It's been a long time coming but I'm so glad I finally got to try Smashed Wagyu Pasta! It's been recommended to me by the most random people from all over so I knew it had to be pretty unique. I ended up getting the brown sauce spaghetti and meatball and was pleasantly surprised. Smelled just like my Italian grandmas pasta but tasted absolutely nothing like it. The flavor of the sauce was fantastic; it reminded me of an onion soup broth. And the parsley on top tasted unbelievably fresh! I just had to have a taste in the car and ended up eating it all the way home I'm telling you I could not stop! Amazing quick service and clearly a lot of talent! read more

Ordering: the only way to do a takeout order is through door dash. Since it's so small with really only 1 table, takeout is probably the easiest. If you do decide to order in store it's through an iPad terminal Parking: it's right in the heart of el Porto so especially in the summer parking is very limited Fettuccini: noodles cooked perfectly White sauce: they give you a very generous portion and the texture is great, sometimes white sauces separate and become really oily. This didn't do that but I will say it's not that flavorful Panko chicken: perfectly crisp Wagyu meatball: not really seasoned pretty fatty, if you like wagyu it's a decent meatball it lets the meat speak for itself . If you're used to seasoned Italian meatballs it's going to taste bland and extra fatty read more

See all

I could see this being a place to stop by on a cold winter night for a hot bowl of pasta that you eat on the sidewalk or inside at the table. I'd probably be more inclined to stop by during that time of year instead a summer night when I went. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs (red sauce) and the Alfredo with panko chicken (white sauce). I found the spaghetti to be very mediocre. I did enjoy the Alfredo and panko though. Definitely a comfort food. I also got the garlic bread which I found to also be mediocre. Extra credit for the woman who was serving. She was super kind and hospitable. She made sure I had everything I needed and appeared to be the only one working with a few customers who were in front of me, so she was definitely busy! If I went back I'd go on a cold fall / winter night for this. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Alfredo panko chicken - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

See all

Italian-Japanese fusion spot in Manhattan Beach. Walked over here with some friends for a Friday evening dinner and there was no wait. You order at a kiosk and then they'll prepare your order. Technically you can dine-in as there's one circular table inside but if you're a group of 4+, it's best to takeout. The lady preparing our food was so polite and efficient. I tried the grilled chicken spaghetti while my fiancé had the smashed wagyu spaghetti. They do have white and brown sauces if you don't like a heavy marinara. The serving portion was large enough for me to have leftovers the following day. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Pasta - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

See all

I like this mom and pop shop. I got the curry wagyu meatball spaghetti. The curry was good and flavorful while the wagyu meatball was tender. The noodles were also cooked well. The dish came out super hot so be careful while eating. The lady staff was super nice and respectful and very appreciative of the patronage. The venue is very small unless you plan to have a casual meal with strangers. Takeout is likely the best route. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Curry wagyu meatball spaghetti - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Why 4 stars? Because it was perfectly fine spaghetti and meatballs. --- --- --- When mapping out my trip to LA, I planned on driving through the beach towns in this part of the region and ending in Manhattan. I was really excited to stop here for lunch once I found this place, despite it not really being the kind of food you think of when you're at the beach. As it turns out, it really wasn't the ideal food to eat while we were at the beach. Who knew? The place itself is tiny. It's basically a counter where you input your order on an iPad and then one large, round table with like 5 chairs. We decided to get our food to go so that we could eat it on the beach. We both ordered the Red Wagyu Meatball and then found some beach parking nearby and sat down on an empty beach to eat it. As it turned out, it was pretty much incredibly typical spaghetti and meatballs. I was looking at the menu later and regretted not ordering something with the vodka sauce instead, but I kind of rushed through the order process. I'm rounding up from 3-stars because the woman working here was super nice to us and because this place is the definition of a SMALL business. While I didn't see the kitchen, I assume the entire footprint is maybe 600 square feet. So maybe don't do what we did, but hey, if you're a local, this is a pretty great alternative to cooking your own dinner at home. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Red Wagyu Meatball 3Pieces With Marinara Sauce - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Found this gem while at work and craving pasta with my work friends So ofc we had to check it out. I recommend ordering ahead online! There's no seating this is more of a takeout place! The inside is decorated cutely and the couple is so cute and sweet! Literally mom and pop so be kind!!! The pasta was so delicious omgaaaa I can't wait to eat more! I ended up getting the white panko chicken fettuccine and side of the Wagyu meatballs. It was so flavorful! Perfect amount of creamy and garlicky. They even kept the chicken separate so you can add it to your pasta after so it stays crunchy!! The Wagyu Meatballs are so good, flavorful, tender and just go so well with the pasta. We also got the garlic bread to try It was so garlicky and buttery, perfectly crispy as well. I am definitely coming back here for sure! read more

