What an amazing Kaiseki meal at Kojima in Sawtelle. My buddy made reservations for the late seating at 7:45pm. Once arrived Chef and his staff was very welcoming and we were seated right away. We felt like we were in Japan because the Chef Kojima and his staff didn't speak much English but one waitress did. Chef Kojima is very humble and friendly. His cooking skills phenomenal. There's one rule that chef has at his restaurant, our phone must be on silent and there's a sign on the counter top,but can still use your phone to take photos. Kaiseki Meal 16 courses at a very reasonable price. Each course was well prepared perfectly. Here are some of the highlights dishes. Grilled Chicken Heart- Absolutely fantastic, the chicken was perfectly grilled and so tender. Shinshu A5 Wagyu- Just melts in your mouth goodness. Duck with Eggplant- Delicious. Fried Green Eye Fish with Cucumber Sauce- Excellent. Zuke Bluefin Tuna- Tuna was fantastic and fresh. As a bonus Chef use the tuna bloodline to make karrage with it and it was delicious. Grilled Nodoguro- One of the best Nodoguro in a long time. So fatty and moist. At the end of your meal Chef has a couple of freshly made onigiri to take home. Overall, what a great night. I highly recommend give Kojima a visit. I'm definitely will be returning. Thank you again Chef Hayato Kojima! read more

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Chef Hayato's skills are unquestionably top-tier, and every dish on the ever-changing omakase menu is outstanding. For a $200 omakase experience, the value is exceptionally good. The only disappointing part is the service staff, particularly the older female staff member. The service quality feels more like a part-time server at Denny's than what you would expect at this level of dining. She seems unable to anticipate the flow of the course or stay ahead of the timing, always reacting too late. Often, she is not ready when Chef Hayato finishes preparing a dish, which unfortunately takes away from the experience and undermines the quality of his excellent food. She also lacks attentiveness, and at times her interruptions in conversation feel unnecessary. Guests come to enjoy Chef Hayato's cuisine and the interaction with him--not to have unrelated conversations with the staff. That distinction seems to be missing. If the front-of-house service were elevated to match the quality of Chef Hayato's cooking, this would be an exceptional restaurant. read more

What a resplendent experience! Kojima-san and his team are so joyful and welcoming. We had a wonderful night celebrating a friend's birthday and we were treated to the best meal of 2026, thus far. The cooking and execution of the meal is extraordinary...we were already thinking of when to plan a return trip. This kaiseki meal is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. There are simmered, fried, boiled, raw, steamed, grilled, and sautéed dishes. Different preparations of proteins and seasonal vegetables reminiscent of the excellent meals you can find in Japan. Except there's a high influence of vegetables sourced from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market. Chef also believes in changing the menu depending on what sparks inspiration so it's quite possible that each visit can be different. All of the cooking and assembling occurs in front of you at the counter. What a meal! A friend selected a wonderful sake for our meal and we got to try a beer made with koshikari rice. Kamameshi was accompanied with our choice of green, hojicha, or genmaicha tea. We are really lucky to have Kojima-san sharing his talents with us in LA. read more

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FOOD: Outstanding. Each dish presents an extraordinary and varied flavor profile. The meticulous and excellent preparation of the seasonal and quality ingredients stands out with each bite. VALUE: Unbeatable, the quality of the ingredients, the preparation and the skill of the chef at at $200 price point in Los Angeles is unprecedented. SERVICE: I'm impressed by the warm, welcome, and unpretentious atmosphere of the place. The chef strikes a remarkable balance in upholding an extraordinary standard of food (which evolves with the seasons) without the stiffness that can come with fine dining establishments. The chef's humor is able to transcend language barriers, and it brings a remarkable levity to the restaurant. The changes between the menus between our first and most recent visit was impressive, both were wonderful executions of seasonal ingredients. It's a testament to the skill of the chef, and we are excited to taste the menu items to come. Highly recommend for a date night or for a treat-yourself catch-up dinner with a good friend. read more

