Best Japanese Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Sushi Gen
8.8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Little Tokyo institution that still delivers with robust sashimi cuts and an expansive nigiri lineup. The famous lunch sashimi special is a local rite of passage, and the bar menu rewards repeat visits. Expect lines, but also reliable fish quality at scale.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sashimi lunch special, Bluefin toro nigiri, Uni shoots
What makes it special: High-volume classic sushi done right for decades.
#2
Hama Sushi
8.3
Old-school sushi bar energy with a tight focus on raw fish and hand rolls. The cuts are clean, the rice is lightly seasoned, and regulars swear by the hand roll program. It’s cramped and no-frills, but the fish quality keeps it packed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna hand roll, Albacore toro nigiri, Santa Barbara uni
What makes it special: Classic bar sushi with standout hand rolls.
8.2
Handmade Sanuki-style udon with chewy, dense noodles that justify the wait. The menu leans comforting—creamy uni, mentai butter, and seasonal hot pot—served in a cozy, clattery room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Uni Cream Udon, Mentai Squid Butter Udon, Seafood Tomato Cream Udon
What makes it special: From-scratch udon texture you can’t fake.
8.0
A dependable neighborhood sushi bar with a broad menu, clean nigiri, and a popular happy-hour draw. Rolls skew traditional with a few modern touches, and quality holds steady across busy nights. It’s a reliable choice when you want variety without omakase prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Albacore with yuzu ponzu, Toro hand roll, Assorted sashimi platter
What makes it special: Well-rounded sushi menu with strong weekday value.
Worthy Picks
#5
Chinchikurin
7.9
A dedicated Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki shop where the layered noodle-and-cabbage pancake is the whole point. Crisp edges, sweet-savory sauce, and teppan theater make it a fun, focused meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki, Mochi Cheese Okonomiyaki, Negi-Topped Okonomi
What makes it special: One-dish mastery of Hiroshima okonomiyaki.
#6
Katsu Sando
7.8
Tiny sandwich counter turning Japanese konbini staples into hefty, crunchy sandos. Simple choices—katsu, egg, and chicken—hit hard with buttery shokupan and creamy slaws.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Katsu Sando, Egg Salad Sando, Chicken Katsu Curry Sando
What makes it special: Konbini-style sandos done with chef-level care.