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!“

“it’s my first time at roll roll sushi and I was offered a free miso soup as soon as I walked in I ordered the salmon lover roll and the baked scallop roll and both were delicious. I had my dog with me so we sat outside under cute umbrellas they have out. I’m so happy I decided to try this place out if you’re in the valley you need to give it a try!“

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

“Here's a polished review in the style of a seasoned food critic:

There are very few restaurants that can maintain both excellence and consistency for more than two decades, and this remarkable sushi destination in Tarzana is one of those rare exceptions. For the past 26 years, they have quietly set the standard for what authentic Japanese hospitality and uncompromising quality should look like.

What immediately stands out is the unwavering commitment to the finest ingredients. Every piece of sushi and sashimi reflects exceptional freshness, precision, and respect for the product. Witnessing the tuna cutting on-site is a testament to their dedication to quality—something true sushi enthusiasts will genuinely appreciate. Every detail, from the knife work to the presentation, is executed with remarkable care.

A great restaurant is built by great people, and the chefs—Archy, Scott, Paul, and Saito—are true masters of their craft. Their experience, consistency, and passion are evident in every plate they prepare. Beyond their technical skill, they create an atmosphere that feels both welcoming and effortlessly professional.

What truly completes the experience is the hospitality. The service is warm, attentive, and sincere, making every visit feel like returning to a place that genuinely values its guests. It is this perfect harmony of extraordinary ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship, and heartfelt service that has allowed this restaurant to remain one of Tarzana's most treasured culinary gems for over a quarter of a century.

Without question, this is a well-deserved five-star establishment and a destination every serious sushi lover should experience.“

“First time eating at tBBQ Teriyaki & Sushi. Their lunch special was amazing! I forgot to take a picture. Lol. I recommend this place. Great meal selection. They cook your meal when you order it. You will have to wait a while. But it's worth it.“

“Sushi Spot is by far the most exquisite and fresh sushi I’ve ever had. It’s what I miss the most about living in California and going there will be my highest priority when I visit. It’s absolutely that amazing! 🙏“

“Excellent little sushi place! And I mean excellent! A friend and I went there today for lunch and there wasn’t a single dish we were disappointed in. We ordered several rolls and sushi and even some mochi ice cream for dessert. Outstanding service too.“

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

“Fantastic sushi for a great price, hence the queue! Luckily the line moves quickly. I would first go to the shelves to grab some rolls, then take a number for the fresh sashimi before jumping in line to pay.

Limited seating outside so also consider having a friend grab a table while you collect all your sushi bits 🐟“

“⚠️ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄“

“Very tasty sushi spot with great service! The Uzumaki Plus is lovely and has many delicious pieces of nigiri. Every piece melts like butter in your mouth and they all have distinct flavors. The service is also delightful and very efficient! Definitely recommend!“

“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“

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

“I was in the area so stopped by for their mazemen. It was delicious and tasty and the portions were very big. I struggled to finish the noodle and had to get the rice to go. Price is a little on the high side but makes sense for the quality of food. If you haven't had this style of ramen before, this is a great place to try!“

“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‼︎“

“I really love this place! Cocktails menu is amazing, the Lychee Mojito 10/10, always a must for me.
Place was packed, of course it was a Friday night and the Lakers were playing, I recommend making s reservation.
Despite how busy the place was, out server David took care of us, great service and delicious food!“

“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“

“When visiting Santa Monica, this fascinating place at all times would wait for you. Best quality beer and dishes based on fresh sea ingredients would be served by very kind employees. I would like to recommend here to all my Korean friends.“

“I’m so gobsmacked at how amazing this food is that I’m writing a review while I’m still here.
We had 5 nigiri sushi rolls, the crispy spicy tuna appetizer, and the wagyu sliders. It was the most incredible meal I’ve ever had. You must come here - the server we had (Umida) was insanely amazing and super helpful - she really elevated the experience and made sure we didn’t order too much food!“

“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.“

“Ugly Roll is freakin fire. Don't tell anybody! It's a small place. Ice cold dollar beer, ice cream mochi, huge salmon plate, tempura and fried shrimp Roll, all incredible beyond the rest and for a reasonable price. Our new go-to place.“

“Great spot to grab a quick bite. Karaage chicken was super juicy and had the perfect breading to chicken ratio. Our server was super nice and brought out water for our dog totally unprompted. Only thing in this place needs beer! It’s weird having fried chicken without beer.“

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

“Fresh, healthy food w generous portions. I had the hana salad w chicken and the iced matcha cloud latte. The salad was fresh and their sauce/condiment bar made it extra tasty. The matcha was super yummy, on par or better with any specialty coffee/tea place. The Okinawa sugar made it elevated, though I ordered it less sweet. Will def be back!“

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

“My dinner at Kanpai Sushi in Santa Monica was nothing short of extraordinary. Chef Yoshi is a true master sushi chef. While he may not be new to the craft, his skill, precision, and deep understanding of traditional sushi brought me back to a time when sushi was simply done right.

In fact, Chef Yoshi could probably serve me a shoelace, and it would be the best thing I’ve ever eaten.

Everything was exceptionally fresh. The wasabi had a vibrant freshness that elevated every bite, and the ginger practically melted in my mouth. I sampled as much toro as I could possibly eat, along with an incredible selection of fish that showcased Chef Yoshi’s mastery and attention to detail.

The Kumamoto oysters were so delicious they made me want to kiss my fingers and thank the heavens. The uni was phenomenal and remains one of my favorite bites of the evening. However, the biggest surprise was the seared salmon belly. It was my first time trying salmon prepared that way, and it absolutely blew my mind.

Instead of ending the meal with dessert, I finished with a hand roll that combined fresh tuna and crispy shrimp tempura, topped with eel sauce. The contrast of cool, fresh tuna and warm, crunchy shrimp tempura created an unforgettable bite and was a complete game changer.

