This was the most amazing Japanese vegan omakase. The attention to detail was completely authentic and the variety of flavors was so impressive. The staff were so calm, gentle, and informative. They went out of their way to explain all of the ingredients in each dish. It was a nice vibe with Japanese art. We thoroughly loved everything. We would definitely recommend this for a special occasion and we hope to be back. They knew it was our anniversary so they brought us extra special treats. The nature of omakase is that it varies depending on the season what is fresh. So our omakase may not be your omakase. read more

Shojin - Mushroom skewer - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My partner and I were thoroughly impressed with both the quality of the vegan dishes and their incredible flavors. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious. We also loved the ambiance, which created a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience. What truly stood out was the attentiveness and hospitality of the staff. Their friendly, professional service made our visit even more memorable. We may have just found our new favorite vegan restaurant, and we look forward to coming back. read more

Shojin - Food - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Let me start by saying I have loved Shojin for over 10 years and been many times to both this and the downtown location that closed down. Every time, the price deters me from going as frequently. So I was interested when I saw on their site that they changed things up because they know affordability is a concern and they wanted to rebrand as somewhere you could eat regularly instead of just a special occasion. We took our out of state friends who were visiting. For a party of 4 we spent over $400. I also really don't like that they made their rolls only 6 pieces now when they used to be 8 (so much easier to share with 4 people). The food quality is still really good but I don't understand what they mean about their prices having accomodated so people can have it as a regular meal instead of a fancy treat. At that price it still sits squarely in the "fancy treat" box for me. That said there is nothing wrong with being a "fancy treat" kind of place if the entire experience screams "luxury." This time we had the absolute worst service we have ever had. We were 15 min late due to traffic but called to inform them since they charge $25 pp for noshows. They didn't pick up the first time and I got a weird outgoing message and could not leave a message. When I tried again several minutes later, someone picked up and I got my message across. Considering we were late it was really surprising that we had to wait an additional 10 min or so to be seated. A frazzled looking woman just asked us to wait and and said someone else would be with us to seat us. She had us wait at a set table which was really confusing as it was unclear if that was going to be our table (set for 4) or we just were supposed to wait at table to be seated. Eventually we were taken to the other table but we did not even get water for probably 30 min and then only when we asked for some. They did not pour for us. With those prices I would expect prompt service, pulling out chairs, placing napkins in the lap, checking on how the food is and if we need any water, etc. The food took a really long time to come out. In fact we spent an additional 40 min or so after we had eaten waiting for them to make 3 takeout rolls because I think they only had one person in the kitchen. It felt like they had had several members of their staff fall ill in one day with how thin the staff was spread. Two women were running around managing the entire restaurant, trying to seat people, manage bills, orders, cleaning up plates, serving food, etc. When the spicy baked scallop roll arrived the server told us it had already been torched in the kitchen. We had raved to our friends about how they torch it at your table and it clearly is written on the menu when you order it "torched at your table." So, of course this was a huge disappointment. Luckily it is my favorite roll so we ordered a second one and I made sure to request it be torched at the table. But the fact I had to request it when it is expected based on their own menu is bizarre. Finally, we ordered the strawberry rose waffle to share for dessert. After about 10 min we saw what we ordered being served to a table further down and it looked great. When we asked about our dessert, only then did the lady tell us they were sold out out that dessert. What if we had not asked about the status of our order? Would we still be sitting there waiting today? Did she forget we had ordered it? At the end of the night when we were waiting for the to go rolls (with only 1 other party in the restaurant at that point) we received many apologies as it was obvious we were ready to go and just waiting for the food. However apologies only go so far when you have already received subpar service for steep prices. Customer service in this situation would have been apologies plus amends, maybe comping the rolls we ordered to go, or offering any kind of discount on the next visit. Anything at all to back up the apologies. This visit only reconfirmed that Shojin should be reserved for when we have extra time to kill and cash to blow and we will probably just get takeout at this rate if we do go back. read more

