The best Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? A Michelin-starred kaiseki spot in Palms from chef-owner Niki Nakayama, a protégé of the legendary Morihiro Onodera and one of the stars of the Netflix documentary Chef’s Table (2011).

Why we love it: Nakayama focuses her talent on kaiseki: a classical style of Japanese cooking that dictates a specific progression of textures, temperatures, tastes and seasonal ingredients. À la carte is not an option, and when every dish is this good, that’s okay by us. n/naka typically offers a 13-course tasting menu ($365) with a vegetarian option, plus wine and sake pairings. A newer renovation has given the dining room a sleeker look—with a requisite price bump to match—but n/naka still delivers the most delicious, wonderfully serene dining experience in the city. Years in, these are still some of the hardest reservations to land in all of Los Angeles. It’s best to follow along on Instagram for announcements and watch n/naka’s Tock page like a hawk.

Time Out tip: If you’re trying to book a reservation for a party of four, you no longer have to go through the whole rigamarole to book a table. Now, you can book up to three months in advance by emailing info@n-naka.com.

Address: 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Opening hours: Wed–Sat ~5:45 and ~9:15pm seatings

What is it? An exquisite, two-Michelin-star kaiseki dinner ($450 per head) that feels more like a transportive experience than a meal. 

Why we love it: The space is intimate, the ceramics are handcrafted and imported from Japan, service is respectful and diligent, and chef-owner Brandon Go's precision and technique come by way of training in Japan for years. There is something almost criminally understated here; Hayato's delicate flavors could lead Angelenos to overlook some of the most beautiful cooking happening in the city. I hope they don't. They'd be missing out on steamed abalone with an unctuous liver sauce; an owan course of delicate crab meatball soup; and the spectacular donabe finale, where one can fill one's bowl with freshly cooked seafood and rice over and over. Go has truly built something beautiful with Hayato.

Time Out tip: Dinner reservations are usually released at the top of each month, and sell out almost immediately for the entire month. Set an alarm to get a table. It's worth it.

Address: 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Wed–Sun, 6:30pm seating

What is it? A Michelin-starred Little Tokyo sushi counter that, from my humble point of view, is the best sushi omakase ($300) experience in L.A. (Accordingly, it’s also one of the most difficult bookings in town.) 

Why we love it: Hidden in the basement of a Little Tokyo office building and run by longtime L.A. sushi veteran Yoshiyuki Inoue, Kaneyoshi outranks the city’s other high-end sushi bars in luxury, refinement and overall wow factor. The exact seafood used in Kaneyoshi’s 20-odd courses will vary on a seasonal basis, but I’ve yet to taste a better preparation of nodoguro (blackthroat sea perch) and ankimo (monkfish liver), both of which remain constants on the menu. When it comes to ultra-premium sushi, which we define as $250 per head and above, I believe Kaneyoshi provides the best bang for your buck—provided you can get a reservation. For less than what you'll pay for Morihiro  or other so-so high-end options like 715 Sushi, you’ll leave this Little Tokyo sushi bar feeling absolutely divine. Note: Bring cash for the parking attendant if you plan to park on-site, and try to be on time; the 7pm nightly seating doesn’t begin until all diners are present.

Time Out tip: Soon, the main room of Kaneyoshi will be the new home of Maison Kanatha, a fusion pop-up. When that happens, Inoue will move permanently to the back counter, where he currently offers a $400 premium version of Sushi Kaneyoshi’s standard omakase.

Address: 111 S San Pedro St, Suite B1, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, 7pm seating

What is it? The Michelin-starred casual sushi bar of L.A. culinary icon Morihiro Onodera.

