This place has a really good vibe. It's is a small place with only a few tables. The food is…read moreextremely fresh and delish. The price point is also very reasonable and you get a lot of food. Definitely will be back.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday evening didn't have any wait time, but seems like people started…read moreto roll in and get really busy late in the evening. They have a good selection of sushi and sashimi items and thought everything was really well organized. Staff is very friendly and brought food out quick. Edamame was just ok, but the sushi was solid. Definitely thinking of coming back if I'm in the area. They offer combos for a very decent price so maybe I'll get that instead of individual roles next time.

The food was great! Very clean area. This was my first time trying this food and I will definitely…read morecome back again with my whole family

Food was great and came out in a timely manner. Everything seasoned perfectly and I found my new…read morefavorite ramen with the OG 2010 tonkotsu. Fabiola was amazing and very attentive. She checked up on us every chance she got and made sure we were well taken care of. She sat us down in a preferred spot and made sure to ask for any allergies or if we needed anything at all. She was the highlight of my night. Thank you.

-Ramen here was good, really enjoyed the fried mushrooms…read more -Crowds came at opening and it was really packed; should be ready to wait or get in line early. Would come back.

This was my second visit to Mensho, and I remember the first time I came here, I really liked it. I…read morehad just visited Japan last October, and the ramen here had reminded me of the bowls that I had while I was in Tokyo. This second time, I wanted to bring my husband and see what his thoughts were. This restaurant doesn't take reservations, so we took our chances and visited on a Friday night. We got seated in maybe 5-10 minutes, so...not too bad. Pretty decent casual date night spot. The restaurant itself was pretty busy, but it was warm and welcoming. The table was a bit wobbly, but not something that bothered us. I ordered the signature ramen, and my husband ordered the OKG ramen. We had sides of edamame and the corn wings, and I also ordered the wagyu uni sashimi. Everything was delish! My husband mentioned that he thought his ramen was a bit too salty, and I have to agree that the flavor of the broth is pretty rich. The only complaint is that the service was a bit slow. Perhaps a bit understaffed? It looked like the servers were pretty busy, but they weren't as attentive, and we needed to flag them down. Overall, though, I really like the ramen here, and I will likely come back again.

This is a great place!!! Super clean. Great sushi and polite staff. Owner Eric is nice to talk…read moreto. Huge menu. Not just sushi. Noodles. Ramen. Bowls and appitizers. Nice place to eat in or take out. Been back a couple times and enjoy it! New local Japanese restaurant!!! Update the music is not good and sounds all the same. Sorry

I was in the neighborhood and saw that there was a new Japanese restaurant in town. This same…read morelocation has been so many different things from a chicken shack to sandwiches but they never intrigued me. When I saw this new Japanese restaurant and learned they had a buy one get one 50% off sushi deal, I knew I had to go. When you walk in the vibe is nice with good music playing. They have order tablets at every table so you don't have to go to counter or call for waiter. The cashier/waiter was very friendly and said they had been opened for about 4 months now. They had a lot of variety on the menu. I was by myself and just wanted a quick bite so I ordered 1 Blosom signature roll and 1 crunchy roll. It was about a 15 minute wait before I received the crunchy roll first. I liked it because it had a lot of sauce on the plate I could use for dipping. Then the Blosom roll came which I absolutely loooved! It was topped with crab and scallops. The crab was really good but the scallops lacked flavor. Next time I will ask for my eel sauce on the side. I also ordered a salmon avocado roll to go for my husband so he could try it. I'm so excited this place is here for when I'm in the area. I no longer have to resort to el pollo loco in the same complex, I can now get real delicious sushi!

great food, great dining experience. no mistakes and exceeded all expectations. Eden was great and…read moretook care of us.

The best takeout presentation! Was so fun opening the box and loved the variety in the four cutroll…read more+ sashimi box. Initially thought price was high but quality was amazing! Loved the different sauces included. The sunomono was a refreshing side dish.