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LOVE this place! My friend found it for us on a whim and BOY! Did she hit the jackpot!!! As someone who loves tasting menus and asian food it did not dissapoint! I'm also gluten free and dairy sensitive so discovering their whole menu was GF and vegan I felt extremely at ease to partake in the Omakase tasting menu! The portions were perfect for just 2 bites of each item and we really enjoyed ourselves! Hospitality was top notch! Our server was very helpful and sweet! We loved dining outside in the back! We'd pass on the dessert next time though. It was a little lacking in flavor. Everything else was A+++ read more

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Birthday? Anniversary? Tuesday date night? Late night gossip sesh? Take me straight to Shojin and nowhere else. Shojin has hands-down the best vegan food in Los Angeles. I can tell that the creators put a ton of thought and love into preparing their rotating menu because every time I return, there's always a new selection that I'm interested in. Shojin also has kind and thoughtful service. My go-to order is the Dynamite Roll and the Shitake Mushroom Miso Soup, but I will usually order something from their seasonal menu as well. We LOVED their Valentines day menu and can't wait to return. read more

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I haven't been to this spot in years and it still has all the charm (and great food) that I remember. As a non-vegan, sometimes plant-based restaurants can be a tough sell for me, but Shojin delivers on all the flavors without cutting corners. The restaurant is quaint, clean, nicely decorated and the service is super attentive and friendly. We went with the mushroom karaage, stuffed mushrooms and truffle california roll this round, and all were delicious. Especially appreciated watching the waiter torch the sushi roll right at the table. The sake list has plenty of options as well. This place is equally great for dates as it is for a night out with a small group of friends. Make sure you make a reservation. read more

Shojin - stuffed mushrooms - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Shojin had been on my "to try" list for SO long. I've been vegan for over a decade and I love vegan sushi! Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed by my experience. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and ordered many items off of the menu. Maybe we chose poorly, but I'd like to think that all items on a menu would at least hit the mark of being okay. I don't like food waste, but the leftovers sat in our fridge because neither of us wanted to eat them. Some dishes we weren't pleased with the flavor and some the texture. However, I did enjoy trying the fun blueberry soy milk drink. That was the best item, the only one that was finished & enjoyed! Inside & outdoor seating available. Chairs outside of the restaurant to sit if waiting for them to open. Our server was nice! Street parking is available. Bathroom is available for customers. read more

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I've visited Shojin several times, and each experience is excellent: Ambiance: Warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed and very romantic meal. Service: The servers are top-notch, attentive, and provide quality service throughout. Food: All the dishes are great. Solo or with 1-2 others, the chef's special 9-course menu is the best way to experience the full range-highlights include Soup, Brussels sprouts, Stuffed mushroom, Crispy rice, Sushi Plate, and Lion's Mane mushroom. The main dish (mushroom) topped it off and after pacing well, I was finally full with some room for dessert. Group visits: With three or more people, the variety and value are even better. Don't miss the Sweet Blue Bailey cream drink-highly recommended. Overall: Whether solo or with a group, Shojin delivers inventive vegan cuisine, exceptional service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. read more

Shojin - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Where do I begin. Such an intimate indoor setting but we sat in the beautiful outdoor patio with heat lamps. And then the food! Vegan sushi may not be on everyone's list but for those that do have it on, Shojin is a must visit! We went with the Omakase and every dish was so flavorful and unique. Good portions as well and obviously a lot of variety. The service was authentic, not rushed and thoughtful. Highly recommend and cannot wait to take other members of my circle that would appreciate such a unique experience. read more

