50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Los Angeles

“Ended up here accidentally on a layover: Hands down, the best ramen I’ve ever had (springy, slurpy perfection), amazing cocktails (if you like gin the Japanese 75 is a must try!), and whatever the whipped cream, creme brûlée’d banana dessert was tasted like heaven. I even ordered another tonkotsu ramen to go (all the way to Florida) to bring back to my fiancé. They separated all of it, packaged it so it wouldn’t leak, and wrote directions on specific timing for heating up each item! Very impressive service. I’ll be back again!“

“The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was delicious. However, the service was disappointing. Our server was condescending and repeatedly interrupted our moment by crossing between us without a word. When I asked about drinks, she was short and even gave inaccurate descriptions. This is my second visit, and both times with the same server have left a sour taste. I hope the service improves because the food deserves better! This is my second visit, and both times with the same brunette server, whose attitude left a sour taste.“

“Fantastic sushi for a great price, hence the queue! Luckily the line moves quickly. I would first go to the shelves to grab some rolls, then take a number for the fresh sashimi before jumping in line to pay.

Limited seating outside so also consider having a friend grab a table while you collect all your sushi bits 🐟“

“I highly recommend this restaurant. Great food and great service.“

“Amazing takeout family meal which features the most flavorful and delicious Char Siu Wagyu Short Rib with fluffy bao. All side dishes are well executed and delectable. One of the best staying at home meals I’ve had! Highly recommend it!“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

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

“I had Japanese breakfast w/ miso black cod, it was tasty.“

“Home made tofu - fine not really anything to write home about, really does taste home made and healthy

Milk bread toast - again, fine but not a reorder

Daikon radish - a bit saucy but tasty

Nigiri - they were all good but on the smaller side both fish and rice (id rather order rolls)

Tori negi - pretty mid
Tsukne - great!
Mushrooms - bueno
Saba - fine

Mochi - shrimp shiso mushroom thing was great, forget mochi

Market shrimp tempura - pretty tasty, well cooked

Cocktails - looks great, tastes great if you order correct

Service - servers weren’t very attentive and had to flag down the staff multiple times. Also food came out in inconsistent cadence and was a bit slow too. It was also quite warm till they turned the ac on and the sun was very bright that shot through the sun shade.

For the price this is non-repeater as there’s better options out there surely.“

“The food was perfect. Adam spent time understanding what we were really in the mood for and made great suggestions for us. He really made the sushi bar experience fun with light hearted conversation and laughs. A great spot for not only hand rolls but great specials too.“

“Bento boxes are of great quality here. The attention to detail of this curated meal definitely lets your eyes feast first. All the little sides taste amazing, especially the candied sweet potatoes. The vegetables alternate between sweet and salty to balance out the meal. The Scottish salmon and mackerel are cooked to perfection. The little yolk in the rice also adds a nice touch to mix in and eat.“

“Tasty bbq take out outside. Amazing desserts to ans friendly staff“

“Great service and very friendly staff“

“Service is amazing and the reason to get here. Big shout out to Miss Angela!! Attentive and such good energy! We ended up making late night 10:30pm happy hour. Sushi is yum. Wished they had just ref yellowtail vs spicy. And maybe different apps that are more traditional izakaya kind. Parking near by at the $4 lot or train it! Clean and inviting and just all around ppl who love their jobs. Ya feel their good vibes. For an izakaya, that’s definitely what makes the experience!“

“Delicious food. Fast service. Get here early to avoid a long line.“

“It is an amazing food, comfortable atmosphere and the service impeccable I highly recommend it“

“I got in pretty much as soon as they open, so I got the special opportunity to get to talk to Kristine. After a lovely conversation and delicious food, I left feeling so full and at peace. The tempura was crispy and airy, the rice was perfectly cooked, the fish in the sushi tasted fresh. I cannot recommend visiting here enough. I am sure it can get busy, as the place is small, but I think that is part of its charm: meeting with a group of strangers for a good meal and a moment of peace before heading back into the world.“

“Easy 5 stars. Genuinely some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. Everything was incredibly fresh, and I loved that the dishes weren’t overloaded with sauces or unnecessary toppings, the quality of the fish really spoke for itself.

The salmon was buttery and melted in your mouth, the eel was warm, rich and perfectly glazed, and even the cucumber salad was ridiculously good. And if you go, definitely try the fatty tuna, highly recommend it!