I’ve been eating sushi since I was 18 years old, and now well into my 50s, I can confidently say this is the best sushi restaurant I have ever experienced. Beyond the incredible food, the staff was attentive, professional, and genuinely respectful throughout the entire evening.

I have officially found my favorite sushi spot.

Thank you, Chef Yoshi. I’ll be back very soon.

— Linda“

“Excellent ramen with a unique chicken-based broth! The Japanese BBQ chicken ramen was rich, smoky, and incredibly flavorful, with perfectly chewy noodles. The charcoal-grilled chicken was tender and delicious. The cozy ambiance makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a little ramen shop in Japan. Definitely one of the best ramen spots I’ve tried!“

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

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

“Really good food fresh and the ramen is soooooo yummy“

“The food here at Tokyo sushi is so amazingly delicious. Each dish was like a masterpiece the flavors exploded in my mouth it was so delectable I’d come back here anytime. The waiter was a young man and He was very professional and classy. He is very commendable for someone of his young age. The sushi that I got was so incredibly fresh that I nearly thought I was in the ocean. It felt like I just dipped my feet in the waters. Now if you’re reading this review and you’re still thinking of whether you should go or not don’t think twice just go it’s called Tokyo sushi for a reason.“

“First thing first, the sushi is really fresh. We got the toro, salmon belly, and the yellowtail belly. Saba is a little fishy. The rice is a bit mushy but good enough.

The cooked food is not as great. The agedashi tofu has too much breading and taste average. Kaiju tar tar is okayyy.

The service however took forever, and they never come to check up on us. Servers reach over to get dishes for other tables. Maybe they are short staffed but they should still handle us probably.“

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

“Cash only spot, was recommended to me by a friend who recently went to Japan and said this place is legit and tastes authentic. From the moment the piping hot miso soup came out, it was very hearty and served authentically (no spoon). We had the lunch special chicken teriyaki and ordered a few salmon sashimi and eel and nigiris, and a spicy tuna roll. The chicken teriyaki was delicious, as well as the tempura that came with it. All the veggies and shrimp were perfectly battered and it was so hot and crispy. The salmon was extremely delicious for the price, almost too good to be true, and the rolls had a very good rice to fish ratio (we prefer less rice, more fish). 11/10, will definitely come back more often!“

“If there’s one thing I love, it’s teriyaki plus. This restaurant is so inconspicuous and a sleeper hit of the area. It’s charming and the food is well priced and so flavorful. We got the katsu bowl, the gyoza and chicken kabobs. All perfect. I can’t quite explain why this place is so cute and charming but as soon as you step inside you can feel that you’re walking in to your new favorite restaurant.“

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

“We’ve been eating here for years, maybe 5 times a month. The service is friendly and quick. The food is delicious. I almost always get one of the ramens (I have five is six favorites) and they build the flavors carefully. I’d seriously say the whole operation is top notch. We tend to get there a bit before the rush so almost never have to wait for a table. I’ve tried my wife’s choices, (fried chicken, gyoza, green beans w/garlic, etc.) and I promise you the whole menu is terrific.“

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

“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.“

“Wonderful experience with Chef Take! Truly a unique experience in the historical method and style chef prepares his experience.“

“Went here for my birthday after friends recommended - had no idea how cool this place would be! From the outside, you definitely don't expect it to be as special as it is inside. We loved the little bites we got. For two of us, it came to about $180 (we ordered about 8 things so not bad). Our favorites were the yellowtail cilantro roll, crispy shrimp & yellowtail sushi. A little bit of a backup when we first arrived (drinks came after our apps came) but I guess they got a rush that they didn't expect. We'll definitely be back, not enough places like this in the area! Loved. :)“

“We’re big fans of Omakase and have also been to the Culver City location, which is just as good. Both spots consistently deliver an incredible experience.
The sushi is amazing- super fresh, beautifully made, and you can tell a lot of care goes into every bite. The Santa Monica location keeps that same high standard we’ve come to expect, with great service and a chill but still elevated vibe.
It’s one of those spots you just know you’re going to leave happy every time. Highly recommend if you love really good sushi and a solid omakase experience.“

“Malibu Sushi offers fresh, well-prepared sushi in a relaxed, coastal setting. The fish is high quality, the rolls are creative yet balanced, and the presentation is clean. Friendly service and a laid-back vibe make it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner after a day at the beach.“

“This place has the absolute BEST Oyakodon and curry. I know people focus on the ramen but for real, it’s the closest we’ve gotten to food in japan since we got back from our trip. INCREDIBLE and they have thai tea and milk tea that’s delicious!!“

“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.“

“We got ~3 plates with sauce and rest with just salt. The ones with sauce just had way too much sauce on them. Ingredient quality was okay. The service was lacking, they took our order slow, the foods took forever to come out, and never checked if we were enjoying the food, etc.“

“Just wanted to show some love to this restaurant I just finished watching a YouTube video from DuB family and it made me cry because the owner was so sweet and kind to the guy making videos. I pray that have more people come to their restaurant in the future. I Plan on going in a few months for my vacation week it’s an hour and 30 mins from me but I will make my way to the restaurant.“

“Years ago our favorite sushi restaurant from the 80’s closed. Time flies, and as Santa Monica locals we have been looking for a sushi restaurant as a regular. We tried Mikomi and were SO happy. Our server Nathan was a delight, he is professional, friendly, consistent and grounded. Much appreciated his presence. The menu is vast and everything on it that we ordered so far is excellent. Looking forward to returning to try new things and reorder favorites!“

“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!“

“In these tough times, a little normalcy is nice. Dean and staff provided a wonderful dinner for us tonight. We are grateful to all of them for being there for your patrons.“