Before I start this review, I'm gonna go on a rant. Landlords, please LOOK AT YOURSELF IN A MIRROR & USE BASIC REASONING, COMMON SENSE, & THINKING SKILLS. You have a consistent, good tenant who has been renting out a location for DECADES, bringing business to this area with a dedicated customer base that spans GENERATIONS, but you're deciding to raise the rent & drive them out? Do you know how evil you sound to the normal human being? Probably not lmao. I digress and this is a long overdue review that I'm only writing as Restaurant Amachi is closing after 47 years of business due to the greed of others. With this sudden notification, EVERYONE, from the community is showing up to support. People have memories here from they were a toddler, to when they themselves had kids. This family was nice enough to have us dine with them after our number got called and we missed it and it was THREE generations of family that had memories of dining at Amachi. So many people were waiting for 3+ hours to support Amachi and its owner, Grandma Kyoko, and all of the staff as their winding down to close. It's truly a hole in the wall, small business, mom and pop Japanese restaurant with an old school art deco flair you really don't see anymore. The framed portrait of Kyoko, paired with her walking around and greeting everyone, you can't help but to have a huge smile on your face. She's so sweet and kind. All of the staff is extremely friendly, kept apologizing for the wait, and were very personable. I can only think of one word seeing them do what they love and it's "family". For our dinner, we got the fried shumai, short ribs, tempura, sukiyaki (not many places have this anymore and it's hearty helping in a hot pan with udon noodles), tuna sashimi, and chicken teriyaki. It's simple, Japanese comfort food. Nostalgic. It's like being welcomed home. Delicious with fluffy, warm rice. Tempura was crispy and not too oily, veggies were fresh. Not too salty and the short ribs were tender. The flavor of the sauces were perfect and fried shumai was pretty addicting to eat. Nice crisp exterior, juicy meat inside, and you can get the crispiness of the veggies in the shumai as well. Good food, with even better company. There's plans for them to maybe open in Hacienda Heights so I am on my knees praying and begging and willing all my energy that this comes to fruition because I want Grandma Kyoko to keep on doing what she loves and for all the people who love her to keep supporting her. read more

Went here for a family dinner. Went around the block three times looking for this place. They call it the hidden gem they are right. You park on the street the ally or next block and find out the address is in an alleyway. This place has been a family run mamasan old style old fashioned old school traditional iconic Japanese 70s art deco. A menu that is probably as old as the place. Prices that are soo below market. The menu pix are wrong prices up a whole buck. Full dinners starting at 13.95. Portions follow the pricing but the food is nostsolgic. I'm 70 years old remember the old days...the original Tokyo Lobby off San Gabriel blvd. The small but mighty creator made famous Japanese BOAT Eisaku restaurant rip Buena park. This review turns out to be a trip down memory lane. This place has probably created quite a few memories over the years. I recommend this place Senior friendly date friendly menu is very kid friendly. Not recommending for special occassions but every time you have a yen for some good old fashioned terryaki and tenpura hit this place. I'd be a regular but live over an hour away in the South bay where the traditions we grew up on are no more... Harrys gone Daisuki noodles gone Aloha terriyaki gone Teri Hawaii with original shaved ice closed. Eating at this place stirred up some old memories. I recommend this place for its longevity old school charm friendly service and good old fashioned comfort food. Easy on the wallet. read more

Last night we had the pleasure of visiting a true Uptown Whittier classic. My parents have been coming here since before my siblings and I were born, and it has always been our go‑to place for celebrations--or simply because we love it. We came in for an early Father's Day celebration, and Louis and Alan made the evening exceptional. They were attentive, respectful, and incredibly helpful with recommendations, taking the time to explain dishes and offer thoughtful suggestions. Their kindness and great conversation made our dinner even more enjoyable. Our family left with full hearts and happy tummies. We'll absolutely be back, as we always are. Thank you to the entire team for your continued hospitality and for making every visit feel special. read more

We have been going to Amachi's for decades. This is the best old school Japanese restaurant.

