50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Los Angeles

“My girlfriend and I came in here looking for some solid ramen and got exactly that. She just got back from Japan and explained how it’s the exact style of ramen they have there. I’m a self-proclaimed food snob and this was easily the best ramen I’ve ever consumed. Plus, the cucumber appetizer will blow your mind.

I got the classic tonkotsu, she got the miso ginger. Both were incredible. The broth, the egg, the noodles (both vegan and not).

The service was also incredible. The host sat us at “his favorite table.” Our waiter, Rainer, was extremely kind and asked a ton about us. When we raved about the cucumber appetizer, he told the chef, Alex, who then came out and chatted with us about the dish, where we’re from, and our love for food.

Will definitely be coming back and highly recommending to the homies“

“Absolutely loved this place. We ate at the bar and the bartender was amazing. He was friendly, helpful and made sure we ordered exactly the right amount of food. His cocktails were perfect, like a wizard dishing out magic (I had a second cocktail which I rarely do ☺️). The food was equally good. The home made tofu melted in your mouth. The tuna, uni appetizer was delicate with a dash of wasabi. The heirloom tomato salad was fresh, succulent, and delicious. ? The jidori chicken was so flavorful. Overall it was a perfect meal. Thank you“

“Amazing takeout family meal which features the most flavorful and delicious Char Siu Wagyu Short Rib with fluffy bao. All side dishes are well executed and delectable. One of the best staying at home meals I’ve had! Highly recommend it!“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“Absolutely loved this experience. Thank you for this wonderful comfortable dinner. It’s exactly what I love. The restaurant is not big which I liked because it felt cozy and not super crowded. Non of the courses specifically stood out but everything was perfect. Service was absolutely incredible, always caring and super friendly. Loved how they kept giving extra courses and even adding a lovely Polaroid picture at the end. It’s crazy how they even thank us again by sending a letter to my address. Loved it and LOVED IT. Just go“

“Everything was perfect, fave drink was lychee martini and in the morning strawberry matcha. For dinner we loved the rib eye, ceviche, tuna tartar and chicken the most. The Caesar salad was unique and I really enjoyed it. Miso eggplant also great! We were so full and didn’t think we could eat any more but The sorbet at the end was delicious, super light and refreshing. Service was friendly, atmosphere very pretty.“

“Amazing vibe.
Food and chefs are on another level.
Wish there were a few more cost-friendly options but you know what you are walking into before you make a reservation.
Glad this place in LA exists ... and in an old bank!“

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

“I pop in here probably once a week sometimes twice for a glass of wine. The bartenders are very cheerful and informed with respect to varieties and flavors and all the jazz. They walk you through the options and make tip top recommendations. The place is always slammed at night, yet the manager is extremely accommodating and always finds a place for me to chill and savor the weekend ambiance. I’ve never had their food, but it looks delicious. All the servers are friendly and have excellent people skills. The outdoor space is a fun hang too if you have a group. I always feel spoiled here. 5 star experiences.“

“Superb place. Unfortunately Jonny Won (?) left couple of years ago but the current Chef is more than capable of upholding this restaurant's glowing reputation for exceptionally fresh ingredients and superb cooking skills. My only advice is to stick to fish and leave the meat dishes as, although nice, are not quite "wow" as they used to be.“

“Omakase by Osen , a traditional Japanese dining experience where the chef selects the dishes for you, offers a truly unique and personalized approach to sushi and Japanese cuisine. This restaurant brings the authentic art of omakase to life, and it's clear that the chefs take immense pride in their craft.
From the moment you step inside, Omakase by Osen exudes a warm, minimalist ambiance with a modern twist. Soft lighting, wood accents, and clean lines create an inviting, intimate atmosphere that feels both high-end and welcoming. The staff are professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, with a deep understanding of the ingredients used. They are eager to explain each dish and offer pairing suggestions, which enhances the experience for diners unfamiliar with Japanese culinary traditions.
The food is, without a doubt, the star of the show. The menu reflect the freshest, in-season ingredients, and the chefs craft each dish with precision and care. The sushi is exceptional,each piece is an artful masterpiece. The fish is impeccably fresh, often sourced directly from top-tier fish markets, and the rice is perfectly seasoned. Highlights include buttery, melt-in-your-mouth toro, delicate sea bream, and rich uni. The accompanying garnishes and sauces are thoughtfully balanced, never overpowering the natural flavors of the seafood.
Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Japanese cuisine.“

