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!!!“

“Reason for visiting:
Date/time of visit: Thursday Afternoon lunch, ~12:30 PM
Parking: I parked in the paid parking garage at the Culver steps; paid $2 after dobe with lunch so assume good for ~2 hours. My coworker found street parking 1-2 blocks away if you want to try to find street parking but $2 is reasonable
Party size: 4
Environment/ambience: smallish place with few tables and some outdoor seating. No TVs inside; not too loud inside. Pets allowed but prob outdoor only. Clean restrooms. Lots of things to see and visit around too; downtown Culver City has things within walking distance and outdoor grass areas to hang out around
Service: was great; came around often. Friendly too.
Food: had the W Chashu Ramen with egg; they do not serve alcohol here.
Cost: ~$140 with tip; $2 parking.
Would I go back (yes/no): 80/20; parking can be a hassle but food was great“

“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!“

“⚠️ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄“

“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 .“

“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 was searching all over social media for a sushi restaurant to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday. I really wanted to do an omakase experience, but everything in Los Angeles was either extremely expensive or completely booked.

Luckily, I came across this place and I can honestly say it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while. From the moment we sat down, the staff was incredibly attentive. The sushi chefs were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience even more enjoyable. Our waitress greeted us right away and walked us through the menu. We were a little unsure about what to order at first, but she helped guide us through the options, and we were excited to find out they offered omakase.

The chef’s selection did not disappoint. Every course was delicious, beautifully prepared, and paced perfectly throughout the meal. The entire dinner felt thoughtful and seamless, and my boyfriend loved every bite.

The service was outstanding, and it was clear the whole team knows how to make guests feel welcomed and taken care of. This is such a great spot for a date night and we’ll definitely be back!“

“Was craving soba on a Saturday morning and luckily found SOBAR. Soba made in house - 100% buckwheat, cooked to perfection. Some of the best soba I’ve ever had with strong but clean dipping sauces. Had an extra full serving of soba to polish off the dipping sauces. Service was as good if not greater than soba itself.“

“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.“

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“I’ve been struggling to find a decent Tonkatsu, but this one is among the best Ive had in the US. I’m not an expert in Japanese cuisine but I have been to Japan a few times an this place is within striking distance of the average tonkatsus I had there. I’ll be back when I’m in the area“

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

“蕎麦、日本食　最高 !“

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

“Overall a solid sushi place. Their hand rolls are uniquely flavored. I do think some are a bit heavy on the salt so getting the sauce on the side made a big difference. The slices of sushi you get is a good amount which is probably what I liked the most about this place. The chili on the salmon hand roll was crispy and I wasn't expecting that so I really liked it!“

“SERVICE 10/10. There was plastic found in one of the udon, and they replaced the dish with a new dish AND ON TOP OF THAT the whole meal for our family was on the house. We came here multiple times before because of the quality and price of the food but this was crazy. Please come and support this business the food portion for the price the quality its amazing we left a huge tip in replacement because a free meal for a table of 6 is crazy.“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

“Went to Yamashiro for the first time today! I have to say this is probably one of the best sushi places I have ever been to. The fried oysters were delicious! We ordered three different rolls and all of them were just beautiful from a presentation and artistry perspective, but tasting them was even better! The volcano roll was served on grapefruit slices, which made them very colorful and the scallops were cooked perfectly. The Yamashara roll was not only beautiful but it's the first time I have ever had mango with my sushi rolls and it actually added a really nice dimension of tropical fruit to already super fresh tasting tuna and avocado. The crispy roll had fried onions that were somehow not greasy, which was surprising. I'm wondering if they were air fried? But really great addition to texture for the rolls. We also had the yellowtail collar, which was cooked flawlessly. Oftentimes, yellowtail collar can you overcooked so part of it can be fairly dry. This caller was moist all the way around, perfect pockets of fish fat, and a very light unami salty flavor. The last thing we had, which I think was very fortunate because they don't always have it, was the Japanese tuna Ono which was cooked in a wonderful miso sauce.

