Outstanding! I had some questions about the menu regarding dietary restrictions and Gwen and Phillip went out of their way to make sure my questions were addressed. They were both so genuine in their desire to help and chat about food they were passionate about. It gave me confidence in what to order (miso cod daily bento and sencha green tea). Phillip was also kind and just fun to chat overall. He made us feel so welcomed as out of towners. The food was outstanding. I was tearing up with how good it tasted. Clean, simple, the flavors really stood out. Like a wholesome hug to my tummy. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone! I love pickled vegetables. Also the miso cod was perfection. Definitely make a reservation online. Limited seating. Sweet and lovely interior. Definitely check this place out read more

I do not know why it took me this long to try Azay! The restaurant is super cozy and bright inside, with a small number of tables available. There's a few tables in the front patio as well, and it seemed like everyone had a reservation. Make sure to book yours in advance! We walked in around when they opened so we were lucky. Since this was our first time, we tried the Japanese breakfast with mackerel and the shokupan with fruit compotes to share as dessert. We also ordered hot tea as a beverage. Everything was SOOOOO GOOD. 10/10! Quality of the ingredients, seasoning, taste, temperature, variety - all hit the mark. I could eat the Japanese breakfast everyday... it was so light but packed with flavor and had so many different items on the plate that made the entire experience really fun to eat. The hojicha tea was so soothing and a perfect accompaniment to the meal. The shokupan was perfect and not too sweet. It was perfect to share between the three of us! Service was excellent and friendly. Staff came by constantly to check in on us! We loved the hospitality and can see why there's usually a line outside! I can't wait to come back to try the daily bento! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I got reservations to be safe as others suggested and really good choice because we took the last table inside on a very hot day at around 9:30am. The staff is quite attentive and we got our food in a prompt manner. I thought the chawanmushi was well prepared and don't miss the salmon roe on top that makes a huge difference. The seasonal special cold udon is sooo nice. I love the thinness of the noodle and the soup hits just right as chilled. Basic but good for hot days. Then my fiancé's eel bowl was fine but he did say that it still doesn't quite compare to Japan. The eel isn't as fatty but decent. A solid spot overall for a more authentic Japanese experience. read more

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The Japanese breakfast was good and perfect portion! The loco moco was not hot and lukewarm? Very weird! It was also very dry! The wait wasn't too bad, got seated in 15 mins! read more

Azay - Mackerel Japanese breakfast & loco moco - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Parking: If you can get into the Aiso Parking Garage across the street it's the best price, but it was full when I got there. There is very little street parking and two parking garages around the block, with typical super fast accelerated pricing which becomes $20 quick. You can make a reservation on their website or the app using Resy. I called because it was a holiday and was able to make a same day reservation, unfortunately it took me over 30 minutes to figure out the parking siutation and to get there. Service was good, both the host and the server were very friendly and helpful. It was warm and super busy so I could see they were stressed. It's pretty small inside, good for couples harder for bigger groups. There is also some seating outside but glad I was inside since it was even hotter out there. I got the bentobox: binchotan jidori chicken teriyaki, seasonal vegetables, ztsukemono, miso soup, rice. Everything was crafted well and beatifully plated. Overall a very delicious meal. The chicken was definitely fatty and heavy read more

Azay - Menu 7/3/26 - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Azay is a popular French-Japanese fusion restaurant in Little Tokyo. Overall, I thought the Japanese mackerel bento was decent (especially enjoyed the soba side), but it wasn't anything special or memorable. Unfortunately didn't get to try any of the more French-inspired dishes so can't comment on that aspect. It was busy on a Saturday morning at 11 am and we had to wait a bit, even with reservations that I had booked 2 days in advance (there were still plenty of slots left). However, the service and turnover were fast and the wait staff were extremely nice and attentive. The interior was snug but clean and comfortable. We parked at the Aiso Parking garage for $2 for 2 hours. read more

Azay - Mackerel Bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We found street parking a short walk away around the corner. My boyfriend and I made a reservation here for Saturday brunch. We were a little late but they managed to accommodate us at a table inside after a short wait. As a vegetarian, I really appreciate how many of the meals on the menu can be made vegan. I chose the vegan Japanese breakfast and I loved it. It was light and simple but wonderfully satisfying. Seasonal watermelon agua frescas weren't on the menu but our server told us we may want to try them! It was very refreshing and we didn't taste any artificial flavors. I tasted a hint of cucumber. We tasted the ice cream, custard, and peach on the stone fruit tart. It was delish. However, the crust on the stone fruit tart was too hard. We really had to drive the fork downward into the crust to even break off a piece. We informed a server about this and we ordered a matcha crème brûlée. We were charged only for the crème brûlée. All in all, we really enjoyed the aesthetic food and the intimate ambiance. The servers were very friendly, there was hardly a wait for our food and drinks once we were seated, and my boyfriend's water glass was never empty. After our pleasant balanced meal, we walked over and visited their super cute, super cool hardware shop next door. I thought the restaurant-hardware business concept is outstanding. Extraordinary little place!! read more

