30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Bakery in Downtown LA
Master Critic Review
Mitsuru Cafe
8.0
A Little Tokyo counter that has been pressing fresh imagawayaki to order since the 1970s, running the same tight rotation of Japanese street snacks — takoyaki, dango, karaage — with the kind of muscle memory that comes from five decades of repetition. It works as a walk-up pit stop between Japanese Village Plaza browsing, where you eat standing or perched on a bench and keep the whole visit under ten dollars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Imagawayaki, Takoyaki, Mitarashi Dango
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Japanese Village Plaza staple serving fresh-made imagawayaki and street snacks to order since the 1970s
Who should go: Snack hunters exploring Little Tokyo on a budget
When to visit: Early afternoon on weekdays to skip the line
What to order: Start with imagawayaki hot off the griddle, add takoyaki and a mitarashi dango skewer on the side
Insider tip: Ask your server about off-menu specials or daily features
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Japanese Village Plaza garage on-site ($3/15min, ~$15 daily max) with validation from plaza shops; metered street parking $1.50–$2/hr weekdays, free after 8 PM and Sundays; Judge John Aiso garage nearby at $1.50/hr, $9 daily max; no valet
Dress code: No dress code — walk-up window and old-school counter service; shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, anything goes
Noise level: Moderate — open-air plaza with foot traffic and ambient noise from surrounding shops; small interior counter area is tighter but not loud
Weekend wait: 15–20 minute line at the walk-up window during peak hours; line moves quickly since items are made to order
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait — weekday crowds are significantly lighter
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Imagawayaki (red bean griddle cakes, ~$1.25), mitarashi dango (sweet rice cake skewers with soy glaze), mochi — mostly sweet snack items; savory vegetarian options are limited
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No - this is a walk-up window counter serving Japanese street snacks, not a sit-down restaurant. There's no interior dining, no tables, and no romantic ambiance. You'd be eating imagawayaki on a plaza bench. It could work as a fun, casual stop during a Little Tokyo date walk, but it's not a date destination on its own.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and no tables - Mitsuru is walk-up window service only. Order at the counter, grab your food, and find a bench in the Japanese Village Plaza. Lines form on weekends and peak hours, but they move quickly since items are made in batches. Expect around 20 minutes during busy times. Weekday visits are faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - the handheld snack format is ideal for kids of all ages. Sweet red bean cakes, takoyaki, and fried shrimp balls are easy finger foods with nothing spicy. Everything is under $3, so even picky eaters can try multiple items cheaply. No kids menu or high chairs, but neither is needed since you're eating street-food style in the open plaza.
Is it good for groups? Yes, with the caveat that there's no group seating - everyone orders at the window and eats in the plaza. A group of any size can order together without a reservation or advance booking. It works well as a casual meetup spot or a snack stop while exploring Little Tokyo with friends. Just know you'll be standing or sharing public benches, not sitting around a table.
Is there outdoor seating? No dedicated outdoor seating belonging to Mitsuru. There are shared benches in the Japanese Village Plaza courtyard where most people sit to eat. The plaza is a semi-open-air pedestrian mall with partial covering but no heaters. Pleasant on mild days, but there's no reserved patio or sidewalk dining area.
Best For
Better for: Cheap, freshly griddled Japanese street snacks while walking Little Tokyo — $5 snack stop, not a sit-down meal; a legacy Little Tokyo business with decades of history; great for impressing visitors with an authentic, no-frills experience
Consider Alternatives If: You want a full sit-down meal — reviewers found the non-snack items (udon, sushi) average to disappointing; you need seating (primarily walk-up window with minimal counter space); weekend midday lines frustrate you
Hours
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday11am - 5pm
Thursday11am - 5pm
Friday11am - 5pm
Saturday11am - 6pm
Sunday11am - 6pm