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Iroha Sushi of Tokyo
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Iroha Sushi of Tokyo
7.9
Valley classic tucked behind a folk art boutique offering extensive menu and bamboo forest ambiance across indoor-outdoor spaces. Known for hefty portions and efficient service, it serves straightforward Japanese cuisine with bento lunch specials combining soup, salad, rice, sushi, and choice of sashimi or tempura.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bento Lunch Special, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Albacore with Crispy Onions
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Bamboo forest setting with comprehensive menu and generous portions
Who should go: Lunch crowds wanting variety and value in relaxed setting
When to visit: Lunch for $24 bento specials, weeknights for patio
What to order: Spicy miso soup, bento boxes, Pink Panther roll
Insider tip: Hidden entrance behind boutique—valet fills fast, arrive early
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free valet available - fills quickly during lunch rush, arrive before 12:30pm or use street parking on Ventura
Dress code: Business casual standard - suits common at lunch, jeans acceptable for dinner
Noise level: Low to moderate - bamboo garden absorbs sound, easy conversation throughout
Weekend wait: 15-25 min without reservation, patio seating often available
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - business lunch crowd turns tables efficiently
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable tempura, tofu teriyaki, veggie rolls, and customizable bento options
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable rolls and tempura available, but most sauces contain fish stock
Gluten-free options: Moderate options - sashimi and rice bowls work, but cross-contamination possible with shared fryers
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual dates - the bamboo garden creates intimate atmosphere without stuffiness, and extensive menu handles different preferences. Avoid peak lunch hours when business crowd dominates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch typically yes, dinner usually fine except Friday/Saturday when patio fills. Call ahead if party of 5+.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - spacious booths, outdoor seating with garden views, teriyaki and tempura options appeal to children. Lunch service is quick enough to hold attention spans.
How long does a typical meal take? Lunch 35-45 minutes with efficient service for business crowds, dinner 60-75 minutes at relaxed pace. Bento boxes arrive particularly fast.
Is the sushi fish quality worth the price? Solid but not spectacular - focus here is generous portions and variety rather than premium cuts. Better value in cooked dishes and combination plates.
Best For
Better for: Choose Iroha for complete lunch value (soup, salad, rice, entree combo), peaceful garden ambiance, and parking convenience over typical strip mall Japanese spots. Portions significantly larger than competitors at similar price point.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge sushi or omakase experience - head to Sugarfish or KazuNori instead. Also skip if you need validated garage parking (valet only) or late-night hours (closes 9:30pm).
Iroha Sushi of Tokyo
7.8
Family-owned Valley classic tucked behind a folk art shop with Kyoto-trained chef and extensive menu spanning multiple pages. The bamboo forest-like indoor-outdoor space serves solid sushi including stellar spicy tuna crispy rice, though the menu's overwhelming size means sticking to house specialties and lunch bento boxes delivers the best experience at this relaxed neighborhood spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Pink Panther Roll, Bento Lunch Special
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Hidden behind boutique with bamboo forest ambiance and Kyoto-trained chef
Who should go: Locals wanting reliable neighborhood sushi in relaxed, authentic setting
When to visit: Lunch for excellent bento value at $24, patio lovely for dinner
What to order: Spicy tuna crispy rice, spicy miso soup, lunch bento special
Insider tip: Don't get overwhelmed by massive menu - focus on house specialties
Iroha Sushi of Tokyo
7.6
Hidden behind a pottery shop with garden entrance, this established sushi bar offers extensive menu spanning classic nigiri to creative fusion rolls. The casual atmosphere and late-night hours make it a neighborhood go-to for reliable Japanese dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Panther Roll, Spiced Tuna, Toro Sushi
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Tucked-away sushi spot with garden entrance and open-until-midnight hours
Who should go: Late-night diners wanting solid sushi in relaxed setting
When to visit: Early dinner avoids crowds, open until midnight most nights
What to order: Orange panther roll, spiced tuna, bluefin chu toro
Insider tip: Hidden location behind pottery shop keeps crowds manageable even on weekends
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot behind building (shared with pottery shop), street parking available on Ventura Blvd
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirt perfectly acceptable
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - easy conversation even when full
Weekend wait: 15-20 min wait typical 7-9pm, minimal after 10pm
Weekday lunch: No wait, immediate seating
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable rolls, tempura, and inari available
Vegan options: Limited - cucumber roll, avocado roll, edamame (request no fish sauce)
Gluten-free options: Challenging - soy sauce contains gluten, tamari available upon request
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual first dates - quiet enough to talk, relaxed vibe takes pressure off, but not romantic-special enough if you're trying to impress
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes - walk-ins welcome and rarely a long wait due to hidden location. Safest bet is arriving before 7pm or after 9:30pm
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - casual atmosphere welcomes families, teriyaki and tempura options for picky eaters, though no dedicated kids menu
Good for solo dining? Excellent - sushi bar seating for solo diners, late hours mean you can eat on your schedule, low-key vibe makes dining alone comfortable
How late is the kitchen open? Full menu until midnight most nights (Sunday-Thursday), making it one of the rare late-night sushi options in the Valley
Best For
Better for: Late-night sushi cravings, casual group dinners where not everyone wants high-end omakase, solo diners wanting quality without pretense, anyone seeking solid sushi without the wait or scene of trendier spots
Skip if: You want an Instagram-worthy date night, seeking authentic Tokyo-style omakase experience, need extensive vegan options, or want cutting-edge creative sushi (this is reliable, not revolutionary)
Iroha Sushi of Tokyo
7.9
Hidden behind a pottery shop with garden entrance, this local institution serves extensive sushi and sashimi plus creative specialty rolls. The spicy tuna crispy rice rivals the original from Katsuya down the street, while the bright orange spicy miso soup and hefty bento lunch specials draw regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Lemon Roll, Spicy Miso Soup
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Tucked-away location with garden entrance and massive menu selection
Who should go: Groups wanting variety and value with creative roll options
When to visit: Lunch specials until 4pm offer excellent value
What to order: Spicy tuna crispy rice, lemon roll, bento boxes
Insider tip: Valet parking only; street parking nearly impossible
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet only ($8-10), street parking nearly impossible in this area
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirts perfectly fine, neighborhood spot
Noise level: Moderate - conversation-friendly, not too loud
Weekend wait: 30-45 min without reservation, call ahead recommended
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, walk-ins welcome
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive veggie rolls, tempura, and tofu options
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable rolls without mayo-based sauces available
Gluten-free options: Yes - sashimi and gluten-free soy sauce available upon request
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for 3rd+ dates - the hidden entrance is charming but it's more neighborhood casual than romantic. Lighting and ambiance lean functional over intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6:30pm) usually work. Friday/Saturday after 7pm, expect a wait or get turned away - definitely call ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - casual atmosphere, bento boxes kids love, and staff is accommodating. The garden entrance makes kids feel like they're discovering something special.
How does it compare to Katsuya down the street? More food for less money, but less scene. If you want the spicy tuna crispy rice without the Hollywood crowd and $200 bill, come here.
Is the sushi actually fresh? Yes - quality rivals much pricier spots. The high turnover from regulars means inventory moves quickly. Sashimi presentation shows they care about their cuts.
Best For
Better for: Value-seekers wanting extensive menu variety, groups with different tastes, and locals who prioritize substance over scene. The lunch specials until 4pm crush any nearby competition on price-to-quality ratio.
Skip if: You want trendy ambiance or Instagram-worthy interiors - this is no-frills neighborhood sushi. Also skip if parking stress ruins your meal; the valet-only situation is real.