50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Tarzana

“Masa-san serves chef's choice, and the food is fresh and delicious. Eating here is an extremely delightful experience. The sweet shrimp with eggs is one of my favorites. Always finish your meal with at least 1 (maybe 2 or ...) of his blue crab rolls. The crab is carefully hand-pulled, the rice is warm, and the seaweed is crisp. You won't find that combination of quality and easy dining experience anywhere else in the Valley. Please try it!“

“Highly recommended place, clean, nice decor, excellent customer service, short wait times, delicious food, well presented and at a good price, 5/5 if you are hesitating to go to this restaurant, give it a chance, I'm sure you'll come back just like me.“

“I have been to just about every teriyaki chicken bowl place from here to Portland and this is by far the best. If you've ever seen the anime food wars every bite is like the scenes when one of the judges takes a bite of the dish and they nut so hard there clothes explode off of them. Also they price is insane for how good it is. I love this place and make sure to get it as much as possible whenever I'm in the la area“

“Absolutely the best sushi experience I’ve had in a long time! Everything was super fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The staff were kind, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Prices were very fair for the quality, and the place was spotless and had such a cute, cozy vibe. I’ll definitely be coming back soon!“

“Amazing food. Never tried anything like that before. Fresh, unique, great presentation.“

“Sushi is so good and fresh. And thr ice cream so good specially the lychee sorbet“

“Nice place cute little place love it but the major problem is the tip that they force you to give is a minimum of 18% and it goes up to like 30%. This is getting way out of hand and really crazy and then they hover over you so they're looking at you while you're giving the tip it makes it very uncomfortable and you don't even let you cook less than 18%. I personally am a very big tipper so I do 20 to 30% minimum but that's cuz I'm crazy and I'm rich but I think it's not fair for regular people to have this as the only choices“

“It my favorite. This is we’re I go . When any of my friends or family wants good sushi. 🍷“

“My first time here! Excellent fresh sushi and great unsweetened green ife tea. The mixed tempura was the best I ever had.The ginger had an odd strong chemical taste but everything else was excellent. I had the spicy yellowtail and the scallop role.“

“This place is a true gem and I love shopping there for all my sushi and Japanese food and sake amazing selection and excellent service! If you enjoy fresh sushi fish that are reasonably priced then you most definitely must check out this gem!!! Also they teach lessons that sell out quickly so you must sign up for their monthly news email that gives you so much information about all that they do!“

“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.“

“I really enjoyed dining at Taisho Sushi! The yellowtail serrano was perfectly balanced with just the right spice, and the salmon dry miso was incredibly flavorful and fresh. The presentation and service were both excellent — definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in town. Highly recommend!“

“The seared salmon and tuna were absolutely unforgettable, just as I remembered. What makes this omakase experience so special is that you can keep enjoying dish after dish until you feel completely satisfied. Truly grateful to Uzumaki for such a delightful meal!“

“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.“

“Great service and food💗 There are many alcohol menus and food items that other restaurants do not have, and the restaurant is not too big, so you can enjoy a relaxing, calm and stylish time. There is plenty of space for parking, and I would definitely go back‼︎“

“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.“

“My son and I tried the popcorn, chicken and burger. We love the chicken. It was juicy not dry. The burger was like your standard burger. I will have to add my son. Did not add their secret sauce so that may have made a difference. Seems like a family ran restaurant. They are very attentive and friendly.“

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

“Everything is delicious, made with love❤️ Clean, elegant, and delicious🤩😋 Friendly, helpful staff🌹“

“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“

“Amazing fresh old school sushi ❤️❤️❤️❤️. The owner is so friendly and knowledgeable and it’s now my happy place!“

“Those of you who know me aren’t surprised I ended up here. This place looks sketchy and the ac isn’t enough to cool the covered patio.
I have passed by this place many times and yes I was a little hot while I ate but honestly the food was great!
I had chicken and steak skewers over rice with a small green salad.
The skewers were tender and very flavorful. The rice was perfectly steamed and the salad was lightly dressed like Cole slaw.
This is not some place you want to go if you're not into hole in the wall spots. This place is perfectly suited for people like me who value flavor over frills.“

“I’ve always loved coming here for their teriyaki chicken bowls, but now they’ve also won me over with their new Okinawa Matcha Cloud drinks!

