Excellent sushi and grilled items. We stopped in quickly while driving from San Diego to Nor Cal. I figured being in little Tokyo it wouldn't be bad, but we were pleasantly surprised by just how good it was. I def want to come back and get the full omakase menu another time. This time we just had lunch combos. I got the miso sea bass, but ate it before I remembered to take a pic- it was just too good. Here's the sashimi plate from the combo though :-)
Bunyaka N.
They serve the best quality sushi and sashimi. All of my friends loved everything we ordered. I had the Premium Chirashi bowl and asked for a fried shrimp head, which was cooked to perfection - light and not greasy at all. The sashimi was very fresh and of excellent quality. The service was attentive and top-notch. The ambiance was also great, with dim lighting that creates an upscale atmosphere - perfect for date night or business dinner. The restaurant has traditional private rooms where you can sit on the floor, which is perfect for larger groups. Overall, it was an awesome experience.
Brian Charkins
I always wanted to try Omakase and was in LA for the day. I had the lunch special and it was unbelievable. I have been eating sushi since the early 90s and this was by far, the best I have ever had. I would highly recommend trying this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janine A.
I highly recommend the chirashi bowl. It comes with two pickled dishes, miso soup & tofu. Great assortment and quality for the price (especially during lunch). I appreciate that their lunch prices carry into Saturdays. There is dimmed lightning throughout the restaurant with a calming ambiance. Our food came out very quickly. Wonderful and attentive service. Parking can be a little difficult in the area. just a heads up, they do not validate.
Daniel Z.
Came here for a dinner hangout with friends. From the outside walking past it, it always seemed closed or out of business but today I found out it was very much open. As a stark contrast to the barren exterior, the interior of the restaurant transports you to a beautiful restaurant like that of one in the heart of Tokyo. We each ordered a premium sashimi which came with an assortment of sashimi ranging from sweet shrimp to surf clam over a beef of sushi rice. The food was as delicious as the presentation and the service was impeccable. I would definitely check this place out if you're looking for a nice sashimi dinner in downtown!
Anh N.
I love the ambience of this restaurant. It's dimly lit, has tables, sushi bar and cocktail bar. I came for lunch on a Thursday and it was not busy at all. We ended up spending $100 per person and we were full and super happy. The quality of the fish and flavors were perfect. There were definitely more economical options, but we wanted something nicer so we went with the deluxe sashimi, ankimo spoon, and some nigiri. I would definitely come back.
Stephen E.
Delicious and Classy. Excellent service. Our favorite spot in Little Tokyo. Our favorite Sushi in Southern California.
Sona N.
really amazing nigiri, it melts in your mouth. hamachi (yellowtail) is my favorite here!! the restaurant is really pretty too, i love going here when in little
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Charlie Extra
The service is good, but the product is mediocre. Not as good as the recommendations say.
Gary Y.
omg very expensive and don't order the salmon! full of bones! I tool one bite and got a bone stuck in my throat!!! waitress said it's the collar of the fish! I said you mean the gills! ugh didn't eat after that. I don't recommend that place and I eat a lot of Japanese food
This was a great find with great food. I had a family member visiting who is a foodie. She liked the options we chose which made me feel good about choosing this restaurant.
Linnea E.
Easily one of the best meals I've ever had. A friend chose Ootoro for dinner so I didn't really know what I was in for and I'm not going to lie, when we first saw the menu I was a little shocked. Definitely pricier than I usually dine but when in LA right? It's still a limited menu at my budget but I ordered the chirashi bowl for $28.95 and 100% I would order it a million more times and honestly it's a steal at that price. It's positively loaded with some of the freshest fish I've ever had and it was by far the best meal of our trip. The restaurant itself is very nice with modern decor and low lighting to build the ambiance. The servers were very attentive and service was prompt - I don't think my water glass ever emptied. I'd give it more stars if I could!
Gabriela Verendia
The wild salmon nigiri and soft shell crab hand roll were amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David V.
Been wanting to try this place since I was told it was about to be open. Still unsure if it's the same ownership as the one in Irvine & Walnut but if it is, I have to say, the quality of fish & service at this location is a lot better than the Irvine location. At the same time, I'm not sure if the service is related to how busy the place gets; I had reservations for 6:30pm on a Thurs night & when I arrived, the place was entirely empty & only 3 parties dined in during my entire time there. So every time our dishes came, we got a detailed explanation of the order along with how it was cut & made. Makes me wonder if the service would be the same if it was a full house. All in all, it was really quiet since it was mostly empty but the place had an upscale feel. There was even a private area of about 4-6 tables if needed. Quality & taste of everything was great, much better than Irvine. Also, love how the Hamachis, Toro, & Tuna were cut so thickly & largely, made me felt I was really getting my moneys worth. Not to mention the freshness of it & how it just melts in your mouth, simply amazing. Only minor gripe was the size of the Japanese cheesecake. For $4.50, I thought it'd be cut with a lot more "surface area" but I guess with these types of restaurants, desserts are just a "taste test." Parking wise, it's DTLA so can't expect any convenience. I ended up parking at Wellers Court across the street & had 2 validation stickers but it wasn't enough as I was there for more than 2 hrs so ultimately had to pay $12 but I suppose it comes with the territory. Personally, I still believe Izakaya Osen in Irvine still reigns as the best place for omakase in terms of quality, taste, service, & pricing. But this is a place I'd consider returning to or recommending for anyone that's in the LA area & you don't mind paying for parking.
Claudia H.
