Decided this place to eat today and I got crunchy shrimp rolls. It was good just enough for me. My niece got crunchy chicken plate. read more

Bento Ya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Today was my first time ever visiting Grand Central Market. It's such a famous and popular place, and I can't believe I had never been here before. I didn't realize this before, but Grand Central Market is actually within walking distance from the condo where I live. So today, my mom, my two brothers, and I walked about 20 to 25 minutes to get there. Walking there was actually really nice because we got some exercise along the way, too. Once we arrived, we first walked around the entire market to see what kinds of food were available and then decided what we wanted to eat. There were SO many people and it was extremely crowded and hectic, so honestly, it was a little overwhelming. It also looked like finding a table would be very difficult because there were so many people. But as usual, I seem to have luck finding parking spots and tables, so I was able to get a table pretty easily again today. We decided to order from the restaurant right next to where we were sitting. The restaurant was called Bento Ya. It's a Japanese-style bento restaurant that serves teriyaki, rice, and salads. Honestly, I found it kind of funny that I ended up ordering almost the same type of BBQ-style meal here, because just yesterday I had a company lunch from Ono Hawaiian BBQ delivery and ate plenty of BBQ. So, even though I had just had BBQ the day before, I somehow ordered something very similar again today. I ordered the Grilled Beef Bento, while my mom ordered the 3 Shrimps & Mixed Vegetable Tempura Set. And, one of my brothers ordered curry himself. I tried one of the tempura pieces, and it was really crispy and delicious. The Grilled Beef, however, was actually quite tough. The flavor wasn't bad, but the meat was so chewy and tough that I didn't really enjoy it. Then again, since it was only $12, I guess I shouldn't have expected too much. What really disappointed me, though, was the service. The owner seemed to be Japanese, and when I placed my order, he looked extremely overwhelmed and didn't seem very friendly. After placing my order, I asked how long it would take, and he said seven minutes. He wrote my order number on a piece of paper and gave it to me. After seven minutes had passed, I went back to check whether my food was ready, but it still wasn't. The owner very curtly told me to wait. I also asked that he could give me a cup for water, but he said they didn't have cups for water and only offered bottled water. I was honestly very surprised by that. They did have bottled water, but the only type I noticed was Dasani, which is not a really good brand of bottled water I like, so I had no desire to buy it. I was especially surprised that there was a restaurant where they didn't even provide cups for drinking water. I honestly found that very unusual. Between the tough beef--which I eventually stopped eating after only a few pieces--and the owner's unfriendly and curt attitude, I don't think I'll be coming back here again. The tempura was crispy and delicious, though, so I'm giving this place 3 stars. Actually, I was thinking about ordering a crepe or trying some other food here today, but my mom said we probably shouldn't order a crepe because it would be too sweet, so we decided not to. I also noticed that there's even a restaurant serving German food here, along with so many different types of restaurants. There are definitely a lot of options to choose from, so next time I come, I'd like to try some of the other foods here. read more

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The ramen is not good. It had a very bland and novice feel to it. Disappointed that I wasted my appetite on this place when there are so many options here. The people working here are also making no attempt to be kind or friendly. Garage parking. Spots are tight and it's get pricy if you stay longer than 90 minutes but great for a date night if to bring visitors from out of town who all want to try different foods. read more

At Bento Ya, I ordered their grilled teriyaki chicken bento to go. The chicken was tender and flavorful with a nice grilled taste. The chicken was not as tender and crisp as I would have liked, but the overall bento made for a well-rounded meal. Everything came together nicely for a comforting meal. read more

Bento Ya - 2. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Bento Ya is a Japanese food stand in GCM; they offer different kinds of Bento Japanese rice meals and appetizers. I was on a mission to try this vendor but after reading mixed reviews I just decided to get a Chicken Karaage appetizer. And it was very modest fried chicken bits; nothing resembles Karaage style whatsoever. Staff were elderly Chinese, barely spoke English but competent. Overall, I had a decent food experience. And this is the kind of food vendor I'd recommend to my foes. read more

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Used to love coming to this place but quality has gone downhill :( and prices are deceptive. $12 for a salmon bento sounds like a decent price and then there's a 3% fee and another 3% fee for card. So it came out to $15 and change. I know times are tough but I don't like the bait and switch pricing. The salmon "bento" is pretty much salmon with rice and salad that was not fresh and had no dressing(I didn't touch it.) They also just gave me soy sauce with it. They used to give lemon or teriyaki sauce for flavor... The salmon was actually cooked well, had a nice crispiness to it. But bland. overall, I was left disappointed. read more