Shojin - Omakase Menu - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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As someone who is NOT vegan, gluten free or even likes sushi that much, I was very skeptical of this establishment. Everything I thought before coming was flipped on its head immediately The quality of the food was excellent. I ordered the "crab cake" hand roll initially, just to have something to eat. It ended up being so good I got another AND a sushi roll. I was with someone who has pretty strong dietary restrictions and the menu as well as the staff were very diligent in explaining each dish as it came out which I really appreciated. The ambiance is really nice it's like being in a spa. Very cozy and while small, the noise level is minimal. Highly recommend and will be back. Again, excellent food and service read more

We just visited Shojin again tonight, 3 years since our last visit and it is just as wonderful as it was back then. The servers are so kind and welcoming and really create a cosy environment. The food is still as creative and deli as it was the last time. The crab cake hand roll and the baked scallop really stood out to us but all the dishes were a delight. Strongly recommend visiting if you want a special evening and uniquely delicious food. read more

The food here is amazing! Definitely worth the cost. But the one thing that I do not like is that you are not able to order takeout on a Friday which I found quite odd. The convenience is what I also rank my reviews on hence 4 stars. read more

Everything was delicious here. We got the gyoza, snap peas with plum so delicious and then the spicy ramen which was very earthy. We got 2 rolls one of them had pumpkin and chickpea topping which was interesting. The desserts we ordered was the matcha strawberry cake my boyfriend loved it, for me it was too much coconut flavor, but I loved the caramel sea salt chocolate mousse which was absolutely amazing. The wait staff was very attentive almost a little too much. The woman's bathroom was clean with a nice toilet with heated seat. read more

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Following up on my previous review. I also called they told me to email so I emailed management and received no response. I was also unexpectedly locked inside the restaurant during my visit, which made the experience even more concerning and uncomfortable. The lack of any acknowledgment afterward is just as disappointing as what happened during the visit. (Orange chicken was good tho I will say for vegan) Leaving this here so others are aware when issues come up and are reported. read more

We are not vegans, but we love the food! The crab hand roll, truffle California roll and Saturday night fever are a must! Service is always friendly, but a bit slow. However, once the food comes out, it's well worth the wait! read more

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Incredible food, incredible customer service! Staff is kind. I've never had difficulty finding parking. They've recently opened a rear patio for outdoor seating. The ambiance is incredible. This small business is my favorite restaurant in California. It's quite a drive for me, but it's so woet read more

I've been going to Shojin for a long time and it's one of my favorite restaurants in the city... the food and service is always just perfection. I will be back again and again. Domo arigato! read more

We tried their tasting menu and the ambiance was beautiful and their service is incredible. Food was okay for me because I am not a big fan of the mushrooms but the things I really loved were dynamite roll sushi, dragon roll sushi and the crunchy tiger sushi was pretty good. Their gyoza was also delicious. I believe their menu has changed recently in the past few months and maybe there are better options now. read more

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Sushi was exceptional. Service was delightful. The spicy scallop roll is torched table side and is a spectacle in its own.

An absolutely incredible experience. I took my partner here for a birthday dinner. Was a little bit worried about leaving the restaurant hungry as other vegan places have been that experience, but this place did not disappoint. We did the omakase experience for the table and every dish was uniquely phenomenal, perfectly pairing to one another. When comparing the menus, the food tasting was two dishes less, but with all the same items and that would have been worth it too. For dessert, we got the matcha strawberry cake and the waffle, both of which were extraordinary. Service wise, I felt bad that the restaurant was full and there was only one server, but she was phenomenal and tried her best to move things quickly. Dishes come out at a good pace, so you're not waiting an extended amount of time for a dish. Ambiance wise, not much bad to say here. I will say that I thought the bathroom decor was nicer than the restaurant itself...it was beautiful in there!! read more

The best Vegan restaurant in the USA!!!!! The best service and our favorite! Happy Anniversary ! read more

