Yuko, I write you with a heavy heart after learning during my weekly visit that the green tea sesame cookie has been discontinued. My immediate reaction? Depression. How could my favorite cookie in LA be retired? How could Spider-Man or Batman or Buddha or any messianic figure "retire"? The injustice conjures to mind a memory of the reason that six years ago I walked with my fist up during protests only blocks from this location. I'm not ashamed to say I buckled to my knees and spouted flowing tears that rivaled the lovely new waterfall you have outside. With all the uncertainty and chaos in the world, there was one place of solace I could rely on to nourish my spirit and renew the daily fight to spread light in this shadowy world. No, not at church. But at Yuko Kitchen, where I could sit and audibly exhale while demolishing the not-too-sweet-sweetness of the green tea sesame cookie. So please Yuko and team, before I believe all the good is gone from this world. Bring back the delightful sweet treat that could heal the world. The hallowed Green Tea Sesame Cookie. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Chicken Plate (comes complete with sushi soup and small dessert) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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beautiful restaurant with tons of greenery, cute decor, and good food - the portion sizes for one order are always a little big for me and make the visit even more worth it with food to take home! dog friendly outdoor seating where they call your number when your food is ready. lots of walkable metered street parking, unless you want to pay for parking in a small lot behind the store. 4/5 stars since the fly situation outside was a little crazy while we ate lunch- but it's outside and the food is great, so i can't complain too much. read more

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The service at this restaurant was great with all of the staff all so nice. The looks of the food were great. The taste was a nice mix but a little too much, I definitely should say that the Fish 'n Chips were great! Not the worst Asian food I've ever had!!! The music and the vibes were so cool with everyone having a smile on their face. PS. Shout out to the Apple mint lemonade!! read more

First time visitor Street parking and private lot Indoor outdoor dining Uncertain if dog friendly establishment but layout appears it could be but don't quote me :) The plants!!!! And decor! Mermaid. In a green house whimsical setting Sushi / bowls / noodles / small bites / various drinks / baked goods Got there before the rush ! It will get busy 2 gentleman running FOH and orders Place your order (note surcharge for use of cards) and then be provided a number and then find a table and wait to hear over the loud speaker for your name or number Definitely quality without a doubt Summer noodles with udon poach egg with runny yoke chili oil and garlic goodness along with radish for crunch and cucumber for chill factor Edamame as simple as it is plump and cooked perfectly served with a side of salt Water dispenser available and many signs to please buss your own table Definetly recommend for solo group kid friendly spot and the ambiance. Be mindful of space and the peak hours! read more

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Noon, Thursday, January 29, 2026 My mentor and I walked to Yuko Kitchen for lunch. I'm a first time visitor, never been here as I usually brown bag it for lunch. Upon arrival, it looked really busy with people seated outside. Yuko Kitchen is not a major fast food joint. It's a small kitchy hole in the wall. Super cool vibe when I walked inside to order my meal. I ordered the DIY sushi bowl that included nori to make my own hand rolls. It was a lot of food for sure! I made 6 rolls. The food was delicious. I enjoyed my first visit here. It's a hidden gem off of Dunsmuir Ave just off of Wilshire at the rear of the building. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Yuko is at the back of the building, not seen from Wilshire Blvd. Go south on Dunsmuir Ave. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super cute ambience, lots of plants lots of things so many things so many places, a little overwhelming, a little overstimulating. Tables are very close together not a super great flow to the seating.. I would not call this feng shui. I had the teriyaki chicken bowl and it was delightful. Love the way the rice is cooked. Everything was flavorful and good. My friend had the beef curry bowl. It also was quite delicious. Definitely five out of five. We had a shrimp salad roll. It was basic nothing special. We also tried a butter cookie and a strawberry mochi cookie, and they were absolutely terrible, the mochi cookie seemed almost underdone, unless that was the goal, but the grit and the bitter left on your pallet was super unpleasant.. I would go back here to try other bowls. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Bowls and a roll - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Stopped by for lunch and immediately loved the vibe. I'm a sucker for a restaurant filled with greenery, and this place delivered plants everywhere, creating such a fresh and inviting atmosphere. The food was good, the portions were generous (come hungry!), and the menu had tons of options to choose from. Service was quick and efficient, which made the whole experience even better. Definitely a solid lunch spot. read more