This is now THE spot for Japanese kaiseki in West LA, or as I would like to call it the "Hayato" of West LA (Chef's name is Hayato Kojima). I called on a random friday night and got a 2 person seating. They were nice enough to squeeze my gf and I in for a total of 9 person seating. It was $200 per person and the best $200 spent. Every single dish is delicious and the menu changes every week or other week. Some dishes like the grilled chicken hearts and kajiya beef are staples. This is currently the only restaurant to even serve kajiya beef outside of Japan as the chef just suddenly decided to move to the US some time early 2025. I loved every single dish and the highlight ones were the grilled bluefin tuna bits, the chicken hearts, duck breast, kajiya beef, and final rice dish. He even gave me some to take home afterwards. I've already planned my next visit and you should too. For $200, this is an absolute steal. I just hope I can visit a few more times before reservations become hard to get. read more

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First of all, check your ego at the door. What is it with the LA food scene where dinners think they are the be all and end all? At a core, we are all human beings, so let's give each other some grace and respect. Remember people, when you walk in the door of a restaurant, you are in chef's house. So have some respect. We were a little thrown off upon entering, because we were not familiar with the protocol for check in, but we rolled with it. Once settled into the restaurant, everything worked out well. The staff and chef were friendly and nice (all it takes is some courtesy and conversation). The food was AMAZING, portioned appropriately and well paced. I've been to some long dinners (3-4 hours) and some fast dinners (1-2 hours) at nice, as well as fancy places. Kojima has just the right balance. If you are looking for a "trendy" place or a "social hangout ", go to the latest salad bar or steakhouse. If you appreciate culinary culture and the art of subtle fine flavors, then Kojima is the place for you. For those who have bad reviews due to phone use and experiencing "racism ", go take some etiquette classes. Perhaps in some cultures it's acceptable to sit through your dinner on the phone, or be loud and obnoxious . But you are in chef's house, so respect the house rules. read more

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Ignore the negative reviews. Some people don't know a good thing if it hits them right in the face. Kojima is one of the hottest Japanese omakase restaurants in the city. Been there 6 to 7 times already. It's nothing short of wonderful, in terms of the food and prices. It's a poor man's Hayato! read more

Kojima - Uni on somen in cold dashi. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of the best omakase experiences I've had. Wonderful and attentive staff and the chef's dishes were delicious.

Lucky to have Kojima in the neighborhood. Thoughtfully prepared seasonal "omakase" experience. While a little less "structured" than Hayato, flavors and ingredient quality similar. Truly a great value for what it is. Seems some folks had a bad experience, but I can't imagine it merited that kind of attention (see thw clustered bad reviews). Intimate setting where if you're respectful and human, it will be reciprocated. If you bring wine, be sure to offer chef - he enjoys it! read more

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Wow, what an incredible meal. We came on a week night for the 5 dinner PM sitting. The space was very intimate and you sit directly at the bar, watching Chef work and craft the numerous courses. It was like watching a master at work! I think it was around 12-13 courses, which took nearly 3 hours. There was a good wine and sake list, as well as a small non alcoholic selection including hot tea. The dishes were all extremely memorable; but my favorite was the bamboo shoot dish. It was just so crunchy and savory, unlike anything I have ever had before (and apparently, it's not even bamboo season so this was a special treat!). The wagyu beef was also super tender and juicy. Another dish that was a standout was the grilled eel- it was sooo much more interesting flavory and texture wise than the traditional steamed eel. The dessert was a wonderful, very tea forward cheesecake that blew me away. Overall, a delicious, special meal that I highly recommend for anyone looking for a quality time and ingredients! read more

Buckle up--"sandwich shop" no longer suffices. I stopped by today expecting something casual and low-key, but what I experienced was closer to a secret omakase hidden in plain sight. According to the warm and engaging server, Kevin, the restaurant recently reinvented itself (as of August 1). I went with their four-course menu, which turned into five--and every dish delivered. The sashimi was pristine, melt-in-your-mouth quality, and I had real wasabi freshly grated right at the chef's counter for the first time. Word is the chef earned a Michelin star back in Japan, and it shows. Everything was executed with care, precision, and restraint. The space itself is tucked away on the second floor of the mall--a bit sequestered, but well worth seeking out. The interior is a thoughtful blend of clean wood textures and modern minimalism, perfect for a date night. read more

