Best Trendy Restaurants in Sawtelle Japantown (90025)
7 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.8
Sawtelle’s tsukemen standard-bearer, built around intensely reduced pork-and-fish dipping broth and springy house noodles. The bowl rewards patience (and a likely wait) with deep, smoky umami and precise noodles that stay snappy to the last dip. Go for the classic tsukemen first, then explore the richer, spicier variations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chashu Tsukemen, Spicy Tsukemen, Sunrise Vegan Ramen
What makes it special: LA’s defining tsukemen spot with a famously concentrated dipping broth.
#2
Asakura
8.6
An intimate 12-seat kaiseki counter bringing Tokyo-style seasonality to a discreet West LA strip-mall setting. Courses lean precise and luxurious, with wagyu, uni, and market produce presented in a calm, ceremonial flow that feels built for milestones. Service is quietly meticulous and well-paced for a two-hour celebration meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal kaiseki tasting menu, Wagyu course with shaved truffle, Uni-and-caviar small dish
What makes it special: A rare Westside kaiseki experience led by the La Bombance team from Tokyo.
8.3
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sonoran-style tacos and burritos built around flour tortillas that are pliant, lightly chewy, and clearly housemade. The mesquite-grilled meats and punchy salsas keep this a steady favorite on Sawtelle for both quick lunches and casual dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mar y Tierra Burrito, Carne Asada Taco, Al Pastor Burrito
What makes it special: Housemade Sonoran tortillas paired with mesquite-grilled fillings.
#4
Hermanito
8.1
A bar-forward Sawtelle spot that blends Mexican comfort with subtle Japanese neighborhood nods, anchored by excellent Sonoran-style tortillas. The cocktail program and weekend brunch make it feel like a hangout you can also take seriously for dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Tacos, Pescado Tacos, Buñuelos
What makes it special: Mexican cooking with Japanese-influenced cocktail and design cues.
8.1
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Sawtelle staple for pho west of the 405, with a light, fragrant broth and consistently high-quality beef cuts. The menu mixes classic bowls with a few bolder, lemongrass-driven soups, and the room stays buzzing at lunch and dinner. It’s the reliable neighborhood stop when you want clean, modern Vietnamese comfort food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Tai Bo Vien (rare steak & beef balls), Pho Dac Biet (special combination), Bun Bo Hue (spicy lemongrass beef soup)
What makes it special: Pho-focused Westside institution with a lighter, lemongrass-leaning broth profile.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Thai-leaning smashburger counter that’s become a Sawtelle obsession. Classic American burgers get laab spice, chili jam, and pandan-sweet riffs, all landing fast and messy in the best way. Small room, big buzz, even bigger flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grapow smash burger with fried egg, Laab-spiced fries, Pandan milkshake
What makes it special: Smashburgers filtered through Thai street-food logic.
7.7
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki cooked to order on hot griddles, perfect for a fun, informal celebration. The experience is interactive and hearty, with savory pancakes layered with noodles, pork, and cabbage. Not a white-tablecloth pick, but a memorable ‘we’re celebrating’ dinner with friends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, Squid and scallion okonomiyaki, Yakisoba add-on
What makes it special: One of LA’s few dedicated Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki spots.