This is a very nostalgic place for me. I am completely biased but I love this place. Owner is always around and so friendly. We love sharing the family special: A-teriyaki beef & chicken, with miso soup and shared salad and scoops of rice and fresh orange slices and pineapple for dessert. It has been the exact same what for the 20+decades I've been coming here. I love that. Sodas come in cans (no refills) and the hot tea is superb. Now there is NOTHING fancy about this place but it's unapologetically original. My mom has dementia but when we took her recently, she instantly knew where we were and remembered the name. It's that special to us. Good food and good service. read more

Visited Amachi Japanese Restaurant for dinner on 04/22/26. What a wonderful treat. The restaurant has been in existence for many, many years. The decor and pictures have an old school vibe. I met the owner of the restaurant who is 90 years young. She is the sweetest lady. As soon as I entered the building, I felt welcomed. The staff and customer service were great. We ordered a Short Rib Appetizer that was good and a family platter that consisted of Teriyaki Chicken & Beef, Salad, Tempura Shrimp & Veggies, Pineapple & Rice which was all delicious! There is street parking & parking structures in the area. It was a warm and cozy atmosphere. Just the smile on the owners face encourages you to return. read more

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We were looking for a place to eat in Whittier and Restaurant Amachi showed up on Yelp. Parking was easy to find in the parking structure right next to Restaurant Amachi. We were greeted and seated right away. Food was just like a delicious home cooked meal. They were even able to accommodate dairy free and gluten free. We ordered the chicken teriyaki without sauce and no salad dressing. And we ordered the tonkatsu and tempura. Loved the music that was playing in the background. The staff and owner checked in us and made sure everything was fine. The owner was so kind to sit with us and shared wonderful stories of her restaurant. We will come back there again! read more

Restaurant Amachi - Tonkatsu and tempura - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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Such a great place. Service was amazing everyone worked together. Such a cute little place. Food was so good. Have lived in Whittier over 40 years and never visited this place. Don't know why. Wish we would've came before. So impressed with the food the ambience the service and the owner was so cute. She came around to each table to see if we were enjoying our food. We had the teriyaki chicken and tempura. So delicious. We will definitely be back. You will not be disappointed. read more

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What a charming place where you will Love the food & atmosphere. Kyoko has owned it now I believe almost 40 yrs. The best Shumai, tempora, salmon chicken & beef along with sashimi * everything tastes Delicious! Lots of Love read more

This is a little hidden gem in Uptown. I've been coming here for over 20 years and the food is always reliabily delicious. The staff is so warm and welcoming, they make everyone feel like family. read more

Just happen o stumble upon this place. Friendly staff and very attentive to my needs. Offering everything on the menu. Still had a feeling of being in the past. The food was good, not great. I wasn't too impressed. Ordered a few things but nothing to get excited about. read more

Restaurant Amachi - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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Been coming here for 40 years Have to drive 50 miles to get there But worth it Great Food Fantastic service Hope they are around for another 40 years read more

This is an old time secret location in uptown whittier for the locals.Excellent service.Excellent food.And an excellent atmosphere come and join us.... read more

Food was delicious. Reasonably priced. Great service. My husband and I came here for date night on a Wednesday evening. We shared the chicken and beef dinner plate which came with the perfect amount, if not more. The shared dinner plate was family style and included rice for everyone, tempura, salad and fruit. I also ordered a side of the curry sample because I wanted to try the flavor and it was better than anticipated. The cherry on top was the friendly and very attentive staff. Definitely come here again! read more

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Delicious!!!!! I am always on the hunt for good Japanese home cooking. While this world is full of sushi restaurants, I wish there more spots that serve more than just sushi as Japanese cuisine is filled with other amazing dishes. I ordered the Sukiyaki and a small bowl of curry. I learned the owners make it herself which was extra special. She's also there most nights greeting customers so we had the a pleasure of meeting her. The restaurant is what I expect for a mom and pop business which means no frills and feels like home. This restaurant has been here almost 50 years so it's a staple and a must try. read more

Hidden little gem in Whittier. The service is prime. Every time I come here I'm greeted by the sweetest little grandma. All the servers and employees are so nice. Inside the place is so clean and well maintained. Anything you order here is bound to be delicious, freshly made, and well served. They start you with some miso soup and cucumbers. My favorite is the katsu chicken and the short ribs. Today, went for the chicken katsu and chicken teriyaki combo. The teriyaki sauce is so good, the katsu perfectly crispy and the beef is so tender. Can't go wrong with anything, here! read more

Restaurant Amachi - Tempura, chicken & beef teriyaki - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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Amachi is such a beautiful quaint lil place. I love the food, service, it is all worth the value. Louie is always a great vibe as well.

