Top Japanese Restaurant in Los Angeles
Kouraku Japanese Ramen & Grill
314 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
In Los Angeles this is one of the better Japanese restaurants. Very nice staff. Very clean inside. Miso soup was very good and full of flavor. Not watered down like other Japanese restaurants. Pork meatballs in sweet and sour sauce is fantastic. Beef curry is a must on each visit. Pork fried rice is very good. We love the robotic food server too.
Manpuku Japanese BBQ Los Angeles
2125 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
Manpuku has been around for as long as I can remember Japanese BBQ existing in Los Angeles. For that reason, I have a soft spot in my heart for this place. For that same reason, Ive pretty much stopped frequenting this spot.Lunch special is a great deal but, otherwise, a few other spots nearby have opened up with better value (same quality of meat at a better price - try Tokyo Kalbi attached to Ramenya on Gateway Blvd.)The grills at Manpuku have been the same equipment since theyve opened and the hoods, well, if youve been here before you know how smokey you smell after even the lightest meal - prepare to smell like bbq for the week (for some, Im sure, this is a major pro!).The service is fantastic - typical of a costly Japanese restaurant - I believe they benefit from the small size of the place. Sometimes the wait can feel outrageous but get there on the early side of dinner and sit immediately.**** Lunch Special Value**** Nostalgia** Old Equipment**** Attentive Service**** Meat quality (dinner rating)
Aki Restaurant
11513 CA-2, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
There is a good reason why this place has been around since 1974 and maintains a high rating. An entire family is running this place. Sushi was freshly made, home style. Sashimi melts in mouth. Ginger was homemade thick, which I prefer. The tempuras were done just right, crunch on the outside and not too greasy. Sukiyaki was not overwhelmingly sweet. Chicken katsu was delicious. Spicy tuna, avocado, and caterpillar rolls were excellent, nothing fancy but tasty. Rice and soup were very well prepared, which made a huge difference for the entire meal. Its just like the Japanese restaurant meals I had when I was a little kid. Its such a pleasure to find a hidden gem, without all the bells and whistles yet rob me blind. Thanks being around still, and please keep going! Bansai Aki San!
Isa Japanese Ramen
916 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
Quaint little Japanese restaurants. Staff was very friendly and the menu has something for everyone. All my favorite Japanese dishes. Definitely would return
KANPAI JAPANESE SUSHI BAR & GRILL
8736 S Sepulveda Blvd C, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
Amazing service and food. Great surprise too that the restaurant is run by actual Japanese people so youre getting real authentic food. Everything from the sashimi, hot green tea and tempura was fresh and came out fast. If youre in the area, especially going to or from LAX, definitely stop by Kanpai Japanese restaurant.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
10925 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064, United States
This place caught my eye while back because of Korean words in their menu. Japanese B.B.Q. place established by Korean owner? Was my thought and today Im here to see if Im right. J/k. Was in area around lunch and decide to get something quick grab to go. From outside looks quite but once I walked in this place was almost full. It is small place but still much better than walk into empty restaurant on lunch time to order something. Got Spicy Kalbi Bibimbob Both Kalbi and Bibimbob is Korean word. Many things on menu u can get for under $10 so it really fits my budget for lunch. By the time my order came out this place filled up all the tables. (This tells me I might need to reserve a table before I come here for dinning in) Stir fried rice with hot sauce (gochoojang, Korean hot paste sauce) top with Kalbi was excellent choice. I wasnt expecting much from it because of I ordered more like Korean dish in Japanese restaurant. My first bite remind me why this place is full on Monday lunch because they are GOOD. It was really good and Im gonna make this place my lunch place whenever Im in area. U guys should be proud because first restaurant outside of Korea town Ive mention my lunch place on web. Another one is in Marina Del Rey, B.B.Q place and both place have reasonable lunch menu price. (Under $10) and of course gotta be good in taste.
Michis Japanese Kitchen
13354 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, United States
We ordered to go tonight at Michi and were very pleased. Their food is quite good. They are located next to Costco in Mar Vista, and parking can be a bear, but you will find a spot, it is free.The interior is spotless and really cute.The service was super nice and fast. The server knew the menu well and was able to help us navigate exactly what we wanted.The food came out pretty fast and exactly as ordered.The sushi was excellent, 5 stars. We had shrimp and yellow tail and a few assorted rolls. All of it was just the best. We could not be happier.We also had chicken teriyaki which was only average, 3 stars at best. It was very dry and tough. It simply had no flavor. We also had their gyoza which had a great filling, but the outside was over cooked. That is why we give 4 stars overall instead of 5.We had shrimp tempura and it was outstanding. It was not over crusted and the shrimp was not over cooked. It was very tasty. Their white rice was also very good.We very much enjoyed our meal and we will be back. We will not order the chicken again, we will just order more shrimp. Just YUM.