Ordered 2 of the pastas, one red & the other brown sauce. SOOO good. There were other people waiting for to go orders from here so it took a good 30 minutes for our food to be ready on a Friday night. There's only large round table where you & other people can sit at, but that's literally it. You have to buy the garlic bread and eat it with the sauce, AMAZING read more

See all

This is the exception to the other Japanese/Italian pasta places serving "fusion" dishes that underwhelm and are not distinctive. I'm so happy I didn't give up or I would never have found this place and I have the other Yelp reviewers to thank. I wish I had taken photos but I literally could not come up for air as my mouth refused to let me stop eating the Michelin worthy bolognese ramen-like pasta with tender gourmet wagyu meatballs. We also got the chicken katsu appetizer based on the reviews and so glad we did. I'm not a chicken fan but I could eat this all day long. I'll have to try the chicken or wagyu katsu curry or the alfredo pasta next time! I don't know how else to describe it other than the umami-rich dishes effortlessly delight my tastebuds and I appreciate the obvious care that went into respecting the integrity of each cuisine vs creating a mashed-up manufactured "fusion" dish. As delightful as the food is Sarah, the humble owner/chef who treats you like you are a guest in her home. While this place is more of a take-out place, there is one large round table ( an Asian communal table if you will) and we were able to meet and enjoy the company of a MB local who was on his 6th visit! Both of us were encouraged to tuck-in a napkin to prevent slurping mishaps. :) Wagyu Pasta will be a place my husband and I will visit regularly but if it were closer we would undoubtedly dine here weekly. As often as I complain and hear others complain about the price/value dynamic of eating out today, you will not be disappointed here. It's clear Sarah wants to welcome you back often. Other things to note: - be prepared for the food to be served as my Chinese mom says it should - temperature HOT - only if you can't make it here in person, Smashed Wagyu is available via Uber Eats, Door Dash, Postmates - Location: at South corner of Rosecrans and Crest (1 street up from Highland - next door to El Tarasco) - Parking: street or parking structure across the street I'm going to be presumptive and say "you're welcome" now. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Cute simple decor. - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

See all

The pasta is very heavy and kind of a gut bomb. If it were $7 a bowl it would be a hearty meal with good value at $25 it's kind of a rip that you could make for yourself better at home. I really wanted to like it and read plenty of nice things but in our experience nothing about it recommends trying it again. The closest to a positive was the panko crusted chicken and maybe if it was paired with a lighter fresher pasta it could be recommended but alas this place already feels cooked. Makes me wonder how genuine the early over the top praise was? There are lots of quality and good value spots around MB this just misses the cut in my opinion. Wish I could offer something better on this but am to blah and ugh after it to have eating it offer much ... read more

I really wanted to like this place because it is a sole proprietorship and their previous restaurant Piesces, was actually quite good. But unfortunately, not only was the wait, FOREVER, like an hour, but the food was marginal. We tried the Red panko spaghetti, Red Wagyu with a side of Katsu, and a brown Wagyu. Average, at best. read more

See all

Take out only. This is one incredible place! Seems like a single chef owner operation hustle, order online or in-store on a screen, decent selection but little for gluten or dairy free. We seven people got plenty to satisfy for lunch. Not fast, I bounced off to grab coffee a block down during the wait and still got half way thru my slow dipper before the cute little bowls showed up. The chef was lovely! Major skills combining wagyu, Italian, and rich sauces, this is an easy score for the top area restaurants. We all loved the food! read more

See all

We got Red Panko Chicken Spaghetti, Chicken & Pork Katsu Plate, and White Wagyu Meatball Fettucine. Mama mia! So delicious! The fusion of flavors is exquisite. Katsu fried perfectly crisp without drying the chicken -- it was well juicy! Wagyu meatballs seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Pasta sauces tasted delightfully umami-laden and savory. Owned and operated by a very kind elderly Japanese couple. Service was gracious. HOT TIPS: no obvious signage, only a red door and a neon sign that reads "Pasta Lovers". No public restrooms and only one large round table that seats 5. Regardless, it was well worth the trip!!! read more