Bento Ya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Decent Ramen and experience. Priced fairly & prepared in a reasonable amount of time. I did want to try the other noodle place in the Hall. But it had already closed for Xmas Eve. read more

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Bento Ya is a solid stop inside Grand Central Market when you want something quick, filling, and reasonably priced. We ordered the #4 Grilled Fresh Salmon Bento and the #14 Grilled Chicken Salad. The salmon bento was exactly what you want in a market spot like this--nicely grilled salmon, rice, and sides that felt fresh and satisfying without being heavy. The chicken salad was a good balance too: generous portion of grilled chicken, fresh greens, and a flavorful miso dressing that didn't overpower everything. Service was fast, portions were fair for the price, and it's an easy option when the market is busy and you don't want to overthink it. Not fancy, but dependable and hits the spot. Would definitely come back when roaming Grand Central Market again. read more

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Ordered last night and it took 40 minutes to get our food. The market was literally shutting down at 9pm and we got our food at 8:55pm. We had to eat on a bench across the street. Our rolls were flavorless, soggy, and very warm. This place is a tourist trap. I wish they'd stop taking orders at a certain time if they're too backed up. Being held at their whim standing there for 40 minutes in a hot food hall sucked. read more

Not too bad for a simple Japanese bento box place. It is located on Grand Central Market, so expect a line on the weekend. The service was quick (10 mins) but the bigger challenge is to find a seat in this crowded place. I ordered the deluxe bento ($15.99) which comes with grilled beef, salmon, tempura shrimp and veggies, and tofu salad. Good portion and the taste is the average bento box taste. Overall good choice if you are hungry! read more

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Delicious meal, got combo 2 and 10! Service was quick and efficient. Square in the middle of the market where the energy and vibes are at its highest, I love it! read more

Probably the most decent ramen in the Grand Central Market - the other stuff in the Market is a little bit too hipster. Their egg rolls are very good. Service was fast - but the soft drink choices were limited. No seating for the specific vendor - you have to fight your way through the market for that. read more

Located somewhere in the middle of Grand Central Market, it's probably one of their more simple, non-hyped up restaurants. The worker bees are busy making the food and it just feels like whatever they are putting together is made with love. What feels different than any of the other food stalls too, is that the prices seem lower than other options...like a chicken curry udon I ended up trying. And as I suspected it was going to be, the udon was a solid option especially if you already know you like this type of food. The portion isn't remarkably big, but I wasn't expecting it to be. It's a fair size bowl. I also tried their Takoyaki, which was good. Overall, if you're craving decent Asian food without breaking the bank in this iconic DTLA eating location, this is a pretty good option. read more

Bento Ya - Curry Udon...simple and good. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I took the train down to the historic Broadway station. To pay for a parking ticket. I got down to the area much later than I wanted. After taking care of the parking ticket I swung by Grand Central Market which is not far from the parking ticket office. Once arrived I went up and down the isles seeing if anything caught my attention. Bento Ya was the place. This was one of the few eateries that had a line. Not the reason why I choose it. The line moved quickly. I ordered the chicken teriyaki bento. The bento isn't served in those cute Asian compartment, sections box trays. They are served in to go boxes. I found the prices to be an affordable and the portions are plenty for the price. As I moved down the line. I noticed a sign you can get 100% or 50% more protein for a small fee. I didn't add any additional protein. I found the regular serving to be sufficient. Chicken Teriyaki: The chicken was well-grilled with that classic sweet-savory teriyaki glaze. The meat was seasoned just right--not too salty, not bland. It hit that comforting mid‑day spot perfectly. Rice & Salad: The white rice was fluffy and plentiful. The salad--a simple green mix with miso dressing--was crisp and refreshing, offering a nice break between bites of teriyaki. Bento Ya delivered a satisfying and simple lunch: tender teriyaki chicken, hearty rice, and a light salad--all at a very reasonable price. It's a reliable and efficient choice for a quick meal at Grand Central. I'd happily return for another Bento fix, especially when I want something comforting yet wallet-friendly. read more

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Went there on my way to the convention center. My food was cooked pretty fast and the food itself tasted very good for such a low price. I am not sure how busy the market is on the weekend, but during the week at 11:00 there were a few seats open. Overall the food was good and the staff were friendly. read more

Bento Ya - 4. Grilled Fresh Salmon Bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

They were out of rice by the time we got there which was unfortunate as many of their dishes are rice based. Food was okay. Very small space. read more

