Excellent! Totally lives up to the hype. Every dish we had was delicious but the salmon sushi, sweet potatoes and salmon collar were the standouts for me. Only thing I think they could work on is the space— tables set between breaks in the booth, air conditioning that turns the food cold quickly, blindingly bright neon lights. It could just be a bit more comfortable. Still, highly recommend!
It was really good portions menu small but mighty —yes, they have to figure out how to keep dishes hot longer, like the yakisoba noodles. Great drinks, but why do people want to steal that mug. Ok people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carol Keum Ernst
Really enjoyed the vibe in this place. The hits: - Spicy tuna hand roll (one of the best bites of food I’ve ever had). Fun to put together & eat. - Scallop crudo (explosions of flavors). - Aburi salmon (solid). - Strawberry soft serve (a must). Delightful.
Misses: - Negima (tender & perfectly cooked chicken but the tare was a little strong/salty). - Miso butter sweet potato (the only dish we didn’t finish). * The timing of the dishes coming out was also a little off. Everything came out quickly except our last dish - felt like we waited an extra 15-20 minutes for that one.
Chelsea Chun
Great service and great food. Though their yakisoba is very salty. My favorites were scallop, salmon roll, and Japanese sweet potatoes. Waited about 30 minutes to get seated on a Monday night. One thing to look out for is their 4% surcharge for their service fee which is separate from tips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jess Y
My girlfriend told me about this gem and it did not disappoint. Everything was literally so unique and amazing. Also, huge shoutout to Hayden for giving us the best service and for being so sweet!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janice Lin
Delicious!! The menu is small but mighty and lots of great bites. I enjoyed every dish we ordered but my personal favorites were the sweet potato, Chef’s salad, and curry pan. Oh my I could have eaten four of them, they were so good. Plus coupled with the aji sauce, it was perfection!
Georgia Eliades
Such a vibe we’ve been back twice now. Japanese sweet potato is a must. Not a bad bite on the whole menu. Cocktails are delicious too.
Omg my gf and I LOVE this place! We have been here three times now, each other time bringing new friends with us to try it.
Our first time there, our reservation was for a Monday night at 7:45. We were seated right away, but the place was full and as tables turned over a new group would be Sat. I made my reservation about 6 days in advance, but since it was a week night, it was probably easier to get a reservation. If you are making one for a weekend night during the prime dinner hours, I would probably suggest making a reservation much earlier than that. But do make one as this place is definitely worth it!
We ordered Yellowtail Sashimi, Pressed Salmon Sushi, the Rice paper Gnocchi, the wagyu rabuton, and the chicken wings. We loved every dish and said immediately that we would definitely come back. Our favorite dishes were in order, the wings, the wagyu, the yellowtail sashimi, the pressed salmon sushi, and the gnocchi. But don't let those rankings fool you because everything was delicious, and we want to come back and try everything else in the menu. They have a delicious sake menu, and they will bring you samples of a couple to help you decide which one you like best. Definitely check this place out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dreana Hardy
Cool spot, awesome food, fun music, lovely lighting
I’m born and raised in Westlake / Echo Park, so I remember when the Budonoki building first went up and when the restaurant finally opened. I can’t believe it took me this long to try it—because this place is truly incredible.
My buddy was visiting from Georgia and he’s a big foodie. I’ve also traveled a lot for work and love exploring new spots, so we came in with high expectations. Budonoki exceeded every single one. The service is next-level—the staff goes out of their way every minute to make you feel taken care of.
The food quality is outstanding. We ordered about 6–7 different dishes and every plate was full of flavor, beautifully presented, and perfectly cooked. I can’t wait to go back and try everything else on the menu.
Their drink menu is also impressive. I ordered one of their signature cocktails and tried a special bottle of sake—both amazing. Sam at the bar took great care of me while I waited for my friend, and his hospitality set the tone for the whole night.
Great restaurant with amazing food! Love this place and love the ambiance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alana Victor
My new favorite restaurant in LA. Budonoki is an outstanding izakaya-inspired spot serving creative, delicious small plates. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Mu favorites were the scallop crudo, yakisoba, and sweet potatos. From the food to the service to the ambiance, everything was excellent. I'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallop Crudo, Yakisoba, Japanese Sweet Potato
Valerie Rose Hirschberg
Budonoki is so so good. Perfect for a casual date night, eating at the bar or group dinner. I’ve been a few times and had most of the menu at this point, but stand out dishes include the Tuna hand roll bowl, Curry Pan, Ibérico Pork with Sticky rice (best dish on the menu imo) and Japanese sweet potatoes. I think the pressed sushi is overrated, and you’re better off going with some more unique options on the menu.
