50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Sierra Madre

“food is amazing and staff is top-notch“

“Enjoyed our quiet outdoor meal last night. Everything was delicious 😋“

“Overall 5 stars:

Rationale:
- tons of treats, snack, to choose from
- raw fish quality looked decent and fresh
- sushi quality is superb for being made in advance
- prices : very reasonable

Only suggestions for a better overall customer experience:
- better organization for the refrigerators
- it's too tight and not enough space to open refrigerator doors without bumping people or bothering others while shopping
- the Yama in LA felt like it has a better organization to it, the space size appears to be similar from what I recall, I may be wrong

Having said that:
- this place is phenomenal and you should definitely give it a try
- staff is incredibly nice
- the quality is top notch
- variety/options are decent
- you won't be disappointed and you'll definitely find yourself returning for more“

“The service, the food, the environment and the kindness and efficiency of our server tonight! 😋👍“

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

“Highly commendable service and absolutely stunning set menu! we went here for dinner last night for our Halloween date night! Their wagyu cuts are 100% top-grade and not just random "wagyu" that are below the marks. We tried their A5 and M9 meats, not to mention their salmon carpaccio that is to die for. Their sides are absolutely delicious and smart, one great example is their fried pork buns that is like a spin on soup dumplings. To top it off, you get premium ice cream in the end. Their salad is so good with yuzu and smokey salt, plus you get a chili mix too. They serve the meats fast plus your tablet menu is in front of you so you don't have to keep calling the staff to refill. I give them 9 stars! 🌟 🐄 🥩“

“Qauint and charming sushi place. Reaonably priced for fresh sashimi and sushi dishes. Very pleasantly surprised w the freshness of the seafood!
Service was attentive and sweet even when it got busy.
Definitely a repeat customer!“

“I’ve been coming to sushi rolland for a while now, and I’d say, I’m pretty satisfied! I’ve been impressed by the freshness of the their fish, especially their salmon. I LOVE salmon, and their salmon is buttery and very good quality. For their price and quality, I’d say it’s definitely worth it. I’ve tried their salmon delight, crunch roll, dragon roll, blossom roll, salmon avocado combo, combo an and combo c. I tried out their new menu today, the salmon crunch, and I really liked it (apologies for the half eaten picture). Might be my new go to menu item. I really the fried onions on there. I always like getting their miso soup, such a good combination with the sushi. Highly recommend their combo plate, especially combo A!“

“Meet quality really nice to me Good service!“

“Authentic Japanese food! The chef was Japanese! Not fake Japanese restaurant. People are nice. 😊
Sushi was great! We had Kanpachi, halibut, amaebi, uni, engawa and oysters, agedashi.
Everything was delicious. they didn’t let me down. Thank you for nice dinner 🍽“

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

“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 ❤️“

“Was at Santa Anita Mall and it was dinner time. Had seen Marugame Udon many times, but had never tried it until today. Tried the new Bolongese Udon with a potato croquette and sweet potato tempura. Ambience is great and the wall artwork is fabulous. Noodles were fresh and bowl was warmed before plating. I ordered a large size and was not disappointed. Free toppings were nice: tempura flakes, wake, cilantro, grunions. Tempura was nice and crispy. Potato croquet was good but a bit too sweet for my liking. Grabbed a Calamansi Ade to drink; nice Calamansi flavor and not overly sweet. Tempura dipping sauce was excellent. Appreciate the Togarashi and chili oil as well if you want a bit of spice. Free water cups also appreciated.

For the bolognese, please don’t think this will be similar to an Italian restaurant; this is the Japanese riff on bolognese. A boiled egg may seem odd at first, but it gives the dish a wonderful creamy texture when mixed with the cheese. The ground meat rounded out the dish well. Cilantro and togarashi paired really well by providing freshness and a hint of spice (I love spicy stuff). While this dish will not be for everyone, I’d encourage people to try it, as it is quite filling and really good for what it is. If you’ve had Japanese pasta before, you’ll know.

Will be coming back to try other Udon options and tempura. Udon is great comfort food, and Marugame does it well!“

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

“Good food, portions & service...“

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

“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.“

“I've been coming here since high school and the quality has stayed the same. Everything here is delicious. The staff is so super friendly and welcoming. If you're looking for a good, local hidden gem for Japanese curry ... look no further!“

“Solid ramen, sushi and other dishes. Good portions as well. Service was efficient though a bit impersonal...but as long as my water is getting refilled before having to ask, etc. I can do without friendliness. I'm 99% positive my mom and I had been to the Montrose location a few years back and had a very positive experience as well. Definitely would go back to either location. We went on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend for a later lunch with a group of 6 and there was no wait.“

“Great food and great service“

“Really great poke with a good selection of protein, base and toppings. The fish was fresh and seasoned well, vegetable toppings were plentiful along with seaweed and masago. They have a variety of excellent sauces as well. The large poke was enough for two people with an av“

“I recently tried Katsu Jin and was really impressed. The cheese katsu was super aesthetic when it came out—crispy on the outside with that perfect cheesy pull, and just as good as it looked.