Anzu
11270 La Grange Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
#LosAngeles #Sawtelle #Anzu”True home-cooked Japanese food”Hearty karaage and curry that feels like eating at home. This is a Japanese home-style restaurant that is quite popular in the Sawtelle area, a city near UCLA and called the second Little Tokyo. Among them, this place is quite famous for its fried chicken and looks delicious. I really wanted to visit this place because I like Japanese-style fried chicken.#atmosphereIts a really small store.The inside of the store consists only of a kitchen, and you can order through a small window. There are only two small tables and a row of dining tables for solo diners on the patio. So there seemed to be quite a few take-out customers.#menu#Karaage, Japanese fried chickenJapanese style #dry curryHawaiian #LocoMocoJapan #Shogayaki in Ginger ForkAnd #SicilianRice, a food from the Saga region of Japan.There is a rice menu like this...What makes it special is that they also have Japanese-style burgers and hot dogs.#Chicken KaraageThe characteristics of Japanese chicken karaage are light soy sauce and ginger seasoning.I love this unique combination of umami and aroma. The chicken here is seasoned very well and just the right amount.When you take a bite, the light ginger scent along with the umami flavor stimulates your taste buds.The texture is unusual...It was more thoroughly fried than any chicken karaage Ive ever seen. It feels a bit overcooked, but the texture feels a bit chewy when chewing, but the inside has a moderately chewy texture. Surprisingly good level of cooking. The texture is very addictive.#curry riceIt is not a thin curry, but a dry curry with a lot of minced meat. The color is also dark brown, characteristic of Japanese curry. When you take a bite, you can taste the strong curry flavor combined with the lightness of the meat. There is a lot of minced meat, so it almost tastes like curry meat sauce. With fluffy white rice, fragrant curry, the texture of minced meat, and the lightness of a fried egg... . I enjoyed it better than any curry rice Ive had recently.#Loco_MocoYou all know how delicious Japanese hamburger steak is, right?You can eat exactly Japanese-style hamburger steak in the United States. A slightly rich demi-glace sauce adds richness to the soft hamburger patty. Top it off with a sunny side up fried egg! Maybe its because its a menu thats hard to eat in the U.S., but it tastes even more delicious.#Sicilian_RiceThe most expensive menu in this restaurant... It is said to be a local menu from the Saga region of Kyushu, Japan. A thin layer of grilled beef is served on top of rice. It is seasoned with sweet soy sauce, but it tastes different from bulgogi. It is a little sweeter and richer. Mayonnaise is added to give it a Japanese feel. I emphasized that it was a menu that I ate while eating the lettuce and tomatoes that were spread out together. It was a menu in a slightly ambiguous position for me. It was neither Japanese nor Western nor Korean... It had a sweet and slightly greasy taste as I ate it, so it was a bit overwhelming at the end.#FriesPerhaps because hes good at frying chicken, the French fries are also excellent. The slightly seasoned coating is not just fried potatoes, but fried with a touch of flavor. Savory, rich, and light.. Delicious fries all mixed together!#SynthesisIts a small store, but its like a magic bag where something strange always comes out. There arent many stores that appeal to you again after visiting once. When you come to LA, if you happen to come to the West area near UCLA, it would be a good idea to remember the area called Sawtelle. And if you remember this precious Japanese restaurant in a corner of the village, you can easily enjoy a delicious meal.
Wasabi Japanese Noodle House
3444 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States
Nice Japanese restaurant in Koreatown. I ordered a Bento box and its items were great. I went at noon, so it was quiet and they attended to me quickly. The staff is super friendly. I recommend it.
Morihiro
3133 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039, United States
Truthfully, I dont want to write this five star review. it would be a 10 star review if I could share it. but, the trouble is, Chef Morihiros spot in Atwater is so small, few if any Angelenos should know about it. And those who know, should not share. why? because it is too good. and too good gets over-known, over-blown, and then those of us who are locals, neighbors, devotees, passionate enthusiasts get left waiting in line behind trendsters. I had the privilege and the honor to meet Chef Mori on my visit tonight to his restaurant. I was grateful to enjoy a Chef Mori facing sushi bar spot, for a premium price, but an amazing value. I was grateful to meet two lovely regulars with whom to enjoy our covid-vaccinated-yet-perhaps-less-socially-distanced-than-one-might-like experiencce at the sushi bar, in the presence of greatness. that greatness was not just Chef Mori and his team, but the pacing of the food. The pacing of the sake pairings. The attentiveness of the staff--- with water, with explanations, with space and time.My meal was nothing short of exquisite. I could explain each and every course, which I described in detail for my own personal journal, but that would spoil the greatness and joy of the OMAKASE experience here. Besides, I understand that it changes from meal to meal, omakase to omakase... chef Moris choice, indeed.I adored chatting with Chef Mori, with the folks at the sushi bar, with the staff, and in wild and crazy times, being able to celebrate a few moments of utter magic in the japanese kitchen. as a vegetarian who said screw it, bring it on, to the sushi omakase experience, my belly is still happy, my conscience is clear, and as my newfound friends eating beside me and I both shared, were it to be the last meal ever, wed all be gratefully thanking the Gods for the opportunity. Chef Mori and his new spot is a Level Up.... transformative. Greatest in the game. And I am so thankful for every bite. Cant wait to return.... and hope my Chef remembers my love of his ceramics ;).> Best in Los Angeles!