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.“

“Amazing and consistent as always! Great casual omakasse style meal. They are the closest in terms of the quality we experience in Tokyo in terms of their fish and their warm rice seasoned to perfection in their Nigeria. Highly recommend the salmon nigiri there.“

“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. 👏“

“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!“

“5 stars. Best hand rolled sushi. Great atmosphere and customer service. Beautiful view of the Marina.“

“Casual dinning atmosphere“

“Best of Best...“

“I had such a great experience here! Danny, the manager, welcomed me right away and even set me up with a perfect corner table—which made the whole meal feel extra relaxed. Alissa, our server, was amazing—super friendly, professional, and on top of everything without ever rushing us. The ramen itself was incredible, full of flavor and beautifully balanced. Between the food, the atmosphere, and the team, this spot definitely deserves 5 stars. I’ll be back for sure!“

“The food has a great taste and I can tell the recipe of the broth is thoughtfully designed and flavored. The service was fine but the restaurant felt too crowded and loud. While I understand it’s a ramen spot, their décor and presentation are more refined than most, so the hectic atmosphere detracted slightly from the overall experience.“

“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!“

“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.“

“I was craving a kaiseki meal for my birthday and discovered UKA. It is very hard to find a traditional kaiseki restaurant in Los Angeles. Everything was amazing, with incredible attention to detail in every dish. I truly appreciate the chef Mr. Mitsue and service for this exceptional experience.“

“We live around the corner and for the first noticed this spot so decided to try it.

Everything was excellent from phone etiquette to ambience to service and most importantly food.

Everything was incredible and they were very accommodating to my dietary restrictions without any hesitance. The prices are also so good especially considering how overpriced mediocre food is priced in the neighborhood.

Highly recommend this, definitely our new neighborhood spot. Special thank you to Brendan + the Chef.“

“What a neat experience in the south bay. We came across this restaurant thanks to Infatuation's 2025 list of best new restaurants to try.

We made a very last minute call to the restaurant to see if any spots opened up, and we were very fortunate to nab two seats. Parking is a little tight in this small strip mall area but not too bad in the evening.

Coming in, you're immediately greeted to a really neat setup - bar seating that surrounds an open kitchen with grills per every tea seats. Loved the modern decor with classic wooden Japanese items throughout the kitchen and fun, friendly chalkboards.

We were seated and given a tour of the menu. There are two pretty competitive omakase style beef walkthroughs. We opted to go with the $50 option as we didn't want to go with the wagyu sushi (that and a couple items were the main difference between this and the $70 option). We also had the ability to order more specific cuts of meat or go straight to the a la carte option as well.

The drink menu for non-alcohol items are a bit limited but for sake lovers, there are some great competitive options like a $30 5-sake cup flights.

Going into the $50 omakase, the options for the most part are super solid. We really enjoyed the multiple sauces that came out with the meat. The beef tongue trio was also fantastic all-around. Meats were cut right in front of you as well as marinated/seasoned. The butcher's cut curry also is oddly fantastic. It's a clever way to close out the meal using parts of the ends of meat. The grill in front of you also uses side vents so makes it a much more enjoyable experience.

I think the only bits of feedback we had (and something it seems like they are actively trying to address) is getting more helping hands. There was a bit of a chaotic energy as the tables were full and not enough hands on deck with things like front of house having to be done by the chef.

I think the servers were still superstars amidst everything going on and super kind in keeping us updated as to the situation.

They also do run out of some items of food so would advise to try to get an earlier time than later. Getting there after 8PM also means that you usually aren't able to go the omakase route as a heads-up.

Can't wait to come back and see how they continue to improve and refine a great idea.“

“What a gem! Small, quiet, refined - here it’s all about quality, not quantity. Food is prepared really well and presented nicely. Staff is nice and helpful without being in your face all the time. The drinks menu could be a bit more inclusive. Otherwise this is an awesome place for a quiet diner for two (they only have bar seating so a party with more than 2 people would have a hard time communicating).