The tempura had an ideal crunch—light, not greasy, and fried perfectly. You can tell they pay attention to the details.

I also ordered the soba noodles, and they were spot on. The texture was perfect, and the soba dipping sauce was delicious—light, refreshing, and balanced everything really well.

Overall, a great spot if you’re craving quality Japanese comfort food with solid execution across the board.“

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

“Really great service the workers are very nice and the food came out very fast though I did pick up and ate there. I got the Vegas roll and it was delicious you guys should definitely come here! They give you wasabi and soy sauce and the rolls are very big. Definitely worth it and I’ll be coming here more😁“

“My go-to sushi spot for sure. I’ve been here so many times that they already know my order when I walk in 😂. Great sushi, great service, and they always make you feel welcome. Can’t recommend this place enough!“

“Fantastic. Great service and even better sushi.“

“I recently tried Koki Ku Sushi, a newer Japanese restaurant in Duarte, and came away pleasantly surprised.

I stopped by for their lunch special and found the service attentive and welcoming throughout the meal. The 5-piece chef's choice premium nigiri was fresh and enjoyable, with each piece offering a nice variety of flavors.

I also ordered the Salmon Teriyaki with Spicy Tuna Roll combo. The teriyaki salmon was flavorful, although the slices were a bit thinner compared to what I've had at other sushi spots. The spicy tuna roll was generously portioned and filling enough to make for a satisfying lunch.

The restaurant itself has a clean, modern design and is conveniently located in the Target plaza, where parking is plentiful and easy. Overall, Koki Ku Sushi is a nice addition to the Duarte dining scene, and I'll be back to try more items from their menu.“

“Their signature soufflé pancakes“

“Umebana has amazing food! I'm currently pregnant and I have been looking all over for a sushi place to make food accommodations for me when I have my cravings. Umebana is always so kind to me, the atmosphere is clean and enjoyable, and the food is always made exactly how I requested it, so delicious! Thank you for taking such great care of me“

“Sakura Grill is a great spot for fresh, flavorful Japanese-inspired dishes served in a relaxed, casual setting. The menu has a nice variety, and everything comes out well-prepared and consistent. The grilled items are especially satisfying tender, well-seasoned, and cooked just right.

Service is friendly and efficient, and orders are handled quickly whether you’re dining in or taking out. The atmosphere is simple and comfortable, making it easy to enjoy a laid-back meal. Overall, Sakura Grill is a solid go-to for dependable, tasty food with good value.“

“Always wondered about this restaurant as there's always a line outside the establishment. My wife and I were seated with our friend group pretty quickly, a nice perk to the staff that handed out menus to choose your order to improve efficiency.

I love that the ramen is very customizable, from the amount of salt, oil richness, ingredients mix, sauce, and even noodle style. (Thin/Thick) There's moderate seating inside, some for large groups, duos, and some wall seats as well. It definitely has the vibes for a ramen shop, lights are a bit dimmer inside which highlights the kitchen staff (open kitchen). working on orders.

My wife and I both ordered the Original King Ramen and shared some appetizer (Chicken Karaage) with our group.

Orders came out pretty quickly and the portions are pretty decent size, a bit deceiving I'd say for the size of the bowl you receive.

1. The ramen is very flavorful, can't go wrong with either thin or thick noodles. In my opinion, the chashu is a must because it mixes the broth flavor with the meat, creating the savory flavoring, super yummy. A little side note is that the ramen is priced nicely, however the extra add-ons can accumulate in total.

2. The Chicken Karaage is a classic must try, Japanese styled fried chicken, super crispy coating, very flavorful meat, and bite size. The karaage is marinated very well & comes with some lemons for that sweet flavor if preferred. Highly recommend.