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I think this is a reasonably priced spot with 11/10 ambiance! Super great choice for a casual, yet delicious meal. I don't think the vibes give off "Studio Ghibli" like some have been claiming but still gorgeous nonetheless. It has an abundance of plants, fairy lights, and feels very homey. The cookies were moist and the sashimi salad I had was very fresh! Definitely stop by if you're around the area! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Green Tea Strawberry Chocolate Chip - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I've heard of Yuko's from a couple different people so decided to check it out during a long lunch break. It's near a plaza so there is metered street parking in addition to a lot which was nice. The place itself is pretty small but they do have some space inside/outdoors for group tables. Come before or after the rush as it might be hard to get a table for a larger group. I ordered the rice bowls and thought the portions were massive. In addition to the sushi rice they include plenty of greens as well to add a nice crunch to the meal. I ordered the albacore and catfish bowls and my favorite had to be the bbq catfish like many other yelpers. The albacore was fresh as well but I wish the proteins had a bit more per serving to balance out the rice and price point as they come closer to $15+ a bowl. Overall, I thought Yuko's was a solid lunch option with an extensive menu. The rice bowls were hearty but also refreshing depending on the protein option you get. read more

PERFECT spot to hit before a concert at El Ray. Amazing ambiance with fresh plants everywhere, quick service, and delicious food. Affordable options too + vegan options! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I would have driven right past this little hole in the wall with all the plants outside but I yelped where to eat near the tar pits and this place got great reviews. I am so glad I went in. My meal was terrific! I had a sashimi tuna salad and a milk tea boba. Both were excellent and it was Boba happy hour so my entire check was $25!!! The people are very nice and if you eat inside the patio, the vibe is so chill!!! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Inside space - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super yummy food! The entire place is so aesthetic and full of photo opportunities. It's a bit small with narrow passageways and a bit hard to find seating but has a nice, cute vibe with a lot of Studio Ghibli references and themed elements. At one point, when looking for seating, we sat towards the end on the outside near a very pretty section with many plants, however as soon as we sat down there were so many flies. We ended up moving to the outer area by the front entrance to avoid the flies, but this meant being in the sun :c The food was very good and on the healthier side too! I got the poke salad and it was a very generous portion, wonderful presentation, and tasted good too! Service was great too! My friend asked for recommendations since it was our first time and the employee was very kinda and gave an in depth recommendation. Overall great experience, would definitely go again! read more

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Place has cool look with tons of plants and fountains. Also lots of choices on the menu. Prices were good for the amount. I enjoyed the food overall, but it wasn't as flavorful as expected. Dessert sample was okay. read more

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Cute spot. Quality ingredients. Food a bit uninspired. Portions small. Spicy salmon bowl has a small swipe of fish on top. Not anywhere near a hearty portion of protein. On top of that, Order at the counter and asked for a tip. Okay fine. But then you get a number and assuming they'll bring it out. Nope, go pick it up yourself. Grab your own condiments. Then they have signs asking you to buss your own table. I'm sorry, WHAT are we tipping for? Zero service. Zero. The entire place is self-service. read more

Some of the worst sushi I've ever had. Large, lukewarm mushy rolls that tasted like they'd been sitting out for an hour

Looking for something healthy in the area and want to eat a lot of vegetables? Yuko kitchen will always give you a mountain of spring mix with every order. This is the place my friends and I go after our workout to get a fresh and healthy meal. I really love their miso soup that's filled with mushrooms and vegetables and their hand roll kit. It's like a studio ghibli movie in there with the cute props and plants and paint. read more

