“So, I was on the hunt for a spot in El Segundo that could dish out some authentic flavors and offer a great vibe for New Year's Eve. Lo and behold, Japonica came to the rescue. The parking situation? Surprisingly painless. Considering the holiday buzz, it was manageable - nothing compared to the Friday or Saturday night madness, I reckon.Now, let's talk eats. We kicked things off with the crispy rice, and let me tell you, it was genuinely crispy - almost like a high-end hashbrown. Then came the carpaccio trio - bluefin tuna with balsamic, yellowtail with garlic ponzu, and Scottish salmon with onion ginger dressing. Fresh and tasty, exactly as promised on the menu. The mix of flavors made the whole dining affair a delight.On to the rolls - Kyoto Kryptonite, Citrus Sakura, and White Lightning. My personal winner was the White Lightning, a sushi roll with garlic butter, a first for me. Seared albacore and tempura white fish - it was a flavor bomb. Kyoto Kryptonite appealed to my spice-loving side with its spicy tuna, and while Citrus Sakura brought some traditional vibes, it wasn't my top pick given the other vibrant choices.Now, about the joint itself - a medium-sized setup that handled the holiday crowd like a pro. The food took a tad longer to arrive than expected, and our waiter was on an apology spree. Lucky for us, we were deep in conversation, so time flew. But the waiter's vibe low-key hinted at placing an order sooner rather than later.An interesting note: Our dishes were delivered and checked on by different folks. I'm guessing the waitstaff doesn't claim specific tables, but hey, it worked smoothly.All in all, Japonica left me pretty darn satisfied. I'll happily roll back for another round. Cheers to good eats and a chill atmosphere!“
“Every time I come to El Segundo, this is the place to go. The food quality and prompt attention and service is outstanding. I always sit at the sushi bar and talk with Johnathan, whose knowledge of all things fish is extensive and entertaining. They have a good selection of Sake to accompany their extensive menu. I'm always hopefully they will be stocking my favorite...uni, always fresh, aways mouth wateringly delicious.“
“Korean-Japanese restaurant near LA Airport. The name of the restaurant is Gaya Restaurant in Korean.Rolls, sushi, ramen, Korean food (dolssap bibimbap, stir-fried pork, etc.)The spiciness of the ramen can be adjusted using a miso base. The medium spiciness is a little less spicy than Shin Ramen. Kaya Dynasty Ramen had a lot of seafood and the broth was refreshing, which was nice. Rolls and sushi are American. If you're staying at a hotel near the airport and looking for a place to eat, it's a good choice but a bit pricey.“
“Price = ~$15 / service= average / cleanliness = average / vibe = "hole in the wall", historic mom and pop style / parking = enough, not too much, not too littleI ordered the chicken teriyaki entree (I cannot do spice so scurrred to try) that costs around $15 which is a good deal in LA, especially, for the portion you get. This is an unassuming, hole in the wall, that gives some nostalgia to the mall Sarku Japan days in high and middle school in NJ. This place is one of those finds that I like where you get inexpensive and good food for a great experience. I Love Teriyaki looks like it has been there since the olden days of LA metro. The vibe you get is one of those classic spots and the food delivers more than as well.The flavor of the teriyaki sauce is a perfect blend of savory and umami and reminds me of a far better Sarku Japan / chicken teriyaki dish. If you are looking for a homemade taste but quality chicken teriyaki with sauce...look no further. In addition, the sauce in the salad just further blends together with the chicken teriyaki and teriyaki sauce in the rice! Be prepared to be extremely full if you plan to finish this dish in one sitting.BONUS POINTS in taking a stroll after this delicious meal! In walking around town, it gives off a kind of old Western vibe (coming from someone who lived and explored Dallas-Fort Worth metro (DFW) a good amount), almost cowboy-like but you are in California so that does not make sense...this part of El Segundo must have kept its history and gives you such a different feeling than the newer, bougie, fun, and other areas in LA metro. Definitely check out this part of Main St. if you are looking for something different in LA metro.“
“We sat at the communal table and enjoyed looking at the aesthetically pleasing feasts our neighbors ordered! We shared a bento box with fresh sashimi, crispy tempura, and warm side meats served with colorful condiments. Once we placed our name on the waitlist, we enjoyed a stroll until our number was called. The portions are generous, and the atmosphere is friendly, both from guests and servers. Next time, we will order the soups and noodle combinations.“