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    Sushi NAKATA

    4.5 (283 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    SUSHI NAKATA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Sushi NAKATA

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    Popcorn Chicken: 8.5/10  Flavor notes: Crispy, meaty, a tinge of salty, a subtle sourness, and a creamy spicy mayo to pair with it
    Nancy L.

    The food is traditional, authentic, and truly magical! This small hidden restaurant provides cozy food that is very filling, and very peaceful overall. Additonally, the service is standard, so overall one of the best places to hit up, especially DURING HAPPY HOUR! Happy eating!

    Pickle plate & dinner chirashi
    Rita L.

    Tiny gem in old town Monrovia. Because we had the traveling circus that consists of my toddler and the dog, we had the perfect table outside on the sidewalk. The service was so friendly and warm and they really made sure we had what we needed for a comfortable dinner. We had been here once before last year and sat at the sushi bar. Food was amazing then, and still is now. The chirashi had a generous portion of assorted sashimi and the rice was just perfectly seasoned. I would say I got a good amount of uni in there too. The fam had a bunch of appetizers and everyone was happy. Yes it's a bit of a splurgey dinner but it's nice to treat yourself every once in a while, especially on well crafted food.

    Dinner chirashi bowl...so fresh!
    Jennifer H.

    Small sushi shop in old town Monrovia, friendly service, casual ambience. Free parking on street was easy to find. Happy hour 5-6pm saves you a few dollars off each item! We ordered the Dinner Chirashi $45, which came with good miso soup (could tell they used fresh clams), and tasty salad. Good amount of sushi rice which was made perfectly. Fish was very fresh, I liked that they put yuzu kosho on a few pieces, gives it a nice blend of tastes, uni and toro was my favorite in the bowl -- solid chirashi! Curious to come back to try the $125 omakase.

    Tim H.

    Easy reservations via Yelp waitlist or reservations link on Yelp app FOOD 4/5 They kindly offered complimentary assorted pickles as an app. Overall, fresh sashimi and sushi - Got their specials and a few others that all hit the mark. Satisfied with the quality and selections! SERVICE 4/5 Amazing courteous service from the entire staff throughout the dining experience PARKING 4/5 Easy free parking and a lot nearby or street parking Small clean ambience and love the expansion

    Entrance and outdoor seating in Old Town Monrovia
    Hannah S.

    Elegant, cozy sushi spot in Old Town Monrovia. All our rolls were super fresh and light, and they had some unique, authentic dishes that you don't find at the other sushi spots in town like Chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard) and Agedashi tofu. For our sushi rolls we tried the Lime Roll and Salmon Truffle Roll. The Salmon Truffle Roll is exactly as it sounds - crab on the inside with salmon and truffle on top. I don't usually like salmon sushi rolls anywhere but this was a pleasant exception. The Lime Roll has spicy tuna and crab inside topped with albacore and yuzu miso. It was my fave - very light and refreshing. And all their fish was super fresh! We had their miso soup to start which was good - what you'd expect from a quality sushi spot. The Agedashi tofu was fantastic!! It was lightly fried with a delicate texture and came in a deliciously umami sauce - highly recommend! The Chawanmushi was very unique - it's a small cup of Japanese egg custard - it's savory with a fish-forward profile and served slightly warm. I'm not a fan of strong fish flavors and this was too much for me (I was actually expecting a sweet custard desert haha!) - but my hubby loved it. It's a quality appetizer and I would recommend if you like those sorts of dishes. Prices are just a tad more than the other surrounding sushi spots but this experience was definitely a little more elevated. Staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive. The shop is very small and space is tight - but it has excellent views of old town and felt very cozy. They fill up fast during busy night like the Friday farmers market but they take reservations I think. Definitely had a great dinner and will be back!

    Sushi Nigiri Set
    Kaamilah S.

