Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Bon Shabu

    4.1 (510 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Waitlist - Bon Shabu

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Bon Shabu Reservations

    Bon Shabu Photos

    Business Info

    BON SHABU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

    Recommended Reviews - Bon Shabu

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Angela A.

    Walked in right before it started picking up for dinner. Did not get too busy for a week night. The buffet had everything you'd want at a hot pot, veggies were clean and plentiful. It's pricier than my favorite local hot pot. It's worth trying but not worth returning IMO. They had lots of cooked foods that were tasty. As for the soup base I tried original beef bone which was tasty and Huo Guo which we did not enjoy at all. Left a weird taste and feeling in the mouth. Service is okay, they delivered drinks and meats so everything else is at the buffet to grab. Make sure you take a picture of the QR parking code for a discount.

    Cristina G.

    100% recommended if you are a hot pot lover! Bon Shabu has a variety of vegetables, great selection of seafood and meats. The sauce bar is well stocked; from chili powder, to minced garlic and radish. Allowing every guest to customize their own sauce to their liking. They have ramen, glass noodles, and Udon noodles and a hot bar. You can choose 2 broths per pot, we have tried 6 out of of the 8 options they provide. All 6 broths we have tasted stand out for being extremely flavorful. Whether you prefer light with no spice broth to something rich, savory, and spicy; there's a broth for every craving and liking! The space is always clean and well maintained. Employees are always on standby to remove empty plates. Oh, and make sure to leave space to grab dessert from their dessert bar!

    Buffet station
    Jenny T.

    They have a good sauce station. It was nice to have the usual players for hot pot and also the brisket sauce you would get for kbbq. Lots of seafood options and sides, including hot ones but no sweet potato noodles. The sliced beef options were delicious and tender. I really loved the original and beef soup flavor. The tomato was fine and the Chinese hot pepper was too spicy for me. Service was on and off. You order off your phone and some meats would come and others wouldn't. The place is quite large and they were pretty busy. Parking was a bit of a nightmare.

    Natalie M.

    Best hotpot in ktown! They are attentive and always filling up the buffet area. In addition, they would always come around to fill more broth. Decent prices. And the restaurant is spacious, one thing to know, If you go on your actual birthday, it's free! I love this!!! Highly recommend this place

    Jira W.

    The ultimate hotpot of them all. Considering the veggies, meat, seafood, variety of the sides and sauce to the price. Bon Shabu beats Haidilao by miles. I have there for the lunch weekday special for 3 times. The employees are very patience and service for the meat is super fast. The restaurant has a big space. Almost like a dining hall with a very long self serve bar!

    Great atmosphere
    Joleen K.

    My new favorite place... this is like a combination of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean food. It's really hard to find a place that has organic broth, but this place had it and it was delicious. I thought the service was good (granted we came late afternoon on a Thursday), and our waiter came at the end with his kettle for more broth. I love the atmosphere. It was very modern and spacious. I went here with my husband and our six year-old (half off!). We all have very different tastes but we all got what we wanted. I thought the fried food at the buffet was a little overcooked, but there is some very tasty options! Kimchi was saucy and delicious! It's very affordable at $40 an adult. They had signs out for some dessert, but it wasn't there. Can't wait to return very soon!

    Delicious!
    Priscilla S.

    Food was great! They have a split broth setup - we got the classic bone broth and the sukinoya (which was very sweet- but we liked it). Service was great very helpful and pleasant! They also do parking validation three hours for two dollars. Ambience was very clean very chill. I love the simplistic clean aesthetic so we will definitely be coming back. Back to the food food was great meet for a very good to give you a lot of portions be warned that if you don't finish a portion of me, it is a charge of $8.95 per leftover platter. Roth and sauces were very good. Their corn food offerings was also very good. They had a different noodles and japchae. The only thing that wasn't too great was a desserts but most all you can eat places don't really have great desserts... Who knows you might like it

    Sauce mixture
    Lora B.

    Went with some friends to try hot pot for the first time. The selection was really nice! We had the two of the house brothers, one spicy, and one bone broth. It was cool being able to create our own toppings and flavors and there was plenty to choose from. The place was clean and organized. We did not really have staff support until it was time to get the check. I do think overall it is pretty pricey, but definitely enjoyed the experience.

    James A.