Why we love it: Newly relocated to Victor Heights (the sliver of a neighborhood between Chinatown and Echo Park), Morihiro now offers standout sushi rolls and cocktails made with the same specialized rice, aged red vinegar and housemade ceramics used in the restaurant’s signature omakase ($400). Now, Onodera serves his destination-worthy omakase to just four diners a night, but everyone else—including walk-ins—can order the chef’s precise rendition of a California roll, plus nigiri by the piece and thoughtfully executed hot items. The kitchen impresses even with standard dishes, from the jalapeño-tinged spicy edamame to the cherrywood-smoked jidori chicken, which puts every other yakitori skewer I’ve had in Los Angeles to shame. The salmon skin salad, in particular, offers lush farmers’ market produce, perfectly crisped bits of fish and a light, flavorful dressing. Of course, the chef’s magnum opus is still his omakase, which features a mix of kaiseki-style appetizers and a diverse array of fish, both dry-aged and fresh—and if money is no object, I recommend springing for it. What thrills me more as a lifelong sushi lover, however, is the more accessibly priced à la carte menu; for around $100 to $150 per person (including tax and tip), you can experience some of the city’s best Japanese cooking, plus flawless service and excellent desserts to cap off your evening. 

Time Out tip: If I had to pick just one omakase in the $300 or more price range, I honestly still prefer Kaneyoshi. Still, Onodera’s 40 years of experience and detail-oriented approach translate to one of the city’s finest omakase experiences, albeit one with an insanely high cost of entry.

Address: 1115 Sunset Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–10pm

What is it? A standout South Bay omakase ($250) with thoughtful, warm service and unique Korean influences.

Why we love it: For those who can regularly afford it, there’s an omakase in L.A. for every whim, reason or predilection—making it all the more remarkable that Daniel Son’s newer sushi experience, available Thursday through Saturday evenings, has dazzled L.A.'s myriad high-end sushi lovers. Right now, it's my favorite omakase in the city in the $250-and-under range. The second-generation Korean American chef first worked at Kura, his father’s now-closed West Hollywood restaurant. At Sonagi, Son distills years of culinary training, including Spago and Tokyo’s three-Michelin-starred Ryugin, into an array of flawlessly constructed appetizers, nigiri and other dishes that never fail to delight. The chef uses the same sought-after fish supplier used by Morihiro and Shunji, but Son fuses traditional technique with hints of bold Korean flavor and fresh produce from the Torrance Farmers’ Market in a way that feels fresh and memorable.

Time Out tip: Like most of the city’s top omakases, Sushi Sonagi is typically completely booked out on Tock. Set a reminder for your next free weekend evening the following month—Son releases reservations on a 30-day rolling basis at midnight.

Address: 1425 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 5:30, 7:45 seatings

What is it? A Little Tokyo neighborhood favorite since 1980, this L.A. legend draws late-morning crowds for its affordable sashimi lunch special and provides an equally excellent, moderately priced sushi experience at night.

Why we love it: The sashimi lunch deal might get all the glory, but Sushi Gen's slightly pricier dinner menu is the perfect happy medium between an eye-poppingly expensive omakase and questionably cheap sushi. For those who stop in later in the day, nigiri and gunkan pieces topped with fresh halibut, fatty tuna, sea urchin, monkfish liver and oysters await, all in a wonderfully serene, wood-paneled old-school sushi bar setting.

Time Out tip: Take advantage of the à la carte menu to get out of your comfort zone—the restaurant typically carries less commonly offered cuts like engawa (halibut tail fin), gizzard shad (a type of herring) and geoduck (giant Pacific clam). 

Address: 422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11am–2pm, 5–8:30pm; Sat 4–8:30pm

What is it? An elegant West L.A. omakase run by one of L.A.’s few female sushi chefs.

Why we love it: A sense of restrained elegance threads itself throughout each meal at Mori Nozomi, the newest omakase experience to occupy the former Mori Sushi space. Five nights a week, Ginza Onodera alumna Nozomi Mori serves an exquisite omakase ($250) with a touch of Osaka-style flair and elements of traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The all-female team—a rarity in the predominantly male world of sushi—has crafted a standout high-end sushi experience complete with minimalist floral arrangements, an optional artisan tea pairing ($50) and Mori’s delicate one-of-a-kind wagashi at the end of every meal. I loved the thinly sliced pen shell clam wrapped in nori and tamago soaked in hot dashi broth, but what really sets the restaurant apart is the grace and beauty of ceremonial tea-serving on display every night of service. 