See all

The brown wagyu meatballs tasted amazing and the red sauce with panko chicken tasted great. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - RED Panko Chicken Spaghetti BROWN Wagyu Meatball Spaghetti - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

See all

The name of the restaurant was already the first thing that caught my group's and my attention. It is Manhattan Beach, so you are better off with street parking, and there is a structure across from the restaurant. Inside, it is very small and quaint. There is just one big table with a couple of chairs around it. There are also 2 screens where you can order your food, which makes it easy to order. The chicken katsu is the best chicken katsu I have ever tried in my life. The breading is perfection. All the sauces were great! The owner is so cute and checked up on us. Once she found out that my boyfriend is Japanese, she got really excited and asked for more feedback. We had nothing but great things to tell her. read more

Trust me, eat here. The food is incredible, and the owners care. Throw smashed wagyu in the weekly roto.

Oh. My. Goodness. The food here is delicious!! We ordered three different pasta options: the brown wagyu fettuccini, the red wagyu spaghetti, and the white chicken fettuccini. The fried chicken was super crispy and packed on the side to keep it from getting soggy--an extra thoughtful touch. We loved all three options. My personal favorite was the red sauce, but the brown sauce was the most popular in our family. My sister called the Alfredo the best she's ever had. Each dish is $15-$20 with lots of options for customization (adding veggies, extra meat/cheese, etc.) Those three orders fed five people with plenty of leftovers. Give this spot a try--you won't regret it! read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Best pasta in town! The food is very yummy. The owner is delightful. It's good for takeout Not much space to dine in.

Wow wow wow hidden gem. Prices are fair and the options are so unique. SO yummy not much else to say! Pretty much no seating so just do takeout! Staff inside is super sweet. read more

Great high quality food! Made with loving care by the owner. The causes are wonderful!! Everything tastes so fresh! They have Mexican Coke there too! read more

If you're in Manhattan Beach and love comfort food with a gourmet twist, you have to try the smashed wagyu pasta. I stopped in while exploring the area and honestly wasn't expecting it to be this memorable. The wagyu is incredibly rich and flavorful--perfectly smashed and seared so you get those crispy, caramelized edges mixed with tender bites of beef. The pasta is cooked just right and coated in a sauce that's creamy, savory, and packed with depth without feeling overly heavy. Every bite felt balanced and indulgent in the best way. What really stood out was how elevated the dish felt while still being approachable comfort food. You can tell they're using high-quality ingredients and actually care about execution. The vibe in Manhattan Beach is already great, but finding a spot serving pasta like this makes the trip even better. Friendly service, great atmosphere, and a dish I'm already thinking about going back for. Highly recommend if you're anywhere near Los Angeles and looking for something delicious and a little differ read more

This place is amazing we went two days in a row! First day we got the Red sauce with panko chicken and the White sauce with wagyu meatballs. Wow!! So fresh and tasty! The wagyu meatballs were incredible and addicting! The sauces are on the loose side but it pairs so well with the noodles and meat. Next day we got the Brown sauce with wagyu meatballs and the creamy tomato sauce with wagyu meatballs! We ordered online to pick up in store which helps as there isn't a parking lot. We just parked in front of the store and picked it up to eat by the beach. There is one table in the restaurant but it's a small space. We can't wait to visit again! The owners are so sweet as well!! read more

We really enjoyed the brown wagyu spaghetti--it had a rich, meaty sauce. My daughter preferred the red wagyu spaghetti because it was simpler, and my son and toddler both loved the panko chicken white fettuccine. We also ordered two orders of garlic bread to dip into the pasta sauces. Everything was flavorful and not bland at all. read more

Very flavorful‼ I had the smashed wagyu spaghetti not a big portion but really good. The panko chicken fettuccine had a good portion and the chicken was fire. read more

So, I loved Pisces and naturally, wanted to give their new restaurant a try ! But I am very sorry to say that I found the pasta to be overcooked and mushy. I also thought the marinara and bolognese sauces were very salty and hard to differentiate. I am only saying this in hopes they can improve or perhaps offer an al dente option. On a positive note, the meat patties were nice. Wishing them the best of luck and success in this new establishment ! I'll definitely give it another try, perhaps it was an off day ? read more

See all

Very tasty and nice service. The pasta is delicious. I'm happy they had shrimp, because i'm a pescatarian. So much flavor too. Great take on Italian. read more

