I went back to Azay last week. The staff was nice as the last time but my updated review is still 3/5 stars. I ordered Kani (Crab) Curry. I know it's not supposed to be thick as regular Japanese curry but it was TOO WATERY. I actually didn't want to eat it but I don't like to waste food so I finished it. lol I think I am ok not to go back here. read more

Azay - Kani Kare (Crab curry) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Sunday breakfast with hubby. Was so excited as I miss Japan. Menu offer Japanese and French cuisines. Services was very busy and small and limited seating. Reservation is recommended. Azay's Japanese breakfast - tray with broiled fish, tamago, tofu, miso soup, a side of rice, and pickles. The broiled fish flaky top and charred bottom. Every dish on they tray was delicious. Pork belly omurice Ketchup-flavored fried rice bundled up in a thin layer of fluffy omelette. Every bite is bursting with comforting flavors. Chawanmushi added Ikura Egg custard is so silky soft It is also extremely flavourful and rich with umami-ness Will definitely be back. read more

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I ordered breakfast bento and it was delicious. I love that there's a variety of different things in the set, so it's quite fun to eat. The food feels really clean and the portion is perfect. Service was fast and friendly. The place is small but really cute. I love the setup. It's hard to find street parking, so we parked at the little Tokyo mall public parking. It was $15 for just over an hour. Pricy but didn't have a lot of choices. read more

Azay - Breakfast bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We absolutely love the bento with Tofu. I can't tell you what all the dishes are in the bento but there is a perfect blend of flavorful dishes with just the perfect amount of food. Must try the cookie for dessert. read more

We have missed Azay (and chef Akira) so much! so glad they are opening again soon!. The Japanese breakfast is my go-to for that special morning yum. Service is always friendly and welcoming, even to new patrons checking out this unique cafe spot. It's really nice to sit outside under the umbrellas while eating their tasty meals. Can't wait for them to open... in a couple of weeks I heard... yay! read more

This cozy little place is so reminiscence of Japan's breakfast scenes. It's great to see the Chefs make your food in front of you and oh man, the flavors were so true. I never really liked cod as a fish but I'm sold now. I will be back! My only complaint is that it is a bit on the pricer side. read more

Incredible food with the best ingredients, prepared with such care, warm and friendly service, and a truly community oriented ethos in everything they do. So good! read more

Love Azay! Such a cute family-owned business serving up delicious bentos. Had many friends share their positive experiences with eating at Azay, so I was excited to try it out on a Saturday morning for lunch. I ordered the daily bento, which included hamburger steak as the protein of the day. I'm not a huge fan of meat patties, however, the sauce and seasoning on the hamburger steak was delicious! The bento also included a small bite of smoked salmon, potato salad, regular salad, soba noodles, rice, and miso soup. The portions might appear a bit petite, but the meal is quite filling overall! My friend also ordered the matcha creme brulee as a small post lunch dessert for us to share - highly recommend! It was so satisfying to break through the crisp sugary layer on top, and the matcha flavor really shined through the custard portion. Excited to return to Azay to try their other dishes and will definitely be back for the matcha creme brulee! read more

Azay - Daily bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went on a weekday for lunch. Lovely service and delicious food. I had the katsu curry and the pork katsu was perfectly crispy and seasoned! The curry also tasted very fresh and light. I personally like my curry stronger/saltier but that's definitely a personal preference. The barley tea is also delightful! We came when they were doing some construction inside the restaurant so we were seated outside. A little noisy but expected for DTLA. Only thing is that the food is a little pricey, my katsu curry with tea after tax was about $29. I probably won't come too often but their Japanese breakfast and specialty bento looks delicious! read more