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Worst experience in my life. So uncomfortable that me and my friend not finish the meal . I always thought those reviews about racism were far away from me but guess not. My roommate and I went out around 9 pm looking for something light to eat. We found this restaurant on Yelp because it was nearby and had a relatively high rating. We chose it casually with no special expectations. From the moment we walked in the experience felt uncomfortable. Right away we were asked whether we even knew what omakase was. This question felt condescending . As the courses were served the server repeatedly said things like "Please pay attention. I usually explain the course to my guests so please pay attention." I did not understand why this was said in such a stern and patronizing way. Whether or not someone is closely listening should not affect how they are treated as a guest. At one point I received a short voice message from a friend. My phone volume was set extremely low and it was not disruptive. A woman seated nearby noticed me holding my phone and asked if I needed to step outside to take the call. I was confused and asked her to clarify by saying "Is this bothering you?" She laughed and replied "Yes of course it's bothering me" and then turned to the man next to her and said "These parents never taught them." Out of respect I immediately stopped using my phone. However the atmosphere had already become very uncomfortable and hostile. The situation escalated when staff repeatedly asked me whether I needed a translator even though my roommate and I were speaking fluent English the entire time. This happened multiple times and felt humiliating. Later the server and the nearby white couple began lecturing us together. They said things like "In China maybe you can use your phone while eating but not here" and claimed that no restaurant in Los Angeles allows this behavior. This is simply not true. I was not actively using my phone and the volume was extremely low. They also claimed that in Japan omakase restaurants would never allow this. Regardless none of this justified the racial comments and the way we were spoken to. Because of how uncomfortable the situation became we could not continue eating. We had only been served three courses and decided to leave without escalating the conflict further. When we explained that the experience was horrible and said we did not want to pay the 15 percent service fee the server who claimed to be the manager insisted on charging it. He told us "It is only a horrible experience because of something you did. I do not think it was horrible at all." I responded by saying "Do not tell me how I feel." At that point the woman nearby laughed loudly. This experience felt intimidating humiliating and racially charged. If there is a strict no phone policy it should be clearly stated in advance and enforced respectfully. Instead it was enforced through public shaming racial stereotypes and group harassment. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

Kojima - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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first time here. was recommended by a friend. A little bit hard to find but once you sit down, the friendly staff and friendly chef made it comfortable. Each dishes is prepared in front and can enjoy every bite read more

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was dining with the person who wrote the other negative review and want to share what I observed from my own seat at the table. From the start the atmosphere felt tense. The greeting did not feel welcoming and we were questioned in a way that implied we were unfamiliar with the dining style. Nothing in our behavior justified that assumption. As the meal progressed the staff's tone toward our table became increasingly sharp. Comments about needing to "pay attention" were delivered in a way that felt corrective rather than informative. It stood out because nearby tables were not spoken to this way. The situation deteriorated when a phone was briefly checked at a barely audible volume. Instead of a quiet or professional request a nearby diner reacted with hostility. The comments that followed were personal and crossed into racial territory. At that point the discomfort was visible to everyone at the table. What made this worse was that staff did not intervene. Instead the attention turned toward questioning whether my friends understood English and offering a translator despite clear fluent communication. Watching this unfold was deeply uncomfortable. Later multiple people including staff and other diners began making sweeping statements about culture and behavior. The conversation was no longer about restaurant policy. It became about singling out and shaming guests. We left early because the environment felt unsafe and hostile. When concerns were raised they were dismissed and reframed as the guests' fault rather than acknowledged. I am writing to confirm that this experience was not exaggerated. It was disturbing to witness and entirely avoidable with basic professionalism and respect. read more

