50 Best Japanese Restaurants near San Gabriel

“Sushi is delicious here and always fresh - this is our fave spot in Blossom Market Hall! Great quality food, friendly service, and decent prices given the portion sizes and quality.

I’ve tried the Dragon Roll and the Tiger Roll and loved them both. The Tiger Roll has plain cooked shrimp, shrimp tempura, crab and cucumber with a lovely mix of sauces over the top. The Dragon Roll has spicy salmon, shrimp tempura, crab, cucumber and onion also with delectable sauces on top.

The Dragon Roll was the winner for sure - the spicy salmon on top was some of the best I’ve had - not surprised it’s one of their best sellers.

Their rolls are quite large - more than enough for one person per roll and the prices are very decent. Their combos are pretty huge and an excellent bargain. We got my FIL a combo C and a Blossom Roll to go on our last visit - I was impressed by the presentation and he loved them both. Will have to try one next time!

Service was efficient and very welcoming. Order at the counter and they’ll give you a buzzer. The vibe in the market hall is lively and inviting - with lots of seating options and promising dessert choices once you’ve finished your dinner. Sushi Rolland is right inside the main entrance and there’s plenty of free parking on site.“

“Cute homey Japanese vibes. It’s a small restaurant so I can see there’d be a wait on busy days. Luckily we only had to wait about 5 min. The menu is straightforward. Comfort Japanese dishes. Service was great, they’re super nice and very attentive!

The tempura was good, sauce was great too. Katsu was fried perfectly, sauce was tangy and fantastic, just wish the pork was more moist/tender. Karaage was just okay, probably wouldn’t order it again, most of the flavor came from the sauce. My dad loved his eel bowl set, flavored and cooked well. My katsudon bowl was delicious, again katsu was a little dry, togarashi is a must with this bowl. And the cold soba noodles were great, the sauce dip was perfectly seasoned and noodles were perfect texture, very refreshing to eat.

Parking - small free lot! We had no issues getting parking.“

“The sushi here is solid. You get lots of pieces and thicker pieces of fish for a good price. My favorite roll was the sunset roll!

My family and I also ordered the tempura ice cream for dessert. It wasn’t the best tempura ice cream we’ve ever had. It could have had a crispier exterior and the ice cream didn’t have a strong matcha flavor.“

“I think I tried this place once before and didn’t think too much of it, but decided to give it another shot recently—and I’m glad I did. I called in an order for the Pork Katsu Sando and the 2 Chicken Tenders with Fries box. Picked it up about 15 minutes later, all ready to go.

The pork katsu sandwich really hit the spot crispy, juicy, and just the right amount of fat to keep it moist and flavorful. Definitely the star of the meal. The chicken tenders were alright, nothing super memorable.

I’d definitely come back just for the sando. Might explore the rest of the menu next time.“

“Hidden gem of an authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi market. The entrance is located in the back of a side driveway. Though this market is small, I carries fresh sushi, sashimi trays ready to eat. Plus they have a kitchen made to order & ready to cut sashimi at your request. I'm also amazed to see the varieties of different raw fish, uni from Santa Barbara and raw scallops; all at reasonable prices.
They also carry cute Japanese stationary, frozen and regular food items. Definitely this is a place I heartily recommend.“

“Super cute spot, with goldfish in pond outside. They take care of their customers… but the best part was THE FOOD. High quality sushi (compliments to the chef) - well curated rolls. Just plain awesome spot.
Nice place to hang and watch the game, or drink with friends.“

“Tiny little place serving up food well above its weight class! Really good food! The chef even came out to personally ask us how the food was. So nice! Really interesting decor too! I'd come back with my date! But the place is tiny, so if there's no seating inside, and it's too hot or cold to eat outside, take it to go! The food is worth giving a new home in your belly!“