NOTE: Dined outdoors on 9/6/20, 11/13/20, 12/22/20 (takeout), and 3/13/21. The cheapest/most convenient option for parking is often the Aiso Garage across the street. During the Meiji restoration in the late 1800's, Japan received an overwhelming flood of interest from the outside world. While the intention of most outsiders were dubious, and most of Japan remained cautiously xenophobic, there was an unavoidable melding of cultures. This cultural exchange was exemplified when French chefs arrived and thus began a beautiful culinary relationship that continues to this day. Akira Hirose, the co-owner and masterful head of the kitchen, is one of the modern-day torchbearers of Japanese-born-French-trained Chefs. He has quite the track record, of which you may read more about in Gary I's review, but he was most recently known for the French-Japanese fusion restaurant, Maison Akira, in Pasadena. I will admit that I was never a fan of that establishment, as it felt like it had lost its identity by having each foot half-heartedly placed into the never-drying cement of both cultures. That being said, I'm very happy to hear that Chef Akira decided to open a much more modest restaurant in Little Tokyo, a place where his family has deep-seated roots. It is here, on a quiet stretch of 1st Street, that Azay sits. It doesn't beckon to passersby, nor does it demand your attention. No, it's much more like an intimate invitation into someone's home - an opportunity to contribute to a story decades in the making. Unlike Maison Akira, Azay opts for a menu that literally splits French and Japanese food onto two sides of the menu. This dichotomy, along with a compact menu that offers comfort food rather than romanticized dishes, allows Chef Akira to distinctly showcase his expertise at both cuisines. I have tried the following: 1) Chawanmushi (contains Enoki mushrooms, kamaboko (Japanese fish cake), and shrimp). is a savory egg custard and perfectly exemplifies the Japanese idea of preparing a simple-looking dish that explodes with flavor once you taste it. The mushrooms, fish cake, and shrimp provide an alternate texture as the egg dissolves in your mouth with even the gentlest of chews. 2) The daily bento contains a rotating daily protein, cha soba (green tea buckwheat noodle), seasonal vegetables, tsukemono, miso soup, rice, and ocha. I won't say too much about this, other than that you should experience it for yourself. If school lunches were like this in public schools, we'd probably all have much better taste in food and we'd also be healthier. 3) The boeuf bourguignon was prepared impeccably. Tender chunks of angus short rib cooked in beef stock and red wine provide a depth of flavor that can only be matched by a good bowl of Taiwanese beef noodle soup. The carrots and broccoli exude an air of excellence from the way that they provide the right balance of crunch and freshness, along with the bread. The penne is cooked al dente and it's the optimal vessel to submerge into the rich sauce that accompanies the beef. 4) The Kakuni Omurice was nothing extraordinary. The braised pork belly is the perfect compliment to the ketchup-infused rice contained within the omelette dome. The primary appeal for most people when they order omurice centers around the slicing of the egg dome, which allows the egg to spread its wings like a butterfly. The egg may have cooked slightly too much when it had arrived to our table, so I did not have such a display. I can't complain about the taste, though! It just doesn't stand out when compared to omurice prepared elsewhere. 5) The Nagoya Hitsumabushi was nearly life-changing. It made me feel like I had never had good eel before. Fair warning: The eels they use still have their bones and they were somewhat noticeable for me. I still ended up eating them whole, bones and all. The best part is that they include a side of dashi hojicha (roasted green tea soup base), so halfway through the completion of your bowl, feel free to douse it using the dashi. This changes the flavor and texture immensely and renews your enthusiasm for the dish. 6) The Strawberry Jam was ultimately disappointing. It was far too sweet and when placed into the fridge, the sugar basically crystallized. I understand that it's high-quality jam and that the strawberries themselves are from the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, but I feel like it needs less sugar. Or you'll want to dilute the jam down after bringing it home. I look forward to returning to Azay to try other dishes, such as the Kani Kare (Crab Curry) and perhaps to take home some Uni Butter. read more

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We tried coming here several times and couldn't get in because they are so popular and we got there too close to closing time. Today we finally got in! We are so happy we finally got to try this place, because it was amazing! Their staff is so friendly and welcoming. We ordered the Japanese Breakfast with mackerel, chawanmushi, assorted pickles, and the Nagoya hitsumabushi. Everything was good, and not overly seasoned or salty. I definitely want to come back again! read more

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Azay in Little Tokyo offers comforting, home-style Japanese cuisine that consistently draws crowds, so be prepared for a wait. The food is well-regarded, making the wait worthwhile. For convenience, consider parking in the nearby public lots if street parking is full. read more

Azay - Kani Kare (Crab curry) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Great Japanese breakfast. The owner chef started his career as a French chef, so all the western menus are exceptionally delicious too.