    This truly is an underrated gem in Old Town Monrovia. Having grown up in the area and eaten at the local sushi spots, I'm surprised that this past weekend was the first time I had the pleasure of dining here. On a busy Mother's Day Sunday, I was stressed not knowing where to eat--upon looking at available reservations for lunch, I saw that Sushi Nakata had ample spots and I made a reservation 30 minutes before the set time. Entering the restaurant, you'll find that it's a bit cozier than the fancy sushi places you'll see these days with ambient lighting and chic furniture. Instead, Sushi Nakata feels more like a hole-in-the-wall spot. Don't get it twisted, their sushi is the real deal. My parents and I all got the various lunch combos: Sushi Set, Sashimi Set, and Chirashi Set. I'll say it right now, with all of them being the same price, the sushi set is the best one. The sashimi set had 3 slices of 3 different fish (tuna, salmon, and yellowtail?), while the chirashi also didn't have any wow factors. The sushi set felt more like a steal given that it's an 8-piece set + a hand roll of choice. It was really filling for me and I enjoyed how each of the nigiri already had wasabi inside and garnishes on top. What you don't need to order is the uni pasta. It was almost as expensive as the lunch specials, but the pasta and sauce were incredibly bland. It felt less like eating pasta and more like noodles. They give you 2 small slices of uni and call it a day. My mom and I were naive to think that the pictures and old reviews would mean that the pasta was a winner--it was not...don't waste your time or money on that. Aside from the food, the service consistently attentive and friendly! The two ladies who were serving the afternoon were extremely kind and made sure that we had everything we needed. Their smiles clearly warmed everyone up and I could tell that they are making an active effort to create a comfortable/family-style environment here at Sushi Nakata. I wouldn't say this is my favorite sushi restaurant, and the prices aren't the best. However, it's a solid place to come here for a lunch or craving when you're in the mood for sushi. I'll be back!

    Liv M.

    The service was great, attentive and friendly. My friend and I had several happy hour plates, spicy tuna, albacore, blue crab sushi, garlic edamame and salmon sashimi. The sushi was pretty good, and the garlic edamame was superb, loved the garlicky sauce. However, the salmon sashimi, 5 very small pieces for $17.50, was beyond expensive for the portion. Their wasabi is fresh and flavorful. The location is intimate and small. I would return for lunch, another meal deal and the kind service.

    Nice table by the window
    Yasmin C.

    My son brought me here for my birthday on Christmas Eve 12/24/2024 and it was AMAZING!! The sushi was so delicious and fresh!! The service was awesome!! We felt welcomed and we really enjoyed our meal!! It's so clean and inviting!! It's cozy and very nice!! Small restaurant but so full of charm!! Located in beautiful old town Monrovia! We can walk here from our house!! Just great!! Highly recommend!! Arigato sushi nakata! We will return!

    Michael G.

    It is without a doubt this restaurant has my heart. After over a year of near weekly visits, this treasure has been a comfort-spot of mine where I can unwind, indulge in quality Japanese cuisine, and create joyful memories with the staff, friends, and other customers. With an intimate, authentic setting, it's always a good time at Sushi Nakata.

    Sashimi dinner (comes with clam miso soup, salad, and rice) 2 piece sweet shrimp, and Chicken karaage
    Julie P.

    SOOO GOOD!!! I love the homey and comfy vibe of this sushi place. The server was extremely sweet and took care of me and my husband. The fish was fresh, chicken kaarage was crispy, and my favorite was the miso soup. I've never had clams in my miso soup from any other place in the area so I was extremely happy. Best of all, they had the suntory premium malt. My husband has been looking everywhere for this in markets but we haven't seen it anywhere. So it was a very pleasant surprise to see them offer it here. Amazing food and refreshing beer was the perfect way for us to end a stressful day at work.

    Dinner sashimi
    Johann C.

    Fish in my sashimi dinner seemed fresh and wasabi was good. My chawanmushi was more "seafood-y" and less "eggy" than what I'm used to, but I liked it and would get it again. Solid sushi spot with great service since it's a smaller place. Pricing is average - I'd come back.

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    4 months ago

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    7 days ago

    This place is the best sushi in Monrovia. Delicious fresh food. Great. Definitely try this here.

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    20 days ago

    Such friendly staff! They were very attentive during our visit. The food was great and definitely try the house sake!

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    1 month ago

    I went during happy hour to try the food. The rolls were very good (salmon/spicy tuna) and the plum wine was very good. Excellent service.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Sushi NAKATA

    I know that the owners changed and no longer that nice couple from Japan. Are the new owners Korean?

    Owners are the same but hired more employees .

    Do you accept American Express?

    The restaurant Does NOT currently Accept Amex.

    Are there new owners, not that nice couple from Japan?

    Nope, same sweet couple

    What's the largest party you can accommodate?

    It’s outdoor dining. 24 hours advance of reservation is appreciated.

    Is this Japanese or Korean owned restaurant?

    It is owned and run by a Japanese couple. Incredibly nice people and they have an amazingly fresh menu.

    What is their phone number? I get directed to Blue Moon Investigations.