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I love a traditional Japanese breakfast, and I love Azay! Service is always friendly, and the restaurant is cozy and comfortable. The quality of food here is excellent and fresh. This is my go-to spot when I'm craving Japanese breakfast, and it's all I've ever ordered here. I will have to return and try their other menu items to broaden my palette, as I'm sure they are just as delicious. By the way, if you are unable to find street parking, parking in the lot across the street (Judge John Aiso parking garage) is the key! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast with saba - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super cozy comfort breakfast we had here! We didn't have a reservation on a Saturday morning, but the staff was so nice in accommodating us and we were seated quite quickly. The unagi bowl is delicious and the traditional Japanese breakfast was yummy too, although it wasn't as filling. The French toast was delicious, I highly highly recommend it. Next time I come I definitely want to try the loco moco! I love how you can look over at the kitchen and see how the chef prepares the food, if there was not bar seating I definitely would have asked to be seated there, but it's a super tight spot - cozy, but def something to keep in mind for large parties. read more

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A little bit of a wait on Friday at lunch time but outdoor seating was available with umbrellas to block the sun, fortunately. The Japanese breakfast was a delightful meal with just a little bit of everything and I thoroughly enjoyed it, nothing was too salty or sour, etc. Very small menu though. I wish they still served omurice! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast Daily bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super delicious food and they have vegan options! The vegan Japanese breakfast (pictured) and the vegan bento is amazing. read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

So glad to have found this spot in LA! Was really missing traditional Japanese breakfast from our travels abroad and so happy to have come across Azay. Menu is simple but with good variety of options. We tried the breakfast bento and lunch bentos. The array of accompaniments was excellent. Service is also wonderful & very friendly. Food was served hot & fresh, quality was excellent as to be expected. Beautiful, bright and cozy space. Really enjoyed our meal here & looking forward to our next visit. Also got the matcha crème brulee--one of the best desserts we've ever had. Perfect balance of matcha & sweetness. Pro tip: make a resy! Tables fill fast. read more

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First time at Azay in Little Tokyo today, and somehow it felt like I'd been meaning to walk through those doors for years. One of those places that quietly lingers on your "must try" list until you finally give in. Azay was opened by chef Akira Hirose, who built the space around the kind of Japanese breakfast he grew up with. Thoughtful. Seasonal. The opposite of rushed. It's a small, intimate restaurant in the heart of Little Tokyo, where the morning light hits just right and everything feels intentional. The Japanese breakfast was exactly what I hoped for and somehow better. A neat lacquered tray carrying grilled fish, delicate sides, miso soup, rice, pickles. Comforting in that quiet, steady way. Home cooked but precise. Balanced without trying too hard. Elegant, nourishing, and deeply satisfying without ever feeling heavy. It's the kind of meal that doesn't shout for attention. It simply exists with confidence. And sometimes that's exactly what you want. read more

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Met a friend here for lunch and thank goodness we had a reservation, place was packed when we showed up. Service was warm and genuinely friendly. The menu is small and everything sounded good. I ordered a coffee and the tofu & maitake bento: super light, clean, and really satisfying. Bonus points for the coffee refills, and it was actually good coffee, not an afterthought. My friend went with the chawanmushi and the miso black cod bento, which was perfectly cooked. We ended with crème brûlée and a cookie, and wow, perfect Japanese-style sweetness. Not cloying, not heavy, just right. Loved it. Only downside: parking is an absolute nightmare. Truly awful. But once you're inside, it's worth the hassle. read more

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We had a good time at Azay. I had the daily bento with jidori chicken (the chicken was DELISH), my guests had the Nagoya hitsumabushi (eel bowl) & crab curry. The service was excellent (they even gave me xtra salad since I omitted rice). Water/tea refills were spot-on. My only complaint is that the soba noodles were totally overcooked, like, beyond. Probably needed 2-2.5min less cooking time. Other than that I thought the meal was decent. Would def like to return & try their Japanese breakfast. read more

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Amazing food. Unagi bowl definitely the top one. Croquette was yummy it had curry flavor. Matcha Creme Brulee was so yummy not very sweet and the apricot paired so well Fun to watch the chefs make the food right in front of you. Really nice lighting and decor inside too Nice service. August 22. read more

