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
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Choi Joann
The food was good, but the wait time was longer than expected. We waited about 30 minutes, and two tables that arrived after us were served before we were. This was a bit disappointing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Dorothy Gaspar
Great food love the presentation of the delivered food
Food: 5
Service: 5
吉川氏
Best Katsu Sando in LA. I am very impressed. Very authentic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tina C
Tasty! It was crazy in the parking area even though we were just running in.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ramirez Ever
Food is pretty good. I've been here a couple times. Wait time is a little long and music can be a little loud
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Tran
The staff was kind and friendly, and the food was amazing. I had the salmon bento. The salmon was buttery and tender. My group also ordered the Katsu curry, which was rich and full of flavor. I’ll definitely come back whenever I’m in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
sam koo
I stopped by this restaurant in downtown, and everything was amazing! The food was super tasty — perfectly grilled and full of flavor. The owner was really kind and welcoming, which made the experience even better. As a fun surprise, they even gave me a Pokémon card! Such a nice touch. I’ll definitely be coming back again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Lin
4.8/5 ### Guzzu Bento-Ya: Elevating Lunch with Wild Salmon Perfection
Nestled in the vibrant Arts District at 1102 Lawrence Street in Downtown LA, Guzzu Bento-Ya is a breath of fresh air for anyone craving authentic Japanese bentos with a California twist. Opened by the innovative team behind MoMo Paradise, this spot channels the convenience of Japan's Shinkansen boxed lunches but amps it up with locally sourced ingredients and bold flavors. It's open for lunch only (10 AM to 3 PM, closed Sundays), making it an ideal midday escape—whether you're grabbing takeout for the office or dining in their sleek, minimalist space with communal tables and a nod to modern Japanese design.
What truly hooked me on my first visit was the Wild Salmon Bento, a standout that earns every bit of its glowing reputation. Priced at around $20, this bento arrives as a work of edible art: flaky, sustainably sourced wild salmon grilled to juicy perfection, its natural richness enhanced by a subtle soy glaze and hints of yuzu zest. The fish melts in your mouth, balancing buttery fat with a clean, oceanic freshness that's worlds away from farmed varieties. It's paired masterfully with a medley of sides that elevate the entire experience—a mound of fluffy rice sprinkled with aonori furikake for that umami punch, crisp pickled daikon from local Alvin Farms, tender miso-cured egg yolk that's creamy and indulgent, and seasonal veggies like roasted kabocha squash from Baloian Farms in Fresno. Every element harmonizes without overwhelming, creating a symphony of textures: the salmon's soft flakiness against the rice's subtle chew, the pickles' bright tang cutting through the richness.
I couldn't resist adding a side of chicken karaage—crispy, mildly spiced bites that were shatteringly golden and moist inside—but the salmon stole the show. Service is swift and warm; the staff explained sourcing details with genuine enthusiasm, and my order was ready in under five minutes during peak lunch rush. The overall vibe? Effortlessly cool, with prices that feel like a steal for such premium quality. Yelp raves align with my take, averaging 4.8/5 from over 276 reviews, praising the bentos' authenticity and value. I've since returned for the mackerel and pork katsu options, but the wild salmon remains my benchmark for excellence. If you're in DTLA hunting for a lunch that's nourishing, delicious, and downright satisfying, Guzzu Bento-Ya delivers—pun intended. It's not just a meal; it's a moment of joy in a busy day. Don't sleep on this gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oki!
Do not sleep on this Japanese gem in a random location. We.got the mackerel and pork katsu bentos and ate the bowls clean. The fish was tender and flavorful. The pork was an excellent piece of meat, a nice edge of fat on it and the panko crust and meat were cooked to perfection. It came with three small sides that all surprised with their special takes on simple dishes. The carrot was melt-in-your-mouth with a sweet and sesame oil flavor. The red cabbage slaw with yuzu matched perfectly with everything to add some brightness. The short grain rice is ample and cooked well, not mushy or dried out like so often at other Asian restaurants. We're excited to go back to try more of their dishes like the fried chicken and katsu sando.
