Best Seafood Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
12 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
9.1
A 10-seat, basement hideaway serving a meticulous Edomae omakase built around deeply seasonal fish and handmade details. The meal feels like a tightly composed progression from delicate tsumami to perfectly temperature-tuned nigiri, with a calm, ceremonial pace. Reservations are tough, but the craftsmanship is the draw.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal Edomae omakase, Aged kohada nigiri, Uni course with warm rice
What makes it special: Michelin-level Edomae omakase in an ultra-intimate setting.
Notable Picks
#2
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.
#3
Tensho
8.4
A compact shabu-shabu specialist where A5 wagyu and pristine seafood anchor a paced, chef-led tasting flow. The experience feels intimate and celebratory without being stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
A5 Wagyu Shabu-Shabu Course, Wagyu Sushi Bites, Seasonal Sashimi
What makes it special: Shabu-shabu as a multi-course, wagyu-centric event.
8.3
A long-running Chinatown banquet hall for Hong Kong-style seafood and daytime dim sum. Huge multi-platform review volume points to steady execution on live-tank staples and classic wok dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Special Lobster, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Shrimp Har Gow
What makes it special: Hong Kong-style seafood plus dim sum in a classic Chinatown setting.
#5
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.
8.1
A busy Chinatown seafood-and-dim-sum room known for generous portions and reliable Cantonese cooking. Strong combined review volume supports its reputation for dependable banquet-style seafood.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Special Lobster, Salt & Pepper Shrimp, Walnut Shrimp
What makes it special: Crowd-pleasing Cantonese seafood at banquet scale.
8.0
A multi-decade Chinatown staple mixing Cantonese seafood with Hong Kong-style BBQ. It’s a go-to for late-night groups ordering clay pots, roast meats, and live-tank seafood without pretense.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ginger-Scallion Lobster, BBQ Roast Duck, Salt & Pepper Squid
What makes it special: Old-school Chinatown seafood-and-BBQ institution open late.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A daytime dim sum and Cantonese seafood hall where rolling carts meet live-tank classics. The draw is traditional execution and a steady local crowd, especially on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow), Roast Duck, Ginger-Scallion Fish
What makes it special: Traditional dim sum carts plus Cantonese seafood staples.
7.8
A classic Chinatown dining room serving Cantonese seafood, dim sum, and banquet staples. Known for generous portions and reliable wok work, especially on shrimp and crab dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey Walnut Shrimp, Garlic Crab, Pan-Fried Noodles with Seafood
What makes it special: Dependable Cantonese seafood for groups in the heart of Chinatown.
7.7
A no-frills Chinatown spot for Cantonese seafood and hearty late dinners. The kitchen leans into garlic-forward shellfish and clay-pot comfort, with prices that keep it a local regular.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seafood Clay Pot with Bean Curd, Spicy Black Bean Lobster, Salt & Pepper Shrimp
What makes it special: Late-night Cantonese seafood with strong portions for the price.
7.6
A casual Broadway storefront specializing in Chinese noodle dishes with a seafood-leaning menu. It’s a practical Chinatown stop for quick bowls and wok-cooked shrimp or squid at approachable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Singapore-Style Rice Vermicelli with Shrimp, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Seafood Pan-Fried Noodles
What makes it special: Fast, seafood-tinged noodle fare in a low-key Chinatown shop.
#12
Señor Fish
7.6
A casual mariscos counter in the Historic Core serving Mexican seafood comfort—think ceviches, fish tacos, and shrimp cocktails. It’s a lighter, more streetwise seafood option compared with Chinatown banquet halls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tacos, Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camaron), Ceviche Tostada
What makes it special: Mexican-style mariscos and ceviches in a fast, casual setup.