Also, I wouldn’t call this place especially child friendly but we took our 2 year old with us for dinner and he enjoyed most of the food (the cooked items) and the staff and patrons were rather pleased to have him there 😊“

“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.“

“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 😋😋😋😋“

“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.“

“My granddaughter and I were in a rush to an appointment but were so hungry. We stopped in, mentioned we were in a slow hurry and they delivered the Sushi in a flash Fresh great customer service and easy to express our likes. We will be back! Thank you so much.“

“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.“

“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“

“Stumbled across Oh! Banzai on an IG ad….stopped by for lunch because I was in the area. What a gem! Had the eel sunomono (light and delicious!), and a few hand rolls. Really lovely place, great service, food is fresh and feels like a higher level dining experience than the price suggests. Definitely coming 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“

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

“Delicious Udon and other Japanese specialties“

“The food here is absolutely incredible! Everything we ordered was so flavorful and it felt like they had taken great care to make every dish. Fantastic service and very friendly staff. I would 1,000% recommend this place if you're in the neighborhood“

“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 👍🏻“

“This was the most incredible experience! I have only the best things to say about Uchi and wish I could dine here every night!! We had Quan as our waiter and he was absolutely PHENOMENAL!! He went above and beyond, gave us the BEST recs, and was so personable! Highly recommend this restaurant - for the food and the service. You will not be disappointed!“

“First time.coming down to this one. Usually hit up the one in Little Japantown.

The soup here tastes just as good!
Only gripe... Not nearly as many of the tempura options or musibis like Sawtelle. But they do have the main dishes here and it was fast on a Friday night to order.

This place is bus your own dishes after.“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“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!“

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

“*Delayed post from April ‘25

After traveling Japan for a month earlier in the year, I was craving Japanese food, so we checked out this spot off Sawtelle. 1 hour of parking is complimentary in the underground lot, but the attendant will charge you for any additional time. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor on the right side of the complex.

The atmosphere of the place was nice and I enjoyed the booth seating, but the service was very minimal. We had to ask for drink refills and wave down our server for everything from initial ordering to the check.

The udon I ordered was actually really tasty and came out super hot. It was on the sweeter side and the tempura shrimp on top was well cooked, but was lacking salt. I'd recommend taking it out of the bowl to eat little by little so it doesn't get immediately soggy. Unfortunately the egg inside was cooked weird and still had shell bits on it.

The Carbonara was very creamy, but needed more seasoning. The ham added some saltiness, but it needed more. Maybe they could add dried seaweed flakes on top? Overall however, this meal was too heavy and too large a portion. If the dish had more elements to it that balanced out the heaviness, perhaps half the amount of noodles and sauce and a side salad instead, it would have been a more enjoyable meal.“

“Really loved this spot! Easily top 5 in LA - great food, ambiance, friendly but not imposing staff. Highlights: sashimi, chicken karaage, kabocha squash. Lowlights: mushroom rice, tuna handroll (just not as unique). We also enjoyed the duck meatballs and beef tongue. Impressed with the cocktails and n/a selection as well. Can’t wait to try the duck ramen!“

“Great sushi restaurant with lots of premium rolls and classic rolls. They have a good selection of lunch specials. I came with my family and they accommodated customizing many of the rolls there to our taste. I haven’t been for happy hour, but they have a full bar and happy hour specials as well.“

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

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“We decided to try out SOBAR as it was close by to our stay while in LA
It was a great chance as the food was great. Everything was excellent to include our communication with other patrons
The food was awesome and we plan to go there again before we leave LA“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“Absolutely recommend and will definitely be coming back again and again! Rokusho offers an elevated Japanese dining experience—from the incredible food and signature cocktails to the warm atmosphere and exceptional service. Chef Alex pours his heart into every dish, and you can truly taste it. Can’t wait to try their omakase next time!“

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

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

“First discovered musabi’s in Hawaii and was excited to find this spot in Santa Monica. The shop is small with no seating, but the food is the real draw. Great selection, fresh and flavorful, and perfect for a quick snack. Love the Santa Monica vibe, a fun place to grab a bite before heading to the beach“

“Genuinely exceptional from the warm welcome, the unique and beautiful atmosphere, and the attentive above-and-beyond team service. The Spicy Tuna Lemon roll was incontrovertibly the most uniquely mouthwatering sushi I’ve ever had the pleasure of savoring. I cannot recommend this place enough“

“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“

“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.“

“I had the best time here! I’m usually overwhelmed by bbq spots like this, but the service made it very easy and fun. Luis, thank you for being so kind and energetic! We loved having you as our server. All of the food was incredible. It’s a great spot for groups especially with the preset menu. Will be coming back again soon!“

“Friendly service, everything is yummy!“