Time Out tip: Have a particular date in mind? Set your alarm—Tock reservations for Mori Nozomi are released every Sunday at 10am.

Address: 11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064.

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, 7pm seating.

What is it? A newer West L.A. omakase counter ($200) that will transport you to Japan for half the cost of Hayato.

Why we love it: Kojima offers a quietly thrilling special-occasion meal that’s loosely but distinctly inspired by kaiseki—the traditional Japanese multi-course dining experience that emphasizes seasonality and harmony. Namesake Hayato Kojima singlehandedly pulls off a chef’s tasting menu that may contain, at any given moment, creamy whorls of shirako with fried taro and ankake, a thick, velvety sauce made with dashi; the best grilled chicken heart you’ll ever have in your life; chilled housemade noodles topped with shredded cucumber and myoga, or Japanese ginger; and the ever-changing gohan (cooked rice) course, featuring a donburi anointed with matsutake mushrooms and duck, or perhaps sea bream and ikura. Of particular note is the beef course, made with a subtler, ultra-rare type of Wagyu from Tanegashima that, as far as I have tried to ascertain, isn’t regularly available anywhere else in the United States.

Time Out tip: Kojima also offers a $80 mini omakase around 5pm for walk-ins. Just don’t expect to get completely full, as the mini omakase offers only four to five dishes from the regular menu. 

Address: 2130 Sawtelle Blvd, Ste 211, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–11pm

What is it? A famous tonkotsu chain from Tokyo with an L.A. outpost on the ground floor of a Larchmont apartment building.

Why we love it: The ramen noodles are made fresh in-house every day; the appetizers and desserts are well considered; and the full bar includes highballs and an interesting sake list. First-timers should order the signature Tokyo tonkotsu, where the long-simmered, velvety pork broth offers a surprisingly complex flavor profile, as well as at least a couple of the appetizers: Of the many I’ve tried, not a single dish seems like an afterthought, from the crab-rich potato salad to the build-your-own spicy maguro wraps. An excellent, well-balanced tsukemen uses springy, alkaline thick-cut noodles courtesy of Keizo Shimamoto (inventor of the ramen burger). Variations in smoked dashi, mazemen, and spicy tan tan offer just as much flavor as the original, though they can't upstage the tonkotsu—Tonchin's very-much-worthy claim to fame. 

Time Out tip: Save room for dessert: There's kakigori and a delightful Tokyo banana-inspired sundae on the menu.

Address: 5665 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm; Sun noon–9pm

What is it? An upscale reservation-only dinner spot that was named the "most elegant izakaya in Little Tokyo" by the late Jonathan Gold.

Why we love it: Tucked away within Honda Plaza, Jun Isogai’s tiny, two-man izakaya offers a small but impeccably made menu of Japanese bar classics that go beyond the usual sushi, udon and ramen. Though Kinjiro is known for its decadent items like seared uni, bone marrow dengaku and grilled, thickly sliced beef tongue, each dish receives deeply thought-out gourmet treatment, from simple items like ochazuke made with housemade dashi broth to richer entrées like curry rice, which Kinjiro upgrades with a pillow-soft beef tongue. On my most recent visit, I enjoyed slices of yuzukosho-topped mackerel, an opulent sashimi salad, housemade pickles and tempura-fried soft shell crab (a must-order delicacy whenever it’s in season). A large sake selection, as well as a few wines, ensures diners can recreate the traditional izakaya experience in full.

Time Out tip: If you’re hoping for a lighter meal, opt for the green tea soba noodles and the raw oysters in ponzu sauce. 

Address: 424 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Sat 5:30–10pm

What is it? A longtime udon shop in Little Tokyo that offers the city's best bowls of the thick, chewy wheat-based noodles.