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We were so excited to have the chance to try this place for the first time. The service was great. They were able to accommodate us without a reservation. The staff was attentive and courteous. The dining space is clean and they have an open kitchen. The food was excellent. It was an authentic Japanese breakfast experience which brought us back to the ryokan in Kyoto. Restroom was clean, which is always a plus! Street parking available. Reservation is recommended. We will definitely return! read more

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Found Azay while trying to figure out what to eat for lunch while on jury duty. It was an amazing and efficient experience. Got the bento box with karaage that was cooked well and all the parts of the bento were tasty. The iced green tea was good and had a slightly earthy taste to it that you can tell it wasn't cheaply made. Would definitely go here again if I have to keep reporting. read more

I hopped over to Azay for a quick lunch and promptly fell in love. From the ambience, to the joyfulness of the staff, from the presentation and sheer flavor of the food... everything was perfect. I ordered the Japanese Breakfast with mackerel and it was perfectly proportioned and flavored. The mackerel was cooked perfectly crispy without burning or drying out the fish. Folks have said the miso was a bit warm, but proper miso is meant to be made in warm water lest you kill the beneficial bacteria. Which means, the miso soup was also perfect. I also ordered the eel bowl for take out, and it's possibly the best eel I've ever had. More importantly, the way they flavored the rice surprised and delighted me. I don't think I've ever had rice taste so so so delectable. I would honestly just go back to eat the seasoned rice in their eel bowl and be the happiest person ever. The miso butter chocolate chip cookies was also very good--more buttery than miso tasting though. Thank you very much for such fine service and feasting. I left feeling lighter and happier. Thank you thank you thank you. read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast with saba. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

really cool neighborhood vibe although you'd easily miss it amongst the bustle of the area. staff is welcoming and friendly although at times due to the fast pace, you might have to flag down someone for water refills, etc. it's a small place and anyone is willing to help so don't get frustrated. the food is yummy although on the slightly high price for the variety that you might want to expect for Japanese breakfast. the okazu could be better and the rice portion more generous. the standout was the unagi bowl, as the fish was not oily, but cooked to soft tender perfection. the decor is on trend as they recently remodeled (due to a water damage from upstairs tenant). read more

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Came to Azay in Little Tokyo with my daughter and it did not disappoint. We started with the chicken karaage, which was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside--an instant hit. For our mains, I had the miso cod Japanese breakfast bento box and my daughter ordered the chicken teriyaki bento box. Both were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The miso cod was tender, flavorful, and cooked just right, and the variety in the bento made every bite interesting. The chicken teriyaki was equally impressive--savory, well-balanced, and clearly made with care. Everything we tried was exceptional, from the quality of the ingredients to the execution. You can really taste the attention to detail in each dish. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to. read more

Azay - Japanese Black Cod Breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Absolutely delicious japanese breakfast, a rare find in LA! We got the miso black cod option and the fish was marinated perfectly while still being moist and flaky. The portion isn't huge but it's enough to be a light to moderate sized breakfast that feels healthy and doesn't weigh you down. I would definitely come here again! read more

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Came here as a group of 6 on a weekend lunch. The place is quite small and there was already a line formed outside. The wait was about 45 minutes, which we just wandered around little tokyo in the meantime. The chawanmushi was decent. It just tastes like a steamed egg with broth, which it is but nothing super special. Most of the table got Japanese breakfast with mackerel and enjoyed it. I am not vegetarian but ordered a tofu which was a very good choice. It looked like salmon on all the pictures in yelp so I was intrigued. It DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I highly recommend it. It was tofu with a layer of slightly sweet, umami sauce on it that gave it so much flavor. I also really enjoyed the miso soup here which I usually don't like at other places but it felt less fake and didn't have grainy bits at the bottom. Overall a great choice to eat at when you're around the area in little tokyo. read more

So good! We made a Resy and was able to sit down after a couple of minutes. There was a line for walkins so super glad to know they take reservations. We got the steamed egg with seafood on the bottom for the starter which was perfect. Then we both got Japanese breakfast with miso cod and it was perfection. Definitely a place I'd like to return to over and over again. Service was great and the wait time for food was not long at all. Hot tea wasn't very hot- more lukewarm but they came around with hot water to refill so all good! Not sure why yelp labeled it as Japanese/French- I'd say more Japanese/Hawaiian as they have loco moco on the menu. read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast with miso cod - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Love the Japanese breakfast! Cod was cooked in perfection. Miso soup is the best that I have ever had. Service was superb too. A good vibe here. read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is one if the unique dining place, located in Little Tokyo. Away from the crowd. Japanese french cuisine style. We visited during weekday for lunch. Excellent Meals and Great service all the ways. Price is on higher side but quality meal. Unfortunately they just had recent fire/water damage from above. They are closing starting April 22 til further notice. Good thing we came. We do have to sit outside. They do outdoor dining for about last 3 weeks before they closing for renovation. Hopefully they open soon. Looking forward to try the dinner menu and others option. read more