    My friend suggested we meet here after seeing a TikTok reel about it. I love Shabu Shabu so I didn't hesitate! Parking tip is to park directly behind the restaurant in the structure so you can enter from their back doors. Don't let the parking rates scare you as they did for me lol, they offer a generous 3 hour validation where you only end up paying about $1.99! Take note of your license plate number if it isn't already on file with Metropolis parking. The place is pretty big and looks really nice. Nice selection of meats to choose from and the buffet area has lots of cooked options as well as cook yourself in the broth at your table. You can choose two different broths to cook with. We ate our hearts out and didn't save any room for their desserts. Service was quick and efficient especially when we were running low of meat and water. Would definitely visit again.

    Jacklyn D.

    Pretty good hot pot for an affordable price! They have delicious broths, but beware of the spicy options because they are super spicy! You can taste the quality of the meat and there were wagyu options. We had the original spicy and beef spicy broth. The beef broth was surprisingly much spicier than the original spicy. There was a self serve vegetable, sides, and sauce area. They had seafood options available too. The hot sides were pretty good (about 8 options to choose from). I like all of the veggies they had, but something they did not have was squash! :( The downside of Koreatown is the parking. It was a bit difficult to find parking for a Wednesday evening. Service was good. They took our order and brought out the broths quickly. It's a pretty spacious hot pot restaurant. You can reserve online prior to arrival.

    Diane K.

    I went to Bon Shabu with my family yesterday for dinner on Friday evening, October 10. We heard they were having a 10th anniversary special price promotion until October 10, so we decided to check it out. The staff kept bringing us more meat whenever we asked, and there was also a buffet area where we could help ourselves to salad, fried dumplings, chicken, desserts, sauces, dressings, and seafood -- lots of variety, which I really liked. From the dessert section, the sesame mochi bread was my favorite -- I ate quite a few of them! It was also interesting that the meat menu listed the fat level of each cut. Some meats were very tasty, while a few were a bit tough. I chose the Organic Bone broth for my soup base, and it was rich and flavorful. Overall, except for a few slightly tough pieces of meat, everything was good -- friendly service, spacious seating, and a wide selection of salads and other dishes. I liked it a lot and would definitely go back again.

    main entrance
    Injoo H.

    I came here twice during their 10th anniversary event, including Tuesday night in the Valley with my mom and family. The wagyu meat itself was good, and considering the anniversary pricing, it felt reasonable. However, the side dish corner (bulgogi, japchae, tangsuyuk, tteokbokki, etc.) was a complete disappointment. Everything was dry, hard, and looked like it had been sitting out forever. The tteokbokki especially looked dried out and unappetizing. This was the section I was most looking forward to, but instead it was embarrassing--especially since I had my mom and family with me, and there were many foreign guests around watching the sad state of the food. They said items were being remade, but with only one person working, nothing was really replenished. My mom didn't even touch the side dishes and said this visit was enough for her. Yes, they do offer rice paper (though no glass noodles), and a kids' dinner price of $21 for ages 8-10. That part was nice for us since we have two kids--at other places we usually have to pay full adult price for them. Parking is validated for 3 hours at $1.99, which is convenient. Overall, the wagyu quality and anniversary pricing were good, and the kids' pricing made it family-friendly. But the side dish bar was very disappointing. Next time, if I come back, I'd want to check the bar first before deciding to eat here.

    Jennifer M.

    This place was really good! We've been trying out different shabu spots, and this is definitely one of the good places. The service was great and parking was easy with validation. They have a nice variety of vegetables and seafood, all fresh and well stocked. I'd recommend this spot if you're looking for a solid shabu place -- we'll definitely be back.

    See all

    17 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Priscilla S.
    358
    110
    71

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leah J.
    126
    36
    2

    7 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike H.
    2248
    542
    1397

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lauren L.
    1
    37
    102

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jay P.

    Jay P.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Misikga F.
    111
    904
    798

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kris W.
    567
    594
    1081

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of David H.

    David H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 13

    Bon Shabu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bon Shabu

    Parking direction? Street parking or garage provide validation

    There is a parking lot with ticketless entry/payment. I believe they validate at Bon Shabu but if you're only there for an hour or two after 5p, price is not too bad.

    Can two people share one hot pot? Bot my friend and I are not big eaters and eat less than half an entree at any restaurant.

    No, it's a per person price model currently.

    Can someone with a peanut allergy eat here?

    I believe they would be. There are a few different options on broths, and the salad bar has several options. *Disclaimer- I'm not 100% sure tho*

    Solo eat available?

    Yes absolutely!

    Where can I see your 15.99 hot item lunch buffet items you have advertised on TikTok?