Why we love it: Marugame Udon might have wider reach, but the unaffiliated Marugame Monzo offers mesmerizing sights of noodle-pulling action through the kitchen's picture window. Behind a large glass, the udon master will roll out the dough and cut strands and strands of the thick, chewy noodles for each order. The traditional bowls are great here; try the hot kitsune udon topped with fried tofu, or the cold plum shiso bukkake udon. For a fun mash-up of Japanese and Italian cuisines, go for the popular miso carbonara udon or cheesy udon gratin. Just be prepared to wait: As the hands-down best udon shop in Los Angeles, peak dinner time can cause gaggles of groups to queue all the way down the block.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming for lunch or an early dinner, stop by Fugetsu-do down the street for a few pieces of mochi (the historic confectionary closes at 6pm). 

Address: 329 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–9pm, Fri–Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? A shockingly affordable, high-quality izakaya deep in the San Gabriel Valley.

Why we love it: You will almost certainly need a reservation here, but the excellent cooking and even better price point ensure that Izakaya Tonchinkan deserves a spot in your destination dining line-up. Run by the same team as nearby Sushi Kisen and Sumibiyakitori Kidori, this small Arcadia izakaya serves a wide array of genre classics with a particular emphasis on sashimi. On my last visit, I enjoyed boiled baby sardines with grated daikon and yuzu, plus grilled beef tongue, monkfish liver with ponzu sauce and a delightful appetizer sampler that included fatty tuna with pickled radish, fermented firefly squid and wasabi-seasoned octopus—a funky trio best enjoyed with a bright, clean glass of sake. My favorite item of the night, however, was the yellowtail and sansho peppercorn donabe. In Los Angeles, most donabe dishes are only offered at high-end kaiseki restaurants, so this more casual option is quite a treat indeed.

Time Out tip: Be sure to at least glance at the specials menu, which has been known to include market-priced rare delicacies like hairy crab. 

Address: 713 W Duarte Rd #H, Arcadia, CA 91007

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm

What is it? A West L.A. izakaya that offers standout family-style hot pot dishes, plus an array of well-executed grilled, fried and raw items. 

Why we love it: With dishes like motsu-nabe (intestine hot pot) and fried sardines, Hakata Izakaya Hero makes few concessions to the Western palate—and that’s exactly why I recommend it so highly. Everything is fairly well-executed, from the sashimi moriawase to the chicken karaage, and there are a few house specialties of note, including the chicken wing gyoza, pan-fried tonkotsu noodles and a seriously addictive cabbage salad. If you’re at a loss for what to order, I also like the sizzling teppanyaki platters and pork belly wrapped chive skewers. Just be sure to make a reservation over the phone on weekend evenings—the place does fill up most nights, and you don’t want to risk being turned away. 

Time Out tip: On the rare chilly evening in L.A., come here for hot pot (note the two-person minimum) and a bottle of sake. 

Address: 1929 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm; Sun 5–9:30pm

What is it? One of Tokyo's best ramenyas, which now has two L.A. area shopping mall locations in Century City and Arcadia. 

Why we love it: If you are willing to wait and don’t mind a streamlined menu, Ramen Nagi serves the best bowl of ramen in Los Angeles. Day and night, crowds line up for bowls of chef Satoshi Ikuta’s flavorful, dense tonkotsu broth—also available with chili oil and cayenne (Red King); squid ink and black garlic (Black King); plus basil and olive oil (Green King). Unlike Tsujita, the soup here feels lightweight despite its richness, and Nagi's vegetarian broth means that those who don't eat meat can get in on the fun as well. No matter what, be sure to save room for one or two of Nagi's appetizers, particularly the unlisted pan-fried snack gyoza; when available, the latter arrives in an irresistible crispy dumpling skirt. Other than chicken karaage, chashu rice and edamame, it’s all about the ramen—as it should be. 

Time Out tip: Ask your server about any limited-time specials.