I know I keep going on about this spot, but these rules were truly unique and I eat a lot of sushi, lol! Did I mention that we had a wonderful server, which I didn't get her name, but she's a Japanese woman that may have been the owner. I'm not sure, but her spirit was so respectful and refreshing and we loved her kindness and attentiveness. Really great service! I can't wait to go here again next time I visit the Redondo Beach area!!!“

“I absolutely love this place. I’m visiting from out of state and was wanting to try some sushi over here on the West Coast. I couldn’t have picked a better place! My friend ordered the Philly and spider rolls and I ordered the crunchy dragon roll and pumpkin carrot soup. We also ordered the fusion bun with imitation crab and plum sake. Everything was delicious and Atko, our hostess, was so very lovely. 10/10 highly recommend.“

“Got off the airplane and came straight here! Sushi was soooo good, costumer service was great 👍🏼 it was tight seating but we loved it felt like a scene in a movie where everyone around us was talking but we were just in our own little bubble 🍣“

“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“

“Eat here. Do it and thank me later. The owner/chef was so lovely - I called over about a food allergy and she texted me a follow up. That level of thoughtfulness is nearly unheard of in food service these days. As the other reviews state the food is phenomenal, served HOT, and is inventive, thoughtfully prepared, and comforting.“

“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!!“

“My date and I had dinner at Wagyu Butcher, and it was a wonderful experience for us both. We were seated almost immediately upon arrival, and the staff welcomed us with exceptional hospitality. Once we were seated, the atmosphere truly made me feel as if I were in Japan.
Both my date and I chose the Butcher’s Omakase course, the appetizers and every cut of meat was absolutely delicious. What really stood out to us was watching the staff cut the meats right in front of us, which made us truly appreciate the freshness and quality. We both upgraded the curry rice to the A5 wagyu sushi, which was incredible.
For drinks, we enjoyed plum wine, a Shochu Calpico cocktail, and Sapporo beer. To finish the meal, we ordered the green tea tiramisu, green tea pudding with honey, and the milk tea pudding all of which were delicious. The complimentary tea they provided to aid digestion was a very thoughtful touch.
The staff were all wonderful, and we even had a few conversations about Japan while dining. We will definitely be coming back soon.“

“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!“

“Family had (2) chicken katsu set & (1) Pork Curry Katsu set. The meat was quality and the panko done right 🙌🥰🙏
The shredded cabbage with the onion/daikon sauce was very good. The miso was good as well...
The brunch hot the spot👍“

“We reserved the restaurant for a private party to celebrate a birthday. The food was so good! We had the award winning chili, pineapple chicken, steak Teri, chicken salad, Mac salad, miso green beans, Kim chee, and more
Cherrystones is the perfect place for all occasions. The staff was wonderful and the atmosphere festive.“

“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..“

“Food was delicious and our waiter was super kind! She even went out of her way to offer me and my friends katsu, an udon katsu bowl, as well as a sample of a new katsu rice hand-roll they're working on (picture attached) all on the house, which was awesome! All the portions were great, and we still emptied all of our plates, leaving stuffed. Highly recommended!“

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

“Saloon Osaka is an exceptional Izakaya.
Highly recommend this El Segundo gem!
From the nigiri, rolls, unique flavorful salad options, even the top grade caviar! Thank you Chef and staff, we had a wonderful experience and cant wait to be back soon.“

“I absolutely love this place. Marugame Udon is delicious, fresh and affordable. The only thing I'd change is that it isnt comfy but guess what. Me who rarely goes tp a place with not the best seating and ambience goes with excitement. The staff is wonderful and if you go after 3 there is almost no kne there and it is my favorite time to go between the usual mealtime. No wait and ample seating. Parking and even so.e outdoor seating and a cute area for kids to play. As for the food, I always get the beef and at least one tempura sweet potato. If im splurging I load up on the shrimp tempura some gyoza and other assorted goodies. Oh and add the hard boiled egg to your Udon. I dump the leftover tempura dipping save into my bowl. I always get the large and I always have enough for the next day lunch.
If you are visiting friends or family at Little company hospital it is an easy walk across the street and you do t have to lose your parking spot.
Wonderful wonderdul place. Im an island girl and KNOW yummy UDON and Marugame Udon delivers. I love it.“

“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!“

“Was recommended to me by two people so decided to try it. It was busy for a mid-week evening. I quickly sat at the bar since most seating was full. I ordered a Spicy Tuna Handroll, Rainbow Roll, and the Spanish Mackerel. The price was definitely more than I usually pay but it was definitely fresh quality. The staff was nice and attentive. Would definitely stop by again and try some other items that caught my eye. Parking was not hard to find.“

“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!“

“yummmmm so good. highly recommend“

“Their recipes are undefeated“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“This has been our favorite sushi in the neighborhood for years and years. Their fish is incredible and all of the items are made with care. I especially love the wide variety of fish options and specials. The staff is very friendly, especially with regard to our son, and always give him a little extra attention.“

“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“

“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!“

“Ramen is so good I cried.“

“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 :)“

“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 😃👍🥰“

“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.“