    On their website when you click the "Menu/price" section the buffet items come up when you scroll down a little under the "hot" items. They tend to add new items too.

    Can you also just have kkbq?

    No they offer shabu shabu and a hot bar buffet not kbbq

    What is included with the signature selection during lunch? When I went it wasn't clear if we could have the seafood, prepared food, or the desserts

    You can always help yourself to the items at the buffet, regardless of the selection you pick. That's part of the magic of this place!

    How much would it cost for 3-4 people?

    Around 280 total

    Is it true that if it's someone's birthday that day and we show ID for proof, the dinner is free?

    Yes but there are requirements to this. Read more here: https://www.bonshabula.com/contact-7

    Where do u park?

    There's a parking structure behind the plaza and there's a rear entrance into the restaurant. Don't forget to get validation!

    What are the gluten-free options?

    Everything else that doesn't contain gluten

    Do they serve rice?

    yes

    Is it minimum of 2 people or 1 person dining is okay?

    They allow solo dining. Called to confirm.

    Does each person get their own broth?

    I would say yes. Our group has 6 people in total. We had 3 pots and each pot had 2 different soup.

    View All 15 Questions

    IZAKAYA OSEN

    IZAKAYA OSEN

    4.3
    (2.2k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$
    Kid friendly
    Wheelchair accessible

    This is by far the best and freshest sushi spot I've ever been to. The restaurant decor makes you…read morefeel like you're transported to Japan. Service is also a 10/10. Definitely worth it.

    Izakaya Osen is a charming restaurant in Silver Lake specializing in sushi and an array of…read moreizakaya-style dishes. The cozy interior features rich wood accents and traditional Japanese design influences, creating an intimate and inviting ambiance. Our server was kind and attentive, frequently checking in throughout the meal to make sure we had everything we needed. We ended up ordering from the lunch menu, which included complimentary miso soup and a small side of vegetables as a thoughtful touch. **Lunch Sushi & Sashimi: 5/5** This lunch special offered generous portions, featuring a chef's choice assortment of sushi and sashimi alongside a maki roll. While the spicy tuna roll was enjoyable, the nigiri and sashimi were easily the highlights. The salmon and yellowtail nigiri had exceptionally smooth, buttery textures that practically melted on the tongue. Each slice of sashimi was delicate and remarkably fresh, with a clean flavor and no hint of fishiness. **Salmon Ikura Don: 4/5** This donburi featured salmon sashimi and ikura served over rice with avocado and a spring salad mix. The salmon was tender and silky, pairing beautifully with the ikura, which provided bright bursts of brininess and a satisfying pop with each bite. Underneath, the rice was perfectly cooked, while creamy slices of avocado complemented the richness of the fish. My only complaint was the spring salad mix, which felt somewhat out of place among the other ingredients and didn't contribute much to the bowl. With well-executed dishes and warm hospitality, Izakaya Osen delivered an incredible dining experience that left a lasting impression. The combination of exceptional quality and excellent value makes this a restaurant I'd happily return to.

    Photos
    IZAKAYA OSEN
    IZAKAYA OSEN
    Outdoor

    See all

    Outdoor
    Budonoki

    Budonoki

    4.6
    (355 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Wow. Lately it's been hard to find a restaurant that genuinely surprises me, but Budonoki proved…read moreit's still possible. This was easily a 5-star experience for both the food and the exceptional service. We came in without a reservation, put our names on the waitlist, and were seated in about 30 minutes. Definitely worth the wait. We started with the tuna handroll, except it's not really served as a traditional handroll. The fresh tuna comes in a bowl surrounded by crispy, crunchy rice, with nori sheets on the side so you build each bite yourself. Super fresh and such a fun way to start. Then came the chicken wings -- to die for. So flavorful and Korean AF in the best possible way. Probably one of my favorite dishes of the night. The salmon rice was good, but honestly nothing too special compared to everything else we tried. The wagyu pasta, though, was incredibly rich and packed with flavor. Then the wagyu empanadas surprised me all over again. Such a unique combination and flavors I really haven't had anywhere else. We ended with the banana ice cream and it was the perfect ending. But I have to give just as much credit to the service. Beyond exceptional. Everything was extremely organized and the entire staff worked like one team. Just because we had a waiter didn't mean only that person took care of us -- everyone was helping, checking on the table, clearing plates and bringing things out. It genuinely felt like we were welcomed and taken care of by the entire team. Budonoki is exactly what I've been missing lately: creative food, unexpected flavors, fresh ingredients and service that actually adds to the experience. It's rare for a restaurant to surprise me this much anymore, but this one did. The ambiance matched the food perfectly. The space is dimly lit, dark and cozy, giving it an intimate feel without trying too hard. It's the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in, order a bunch of dishes to share and stay awhile.