This quaint, unsuspecting restaurant that has been here for over 45 years is a gem in disguise! Fresh chicken, beef and vegetables are the stars, but when the owner comes to greet you and make sure that you're happy, THAT is the 6th star! The food is so fresh, the vegetables are so tasty, the miso soup is so potent, everything is so flavorful! This restaurant is so authentic and the portions are so perfectly set. The service is top-notch! You leave here feeling satisfied; not full, not empty, but very satisfied. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! read more

Have been coming here since a kid, the food is so amazing and of course the service is beyond catering to your needs. Just make sure you go when they're open, the hours are on the door. read more

This is a true hidden gem!!! It's going on its 45th anniversary this August 2024 and still thriving. The owner is 87 years old and super sweet. She's still there working and really knows her customers. Service and food is on point. The ambiance is nice and cozy. I will definitely be back to try other things. Visit this establishment if you have an opportunity. read more

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Affordable but the food was really great! The owner, an old gracious lady, entertains all guests dining in her quaint japanese restaurant. read more

Restaurant Amachi - Combination Dinner A - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

Excellent food and service. The place feels like home and our 12 year old daughter really likes it. Grandma is the best hostess.

I have been coming to Amachis for over 20 years. It hasn't changed and that is a great thing. It is a traditional Japanese restaurant and I'm so lucky to have it so close to home. The food hasn't changed and trust me that is a good thing. Friendly service at every encounter. Do not pass this traditional Japanese restaurant. You won't regret it. The place is an intimate local gem. The location can be a bit difficult to find as it's located in a corridor right near the new multi floor parking structure. Parking shouldn't be an issue. If take out is your preference, Amachi can accommodate. I ordered often for pick up during the pandemic lockdown and it was a breeze. read more

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Great food. Family type environment. The restaurant has been there for years. It's They make you feel like family when you are there.

Food was great. I called in an order and they got my order mixed up and ended up packing my order where the sauces ended up falling out of the containers in the bag. read more

I've been coming here since they opened. It's like a time machine where you're transported to a Japanese family home in the 1970s. There is no friendlier restaurant in LA. It is very casual - definitely not a high end fancy place, but that's not why you come here. You're treated like family every time. Even when I'm there to pickup some takeout, they always insist I sit down and have some tea, and ask how I'm doing. If you're getting takeout, make sure to bring a container for the miso soup! We love everything on the menu. Our go-to choices are the tempura dinner and chicken/beef teriyaki combination dinner. The sashimi is not fancy, but it's always good. A great appetizer. Sukiyaki is also delish! The owner comes out to great everyone. read more

This place reminds me of little old school Showa era izakaya's my wife and I went to in Japan. It's so homey and feels like some of the converted living room restaurants my wife and I ate at while in Japan. It's a little place you and your family can hang out with the owner! The craziest part is I have walked by this place hundreds of times and not noticed until tonight. My wife and I met the 89 year old Japanese owner who arrived in the US in 1972 and had been in business for over 45 years. An institution in the city of Whittier at this point. She was kind and told us about enjoying meeting and entertaining people, and that's why she started her restaurant. When our food arrived it's exactly how it was in Japan. Simple ingredients, rich in flavor, and clearly made with high quality ingredients. I loved the Green Tea Soda and ordered the Tempura with Beef and Sashimi, which melted in my mouth! Every order came with a Sunomono (Japanese cucumber salad), Miso soup, Salad, Rice and then your main courses arrived. My wife and I also got the fried tofu which we absolutely loved! This was the 1st time I've been here and it felt like home. I'm going to go back, and I really want this place to be open for years to come! read more

Restaurant Amachi - I got the Number 14 Set Tempura and Sashimi with Beef plate - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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So far the waiter is very nice and the soup and cucumber is yummy, the food looks amazing and taste amazing to, the owner is so nice and funny! The place is very but kinda hard to find in up town but if you do this place is very good I am satisfied:) 10/10 read more

Restaurant Amachi - Chicken teriyaki - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

