Best Healthy Japanese Restaurants in Culver City
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Ippudo Culver City
Historic Japanese chain since 1985 with elaborate toppings and excellent vegan menu
Notable Picks
8.1
International chain from Fukuoka known for silky Hakata-style tonkotsu broth with dramatic, generously portioned toppings including fried enoki mushrooms and niku-miso bolognese. Opened in 2024 at The Culver Steps, offering both classic and elaborate bowls plus strong vegan options with plant-based broths that match the richness of traditional pork versions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Karaka Spicy Ramen with Niku-Miso, Nirvana Classic Vegan, Takoyaki Balls
What Makes it Special: Historic Japanese chain since 1985 with elaborate toppings and excellent vegan menu
#2
AFURI
8
Tokyo-based concept featuring signature yuzu-infused shio ramen with bright, citrusy chicken broth that diverges from heavy tonkotsu styles. Known for lighter, refreshing bowls alongside creative items like hazelnut tantanmen and quality dumplings, with outdoor patio seating at The Culver Steps and all-day happy hour at the bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yuzu Shio Ramen, Spicy Yuzu Ramen, Chicken Karaage
What Makes it Special: Signature yuzu citrus-forward ramen with lighter, refreshing chicken-based broths
Worthy Picks
#3
Shojin
7.9
Plant-based Japanese cuisine built on shojin-ryori tradition, where organic and macrobiotic ingredients are shaped into sushi rolls and small plates using classical technique rather than imitation shortcuts. The tasting menu format and white-tablecloth quietness make it a reliable date-night pull for mixed dietary tables—non-vegans routinely leave impressed. Expect moderate-to-high pricing with portions calibrated for a multi-course pace, not volume.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dynamite Roll, Dragon Roll, Crispy Potato Dumplings
What Makes it Special: LA's first vegan sushi restaurant, where Hiroshima-born chef Jun Matoshiro crafts entirely plant-based, gluten-free Japanese cuisine using organic and macrobiotic ingredients.