“What an experience! I didn't even do the chef experience and got such a wonderful dinner! I was so jealous of the people experiencing it so I'm definitely doing that next time

I celebrated my first anniversary here and it was such a joy. Some people get worried they will leave a Michelin star restaurant hungry. But i was stuffed!!!

Everyone at the restaurant was amazing, kind and really took care of you! I kind of just want to come back just to experience that as well!

Since their menu constantly change, I think it's just best to say: trust the chef. You won't regret it! Or let the pictures do the talking!

I'm 100% coming back with my family to treat them to this!“

“It's a great place to take someone you are trying to impress. Everything there is beautiful.“

“This quaint amazing Japanese restaurant is a hidden gem in Boyle Heights. Very friendly staff and great food. They also let me order 10 minutes before closing. The only, minor, complaints are that there is very limited seating, they have a limited menu and they operate limited hours.“

“Here there is an interesting mix of Japanese & Thai fusion flavors. We came for the tasting menu. Fresh herbs & foods were used. 3 out of the 8 dishes i wasn't a fan of but my friend loved all of them. To each is own palette. Small & quaint place. Staff were all very approachable.“

“Great place. Food tasted amazing.“

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

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

“One of the best omakase experience i’ve had.

There were so many dishes that came out that I started to get full. Love it!

The service was very attentive. The fish quality was great and there were some unique options i’ve never had before. My favs were the ankimo, seared baby barracuda, spotted ebi, and uni. The espresso hojicha dessert was absolutely amazing as well.“

“I've been to a lot of Michelin restaurants around the world and this is easily a one star. Fantastic food and service and the pacing was perfect. Just look at the fish main course... Grilled perfectly on charcoal. Definitely coming back next time I'm in “

“Delicious Udon and other Japanese specialties“

“Came here for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. Luis took good care of us and was very attentive to ensure we were taken care of such as making sure we liked our drinks. We had the prixe fixe and everything came out so fast. We look forward to coming back.“

“The low reviews here are from charlatans and wimps; Q rips. If you want a peaceful, restorative, and exceptionally delicious omakase experience, look no further. It may not be the flashiest experience, but the preparation and quality of the meal is exceptional. Sensational!“

“What a wonderful experience at Aizen Udon in Little Tokyo, LA. The food was visually beautiful and the taste was even better. Our server Soma was very knowledgeable about the food and is a Sake Master. A must place to eat when visiting LA! Well done“

“Trust me when I tell you this was REALLY good, the classic Tonkotsu is always my go to and theirs is just SO good, I loved it and their broccolini was a solid plus 🤩 I only wish they would add a little more meat (pork option bc the chicken one was just perfect 👌)“

“Excellent food. Authentic Japanese. It was really delicious, thank you!“

“This place is great! I don't know why some people are giving negative reviews… delicious, innovative food; intimate, modern vibe/decor; and our server Alice was awesome. Kinda feels like it could be a spot in Brooklyn (in a good way!) Parking in the area is tough obv, but they have valet ($10, pretty typical). Will be back!“

“There have many delicious meals“

“The ambiance was sleek and inviting, creating a truly enjoyable atmosphere. The staff members were exceptionally attentive, ensuring that our experience was seamless and pleasant, with service that was impressively fast. I am definitely looking forward to returning to explore the menu and try the food. Thank you for a wonderful experience!“

“We were both super tired after a week of travel around the country. Decided to give the hotel restaurant a try. Super happy we did. Waitress/hostess was very friendly, fun and attentive. The food was much better than we expected. Really nice meal at the end of a tiring trip.“

“best japanese rich fllavors unique taste simple fresh and delish“

“Yama has become one of my favorite sushi shops. I first tried the K-town location and later discovered this one. Yama consistently offers fresh sushi, and this location is no exception. It's slightly smaller than the K-town location and tends to be more crowded.“

“Good quality of meat. Very nice service. You could enjoy little desert afterward“

“Lovely spot for Sushi, very elegant and chic. I definitely enjoyed the sushi tasted very fresh and had that silky taste to it. It was also my first time trying the purple flowers I forgot the name but they were delicious. I'm unsure if its very busy but it looked almost empty when we arrived very calm and pretty. The little shopping center outside was also fun.