Amongst the sea of overpriced "hip" new places at Grand Central Market, Bento Ya and China Cafe are one of the only places that still sell affordable food. They have so many options here, even vegetarian & vegan options! I've tried the grilled salmon and grilled beef combination plates, and they were both really tasty! Bento Ya is a solid choice for affordable tasty food and I would definitely come back. read more

We were in Grand Central Market on a Saturday late morning and were looking for something to eat for lunch that had no bread as as we like sushi this looked interesting as there wasn't a long line. What was interesting is that there was only one person talking with customers while the other 3 or 4 were making the food. The lady who took the order then waited until the food was ready as opposed to helping the next person in line, and if the food ordered was being made she had to wait until it was ready, then took it to the place where one inserted their credit card (Or cash I guess) and then came back to the area where she took the next person in lines order. The food was good and of course finding a table in Grand Central Market is always a challenge and found one after walking around for a while. Not sure I'd go back on a busy day based upon their system, although perhaps some days they have more than one person helping customers. And I will say the lady helping us was pleasant but to the point as she was really busy when people in line. read more

Ambiance: the Japanese food court is located in the center of grand central market Service: very fast and friendly, the food was ready in less than ten minutes Food: plenty combo selections from their menu Grilled Beef Bento - ** served with rice and small salad, the beef tasted very rubbery Price: moderate portions and cheap prices, less than $15 for a meal read more

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Bento Ya is a restaurant at Grand Central Market that sells Japanese food. I ended up ordering #12 which is the chicken and mixed veggies curry rice with salad. Honestly, I was pretty disappointed by my food because I felt like I mostly got a lot of curry but there was so little chicken and veggies that it was a bit comical. The curry itself was also on the watery end and wasn't as flavorful as I would've liked. I wouldn't say it was bad per say, but it wasn't good. The meal costs just under $10 which I initially thought was a deal, but given the quantity and quality of food, I don't think it's worth. One thing that I will say is that the employees are very nice. When I got there, the line was a bit long, but moved pretty quickly and my food also came out in a timely manner. Because it's located at grand central market, the store is basically just a stand where you order and pick up your food, but there are plenty of seats around grand central market in general. I suggest parking in the grand central market parking structure which is $4 for 90 minutes which I think is pretty good for downtown LA. read more

Bento Ya - #12. Chicken & Mixed Vegetable Curry Rice With Salad - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Sorry, my dish was horrible and I couldn't eat it. Looked nothing like the picture advertised.

Bento Ya is tasty, a pretty decent amount of food, and probably the cheapest place in Grand Central Market. If you're downtown and want simply and easy Japanese food, this is the spot. Or if you're feeling like more than just a pick up option for lunch by the office, this is a great alternative. read more

Bento Ya is located at Grand Central Market, directly across from La Tostaderia. My husband and I decided to grab a late lunch at Grand Central Market since we had breakfast late. We came by on a Tuesday afternoon after 2 pm. After looking over the menu board, we ended up ordering: #4: Grilled Fresh Salmon Bento, $8.99 prior to tax- My husband decided to order this meal. The salmon was cooked perfectly and also seasoned well. But the salmon itself is on the small side. This dish came with a small salad but made with the cheap iceberg lettuce mix and was very small. My husband was still hungry after eating this meal and ended up ordering a burrito at Tacos Tumbras a Tomas (eating about 1/4 of it and saving the rest to take to work for lunch the next day). #12: Chicken and Mixed Vegetable Curry Rice and Salad, $8.50 prior to tax- I like that the curry was packed separately from the rice and salad so that the rice would not be soggy and also not spill. I liked the taste of the curry but it was mostly comprised of carrots and potato and not enough chicken. My salad was a larger portion than the size my husband got. I would have preferred it to be made with the dark green leafy mix though. The portion of this entrée is on the small side but with the rice, I was filled up. ---------------------------- (Total= $19.15 after tax) Originally I had ordered a tofu salad but was told that they were out of tofu so I opted for the chicken curry entrée with a salad instead. Wait time for our order wasn't too long, which was good since my husband was really hungry (on the verge of hangry, lol). We sat at a table right around the corner from this place. Food is not that expensive and reminds me of simple home cooked. I think the food was okay and would consider trying other items on their menu. read more

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Quick turnaround: they processed my chicken teriyaki and fried chicken in five minutes. The food meets my expectations. :)