Address: Century City: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd Ste. #2850, Los Angeles, CA 90067; Arcadia: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Suite D2, Arcadia, CA 91007

Opening hours: Century City: Mon–Fri 11am–2:30pm, 5–9pm; Sat, Sun 11:30am–3pm, 5–9pm; Arcadia: Daily 11am–2:30pm, 5–9pm

What is it? A tiny, family-owned soba noodle specialist in Gardena known for its sarashina, or white, soba. 

Why we love it: If ramen is the attention hog in the family of noodles, then soba is the wheat-based variety's more refined cousin. The delicate, slightly nutty flavor of the buckwheat-based strands, plus the skill the staff puts into the making of each thread, makes Otafuku a destination Japanese noodle spot across all of L.A. County. The restaurant offers three different kinds of soba noodles, all of which are made in-house daily. Made with Japanese specialty flour, each one is delicious in its own unique way, but Otafuku's all-white seiro noodles are the house signature—and a definite must-try for first-timers. Other than soba, the restaurant also offers plenty of homey Japanese classics, including Spanish mackerel-topped rice bowls (a beloved everyday cut), tempura plates, chicken and pork katsu and bowls of steaming hot udon soup. In the evenings, the menu expands to include sashimi and yakitori, including an excellent plate of mackerel with pea shoots.

Time Out tip: If you can’t get down to the South Bay, Sobar in Culver City is an acceptable substitute—albeit the noodle quality is sadly inconsistent, and prices are slightly higher.

Address: 16525 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 11:30am–2pm, 5:30–9pm; Sun 5–8pm

What is it? A South Bay yakiniku counter that offers great bang for your buck.

Why we love it: In my eyes, “wagyu” has largely become a shorthand for decadence and culinary laziness, but Wagyu Butcher manages to stand out thanks to its excellent sourcing and affordable price point. (Luckily, you don’t necessarily need to order A5 to have a great meal here.) The chef-owner hails from Osaka, where he also ran a Japanese-style grilling eatery, and a grill-your-own experience here includes front-row seats to the skilled butchers deftly slicing your meat. An amply portioned $50 tasting menu includes choice pieces of tongue, cheek, short rib and skirt steak, but it’s easy to level up your meal with à la carte cuts if you’re still feeling hungry. The $70 option ups the ante with beef sashimi and slices of A5. 

Time Out tip: Wait until the end of your tasting menus before adding on any additional meats—the bowl of delicious curry rice that caps off each meal might just put you over the top.

Address: 2104 Artesia Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90504

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5–11pm; Sat, Sun noon–1pm, 5–11pm

What is it? A standout ramen chain that first got its start on West L.A.’s Sawtelle Boulevard. 

Why we love it: Much ink has been spilled over Tsujita’s tsukemen, the traditional dipping ramen where the broth arrives separately from the noodles. Tsujita stans wax poetic about how kurobuta pork bones are simmered for no less than 60 hours to create the dipping broth, how the noodles are thick, chewy and dense, and how the wait for a seat can fluctuate between tolerable and formidable (unless you’re dining solo, in which case you’ll usually be seated at the counter in no more than 15 minutes). Suffice to say, in a rare instance of hype living up to reality, all that ink bleeds true: This is the best tsukemen in the city, whether you’re dining at the original Sawtelle location or indulging in the fattier, maximalist version offered across the street at Tsujita Annex. These days, you’ll also find outposts in the Arts District, Pasadena and San Gabriel. The dipping-style broth here is the one to which you’ll forever compare all others, much to your chagrin. Put your name down and wait. It’ll be worth it.

Time Out tip: You can also ask to modify the fat amount in the broth at Tsujita Annex.

Address: Multiple venues, incl. West L.A., Arts District and San Gabriel

Opening hours: Varies by location

What is it? A beloved Studio City strip mall sushi bar known for its fusion-style omakase ($140 or $200).

