50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Marina Del Rey

“A friendly waitresses,waiters .“

“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.“

“I was expecting a hole.in the wall since the area looked busy and the surrounding buildings looked run down. I was wrong. This place has a nice building and very nicely decorated inside. Clean. Staff was attentive and friendly. The sushi was very good and fairly priced. I would definitely recommend and will be personally coming back for more.“

“SUGARFISH has completely ruined all other sushi for me! à
Ever since I tried their
incredible lobster rolls, I simply can't enjoy sushi anywhere else. The quality and freshness are on a whole different level.
The service is always efficient, and even though they don't take reservations, the wait is absolutely worth it. If you're a fan of melt-in-your-mouth fish and perfect warm rice, this is the place. Highly recommend, but be warned: you might never want to eat sushi anywhere else
again“

“Best of Best...“

“Casual dinning atmosphere“

“We ate here several times whilst staying at MDR. I could not fault. Excellent customer service. Waiting staff were very friendly and the food was excellent.
We ate a full and varied range, from omelettes to Burritos and simple eggs.
If you never been here then all I will say is give it a go.“

“I went to the Tonchin location in New York late last year, so I came into the Los Angeles location excited and with high expectations. The food was good overall. My wife did not quite understand the hype around it, but I personally thought it was solid, even though it did not stand out as much as the New York location.

Where the difference between the two locations stood out the most was in customer service. We had to wait nearly twenty minutes just to receive the check, and throughout the meal the server rarely came by to check on us. Because of this, the overall experience at the Los Angeles location fell short of what I experienced in New York.

I do recommend the regular tonkotsu ramen and the buns“

“Reason for visiting:
Date/time of visit: Thursday Afternoon lunch, ~12:30 PM
Parking: I parked in the paid parking garage at the Culver steps; paid $2 after dobe with lunch so assume good for ~2 hours. My coworker found street parking 1-2 blocks away if you want to try to find street parking but $2 is reasonable
Party size: 4
Environment/ambience: smallish place with few tables and some outdoor seating. No TVs inside; not too loud inside. Pets allowed but prob outdoor only. Clean restrooms. Lots of things to see and visit around too; downtown Culver City has things within walking distance and outdoor grass areas to hang out around
Service: was great; came around often. Friendly too.
Food: had the W Chashu Ramen with egg; they do not serve alcohol here.
Cost: ~$140 with tip; $2 parking.
Would I go back (yes/no): 80/20; parking can be a hassle but food was great“

“This place is a true gem and I love shopping there for all my sushi and Japanese food and sake amazing selection and excellent service! If you enjoy fresh sushi fish that are reasonably priced then you most definitely must check out this gem!!! Also they teach lessons that sell out quickly so you must sign up for their monthly news email that gives you so much information about all that they do!“

“One of my favorite places, everything they do is well executed, and the staff are equally kind and personable. My last experience in particular where I ate at the bar was oddly especially warm and welcoming, where I got to chat with a really cool staff member named Reed, who apparently not only makes the drinks, but bakes delicious cookies they currently serve with one of their cocktails (The Hot Toddy, if you're curious).

It's also some of the best tongue meet (on the Skewers section) that I've ever had; if you're a fan, I highly recommend getting one of those at minimum!“

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

“The seared salmon and tuna were absolutely unforgettable, just as I remembered. What makes this omakase experience so special is that you can keep enjoying dish after dish until you feel completely satisfied. Truly grateful to Uzumaki for such a delightful meal!“

“Note: This review is part of a Yelp elite experience.

Shoutout to Sarah and the yelp intern for organizing a fabulous event. The westside elites were a wonderful bunch, and its immensely gratifying when everyone shares the love of food.

Wadaya is one of the top places to eat and you can see why. It was my first time experiencing the mazemen, which I had ignorantly ignored for the brothy ramen. However the manager mentioned that there was a dearth of good mazemen places, and the chef from Japan decided to fill that niche. Lucky for us, this is a great option for the noodle lovers amongst us (who isn't?).

I was one of only 2 elites to opt for the vegan experience that included Vegan Tokyo Mazemen, Shishito peppers appetizer and a Yuzu-forward Lemonade.

As with any good ramen, you need to mix in all the ingredients to coat the mazemen noodles with the sauce and all the accouterments. The vinegar table-side was a great addition to add in the umami, as if the brothless noodle experience needed any more umami. The yuzu lemonade was full of yuzu, light on the sugar (compared to so many other lemonades that are more sugarades) and had plenty of lemon (acid) to cut through the richness of the noodleicious dish. I liked the ratio of veggies to the noodles, although when I order takeout (which the manager said is a great idea since the dish holds well) I'd love a more veggies please option.
Tip: This dish is garlic forward, so if you love garlic, you'll be in heaven. Just carry some mints :)

Service was impeccable. The only feedback for the crew would be to jazz up the shisito peppers as they lacked a little flavor, but this may be because of the sequencing of dishes, when your flavor buds are saturated with the mazemen. However adding the vinegar gave it the right pep and it was a great complement to the main dish.