“Excellent place for meats if you'd like to take home to cook Korean BBQ, hot pot, skewers, or steak. Great service and high quality selection of meat, including wagyu. For a party, don't forget to call ahead or come in a day in advance!INSIDE:You are greeted with a relatively small space, including a wall of enticing pictures of meat for sale. There are also selections available in the center to grab and go any additions like noodles, sauces, fuel cans, etc.SERVICE:Cashier was friendly and helpful. She understood our prompt: enough meat, including wagyu, for a hot pot at home for 10 people the next day. She recommended a combo that she assured us was enough and indeed it was, almost more than enough! She got our information down for the next day's pickup.FOOD:Excellent. Every cut was displayed beautifully and labeled clearly, with good thin slices for hot pot purposes and the wagyu really showed off the marbling. The wagyu was of course stunning, but the selections offered in the combo were unique as well including beef tongue. Everyone was impressed with the quality of the meat.Wonderful. Would definitely come again to try their other offerings or whenever our next hot pot party will be!“

“The service was professional and great. The staff are very friendly. Covid protocols are adhered to at the door. Temperature checks are required prior to entering the dining area. The food is excellent. If you love sashimi and sushi then you must visit.“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“Amazing place. A real gem and great find. The mackerel bento tier 2 was amazing. The fish was butter and crispy. All the vegetables were so tasty too. The area it’s in is a bit rough, but this place is worth it. The inside is decorated nicely and it’s a nice atmosphere. The staff was nice and the even gave us cute holiday cookies. Can’t wait to visit again“

“The food was excellent. We had the salmon roll and rainbow sushi (highly recommend the salmon roll) as well as the chicken curry and gyoza. The quality of the food was very high and flavorful!

It's very rare that you go to a restaurant and know that the staff loves the restaurant. There was one person running the entire front of the house, but she was always genuinely smiling and at the end of our meal gave us cookies that her and her brother (the cook) had as children!

We especially enjoyed the little slice of history this restaurant is a part of!“

“I had Japanese breakfast w/ miso black cod, it was tasty.“

“Delicious food. Fast service. Get here early to avoid a long line.“

“Amazing takeout family meal which features the most flavorful and delicious Char Siu Wagyu Short Rib with fluffy bao. All side dishes are well executed and delectable. One of the best staying at home meals I’ve had! Highly recommend it!“

“Nice, super clean restaurant, nice seating options. Friendly staff, fun music at a party setting volume 😎.
It's my first time here I go to school across the street. I ordered the chicken and beef teriyaki bowl. Wasn't sure if I was gonna need the plate because I wasn't sure how much food came in the bowl but wow! It's a good size bowl and it's full of chicken and beef. It's not just all rice. The price was under $20 for a drink and bowl with avocado add on. I'm very happy with my lunch! It's really fresh and no weird pieces of meat. The teriyaki has a really good flavor, I did add extra sauce to my bowl. It's very tasty. I'll definitely be back.“

“This might be the best restaurant in LA. The service was phenomenal from start to finish. Our waiter was bright, engaged when needed, and provided everything we needed. Great ambiance with this nice, lo-fi synth.
But the best part about this place is the food. This is some of the best food in LA, if not the best. We got the shishito peppers and crispy rice, handrolls, sea bass and steak, eggplant, and cheesecake. Everything was fantastic. Perfectly timed out of the kitchen. Every dish bursted with flavors that complimented each other. The dessert wasn't too sweet. The Kitsune is also an incredible old fashioned.“

“An Arts District gem. This food blew our minds, we stopped in for a quick bite and everything we had was an absolute 10. Will be coming back to try more of the menu but highlights we had:

- seaweed salad
- spicy tuna crispy rice
- lobster pasta (incredible)
- chicken skewer

Friendly, knowledgeable service, great ambiance, definitely worth a visit!“

“Dear Troy,

Your service impeccable, your smile inviting
You made our night and us feel so at home.
Thank you for allll of that wonderful house sriracha and night. Until next time
We will be back“

“Its open and they really made sure its safe , service and food perfect . Happy days“

“Kaminari specializes in Utsunomiya-style gyoza, a pan-fried dumpling that uses a paper-thin wrapper. In Japan, Utsunomiya is a town known for gyoza paired with experimental and non-traditional ingredients

🍽 The first gyoza bar in LA all the way from Utsunomiya Japan!

FOOD 4/5
- Yaki gyoza which is pan fried
- Sui gyoza boiled gyoza in clear pork soup w/green onions = LOVE THIS!

SERVICE 3.5/5
Kinda had a weird vibe from the staff members here. Just wasn't the friendliest or authentic.

