The store clerk's service attitude is very poor! It tastes terrible! ! I have never eaten in such a terrible Japanese food restaurant! ! ! The food tastes bad and is not fresh. Frozen zombie fish and zombie meat. Put the dish on the plate and put the bowl and slam it on the table. The waiter speaks in a stiff tone and wants to quarrel with the guests. High tipping is mandatory. Highly not recommended. , I suggest you avoid lightning, any Japanese restaurant outside tastes a hundred times better than this one! ! !
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Richard w8ting2xhale
Sushi was tastefully prepared and prompt service. Price was reasonable also ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shirley Lee
Wish I can leave no star… first of all I don’t even think the people work here is Japanese. They were literally speaking Korean…. We were just getting take out and only get one roll since we are waiting friends to eat dinner together in less than an hour. The women is very rude… and told me to wait outside when there is only 4 people dine in at the restaurant. Unfortunately the way how you treat consumer is unethical, just because people did not spend the amount that you wish them to spend doesn’t mean that you can treat them rude…. Wish your business the best that is able to last longer…I wish your business will pass Random health department inspection… your take out roll does not even provide either ginger or wasabi…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
AR Avalos
We were there for lunch on a Friday. It was not busy at all, this restaurant is somewhat hidden upstairs in the little tokyo plaza.The service was courteous and attentive. The sushi tasted fresh. I didn’t like their hot tea, it was water downed and tasteless. I was shocked when she came to refill my cup with hot tea in a plastic pitcher. Have they not heard about all the toxins with plastic & hot food! I never had that experience before at other Japanese restaurants.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Rooster's Beak Studios
Mediocre Japanese food, no parking validation, and FORCED tips.Are tips obligatory even if the food was okay-ish? Of course not. Tips are an optional add-on to the dining expenses. But not here. (Look pictures) When you are about to pay, you already have included 20% tip on your purchase. We just wanted to give a 10% tip because the food was mediocre and overpriced... The interesting thing is that you CANNOT change or remove the tip, we asked, and they said because they were 5 of us. It is funny that it says "tip suggestion: 15%, 20%, etc." when you can not even change or remove the tip rate! Now we understand why tipping culture is getting out of our hands...Now the food... Is "meh", you won't be having the "mmm's" when eating here. Tired chicken yakisoba, and the taste is ordinary, chewy chicken, not special at all. Ordered California rolls and it was regular sushi with no dressing. Soft drinks are $3.5 each. Water tastes like high school water fountain. Overall, the food is not the main reason you will be here...The atmosphere is great! This is the part that it stands out from other restaurants. The reason is that it has a nice entrance, with stairs and banners everywhere. The dining building itself is comfortable, and there is plenty of lighting.No parking validation. It would be nice considering since it is $4 per 15min, or $16 max.Overall, our recommendation is that you should give it a try, but we want to let you know what to expect: okay-ish Japanese food, forced 20% tip, and overpriced food.Why overpriced and not expensive?Expensive: You get a lot of food, that tastes good, but it will cost you... Well worth it!Overpriced: not a lot of food, food taste is forgettable. Still hurts your wallet. You will probably leave sad or betrayed... Or both.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chicken Teriyaki, California Roll
Antonio Cruz
The atmosphere was quiet and had low light. Service was pretty good. Food was a little pricey, but to be expected from an establishment in Little Tokyo.