It felt like one of those slow, cozy days where time doesn't rush you…read more I met up with my college friend after what felt like forever, and somehow we both landed on the same craving--ramen. No debate, no hesitation. Just ramen. I had tried this spot at another location before and remembered liking it, so it felt like a safe, comforting choice for a long overdue catch-up. We got there at that in-between hour... not quite lunch, not quite dinner. The kind of time where the restaurant feels like it's just exhaling. It was completely empty except for us, which honestly made everything feel a little more intimate--like the space was ours for the afternoon. We sat down and immediately slipped into conversation, picking up right where we left off after graduation. Life updates, little wins, quiet struggles... the kind of conversation that only comes easy with people who've known you for years. And in between all that, our mouths were busy. The ramen came out hot, comforting, and exactly what we needed. Rich broth, satisfying noodles--one of those meals where you don't even realize how hungry you were until you take the first bite. We kept pausing mid-sentence just to take another bite, then laughing because we couldn't decide what deserved more attention: the food or the conversation. Service was really attentive without being intrusive. They somehow knew when to check in and when to let us just exist in our little bubble. The music was soft, not overpowering, so we never had to raise our voices or repeat ourselves--something I appreciate more and more these days. We stayed longer than we probably planned, but it didn't feel rushed at all. Just two old friends, warm bowls of ramen, and a space that let us slow down for a bit. Definitely one of those simple meals that turns into a really good memory.

This Afuri location is tucked away behind the Culver Steps. It serves ramen with a twist: bright…read moreand citrusy yuzu in most bowls. Unfortunately, I think it's not for me. I tried some karaage to start. It was two delicious hunks of meat, with a thick and crunchy shell containing a juicy and flavorful interior. It's also kind of hard to mess up fried chicken. For the main deal, I opted for the yuzu shoyu ramen. The bowl is put-together aesthetically, and it has flavorful components. I just couldn't get over this weird sensation coming from the yuzu. Perhaps I've grown too accustomed to rich and savory tonkotsu ramens... Afuri is clear about what it does and it definitely achieves its goal. Whether you'll like it or not is up to you. Nonetheless, I'm glad I tried it.

nishi combines the best of japanese and hawaiian casual cuisines. whether you want something light…read moreand fresh in poke or some hot soup and noodles to warm you up in ramen. i really liked the quality of fish and topping choices in their poke at nishi. the ramen was great. sometimes i avoid ramen because of the sodium levels, but the chicken shoyu hit the spot for me. not overly salty, clean, and light with the chicken. perfect level of savory. the noodles were silky smooth and chewy at the same time. went down very easy. the ramen egg yolk was perfectly oozy. if you're in the mood for something more hearty and savory, their spicy miso and veggie ramens are both very good. the chicken karage was solid, not overly fried with a light, crispy breading. gyoza was delicious. i'll definitely be back.

3.7 stars Another…read moreday at the office, which means another day trying a place new to me. I don't know a whole lot about most restaurants on this side of town, but I can confirm that the build your own poke bowl I got was pretty delicious! At $16.99, the bowl is a bit pricey for a normal-sized poke bowl. I got brown rice as the base and that was quite good. For the protein, I chose 2 scoops of salmon, 1 Hawaiian tuna, and spicy immitation crabmeat. For toppings, I got corn, edamame, spicy cucumbers and herbs. Also got the crispy onions and garlic topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo. It wasn't the best or worst bowl I've had, but it was very satisfying. Service was alright. Seating was extremely limited. Free parking on site is always a plus. And it's located on a very busy street/intersection. I might be back to order catering later this year since prices seem reasonable for the rolls.

