50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Universal City

“Excellent service. Great food!“

“We are vegan and went with the Spicy Miso Ramen, it didn't disappoint. One suggestion, if you want the extra spice kick, ask for their chili oil, it really amped up the ramen overall.
Our kid enjoyed the mushroom bao too.

For parking, you can get lucky by finding a street parking behind the restaurant.“

“The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was delicious. However, the service was disappointing. Our server was condescending and repeatedly interrupted our moment by crossing between us without a word. When I asked about drinks, she was short and even gave inaccurate descriptions. This is my second visit, and both times with the same server have left a sour taste. I hope the service improves because the food deserves better! This is my second visit, and both times with the same brunette server, whose attitude left a sour taste.“

“Reason for visiting:
Date/time of visit: Thursday Afternoon lunch, ~12:30 PM
Parking: I parked in the paid parking garage at the Culver steps; paid $2 after dobe with lunch so assume good for ~2 hours. My coworker found street parking 1-2 blocks away if you want to try to find street parking but $2 is reasonable
Party size: 4
Environment/ambience: smallish place with few tables and some outdoor seating. No TVs inside; not too loud inside. Pets allowed but prob outdoor only. Clean restrooms. Lots of things to see and visit around too; downtown Culver City has things within walking distance and outdoor grass areas to hang out around
Service: was great; came around often. Friendly too.
Food: had the W Chashu Ramen with egg; they do not serve alcohol here.
Cost: ~$140 with tip; $2 parking.
Would I go back (yes/no): 80/20; parking can be a hassle but food was great“

“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!“

“I had Japanese breakfast w/ miso black cod, it was tasty.“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

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

“What!! This is a gem in Midcity. I have lived here since before it opened and shame on me for only getting here now! We came two nights in a row and just love it. Will be on my regular rotation for sure! Thanks to the fab staff. Everyone is just so lovely!“

“Bento boxes are of great quality here. The attention to detail of this curated meal definitely lets your eyes feast first. All the little sides taste amazing, especially the candied sweet potatoes. The vegetables alternate between sweet and salty to balance out the meal. The Scottish salmon and mackerel are cooked to perfection. The little yolk in the rice also adds a nice touch to mix in and eat.“

“I'm always looking for a new sushi spots in the valley. This looks like a staple and his highly rated. I haven't got a chance to explore everything fully, but they're tuna tataki is amazing, so is their baked salmon and their tuna on crispy rice. It's kind of hard to get a seat if you don't make a reservation, and that's the only thing I don't love, but completely understand.“

“Everything was amazing from the service to the food and sushi and the environment is unassuming and comfortable. Top notch!“

“Service is really good. The quality of sushi is amazing. My boyfriend and I order fish I karage as well and it’s just never seen before kind of flavor and quality.

Very creative in terms of using sauces and fish together. You should definitely try. Clean, kind, professional and most of all good food“

“Tasty bbq take out outside. Amazing desserts to ans friendly staff“

“Great service and very friendly staff“

“We dined at their SM North Edsa branch. Good food. 👌 Crews were accommodating. 💯“

“Delicious food. Fast service. Get here early to avoid a long line.“

“Super cozy spot featuring a variety of Japanese dishes. While you may have heard about ownership change in recent years, be assured that keeping things the same was important to the new owners. It is still family run, and everything I tried was excellent. The chicken and egg bowl was enough for two meals. The potato croquettes were delicious. I also like the variety of sauces and toppings available at the tables. Street parking was easy to find.“

“Uchi is pretty decent. The vibe is cool trendy. Service was polite but felt bit rushed and not as personable.
Food-wise, nothing was terrible, but not mind blowing either. A couple of dishes were tasty, a couple were bland, the sushi rice is left to be desired.
Prices felt a bit high for an experience that screams ‘it’s fine. Not in huge rush to be back.“

“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!“

“Eating at Jade Beverly Hills was a really nice experience. The staff was quick to get us seated, however it was a Wednesday evening so there were a handful of open tables. Food was amazing including the A5 Wagyu Beef Tartare and hand rolls! We also splurged and got the dessert even though we were pretty full with dinner. We got the strawberry meringue dessert which was a standout to finish off our meal!“

“Best Sushi in LA by far !“

“I was searching all over social media for a sushi restaurant to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday. I really wanted to do an omakase experience, but everything in Los Angeles was either extremely expensive or completely booked.

Luckily, I came across this place and I can honestly say it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while. From the moment we sat down, the staff was incredibly attentive. The sushi chefs were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience even more enjoyable. Our waitress greeted us right away and walked us through the menu. We were a little unsure about what to order at first, but she helped guide us through the options, and we were excited to find out they offered omakase.

The chef’s selection did not disappoint. Every course was delicious, beautifully prepared, and paced perfectly throughout the meal. The entire dinner felt thoughtful and seamless, and my boyfriend loved every bite.

