Top Japanese Restaurant in Santa Monica
Mandarin Chinese & Japanese Cuisine
2618 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
We walked here to eat at around 8pm and the are still open up to 10pm.The service is really good, but due to understaff issue, they only have take out and delivery. No dine in available here for the time being.The food preparation is fast and the portion is generous, the flavor is just right. We like it spicy, but it is a bit too mild for us. Next time we will inform them in advance.For the price, portion and service, they are really good. Soft spoken cashier girl and fast finish of the food, it is one of the best options here.We will definitely come back again.By the way, the packing is also very nice. They make sure the food is full and no room left. That is very nice for customers, especially the first time.We love the food.
Shunji Japanese Cuisine
3003 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
Worst Japanese restaurant I have ever had in my life.
Sushi King
1330 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404, United States
Before the pandemic this place was one of the best sushi restaurants in LA. I recently went there on a Saturday (9:30PM) with my family and ordered Uni, Unagi, Maguro, Sake, Sweet Shrimp, Tataki, and Halibut. The first bite I had was the uni, which is my favorite sushi, and when I took a bite of the uni, I tasted a slimy old fishy and trashy taste which made me gag, it was impossible to swallow. It was an over powering fishy taste. I took many swigs of beer and a few shots of sake to get rid of the foul rotten fish taste. I had $3 uni in low-end revolving sushi places that tasted better than this $20 uni.Further tasting revealed the Maguro also lacked freshness, evident in both taste and appearance, deviating from its characteristic deep red color. The sake (salmon) was ok and the halibut was pretty bland. The only items that managed to meet expectations were the tataki, unagi and the sweet shrimp.I conveyed my concerns about the uni to our waitress, hoping for a constructive response, but it was unfortunately disregarded. This, coupled with a rush to clear our table before we had finished our evening, including removing my sons drink, significantly impacted our overall satisfaction. The evening concluded with a bill of over $240, which did not reflect the value or service expected based on prior visits.For those seeking a superior sushi experience in Santa Monica, I now find myself recommending Yabu on Pico, where the quality of fish and customer service more closely align with my expectations for fine dining.
Sushi Hanashi
1928 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
First time here...and my last. I should have known when I asked for sesame seeds on my roll and she said they dont have sesame seeds, first time I ever saw that at a Japanese restaurant. I ordered a blue crab (real crab) Cali roll. While I was waiting outside for my to go order, I saw the sushi chef open a can of something and I hoped it was not crab! When I got home to eat it, it was fishy, not like crab and it was only avocado & canned crab! My tempura was okay, however they did not close the lid on the dipping sauce and it leaked out making soggy, so not good. If I lived closer I would have gone back for a refund.
Kanpai Santa Monica
2212 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
Kanpai is an excellent little Japanese restaurant found on Wilshire and 22nd in Santa Monica. I have been to the original location many times and decided to try this location closer to my home. It did not disappoint. The sushi and the salmon teriyaki was delicious. The quality of the food is elevated with a great presentation so this is a must for foodies. My compliments and respect to the chef. You can find menu items here that are original and only found at this restaurant. We tried this new cucumber dish. Mind blowing. The service is personable and quick. The atmosphere is casual and feels cozy and works with the delicious cuisine. I wish I had taken photos of the food.
