professional and accommodating. Corkage is US$ 25/btl. Food is fresh and of great quality. While side dishes such as Moyashi Namui (US$4.8) and Green Salad ($5.8) are refreshing, the different cuts of wagyu are simply delicious! Highly recommend the crunchy Chef’s Cut Tongue (US$42.8), the juicy Premium Short Ribs (US$ 34.8) and Outside Skirt (US$ 29.8).“

“my boyfriend and I made a reservation the day of at 10:15 and there was no wait when we arrived. ambience was lively. host and staff were so friendly and welcoming. we ordered a total of 6 dishes because they are small portions: mixed rice with duck, squid plate, duck meatball, broccolini, pork gyoza, house ramen (total came out to ~100$)

everything was so amazing (especially the squid) and as someone who doesn't eat much, I could've honestly kept eating forever.“

“Very fresh sushi! We sat at the sushi bar and had a great time. The chili edamame was delicious and every sushi roll that we had was delicately prepared and fresh tasting. If you want the spot at the sushi bar, make sure to arrive right when they open at 5pm!“

“super friendly staff and awesome manager who didn't blink an eye and replaced my mom and aunts order to accommodate their health conditions. bomb food and and super fast serve time. will be back again Special shout out to Damont for being an awesome manager!“

“Indoor👍🏼👍🏼we opted for it but was surprised when they ushered us to the back portion of the restaurant. It makes you feel like you really are in an authentic Japanese Izakaya restaurant.“

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