We used to go to Maison Akira is Pasadena, so I'm glad we got to try this new restaurant out in Little Tokyo. We ordered: HOUSEMADE RILLETTE AND PÂTÉ vegetable sides, mustard, cornichon, baguette KAMO DUCK SOBA hot duck, buckwheat soba, tsuyu dashi broth, negi green onion, bok choi, shiitake JAPANESE BREAKFAST saba mackarel, dashimaki tamago, tofu, tsukemono, miso soup, rice, ocha DAILY BENTO daily protein, seasonal vegetables, tsukemono, miso soup, rice, ocha Average price of each entree is $18-$20, and although the portions may initially seem small for most American diners, you'll find that the meal is more than enough to fill you up, and you'll walk away satiated and satisfied knowing you consumed a healthy and delicious meal. Highly recommend reservations even on weekdays, as the location is small read more

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Good Japanese food. Authentic and priced moderately even tho every Japanese food in LA is very overpriced. Katsu curry is so good also Japanese lunch read more

I called on Saturday afternoon to make a reservation for 2 for Sunday. They had plenty of availability and I think it would've been fine to walk in as well. The restaurant exudes a cute and cozy vibe, perfect for intimate conversations and catching up with friends. We both got the Japanese breakfast. The dish was a testament to the art of simplicity. It consisted of a beautifully arranged assortment of traditional Japanese elements, including steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, tofu and a egg. Each component was meticulously prepared and showcased the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Azay's Japanese breakfast was simple and aesthetically pleasing in presentation. The flavors were clean and well-balanced, allowing the natural tastes of the ingredients to shine through. The miso soup was rich and comforting, while the grilled fish and radish went well with the rice and miso soup. The egg was also sweet and was accompanied by a delicious grape! Next time I would try something more adventurous! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is my favorite hidden gem in Los Angeles The food is clean, fresh, filling and flavorful. Everyone who works there is amazing and you can tell they love what they serve. It's the cutest place, you can watch them preparing the food from the counter. All dishes I have had here have been 5 stars. The desserts are also delicious. Even the tea is good. Call to make sure they are open. They also do takeaway that is perfectly packaged. read more

We walked up around 10 am on Sunday, without reservations, and there was a very short wait. Service was friendly and helpful. I had the delicious and delightful "Japanese breakfast." My guy had the ketchup-rice omelette with pork slices on top. We both enjoyed every bite. Cute and cozy spot. We ate at a sidewalk table, and while it was a little chilly, some hot tea helped keep us warm. I recommend trying it! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Dining at Azay is such a wonderful experience. Their food is delicious and I like how they source their ingredients locally which is important to me. I love their miso black cod (of course) and their bento is a wonderful assortment and balance of tastes. They bring a little bit of Paris cafe to Little Tokyo with their outdoor seating. I can't wait to go back! read more

Away is one of the few places to get Japanese breakfast consisting of fish, rice, miso soup and egg. They get pretty busy after 10, so arrive early. The decor is a little tired but you can also see it as being retro. read more

We visited Azay on a Saturday morning for brunch (reservations highly recommended). We got seated at the counter and the service was amazing! I'm not sure what type of tea they gave us, but it felt good for the soul and opened my appetite. I was impressed by the Beef Bourguignon; the meat was so tender and the rich sauce coated every grain of rice. The only con imo is that it is quite pricey for its size. As for the Japanese Breakfast set, the side dishes brought it all together. My favorite was the baby peach (next to egg). However, it is not something that I craved and thought about the next day. At the end of the meal, our server recommended that we try the chocolate cake (not pictured bc I got too excited to eat). The cake had a great fluffy texture and was not too sweet. The black coffee that came with it enhanced the cake's flavor. Needless to say, we cleaned the plate. Overall, I think this is a great place to eat in Little Tokyo. I would consider visiting again if they have seasonal side dishes or seasonal specials! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast (front) and Beef Bourguignon (back) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've been meaning to try this cute mom and pop breakfast place. So I finally decided why not!! I'm not sure why I waited so long. This is definitely a hidden gem in Little Tokyo. -I ordered the Kakuni Omurice (Pork Belly Rice Omelette) and it was soo delicious. The rice was cooked perfect long with the egg. The pork belly on top was slightly crispy on the edge and the meat was tender. -My friend ordered the Kani Kari(Crab Curry) and exceeded our expectations. The crab was fresh and the spices in the curry were on POOOIINNTTTT!!! Parking: Street parking alongside the restaurant. Social Distancing Guidelines: -The staff were wearing masks and sanitized in between each customer they interacted with. -There are tables outside that are socially distant. I would recommend coming here if you are looking for a traditional Japanese/French breakfast read more