A MUST TRY. Wow. from the service, to the plating, to the flavors, to the ambiance!!! I wish I could give it a 10/10. First, I absolutely LOVE all the plants everywhere, it's a beauty. Prices are reasonable when compared to the portion and quality of food. My whole family devoured their plates/bowls. Next, the presentation is awesome. The chef prepares delicious meals AND plates the food aesthetically. So colorful!! Honestly, I trust that you can get anything on the menu and be VERY satisfied. I wish this place was closer to my hometown in OC, but I would go out of my way to go back here!! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowl (top left), Teriyaki Chicken Deluxe Bowl (bottom left), Poke Salad (top right), Spicy Salmon Bowl-Lito - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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What a cute place in LA. The portion is huge, the dishes are flavorful, and the place is cute. I liked everything about this place. I would definitely come back and try other stuff. They also have some vegan options too. People here are quick to respond. I high recommend. read more

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Still a great place compared to the fast food options in the area. Prices have gone up, like many other places, however. But considering it's self service and you are not obligated to pay any tips, coming here will automatically save you 15- 20%! So yes, I still high recommend this place! read more

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Yuko is such a solid spot for lunch!! I've been coming here for many years now. Their portions are really good & everything tastes delicious. I usually get the chicken plate. I love the mini sushi rolls, soup of the day and dessert that comes with the meal. It's a cute complete meal. I also enjoy their matcha boba. Overall, a solid spot you can always count on, and the people there are super welcoming & nice. read more

This place is a perfect five stars. Can only go when I'm in the area but when I am, I never regret going here. The chicken bowl is 20 bucks but so worth it. They ain't playing. The mint lemonade is one of the best I've had. This place is all about quality in everything you order. Not only is the food amazing but what a cozy spot too. Beautiful foliage and cute places to sit. I love that they also sell plants. Theres also a book trade wall. The staff is super friendly and I always feel very welcome. Wish I lived closer. Can't go wrong with Yuko. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The food here was delicious, and the restaurant operates on a 90% self-service model. You can choose your own seat from the available options. Additionally, they offer a 3.5% discount if you pay with a card. read more

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a truly magical experience! It felt like I was a Studio Ghibli character surrounded by plants and whimsy There is inside and outside seating, limited, but moves quickly. There is street parking but you could also walk over from LACMA. The jar of pickles was so delicious! I NEED the pickling juice recipe! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - spicy salmon rice bowl, jar of pickled vegetables, yam mochi cookie, sesame matcha cookie - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I went to Yuko kitchen twice in one week after going to LACMA. Its a short walk from the museum. The food is so delicious. Its hard to choose what to eat because they have so many great dishes to try. The plant decor is so calming and beautiful. I really like supporting family owned restaurants. I can't recommend this place enough. read more

What a little gem. Food is fantastic and the portions are generous. The atmosphere and all the plants/decor make you feel like you've been transported to a little hidden spot on vacation in some small town in Mexico when you're indoors. Sitting outside maybe Mexico City. Will be back, again and again! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Albacore rice bowl, mint lemonade - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I thought the food here was just ok. Got the garlic rice bowl and spicy salmon rice cake. It's a really small restaurant covered inside and outside of greenery. Lots of plants all over. I think there were potted plants inside for sale. Very little tables and chairs so as soon as you order quickly look for a table to sit. There is only 1 bathroom that's used with a key. They do have a little parking lot designated for the restaurant and also street parking. read more

