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Best Japanese Restaurants in Hollywood

14 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

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Our Top Pick
UKA
Michelin-starred kaiseki and omakase with sweeping Hollywood views.

Notable Picks

8.9
$$$$ Hollywood Japanese
A Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant inside JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, UKA serves meticulous multi-course omakase dinners that spotlight pristine seafood and seasonal produce. The intimate room and counter seating overlook Hollywood, making it one of the city’s most serious Japanese dining experiences.
Must-Try Dishes: Kabutamushi dumpling with Japanese sea bream, Grilled abalone with butter ponzu, Seasonal wagyu course with red wine jus and miso butter
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred kaiseki and omakase with sweeping Hollywood views.
8.6
$$ Hollywood Japanese, Ramen
Tokyo-born Tonchin’s LA outpost brings a polished, modern ramen experience to the Melrose corridor, anchored by rich yet balanced tonkotsu. The bowl construction is meticulous—springy noodles, silky broth, and well-seared chashu—while sides and kakigori desserts make it feel like a full night-out spot rather than a quick slurp. Cocktails and late hours add real neighborhood pull.
Must-Try Dishes: Classic Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Tan Tan Ramen, Smoked Dashi Ramen
What Makes it Special: A Tokyo institution’s refined tonkotsu and dessert-forward ramen bar format.
8.5
$$$ Hollywood Japanese, Seafood
Status Restaurant & Lounge brings a Caribbean lens to Hollywood dining, serving jerk chicken, curry shrimp, fried snapper, and crab alongside cocktails in an upscale lounge setting. It leans into nightlife energy, so seafood plates often share the table with bottle service, DJs, and a dressed-up crowd.
Must-Try Dishes: Caribbean curry shrimp pasta, Fried or escovitch red snapper, Curry crab legs weekend specials
What Makes it Special: Caribbean restaurant-lounge where jerk meats and plated seafood share space with DJs and bottle service.
8.4
$$$$ Hollywood Japanese
Rokusho brings a Tokyo-born modern izakaya sensibility to Hollywood with inventive hand rolls, composed small plates, and a serious cocktail program. The dim, design-forward space feels built for nights out while still putting real care into technique and ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy tuna crispy rice, Uni and wagyu hand roll, Gindara miso black cod
What Makes it Special: A Tokyo-linked izakaya with creative small plates, hand rolls, and cocktails.
$ Hollywood Japanese, Ramen
Chibiscus is a compact strip-mall cafe where a ramen-heavy menu, kimchi fried rice, and brick toast draw a steady neighborhood following. The tonkotsu and spicy miso bowls are known for punchy, comforting broth, with plenty of options for gluten-free and vegan diners.
Must-Try Dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Kimchi Fried Rice
What Makes it Special: Strip-mall ramen cafe with robust broths, generous portions, and flexible dietary options.
8.3
$$ Hollywood Japanese
Musume is a contemporary Japanese spot on Sunset serving sushi, share plates, and hearty rice and noodle dishes in a comfortable, lounge-like room. Portions are generous and pricing is moderate, making it a go-to for casual dinners and pre-show meals.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy tuna crispy rice, Beef garlic fried rice, Chicken katsu curry
What Makes it Special: Approachable Japanese comfort dishes and sushi at fair prices on Sunset.
$$$ Hollywood Japanese, Sushi
This unassuming strip-mall sushiya draws a predominantly Japanese clientele for minimalist, traditionally-prepared nigiri and sashimi alongside izakaya specialties like miso-glazed black cod and wagyu tataki. The intimate space emphasizes fish quality over flash, with a curated sake selection imported directly from Japan.
Must-Try Dishes: Toro Nigiri, Nasu Miso Eggplant, Wild Black Cod with Miso
What Makes it Special: Strip-mall location belies pristine fish quality and traditional Japanese preparation that attracts Japanese locals
$ Hollywood Japanese
Located just off the Walk of Fame, Totoyama balances flame-seared aburi sushi with a full menu of rolls, ramen, and hot dishes. It works equally well for casual dates, tourist-friendly dinners, and pre-theater meals where variety matters.
Must-Try Dishes: Aburi salmon oshi sushi, Spicy tuna crispy rice, Tonkotsu ramen
What Makes it Special: Aburi-style sushi and a broad sushi-plus-ramen menu near Hollywood landmarks.

Worthy Picks

$$ Hollywood Japanese
The Hollywood outpost of Iki Ramen is a high-ceilinged, lively ramen shop that also serves sushi and bar snacks. It’s popular for its rich broths, late weekend hours, and easygoing atmosphere that fits everything from solo slurps to casual group dinners.
Must-Try Dishes: Burnt garlic tonkotsu ramen, Spicy miso ramen, Chicken karaage
What Makes it Special: A splashy ramen shop with deep, flavorful broths and a full bar.
$$$$ Hollywood Japanese
The historic 1914 hilltop mansion serves Japanese-inspired cuisine with panoramic city views stretching across the Hollywood Hills. Koi fish over 60 years old swim in the garden courtyard of this former palace replica. Wagyu sukiyaki, matcha soba noodles, and specialty rolls are served in a setting that prioritizes atmosphere over cutting-edge technique.
Must-Try Dishes: Wagyu Sukiyaki, Matcha Soba Noodles, Specialty Sushi Rolls
What Makes it Special: Historic 1914 hilltop mansion with sweeping LA views and 60-year-old koi
$ Hollywood Japanese, Ramen
A late-night ramen counter on Santa Monica Blvd that builds its broths with enough body to hold up past midnight—tonkotsu and spicy miso are the reliable orders, and the lunch combo (ramen plus free drink and appetizer) makes the daytime run a solid deal. It fills a real gap for Hollywood's after-hours crowd, delivering straightforward bowls in a no-frills setting where speed and broth depth matter more than décor.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy Miso Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Crispy Tofu Ramen
What Makes it Special: Late-night ramen house on Santa Monica Blvd serving rich pork-bone and miso broths until 1:30 AM on weekends
$$$ Hollywood Japanese
Chef Katsuya Uechi's Japanese-fusion flagship built around the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna — the dish that defined a category across LA and spawned a multi-location empire from this Hollywood Blvd original. The scene runs loud and camera-ready, which works for groups splitting shareable plates but fights against the date-night pitch once the weekend crowd fills in. Expect polished execution on signature items at a price point that asks you to pay for the room as much as the food.
Must-Try Dishes: Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Wagyu Ishiyaki
What Makes it Special: Chef Katsuya Uechi's Japanese-fusion concept built around the original Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna — the dish that launched over two million bites and defined a category across LA.
$$$$ Hollywood Japanese
The Sunset outpost of Wokcano operates as a late-hour pan-Asian lounge with a full sushi menu, sake, and cocktails in a sleek multi-level space. While the menu ranges beyond Japanese, it’s a practical option for groups wanting rolls, drinks, and a buzzy atmosphere under one roof.
Must-Try Dishes: Dragon or Spider Roll, Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Baked Salmon Roll
What Makes it Special: A loungey, late-hour spot for sushi, cocktails, and pan-Asian plates.
$$ Hollywood Japanese
Kino is a casual Hollywood Boulevard spot serving affordably priced sushi rolls, ramen, and combination plates with options for many diets. It’s more about convenience and value than polish, but it remains a reliable choice for quick Japanese comfort food near the Walk of Fame.
Must-Try Dishes: Assorted roll combo, Spicy tuna roll, Tonkotsu ramen
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly sushi and ramen right on Hollywood Boulevard.