Azay - Kakuni Omurice - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

As I said in my original review, the food is really good (and reasonably priced for the portion) but what gets this place a 5/5 is the owner's attention to detail. The owner JoAnn called me shortly after I left some critical feedback regarding slow service that day. I've written critical reviews before and had owners snark back, but Joann was incredibly apologetic and kind. She sincerely thanked me for my feedback and made it clear that there was no excuse for the service. JoAnn ended up comping my meal with no request or expectation that I update this review (as a matter of principle, I don't make quid pro quo Yelp reviews), but her dedication to creating a customer centric experience compelled me to update. Again, to recap, the food is top notch and the ownership / management really cares. I will definitely be back! read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Fantastic breakfast. They have other wonderful food as well, but this is where I come in LA when Japanese breakfast is what I want. It's the best in LA, and not just by default! read more

Huge fan of Azay! It's family run and they support the community events. If you remember Maison Akira in Pasadena, it's the same chef. If you follow them on instagram or check their website, they will occasionally do special dinners with dishes from Maison Akira or pop-ups. They also do special menus for different holidays. Chef Hirose and his family are now operating Azay and focusing on comfort Japanese food. Some of my favorites are the Japanese breakfast, kakuni omurice (pork belly with rice omelette), Nagoya hitsumabushi (eel with rice) and the Hayashi bourguignon (fancier version of Hayashi rice). Ok, so that's a good portion of the menu. Oh and the daily bento is also great. You really can't go wrong with any of the food. It's a small restaurant so make sure to make reservations. The service is great. read more

Another unsurprising 5 star review for this place, because it's that good. We got the Japanese breakfast and daily bento boxes which were much filling than expected. As expected, it was incredibly fresh, nutritious, and delicious. Definitely make a reservation as this place is small! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I actually discovered this place through a TikTok video for Japanese breakfast and since I've been reminiscing about my trip to Japan for a couple of years now, this was an absolute must! We came on a Sunday morning around 10 am and the wait wasn't too bad. We ended up getting seated outside after about 20 minutes. They have a few different offerings for breakfast and some non-breakfast items but I ended up with the chawanmushi as a starter and the Japanese breakfast bento tray. Each dish was so delicately crafted with complimenting flavors. We left feeling satisfied and not overly stuffed. The perfect start to our Sunday Funday! read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Really amazing restaurant - definitely felt more Japanese than French. Very kind service, cozy and casual vibes, and the food took me back to Japan and Hawaii!! The eel meat was so yummy and melt-y and wasn't overwhelmed by sauce. Rice was a little mushy but I could easily overlook with the eel quality. My friends loved the Japanese breakfast, the mackerel was very flavorful and all of the side dishes were fresh and delicious. Chawanmushi egg was very silky and I could've drank a whole CUP of the dashi broth it was in. Prices were very reasonable for food quality! Overall highly recommend!! read more

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Delicious Japanese fusion food that is plated beautifully in a great environment. The Japanese breakfast was tasty and full of flavor, though a little on the higher end for what it is. I would love to come back and try their other dishes, such as the bento, which I saw many people ordering! read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Really cute tiny restaurant a few minutes walking distance from the Japanese Village Plaza. Went on a Saturday afternoon with no reservations. Had to wait about 30 min for a party of 4 to dine outdoors. The service was really good and the food is simple but really delicious and good quality! Would love to go back again! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Even though it was a bit cool, sitting at the outside seating was much faster without wait. I had the Bento lunch with special fish of the day. Yum! read more

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It's been a long time since I've visited Azay so it was a great place to recheck out again with a friend over dinner since she had never been before. We were promptly greeted and shown to our table (they do take reservations which may be a good option if you go during a busy time since they are a smaller space!). The servers were sweet and knowledgeable about the menu. It seems like their menu changes for the month since December featured a menu from a closed Japanese restaurant that used to be in Pasadena so definitely check it out at different points in the year. Their breakfast options also look amazing! I ordered the salmon dish ($15 pre tax and tip) and my friend ordered the sea bass ($35 pre tax and tip) which they informed us was a dish fit for an emperor. The food portions are on the smaller side but came with a side of bread. Both dishes were unique and fresh tasting. The presentation is certainly phenomenal and felt like it was from a much more expensive restaurant. We both felt satisfied with our meal afterward without being weighed down. I definitely plan to check out their breakfast options in the future! read more