This is one of those places that makes it hard to enjoy average sushi afterward. 😂 Already looking forward to going back.“

“A Michelin recognized restaurant that’s just perfect for a quiet evening. The atmosphere is chill and the playlist vey ear pleasing and well as the decor. Modern style design that’s chic and comfortable at the same time. We ordered the Wagyu Cheeseburger and Uni Pasta. Both of the dishes were good with flavor but the Uni pasta could’ve used a little more sauce but it’s a preference I guess. The cheeseburger came out looking like a hot mess but it delivered with flavor. The Basqu Cheesecake was the dessert we ordered and it was perfect with flavor and the presentation. Service was attentive and on point most of the time. So if you’re looking for a nice place to have a delicious bite or drinks then definitely check out this place, especially the gorgeous looking bar.“

“Best sushi ever. Better than Nobu“

“I recently had the chance to dine at Sama Handroll in the Arts District, and it exceeded my expectations. The quality and freshness of the fish were outstanding, and every hand roll was prepared with great attention to detail. The menu offers a creative mix of traditional Japanese flavors and unique dishes that set it apart from other sushi spots.
The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. The atmosphere is modern, welcoming, and perfect for either a casual dinner or a night out with friends.
A few standout items were the hand rolls, grilled dishes, and the excellent presentation throughout the meal. It's clear that a lot of care goes into both the food and the guest experience.
I highly recommend to anyone looking for high-quality sushi and hand rolls in Los Angeles. I'll definitely be back.“

“I had a great time over there. Delicious food 🥘“

“This place is SOOO GOOD!! My friend and I got the spicy tuna and California rolls to split. They come with 12 pieces each and theyre such a good size. We also got the spam musubi and its DELICIOUS! So flavorful and the staff were very very lovely. I recommend ordering before you get there, so the staff have enough time to put love and care into your meal!!! :] I highly recommend this place!!! 😋“

“The best everything…so, Go!“

“I came in for lunch to grab a quick snack and get some editing done on my phone. I just ordered a sake cocktail that they made delicious! And i also ordered the chicken meatball skewer, which came paired with egg to dip and I loved that sweet with salty combination so much! I would say I couldnt really get any work done on my phone as I don’t believe its a work friendly place although the tables are great to do so. They dont have outlets anywhere near the tables so if you need to charge your laptop or phone here is impossible to do unless behind the bar.
I just ready a book for a bit and enjoyed my cocktail and snack. I do think the atmosphere is more of a come in with friends and share a meal and gossip a bit. Or for dinner I think its also a great spot. I loved what i tried although it wasnt much. I would come again with a friend to have some cocktails and some snacks as the food and drinks were really delicious!“

“深みのある濃厚鶏白湯ラーメン🍜 つけ麺やカレーも美味しいです 😋😋😋😋“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“Excellent food. Authentic Japanese. It was really delicious, thank you!“

“first impression; wow!
service was nothing but attentive and top tier.
food was brought to our table as soon as it was ordered. every intention of returning to try the specialty rolls I was too full to try this time.

the jalapeno bomb roll was everything I could've dreamed of.“

“Good Japanese foods , many varieties of dishes . The fish grilled sea bass is cooked just perfectly fine . The salad is kinda american Japanese fusion but still good . The carbonara noodle - I don’t really care (It doesn’t really fit with the rest of the dishes) - overall is a great place to enjoy Japanese foods“

“grest good service and atmosphere. loved it! will definitely be back soon.“

“Needed something easy to eat for the road trip back to the Bay Area, so I thought a Japanese sando would be perfect—especially craving a tamago sando with whole soft-boiled eggs.

Located in a bit of a hole-in-the-wall spot in LA Chinatown, and it was surprisingly hard to find due to the lack of signage. I actually walked past it twice and had to ask a street vendor before realizing I was basically right in front of it.

Turns out they no longer offer the tamago sando (used to be a breakfast special), so I went with the egg salad sandwich instead and luckily got it on BOGO since they were clearing extra inventory.

I also ordered the chicken katsu, which took about 10 minutes to prepare—but it was worth the wait. Super tender and moist, with a great ratio of cabbage, sauce, and bread. It was a bit large, so I had to flatten it slightly to make it easier to bite into.

I do wish I had asked for extra katsu sauce on the side since I prefer mine a bit sweeter and more saucy.