Kojima - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I love this place. New chef in town from Japan. He brings authentic kaiseki experience to Sawtelle. Kyoto style. Minimal seasoning that emphasizes the freshness, taste of ingredients. It is on par with other highly rated restaurants like n/naka. Very affordable. read more

We had a wonderful experience, it was like watching a show! Sake selection was great too. read more

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One of the best dining experiences in Los Angeles right now. $200 and you get an absolute feast of flavors that are unlike any other japanese restaurant in LA. The craziest part is he's constantly changing the menu day to day. You could come the next day and eat maybe one thing that's the same, most likely his incredible grilled chicken heart. Chef is still practicing his english so is a bit shy, but if you try and engage he will respond with kindness. read more

A truly memorable night! 3 hours of delicious dishes with a range of flavors. Small place with calming music playing, not a lot of seats making it feel very private. The service was amazing, the staff and head chef were so friendly and accommodating to dietary needs. I took my girlfriend out for her birthday and she said it was one of the best birthday dinners of her life! They gave her an extra dish, lit a candle for her when the cheesecake came out, gave us a to go rice ball with a happy birthday message. Really we t out of their way to make it special. Overall: intimate, delicious, memorable, and friendly. Would recommend for a date, anniversary, or any special occasion! read more

Wow, wow, wow. I dined here this evening and can confidently say it's one of the best restaurants in LA -- and easily one of the top omakase experiences I've had, in both the U.S. and Japan. The menu is beautifully balanced and genuinely delicious from start to finish. The dishes are simple without being simplistic -- nothing feels overly complicated or contrived. The pacing is spot on, and the variety of flavors and textures keeps every course interesting. Service is warm, gracious, and knowledgeable without a hint of stuffiness. As for the previously posted one-star reviews on Yelp about the phone policy -- this is a traditional Japanese dining experience rooted in respect for the chef and the craft. Phone use during service is widely considered rude in that context. It's not about attitude; it's about honoring the experience. Go now, before they earn a Michelin star and reservations become impossible. Truly a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. read more

This omakase was adventurous for me, but the foods that didn't totally break my boundaries (shrimp. I can't do shrimp) were amazing and my girlfriend adored it. I understand most of the dishes change nightly, but I have to assume the tuna and wagyu are regular appearances. Or tuna was marinated and served in two cuts --what I believe were an otoro and a "regular", served with a shallot preparation they recommended for the otoro and wasabi for the regular cut. It was the best tuna I can remember eating. The wagyu came with a salad, house made dressing that matched the beef, and a jalapeño paste. I'm always astounded by Japanese wagyu, but this was the best flavor palette I've ever had it paired with. The service was top-notch and very friendly. The dishware is traditional Japanese and delightful. The counter area has generous space for 8 people; our seating also had an additional two people at a table. read more

An absolute delight to dine at Kojima. We checked out the $200 omakase option and left so full and happy. They also offer a mini omakase option for $80, which I'm excited about for next visit. Great tranquil space, attentive server (shout out to Mimi-san for making our night so special with her hospitality and knowledge). The chef Hayato-san recently moved here from Japan, so if you ask something in English, be patient with his answer. Hayato-san is so humble, and sweet, and talented. The food is of high quality, substance, and minimalist style. Highly recommend. The omakase dishes change frequently, which speaks volumes about the chef's ranges and skills. The Sake menu is extensive with some very good options. Corkage is $70 per bottle, which is on the steep side so i do recommend drinking the bottles they have on their menu. read more