A new family tradition is born. One week visit to see the family had dinner here twice. It's rare when the whole family is satisfied at the same time. Just my experience, they gave bigger portions just before closing time. If you are in LA for a visit or residence give them a try. You'll love it. Can't wait until my next trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mixed Tempura, Salmon Roll, Spicy Garlic Edamame, Chicken Teriyaki, Salmon Sushi, Bluefin Tuna, California Roll
Haze L
Happened by for linner and am so glad I did! Excellent service, plenty of elbow room, and I’m currently enjoying the mushroomiest udon I’ve ever had in my life. ?Wheelchair accessibility: Access to the second floor of Little Tokyo Mall is not great, but the restaurant itself is one level with lots of room at tables for wheelchairs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matty
everything we ordered was good. they were extremely attentive. do
This place is perfect. Especially loved the sashimi salad, cold noodles and rolls. A great choice for a quick
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Albacore Cut Roll, California Roll, Salad
Hanna McNulty
Went to Zencu for lunch on a trip with friends. The food was excellent and we were seated pretty quickly. The trouble arose when a manager or supervisor (not sure really) began yelling and berating the other employees in Korean for the entire restaurant to hear. At one point, after I had been served she came with another tables order and was visibly upset with me when I told her it was not mine. The other staff and servers were great and kind—let me be perfectly clear! It was simply one employee who ruined nearly the entire experience for us. Other than that, I would gladly go back to Zencu.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: California Roll, Ramen
Steven Stone
Amazing sushi and amazing staff! We've been going here for years, and the food has always been amazing, and the staff has always been friendly and wonderful to talk to! Definitely go here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda L.
Went on a double date and couldn't find a place to eat without a wait on a Friday night (of course). Food here was fine. Nothing great but wouldn't say it was bad either!! We had a few sushi rolls, sake, and an oyster shooter. Sunday at 2am was when my husband was awakened by a terrible nausea. After falling in and out of sleep and helping get him comfortable, I started feeling the same at 9am. We both laid in bed and when we woke up at 2pm, we both had full on body aches. It hurts to even move. I decided to text my friends and they both have food poisoning too! This was the only thing we ate together.I would recommend they reimburse their customers and review the food they're serving meticulously.
Kay Y.
Really loved their house udon and their broth. Too bad servers are just super quick to rush you out the place. I was basically not done enjoying my broth and took a work call and they came and just took everything away lol The restaurant wasn't even packed. Just so odd and such a turn off.The udon broth was really good tho. It was made with dried Asian mushrooms so it gave the broth a really earthy and umami flavor!
This place making best rolls I love it
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna, Bluefin Tuna
The store clerk's service attitude is very poor! It tastes terrible! ! I have never eaten in such a terrible Japanese food restaurant! ! ! The food tastes bad and is not fresh. Frozen zombie fish and zombie meat. Put the dish on the plate and put the bowl and slam it on the table. The waiter speaks in a stiff tone and wants to quarrel with the guests. High tipping is mandatory. Highly not recommended. , I suggest you avoid lightning, any Japanese restaurant outside tastes a hundred times better than this one! ! !
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sushi was tastefully prepared and prompt service. Price was reasonable also ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wish I can leave no star… first of all I don’t even think the people work here is Japanese. They were literally speaking Korean…. We were just getting take out and only get one roll since we are waiting friends to eat dinner together in less than an hour. The women is very rude… and told me to wait outside when there is only 4 people dine in at the restaurant. Unfortunately the way how you treat consumer is unethical, just because people did not spend the amount that you wish them to spend doesn’t mean that you can treat them rude…. Wish your business the best that is able to last longer…I wish your business will pass Random health department inspection… your take out roll does not even provide either ginger or wasabi…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We were there for lunch on a Friday. It was not busy at all, this restaurant is somewhat hidden upstairs in the little tokyo plaza.The service was courteous and attentive. The sushi tasted fresh. I didn’t like their hot tea, it was water downed and tasteless. I was shocked when she came to refill my cup with hot tea in a plastic pitcher. Have they not heard about all the toxins with plastic & hot food! I never had that experience before at other Japanese restaurants.