    626.256.3379

    Do they take reservations for omakase?

    I believe they do. Best to call and make a reservation, as there is limited seating.

    Is this AYCE?

    No, but there is quite a bit to eat with the OMAKASE.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Sushi Kisen

    Sushi Kisen

    4.3(509 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    TLDR: Fresh, high-quality sushi with generous portions, perfectly seasoned rice, and buttery uni…read more Relaxing ambience and delicious sides make it feel elevated even for takeout. Parking can be tight during busy hours, and phone service felt a little rushed during dinner time. Togo orders must be ordered online. We ordered takeout from Sushi Kisen after craving sushi, and it ended up being much more filling than expected. The premium chirashi dinner comes with a generous portion of rice and a great variety of fresh sashimi, while the deluxe sushi dinner is the perfect amount for my husband. The rice is perfectly seasoned, and the fish tastes incredibly fresh. The uni stands out. It was buttery, clean, and not fishy at all, which says a lot because I normally don't order uni. The sides are also delicious and make the meal feel more complete, including pickled vegetables, acorn jelly, and steamed vegetables/sweet potato. Even though we ordered takeout, the restaurant gives off a relaxing and chill ambience that makes me want to come back and try the omakase in person. There's a small shared parking lot with several nearby shops and restaurants, so I can see parking being difficult during peak dinner hours. The lady helping us on the phone also doesn't seem very patient, although it may have just been because we called during the dinner rush. One small complaint is the packaged wasabi, which looks noticeably old and dark green compared to the bright green fresh wasabi included separately. Overall, though, the quality and freshness of the food easily stand out.

    Went to Sushi Kisen recently (April 25th) for lunch and had a great experience! We were able to sit…read moreat the sushi bar and enjoy the omakase, which was absolutely to die for. Every piece tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The service was excellent and our chef was very kind and welcoming throughout the experience. You could really tell there was a lot of care put into both the food and the atmosphere. Honestly, I would definitely come back again.

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    Inside

    Sushi Kisen - Blue crab handroll

    Blue crab handroll

    Sushi Kisen - Anniversary Special

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    Anniversary Special

    Mikomi Sushi Monrovia - Inside their new location - used to be T Phillips Alehouse

    Mikomi Sushi Monrovia

    4.4(2.4k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Fine dining
    Locally owned & operated

    Dinner at Mikomi Sushi was honestly exceptional. The sashimi selections were incredibly fresh,…read moreespecially paired with the fresh wasabi that brought out every clean, delicate flavor. You could immediately tell real thought went into each choice. The cucumber salad was crisp and perfectly balanced, and service throughout the night was excellent attentive, welcoming, and polished without ever feeling forced. What made the evening even more special was watching someone rediscover how great sushi can actually be. Her incredible choices of sashimi made the entire dinner feel elevated, and somehow turned a simple night out into something spectacular.

    The restaurant was clean and offered table and booth seating options. They do not seat you until…read moreeveryone in your party is there. And they do not accept reservations. Our group of 6 adults went shortly after 6pm on a rainy Saturday and were seated rather quickly. The restaurant is spacious and about 75% full. By the time we left, there was a small group of people waiting to be seated. The servers were humans and robots. The food....excellent! Presentation and quality were incredible. Time between food ordered and arriving to our table was very reasonable but not too fast that made you wonder if it was already made just sitting in the back. Our party of 6 ordered spicy tuna crispy rice, avocado rolls, Mikomi special role, Firecracker roll, age dashi tofu, Lady Marmalade, ultimate salmon roll, mango special roll, and a ramen bowl that I did not get the name of (our friend ordered). No pics to post, but a sushi spot worth checking out!

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    Mikomi Sushi Monrovia - Inside   @dangit.all

