Found this place on Yelp as we looked for a place that was seafood friendly on Fish Friday. We were in the area to buy a vehicle, and all the signatures we signed made us hungry. Got to the restaurant separate. First thing I noticed: decor. 2nd to none. My wife and kids had already ordered since was behind. My wife ordered the scallop ramen, my kids a leach had a CA roll, and I had the rice and scallops. Fantastic taste, great service, and cool LA ambience.
Bob Reville
Had the spicy soy ramen with jalapeño. Very spicy! 5 out of 6 on the Killer Noodle scale! Also added scallop (yum!l instead of chashu and the clear fish soy-flavored broth was excellent. Unusual for LA and excellent! Beautiful space too.
B
Wish we discovered this place earlier, it is so perfect and the owner/staff really care about every small detail
Antonio Fabian
Everything was delicious, had the yellow tail and spicy tuna roll, karage, scallops, takoyaki. Was not a fan of the pork belly, I love pork belly.
Meribel M Goldwin
Great staff. Delicious food.
George H.
I ran across this place by accident and found it a fine find indeed. We had the ramen which could be customized by soup base and ingredients. Not authentic in taste or decor but hey, this is California, where any place has the license to experiment and try new concepts!
Myred W.
I'm never going back but wait- what's that sound?!?! It's my lower half, furious and churning. I'm on a business dinner and I'm doing muscle clenches to delay the inevitable: a night of never ending symphonic glory out of my rear end. Santa Monica has earned yet another Izakaya that's not an Izakaya. Another laminated-menu joint with collegiate-level food and fake reviews. There wasn't a single dish that behaved like its name, let alone was worthy enough to write about or mention. The cheap bench seating is such that if your neighbor leans back or laughs too much, your seat shakes and you could dribble your salty miso soup all over your LV purse. Kudos to the fact that they labeled the dishes that contain MSG. Save yourself the metallic after-taste and if you want fake Izakaya, at least go to MTN where for just a few more bucks, you can be impressed by a master white chef who actually cares vs. whatever this was. As usual, everyone who works here is kind and doing their best- but to call this Japanese food is to call KFC "Gourmet French organic rotisserie chicken"
Dan F.
Wow, what a cool atmosphere and great service and food. I really wish that we were local to this place, as we would likely be there once a week. The server made recommendations when we could not decide what to get, and everything he told us was spot-on. There was a small enough menu so that it was not overwhelming, but enough variety so that everyone in my group could get something that they enjoyed. Highly recommended.
Andrea H.
Hidden gem in Venice ; very yummy and cute spot for a date or a double date. Would come again. Only thing I had the a few dishes with pork there and I must say it was a little salty but the soups and noodles and sushi were great --- The Mochi is fire and highly recommended.
Takagi Y.
It was awesome!! All dishes were great and service was excellent as well!! Specially karaage, noodles and carpaccio was great!! Also I love interior this restaurant that very nice well pictures, high ceilings, very spacious and comfortable tables!! I definitely recommend this restaurant and I would love to go back again.
This week I revised this place after it has been transformed from the upscale Michelin-star Italian to Japanese. Venue is a unique combination of a stylish, historical architecture with Japanese tapas place vibe. I have ordered many different dishes as posted pictures. All are very good but my favorite was a signature Japanese mother style chicken Karaage, Pork Belly with Yuzu pepper, two carpaccio (beef and Sashimi), rice crispy bite with spicy tuna(Yummy!), Saikyo-miso grazed cod (flavorful with Sake and sweet miso). All are authentic Japanese tapas great pairing with a beer and sake. Highly recommended for a casual bite during a week or a group fun dinner.
James L.
Utilized Yelp to find Haruchan as it was one of the highest rated sushi retuarants in the Santa Monica area. Haruchan is a block off Main Street in a stand alone building. The entrance is very unique with heating lamps and a wooden path leading you up the side of the building, and into the outdoor courtyard seating area. The courtyard is nice with a small bar and comfortable, well spaced tables. We tried a number of shareable dishes which were all good but not great. The "Karaage Chicken" was ok, pieces of fried chicken made following "Owner Mama's Recipe". The "Takoyaki" was very different, again utilizing the owners special recipe, these dumpling type balls were tasty and complex. Also tried were the "Baby Hotate Scallops" and ramen, which were fine. Overall a great looking restaurant with good service and easy access. The prices and shareable size plates were definitely one of positives; however, the overall experience and food being around average.
Ben Hummel
This place totally rocks. Hidden gem 1 block off main - tasteful aesthetic and wonderful selection of high quality food. Cannot miss the happy hour, the lychee martini is a delight (better than Nobu!)
Laura S.
If you need a ramen date spot with romantic and amazing vibes this has to be it. I found out the actual building used to be a theater before a turned into restaurant. The decor is gorgeous and the ramen is hot and spicy! Can't wait to come back for the spicy crispy rice.