Not at all an understatement for me to say this is the best pasta i have ever had in my life. the marinara spaghetti meatball is by far my favorite item to get, but i have now tried the brown (bolognese) penne, and the chicken katsu curry. ALL absolutely delicious, sara is an amazing cook and the nicest woman i have ever met!!! As a 26 year old man it genuinely feels like its my grandmother cooking for me. It is a very small hole in the wall resturant with the most adorable touches too it and it feels very homelike. The one thing i will say is please please PLEASE have patience, she is there by herself most times as she just opened her business and doesnt have very much help, but i can assure you the food is well worth the wait. Warning!!! It comes out piping hot and will stay warm for more than 2 hours so be careful with that first bite!! read more

See all

とても美味しいですね！ありがとうございます！　food was incredible. Thank you to Sara and her husband! I will be back again with my sister! read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

See all

We ordered the chicken panko curry, the waygu brown pasta, shrimp red pasta, and garlic bread, and they were all phenomenal! It's as close to authentic Japanese influenced pasta as you can get in the states. Owners are a cute Japanese couple and everything we ordered was delicious. Hands down will be ordering here again! read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - Our devoured food - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Newly opened family-owned restaurant along the beach with some of the best pasta I have ever eaten. Super kind owners who checked on us just enough and even offered gum on the way out. Small interior with one table (w/ 6 seats) in there so be sure to have a backup plan for seating! Can't wait to have more! read more

See all

Delicious felt like I was back in Japan. Friendly service. Wagyu meatballs were delicious. Loved the brown and curry sauce. Katsu had perfect light breading with thick slices read more

I just wanted some warm home-y food in this cold weather and this restaurant popped up. I am so happy I stopped by because this did just the job. They have a screen to order on or if you prefer at the register with someone. The chef herself comes out to give you your food and what a lovely lady! The katsu chicken was breaded and fried to perfection and the pasta + sauce were seasoned to perfection! This is will be my new go-to spot when visiting california. thank you so much!! read more

See all

The owner is so sweet and thoughtful! The pasta is fantastic with plenty of sauce and flavor- unlike a lot of other Japanese pasta places that focus on simple flavors and little sauce. It's right by the beach so you can stroll the block afterwards! Honestly wish I could gatekeep this place more- but they deserve all the praise they get. Unfortunately affordable so it looks like I have a new haunt. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - WHITE Wagyu Meatball Fettuccine - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

This is a very special place with a very special owner running it. We placed a pick up order for fettuccine, white sauce and panko chicken and spaghetti, brown sauce with meatballs. The owner made sure the order was put together freshly made, hot, and warned us the pasta sauce was runnier and more like broth for Japanese ramen. We promised her we knew that and were excited to try it. I cannot say enough good things about this food. The panko chicken is the best I have ever had. I definitely recommend it with the white sauce. I actually wish I had ordered an extra one because there was more pasta/sauce to eat and no more chicken.... two chickens would have been perfect. My 8 year old son claimed he didn't want anything, and then when he smelled the food, his interest was peaked and he ended up eating 2 of the three meatballs. What a jerk. See? This place is so good it will make you resent feeding your children.... read more

Excellent food excellent service ambiance very Greenwich Village Charming Japanese couple runs it.

Small little mom and pop place that makes very good spaghetti. That being said... it's spaghetti. We ordered the red and the brown smashed wagyu and it turns out it was just spaghetti and very tasty meatballs. I do recommend but honestly- because I could make this at home for a fraction of the cost, I probably won't do it again. Glad I tried it though. Maybe some of the other entrees are more elevated. read more

Unique and yummy. Went both nights we were in town. Had the fettuccine Alfredo with meatballs and with panko chicken. Both were excellent. read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - WHITE Wagyu Meatball Fettuccine - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

My husband and I just tried this place and had a really pleasant experience! To start, the owner or manager was incredibly sweet and helpful making us feel right at home. The food was quite good for the price and very tasty and unique. It's Japanese pasta so be prepared for something different. Like soupy pasta but they do it well and it's all they do with their limited but perfected menu. Definitely worth the try if you're looking for a quick grab and go meal that's hearty. Great for cold days! read more

Highly recommend!! The food was delicious and unique. The owner is super sweet and attentive. Would definitely go back! read more

Smashed Wagyu Pasta - We got the shrimp fettuccine and brown meatball noodles - Japanese Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

We tried the wagyu meatball pasta and it was delicious! The meatballs were really tasty and the portions were very large as well!