Dropped by for lunch after visiting the Tar pits, just a short 10 minute walk! The restaurant is tucked away slightly off from the Main Street and is quaintly decorated. It is a order and pay at the front and pickup your food when called kinda store. It is more of a fusion restaurant than Japanese, has some Korean and Viet influences in their menu. Fish plate - There was so much food on this plate. Salad was tasty with the typical Japanese vinegrette dressing. Pumpkin soup was tasty and good on a warm day. Roll was a spicy salmon sushi, but i think the heat comes from a kimchi than a spicy mayo. The dessert was parts of their cookies. The chocolate chip cookie was way better than their matcha one, the matcha felt less fresh or just more dry. Nice to try! Mint lemonade - This was more of a slushie than their regular lemonade which is more of a drink. Lemonade was nicely balanced sweet to lemon flavour and the mint added a refreshing punch to the mix. Would highly recommend! read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Wow what a beautiful cozy little garden in the heart of LA. This place is popular, it was fully packed every table taken around noon on a Monday. I was quite impressed with the ambiance. I had a spicy salmon Rice bowl, it was quite tasty. The only downside was there wasn't much salmon, rather a lot of rice. I understand for the price it's still a decent value and filling portion. Would be nice to offer an extra serving of salmon as an option. I also asked if I could have both tuna and salmon mixed which was not an option. Still a wonderful place to enjoy a meal outside on the patio garden in the shade! read more

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We were extremely disappointed They messed up our order. Charging us more than we could really afford. Then told us it was fine. Nope. Not ok. We weren't even impressed with the food. It was just warm rice and tofu. The tofu didn't even seem cooked. If you like this place great. I'm glad you guys had better experiences than we did. read more

since walking in every inch of the place was gorge was greeted by warm cookies and moss. mmm! beautiful decor. the food was SOLID. Plenty of pescatarian and vegetarian options! no compromise. strange portion sizes though. 3 pieces of cod for vegetables that i would compare to one whole head of lettuce. yes i feel healthy, but i wish i had more fish. the spicy salmon bowl was nice n flavorful read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Spicy Salmon Deluxe Bowl - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Food looks delicious and they're very creative with the presentation!! Lots of plants and very chill!! read more

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walked over to yuko kitchen after seeing the wait for republique was super long... lol the interior and shop itself is really cute. feels like you are walking into a hidden garden. the shop itself is tiny. there are only three tables for the inside and it is pretty crammed. personally the food was a let down for me :'( i love japanese food and was hoping to enjoy the spicy salmon rice bowl. the portion is extremely generous and it's pretty to take a picture. the content and taste? not so much... the bowl was pretty much filled with 70% greens, and it was topped off with rice and the 'spicy salmon'. the spicy salmon was not spicy at all and the food just didn't seem to mesh well together. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I am so disappointed in everything I ordered from here, and based on the price I wish I had gone elsewhere. My total was close to $40. It's a super small place, but cute for a lunch stop. Anyway, it took a long time for my food considering I was the only one in there. I ordered the garlic shrimp bowl, fried broccoli, green tea strawberry chocolate chip cookie, and the green tea marshmallow brownie. I didn't like any of it. The bowl was full of rice, the shrimp were not seasoned, the broccoli was not fried all the way so it was so much batter inside, the cookie was hard AF, and the brownie made no sense with sesame seeds on top!! I trashed all of it. read more

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such a cute spot with a huge menu & fresh food! however the person who helped us out at the register was kinda dismissive towards us & seemed annoyed at us asking questions, we felt a bit unwelcome by him, other than that i had a great experience & would come back. read more

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The ambience is super cute, I could totally see myself ordering a matcha and a cookie and sitting here to study for a bit in the outdoor seating area... however, everything else was not good. For starters, they charge a fee if you pay with credit/debit... I think it was around 4% but I have never heard of a fee with debit card and I think it is against Visa's terms of use. The food was also not that great. I got the Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl and it is the most flavorless version of a poke bowl I've ever had. It felt more like I was just eating veggies... It had so little fish/seasoning I def didn't feel like it was worth $19.50 + fees. I don't mind the bussing your own table part/picking up your own food at the counter. I don't mind self-service as long as employees don't pressure me to tip. read more