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Mediocre Japanese food, no parking validation, and FORCED tips.Are tips obligatory even if the food was okay-ish? Of course not. Tips are an optional add-on to the dining expenses. But not here. (Look pictures) When you are about to pay, you already have included 20% tip on your purchase. We just wanted to give a 10% tip because the food was mediocre and overpriced... The interesting thing is that you CANNOT change or remove the tip, we asked, and they said because they were 5 of us. It is funny that it says "tip suggestion: 15%, 20%, etc." when you can not even change or remove the tip rate! Now we understand why tipping culture is getting out of our hands...Now the food... Is "meh", you won't be having the "mmm's" when eating here. Tired chicken yakisoba, and the taste is ordinary, chewy chicken, not special at all. Ordered California rolls and it was regular sushi with no dressing. Soft drinks are $3.5 each. Water tastes like high school water fountain. Overall, the food is not the main reason you will be here...The atmosphere is great! This is the part that it stands out from other restaurants. The reason is that it has a nice entrance, with stairs and banners everywhere. The dining building itself is comfortable, and there is plenty of lighting.No parking validation. It would be nice considering since it is $4 per 15min, or $16 max.Overall, our recommendation is that you should give it a try, but we want to let you know what to expect: okay-ish Japanese food, forced 20% tip, and overpriced food.Why overpriced and not expensive?Expensive: You get a lot of food, that tastes good, but it will cost you... Well worth it!Overpriced: not a lot of food, food taste is forgettable. Still hurts your wallet. You will probably leave sad or betrayed... Or both.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chicken Teriyaki, California Roll
The atmosphere was quiet and had low light. Service was pretty good. Food was a little pricey, but to be expected from an establishment in Little Tokyo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sesame Chicken, Chicken Teriyaki, Bluefin Tuna, Ramen
A new family tradition is born. One week visit to see the family had dinner here twice. It's rare when the whole family is satisfied at the same time. Just my experience, they gave bigger portions just before closing time. If you are in LA for a visit or residence give them a try. You'll love it. Can't wait until my next trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mixed Tempura, Salmon Roll, Spicy Garlic Edamame, Chicken Teriyaki, Salmon Sushi, Bluefin Tuna, California Roll
Happened by for linner and am so glad I did! Excellent service, plenty of elbow room, and I’m currently enjoying the mushroomiest udon I’ve ever had in my life. ?Wheelchair accessibility: Access to the second floor of Little Tokyo Mall is not great, but the restaurant itself is one level with lots of room at tables for wheelchairs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
everything we ordered was good. they were extremely attentive. do
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is perfect. Especially loved the sashimi salad, cold noodles and rolls. A great choice for a quick
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Albacore Cut Roll, California Roll, Salad
Went to Zencu for lunch on a trip with friends. The food was excellent and we were seated pretty quickly. The trouble arose when a manager or supervisor (not sure really) began yelling and berating the other employees in Korean for the entire restaurant to hear. At one point, after I had been served she came with another tables order and was visibly upset with me when I told her it was not mine. The other staff and servers were great and kind—let me be perfectly clear! It was simply one employee who ruined nearly the entire experience for us. Other than that, I would gladly go back to Zencu.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: California Roll, Ramen
Amazing sushi and amazing staff! We've been going here for years, and the food has always been amazing, and the staff has always been friendly and wonderful to talk to! Definitely go here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went on a double date and couldn't find a place to eat without a wait on a Friday night (of course). Food here was fine. Nothing great but wouldn't say it was bad either!! We had a few sushi rolls, sake, and an oyster shooter. Sunday at 2am was when my husband was awakened by a terrible nausea. After falling in and out of sleep and helping get him comfortable, I started feeling the same at 9am. We both laid in bed and when we woke up at 2pm, we both had full on body aches. It hurts to even move. I decided to text my friends and they both have food poisoning too! This was the only thing we ate together.I would recommend they reimburse their customers and review the food they're serving meticulously.
Really loved their house udon and their broth. Too bad servers are just super quick to rush you out the place. I was basically not done enjoying my broth and took a work call and they came and just took everything away lol The restaurant wasn't even packed. Just so odd and such a turn off.The udon broth was really good tho. It was made with dried Asian mushrooms so it gave the broth a really earthy and umami flavor!