PARKING 4/5
Parking in the perimeter of J-twn“

“Amazing find, theit sushi kaiseki is the best and the middle set at $160 is one of the best values in town. Reminds me of places we went to in Japan. Sit at the bar and get an authentic omskasa experience for way less than comparable restaurants.“

“Great rolls. Big selection.... fresh.“

“Really good food. Came in during the SILENT HILL F collab, the line was extremely long but what would you expect. Giving it a 5/5 because regardless the service was quick and efficient! Both treats offered were so good, social media was making people believe they tasted weird but nope. It’s for a certain audience to say in short. Love love love!!“

“A hidden gem in Montrose. Very good food, attentive service, reasonable price.“

“good for romatic and I recommend here for everyone“

“Salad Dressing is amazing. Parking is horrible. They said 10-15 for my order. 25 minutes and I got a $52 Parking Citation🤬🤬🤬🤬“

“Best sushi on the West Side ❤️“

“Yes. Very nice servers etc. clean. Yummy food. Usually get beef teriyaki with tempura. Good batter on tempura snd lots of food“

“Its a must try experience. Everything is made on the spot.
You can taste how fresh and authentic every bite is. Nothing is rushed, flavors and textures are perfect.
Customer service is exceptional and the ambient is a chill ambient that allows you to talk with some background music without it being over bearing.
10/10 will come back.“

“It was a great experience We took our dear granddaughter to celebrate her birthday !!!“

“Suehiro Mini review:

Suehiro Mini is a cozy, casual spot known for its authentic Japanese cuisine, especially sushi and ramen. The flavors are fresh and well-balanced, with generous portions. The staff is friendly and helpful, creating a welcoming vibe. It’s a great choice for a quick, satisfying meal with quality ingredients. Prices are reasonable, making it popular among locals and visitors alike.

If you want details on a particular dish or experience, let me know!“

“so far everything I've tried has been delicious!“

“Tried the Spicy Miso Ramen. The broth was rich and the noodles were nice and chewy. Although, the portion seemed a bit smaller end for the price.

Please note they use QR codes as a menu. So you have to scan the code and order on your phone.

The interior is very cute and clean. The staff are friendly. Overall, a good experience.“

“Every dish was delectable, and great service! We all had a fantastic time there! Definitely will be back, and for celebrations.“

“Absolutely incredible vegan dishes and top notch service! We stumbled on Rice when looking for vegan options; so happy we did! Dishes we tried: vegan crisp rice sampler, miso soup, garlic edamame, homemade ginger ale and the crispy dynamite role vegan. Everything was so good! The ginger ale was next level - highly recommend! We got homemade pickled ginger with the roll and it was unbelievably tasty and fresh. The miso soup was a nice surprise as most are not vegan; a broth that built upon each sip and the tofu was also homemade. The crispy dynamite vegan roll had such a unique and deep flavor - more smokey than spicy. I can't recommend the food enough. Thank you to the chef and for the exceptional service. What a treat!!“

“This restaurant was amazing! The food was well cooking and seasoned lots of flavor in the Ramen broth and noddles, everything was prepared fresh. The staff was very attentive and kind, my friends and I had a great time there definitely will be coming back!“

“It was very nice. Loved the hellos and thank you for coming. I can’t wait to come back next time I visit the area.“

“ABSOLUTELY the BEST ramen I have ever had!!! The service is amazing, the fried pumpkin... off the hook!!! Spring rolls, yaaasssss!! I had the King Ramen...whoaaaaa! Daaaaammnnn!! You will NOT be disappointed. Thanks to the owners for the great experience.“

“We recently embarked on a three-week west coast “foodie” vacation, spanning five states and six major cities. Along the way, we dined at everything from Michelin-starred establishments to small mom-and-pop restaurants. By the end of our trip, everyone in our group unanimously agreed that our experience at Tensho was one of the absolute highlights.

From the warm hospitality and the evident pride in food preparation to the impeccable service and outstanding flavors, everything about our visit was memorable. We left the restaurant on a true “food high,” feeling as though if the entire world could experience what we just had, it might inspire world peace.