We sat out on the patio (now open!) and instantly loved the cozy, relaxed vibe, it's the perfect spot whether you're celebrating something special or simply going out for a great meal. No special occasion is needed to enjoy this place. We started with the hand-made rolls, and they were beautifully fresh, flavorful, and a great introduction to Shojin's creative plant-based menu. Shojin isn't just great for vegans, their food is delicious, healthy, and satisfying for everyone. The menu features thoughtfully crafted dishes like their Sushi Lover Combination, Shojin All-Star, and other 100% plant-based options that are also gluten-free and allergy-friendly. Everything feels intentional and nourishing, with great flavor and presentation. To finish, we absolutely loved the strawberry cheesecake ice cream and the salted caramel chocolate mousse cake -- both were incredible, rich, and the perfect sweet ending to an already amazing meal. Whether it's a date night, a special celebration, or just a casual outing, Shojin is always a great choice! read more

Tonight was a try-the-whole-menu (OK, almost!) kind of night at Shojin, from the Best of Sushi to hand rolls to ramen & drinks. If you plan to attempt the same, I would recommend a party of 4-5+ -- and we were lucky to have gotten a gift card for the holidays. My top 5 picks: 1. Truffle California Roll - winner of the night! 2. Saturday Night Fever - close 2nd 3. Dragon Roll 4. Baked Scallop Roll 3.0 5. Crunchy Tiger Thanks Shojin for having us! Bonus for the fancy Japanese toilet in the ladies' room! read more

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I love Shojin. I've been coming here with my now husband since we were starting to date in 2010. The downtown location was closer to us so we used to go more often. We have only been to the Culver City location a few times. Every time we come the staff is so nice. Shojin's ambiance and presentation sets them apart from any other sushi restaurant that I've been to. Their 2008 dynamite roll is my all time favorite. I highly reccomend this for a celebration dinner or a nice date night. read more

Absolutely magical!! Could not recommend this place enough. The food is not only delicious but it's all truly an experience. Each dish is clearly made with intention, and their attention to the details is what makes it so special. The staff was lovely and friendly. The entire restaurant is organic, vegan, and gluten free so I was truly in heaven. But whether you're vegan/gluten free or not, you will find that the food is flavorful, high quality and beautifully executed. Everything was great but I especially loved the Black Garlic Ramen and Orange Yuzunade and special shout out to the tempura enoki mushrooms on top of the Ramen: Ramen Revolution 3.1... those were so tasty read more

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Love the food and service. One of my favorite vegan restaurants in Los Angeles. The ambience is nice and quaint. Love coming here.

I'm not a huge sushi fan. It's a texture thing for me. So, when my friend wanted to visit Shojin, noting that it was vegan sushi, I perked up at the idea. Perhaps, I would enjoy this more. The restaurant itself is lovely with dark, calming lighting. The kind of ambiance that I like. The staff was friendly, attentive and patient. Everything I tried was well seasoned and a lot of it did give vibes of the sea without using animal products. To me, the dessert was the star, as it was rich and decadent. A beautiful way to end the meal. read more

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Absolutely incredible! A top 5 dining experience our group of four loved. The food was phenomenal, tons of unique flavor profiles and the service impeccable. We went to celebrate a birthday and did the chefs omakase tasting. Every plate was a gastronomic journey and presentation was 5 stars. Two in our party are foodies and meat eaters and remarked multiple times that if the restaurant were closer to home, they'd be there weekly (it's an hour drive). Everything is vegan and gluten free so you don't have to interrogate about safe preparation if you have celiac disease. A dream! It is expensive but I felt it was absolutely worth it for the quality, taste and experience. The atmosphere was bright but not loud. They were playing upbeat jazz, excellent lighting and the intimate dining room worked for our talkative party of four, some romantic parties of two and a group of 10 celebrating another birthday. The staff were so kind and attentive and even gave us a few surprises along the way. Some highlights from the omakase menu (they change it monthly): Lions Mane Karaage, Ume Sugar Snap Peas, Truffle Miatake Miso Soup, Chili Garlic Shiitake Shrimp, Yellow Magic Orchestra Sushi, Matcha Strawberry Cake read more

