Los Angeles is a hubbub of international cuisine! From Chinese to Mexican to African to Scandinavian cuisine, Los Angeles definitely has it all. And considering Los Angeles’ significant Asian population, it comes as no surprise that some of the best Japanese restaurants can be found in the City of Angels.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles!
1. Hayato
Hayato is a two-Michelin-star dinner at ROW DTLA in Los Angeles. It offers traditional, ever-changing seafood-centric kaiseki meals that vary with the weather, seasons, and what’s freshest at the market. The meal lasts nearly three hours and costs $200 per person (plus a 16% service charge). Dishes range from eel tempura and Kyoto-style sushi to dashi broth. It is the kind of destination where a handful of lucky diners are transported to a world of culinary excellence.
2. N/Naka
Owned by Chef Niki Nakayama, N/Naka is a modern kaiseki restaurant in Los Angeles. It has become very popular nationally to become the most celebrated kaiseki restaurant. Located in a very attractive location and building, the restaurant offers a multi-course meal that takes guests on a culinary journey. Dishes range from sashimi to grilled fish, tempura, and noodle dishes. The menu is constantly changing and seasonal, making every visit unique. They release reservations a month ahead of time.
3. Sushi Gen
Sushi Gen is an iconic Little Tokyo sushi restaurant in Los Angeles that has been a fan favorite among diehard Japanese fans in Los Angeles for years. The restaurant offers a $23 weekday lunch special. It includes sashimi, soup, salad, and rice. It also offers an a la carte menu featuring sushi, sashimi, tempura, and more. The restaurant is known for its fresh fish, friendly service, and reasonable prices.
4. Nozawa Bar
Nozawa Bar is a Michelin-starred sushi counter located behind the Sugarfish in Beverly Hills. It offers an excellent omakase experience that typically clocks in at just over two hours. The menu consists of a variety of nigiri and sashimi, plus a few cooked dishes. The fish is of the highest quality and the service is friendly and attentive. There is also an extensive sake list to choose from.
5. Tsujita
Tsujita is a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. The restaurant is well-known for its outstanding ramen, which is served in two styles: Tsukemen, where the noodles are served cold, and Kakemen, where they are served hot. Other specialties include sushi, tempura, and salads. Tsujita also has an extensive sake and craft beer list, as well as a wide selection of Japanese whisky, perfect for happy hour!
6. Sushi Ginza Onodera
Sushi Ginza Onodera is an upscale sushi restaurant in Los Angeles that specializes in Edomae-style sushi. They are known for its high-end omakase menu, which includes wild-caught fish from the Toyosu Fish Market and Niigata prefecture rice tinted in red vinegar. The menu also includes dishes like grilled Kinki rockfish marinated in light Saikyo miso from Kyoto. There are lunch and dinner omakase menus available, with prices ranging from $70 to $400.
7. Marugame Monzo
This Little Tokyo noodle shop offers the city’s best bowls of the thick, chewy wheat-based Marugame Monzo is a popular Japanese restaurant located in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. The restaurant specializes in udon, a type of thick wheat noodle. Diners can choose from a variety of udon dishes made with seasonal ingredients, such as tempura udon and takoyaki udon. The restaurant also serves a variety of sushi and sashimi, as well as salads and Japanese-style appetizers. Marugame Monzo also offers a selection of sake, beer, and wine.