Tsukiji Sushi Sen
2915 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
Came here with a friend after hiking in the Pacific Palisades at around 7pm on a Monday. There were a couple of other patrons but it was mostly empty. The staff didn’t greet us in Japanese although they did for other newcomers but they sat us quickly. The decor of the restaurant is upscale and pretty nice, although from the outside the restaurant is nondescript. There’s some outdoor seating, tables/booths inside, and seats at the sushi bar. We got edamame to share (5.99) and it was hot and sprinkled with salt, but nothing noteworthy. My friend got the bento box ($20.99)it’s pricier after 3pm and you can get 1 or 2 items as the primary entree (differing prices of course). She upgraded the avocado roll (a side item) to be her entree for an additional cost and also had a salad, some edamame, miso soup, and rice on the side. Our server seemed confused by the fact she wanted to upgrade her side entree to the main entree but checked in twice to make sure he got her order correct. I got the Hero roll, which was a baked sushi that was warm and slightly crunchy (13.99). There are non-sushi items for those who don’t like fish such as chicken teriyaki bowls and tempura udon. The specials are written on the chalk board behind the sushi bar. They provide a generous serving of wasabi and ginger, and the soy sauces are on the tables for you to utilize. I like that they use sustainable seafood. Parking on a weekday shouldn’t be too bad as there metered parking on the street and free parking in the neighborhoods behind. Service was alright, and they don’t check in on you but were prompt with getting the check. Overall the restaurant was fine, but if you’re craving some Japanese food in Santa Monica, I think Kazu Nori would make for a tastier experience, or you could go to Kimuya for more reasonable prices.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
231 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404, United States
The server at this place was ridiculously rude. I have been a loyal customer to Gyu-Jakub for several years, and I never had a problem with my visit experience at other locations. This place was an absolutely NO.The server refused to help us change our grill plate when it is obviously burnt. He said it could still be used. THIS never happened at other stores. I tried one more grill, but owing to the burnt grill plate, the food burnt super easily, so I asked him again to change it. He came with a new grill plate, and started stating his new policy to me, “just want you know, you only get one change”. Okay, we ordered a lot of bbq, and you now told me only one change?? I never heard of this unreasonable and biased policy at other store.They have a 75 min limit per table, and I am okay with that. However, they also count in your sit-down, waiting-for-menu and waiting-for-food time about 25+ min, and they were slow. We added some food to our order, but without letting us know, he just put our food in a plastic takeout container, said you will be out of time, and asked us to do takeout. It was not a busy day, empty tables are available, and no one is waiting for tables. Even with their running time calculation, we are still within the time limit, so I don't understand after I already refused to do take-out, how you can still place our food in a plastic container and put it in front of me while I am sitting at my table for dine-in. Just rushing us to leave??I hope people don't visit this store, since their arrogant service and bad attitude will totally ruin your day. Gyu-Kaku in general is good, but this location should be closed.
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
1345 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
Step through the doors of SUGARFISH and enter a realm of serene sophistication. The ambiance strikes a delicate balance between modern elegance and traditional charm, with sleek décor complemented by subtle Japanese accents. Soft lighting and tranquil surroundings create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and indulgence, ensuring each visit is a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.The culinary journey begins with a menu crafted to showcase the pinnacle of sushi mastery. Impeccably fresh sashimi and sushi creations take center stage, each dish a testament to the precision and expertise of the chefs. Whether savoring the buttery texture of tuna sashimi or delighting in the intricate flavors of a specialty roll, every bite is a revelation.But the culinary delights extend beyond sushi alone. SUGARFISH offers a tantalizing array of hot dishes, from crispy tempura to succulent yakitori, ensuring theres something to please every palate. Each dish is expertly executed, with a focus on quality ingredients and meticulous preparation that shines through in every mouthful.Together, the exceptional food and inviting atmosphere at SUGARFISH create an unparalleled dining experience that transcends the ordinary. Whether seeking a romantic evening for two or a memorable gathering with friends, SUGARFISH promises a gastronomic journey that lingers in the memory long after the last bite has been savored.
Izakaya Sasaya
11613 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
Can you enjoy such an authentic izakaya in Los Angeles? Its a good restaurant that made me laugh. It will be appreciated if you bring Japanese people who have missed Japanese food while traveling, and you will also be happy if you invite locals who want to eat Japanese food. Its an all rounder.As for the food, theres everything from yakitori to sushi to hot pot.I love the beef tataki and karaage here.The downside is that there is no parking, which cant be helped since its Santa Monica. It was impossible to park in front of the store whenever I went. Youll be lucky if you can park on the street in a residential area about 3 minutes walk from the store.
Nonstop Sushi & Sake Bar Santa Monica
2645 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
I usually dont write bad reviews but this one experience was enough to warrant a response. This was NYE 12/31/19 around 7pm, the place was NOT busy and not packed. Being that it was NYE, I was already in a nice suit looking professional. When I walked in, I said hello and was greeted somewhat tepidly. The young man with glasses started motioning me to the sushi bar and I said I didnt and wanted a small table since I was eating a dinner. He kept insisting that I sit at the bar. I finally was very firm and said I want a table. Also know, I noticed at least two other customers seated alone at a table and I found this odd.When I was seated I told my server I found that exchange completely inappropriate. He made no real sense explaining it and in fact his reaction was tepid and flat in any interest on what I had to say.The food? Well, it was pretty good. Ive had much better at mid range sushi/Japanese restaurants. In fact it was quite mediocre.The only person who was friendly was the only female in the restaurant. If I were the owner, I would keep her, fire the rest and ask her to invite some of her friendly friends to apply for the job.In all my years in eating in restaurants, Ive never had someone trying to force me to sit somewhere else where there were plenty of open tables. Granted I know tables have servers assigned, but it wasnt packed and easy to adjust.