At Gokigen Tori, a yakitori concept originating from Tokyo, the team has opened a Culver City…read morebranch with their original chef brought over from Japan, delivering a truly authentic Tokyo yakitori experience in the U.S. The meal begins with a striking presentation: a wooden crate of assorted skewers for the omakase, ranging from all kinds of chicken cuts to richly marbled A5 wagyu. It immediately sets the tone for a meal rooted in traditional technique, yet open to a more modern, elevated interpretation. Yakitori here follows a philosophy deeply embedded in Tokyo's top counters, full utilization of the bird, precise binchotan grilling, and a deliberate pacing that emphasizes progression. Within this framework, I explored a more contemporary pairing approach. Elite "Cult" wines into a setting traditionally dominated by beer, sake, and shochu A bottle of Chateau Petrus kicks off the early progression. Its plush plum fruit and silky tannins align with the smoky depth of the grill, particularly alongside lightly charred chicken skewers where restraint in seasoning allows the wine elegance to surface. My approach tonight reflects a growing high end dining trend seen across Tokyo's top yakitori-ya, where prestigious Bordeaux and Napa cult wines are increasingly paired with yakitori. Bringing that perspective to Culver City, the contrast becomes intentional, humble, fire driven cuisine meeting some of the world's most coveted bottles. As the meal progress, the pairing shifts into a high gear, Screaming Eagle alongside Petrus elevates the wagyu into something far beyond traditional yakitori. Both wines concentration and structure cut cleanly through the beef's rendered fat, creating a powerful interplay between richness and precision. Even beef tendon, often seen as a more rustic skewer, takes on a refined dimension here. Against the backdrop of these world class wines, its savory glaze and charcoal kissed exterior provide a compelling contrast to the wines depth and smooth textures. Coming up next are the sake, Fudoh Junmai Daiginjo offers a composed, textural counterpoint. Its rounded umami and gentle fruit sweetness integrate seamlessly with tare-glazed skewers, while a clean finish resets the palate between richer bites and the Tenko 40 Muroka Nama introduces a more expressive, energetic layer. Paired with chawanmushi, sashimi, and lighter preparations, its fresh aromatics and subtle acidity bring lift and contrast, expanding the range of the meal beyond what wine alone could achieve. What I am experimenting here tonight are full of contrast, charcoal and silk, fat and structure, tradition and reinterpretation. Pairing wines like Petrus with yakitori may seem unconventional to a lot of you, but within the context of modern Tokyo dining, it feels increasingly natural. Here in Los Angeles, Gokigen Tori captures a glimpse of that evolution, where even the most traditional skewers meet the world's most prestigious glass. As always, I'll let the photos speak for the rest of the fun.

I am always on the hunt for authentic Japanese food and the vibes found IN Japan. I don't like the…read morefusiony stuff. This restaurant did not disappoint. The yakitori is the best I've tasted in LA so far. It is also the most expensive. I've been to Saijo (not bad but more American palette), Nanbankan (disgusting), and Kappo Miyabi (acceptable). The chicken here tasted so tender and fresh and I could tell the ingredients were top quality. There were some very authentic daily specials on the menu like Sakuradai sashimi, Japanese Spanish mackerel, and firefly squid. Usually the firefly squid I've had were marinated and preserved with a funk to them but these were very fresh! I love that they get fresh fish flown in Japan and the sashimi was cut pretty well, too and served at the right temperature. Nothing worse than veiny hard cold fish. We also ordered the chicken soup and the minced chicken stone pot rice. I don't think the rice was worth it because the wait was too long and didn't have the right texture imo, too soft. The chicken soup was super basic, just meat and broth but wow SO delicious and comforting! The best chicken soup I've ever had. Apps were good, too. I love they had authentic feeling Japanese pickles. The mentaiko however was too salty. Menu said there would be otoshi (cover charge cabbage salad) just like in Japan for $5 but they didn't serve it. Probably because people didn't like the idea you have to opt out since this isn't a thing in America. I appreciated the thought. It adds to the authenticity of the restaurant and brought a bit of nostalgia. I also ordered a glass of sake and the waitress told me to say when to stop but I did not understand stand her and said nothing. She poured until the cup and the box underneath overflowed! Ended up with 3 glasses full. Didn't mean to be shameless but appreciated the authentic generous Japanese hospitality for sure. They have a great sake selection too, many easy izakaya style drinkers such as one of my favorites, Dewazakura Izumi Judan "Tenth Degree". You won't find this sake at fakey fake fusion Japanese places. The only thing I did not like about the restaurant was the wait staff was weird. They were mostly Eastern European women with blonde hair (all working at an authentic Japanese restaurant???) and it was hard to understand our waitress because of her accent. She also had a perpetual frown on her face. She seemed angry to serve us. Not sure what was up with that. I don't really knock any stars off for service though unless it's egregiously bad or non-existent. I would reserve the chef's counter next time to just interact with the chefs as they are definitely Japanese. Update: It was so good, I went back again! I have to say the food that comes out of the back kitchen is better than the yakitori. Presentation and knife skills are top notch. The mini tori chicken ramen is the top 3 I've every had in my life. The broth was so flavorful but light. The noodles were the right texture and the toppings were cooked PERFECTLY. I highly recommend their soups and daily specials! (Ask for the chalk board).