The staff is always friendly and the food is consistently fresh. Highly recommend this spot!! Best matcha I’ve ever had!!“

“Great sushi restaurant with lots of premium rolls and classic rolls. They have a good selection of lunch specials. I came with my family and they accommodated customizing many of the rolls there to our taste. I haven’t been for happy hour, but they have a full bar and happy hour specials as well.“

“** Important to note: this spot is cash only! **

A superb hole-in-the-wall sushi spot in Sawtelle that deserves a spot in your sushi rotation! I had walked past this spot a handful of times, but never gone in. Oh my goodness, the salmon nigiri might be the best I’ve ever had. Such buttery salmon, we had to order more before we left it was so good. The wait staff were friendly, the food was prepared quickly, and the interior was decorated nicely!“

“Hole in the wall teriyaki place. You order at the counter, you pick up your food, you clean up your own table after eating. Easy free parking lot or street parking. They have a lunch special for $11.95 that includes chicken and rice with salad. They also have specials A, B, C and D that are around the $15 to $20 price range. I had the special C that had white rice, a big piece of chicken katsu, two pieces of chicken teriyaki, salad, two small onion rings and two dumplings for about $15.95. Not a bad value. You get a teriyaki sauce and hot sauce on the side. Their teriyaki sauce is very good here! The serving is very generous. I was not about to finish it in one sitting.“

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

“Great quality sushi , daughter loves the chicken yakisoba (incase you have people in your group that don’t eat sushi) they have great options for everyone.. The restaurant is always extremely clean and the service top notch! Highly recommended“

“I love eating here! The service is always so awesome. I love that it's tucked away, and every time I've brought someone to eat here they don't expect that the restaurant is here. As for the food, it's DELICIOUS! My son is picky, and even he couldn't deny how good the food is. The ramen is amazing, it's so good and the portions are hearty. I usually end up getting a ramen combo with a chashu bowl. Now, I get to eat there AND have delicious leftovers. My family have tried other ramen places around and we keep coming back to Futaba because it's number one in our eyes. The flavor is always on point. Definitely recommend.“

“Izakaya has some of the best quality fish in Simi Valley. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“This is our go-to sushi restaurant. The food never disappoints. The service is very friendly.“

“Best sushi and miso soup we've had so far!“

“Exquisite cuisine- chef was formally trained in Japan and his expertise shines through in every dish. Particularly the lightest, crispiest tempura once could ever hope to enjoy. Attentive, perfect service. Only knock is that it’s quite expensive, making this a once-every-five-years kind of culinary experience. That being said, we will be talking about this meal for weeks. It was *that* good. Life is short: treat yourself!“

“I dream about their fried rice, it's that good. Their ramen is a clear, light broth that is much different and lighter from the offerings on Sawtelle, but it's just as flavorful and delicious. I recommend it if you're looking for a lighter broth. But definitely get at least a side of their pork fried rice!“

“I have been coming to Kanpai for over 15 years. They finally opened up a location in Santa Monica. The most important Takeaway about this restaurant is the wide variety of exotic Japanese sushi sashimi. They have incredible seasonal type shellfish, and a variety of fish that you will not ordinarily get at any other sushi restaurant. I highly recommend this restaurant to the real Japanese sushi enthusiast.“

“Glad Hurry Curry has reopened after closing their Sawtelle location. if you are new and don't know what to order, try the chicken cutlet curry and the Chicken pasta with Alfredo sauce. The curry is bold and savory. make sure to request picked vegetables for the curry. the chicken pasta is also rich and savory. both dishes complement each other without repeating the same experience. the portions are large so bring friends or bring home plenty of portions for leftovers.“

“Good Japanese foods , many varieties of dishes . The fish grilled sea bass is cooked just perfectly fine . The salad is kinda american Japanese fusion but still good . The carbonara noodle - I don’t really care (It doesn’t really fit with the rest of the dishes) - overall is a great place to enjoy Japanese foods“

“**4.7/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Asuka Japanese Restaurant Westwood (Since 1974): O.G. Sushi Royalty Still Reigns**

Hidden on **Westwood Blvd since 1974**, **Asuka** is the quiet legend where **Nobu Matsuhisa** *and* **Kazunori Nozawa** (the “Sushi Nazi” behind Sugarfish) cut their teeth before global fame 🍣👑. Walk past the unassuming storefront and enter a time capsule: dark wood, paper lanterns, and the rhythmic *thwack* of knives on cedar blocks since Nixon was president 🕰️.