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Japanese breakfast done authentically! Small and intimate with great food that has all the makings of a home cooked meal. If you're a big eater it won't leave you as satiated as a warning. read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My husband and I feel tricked by the reviews. 4.6 stars and so we came here for lunch and were sorely disappointed. He had the crab curry and I had the mackerel bento. He said the carrots in his curry weren't cooked all the way and the curry was bland. My mackerel was rubbery I wondered if it was microwaved. The soba was overcooked and the sauce tasted like supermarket jar sauce. The salad dressing just tasted like oil. I really hate leaving bad reviews but we feel like 4.6 is just tricking people into eating here. We also paid $15 just to eat here so overall spent over $100 for food we could've easily cooked better at home. read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Did the takeout bento with jidori chicken thigh. It was pretty good although maybe slightly pricy. Definitely worth trying again

This here's a quaint Japanese Breakfast spot in Little Tokyo that offers a upscaled approach to Japanese food. Is it mindblowingly good? Eh. But it's good to try out once. Make a reservation if you want to avoid waiting long on weekends as the space is small. Anyway, what's good? I got myself their omurice which was not as runny as I'd like but still good. The pork belly enhances everything from savory to even better savory. Surprise surprise. The japanese breakfast is, well, your assorted japanese breakfast items. Everything is good quality, but can't say it was hugely memorable. Anyway, all in all, it's a decent dining experience, but I feel like there're better options in Little Toyko or Gardena/Torrance. read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Somehow I blindsided myself, the daytime menu is different from dinner. Only the fixed dinner menu which is quite pricey but: The beef and dessert were absolutely outstanding. I usually don't like more bougie restaurants since the taste isn't as worth the reduction in quantity but this was exceptionally good so I would say definitely worth the occasion in my book. Or if you're a regular to finer dining, this place is cute, small, good quality, and service is over the top nice lol so full marks I guess! Owner/staff are very accommodating both from opening the door until the time they give you umbrellas they took from you. Definitely want to try the day menu!! Very excited to try. Check their website for parking, you want to park in the lot across the street. Very cheap $1 for first 2 hours, then nothing crazy after unless you're gonna stay for a day or night or something. Even then there's worse lots that're 15-25-30+ for anything that's more than a couple hours. read more

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Azay in Little Tokyo is a cute little spot. Went for breakfast and it was really busy, waited about 30 minutes for a table. Got the traditional Japanese breakfast, which is surprisingly hard to find in LA. It came with saba mackerel, dashimaki tamago, tofu, tsukemono, seasonal vegetables, miso soup, and rice. Also tried the eel bowl, which came with some sort of tea to pour over it. Not sure if I liked it, but it was interesting. Desserts were great--the matcha crème brûlée and miso chocolate chip cookie were both solid. Definitely want to come back for dinner. read more

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Small, family-owned Japanese spot in little tokyo! Everything (mackerel, rice, veggies, miso soup) was cooked/seasoned sooo perfectly. That one judge from culinary class wars would approve. Loved the pork katsu curry too wow 10/10. My boyfriend and I walked in on a Sunday afternoon, put our names on the waitlist with a server, and were seated in ~20 minutes. We were treated with kindness and excellent service the entire meal. We will definitely be back and can't wait to try their other menu items. Street parking or Aiso garage $1/hr. read more

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What can I say. Everything was fantastic Had a very nice evening. The food was delicious. Would go again read more

Azay was a nice little restaurant to eat at for lunch. I got the bento box with the chicken Karaage protein which was not on the menu that day. Food: the vegetables were a different mix of flavors such as pickled, grilled, and etc. An assortment of flavors for the vegetable was a nice touch. The rice and miso soup tastes exactly how you think. The chicken Karaage was cooked to perfection, absolute star of the show. Service: It is great and inviting. The server gave me a description of the menu and also offered me a tea on the house to pair with my meal. Price: I paid around $25 including tip with my meal and I thought that was fair considering the area I was in. Overall: Azay was a nice place to eat at and you check it out! read more

Azay - Daily bento box with chicken Karaage. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