Service is fast and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raul Rufin
Inventive and rich flavors. Small bites. Great drinks and sake selection. Definitely order the Naem and Sweet Potato.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thai Pork Sausage, Japanese Sweet Potato
Daniel Jeong
A great local izakaya for a date night or just to share small eats together with friends (:
Excellent! Totally lives up to the hype. Every dish we had was delicious but the salmon sushi, sweet potatoes and salmon collar were the standouts for me. Only thing I think they could work on is the space— tables set between breaks in the booth, air conditioning that turns the food cold quickly, blindingly bright neon lights. It could just be a bit more comfortable. Still, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Aburi Salmon Sushi, Thai Pork Sausage, Japanese Sweet Potato
It was really good portions menu small but mighty —yes, they have to figure out how to keep dishes hot longer, like the yakisoba noodles.
Great drinks, but why do people want to steal that mug. Ok people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really enjoyed the vibe in this place. The hits:
- Spicy tuna hand roll (one of the best bites of food I’ve ever had). Fun to put together & eat.
- Scallop crudo (explosions of flavors).
- Aburi salmon (solid).
- Strawberry soft serve (a must). Delightful.
Misses:
- Negima (tender & perfectly cooked chicken but the tare was a little strong/salty).
- Miso butter sweet potato (the only dish we didn’t finish).
* The timing of the dishes coming out was also a little off. Everything came out quickly except our last dish - felt like we waited an extra 15-20 minutes for that one.
Great service and great food. Though their yakisoba is very salty. My favorites were scallop, salmon roll, and Japanese sweet potatoes. Waited about 30 minutes to get seated on a Monday night. One thing to look out for is their 4% surcharge for their service fee which is separate from tips.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My girlfriend told me about this gem and it did not disappoint. Everything was literally so unique and amazing. Also, huge shoutout to Hayden for giving us the best service and for being so sweet!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious!! The menu is small but mighty and lots of great bites. I enjoyed every dish we ordered but my personal favorites were the sweet potato, Chef’s salad, and curry pan. Oh my I could have eaten four of them, they were so good. Plus coupled with the aji sauce, it was perfection!
Such a vibe we’ve been back twice now. Japanese sweet potato is a must. Not a bad bite on the whole menu. Cocktails are delicious too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Aburi Salmon Sushi, Charred Sweet Potato, Japanese Sweet Potato, Chicken Wings
Omg my gf and I LOVE this place! We have been here three times now, each other time bringing new friends with us to try it.
Our first time there, our reservation was for a Monday night at 7:45. We were seated right away, but the place was full and as tables turned over a new group would be Sat. I made my reservation about 6 days in advance, but since it was a week night, it was probably easier to get a reservation. If you are making one for a weekend night during the prime dinner hours, I would probably suggest making a reservation much earlier than that. But do make one as this place is definitely worth it!
We ordered Yellowtail Sashimi, Pressed Salmon Sushi, the Rice paper Gnocchi, the wagyu rabuton, and the chicken wings. We loved every dish and said immediately that we would definitely come back. Our favorite dishes were in order, the wings, the wagyu, the yellowtail sashimi, the pressed salmon sushi, and the gnocchi. But don't let those rankings fool you because everything was delicious, and we want to come back and try everything else in the menu. They have a delicious sake menu, and they will bring you samples of a couple to help you decide which one you like best. Definitely check this place out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cool spot, awesome food, fun music, lovely lighting
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thai Pork Sausage, Charred Sweet Potato, Chicken Wings
I’m born and raised in Westlake / Echo Park, so I remember when the Budonoki building first went up and when the restaurant finally opened. I can’t believe it took me this long to try it—because this place is truly incredible.
My buddy was visiting from Georgia and he’s a big foodie. I’ve also traveled a lot for work and love exploring new spots, so we came in with high expectations. Budonoki exceeded every single one. The service is next-level—the staff goes out of their way every minute to make you feel taken care of.
The food quality is outstanding. We ordered about 6–7 different dishes and every plate was full of flavor, beautifully presented, and perfectly cooked. I can’t wait to go back and try everything else on the menu.
Their drink menu is also impressive. I ordered one of their signature cocktails and tried a special bottle of sake—both amazing. Sam at the bar took great care of me while I waited for my friend, and his hospitality set the tone for the whole night.
I’m honestly blown away. Can’t wait to return. Highly, highly recommend Budonoki.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great restaurant with amazing food! Love this place and love the ambiance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My new favorite restaurant in LA. Budonoki is an outstanding izakaya-inspired spot serving creative, delicious small plates. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Mu favorites were the scallop crudo, yakisoba, and sweet potatos. From the food to the service to the ambiance, everything was excellent. I'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallop Crudo, Yakisoba, Japanese Sweet Potato
Budonoki is so so good. Perfect for a casual date night, eating at the bar or group dinner. I’ve been a few times and had most of the menu at this point, but stand out dishes include the Tuna hand roll bowl, Curry Pan, Ibérico Pork with Sticky rice (best dish on the menu imo) and Japanese sweet potatoes. I think the pressed sushi is overrated, and you’re better off going with some more unique options on the menu.
Service is fast and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Inventive and rich flavors. Small bites. Great drinks and sake selection. Definitely order the Naem and Sweet Potato.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thai Pork Sausage, Japanese Sweet Potato
A great local izakaya for a date night or just to share small eats together with friends (:
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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