Eric Monzon
The ramen is delicious and the service is top notch! Additionally, it has a beautiful atmosphere and comfortable tables.
Found this place on Yelp as we looked for a place that was seafood friendly on Fish Friday. We were in the area to buy a vehicle, and all the signatures we signed made us hungry. Got to the restaurant separate. First thing I noticed: decor. 2nd to none. My wife and kids had already ordered since was behind. My wife ordered the scallop ramen, my kids a leach had a CA roll, and I had the rice and scallops. Fantastic taste, great service, and cool LA ambience.
Had the spicy soy ramen with jalapeño. Very spicy! 5 out of 6 on the Killer Noodle scale! Also added scallop (yum!l instead of chashu and the clear fish soy-flavored broth was excellent. Unusual for LA and excellent! Beautiful space too.
Wish we discovered this place earlier, it is so perfect and the owner/staff really care about every small detail
Everything was delicious, had the yellow tail and spicy tuna roll, karage, scallops, takoyaki. Was not a fan of the pork belly, I love pork belly.
Great staff. Delicious food.
I ran across this place by accident and found it a fine find indeed. We had the ramen which could be customized by soup base and ingredients. Not authentic in taste or decor but hey, this is California, where any place has the license to experiment and try new concepts!
I'm never going back but wait- what's that sound?!?! It's my lower half, furious and churning. I'm on a business dinner and I'm doing muscle clenches to delay the inevitable: a night of never ending symphonic glory out of my rear end. Santa Monica has earned yet another Izakaya that's not an Izakaya. Another laminated-menu joint with collegiate-level food and fake reviews. There wasn't a single dish that behaved like its name, let alone was worthy enough to write about or mention. The cheap bench seating is such that if your neighbor leans back or laughs too much, your seat shakes and you could dribble your salty miso soup all over your LV purse. Kudos to the fact that they labeled the dishes that contain MSG. Save yourself the metallic after-taste and if you want fake Izakaya, at least go to MTN where for just a few more bucks, you can be impressed by a master white chef who actually cares vs. whatever this was. As usual, everyone who works here is kind and doing their best- but to call this Japanese food is to call KFC "Gourmet French organic rotisserie chicken"
Wow, what a cool atmosphere and great service and food. I really wish that we were local to this place, as we would likely be there once a week. The server made recommendations when we could not decide what to get, and everything he told us was spot-on. There was a small enough menu so that it was not overwhelming, but enough variety so that everyone in my group could get something that they enjoyed. Highly recommended.
Hidden gem in Venice ; very yummy and cute spot for a date or a double date. Would come again. Only thing I had the a few dishes with pork there and I must say it was a little salty but the soups and noodles and sushi were great --- The Mochi is fire and highly recommended.
It was awesome!! All dishes were great and service was excellent as well!! Specially karaage, noodles and carpaccio was great!! Also I love interior this restaurant that very nice well pictures, high ceilings, very spacious and comfortable tables!! I definitely recommend this restaurant and I would love to go back again.
Restaurantji Recommends
This week I revised this place after it has been transformed from the upscale Michelin-star Italian to Japanese. Venue is a unique combination of a stylish, historical architecture with Japanese tapas place vibe. I have ordered many different dishes as posted pictures. All are very good but my favorite was a signature Japanese mother style chicken Karaage, Pork Belly with Yuzu pepper, two carpaccio (beef and Sashimi), rice crispy bite with spicy tuna(Yummy!), Saikyo-miso grazed cod (flavorful with Sake and sweet miso). All are authentic Japanese tapas great pairing with a beer and sake. Highly recommended for a casual bite during a week or a group fun dinner.
Utilized Yelp to find Haruchan as it was one of the highest rated sushi retuarants in the Santa Monica area. Haruchan is a block off Main Street in a stand alone building. The entrance is very unique with heating lamps and a wooden path leading you up the side of the building, and into the outdoor courtyard seating area. The courtyard is nice with a small bar and comfortable, well spaced tables. We tried a number of shareable dishes which were all good but not great. The "Karaage Chicken" was ok, pieces of fried chicken made following "Owner Mama's Recipe". The "Takoyaki" was very different, again utilizing the owners special recipe, these dumpling type balls were tasty and complex. Also tried were the "Baby Hotate Scallops" and ramen, which were fine. Overall a great looking restaurant with good service and easy access. The prices and shareable size plates were definitely one of positives; however, the overall experience and food being around average.
This place totally rocks. Hidden gem 1 block off main - tasteful aesthetic and wonderful selection of high quality food. Cannot miss the happy hour, the lychee martini is a delight (better than Nobu!)
If you need a ramen date spot with romantic and amazing vibes this has to be it. I found out the actual building used to be a theater before a turned into restaurant. The decor is gorgeous and the ramen is hot and spicy! Can't wait to come back for the spicy crispy rice.
The ramen is delicious and the service is top notch! Additionally, it has a beautiful atmosphere and comfortable tables.