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RACIST SERVERS HARASSED US AND INSISTED 15% TIP??? DO NOT GO! TRUST ME! This was one of the most upsetting dining experiences I have ever had. I seldomly post Yelp reviews but I feel like everyone NEED TO SEE THIS! When we arrived, the server immediately asked if we even knew what omakase was. As Asians, this felt like an assumption that we were inexperienced or did not belong there. Later, the server commented, "You Chinese always use chopsticks, but real Japanese use spoons." At the time we tried to brush it off, but it became clear that we were being stereotyped. During the meal, I briefly used my phone at the lowest possible volume. No one around us could hear it. Despite this, the server and 2 diners 7 feet away stared at us aggressively. They directly questioned us whether our Chinese parents has ever taught us manners. That comment was humiliating and deeply offensive. The male diner even stood up and loudly told us to put our phones away. We responded by putting it away. However, the server repeatedly asked if we needed a translator even though we spoke fluent English the entire time. The server and the diner laughed and made comments about Chinese people being rude. We felt intimidated and unsafe, so we left without finishing the meal. Even after explaining how uncomfortable the experience was, the server who said she was the manager insisted we pay a 15% tip and said it was not a bad experience and it was only our fault. I never expected to experience this kind of treatment in Los Angeles. If this restaurant has strict rules, they should be clearly stated or they can have a much nicer way to put it. No one should be treated this way while dining. We paid over $400 and got this type of racist treatment. IF YOU READ THIS AND STILL DECIDE TO GO, I'LL BE SPEECHLESS... read more

Ordered food here because there was great deal on DoorDash. I tried 3 of the sandwiches and all were delicious. Tonkatsu Sando- crispy and tender pork cutlet with pickled relish and a tangy sauce. Probably my favorite one Tsuna Mayo Sando- really creamy tuna salad in mayo. This had a lot of flavor in it Tamago Salad- tasted like a regular egg salad with something crispy in it. If they didn't have the crispy stuff, it would be really plain. Each sandwich is cut into 3 pieces and comes with fries. read more

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My girlfriend and I came here without reservation and were absolutely amazed with the experience. The food is superb, the service was attentive and warm; the ambiance is relaxing without discounting the haut style of the cuisine. This was the best meal I've eaten since I moved to Sawtelle and I will absolutely be coming back. They have an $80 and $200 omakase. We got the $200 option and both left extremely satisfied. I can't recommend this place more highly. read more

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Honestly embarrassing. This place isn't even expensive, but the second they slap the word omakase on it, the staff suddenly act superior and condescending. It's laughable. No rules were explained upfront, then they started policing customers mid-meal, talking down to people and making weird, stereotypical comments. The double standard was obvious -- certain guests were ignored, others were scrutinized. The server was openly rude and borderline racist, then had the audacity to blame the customers for a horrible experience and still demand a tip. Going out to eat doesn't mean signing up to be shamed or "educated." If this is how they treat people, they don't deserve the attitude, the tips, or the business. read more

sharing several highlights from a captivating dinner... it's refreshing to find an omakase kaiseki dinner in Los Angeles where the chef lets his cooking do the talking and isn't trying to impress guests with anything else...no culinary crutches at all; no gold flakes or over the top dishes...just high quality ingredients married with impeccable, nuanced Japanese and French technique resulting in 11 delicious courses...only 5 months old and only 8 bar seats plus 1 table for four so catch it before reservations become more difficult...the curated sake list is already among the best in town... read more

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A soon to be Michelin restaurant. Just an authentic and delicious Japanese Kaiseki experience. Very special experience. Harigato Kojima! Ouoshi!!! read more

First time visit with my business partner Omakase Japanese are variety of dishes with seasonal ingredients and very authentic flavor Owner chef has Japanese restaurant experience in Tokyo, This place reminded me where I back my home town in Tokyo Reservation is highly recommended Will come back soon read more

I don't do high-end very often at all, and I do high-end Japanese even less. I think the restaurant describes the (larger) menu as omakase, but I think something btw omakase and kaiseki might be a more apt description (so don't expect a lot of sushi/sashimi). This place is just wonderful. Warm and unfussy ambiance, and the food is outstanding. There's a really pristine quality to the ingredients and presentation. I can often find pristine to be a boring, but not here. This not a place that will punch in the face w/ flavors (although some of the dishes are intensely rich); it's the mix of intense and subtle, homey and high-end, familiar and unique, and the overall feeling of satisfaction that were the takeaways for me (and I actually some of the most impressive things were the veg accompaniments). $200 is a lot of $, but the food and experience are totally worth it (and probably more TBH). read more