The service was outstanding, and it was clear the whole team knows how to make guests feel welcomed and taken care of. This is such a great spot for a date night and we’ll definitely be back!“

“Delicous handrolls and nigiri. Loved the wagyu potstickers. We did the IZAKAYA FEAST and it was wonderful. Good sake selection as well. Service was bad. We had someone with severe allergies and every single plate that was served to her they added the green onions. It was tough to watch as we made her allergies very clear.“

“Must get sushi, but don’t forget the corn tempura and momotaro tomato (seasonal). Awesome sake selection too.“

“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!“

“A solid addition to the area, even with all the sushi options around. Service is fast and friendly. Got a to-go order with my wife and was particularly impressed by the yellowtail collar and softshell crab cut roll. Everything we ordered was good and we'll definitely be back.“

“Amazing happy hour menu! Our favorites were the chicken heart skewer, shishito with bacon skewer, and squid ink karaage. Really liked the “For Goodness Sake” cocktail too, very balanced and not too sweet. We’ll definitely be back to try more items!“

“Really good sushi and kushiyaki. Rolls were well executed but uninspired. Excellent chutoro, king salmon, and kanpachi which can be hard to find at reasonable prices. Service was good but it was really hot inside and the propped door just wafted in pot smoke from outside. Didn’t see any off-street parking but it’s only steps from the little Tokyo metro station which makes it easy to get there without a car, something Angelenos could learn a thing or two about.“

“深みのある濃厚鶏白湯ラーメン🍜 つけ麺やカレーも美味しいです 😋😋😋😋“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“Esther was extremely helpful and generous. Our experience was equivalent to having our own personal waitress while the restaurant was packed. Esther’s professionalism and kindness made our experience fantastic.

The food was amazing and everything brought to our table was phenomenal!“

“5 stars for the delicious and high quality sushi. plus i have a gluten allergy and the chef/ server was super considerate and knew exactly what needed to be modified. my favorites were the bluefin tuna nigiri and the yellowtail hand roll (with soy paper), and i don’t typically like yellowtail.

however, i did not realize there was a 16% service fee included in the bill. it says so on the menu so that’s my oversight but at kazu nori, for example, the server tells you not to tip because of the service fee. so on the little screen i tipped 20% on top of the 16% service fee and tax. it’s my bad for not paying closer attention but they don’t verbally tell you either.“

“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“

“The food and service was beyond amazing. The sushi was so fresh and melts in your mouth. Every single thing we ordered came fast and did not disappoint. The lychee martini was sublime and not too sweet, the seaweed salad was also a hidden gem. Overall experience and atmosphere 10/10. Will definitely be coming here again!!“

“The best dining experience I’ve had in recent months 👏 Staff were amazing and so friendly—special shoutout to Darren (our bartender), Robby (sushi chef), Chris, and Cornell, they were simply the best.
Food was incredible, the vibe was great, and huge respect to the chefs working hard on Valentine’s Day❤️“

“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.“

“We ordered the Volcano Roll, the Shrimp Tempura Crunch, and the Spicy Tuna Tempura. We didn’t care for the Spicy Tuna Tempura roll, and when we let our waitress know, she was very understanding and took it off the bill. The service overall was great. The restaurant is small but cute, and we would definitely return.“

“Salmon Ikura dish is amazing! So much flavor!“

“We recently embarked on a three-week west coast “foodie” vacation, spanning five states and six major cities. Along the way, we dined at everything from Michelin-starred establishments to small mom-and-pop restaurants. By the end of our trip, everyone in our group unanimously agreed that our experience at Tensho was one of the absolute highlights.

From the warm hospitality and the evident pride in food preparation to the impeccable service and outstanding flavors, everything about our visit was memorable. We left the restaurant on a true “food high,” feeling as though if the entire world could experience what we just had, it might inspire world peace.

Be sure to order the wagyu—it’s an absolute must and a true indulgence!“

“This was our third time dining at Eigikutei and we were just as pleased this time as we were with our maiden experience. We were favored with our personal favorite of the sushi kaiseki Yawaragi (10-piece sushi). All the separate elements of the course melded perfectly for our palette. The service was attentive and on que with our pacing of eating. And the ambience was quiet serenity. We highly recommend dining at Eigikutei for any fine dining connoisseur!“

“I’ve been hoping a place would come along to give me a riceball fix and this is absolutely it! Delicious & perfect for after school or work bite! Friendly staff clean and chill hip atmosphere. I hope nothing but the best for this place!“

“Best sando ever! I got the spicy sansho pepper pork sando and it was fire! So good! Highly recommend!“

“Anzu no longer has its own storefront and is now operating out of Menya Tigre. This also has caused a menu change.

Their karaage remains the main attraction and is a good as ever. Their fries were always inconsistent, but they seem to have settled on some pretty bland French fries. It's definitely a downgrade.

Their Sicilian rice was a highlight of their previous menu that is no longer present.“

“Delicious Udon and other Japanese specialties“

“A great spot in Little Tokyo that specializes in gyoza! I really enjoyed the food here and it’s at a good cost as well. The service is friendly and kind too. The dumpling soup was my favorite especially when the temperature drops at night. You get to choose your filling and can either get steamed or pan fried. The bento box is a great deal here too. Good spot for sharing food with friends!“

“Food is delicious! Really liked the sushi, everything was super flavorful. My favorite so far is the red dragon roll on the bottom of the picture. It’s spicy, savory, a little sweet from the eel sauce and all the fish in the roll is super fresh.“

“I ordered for the first time from this place tonight via Uber Eats, and I got the chicken yakisoba. It was amazinggg. I was able to customize my order... It was a great portion, the noodles tasted fresh, the veggies were cooked well, and the chicken was seasoned really good. I choose the medium spicy level which was perfect. I will be ordering again🔥“

“Amazing food and service, everything gluten-free. I couldn't find celiac-friendly sushi while I was in Japan a few months ago, so it was even more pleasing. Cannot recommend enough.

I ordered a set and after trying some food ordered an extra sushi roll to-go.“

“The freshest and best sushi ever! Helen is always so sweet and as is everyone who works there. They truly treat you like family and are always making sure everything is the best quality. 100% worth supporting them if you are looking for great quality sushi and even better quality people to interact with. My fav spot for years now ☺️“