50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Marina Del Rey

“A friendly waitresses,waiters .“

“Great quality for the price! Staff is exceptionally attentive and pleasant. After spending some time away I’m happy to see this place reopened. I appreciated the M-F, 7-830a, breakfast special, which was a great deal for this neighborhood.“

“Great spot tucked into a tiny strip center area. Plenty of seating, including sushi bar seating. My orders of maguro nigiri and yellowtail nigiri were very fresh. The spicier tuna roll was delicious as well. Complimented by attentive service and a laid back atmosphere, this made for a perfect spot. 👏“

“Fast service. Fresh fish.“

“We come to Enya often, and love the food and vibe. The rolls are creative, the fish always fresh, and the chefs and staff are welcoming and attentive. One of our fave spots in Venice/MDR!“

“Best of Best...“

“I like the place too much.

I consider it to be one of the best in the area.

The place is nice and with a good atmosphere.

The service is good.

The menu is quite varied.
Everything is very delicious and fresh

Crab roll is my favorite.

In relation to price and quality it seems adequate to me.

The only issue is that:
1. You can't make reservations and obviously the place is always full so you have to wait to be served.

The recommendation is not to go very hungry.“

“Fashionable place for not just ramen, but gyoza and self-made hand rolls.

Dimly-lit, medium-spaced tables, service is good but a bit overwhelmed when they're at capacity (which is often!). Parking is limited on the street but doable.

Have to say the NYC location is better, but honestly would need to do another visit to confirm. Distinctly remember the self-made hand rolls in particular being quite good in New York and not nearly as memorable here.“

“Freshest restaurant quality sashimi and sushi at a reasonable price in the U.S. Their sashimi is top notch. Highly recommend the Hamachi/yellowtail toro (so underrated), the scallops, and the squid/ika, but honestly any of the options won’t disappoint. Also a big fan of their tamago and their Takuan roll (which has fresh perilla leaves inside)!
If you’re a big sashimi/sushi enjoyer and value quality, this place is perfect!“

“What an experience! I didn't even do the chef experience and got such a wonderful dinner! I was so jealous of the people experiencing it so I'm definitely doing that next time

I celebrated my first anniversary here and it was such a joy. Some people get worried they will leave a Michelin star restaurant hungry. But i was stuffed!!!

Everyone at the restaurant was amazing, kind and really took care of you! I kind of just want to come back just to experience that as well!

Since their menu constantly change, I think it's just best to say: trust the chef. You won't regret it! Or let the pictures do the talking!

I'm 100% coming back with my family to treat them to this!“

“Looked for a quiet restaurant and checked out n/soto. Sometimes creative sushi and sashimi is not a good thing. n/soto delivered elevated sushi, sashimi, hand rolls along with stand out casual and prompt service.

Our service person, Nicole, delivered a well detailed explanation of favz from the menu. The patio was a great space. I look forward to dining indoors in the future.

Great decor and table layout.

A nice review is unnecessary given that n/soto was fully booked.“

“My mother and I celebrated her birthday at Nnaka Restaurant and it was a fantastic dining experience. The set menu included 13 courses, with some special dishes. Every dish was beautifully prepared and 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 😋😋😋😋“

“Excellent Japanese food. I got takeout: the Gindara Saikyoyaki Bento. It was delightful. Excellent service.

I'm going to have to come back because it's a lovely spot, and I want to actually sit and enjoy in the establishment next time.

Highly recommend. And El Segundo is a very pleasant, calm downtown to visit if you're waiting around for a flight, like I was. It can be fun to go up to Venice where all the excitement is, but I'm grateful that I had a nice calm afternoon in El Segundo this time. And my fantastic supper here was part of it.“

“Fantastic sushi spot with good value. The Uzumaki sets are great - salmon and hamachi were standouts. The toro roll and unagi were worth it as well.

Hidden gem would be the fish kaarage - the fish was so soft and flavorful, highly recommend over the chicken one

Service is super quick and on point - they're always busing dishes and food came out quickly. Great for when you want something a little nicer but don't want the full Omakase“

“The curry is very good and not too heavy or salt. It goes very well with the poached egg and beef nikutama was very flavorful with the onions. The tempura was very soft and flaky. I've been here a couple times and loved getting the dashi broth and miso udon along with other tempura items available like the shrimp or zucchini.