Incredible experience. Service is speedy, kind and attentive. I ordered their tasting menu which had their best selections. (maple glazed brussel sprouts, crunch tiger sushi, lions mane karaage) were my faves. Not pictured... too busy eating lol. The ambiance in the restaurant has a nice cozy vibe. Perfect for a solo dinner, date night or small birthday celebration. Looking for vegan Japanese food done well, look no further! read more

Shojin - Matcha strawberry cake with coconut ice cream - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

A complete culinary story from beginning to end. The entire plant based menu was innovative and original. Well done chef! From the beautiful dishes to the romantic and warm lighting their outdoor patio was a fun place to sit! The flavors took me on a journey. The service was quick and the team went above and beyond asking if we had allergies. I highly recommend eating here. read more

My favorite restaurant! The food is incredible, always something new and exciting. I have a soy allergy and they always take the best care with my dishes. The staff makes us feel like family. Every birthday or special occasion is spent with Shojin! read more

I really enjoyed the special Christmas dinner menu! Everything from the soup to the sushi on the menu was so delicious! The main course with the lion's mane herb crusted steak melted in my mouth. I enjoyed it all from the cocktails to the desert. They even surprised me with a gift at the end of dinner. The staff was very pleasant and attentive. I definitely recommend dining here. read more

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Amazing service and ambiance, very dark/dimly lit with nice decor and upscale feel. The staff was well dressed and polite, made us feel quite welcome. The food was super good. Pretty expensive and some of the rolls tasted very similar to each other but they were all beautiful and it was easy to order a lot of dishes for sharing with the table. Would definitely recommend treating it as a "tapas style" dinner with a bunch of people so you can try the most things. Very small space. read more

The Omakase experience was amazing, all the courses were delicious. The service is very good here too, they're kind, helpful and on top of any need. Cocktails and Mocktails were delicious. We got great service too because we were celebrating a birthday, which we didn't know would happen but they brought out a couple cute and yummy things on the house for us. I personally like that the rolls are delicious on their own terms, not attempting to imitate a specific flashy flavor, but rather bringing out the flavor of the ingredients in each roll, they're creative and unique. read more

I got the omakase and highly recommend this because you get to taste test so many things in the menu! This is my go to place for special occasions. read more

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I have been eating at Shojin for well over a decade and it has never ever disappointed. The dynamite roll is my favorite dish of all time and any vegan living in or visiting LA would be missing out not to have a meal here. I also highly recommend the baked scallop roll or anything that sounds good to you on the menu, it's all amazing. The service is absolutely fantastic, the servers are always so kind and sweet. I couldn't recommend this place enough. read more

Shojin absolutely never fails to impress. I've been coming to their downtown location for over ten years, and since they've closed, I've really enjoyed this location. The food is delicious and the service is so kind and attentive. Great for special occasions and regular meals as well. Please support Shojin! read more

11 out of 10 stars on every possible aspect. The food is incredible and not only if you're into vegan, we're all omnivores but everyone loved the food, especially the red velvet roll but I hesitate to just call one dish out as everything we had was great. The service, wow, so kind, attentive, very traditionally Japanese. They must have overheard that I recently had a birthday because no one at our table mentioned it but sure enough at the end of the meal they came out with candle and camera and literally gave us a framed group photo. Truly incredible dining experience. We will be back! I need to try every dish available. read more

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We had the most amazing time at Shojin! Made our reservation in advance with one of the most romantic tables in the back of the store. And the food, everything was perfect! Dynamite and the Dragon rolls are the best Ive ever had. So fabulous, I'm definitely considering going vegan! read more

Shojin - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I loved gyoza Truffle hand roll - couldn't feel the truffle much - good "in a non descript" way - sauce was sweet. It gets touched. The miso kale salad was great - all our favorite thing. My ramen was good. The pan fried chicken was lovely. Desert was coconutty- they loved it. The purple roll was very good read more