Amazing food! We had a variety of sushi which were all very well presented and delicious. We also had the homemade panna cotta š We will definitely be coming back to try more from the menu. My son was so happy we found this little gem as Japanese food is his favourite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott B
Takuma has become one of my favorite spots for a reason. Every dish has lovely balanceāblending umami, sweetness, and saltiness in a way that never feels overpowering. The service is professional, courteous, and attentive without being intrusive. You get the sense that the staff genuinely care about your experience. Cleanliness is clearly a top priority here. Every time I visit, the space feels well-kept and clean. And unlike many restaurants, the atmosphere is calm and invitingāideal for a peaceful dinner or thoughtful conversation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Austin K
I got the bento, which wasn't bad but the portions are pretty tiny
Dustin Colucci
Staff was very friendly and attentive. Fish was fresh. Would definitely come back. Got the salmon roll and yellowtail
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Nguyen
We are regulars and here are the reasons why: 1. For when we want Japanese food but not necessarily sushi. Japanese fare is more than sushi, broaden your palate. The ginger pork, hand rolls, soba noodles, yakisoba, and sukiyaki are our go-tos. If you like okonomiyaki, one of the few places in Santa Monica that makes it. 2. Good variety of small and medium size plates to share. 3. Casual. Jeans and a shirt is our regular dinner attire. 4. Great selection of sake. 5. Really kind servers. 6. Great value. We get a really good meal for a reasonable amount of money unlike other Japanese places in Santa Monica.
I finally got to try this eatery. Not what I expected. Not bad, but different: When I visit a Japanese restaurant, I expect a sushi bar with a sushi chef, who is skilled and trained for years/decades. Nope.
To my wife's surprise, whondoesnt eat raw foods, there were more cooked food options.
Overall, it was good but not great. Their chicken curry cutlet was more like chicken jerkey (overcooked, thin, stringy/chewy.) I expected a more plump piece of breaded chicken patty. It was literally like chicken jerkey. How can they serve this? The curry was okay, but nothing memorable.
The yellowtail appetizer offering was more like poke yet the sauce was overpowering. I had to force myself to finish, and not waste any hamachi. I prefer more subtlety.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
HZ āFilllousā Z
One of the best in West LA. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mia Mia (Mia)
I expected a more authentic Japanese taste.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Jenna Park
Our favorite izakaya place!! The chef is so friendly and thoughtful. We love all the food here, always over eating but worth it. Reasonable price, always the same great quality food. Definitely will visit more often!
Our server was great, and the food and drinks were amazing. However, the whole restaurant smells a bit off. They could light a scented candle to reduce the smell and improve the ambiance.
I do have to say avocado salad was not very good. The avocado itself was very hard. Very little. There was basically what tasted like caned kidney beans, not quality ingredients si sorry the fried chicken, tough and oily very disappointed if this is a reflection of Tokyo cuisine I am very sorry. Iāve been to Japan many times this does not work whatsoever everything tasted like it was packaged and processed so sad
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Orlena Kusnadi
Came here with kids and they love their rolls. We ordered Sukiyaki, Karage, Chicken Saboro and a lot more. The waiter was very attentive, being with kids we add order at different time, with different request, and they got it all right and with a smile. Limited parking lot in front of the restaurant.
Dakota Giglio
The food is NEXT
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ę¾ę¬åÆ
It's a good place.
Bud Bennett
An amazing find. The owner was so kind and the food was amazing. The menu isnāt kidding- the blow torch mackerel was unbelievably good. Cozy vibe inside, highly recommend.
Amazing food! We had a variety of sushi which were all very well presented and delicious. We also had the homemade panna cotta š
We will definitely be coming back to try more from the menu. My son was so happy we found this little gem as Japanese food is his favourite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Takuma has become one of my favorite spots for a reason. Every dish has lovely balanceāblending umami, sweetness, and saltiness in a way that never feels overpowering. The service is professional, courteous, and attentive without being intrusive. You get the sense that the staff genuinely care about your experience. Cleanliness is clearly a top priority here. Every time I visit, the space feels well-kept and clean. And unlike many restaurants, the atmosphere is calm and invitingāideal for a peaceful dinner or thoughtful conversation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I got the bento, which wasn't bad but the portions are pretty tiny
Staff was very friendly and attentive. Fish was fresh. Would definitely come back. Got the salmon roll and yellowtail
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are regulars and here are the reasons why:
1. For when we want Japanese food but not necessarily sushi. Japanese fare is more than sushi, broaden your palate. The ginger pork, hand rolls, soba noodles, yakisoba, and sukiyaki are our go-tos. If you like okonomiyaki, one of the few places in Santa Monica that makes it.
2. Good variety of small and medium size plates to share.
3. Casual. Jeans and a shirt is our regular dinner attire.
4. Great selection of sake.
5. Really kind servers.
6. Great value. We get a really good meal for a reasonable amount of money unlike other Japanese places in Santa Monica.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blow Torched Mackerel, Kinpira Gobo Hijiki Seaweed, Chicken Karage
I finally got to try this eatery. Not what I expected. Not bad, but different: When I visit a Japanese restaurant, I expect a sushi bar with a sushi chef, who is skilled and trained for years/decades. Nope.
To my wife's surprise, whondoesnt eat raw foods, there were more cooked food options.
Overall, it was good but not great. Their chicken curry cutlet was more like chicken jerkey (overcooked, thin, stringy/chewy.) I expected a more plump piece of breaded chicken patty. It was literally like chicken jerkey. How can they serve this? The curry was okay, but nothing memorable.
The yellowtail appetizer offering was more like poke yet the sauce was overpowering. I had to force myself to finish, and not waste any hamachi. I prefer more subtlety.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
One of the best in West LA. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I expected a more authentic Japanese taste.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Our favorite izakaya place!! The chef is so friendly and thoughtful. We love all the food here, always over eating but worth it. Reasonable price, always the same great quality food. Definitely will visit more often!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Saboro Rice Bowl, Kinpira Gobo Hijiki Seaweed, Mackerel, Potato Salad
Our server was great, and the food and drinks were amazing. However, the whole restaurant smells a bit off. They could light a scented candle to reduce the smell and improve the ambiance.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blow Torched Mackerel
Restaurantji Recommends
I do have to say avocado salad was not very good. The avocado itself was very hard. Very little. There was basically what tasted like caned kidney beans, not quality ingredients si sorry the fried chicken, tough and oily very disappointed if this is a reflection of Tokyo cuisine I am very sorry. Iāve been to Japan many times this does not work whatsoever
everything tasted like it was packaged and processed so sad
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Came here with kids and they love their rolls.
We ordered Sukiyaki, Karage, Chicken Saboro and a lot more. The waiter was very attentive, being with kids we add order at different time, with different request, and they got it all right and with a smile. Limited parking lot in front of the restaurant.
The food is NEXT
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's a good place.
An amazing find. The owner was so kind and the food was amazing. The menu isnāt kidding- the blow torch mackerel was unbelievably good. Cozy vibe inside, highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blow Torched Mackerel
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