There's a fair amount of seating along with outdoor seating. Plenty of parking available in the plaza with other restaurants there. The staff was nice and attentive to the items you wanted.“

“Thursday after working OT, my coworker and myself were planning to have dinner before heading back home, while driving down the street on Olympic I saw this ramen shop and I noticed few fellas outside waiting to be seated , and I realized that maybe the place was good. Once we were there we have to write the name. Anyway after waiting for about 15-20 minutes it was our turn. The restaurant is not huge, but is clean. We have to scan the QR and Start from there. My coworker got spicy miso and I ordered the veggie ramen, short time after, we got our food and mine looked amazing, came with cherry tomatoes, fried eggplant, lotus, mizuna, and broccoli. Broth was perfect and very delicious. I believe shiitake would make a good match to the veggies, ear mushroom and nori and some corn, just my personal opinion. However every place is different and have their own ingredients, and I was very surprised when I saw mizuna in the ramen, never had ramen with mizuna. Highly recommend this shop for ramen lovers or anyone interested in trying it. It's worth the shot.“

“Came here for a last minute bite and was pleasantly surprised. Ashley our server is the sweetest and she took such good care of us despite being an hour before closing. She was fantastic with recommending dishes and checking in on us and every item was brought out in a timely manner. I really enjoyed everything here it feels elevated, it’s great for date night, light bites or a full meal. They have a great happy hour menu that I look forward to trying next time. My only critique is that some of the dishes skew sweeter than my preference but that’s just me. The granita dessert is an absolute must have and so is the uni temaki! I’ve eaten a lot of uni and theirs was particularly sweet and fresh. Will definitely come back again soon!“

“Very romantic ambiance and delicious food... loved all of our appetizers and our sushi was really nice. The salmon was like butter. The black sesame crème brulé is a must. The table next to us had a larger group and ordered a long dragon dish loaded with sushi .... Looked like fun Kelly was so welcoming and sweet!“

“Kindness and care in every. single. bite. That is what it is like to eat here, and it just isn't to be missed. Come when you have a hunger not just for great food, but for a feeling of connection to people—for the feeling that people have been wanting to reach you, and that they care that you're there to enjoy what they've been working so hard to offer. Your joy, your satisfaction, your delight—it really matters to them, and if you come open to having those experiences, they will fill you to overflowing. Happy hour, full dinner...whatever you can make time for, get there. The chefs, the servers (Matt and Uché are stellar examples), everyone—they're all in, and extraordinary at what they do. Seize every chance you can to experience and appreciate it.“

“OWA Venice is an absolute gem — fun, stylish, and full of amazing people and energy. From the moment we walked in, we felt the vibrant atmosphere and were surrounded by beauty in every sense.

I have to give a special shoutout to Camila, who has been nothing but amazing since the days of Belles Beach. She continues to be the same incredibly kind, genuine, and radiant person. Seeing her again at OWA and experiencing her warmth made the night even more special.
And Amir, what an incredible host! He and Camila went above and beyond to make me and my friend feel welcomed and celebrated. Their energy, care, and attention truly made it a night to remember. Can’t wait to go 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“

“Delicious Udon and other Japanese specialties“

“This was my second time at Shunji and since it was so consistent, I thought I should give it a shout out. You may miss it if you aren’t paying attention, nestled behind a non-discrete door on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, Shunji Japanese Cuisine is a Michelin-starred gem that redefines the art of sushi dining. Chef Shunji Nakao is a legend and this intimate restaurant offers an omakase experience that is as unforgettable as it is refined.

The heart of Shunji’s allure lies in its sushi, which showcases decades of expertise as one of Los Angeles’ sushi pioneers. Each piece of nigiri is a testament to his meticulous attention to detail, with fish sourced primarily from Japan to ensure unparalleled freshness. Shunji’s (somewhat new Santa Monica location) is a departure from its former chili bowl-shaped home on Pico Boulevard, embraces a minimalist aesthetic that keeps the focus on the food and quaint experience. The space is divided into two small rooms, each with a blonde wood counter that seats just seven, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and intimacy. Soft jazz hums in the background, and a wall of orchids adds a touch of elegance, celebrating the restaurant’s decade-long legacy. The service is impeccable, with staff (one Shunji’s wife) moving gracefully to anticipate every need, from refilling sake glasses to presenting dishes on stunning ceramic plates.

Shunji is more than a restaurant; it’s a destination The sushi is exceptional, the ambiance serene, and the overall experience a masterclass in hospitality.“

“Awesome food , they’ve got great teriyaki bowls too!“

“This is one of the BEST sushi restaurants you will find in LA county. With the fish being so fresh and high quality, the fact that they continue to keep the price reasonable, and the pride they put into every dish they serve. This place is so good, even the miso soup will melt your heart. And here’s my theory, if the place has good quality miso soup, then you know you’re in the right place 👍🏻“

“Wonderful experience! When my party of 5 got here the entire couple of blocks were experiencing a power outage and they told us they could only serve sushi since the gas was also turned off. Luckily that is exactly what we came for and we decided to stay. They were very accommodating, really nice, and the sushi was delicious. We ordered the yellowtail roll, spicy tuna roll, sushi combination, and the red dragon roll. Prices are reasonable for sushi as well. Definitely coming back here again!“

“My friend took me to the cutest musubi shop after our Pilates class! I asked the guy working there and who was Japanese which one he recommended and I ended up trying the miso beef and the curry pork musubi. Both were so delicious and of course I saw the lychee oolong boba tea so I had to try that too. The staff are super friendly service was quick and the food was yummy! I’m definitely recommending this spot to more people and can’t wait to come back!“

“IG/TT @eatwkris

@saijohandroll is LA’s newest hand roll restaurant where you sit in front of the chef and the handrolls are made to order. The fish is fresh, seaweed is crispy, and I love that they give you free edamame and miso soup.