Thank you to the yelp team for shining a light on a neighborhood gem that many of us passed by but had not noticed. Wadaya know, it's now a solid addition to all of our radars. Cheesy pun unintended, or was it?

Tip: Plenty of 2 hour free parking in the neighborhood, since the lot is small and has only 3 spots for Wadaya.“

“Uchi is pretty decent. The vibe is cool trendy. Service was polite but felt bit rushed and not as personable.
Food-wise, nothing was terrible, but not mind blowing either. A couple of dishes were tasty, a couple were bland, the sushi rice is left to be desired.
Prices felt a bit high for an experience that screams ‘it’s fine. Not in huge rush to be back.“

“Eating at Jade Beverly Hills was a really nice experience. The staff was quick to get us seated, however it was a Wednesday evening so there were a handful of open tables. Food was amazing including the A5 Wagyu Beef Tartare and hand rolls! We also splurged and got the dessert even though we were pretty full with dinner. We got the strawberry meringue dessert which was a standout to finish off our meal!“

“I was searching all over social media for a sushi restaurant to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday. I really wanted to do an omakase experience, but everything in Los Angeles was either extremely expensive or completely booked.

Luckily, I came across this place and I can honestly say it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while. From the moment we sat down, the staff was incredibly attentive. The sushi chefs were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience even more enjoyable. Our waitress greeted us right away and walked us through the menu. We were a little unsure about what to order at first, but she helped guide us through the options, and we were excited to find out they offered omakase.

The chef’s selection did not disappoint. Every course was delicious, beautifully prepared, and paced perfectly throughout the meal. The entire dinner felt thoughtful and seamless, and my boyfriend loved every bite.

The service was outstanding, and it was clear the whole team knows how to make guests feel welcomed and taken care of. This is such a great spot for a date night and we’ll definitely be back!“

“Best Sushi in LA by far !“

“Was craving soba on a Saturday morning and luckily found SOBAR. Soba made in house - 100% buckwheat, cooked to perfection. Some of the best soba I’ve ever had with strong but clean dipping sauces. Had an extra full serving of soba to polish off the dipping sauces. Service was as good if not greater than soba itself.“

“We went to Katana for Dine LA and had a great time! Our waiter was super nice and the vibe was cozy and trendy. The patio has a great view of the street. Food was great too! Definitely recommend for a fun night out in LA. The portions were huge and the quality was great. I can’t wait to go back!“

“An adorable, cozy sushi restaurant with INCREDIBLE fresh fish. We got the special and regular omakase, and the special is absolutely worth the extra $20 because it comes with an amazing toro collar and tiramisu, along with more sushi, soup, and a carpaccio. Some memorable bites were the monkfish liver, fresh oyster, toro collar, daikon marinated red snapper, golden eye snapper nigiri, and the AMAZING housemade tiramisu.“

“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.“

“Excelent food ! Great place !“

“Delicious Udon and other Japanese specialties“

“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“

“The best dining experience I’ve had in recent months 👏 Staff were amazing and so friendly—special shoutout to Darren (our bartender), Robby (sushi chef), Chris, and Cornell, they were simply the best.
Food was incredible, the vibe was great, and huge respect to the chefs working hard on Valentine’s Day❤️“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“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 😋😋😋😋“

“I’ve been struggling to find a decent Tonkatsu, but this one is among the best Ive had in the US. I’m not an expert in Japanese cuisine but I have been to Japan a few times an this place is within striking distance of the average tonkatsus I had there. I’ll be back when I’m in the area“

“5 stars for the delicious and high quality sushi. plus i have a gluten allergy and the chef/ server was super considerate and knew exactly what needed to be modified. my favorites were the bluefin tuna nigiri and the yellowtail hand roll (with soy paper), and i don’t typically like yellowtail.

however, i did not realize there was a 16% service fee included in the bill. it says so on the menu so that’s my oversight but at kazu nori, for example, the server tells you not to tip because of the service fee. so on the little screen i tipped 20% on top of the 16% service fee and tax. it’s my bad for not paying closer attention but they don’t verbally tell you either.“

“Sushi fish was very fish, service was great! Food came out pretty quickly and everything was good, did not have one bite I didn’t like. Our orders included the California roll the spicy tuna roll. The salmon roll, baked salmon, premium roll, tuna and salmon and yellowtail sushi as well as the miso soup and the chicken yakitori. All were delicious. Did feel slightly rushed to leave as the waiters and waitresses kept coming to clean our plates while still eating - but that could also be received as good service so take it as you will. Took no photos because everything was eaten so quickly!“