Amachi is quite the hidden gem! My family and I were in the area and wanted good Japanese food and this place definitely delivered! The staff is friendly and the food was delicious (I loved the beef teriyaki), but the owner really makes the experience! She is so sweet, high spirited, and has such a good soul. The love she has for the people that come to eat, and their love for her, are reflected in the photos she has of various families, all throughout the years posted all over her restaurant. She explained to us how she moved here from Japan in the 70s and has had the restaurant for 45 years...she almost shut down during Covid, but stuck it out and survived! She hopes to make it to the restaurant's 50th year (when she'll be 92 years old) so I'd definitely recommend checking out this restaurant, eat some yummy food, and chit chat with her! read more

AMACHI'S IS MY ALLTIME FAVORITE, kyokoSan is amazing and just gives so much of herself

I love this place! It's my favorite restaurant to go to. I've been coming here for years.The owner comes to talk to you and is very personable. They even agreed to my request to take it to go. I get the #3 which is beef teriyaki along with shrimp and vegetable tempura. So delicious. All the meals come with miso soup, sunomono, salad, and unlimited rice. If you haven't been here I highly recommend you go! read more

Restaurant Amachi - #3, before and after photos - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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Everything is amazing there been going there for over 25 years excellent food and it could be an intimate night. It just depends how you take it. read more

LOVE this place, the food is super delicious and the restaurant is very cozy and calm. The owner is a sweet lady. We got seated and served right away, great place:)! read more

Restaurant Amachi - Chicken teriyaki with veggie tempura - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

My sister and I came through on a Friday evening and the restaurant was moderately busy. The ambience was a vibe, the lighting was warm and dim and it felt very home-y and rustic. Service was relatively quick until they got busier in the evening. It became harder to flag down a server to get our check. I ordered the teriyaki chicken and my sister ordered the chicken katsu. Prior to receiving your plate, you get miso soup and pickled cucumber. I really liked the teriyaki sauce this restaurant uses--it's a perfect balance of sweet and savory. However, unfortunately my chicken was severely over cooked; the bottom of it was hardened and it was tough to chew. The tempura was good, albeit a bit small. Salad was standard and they used ranch as a dressing. My sister said her chicken katsu was good and had a nice crunch to it. Overall I felt it was decently priced for a dinner, my plate being around $12 before tip. My sister felt the katsu was more expensive than what it was worth in terms of portion and overall quality of the plate. I was hoping for a bit more from this restaurant based off all the reviews, but it was admittedly disappointing. read more

Restaurant Amachi - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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I have been coming here for the entirety of my life it seems. Roughly 30 years. Seeing this place still remain open and going strong makes me happy. It's also even better that grandma is still running the place and greeting people. Food, service and experience is everything. I have not been to a better Japanese restaurant. Walking in, you feel like you're walking into an authentic Japanese restaurant. I can also say... NOTHING HAS CHANGED! And that's amazing!!! Very cute, cozy and smells awesome. Will continue to come here as long as they are still around. read more

A very homey, local restaurant that has been serving Whittier for over 40 years. The food is Japanese made for American tastes. Their best is the teriyaki chicken and beef plates that come with tempura. But, try the Sukiyaki some time or the curry dinner which are also delicious. The owner is very friendly and will come to visit and make sure that all is well. It actually feels like having a meal with family. All the help is friendly and accommodating. read more

Service is amazing! Food is delicious feels light and just right! We love coming here. They treat you here like family. We enjoy coming during the week. Lighting and music is perfect! Luis and the owner are amazing! read more

A cozy Mom and Pop restaurant, which we visited for the first time. I ordered the chicken teriyaki and tempura combo, which was good. It came with miso soup and cucumber sunomono salad. As a light eater, it was plenty of food for me, in fact, I took some home and thoroughly enjoyed the rest at home. A solid meal at very affordable prices. We went for an early dinner, so it wasn't crowded. Our server was not the friendliest, but our food was served so promptly. We met the owner, who was friendly and very welcoming. She said that the restaurant has been there for over 40 years! read more

Restaurant Amachi - Chicken Teriyaki, Shrimp Tempura, Salad and Rice - Japanese Near Me - Whittier, California

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What a great hidden gem. Service and food was wonderful. Definitely coming back. Thank you to all the staff. So accommodating and sweet. Much appreciated. read more

Delicious food and kind service. This seemed like the type of generational restaurant where kid's kids take their kids when they grow up. There was a group next to my family celebrating a birthday, and they were greeted as family by the owner. We will absolutely return. read more