Just had an incredible experience at Kojima in Sawtelle. Chef Kojima's menu goes way beyond sushi--every course felt thoughtful and beautifully balanced, from the Chawanmushi with sea urchin and caviar to the Kajiya Wagyu beef and the Takikomi Gohan (Seasoned Rice) with white king Salmon finale. The setting is intimate and calm, with attentive service that makes the whole evening feel special. Absolutely worth it for a unique, chef-driven journey on the Westside. read more

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素晴らしい新しいレストラン、他の人にも知られて欲しいです！おまかせを頼みました。ハツは普通自分では頼みませんが、切り方によってこんなに味が変わるなんて知りませんでした。手羽先もほっぺたが落ちるくらいジューシーで茶碗蒸しのじゃがいもソースももう一度食べたいくらいです。いろんな具材は日本から輸入していて、刺身には強いこだわりが感じられます。写真を撮れ忘れたアイテムが何個かありましたが、おまかせは絶対価値があります。誕生日やアニバーサリーにぴったりな場所なのでおすすめです！ This new restaurant in Sawtelle is AMAZING. We got the Omakase, which came with about seven items (I forgot to take pictures of some of them, including the sashimi ugh!) The Kokuryu sake paired well with the menu and I definitely recommend getting it. I typically don't like chicken hearts but the way that it was cut and seasoned was spectacular. Loved the Tebasaki, the chawanmushi, and oh my lord the sashimi was amazing. The fish and many other ingredients are imported from Japan and I can really feel the thought and care put into each dish. We even got to take home the leftover Takikomi rice! One thing to note is that the chef is from Japan and so the menu and his explanations of the meal are in Japanese, but the waiter (also from Japan) translates everything into English. I almost want to gatekeep this place before it blows up but seriously, you'll regret it if you don't go! Also this place sold sandwiches while the chef was dealing with visa stuff so that's why there are some reviews that seem like they're for a sandwich shop read more

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Delicious and fresh, made to order sandwiches! We got the chicken sando and the pork sando and both were delicious, fresh, hot and crispy! If you dine in, you get free barley tea. Very inexpensive deal, the whole meal was around $14 for a sandwich and fries. I usually prefer chicken, but the pork sando was surprisingly my favorite! Very delicious meal. From my understanding, this place will eventually become an Omakase restaurant when the sushi chef comes to LA. They are selling sandos until he arrives. If the place is already delicious and the chef isn't here yet, I'm so excited to try the omakase when the Michelin star chef arrives from Japan! Would highly recommend. read more

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Save your money and go downstairs to get the nijiya katsu sandwich for half the price instead of paying 13 dollars for this. When I got the order I thought I was being pranked. Tiny, tiny pieces of katsu in each sandwich. Bread was soggy. Once of the most disappointing things I've ever eaten in sawtelle. read more

Kojima - Smallest katsu sandwich I've ever seen - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Spectacular food and service. Thrilled that this is here and definitely worth while. It was a wonderful way to try new combinations and flavors I wouldn't have otherwise experienced! read more

Absolutely delicious! I grew up in Tokyo and haven't found a great Katsu sandwich for so long. The staff member was so kind too, and made the sandwiches fresh for us! Will definitely be back. read more

Kojima - Chicken Katsu Sando - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great wagyu katsu sando! They have other sandwiches with japanese flavors. The place is a pop up shop, they are turning into omakase restaurant soon. I can't wait to try their omakase too! read more

This place is really amazing . Very lowkey but perfect spot for great Japanese chicken sandwich. Shoutout to the young nice lady who helped us out would definitely come back read more

I got the A5 Wagu sandwich and Tamago sandwich. The A5 Wagu was melting and the wasabi inside of it was really good matching. The Tamago sandwich is also the best, and it has crunches inside. The store just opened, but it is worth trying! The best Japanese-style sandwiches ever so definitely coming back. read more

Kojima - A5 Wagu Katsu Sandwich - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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