Be sure to order the wagyu—it’s an absolute must and a true indulgence!“

“good recommmend for eveyone“

“The food is excellent. If you are in the area, go eat here. I knew the price was worth it right away when I saw the food. And I did not regret it after eating. For the around same price as other restaurants that give me thin slices of eel, Yume gave me basically the whole eel. I am amazed and grateful. I think this is an honest, authentic restaurant with high quality food.“

“Best Japanese Food in Whittier“

“Azabu Sushi – Whittier, CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ½ (I docked half a star purely out of spite because I can’t afford to eat here every day)

I walked into Azabu expecting the usual Whittier sushi experience: decent fish, questionable rice, and a lingering fear that the “spicy tuna” might just be yesterday’s salmon wearing hot sauce as war paint. Instead I was immediately hit with a vibe that says, “Yes, we know we’re in a strip mall next to a boba place, but we’re about to ruin you for grocery-store California rolls forever.”

Let’s start with the Salmon Carpaccio (the flat pizza-looking thing in the photo). Imagine if salmon had a glow-up, went to Coachella, and came back wearing citrus ponzu as body glitter and microgreens as a flower crown. It’s so pretty I almost felt bad eating it. Almost. Then I inhaled the entire plate in 45 seconds like a savage who’d never seen raw fish before. Zero regrets. The texture is silkier than my ex’s lies.

Next up: the Shrimp Gyoza in that dark, mysterious broth. These dumplings show up swimming in what I can only describe as “umami bathwater.” One bite and I involuntarily whispered “oh daddy” — which was awkward because I was on a date with my actual father. The wrappers have that perfect pan-seared crisp before collapsing into the sauce like they owe it money. I’d bathe in that broth if it weren’t socially unacceptable (and if the staff weren’t watching me like I’m one impulse away from grabbing a straw).

Portions are annoyingly civilized — translation: you’ll want to order three of everything and then lie about being full so you look refined. Pro tip: don’t. Just commit to the food coma. Your jeans will forgive you eventually.

Service is ninja-level attentive without being obnoxious. Our server knew the menu like he personally caught the fish at 4 a.m. while doing CrossFit. When I asked what was good he just smirked and said “everything,” which should’ve been arrogant but was 100% correct. Rude.

Ambiance? It’s dark, moody, and sexy in a way that makes you want to use chopsticks seductively even though you still hold them like a toddler with crayons.

Only complaint: the bill. It arrives looking innocent, then you realize you just paid Beverly Hills prices in a city where the biggest landmark is a 24-hour donut shop. Worth it? Absolutely. Will I be eating cup noodles for the next week? Also yes.

Verdict: Azabu is the sushi spot Whittier doesn’t deserve but desperately needed. If you’re still going to the conveyor-belt place down the street after eating here, I’m afraid we can no longer be friends. 9.5/10 — would sell a minor organ to come back tomorrow.“

“my experience here is always great, it’s my go to spot for sushi and even though i usually order for delivery, the dine in experience today was amazing with great customer service and equally as amazing food; can’t wait to order from here again!“

“There used to be in a Marugame near my college, but it has disappeared and since then, I’ve been yearning for it. Marugame’s noodles are bouncy and the soup rich in fishy flavor. I love the ability to tempura, but my tempura was a little too soggy in the breading. But overall, loved the experience and the food“

“Deliciously authentic Japanese food joint, owned and operated by a talented Japanese chef. I’ve been eating here for years with my family! This professional chef has personally made every sushi roll by hand for as long as I can remember. 10/10 Highly recommend. Truly a hidden gem in East Los Angeles.“

“wow... im at a loss for words. my experience? downright perfect. every bite was an adventure i could only describe either as colorful or blissful, im stuck between the two. the customer service? even better. all my needs were met, and all my wants were blown out of the water as i recieved my meal. going here is not something you should consider, it's something you have to do.“

“Good food, portions & service...“

“Tried this place out as part of our monthly ramen runs.
The food did not disappoint. We got two ramens (classic tonkotsu and the shoyu ramen) the flavor of the broth and the tenderness of the meat were the highlights. We liked that this place seems to offer really good value and price for the quality of food. We also got the pork belly bowl and Philadelphia roll and they were better than I thought they would be.
We'll be back, I recommend trying this place if you're looking for a top, solid ramen joint.“