50 Best Japanese Restaurants near South El Monte

“To over priced.“

“To be quite honest, the bowls are a great deal for the quality of food and the amount they give you. Washington roll is really good and the miso soup it's more than reasonably priced as well. This is definitely a go to. Off of Telegraph and where Rosemead turns into Lakewood next to the doughnut shop. :p“

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

“Been meaning to eat here forever. Finally, I came in today for lunch. Got the Combo C and the Blossom Roll. I've eaten at all the Japanese restaurants in SGV and Little Tokyo. This one is up there. High quality of food, while flavors go together well without being overpowering.“

“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 ❤️“

“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.“

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

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

“This is one of the best and only place we like to go. They are very friendly and best fresh sushi all around. it really feels like a small family enviroment“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“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 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.“

“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.“

“Best Japanese Food in Whittier“

“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!“

“nice little place... friendly staff... good 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.“

“Great food with good prices“

“On my last visit, I accidentally ordered the wrong item, but the manager was so kind and accommodating. They not only brought me the dish I had originally wanted but also let me keep the first item I ordered by mistake. That level of customer service really stood out to me and made me feel valued.
The food here is consistently delicious great portions, flavorful, and always fresh. Every time I come, I leave satisfied. Highly recommend this place for both the food and the excellent service!“

“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.“

“Friendly waters and comfortable setting“

“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...“

“This place rocks! You get so much food for the price and it is all so good. I especially like their gigantic california rolls, inari sushi, and their tempura. They have a plum wine that is dangerously delicious so be mindful!

The atmosphere is very retro seafood joint but in a fun nostalgic way. I love coming here with my husband and having a delicious (and budget friendly) date night.

They also have a loyalty stamp card so make sure you get your stamps!“

“I came here to check out their breakfast and let me tell you I was impressed. They had this toast with avocado, onions and tomatoes 10 out of 10 I even tried their breakfast udon and the broth was so delicious. I even got into their onigiri and I tried their California their crunch the tuna and the salmon, and they were all so flavorful. But their yogurt Matcha was my favorite as well as their torch spam musubi so so good definitely you’re gonna wanna come check out for their breakfast. It is such a cute little mom and pop shop. It’s like a hidden gem very friendly very clean. I’m definitely coming here to have breakfast and their actual lunch and dinner. Oh and if you love chicken, Katsu, you wanna get their breakfast dish one too it’s so good.“

“Absolute perfection. The food, the service and the atmosphere are outstanding. The most buttery, delicious salmon I’ve ever had…couldn’t stop eating the salmon hand rolls. Every single thing had incredible flavor and melted in your mouth, staring with the garlic edamame. Try it out, you won’t be disappointed.“

“Eat’s Sushi Alhambra is hands down one of the best AYCE sushi spots around! The value for the price is unbeatable — you get top-quality sushi made with the freshest fish and ingredients. Every piece tastes clean, flavorful, and well-prepared. You can really tell they prioritize freshness and quality over quantity. The service is quick, the staff is friendly, and the overall dining experience is smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommend for anyone looking for premium sushi without the premium price tag! 🍣👏“

“Best teriyaki chicken“

“Conveniently located nearby!!“

“Solid ramen spot, got the classic ramen recommended by chef as well as their limited time curry ramen. Both options were filling and delicious. I personally prefer the pork belly over charsiu but was surprised they didn’t cut it in half to make it easier to eat this time. Still delicious and would come back when craving a bowl.“

“This restauraunt serves really yummy salmon handrolls and custom poke bowls. The salmon and tuna taste pretty fresh, they don’t have any weird fishy taste. They offer a variety of toppings to choose from as well. However, the amount of sauce added can be a little overpowering sometimes. I’d suggest putting a note/request to add a little less! And even though it slightly adds to the price, I would also recommend checking off “Extra Salmon” when ordering, because without the additional it feels like there is not enough.

The service is good, but it can take quite a bit of time waiting for orders to finish in person because there aren’t too many people behind the counter. I think best way to order is for pick up or delivery.“

“I love this place, the family is so incredibly nice.
I usually get a #5 beef/chicken combo, extra veg, teriyaki and curry sauce on the side. It's a lot of food so I try my best to eat half for 2 lunches. Their ice tea is good, most places tend to have a dish rag taste.ive been going there for over 30yrs and it's always the same delicious quality. Unlike fast food chains that charge more and more with quality dropping every year.

Vegetarian options: Good Been burritos and veggie Rice bowls.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“The food was absolutely divine and that buy 1 get 1 50% off deal is definitely helping out. I also wanna give a shout-out to Ashley because she treated us such generous hospitality. The only problem I have with this place is that it's a little small, but that's it. Definitely a must try 👍“

“I had delicious sushi here today for the first time in a while. All the staff were very friendly. The fish was fresh and tasted great. The tempura was perfectly crispy, and the salad dressing was excellent.

Also, having the Green Tea Honey Yuzu Tea with the meal made everything taste even better. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“The owner is so nice 🥺 I got the shrimp tempura udon and the shrimp tempura rolls and didn’t realize he told me he gave me some extra rolls for free till I got home since I had my headphones on ❤️ the food was amazing and will definitely be coming back to support this business!“

“It feels as though this restaurant has been around for quite some time: the atmosphere, the kind and welcoming staff, the quality, and energy are all sweet! and having their own parking behind the restaurant is great. Wish the sashimi had ginger to refresh between the different fish and flavors, but a small note compared to the overall experience.“

“Friendly staff and prompt service. I started to know Teriyaki J's via GrubHub. I've been ordering takeout for a great while. Finally I went in one day and the service was very welcoming. Food quality is great... I love it. Vast menu choices and good prices. A big thanks to the staff at this location. Service like this and good food keeps me coming!“

“honestly The food is very very good, I rate the his place a 10/10 in food and service. For being a Japanese restaurant this food is very tasty, the only thing is that they will serve your food in to go plates. Understandable, but if you are craving something with a lot of variety very good food, healthy and good in nutrients I have to recommend you this place. Also, if you are on a diet this place have the BEST fresh produce you can imagine so gymbros and gym girls do not miss this place 👍✅“

“Great food and great quality“

“Great food I would recommend“

“Came here during happy hour and got seated right away. Our waiter was super friendly and we loved that they had a sharing platter for $64.99 for 4 different rolls and than we also got a Isa Geso. The portion size for the Isa Geso was so worth the price. The rolls were so fresh and everything tasted amazing. The garlic aioli was so good for the Isa Geso. We'll definitely be back for sure.“

“Fantastic. Great service and even better sushi.“

“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! 🌟 🐄 🥩“

“25 years ago was my first visit and I'm still a regular. My kids practically grew up loving authentic Japanese food because of the kindness of the owners and the care with which they make the food.
It's a relaxing restaurant.“

“Delicious. Perfectly cooked katsu every time. The curry and katsu sauce are both great but the curry is the winner here. Portions are big. Definitely more than enough for most people to take home a nice size of leftovers. Definitely stop in and try this place!“