50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Playa Del Rey

“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 👍🏻“

“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!“

“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.“

“A friendly waitresses,waiters .“

“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.“

“We went to try out the new menu and what a great idea, We had the happy hour sushi and beers and everything was so delicious and the presentation was gorgeous!
We will make this our new spot for sushi, and can’t wait to try the Ramen and all the other choices on the menu. PS outdoor seating is wonderful during the summer months, plenty of umbrellas to go around. Fabulous service to boot“

“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.“

“Good taste noodle, great customer service! interesting old Torrance neighborhood.“

“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.“

“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“

“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!“

“I've been to a lot of Michelin restaurants around the world and this is easily a one star. Fantastic food and service and the pacing was perfect. Just look at the fish main course... Grilled perfectly on charcoal. Definitely coming back next time I'm in “

“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.“

“Delicious Udon and other Japanese specialties“

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

“A friend who frequents this establishment brought me for lunch today with another friend. Being a vegetarian I was impressed by the selections I would love to try. I ended up ordering the salmon, scallop, spinach cream pasta with capers. It was delicious! My friends ordered the pork katsu and hamburger combo and it looked awesome. The portions are so generous and it comes with soup and salad for the combo and mine came with a small salad and homemade bread. And the family run restaurant is very service oriented, friendly and a very clean and comfortable place. Highly recommended“

“This is kind of like a restaurant cafe with a Japanese-Korean コンビニconvenience store together. Think 日本7-11, 7i, Gs25. They have instant ramen bowls and cute Shiba Inu and Kitty bags and totes. Freshly made onigiri… ? with good quality rice. ?“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“Great service awesome food A+“

“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 !“

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

“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.“

“Dinner for 2 persons, shared appetizer and 2 combo plates, green tea, 100$.
Ueno could be a great restaurant because the food is of quality. The combo dinner plates were copious. Unfortunately, they were served with large portions of jasmine rice instead of quality Japanese rice like Koishikari.
But the worse part is the place itself. Country music? Puking. Kindergarten decor? Horrible. Lighting: bad. TV with sports? Why?

Greeting was non existant. One chef looked at us from the kitchen but simply ignored us after just a glimpse. Is this a private club? A waiter entered the dining area but did not notice us, we had to make some sound and gesture.
The place was around 30% occupied, quite underwhelming
This place has all the potential of attracting a nice clientele because the food quality is there. Make it seriously Japanese !
Cover the windows (who wants to see traffic?), remove the preschool decor, dim the lights, remove the TV, add a sushi counter, and mainly, train the personnel. Being ignored at the door when only 4 tables are occupied is strange.
No reservation needed, place is empty! By 20:00 parking was full, with quite non existing street parking. Not good.“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“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.“

“A hidden gem! Very fresh and tasty“

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

“yummmmm so good. highly recommend“

“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“

“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 🍱“

“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.“

“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.“

“Ise-Shima is the Japanese restaurant of the Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance, Los Angeles. The main dining room of the hotel restaurant is elegant and spacious. Servers are polite, accommodating, and professional. Although price is not cheap, the Tuna Lunch Special (USD 46) is fresh and delicious.“