Not sure why they don’t offer online ordering coz the 10-min wait was a bit awkward with no one else in the store and nowhere to sit“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“This place oozes character and craft. An excellent assortment of dishes all with unique elements to surprise you. The sashimi specials we tried were all unique and delicious. Feel free to go with staff recommendations, you won't be disappointed. A laid back atmosphere with excellent punk decor, superb service, and food I'm still thinking about.“

“I’ve been hoping a place would come along to give me a riceball fix and this is absolutely it! Delicious & perfect for after school or work bite! Friendly staff clean and chill hip atmosphere. I hope nothing but the best for this place!“

“Very cozy and modern sushi bar with very high end fish options. The nigiri sushi really stand out. The choices of garnish is very spot on. Very warm and friendly service. I would make a reservation since the place is not very big. Plenty of meter parking around. Will definitely be back.“

“Chinchikurin was my first ever Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. I've had the Osaka version in Japan many years ago, but haven't had okonomiyaki of any kind in the US since. So this experience was definitely fun. The food was very tasty and well built. I ordered the Loaded Kaisen, which was the seafood okonomiyaki as part of the 11-layer savory pancake. It was very filling. After the cooks make the okonomiyaki at the main teppan grill, you eat it at your own personal grill at your table, which keeps your order nice and warm. Be sure to put a lot of the mayo and otafuku sauce atop it to make the flavor even bolder and more exciting. If you've never had okonomiyaki before, Chinchikurin is a great place to start. There are very few of these kinds of restaurants in LA, so Chinchikurin is a very unique Japanese cuisine in Little Tokyo worth scoping out. I did a YouTube video of my eating adventures here, which can be found on my channel called Rockstar Eater“

“This is our absolute go to for sushi, and we love their happy hour. Mon-Sun 3-7, Mon-Thur 9p - close. $1.99 sake! So many rolls to choose from. Full bar. The staff is incredible! 1 big TV above the bar, usually has the most popular game of the night on.“

“The place is a little hidden, but once you find it, it’s totally worth it. Every dish we ordered was spectacular!

The Wagyu carpaccio practically melted in my mouth and was such a great way to start the meal. The uni mazemen was rich, deeply savory, and packed with flavor. We also loved the Wagyu katsu sando, which had the perfect balance of tender, juicy meat and fluffy bread. The hand rolls were incredibly fresh, and we ended the evening with a slice of cheesecake that was light yet indulgent.

The craft cocktails were just as impressive as the food. They feature creative Japanese-inspired flavors like matcha and fresh citrus, and the presentation was beautiful.

I also loved the decor and overall vibe. The atmosphere was intimate, and the music really added to the experience. Everything was reasonably priced, making this a great spot for a nice meal without feeling overly expensive or crowded. They also offer valet parking, but I ended up parking in a lot around the corner, which was super convenient.

Overall, such a great dining experience and definitely a spot I’d come back to!“

“Protect RICE at all costs!!! As a celiac it’s amazing to have a GF sushi option, especially a high quality one. I would happily eat here even if I didn’t have to avoid gluten. Their food is delicious and the staff is very accommodating. Have been twice already and will be going back again very soon.“

“Excelente. Servicio variedad. De comida. Deliciosas . Y frescas“

“It was very nice. Loved the hellos and thank you for coming. I can’t wait to come back next time I visit the area.“

“my friend and I stopped at this cute lil sushi spot because we wanted a more intimate vibe than a full on restaurant. it was quaint and cozy and the sushi was absolutely AMAZING!!! Vivian and her husband were the absolute sweetest couple that treated us like long time friends. we had fantastic conversation and it is clear that they both are extremely passionate about what they do. i’m so grateful we visited during our time in LA. we will SO be back !!!! 😊😊“

“I've visited this restaurant four times now, and the experience has consistently been great. The food and service quality are excellent, and the staff is incredibly accommodating. When one of us mentioned not eating raw fish, they prepared several complimentary cooked dishes to ensure we left satisfied. While I have noticed that portion sizes seem slightly smaller than before, I still left feeling full. The kaiseki and shabu are must-tries, and I am already looking forward to returning for their sukiyaki.“

“Tench is a gem of a restaurant. The shabu shabu experience is a unique culinary experience and Tensho does it right. The dishes that are part of the meal are delectable and always different. It is always a special night at Tensho. There is no place quite like it in LA - it is very special. An evening in Japan!“

“One of the best sushi I’ve had in Southern California, small place not fancy at all but it is a recommended experience must try.“

“A play on the Japanese Izakaya bar and Ramen Bar, Great Food all freshly prepared the same day at time of order, serving Lunch and reopening for dinner menu, full Sake selection and Wine Beer Mixed Drink selections, Freshly made by hand Buckwheat Soba noodles, an all around great Dinning Experience.“

“My son and I came here specifically for the takoyaki as my son is a big fan when we arrived however around 2 PM on Sunday, it was already sold out. Also, whoever owns the business should have a talk with the person working the counter when I asked him for a recommendation, he says he doesn’t eat there and I asked him if the shrimp one was good and he said no.“

“Had a sushi dinner here and really liked the selection. I tried a few different rolls, and each one had its own flavor. The food was nicely portioned and didn’t take long to come out. The staff were helpful, and the restaurant had a laid-back feel“

“Exceptional food! Hamachi collar, red snapper soup! And sushi. Authentic; which is why it was so good!“