“蕎麦、日本食　最高 !“

“My son and I tried the popcorn, chicken and burger. We love the chicken. It was juicy not dry. The burger was like your standard burger. I will have to add my son. Did not add their secret sauce so that may have made a difference. Seems like a family ran restaurant. They are very attentive and friendly.“

“Overall a solid sushi place. Their hand rolls are uniquely flavored. I do think some are a bit heavy on the salt so getting the sauce on the side made a big difference. The slices of sushi you get is a good amount which is probably what I liked the most about this place. The chili on the salmon hand roll was crispy and I wasn't expecting that so I really liked it!“

“SERVICE 10/10. There was plastic found in one of the udon, and they replaced the dish with a new dish AND ON TOP OF THAT the whole meal for our family was on the house. We came here multiple times before because of the quality and price of the food but this was crazy. Please come and support this business the food portion for the price the quality its amazing we left a huge tip in replacement because a free meal for a table of 6 is crazy.“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

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

“I absolutely love this place. I’m visiting from out of state and was wanting to try some sushi over here on the West Coast. I couldn’t have picked a better place! My friend ordered the Philly and spider rolls and I ordered the crunchy dragon roll and pumpkin carrot soup. We also ordered the fusion bun with imitation crab and plum sake. Everything was delicious and Atko, our hostess, was so very lovely. 10/10 highly recommend.“

“Got off the airplane and came straight here! Sushi was soooo good, costumer service was great 👍🏼 it was tight seating but we loved it felt like a scene in a movie where everyone around us was talking but we were just in our own little bubble 🍣“

“Rokusho is one of my favorite spots in LA right now. The space is sleek without feeling try-hard, and the food is thoughtful, creative Japanese that still feels grounded—everything we ordered was excellent. Great cocktails, attentive service, and an overall vibe that makes it an easy go-to for a date or a night out with friends. Consistently impressive.“

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

“Eat here. Do it and thank me later. The owner/chef was so lovely - I called over about a food allergy and she texted me a follow up. That level of thoughtfulness is nearly unheard of in food service these days. As the other reviews state the food is phenomenal, served HOT, and is inventive, thoughtfully prepared, and comforting.“

“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“

“Fresh, Flavorful, and Worth Every Bite!

I recently visited this sushi spot, and I was blown away by how fresh everything tasted. The fish practically melted in my mouth — you can really tell they use high-quality ingredients. The rolls were beautifully presented and perfectly balanced with flavor and texture.“

“My date and I had dinner at Wagyu Butcher, and it was a wonderful experience for us both. We were seated almost immediately upon arrival, and the staff welcomed us with exceptional hospitality. Once we were seated, the atmosphere truly made me feel as if I were in Japan.
Both my date and I chose the Butcher’s Omakase course, the appetizers and every cut of meat was absolutely delicious. What really stood out to us was watching the staff cut the meats right in front of us, which made us truly appreciate the freshness and quality. We both upgraded the curry rice to the A5 wagyu sushi, which was incredible.
For drinks, we enjoyed plum wine, a Shochu Calpico cocktail, and Sapporo beer. To finish the meal, we ordered the green tea tiramisu, green tea pudding with honey, and the milk tea pudding all of which were delicious. The complimentary tea they provided to aid digestion was a very thoughtful touch.
The staff were all wonderful, and we even had a few conversations about Japan while dining. We will definitely be coming back soon.“

“I love coming to this place for their combination fried rice. The people tending the place are very friendly. They have other menu items that I would like to try, but I always get the rice because is easy to eat on the go and even cold it retains its flavor. I highly recommend this place.“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

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

“The first time I tried this place i never thought I would return. The chicken was for some reason tasted too much like charcoal and was rather unpleasant. I was very saddened but figured it was a bad batch and was hoping to return for a retribution batch and I’m so glad that I gave it another chance. Torisoba, when done correctly, is a knock out out the park.

Last night left me in awe, from sampling my friend’s ramen to multiple appetizers my mouth was celebrating each bite. You could tell the food came out fresh as it was warm and took some time to prepare. The chicken soup that gets served with the fried chicken tartar and sweet and sour options is one of the most hearty and savory soups your taste buds will ever meet.

The variations of fried to charcoal chicken will leave you pointing your chopsticks and knowing your head in agreement with friends. They don’t cheap out as the bowl is filled with plenty of goodies. Top it off with some Yuzu kosho (green chili peppers and yuzu zest) and blast off into the best chicken meal you could have.

They have vegan and other options as well and their menu seems to be expanding. Try it all and I’m so glad I ventured back for this meal was truly out of the park.“