Azay - Salmon and sea bass dishes - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Thank God I made a reservation before coming here! The line is pretty long and I'm glad that I get seated rightaway. This restaurant has been on my list for so long because the food presentation looks awesome. The plating reminds me so much of the foods I had in Japan and each ingredient is placed in a small kawaii bowl or plate #socute hehehe! We try: - Japanese Breakfast . The saba mackerel is the most savory and flavorful thing in my tray, everything else tastes mild so all the flavors kinda balance each other out. Love the warm rice that comes with the shiso furikake! A very hearty meal indeed. - Daily Bento. The daily bento comes with a daily protein that changes everyday. We get a white fish, which I cannot specifically identify HAHAHA! The fish is once again the highlight. Yes, they cook the fish very well!! Skin is crispy, fish is flavorful and flaky, but not dry at all. Delicious!! Love the experience because the foods are visually very pleasing. The food portion is honestly a little bit too small for us LOL! read more

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Really lovely restaurant. Everything we ate was from the weekly menu that changes. The kabocha stew was excellent! The service was excellent as well, we felt really well taken care of. And the interior was very clean and very calming to sit in. I cannot wait to come back again!! read more

We miss Maison Akira, so glad there's Azay. We ordered for curbside pickup. It took a few more minutes than promised. Everything is separately and well packaged, even the green onion, and labeled. My Unagi over rice might seem small, but it's actually a good portion and comes with soup. Very delicious. Hubby had Omelette Francaise, basically vegetarian, with potatoes & green salad. Very delicate in a good way. There are a few tables outside. The lady who delivered our food was friendly & polite. I'm excited to return to try other dishes. As you probably know, street parking in the area is tough. read more

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The Dodgers were advancing into the World Series that weekend and it was a sea of blue in DTLA. The vibes were on point and it was a gorgeous Sunday morning to have brunch just outside on the sidewalk in front of their restaurant. The food was delicious and service was excellent. Don't be fooled by the portion size. You will be satisfied after your meal for sure. read more

This place is so yummy! I'm not a massive fan of unagi, but I LOVED the NAGOYA HITSUMABUSHI. Also had the KAKUNI OMURICE. Definitely coming back to try more dishes. ENJOY! PS: Make sure you get a resy, it's a small restaurant. read more

My husband and I stopped by here while in town recently, and we're so glad we did because it was AMAZING. We arrived when they opened and already there was a small line, so as the others mention frequently, reservations are a good idea. The restaurant is small, cozy, warm, and very inviting. We got the Japanese Breakfast and the Daily Bento, and both dishes were exceptionally high quality and so well balanced in flavor. Unfortunately we had to be out of the area the next morning otherwise we would have stopped by for breakfast again. We're looking forward to our next visit to the area, and will be making this stop #1! read more

Azay - Japanese breakfast Daily bento - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Hidden gem of a spot tucked away from the busier main streets of Little Tokyo! We came for dinner on a Saturday and had a great time, the place is quite small and cozy. I believe their menu changes on a weekly basis, but we ordered the Japanese dinner set with the miso black cod, which came with rice, miso soup, and a bunch of sides. The cod was cooked to perfection, nicely balanced sweet yet savory umami flavor and tenderness that broke off easily on your fork. The sides were all very simple as well, but complemented the fish. Would definitely get this set again, you can really taste the quality of the ingredients and thought they put into the meal. The service was also super attentive and everyone was so warm and kind, almost like your own family welcoming you home to feed you a meal. Will definitely be back again, and so excited to try the Japanese breakfast next time too! read more

Azay - Japanese dinner set with miso black cod - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Divine and simple... Those words don't seem to go together, but Azay's Nagoya Hitsumabushi deliciously balanced divine and simple on a tray. See the photo and you will know what I mean. Some taste fishy, some overwhelmed with sauce... Barbecue eel isn't easy, but Azay nailed it. The flavor of sauce and taste of eel made a beautiful marriage in mouth. Delicious! Hojicha dashi broth was serene... Not overpowering with flavor. It was there, comfortable. It is rare for me to describe a meal as perfect, but it was. Everything on the tray... There was harmony among them. The service was also excellent. This is a tiny spot, so reservations are highly recommended. I walked-in without one and they called me within 10 minutes to see if an outdoor seating (street) was okay. Luckily, the weather was nice so I was able to take the table and enjoy a harmoniously delicious meal. read more

Azay - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California