Hayato
Housed in the Row DTLA on Alameda Street, Hayato is a traditional Japanese restaurant that specializes in serving Washoku-style dishes. Washoku is an ancient cuisine that mainly revolves around seasonal ingredients, rice, miso soups, and grilled fish preparations. They serve an extended version of the cuisine in an intimate and elegant setting. Guests dine at the counter that sits right in front of the chefs in an open kitchen, where they tend to serve each guest personally, guiding them through their meals.
This little nondescript sushi shop in Boyle Heights may quite be the oldest Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. It opened in 1956, a long time before the sushi craze in the 80s, and for that reason alone most Angelenos love this place. The meals are always prepared perfectly, from the comforting Chirashi bowl to delicately sliced Sashimi, visitors will notice the care taken in the kitchen. There are only a few booths and several bar stools at the counter, but the trip to the East Side is worth it, even if you have to wait for a table.
Afuri
At AFURI Arts District, we bring the spirit of a modern Japanese izakaya to Downtown LA. Our menu goes beyond ramen, featuring shareable small plates, sushi rolls, crispy karaage, skewers, and rotating chef specials designed to pair with sake, cocktails, and our house-made Yuzu Lager. Of course, our signature Yuzu Shio ramen—a light, citrus-kissed broth—remains at the heart of what we do. Whether you’re here for happy hour, a late-night gathering, or a casual dinner with friends, AFURI is where flavors, drinks, and people come together.
Craft Sake & Japanese Tapas. A place to relax and enjoy good food, good drinks, and good company.
Closed now
HATCH
This yakitori (Japanese grilled skewer) is as stunning as the meal it serves: contemporary, sleek, and with a highly inventive design. Placed just below the Sheraton Grand LA in the open-air mall, the HATCH is a modern Japanese grill that involves cooking fusions with bold Californian flavors to deliver new takes on classic dishes. Also, you can find a variety of sakes, rare Japanese whiskies, and bespoke cocktails. It is a sleek restaurant that oozes comfort and warmth thanks to the dim lighting, well-organized seating, and extremely clean design with sparse art pieces.