Overall, Ramen Nagi has very delicious ramen and is very much affordable. Huge plus for the ramen being very customizable & even has chefs recommendations for first timers. Only downside is that the shop is not super big, and long lines but it moves moderately fast if you don't mind waiting a bit.“

“I really enjoyed eating there The food is fantastic The owner is just really a great guy and the staff is very accommodating although our server was a little off that night from what she normally is generally speaking we never have a problem there“

“I was visiting to San Gaberial and found the spot for Teriyaki Bowl! The best teriyaki bowl ever and sauce was rich and tasty! The staff was very nice & glad I stumbled up on! If you are into Teriyaki Bowl, this is must try place! 🌟 🤩 ⭐ 🌠 💫“

“this place is bomb.!! and the service is incredible..“

“Absolutely lovely spot for all kinds of Japanese food. The sushi was fresh and absolutely delicious. The staff were really helpful and sweet, helping us pick menu items and clarifying some things we weren't sure about. Even the bathrooms were lovely.“

“It's pretty dark and loud inside during dinner. Even during the day, it can be loud and you have to speak up to hear across the table. Food is tasty but can come out show during lunch or dinner rush. I like their pass around family style rolls meal option for ordering. It does it a little pricey, but I think the portion and fish-to-rice ratio is great. Definitely take advantage of the happy hour deals!“

“Great food and great quality“

“amazing food, service and ambiance!“

“A Delightful Sushi Experience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The sushi was outstanding—fresh, expertly crafted, and beautifully presented. The chef’s special sashimi, were bursting with flavor. The nigiri was a standout, with perfectly seasoned rice and melt-in-your-mouth fish. Service was impeccable; the staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They even made excellent recommendations based on my preferences. One thing to note: Fillet doesn’t have a liquor license yet, so if you’re someone who enjoys pairing sushi with sake or wine, this might be a consideration. They said it’s coming soon, I can’t wait to come back here again.“

“Shwe Taung Rice Bowl and Burmese Restaurant was a very pleasant surprise. Neither my wife nor I had ever eaten Burmese food, so we didn’t know what to expect. The restraint is small and hidden in a tiny strip mall. There is a small parking lot, but ample street parking.

Shwe Taung’s menu is extensive and full of exotic and enticing dishes. We ordered Coconut Chicken Khao Soi, Shan Noodles, and Mixed Tempura Fries. Each dish was wonderful. They all had unique mixtures of spices — flavorful but not too hot. Both noodle dishes were unlike anything we’ve ever encountered, and it will be difficult not to order the same things when we return. Still, the menu contains many other tempting choices.

The service was friendly and professional. Our waiter was extremely helpful to two Burmese food neophytes.

We will certainly return in the near future. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and try Shwe Taung.“

“Rice and Nori is truly a gem of a spot! Staff are always friendly with their counter service and food wait times can vary, but is worth the wait. They have indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy. They have a wide variety of rice balls and handrolls. I have tried almost all the fillings and you honestly cannot go wrong with any of them!“

“Food is outstanding. Been a fan since the late 90's. Their Nabeyaki Udon is the best I have ever eaten. If you want it the way it is served in Japan, ask them to use a fresh, rather than hardboiled, egg. To go food can be frustrating. If they say 30 minutes, figure at least an hour.“

“SUGARFISH in Pasadena was excellent as always. Every dish was fresh, delicious, and beautifully prepared, but what really stood out was the exceptional service. The team went above and beyond to address and resolve an issue with a birthday club meal, and they handled it with genuine care and professionalism.

We came on a Monday at 12 pm and there was zero wait, which made the experience even better. Great food, outstanding service, and a consistently wonderful experience. Highly recommend!“

“Quality food & service at reasonable prices 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻“

“How does this place have no reviews? Probably the greatest hot pit in Houston. Different levels of Wagyu. Includes many sides seafood drinks desert it’s just awesome. Great service. Great vibe. Amazing place. Keep up the good work.“

“The food is very good here. It's way more than a notch above fast food. Prices are more than fair. I could be wrong, but the interior looks almost the same as Shakas did. ... My salmon was cooked to perfection. We'll definitely be back.

Lots of Dodgers love in the place! 💙⚾🧢“

“I had been wanting to try this spot inside H Mart because it's highly rated on Yelp. The portions looked generous, and I finally found someone to share the meal with.

We ordered the chicken and pork curry katsu combo, which came as a full set with miso soup and rice. It was definitely enough for two people. The katsu was crispy, though I wouldn't say it was the best I've ever had—but it was still very good. I was satisfied with the meal and couldn't even finish it, so I had to take the leftovers home.

This is a solid spot in Arcadia if you're craving katsu.“

“great sushi and reasonable price..“

“We ordered the large sushi platter to go. It came with three rolls, salad and soup. Yhe quality of the fish was excellent and even better was the generous portions of real wasabi, not the paste wasabi. It was perfect for two with some leftovers but three people is a stretch. We'll be back for more!!!!“