Best Japanese Restaurants in Studio City
14 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Asanebo
Michelin pedigree meeting California-Peruvian fusion in creative specialty rolls
Essential Picks
#1
Asanebo
9.1
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Date Night Magic
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Former Michelin-starred institution delivering bold fusion-forward rolls and hot dishes alongside impeccable omakase. Founded by Matsuhisa alumni in 1991, this upscale strip mall destination layers Peruvian influences with California creativity in daring specialty rolls and cooked preparations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, Seared Toro, SSS (Salmon Sashimi Special)
What Makes it Special: Michelin pedigree meeting California-Peruvian fusion in creative specialty rolls
Notable Picks
8.8
Third-generation sushi chef Tetsuya Tanabe balances innovation with tradition through signature rolls that marry modern technique with family legacy. The contemporary space features both counter and table seating, where modern innovations meet timeless sushi craft in carefully composed specialty rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Halibut Roll, Seared Specialty Rolls, Albacore Belly Nigiri
What Makes it Special: Third-generation chef innovating traditional sushi with contemporary precision
#3
Sushi Tomoki
8.7
Chef Tomoki Hombe's 2023 opening quickly became a celebrity favorite, delivering Valley-style omakase with expertly seasoned nigiri and familiar specialty rolls. The intimate blonde-wood space tucked beside jazz club The Baked Potato offers exceptional bang-for-buck with entry omakase starting at $80.
Must-Try Dishes:
Albacore Fried Onion Roll, Seared Salmon Roll with Truffle, Nodoguro
What Makes it Special: Former Sushi Enya chef delivering celebrity-favorite rolls with exceptional value
8.6
Michelin-recognized Japanese-Peruvian fusion from Chef Shige Fujimoto creating irreverent dishes in a hip space with distinctive dining areas. The innovative menu balances ceviche and sashimi-quality seafood with playful creations like udon carbonara with smoked pork belly and sticky-sweet oxtail bao.
Must-Try Dishes:
Udon Carbonara, Oxtail Bao, Halibut Ponzu
What Makes it Special: Michelin Guide recognition for Japanese-Peruvian fusion from Michelin-star chef
#5
Teru Sushi
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Established in 1979 at the beginning of LA's sushi craze, this Valley institution combines fine Japanese cuisine with a lively ambiance featuring a Japanese garden with koi pond. The first in the Valley to offer upscale sushi in a warm atmosphere, it maintains consistent quality across nearly five decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sexy Roll, Volcano Roll, Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
What Makes it Special: Studio City's original upscale sushi destination since 1979 with tranquil garden setting
#6
Daichan
8.3
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Family-owned Japanese soul food restaurant serving authentic comfort dishes like pork katsu-don and chicken katsu curry in a cozy space decorated with colorful Japanese artwork. Founded in 2002 by Gary and Kathy Wang, this unassuming spot focuses on quality ingredients and home-style execution rather than trendy presentations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Katsu-Don, Chicken Katsu Curry, Unagi Bowl
What Makes it Special: Authentic Japanese soul food run by Japanese staff with genuine home-style cooking
8
The original location where Chef Katsuya Uechi invented spicy tuna crispy rice, this strip-mall spot predates the glitzy Katsuya empire. Despite spawning locations in Brentwood, Hollywood, and Dubai, this casual original maintains its neighborhood following with the same innovative menu at more approachable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Seared Spicy Albacore, Jalapeño Hamachi
What Makes it Special: Birthplace of the now-ubiquitous spicy tuna crispy rice
Worthy Picks
7.9
A focused hand roll bar from the Nozawa group that builds each piece around warm rice and premium nori, keeping the menu tight and the execution precise. The counter format rewards solo diners and quick visits, though per-roll pricing adds up fast if you're eating to full—expect $35-50 a head for a satisfying session. Part of the lineage that reshaped how LA thinks about casual sushi, and the Studio City outpost holds the standard.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yellowtail Hand Roll, Scallop Hand Roll, Lobster Hand Roll
What Makes it Special: First hand roll-only bar with immediate counter service and pristine Nozawa-style fish
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
What Makes it Special: Bamboo forest setting with comprehensive menu and generous portions
7.9
The one Katsu-Ya location where Chef Katsuya Uechi still runs the omakase counter himself, applying high-technique sashimi preparation and crispy rice builds in a compact Studio City room that rewards solo diners and small groups more than large parties. The tight space gets loud at peak hours, but the trade-off is proximity to a chef-driven kitchen operating well above typical multi-location sushi standards. A Valley anchor for serious sushi without the Westside commute.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, Seared Albacore with Crispy Onion, Spicy Tuna with Baked Crab Roll
What Makes it Special: The only Katsu-Ya location where Chef Katsuya himself prepares the omakase course, bringing decades of sushi mastery to a compact Studio City dining room.
#11
Burosu Ramen
7.8
Women-owned ramen shop opened in 2020 offering customizable bowls with plant-based, tonkotsu, and chicken broths. The cozy, plant-themed space serves creative ramen alongside hand rolls and sushi, featuring unique combinations like truffle ramen and spicy Reddo.
Must-Try Dishes:
Reddo Ramen (Spicy), Truffle Ramen, Crispy Gyoza
What Makes it Special: Customizable ramen with plant-based options in elegant, women-owned establishment
#12
The Sushi House
7.7
A Ventura Blvd sushi spot that leans into approachable Japanese staples—spicy tuna rolls, bento boxes—with a happy hour program that pulls in the after-work crowd. The outdoor patio and moderate noise level make it functional for both solo meals and low-key date nights without competing with sports-bar energy inside. Street parking can get tight on weekends, but the small private lot helps.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Roll, Bento Box, Edamame
What Makes it Special: Ventura Blvd sushi spot with outdoor seating, strong happy hour, and a menu built around approachable Japanese staples
#13
Shiki Sushi
7.7
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Happy Hour Hotspots
Casual Japanese sushi bar with colorful surrounds and large covered patio serving fusion-style rolls alongside yakitori and tempura. Popular for families and business partners alike, it offers huge lunch specials at budget-friendly prices with dedicated parking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rolls Royce Roll, Sashimi Salad, Banana Tempura Ice Cream
What Makes it Special: Massive lunch portions at affordable prices with reliable parking
7.5
Sleek sushi bar emphasizing creative and whimsical specialty rolls over traditional selections in a hip space with dark wood and flattering lighting. Lunch specials between $9-13 provide solid value for quick business meals with prompt service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Roll, Spicy Tuna Salad, Chilean Sea Bass
What Makes it Special: Reliable neighborhood spot with efficient service and designer rolls