    Inside @dangit.all

    Mikomi Sushi Monrovia - Bar area

    Bar area

    Mikomi Sushi Monrovia

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    Izakaya Tonchinkan

    Izakaya Tonchinkan

    4.4(352 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$$

    Came here on a Wednesday around 5:35pm thinking we could just walk in... nope The place was…read morealready mostly full with a lot of reserved tables. There are limited booth seating (about 4 booths), one larger table, and roughly a dozen counter seats. We were a party of 4 with another group of 3 expected at the counter, so we were told next availability would be 7pm. But the owner (also the sushi/master chef) stepped in and offered to squeeze in an extra chair for us at the bar. We happily said yes, and that pretty much set the tone for the night. The ambiance is a cute, homey Japanese-style spot. It's calm and quiet enough to actually have a conversation, which I really appreciated. The owner was also cracking jokes throughout the night and kept everyone entertained, which made the experience feel even more personal. Food highlights: * Eihire (seared stingray fin) - 9/10. Great drinking snack, just wish there was more. * Grilled Angus beef tongue - 9/10. Tender with a really good jalapeño sauce. * Hokkaido uni tray with roasted nori - 10/10. Favorite dish of the night, easily. * Chicken liver, gizzard, and hearts in sweet soy - 10/10. Super rich and flavorful. * Whole grilled seabass - 9.5/10. Perfectly cooked, but could've used more ponzu. * Sous vide + grilled duck breast - 8/10. Solid, especially with salt and hot mustard. The mashed potatoes and roasted veggies on the side were . * Deep fried eel with ponzu - 7/10. Decent, but didn't stand out compared to the other dishes. * Sashimi (amberjack, hamachi, toro, sweet shrimp) - overall great. The sweet shrimp and fried head were 10/10, but the hamachi didn't quite match the rest. Also wish they gave more ginger upfront. * Roasted 5 kinds of vegetables - 7/10. Tasty but a bit pricey for the portion. * Sea snail - the only dish we wouldn't reorder. Not bad, just not our preferred style. Service was excellent. Our server gave great recommendations, kept our water filled, and checked in often without being overbearing. This is a 5-star spot largely because of the owner. Super down to earth, funny, and clearly passionate about both the food and the experience. Parking is free in a shared lot with other businesses. It's a decent size, so should be manageable. Definitely recommend making a reservation (they only take phone reservations)... but even if you don't, there's a good chance they'll still find a way to take care of you. I'd definitely come back to try more dishes.

    It's like walking into a Tokyo Izakaya…read more----------------------------------- This place is all about quality over quantity. The atmosphere was cozy, and there seemed to be Japanese guests (always a plus). The food was really enjoyable. We enjoyed our experience here and would definitely come back next time!

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    Izakaya Tonchinkan - The master

    The master

    Izakaya Tonchinkan - Sea bass

    Sea bass

    Izakaya Tonchinkan - Amberjack collar

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    Amberjack collar

    Yama Sushi Marketplace

    Yama Sushi Marketplace

    4.6(2.1k reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    Yama still delivers on quality and price but don't come here on Mother's Day as there was a real…read morelong line just to get inside. Once inside, you still need to take a number and wait to order sashimi. I guess most moms want sashimi for Mother's Day? Pre-ordered trays can be picked up at the front counter. BUT, the big news (to me at least) is that Yama will be expanding and taking the space next door that used to be Thai Paradise. They plan to have seating and this should also alleviate the issue like today where they just can't let everyone inside due to limited space.

    Yama means "mountain" in Japanese. I think the name is very befitting, because once you walk in,…read moreyou will notice the mountains of sushi and sashimi the store has to offer. On the left side, you will find fridges full of premade rolls and some cooked foods. Head towards the back and you will find the sashimi counter. Pick the pieces of fish that you want and they will cut and package for you. There is a very nice Asian gentleman who works behind the sashimi counter, and he actually taught me how to spot a good piece of sashimi! The premade sushi is on a first come first serve basis, so once they sell out then it's done for the day. Here are my usual picks: California Rolls- Yama is known for this Spicy tuna Rolls- Bite sized, perfectly seasoned tuna Albacore sashimi- surprisingly, this is in the fridge, not the sashimi counter Chicken karaage- The mayo based dipping sauce is unique but delicious Salmon, yellowtail, otoro sashimi- Perfect sliced pieces of high quality fish Right now it is just grab and go. But they are expanding to the space next door to provide seating and possibly hot foods. They also have a great selection of party platters, but orders must be placed in advance. Check their website or call the store for details and availability. Pro tip: if you have a long drive home, ask for a bag of ice from the cashier to keep the food cold.

    Photos
    Yama Sushi Marketplace - Sushi guys busy slicing my fresh sashimi up

    Sushi guys busy slicing my fresh sashimi up

    Yama Sushi Marketplace - Lemon Salmon Roll ($8.95). I recommend this one! 8/3/2024

    Lemon Salmon Roll ($8.95). I recommend this one! 8/3/2024

    Yama Sushi Marketplace - Coming Soon.  Yama expanding to the Thai Paradise space next door.

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    Sushi NAKATA - sushi - Updated May 2026

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