Located in the Grand Central Market, it seems the only Japanese outpost. Almost smack dab in the middle. Price point!! I had to do triple looks, the prices were so reasonable that I did not expect much.....But, it was more than enough. So you can see each of the 3 chefs preparing the portion of your plate/order. The fryer person, sushi and other stuff. The food is freshly bestowed. The tempura items are crispy and sized right. If you like tempura dipping sauce, ask for more. Also, the chic curry plate has lots of rice and a side salad in a standard to go box WITH the chic curry in a bowl container. Price can't be beat! read more

Bento Ya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I think for the price reflects the quality of food, which is average. Although we paid only $20 including tip for an avocado sushi roll and chicken curry with rice, the chicken curry was not special and could have been less watery. There was more curry than there was chicken or veggies, and it just wasn't the best Japanese curry I've had. Then there's the avocado sushi roll, which was also average and the avocado was showing its age and a bit oxidized. Overall, if you're looking for a cheaper meal, I would recommend this place. Otherwise, j don't think I would because there are many other solid food places around here. read more

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I loved the ambiance, it reminded me of a hawker stall in Singapore with so many different options. The prices were really affordable as well and I felt as though the quality was fairly good. Service was fast and I got my food very quickly. Would definitely come back, especially for the experience. read more

It's always SOO hard deciding what to eat at Grand Central Market, especially if you are indecisive like me.. This time I decided to try Bento Ya and it did not disappoint! I was looking for something fresh and not too heavy. I got #11 (Grilled Beef Bento box). I only waited about 5-7 minutes and the lady cook greeted me with a smile and asked how I was doing and chatted for a bit. The salmon was fresh and the skin was crispy. My favorite part was the fresh tofu on the salad. I will be coming back again. read more

Bento Ya - #11 bento box - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Fast , accommodating to shellfish allergy and awesome taste!! 10/10 def will be back! They made a dish specifically for me and my allergy can't thank them enough! read more

Bento Ya - Spicy Chicken Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I enjoyed the #2. It could have been a little more but for the price and location I guess it is okay. read more

Bento Ya - 2. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Pre covid review. Stopped by when I was visiting grand central market and was craving sushi. They did a pretty good job with my order. I was super hungry and the wait seemed to take forever. It was only one employee so it sounds about right that it took long. Overall it was average sushi. Not the best I've had but ok to satisfy my sushi craving that day. Their prices are fairly cheap. read more

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Good taste fresh and salmon was grilled to perfection. I would def recommend it come back again read more

Bento Ya - So good I accidentally forgot to chew - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Honestly, your average food-to-go restaurant that served okay Japanese food. Staff was decent and worked relatively fast but the food was supermarket quality. Not bad but not great either. The price are somewhat reasonable and cheaper than the nearby competition. Ordered the curry udon and it was as basic as it sounds. A watery udon with okay noodles, some carrots and chicken chunks thrown in. I think you're better off going to Little Tokyo for a better experience, but if you really need that Japanese food fix, here it is. read more

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Worst bento I've ever ate and I know because I'm half Japanese. I recommend walking to little Tokyo and finding something to eat there if you're craving Japanese food. read more

Bento Ya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Got the pork ramen from this stand in the center of Grand Central Market. The noodles and broth were subpar compared to most ramen restaurants; they weren't bad but there's definitely better. The pork was actually quite delicious, fatty, and tender beyond my expectations. Overall I'm giving 4 stars because for $7.75 in DTLA the quality and experience is pretty fair. read more

Bento Ya - Pork ramen. The meat slices were quite delicious and tender. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Not good. Keep walking. Stern, unfriendly staff. Low quality chicken, poor flavor. A couple of pieces of lettuce for a salad. Definitely not worth the money. read more

It's just ok. I ordered the salmon bento box. It is served with white rice and a teeny tiny salad, like 2 mouthfuls. I've had better seasoned salmon in bento boxes before. The food was prepared quickly and the lady that took my order was friendly. read more

Mediocre #36 veggie tempura set. Pros: Plenty of vegetarian options and relatively good prices. Cons: Didn't taste that great, bland and not flavorful tempura veggies, greasy small veggie egg rolls. read more

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I had a tofu soup with spice and beef. Good flavor fast food prep good value But I have had better. The spicy dish had flavor but no real spice. read more

Bento Ya - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Not the fastest place around but a solid choice if you're craving a bento box. The prices are great, go for the $11 Deluxe bento box (number 11) which gives you 2 proteins: salmon and beef (I switched to chicken) plus vegetable tempura, tofu salad, and a mini egg roll. There is no sign that tells you where to order so be sure either grab someone's attention or stand near the cash register at the far right end of the counter. read more

Bento Ya - #11 Deluxe Box with Salmon and Chicken ($11) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California