So happy that Azay is back from its months-long closure! Azay truly has one of the most unique Japanese menus in Little Tokyo and beyond. Sure, there are lots of places that serve "bentos", but it's always the same thing--teriyaki chicken/beef/fish, tempura, katsu, blah blah blah. Azay's bento and Japanese breakfast feel more representative of a traditional Japanese bento, with small dishes that are balanced, varied, and seasonally relevant. Their proteins taste like there has been some care put into them, and are not doused in overly sweet and salty sauces. I also like their special dishes that they occasionally have, like katsu sandwiches and a loco moco that I had recently. All of the staff is hardworking and do their best to take care of you even when it's busy. Prices are higher than other places but I do feel like the ingredients and care put into their dishes is represented in the prices. I know that Azay is also involved in the Little Tokyo community, which is always great to see. read more

Azay - Loco moco - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I had the great fortune of having an enlightening and comforting conversation with both Chef Akira and Jo Ann outside of Azay's storefront while waiting for my time slot for h. woo's culinary pop up this past May. Moving out of Southern California and a social media cleanse isolated me from the food scene of the area, and it was only after my most recent visit a few days ago that I learned of Chef Akira's passing. It was comforting to also learn that Azay's dinner service has been left in the hands of Chef Ono, who I also had the pleasure of meeting in passing as he answered some of my questions about a dish at said pop up. My friend and I came for their day menu and were lucky enough to find street parking down the block. 11:45 on a Saturday was the perfect time to beat the lunch rush, as right after we were seated the line simply exploded. The onsen egg in dashi broth was a wonderful starter, a familiar blend of sweet and savory that stayed both light and creamy on the tongue. I opted for the Japanese breakfast ($23), which featured a flaky piece of saba mackerel with crispy charbroiled skin paired with pickled vegetables, radish (?) and a lemon wedge. Accompanying my protein were a variety of side dishes, my favorites which included a cold tofu, steamed egg, and some unforgettably chewy and well-seasoned rice. My friend's protein had a mushier texture and a fishier aftertaste that she wasn't the fondest of, but was encased in a wonderfully crispy exterior that she enjoyed. Her meal came with buckwheat noodles, a spring mix salad, tsukemono, potato salad, and, like mine, rice and miso soup. I had a fun time picking at the cucumbers in her potato salad once she was full, which were a fresh compliment to the heaviness of the side itself. We ended our meal with a red bean mochi dessert that was unbelievably soft (think cheese pull!) and was accompanied by what I believe was a candied dried konbu that may have been the coolest idea I've seen in a while. Although I don't find myself in LA that often anymore, I can guarantee that the next time I come down will be highlighted by a dinner service at Azay. I am adamant that Chef Akira and the entire Azay team's impact on the LA culinary community, through cultural relations or creating a platform for budding and blooming chefs, has been and will continue to hold its legacy. See you again soon. read more

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It was a big loss when Chef Akira passed away but I was glad to see that his second restaurant remains open under chef Gary Matsumoto. We were fortunate to havd a private dinner at Azay recently, and while it was a good experience overall, the food was a little hit-or-miss. Some dishes were really tasty and well-done, but others just didn't quite land--the flavors felt uneven at times. The okinawa sweet potato poke had such a poke flavor, we weren't sure we were still eating sweet potato. The tuna negi toro, while a more familiar flavor, wasn't very tender and was a little disappointing. The grilled romaine salad had a unique presentation and was quite delicious while the miso marinated cod, while tender, didnt have a great balance of flavor. The braised short ribs were a little tough and lacked flavor while the pommes puree was rich, creamy, and delicious. You get the point. It wasn't bad by any means, but I was hoping for more consistency. What I did love was the service--it was fantastic! The staff were super attentive and friendly, making sure we were taken care of the whole time. That alone made the experience feel special. The cozy vibe of the restaurant was great for a private dinner, and even though the food wasn't perfect, I'd still recommend giving it a try, especially if you're into French-Japanese cuisine. read more

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Thank you Azay for a lovely date! Especially thank you to Timothy and Andrea, who were both so lovely and made our first experience so warm and welcoming! It's clear they're both dedicated to a high level of guest services and you can really tell they're kind and honest people :) I had a lovely chat with Andrea especially, and she was beyond sweet The food was amazing as well!! So filling and comforting read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I recommend getting reservations here in advance; because it is a popular spot on the weekends and weekdays during lunch time! Nothing compares to Japanese breakfast in Japan of course, but this does come very close. I enjoyed all the sides, the rice was a great texture, and the fish was perfectly cooked. The restaurant itself is very quaint, but authentic and inviting. And the hosts and waiters are welcoming. Service is relatively quick here too. I've eaten an eel bowl here before. I enjoy both the eel and Japanese breakfast, so it depends on what mood you're in. read more