Such a hidden gem! We pass by here often while walking our dog and always take a peek at the menu. We finally had a chance to stop and enjoy the full experience. The indoor space is small and quaint but holds great character with a small tv playing studio ghibli and a plethora of plants from floor to ceiling. It was fun to look around at all the decor and plants as I waiting for my food. Once we received our order, we took it outside to enjoy the covered patio space, also surrounded by lovely plants. The food was delicious and light, leaving me feeling renewed and fueled. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Inside - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I eat here for my lunch break maybe once a week. Their teriyaki ginger chicken situation surprised me ina good way! Tender, sweet, and prevalent ginger flavor which is what I like. Big ebisu roll is filling. The soup of the day is usually this orange one and whatever it is its addicting. Cute interior and ample outdoor seating, one on the street side and one tucked to the right of the main entrance. I would recommend ordering in advance as lunch is typically busiest and even if you do order ahead I've noticed it comes out a few minutes after your pick up time. Friendly staff. Clean as you go. read more

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Place is so cute. Love the cascade of the green plants. Thank goodness for the heaters outside! They dont serve the food 2u so u pick up & u clean up after. I wish i could say i love the food. Orderd the chicken teriyaki. The chicken was rough. The teriyaki sauce wasnt glazed. The rice was dry not moist not soft. Salad was fresh but the dressing ok. The fried mochi cheese stick was really good. The fried tempura fish was soft not crispy. The wonton chips were crispy and tasty. read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Fried mochi sticks. Wonton fried chips. Teriyaki chicken bowl. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super fun spot that's perfect for your next adventure. Amazing fusion food and ambience. Highlights: - INCREDIBLE vibes. So interesting, so much character and personality. I would come here just to hangout inside/outside - food was Great. Huge menu with lots of options - self service was done really well. Free water + napkins, utensils. Very laid back, casual experience - decent parking (street + lot) Lowlights - while the bowlito was delicious, it kept falling apart! I mean it dissolves in your hands. I ended up eating it with a fork rather than with my hands - there's enough seating but during peak hours I imagine it's rough finding a seat Definitely coming back to this gem and sharing the good word. Lovely space with interesting/great food read more

Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile - Spicy Miso Beef Bowl-Lito - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Yuko Kitchen was recommended by my cousin who lives here. She says this is a favorite locals' spot. The restaurant is very charming and hidden in a corner by Wilshire and Dunsmuir. It's funny how the address says Wilshire Blvd but the restaurant itself is actually located on S. Dunsmuir Ave. It's hard to miss Yuko Kitchen as the exterior has colorful art murals and plants everywhere. It's a hidden gem. The ordering process: 1) Order inside. 2) Find table. 3) Wait for table number to be called. 4) Pick up order inside. 5) Enjoy your meal. 6) Please buss table. I ordered the garlic salmon sashimi salad, spicy salmon rice cake and mint lemonade. I didn't realize my mint lemonade was frozen, but I'm not complaining because it was actually quite delicious. It was the perfect hint of sweetness and the mint was super refreshing. The sashimi salad was super fresh and the dressing had great flavor. The crispy rice was a good portion, but it lacked a little bit of flavor, we had some extra Ponzo dressing from the salad and poured that over the crispy rice and was actually really good. I think it could've used a little bit more flavor or salt. Otherwise it was still tasty. One thing I'm unsure of is the total of our tab. According to the menu, if you add everything we had it should total $87.00. I remember tipping 20% and my credit card total charge was $130.55. Even after tax + tips, I feel like it shouldn't be as high as $130.55. At the time of payment, I asked for a receipt because I thought that was really pricey for lunch for 3 people. But they only give you a credit card receipt. I wanted to ask for a breakdown receipt but didn't bother because I didn't want to inconvenience anyone. Now I kind of wish I did ask just to ensure they charged me correctly. All in all, this spot has a lot of personality. The patio seating is adorable. I love all the artwork and plants everywhere! And the inside is so cute as well. My cousin says the owner loves plants and you can really tell with lush plants everywhere. Check it out if you're in the area. It's so cute and food is great. It's a whole vibe! read more

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