Dietary restrictions: Has gluten free options and others.“

“Very true to authentic Japanese cooking method and flavors. Amazing experience!“

“My experience at NikuX was truly exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the front desk staff was remarkably kind. Kevin, who was in charge of our table, provided attentive and courteous service, and his recommendation of the Miso Chilean Seabass was even better than Nobu’s. Each dish was fresh and made with evident care.

I was particularly impressed by how Kevin and the floor manager consistently checked in on our meal throughout the dining experience. Their willingness to listen to even minor feedback was something I had not encountered in any other buffet, which left a lasting impression.

It was a rare opportunity to enjoy a satisfying luxury buffet in LA. Personally, I found NikuX to be a more valuable dining experience than the buffet at Cafe S in H Hotel, in terms of quality, pricing, and service.
Thank you.“

“Great and delicious food 👍“

“we ordered a big catering order from guzzu for an office meeting. It was phenomenally good. The food was packaged really well, was hot, fresh, and delicious, and a huge hit. The salmon was moist and flavorful, the vegan katsu was surprisingly delicious, ans both the grilled chicken and fried chicken were really good. Will definitely be ordering from them again, and can’t wait to stop in to try non-catering!

Dietary restrictions: Vegan Katsu was delicious“

“Very delicious 😻 very beautiful presentation“

“Haru is a hidden secret.... Premium quality sushi without the fuss of the popular "high-end" places. Follow their social media stories and you'll see how they break down beautiful, sourced cuts of fish themselves... Mouth watering and beautiful presentation.

We try to order directly when they can (rather than through apps) when we can in order to support them.“

“Delicious and freshly prepared food 🥘“

“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 😋😋😋😋“

“One of the best ramen ? I've had so far, insanely delicious miso ramen delicate creamy way to Japan ??, awesome takoyaki sauce is just gunna ?. Very grateful to the repeaters for their skill and labor ??

Among the best ramen I've ever eaten?, the extremely delicious miso ramen is delicate and creamy, the way to Japan??, and the takoyaki sauce is the best?. We are very grateful for the skills and efforts of our repeat customers ??

Оди иамов которые пока л, бо вый мо рамый сочый пон ный ообалress о соу посо па.“

“One of the best sushi I’ve had in Southern California, small place not fancy at all but it is a recommended experience must try.“

“Stopped by for anniversary and DineLA!
I never knew this place existed, but it seems like they've been around for about two years. The restaurant was a lot bigger than it looked and had a lot of spaces. They even had a full bar inside with a nice list of Japanese Whiskeys (Sorry, no Yamazakis!) and other spirits.

The food was good and was presented in a 5 course meal (most likely for DineLA) Although my date got the sushi, I opted for the sukiyaki as they presented themselves as a kaiseki restaurant. They also had other options, but I think their sukiyaki was better than the sushi.

The service was great when we first got in, but the place got packed in a few minutes and it seemed like there wasn't enough servers. However, the overall experience was great and I'd probably visit again for a different menu.“

“Norikaya is a hidden gem in LA! The unagi strawberry temaki was our favorite – sweet, savory, and really unique. We also loved the tropical salmon, it was so fresh and light! The staff were super friendly and helpful, making the whole experience even better. They even recommended a delicious sake that we ended up loving. If you're looking for a fun and delicious night out, definitely would recommend!“

“Great service and very friendly staff“

“Exceptional Yakiniku experience! Ben's knowledge and attention to detail made our visit memorable. The premium meat selection is remarkable, particularly the marbled wagyu cuts. The contemporary atmosphere and high-end grills create an elegant setting.“

“Ramen were super good and excellent customer service.“

“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“