Their omakase was amazing and the chefs hooked it up with some extras! Would definitely return for that menu and the wagyu on baguette
Excellent sushi and grilled items. We stopped in quickly while driving from San Diego to Nor Cal. I figured being in little Tokyo it wouldn't be bad, but we were pleasantly surprised by just how good it was. I def want to come back and get the full omakase menu another time. This time we just had lunch combos. I got the miso sea bass, but ate it before I remembered to take a pic- it was just too good. Here's the sashimi plate from the combo though :-)
They serve the best quality sushi and sashimi. All of my friends loved everything we ordered. I had the Premium Chirashi bowl and asked for a fried shrimp head, which was cooked to perfection - light and not greasy at all. The sashimi was very fresh and of excellent quality. The service was attentive and top-notch. The ambiance was also great, with dim lighting that creates an upscale atmosphere - perfect for date night or business dinner. The restaurant has traditional private rooms where you can sit on the floor, which is perfect for larger groups. Overall, it was an awesome experience.
I always wanted to try Omakase and was in LA for the day. I had the lunch special and it was unbelievable. I have been eating sushi since the early 90s and this was by far, the best I have ever had. I would highly recommend trying this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I highly recommend the chirashi bowl. It comes with two pickled dishes, miso soup & tofu. Great assortment and quality for the price (especially during lunch). I appreciate that their lunch prices carry into Saturdays. There is dimmed lightning throughout the restaurant with a calming ambiance. Our food came out very quickly. Wonderful and attentive service. Parking can be a little difficult in the area. just a heads up, they do not validate.
Came here for a dinner hangout with friends. From the outside walking past it, it always seemed closed or out of business but today I found out it was very much open. As a stark contrast to the barren exterior, the interior of the restaurant transports you to a beautiful restaurant like that of one in the heart of Tokyo. We each ordered a premium sashimi which came with an assortment of sashimi ranging from sweet shrimp to surf clam over a beef of sushi rice. The food was as delicious as the presentation and the service was impeccable. I would definitely check this place out if you're looking for a nice sashimi dinner in downtown!
I love the ambience of this restaurant. It's dimly lit, has tables, sushi bar and cocktail bar. I came for lunch on a Thursday and it was not busy at all. We ended up spending $100 per person and we were full and super happy. The quality of the fish and flavors were perfect. There were definitely more economical options, but we wanted something nicer so we went with the deluxe sashimi, ankimo spoon, and some nigiri. I would definitely come back.
Delicious and Classy. Excellent service. Our favorite spot in Little Tokyo. Our favorite Sushi in Southern California.
really amazing nigiri, it melts in your mouth. hamachi (yellowtail) is my favorite here!! the restaurant is really pretty too, i love going here when in little
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
The service is good, but the product is mediocre. Not as good as the recommendations say.
omg very expensive and don't order the salmon! full of bones! I tool one bite and got a bone stuck in my throat!!! waitress said it's the collar of the fish! I said you mean the gills! ugh didn't eat after that. I don't recommend that place and I eat a lot of Japanese food
Restaurantji Recommends
This was a great find with great food. I had a family member visiting who is a foodie. She liked the options we chose which made me feel good about choosing this restaurant.
Easily one of the best meals I've ever had. A friend chose Ootoro for dinner so I didn't really know what I was in for and I'm not going to lie, when we first saw the menu I was a little shocked. Definitely pricier than I usually dine but when in LA right? It's still a limited menu at my budget but I ordered the chirashi bowl for $28.95 and 100% I would order it a million more times and honestly it's a steal at that price. It's positively loaded with some of the freshest fish I've ever had and it was by far the best meal of our trip. The restaurant itself is very nice with modern decor and low lighting to build the ambiance. The servers were very attentive and service was prompt - I don't think my water glass ever emptied. I'd give it more stars if I could!
The wild salmon nigiri and soft shell crab hand roll were amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been wanting to try this place since I was told it was about to be open. Still unsure if it's the same ownership as the one in Irvine & Walnut but if it is, I have to say, the quality of fish & service at this location is a lot better than the Irvine location. At the same time, I'm not sure if the service is related to how busy the place gets; I had reservations for 6:30pm on a Thurs night & when I arrived, the place was entirely empty & only 3 parties dined in during my entire time there. So every time our dishes came, we got a detailed explanation of the order along with how it was cut & made. Makes me wonder if the service would be the same if it was a full house. All in all, it was really quiet since it was mostly empty but the place had an upscale feel. There was even a private area of about 4-6 tables if needed. Quality & taste of everything was great, much better than Irvine. Also, love how the Hamachis, Toro, & Tuna were cut so thickly & largely, made me felt I was really getting my moneys worth. Not to mention the freshness of it & how it just melts in your mouth, simply amazing. Only minor gripe was the size of the Japanese cheesecake. For $4.50, I thought it'd be cut with a lot more "surface area" but I guess with these types of restaurants, desserts are just a "taste test." Parking wise, it's DTLA so can't expect any convenience. I ended up parking at Wellers Court across the street & had 2 validation stickers but it wasn't enough as I was there for more than 2 hrs so ultimately had to pay $12 but I suppose it comes with the territory. Personally, I still believe Izakaya Osen in Irvine still reigns as the best place for omakase in terms of quality, taste, service, & pricing. But this is a place I'd consider returning to or recommending for anyone that's in the LA area & you don't mind paying for parking.
Their omakase was amazing and the chefs hooked it up with some extras! Would definitely return for that menu and the wagyu on baguette