Noon, Thursday, January 29, 2026…read more My mentor and I walked to Yuko Kitchen for lunch. I'm a first time visitor, never been here as I usually brown bag it for lunch. Upon arrival, it looked really busy with people seated outside. Yuko Kitchen is not a major fast food joint. It's a small kitchy hole in the wall. Super cool vibe when I walked inside to order my meal. I ordered the DIY sushi bowl that included nori to make my own hand rolls. It was a lot of food for sure! I made 6 rolls. The food was delicious. I enjoyed my first visit here. It's a hidden gem off of Dunsmuir Ave just off of Wilshire at the rear of the building.

We were extremely disappointed…read more They messed up our order. Charging us more than we could really afford. Then told us it was fine. Nope. Not ok. We weren't even impressed with the food. It was just warm rice and tofu. The tofu didn't even seem cooked. If you like this place great. I'm glad you guys had better experiences than we did.

This is one of the best sushi spots I've ever been to, and as an LA native who used to work at Nobu…read moreMalibu, that says a lot! No reservations but worth a wait (but honestly, only ever had to wait 30-40 mins during peak dinner time on Friday once). It's a small space but it doesn't feel crammed, it's cozy and really well kept. The quality and freshness of the fish is impossible to beat. The nigiri melts in your mouth. The best part of coming to dinner here is their prefix meal options. When my boyfriend and I come together we never have to strategize what to get. I always order the Uzumaki & he gets the Uzumaki Plus prefix meals & we each get a miso soup. The ceviche sampler leaves you wanting more each time, the edamame starter is the perfect size, and with each bite of the nigiri I'm smiling and nodding my head in disbelief. You get to choose between two cut rolls with the Uzumaki prefix meals, either the crunchy shrimp or spicy tuna -- the shrimp is my favorite. We decided to try the chocolate donut with vanilla ice cream today and it did not disappoint. Now to the service -- we've never had better service. Each employee greets you with a smile, and as soon as your plate is empty or a piece of trash shows up on your table the staff immediately takes it away. I personally love eating the pickled ginger and some places can be stingy, not this place! Immediately they are bringing us more ginger, water, etc whatever it is, without us asking. It's incredible the attention to detail the staff has and they make coming back such a warm and friendly experience. The cherry on top? There's free parking in a structure attached to the building. We recommend parking in the structure over the street as sometimes there can be interesting characters outside. You know it's an amazing restaurant when you can't decide which is better, the service or the food! Go, you won't regret it!!!

Such a good experience at Uzumaki. First, they have a parking garage, so it already begins with a…read morepremium experience. We were seated right away at 530pm Tuesday. Originally we were going for the set menu, but the nigiri menu had so much that we were interested in. All of them were totally worth it, so I'll put stars for those that went above and beyond and surprised me in a delightful way. Here's our selects, ranked favorite first. ***Amberjack belly - this was my personal fav. It was thick, umami on instant bite where I could taste that it was coming from the fish itself. So delicious. **Seared toro (+truffle soy) - obviously. Super tender, seared perfectly, and truffle is a perfect match for the butteryness MP was $22. Wish it was a bit thicker, cause I've had it thick at a different omakase and it was unbeatable. It would be worth the extra! ***Seared Gindara - they had sashimi of black cod! It's one of my favorites grilled and loved that I got to try it as a raw nigiri. Flavoring was perfect and having it seared was a nice touch. **Seared salmon belly (+truffle soy) - like the toro, it's buttery and goes great with the truffle pairing. It's super soft and tender. Wish it was a bit thicker on this piece too! *Special Albacore - flavoring was with olive oil. Unique and paired well!! I was lowkey sad when they took the plate away so fast bc any basic roll dipped in olive oil + ponzu tasted so much better haha. Butterfish (daily special) - super soft & tender *Spicy yellowtail hand roll - seems like their spicy rolls are popular! Loved that it had right amount of spiciness, sesame, and not too salty. Tekka salmon hand roll & Salmon & Avocado roll - my bear friend loves his salmon, they're simple and clean, and have a good amount of salmon We also had banana tofu donut with pistachio ice cream! I've always wanted to try healthier Ring baked fonuts made from tofu and I'm glad I got to try it! Soft, just enough sweet. But pistachio ice cream was too icy. Service was super kind and fast. I appreciated that she suggested great recommendations (gindara and butterfish) based on what we liked! We really appreciated that as I'm glad to have tried them.