I recommend getting the 2x2 for only $24. You get a salmon and toro hand roll as well as 2 chicken skewers (negima and Tsukune).

It’s the perfect little meal so light and fresh for summer but if you want more my favorite hand roll had to be their special!! It’s $8 but comes with 3 types of fish, seared salmon, shrimp, and crab!! This was the best bite and worth every dollar.

Their bluefin tuna was very fresh and just cut off the fish in front of us but it had a lot of blood on it, so the whole bite was very jrony. Unsure if they usually prepare it like this, but not our favorite.

❤️ $24 2x2 - 2 hand roll, 2 kushiyaki
❤️ $8 signature hand roll - salmon, shrimp, crab
❤️ free miso and edamame

📍 saijo hand roll, Culver City
12473 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066“

“Manpuku is hands-down one of the best Japanese BBQ spots in LA. The food is consistently amazing – every cut of meat is high quality, well-seasoned, and cooked to perfection right at your table. The service is just as impressive: attentive, friendly, and fast without being rushed. Whether you’re going for a casual night out or a special occasion, Manpuku delivers every time. I truly love this place – it’s a go-to for delicious food and a great overall experience. Highly recommend.“

“En Sushi was great as per usual. We go here often and always have a great experience. Their lunch special is underrated. This place should be packed for lunch!

Great staff, great food, the decor, the music… It’s perfect!“

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“Absolutely amazing vegan food, the staff were so kind and professional, their food is top-tier 👌 Can’t wait to come back for more !!! 🥰“

“What's unique about this place is the people, I mean the whole crew who are all Japanese.
The owner is a real character. He loves to chat with customers n I enjoyed the conversations.
The ingredients were high quality n the chefs took their spin on them to a true omakase level.

I gave 3 stars to atmosphere as the main dining area is a bid dated n the lighting is not helping. However it was really roomy n comfortable so I am not complaining. The sushi counter side is much better n brighter.
Will go to eat every time I visit LA.“

“I love this family owned place! Great food and a great place to go on my lunch break“

“Fantastic quality and taste. This is hands down my new fave in LA for sushi. When they get their liquor license it'll be packed non stop. Really nice help and attention from the team. Try the inside out salmon roll, melts in your mouth!!!“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

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

“Very fresh sushi! We sat at the sushi bar and had a great time. The chili edamame was delicious and every sushi roll that we had was delicately prepared and fresh tasting. If you want the spot at the sushi bar, make sure to arrive right when they open at 5pm!“

“Friendly service, everything is yummy!“

“Solid place for yakitori, with a menu that actually is more expansive than it looks at first glance. Chef Yoshi and his staff are excellent.

Just note it's pretty warm inside, which makes sense, considering a grill dominates the interior“

“A joy to be at Rice, the staff so attentive, a celebration of small plates filling our table for three. A perfect sunny evening shared.“

“This is an effortlessly chic sushi restaurant.

Healthy mix of couples, friends and solo eaters.

It’s easy to sink into the dark wooded, close quarters venue with soft jazz as background noise behind the bustling of the staff.

Infatuation will tell you to order the crispy rice with spicy tuna and sushi moriawise, which a lot of folks were getting.

If you have the $200/person (after tax and tip), it’s a special omakase. The ocean trout with kelp is non-pareil, sweet and umami flavors. Worth a visit.“

“Great service and delicious food 🍱“

“We went as a family! We have a small child, so the kids’ club was really appreciated! Soft drinks, toys, and snacks were free all the time, which was fantastic. The BBQ was delicious, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was great. The staff were all very friendly. Next time, I want to bring my parents along too. It was an absolutely wonderful place!“

“Sushi 1 block from our hotel, sweet.
Even sweeter was the food. Good fresh quality sushi (if you know sushi you know what I mean) Enjoyed every roll. Salmon Belly nigiri, yes please! It was yum. Cuts are good and rice is spot on. I’d go back.“

“I had the mini Katsudon combo (bottom) and my boyfriend had the Nikuyasai Soba (top) and as our first time here we were very impressed! Everything had so much flavor, our waiter was very attentive and kind. Definitely worth a try if you’re looking for an authentic experience. Would definitely come again“

“Exquisite cuisine- chef was formally trained in Japan and his expertise shines through in every dish. Particularly the lightest, crispiest tempura once could ever hope to enjoy. Attentive, perfect service. Only knock is that it’s quite expensive, making this a once-every-five-years kind of culinary experience. That being said, we will be talking about this meal for weeks. It was *that* good. Life is short: treat yourself!“