Pork katsu Kate tasted great, portion size slightly on the smaller size but overall great experience
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Isaac Chang
Good atmosphere inside. Food is also great! Glad I came to try this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maks Bee
Everything was amazing. Food was delicious. Service was great. They where very kind. Food came out decently quick. Japanese atmosphere. Would definitely come again. The people where extremely helpful. Well sized portions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ella Chu
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)
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
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was good, but the wait time was longer than expected. We waited about 30 minutes, and two tables that arrived after us were served before we were. This was a bit disappointing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Great food love the presentation of the delivered food
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Katsu Sando in LA. I am very impressed. Very authentic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tasty! It was crazy in the parking area even though we were just running in.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Food is pretty good. I've been here a couple times.
Wait time is a little long and music can be a little loud
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff was kind and friendly, and the food was amazing. I had the salmon bento. The salmon was buttery and tender. My group also ordered the Katsu curry, which was rich and full of flavor. I’ll definitely come back whenever I’m in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I stopped by this restaurant in downtown, and everything was amazing! The food was super tasty — perfectly grilled and full of flavor. The owner was really kind and welcoming, which made the experience even better. As a fun surprise, they even gave me a Pokémon card! Such a nice touch. I’ll definitely be coming back again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
4.8/5 ### Guzzu Bento-Ya: Elevating Lunch with Wild Salmon Perfection
Nestled in the vibrant Arts District at 1102 Lawrence Street in Downtown LA, Guzzu Bento-Ya is a breath of fresh air for anyone craving authentic Japanese bentos with a California twist. Opened by the innovative team behind MoMo Paradise, this spot channels the convenience of Japan's Shinkansen boxed lunches but amps it up with locally sourced ingredients and bold flavors. It's open for lunch only (10 AM to 3 PM, closed Sundays), making it an ideal midday escape—whether you're grabbing takeout for the office or dining in their sleek, minimalist space with communal tables and a nod to modern Japanese design.
What truly hooked me on my first visit was the Wild Salmon Bento, a standout that earns every bit of its glowing reputation. Priced at around $20, this bento arrives as a work of edible art: flaky, sustainably sourced wild salmon grilled to juicy perfection, its natural richness enhanced by a subtle soy glaze and hints of yuzu zest. The fish melts in your mouth, balancing buttery fat with a clean, oceanic freshness that's worlds away from farmed varieties. It's paired masterfully with a medley of sides that elevate the entire experience—a mound of fluffy rice sprinkled with aonori furikake for that umami punch, crisp pickled daikon from local Alvin Farms, tender miso-cured egg yolk that's creamy and indulgent, and seasonal veggies like roasted kabocha squash from Baloian Farms in Fresno. Every element harmonizes without overwhelming, creating a symphony of textures: the salmon's soft flakiness against the rice's subtle chew, the pickles' bright tang cutting through the richness.
I couldn't resist adding a side of chicken karaage—crispy, mildly spiced bites that were shatteringly golden and moist inside—but the salmon stole the show. Service is swift and warm; the staff explained sourcing details with genuine enthusiasm, and my order was ready in under five minutes during peak lunch rush. The overall vibe? Effortlessly cool, with prices that feel like a steal for such premium quality. Yelp raves align with my take, averaging 4.8/5 from over 276 reviews, praising the bentos' authenticity and value. I've since returned for the mackerel and pork katsu options, but the wild salmon remains my benchmark for excellence. If you're in DTLA hunting for a lunch that's nourishing, delicious, and downright satisfying, Guzzu Bento-Ya delivers—pun intended. It's not just a meal; it's a moment of joy in a busy day. Don't sleep on this gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Do not sleep on this Japanese gem in a random location. We.got the mackerel and pork katsu bentos and ate the bowls clean. The fish was tender and flavorful. The pork was an excellent piece of meat, a nice edge of fat on it and the panko crust and meat were cooked to perfection. It came with three small sides that all surprised with their special takes on simple dishes. The carrot was melt-in-your-mouth with a sweet and sesame oil flavor. The red cabbage slaw with yuzu matched perfectly with everything to add some brightness. The short grain rice is ample and cooked well, not mushy or dried out like so often at other Asian restaurants. We're excited to go back to try more of their dishes like the fried chicken and katsu sando.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Pork katsu Kate tasted great, portion size slightly on the smaller size but overall great experience
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Good atmosphere inside. Food is also great! Glad I came to try this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was amazing. Food was delicious. Service was great. They where very kind. Food came out decently quick. Japanese atmosphere. Would definitely come again. The people where extremely helpful. Well sized portions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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)
Food: 5
Service: 5
the definition of a hidden gem
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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