The **omakase ($120)** is a masterclass—12 pieces of pure poetry. Toro melts like butter, uni bursts with briny sunrise, and the **live kuruma ebi** (sweet shrimp) arrives still twitching before becoming nigiri heaven 🦐🤯. Chef Toshi-san (30+ years here) torches binchotan-seared sawara with a whisper of yuzu salt 🔥. Even the **tamago** is silk-sponge perfection.

Classics shine too: **spicy tuna hand roll** ($12) packs wasabi punch, **miso black cod** ($38) caramelizes like Nobu’s signature but somehow *warmer*. Sake list? 20+ premium pours by the glass 🍶.

Service is **old-school Japanese hospitality**—warm towels, paced courses, zero rush. Only quibble? Tiny 30-seat room books weeks out—call early 📞. Street parking is a hunt, but the $12 valet next door saves sanity 🚗.

Westwood’s changed—boba shops, poke bowls—but Asuka remains **unchanged, unapologetic, unbeatable**. This isn’t trendy sushi; it’s *heritage*. Nobu and Nozawa learned here. You should too. I’ll be back for the next 50 years.“

“This place for years has been my all time favorite. The service is unbelievably fast, welcoming and of top notch and respectful. The food is always fresh and the chefs you
Can tell are very passionate on what they do and the hold the Japanese craft to a high regard. I spoke to the manager he carries himself with his culture and pride very high. He is so incredibly kind and respectful. The restaurant really is a sight to behold and truly a gem in the United States. I drive an hour there without hesitation. As far as I’m concerned there is no place like it. Until next time 🙏“

“The best part is the chef/owner Kagaya - does not skimp on anything. Top quality - as good as any high priced sushi spot. Even fresh grated wasabi - not the cheap paste served elsewhere. Count on a half peeled fresh orange to refresh the taste buds.“

“A weekly go-to place! They have a wide range of Japanese dishes that are always tasty, and the owners are super nice!“

“The restarauntvwas very busy, but they seated us without a reservation at 8pm on a Saturday night. The Japanese BBQ experience was awesome. Two of us shared a Sumo beef platter, a bowl of Tokyo Negi Rice and the Manpuku Salad. The rice was rich and earthy, the salad was light and fresh...a good juxtaposition. The beef was tinder. This was my first experience with Kobe beef. Iwas not disappointed. This was less than $100.“

“Tatsuki never disappoints! It is my all time favorite sushi bar...Always fresh and delicious. Love Hector, Chris and Manuel!“

“The food is AMAZING. I do feel a bit cheated out of the overall experience. The joint is inside the supermarket and they don’t have a seating area. Something the previous reviews neglected to mention. For a $100+ order and two have to take it to go, it’s definitely not what I expected. We did a picnic nearby to adjust. The food is a culinary trip. I highly recommend them. It is by far one of the best sushi joints in the San Fernando Valley.“

“I found out about hungry ninja on door dash a few months ago and have been hooked ever since. Portions are great, food is made with love and tastes amazing, and most of all the customer service is great. If you are in the chatsworth area and looking for good teriyaki this is the place I would go to!“

“Always amazing genuine food! I always order from here and they always get it right. The #2 special is always my go to and they make it so good every single time. A little older of a building but don’t let the looks scare you away, their food is wonderful and so are the people behind the counter!“

“Brothers Sushi is a must. Make a reservation and you can’t go wrong with anything you order.“

“Who thought that classic American fare and Japanese cuisine could mesh so well??!!“

“A great place to enjoy fresh sushi when visiting Canoga Park!
The building is unique with a warm and cozy vibe.
The food is consistently fresh, great portions and delicious.
The service is always great, friendly and always available

The koi pond at the entrance is awesome“

“I’ve been here almost ten times and the food always hits the spot if you’d like some hearty yōshoku (洋食） Japanese food. Aside from the main dish, the meal comes with a choice of corn soup/miso soup as well as a salad. The food may not seem like much, but they’re the perfect amount to get full without being overly stuffed (I’m a big eater). Highly recommend their hamburg steak and pork katsu - very authentic, juicy, and tender! Their kushikatsu appetizer is also such a deal for its portion and flavor. And their rice tastes amazing. If you’re looking for someplace to eat on Sawtelle, please visit here. This place is such a gem!“