Best Japanese Restaurants in LA Arts District (90021)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
#1
Hayato
9.3
An ultra-intimate seven-seat kaiseki counter led by chef-owner Brandon Hayato Go, offering a tightly paced seasonal omakase with meticulous technique and whisper-quiet precision. The menu leans seafood-forward and deeply Japanese in structure, making it a destination meal in ROW DTLA.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal kaiseki omakase, Steamed abalone with liver sauce, Dashi-simmered conger eel
What makes it special: Two-Michelin-starred kaiseki in a seven-seat room, executed with rare focus.
Notable Picks
8.7
Chef Junya Yamasaki’s progressive Japanese cooking centers on pristine California seafood and vegetables kissed by binchotan and a wood-fired stove. The former bank setting and long cypress counter create a calm, almost ceremonial izakaya-meets-kaiseki energy that still feels approachable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Monk’s chirashi sushi, Daily sashimi selection, Whole lobster katsu burger
What makes it special: Modern Japanese seafood and grill work rooted in SoCal seasonality.
#3
kodo
8.2
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A Japanese-American izakaya in a converted firehouse, balancing sushi, robata, and binchotan mains with a serious cocktail program. The space is minimalist and design-forward, and the menu rewards groups who want to share across hot and cold sections.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu katsu with onion ponzu, Uni pasta with shiso and nori, Spicy tuna crispy rice
What makes it special: Design-centric izakaya with live-fire cooking and sushi under one roof.
#4
Afuri
8.1
Tokyo-born AFURI brings its bright, citrus-lifted yuzu shio ramen to the Arts District in a sleek, counter-service space with a full bar. The broth stays clean and aromatic, and the menu opens up into izakaya snacks that make it easy to turn a ramen run into a hang.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yuzu shio ramen, Buta gyoza, Karaage chicken
What makes it special: Signature yuzu-infused ramen that tastes light but satisfying.
8.0
A daytime bento specialist in the Arts District that marries Japanese home-style technique with Southern California produce. The boxes are thoughtful and balanced—great rice, crisp pickles, and mains that stay flavorful even to-go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shio-koji mackerel bento, Jidori chicken karaage bento, SC Farms miso tonkatsu bento
What makes it special: Modern, seasonal bento done with real Japanese craft.
Worthy Picks
#6
Camélia
7.8
A French-Japanese bistro that plays in the overlap between delicate Japanese seasoning and bistro comfort, served in a warm Arts District room. The cooking is precise but unfussy, with a menu that shifts with the seasons and rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal crudo with Japanese citrus, Bistro-style steak with shiso accents, Sake-friendly small plates
What makes it special: Japanese technique meeting French bistro soul, smoothly and seasonally.