Why we love it: Three and a half decades later, Tetsuya Nakao’s strip mall sushi bar in the Valley—and its wonderfully nontraditional omakase—has stood the test of time and become veritable L.A. sushi royalty. In a similar style as Nobu (and the chain’s original restaurant, Matsuhisa), Asanebo offers a selection of unorthodox seafood dishes, as well as traditional nigiri—but the right order here always leans towards the former. Where else can you find a deep-fried tempura “seafood stick” served in a martini glass, a flaming conch filled with bubbling hot broth and pieces of tender A5 Wagyu and juicy red onion in sweet soy? Plenty of other cheaper places around town might riff on the legacy of Matsuhisa’s signature yellowtail jalapeño sashimi, but none of them execute new-school sushi as well as this gloriously no-frills L.A. classic.

Time Out tip: Make note that the restaurant only takes reservations during business hours over the phone.

Address: 111 S San Pedro St, Suite B1, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Opening hours: Tue, Wed 5:30pm and 8pm seatings; Thu–Sun 5pm and 8pm seatings

What is it? A longtime Mar Vista tempura stall known for its decadent, soy-splashed eel tempura. 

Why we love it: Crispy, crunchy and featherweight light, the panko-encrusted pieces of eel, shrimp and vegetables at this food court stall inside the Mar Vista Mitsuwa are some of best pieces of tempura in the city and one of the best budget-friendly Japanese meals to be had in L.A. The delicate egg and shiso pepper on top of any tendon set, plus a crunchy sheet of nori, add layers of flavor and fried goodness to this first-rate cafeteria-style meal, while pickled ginger and rice balance out all the deep-fried decadence. Though the menu's most premium set includes anago (saltwater eel)—listed as the Edomae Plate—you don't need to order it to experience the best of Hannosuke; the original, which uses white fish, is just as delicious for first-time customers.

Time Out tip: If the Westside is too far for you, you can also go to Tempura Tendon Carlos Jr, which has locations in Torrance and Pasadena. 

Address: 3760 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Opening hours: Daily 11am–8pm

What is it? A California-style Echo Park izakaya from Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplan, the chef-sommelier couple behind OTOTO (located next door) and Camélia in the Arts District. 

Why we love it: It wasn’t until after I experienced the glaring inconsistencies of Venice’s RVR that I’ve come to truly appreciate the chef-driven approach Namba takes at Tsubaki. The seasonal inflection to traditional izakaya fare adds enough intrigue to warrant a visit the next time you’re in the general area, especially if you enjoy kushiyaki. The vegetable tempura and skillful spin on silken tofu from Gardena’s Meiji Tofu stand toe to toe with homier spots in the South Bay; the charcoal-grilled onigiri and soy-simmered black cod make for an excellent sit-down meal; and who can deny the delight of a Japanese “latke” topped with dry-aged salmon, pickled cucumbers and ikura? For more of a deep-fried snacky situation, I prefer OTOTO next door, which serves chicken karaage, heartier versions of tempura and a potato salad perfect for soaking up Kaplan’s award-winning sake program. 

Time Out tip: Order the cornflake-dusted hojicha parfait for dessert—or at least the slightly cheaper standalone soft-serve.

Address: 1356 Allison Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 5–10pm, Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A mid-range Japanese yakiniku chain with three L.A. locations.

Why we love it: Manpuku offers a level of quality and refinement you won’t find at the more maximalist-inclined national chain Gyu-Kaku. Though the specialty is beef tongue with negishio (a mix of salt and green onions), most omnivores would be equally pleased with Manpuku's other cuts, like the prime rib eye and Angus tri-tip. For the best bang for your buck, order one of the restaurant’s tasting menus, which include a selection of side dishes like kimchi and edamame and Manpuku's signature hot stone garlic-fried rice. While more affordable than the likes of Yazawa in Beverly Hills and insider-only Totoraku, à la carte ordering at Manpuku can still add up quickly, so be mindful if you decide against a set menu.

Time Out tip: Manpuku also offers bento boxes for takeout and delivery.

Address: West L.A: 2125 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025; West Hollywood: 8486 W 3rd St, West Hollywood, CA 90048; Torrance: 1870 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501

Opening hours: West L.A. and West Hollywood: Mon–Fri 5–10:30pm; Sat, Sun noon–10:30pm; Torrance: Daily 5–10:30pm