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UKA
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
UKA
8.9
A Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant inside JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, UKA serves meticulous multi-course omakase dinners that spotlight pristine seafood and seasonal produce. The intimate room and counter seating overlook Hollywood, making it one of the city’s most serious Japanese dining experiences.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabutamushi dumpling with Japanese sea bream, Grilled abalone with butter ponzu, Seasonal wagyu course with red wine jus and miso butter
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Michelin-starred kaiseki and omakase with sweeping Hollywood views.
Who should go: Serious diners seeking a refined tasting-menu experience.
When to visit: Evening seatings Wednesday–Sunday for the full omakase.
What to order: Kaiseki omakase, seasonal wagyu course, premium sashimi progression.
Insider tip: Arrive a bit early to explore the JAPAN HOUSE library before dinner.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated parking is available in the Ovation Hollywood garage; enter from Highland Ave. Expect $4–$6 with validation. Valet is occasionally offered for events but not guaranteed. Street parking is extremely limited and not recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning upscale. Jackets not required, but most guests dress elevated—think dress shirts, nice blouses, and polished footwear.
Noise level: Low to moderate. The dining room is intentionally quiet to match the kaiseki experience; conversations are easy without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential; omakase seatings book out weeks ahead. Walk-ins are typically not accepted for dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is not typically offered; all seatings revolve around scheduled omakase dinner reservations.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited. Kaiseki progression relies heavily on seafood; a vegetarian omakase can sometimes be arranged with advance notice, but not always guaranteed.
Vegan options: Not recommended for vegan diners, as the menu structure is inherently seafood-driven and difficult to adapt.
Gluten-free options: Moderately accommodating. Many courses can be adjusted if notified in advance, but soy sauce components and tempura-style preparations may limit options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Ideal only if your first date is someone who appreciates fine dining and is comfortable with quiet, intimate settings. For a more casual or conversational first date, it may feel too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. UKA operates on scheduled omakase seatings with extremely limited capacity. Book several weeks ahead for weekends, and at least a week ahead for weekdays.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The multi-course format, quiet environment, and long meal duration make it best suited for adults or older teens accustomed to fine dining.
Best For
Better for: Among Hollywood’s Japanese options, UKA excels in refined technique, intimate counter service, and true kaiseki pacing. It's the top choice for special-occasion Japanese dining in the neighborhood.
Skip if: Skip if you want à la carte sushi, a lively atmosphere, quick dining, or flexibility with dietary restrictions. Opt for a more casual sushi bar or izakaya instead.
UKA
9.0
Inside Japan House at Ovation Hollywood, Uka serves a tightly choreographed kaiseki omakase that leans on pristine Japanese seafood and seasonal California produce. The multi-course tasting format and serene dining room make it one of Hollywood’s most focused fine-dining experiences.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dashi for the Five Senses, Kabutamushi sea bream dumpling, Wagyu with red wine jus and miso butter
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred kaiseki omakase that turns Hollywood Boulevard into a hushed, high-end Japanese tasting room.
Who should go: Serious diners seeking meticulous, seasonal Japanese tasting menus.
When to visit: Later evening seatings when the room feels most tranquil.
What to order: Full Kaiseki Experience, kabutamushi dumpling, wagyu course.
Insider tip: Book the chef’s counter for the most immersive view of the kaiseki pacing and plating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated parking is available inside the Ovation Hollywood garage; expect $6–$10 depending on duration. Valet is occasionally offered for evening seatings. Street parking along Hollywood Blvd is scarce and unpredictable after 6pm.
Dress code: Upscale and polished. Think smart casual leaning dressy—button-downs, tailored pieces, dresses. Jeans are acceptable only if dark and elevated.
Noise level: Low. The kaiseki format encourages quiet conversation; you can comfortably speak in soft tones throughout the meal.
Weekend wait: No walk-in availability. All weekend dinners require advance reservations, often booked 2–3 weeks out.
Weekday lunch: Uka does not operate a lunch service; all seatings are reservation-only dinner omakase.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited. They can offer a modified kaiseki with notice, but the experience is fundamentally seafood-driven.
Vegan options: Not recommended. The format relies heavily on fish, dashi, and traditional Japanese preparations.
Gluten-free options: Possible with advance notice. They can adjust sauces and certain courses, but substitutions may alter the intended progression.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want something intimate, slow-paced, and refined. The quiet counter format encourages focused conversation and feels special, but the ceremonial nature isn’t ideal for highly casual first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No. All counter and table seats are pre-booked and prepared specifically for the evening’s kaiseki. Same-day openings occur rarely and appear online rather than at the door.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. The multi-course, 2+ hour tasting menu and serene atmosphere aren’t suited for young children. Teens who appreciate fine dining may be fine, but there are no kid-specific accommodations.
Best For
Better for: One of the most precise and serene kaiseki experiences in Hollywood, ideal for guests who value meticulous pacing, premium imported seafood, and a meditative dining environment.
Skip if: You prefer a livelier room, à la carte flexibility, or a menu with heavier meat, fusion dishes, or broader dietary accommodation. Consider alternatives if you want spontaneity over structure.
UKA
9.0
Opened in 2023 inside Japan House at Ovation Hollywood, Uka focuses on kaiseki-style omakase built around fish flown in from Japan and seasonal California produce. The Michelin-starred counter offers a tightly choreographed multi-course experience that feels more like a quiet ceremony than a typical Hollywood night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabutamushi Turnip Dumpling, Grilled Abalone with Butter Ponzu, Wagyu with Red Wine Jus and Miso Butter
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: An intimate kaiseki omakase where fish is flown in from Japan and plated with meticulous precision.
Who should go: Serious diners seeking a quiet, ceremonial experience.
When to visit: Later evening seatings when you can linger unhurried.
What to order: Nine-course kaiseki, Kabutamushi dumpling, wagyu course.
Insider tip: Request counter seats to watch the chefs compose each course course-by-course.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated garage parking within Ovation Hollywood; easiest access is the Hollywood & Highland structure. Expect standard event-area rates ($4–$20 depending on time). Street parking is limited and unreliable at night.
Dress code: Refined smart casual. Jackets or dressy tops recommended; elevated denim is acceptable, but most diners lean polished.
Noise level: Low. The kaiseki counter is intentionally quiet, making it easy to hold intimate conversation.
Weekend wait: Omakase is reservation-only; walk-ins are not accommodated. Book 1–2 weeks ahead for prime slots.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is limited; reservations still required, typically easier to secure.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with advance notice; the kitchen can adapt courses but the experience is less traditional.
Vegan options: Not recommended. Kaiseki progression relies heavily on seafood and dashi-based preparations.
Gluten-free options: Accommodated with prior notice; soy sauces and select marinades can be substituted.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if your date appreciates quiet, chef-driven dining. The ceremonial pacing creates intimacy, but the structured counter format leaves little room for spontaneity.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No. Uka operates exclusively on pre-booked omakase seatings. Check for late cancellations earlier in the day.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. The multi-course progression, quiet room, and long seating times suit adults or older teens familiar with omakase etiquette.
Best For
Better for: Guests seeking a Michelin-level, ceremonial kaiseki experience with pristine fish sourcing and precise seasonal plating.
Skip if: You prefer flexible ordering, louder energy, or a faster, more casual omakase. Choose alternatives if you need vegan options or a shorter tasting format.