    Not worth the hype. Food was below average, limited and overpriced for what it actually is. Vibey…read morebut not recommend for food. Japanese Sweet potato was some absurd price and you can get better quality and quantity and price at Hmart - cooked and served warm. Steak meat was chewy.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Seafood pancake
    Seafood pancake
    Quarter sheets x TOMATO PANZANELLA: munak ranch heirloom tomatoes, focaccia croutons, chickpea-miso dressing | $18

    See all

    Quarter sheets x TOMATO PANZANELLA: munak ranch heirloom tomatoes, focaccia croutons, chickpea-miso dressing | $18
    OTOTO

    OTOTO

    4.2
    (218 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    I would give Ototo 4.5 stars, but went up because of their great sake selection…read more My friend and I loved this meal. The chicken Katsu sandwich was soooo good. A little messy at the end, but so worth it. 8.5/10 The ode to MOS burger was also great! The bun was soft and pillowy, the burger was perfectly cooked, all of the flavored married well together 8.5/10 Rock Shrimp Okonomiyaki was delicious. HUGE, but delicious. I actually took some home and had this as breakfast the next day. It was soooo yummy. 9/10 Black pepper tofu was also really good. The standout was the Kanpachi Sashimi. Wow was that next level good. 9.5/10 The service was really attentive, really kind. It's a tiny little restaurant but we loved how intimate it was. The same selection is incredible as well. I loved it so much! They had a perfect cloudy sake that I loved. We ubered there, but they do have valet parking for $13, I will say, you'll definitely want to use the valet - parking looked rough!

    Established and well adored proper sake/izakaya place on the east side. Ofc sake here is dope…read more Food is delicious and straight forward. Very good quality (from the crisp of the batter to the tenderness). Although as a soft shell crab geek, I didn't enjoy the new addition of this on the menu (sorry) maybe it was the hint of spice that I didn't expect or the thick sauce instead of classic ponzu/kanopy alternative? Service can be a little iffy and I can't quite describe that's a disconnect to the Japanese or East LA culture but Ryan is awesome and saves the day with his chill laid back approachable but quitetly confident taishō swagger. This place deserves recognition despite some of (my perception of) its low key elitist vibes. They're committed to the craft and that's really hard to not admire.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Kaki Fry
    Kaki Fry
    Private Dining Room

    See all

    Private Dining Room
    Sushi Zanmai

    Sushi Zanmai

    4.6
    (208 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Food 5/5: we enjoyed sushi here more than expected. Fresh quality sushi, served quick, good portion…read morenigiri. What else could you ask for? It was the first time I felt full, happy, and satisfied with affordable price at the end of our meals. Sushi? Full? You would think impossible right? Well? Not here. Service 5/5: it was really enjoyable and we were laughing the whole time with chef and with the man who we thought was Tiger who was not, was very funny and attentive. All well mannered and you just feel welcomed there. It's a goof feeling because diners today don't deliver a good experience anymore, esp in LA. Ambiance 5/5: Very spacious, clean, good for hangouts with friends and family. They have valet parking, or street parking. Highly recommend here!

    You order from an Ipad, at the bar. The chef will tell you the freshest shipment of fish that just…read morecame in. You can order Nigiri in one piece. Robert, one of their servers, was super hospitable, and made some solid off the menu recommendations. Tiger, the manager, is also super kind, and always heard me out my requests, like putting quayle eggs on my sea urchin. I am a self-described sushi snob, and have made a point to go to the top spots. I am a regular in Little Tokyo, including Sushi Takeda. But the most important thing I have learned, just like movies and music, is that there is no one single best sushi place. Get off your couch and give Sushi Zanmai a try!

    Photos
    Sushi Zanmai
    Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. 5/5
    Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. 5/5
    Lunch special... what a treat!

    See all

    Lunch special... what a treat!
    Marugame Monzo

    Marugame Monzo

    4.4
    (5.2k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Freshly made udon. Nothing goes better than this…read more My second time here. And this time we tried the duck udon and sea urchins udon. Both are excellent. The sea urchins one is creamy and VERY RICH. The cream sauce bend in really well with the sea urchins. But definitely not something you would order if you are on a weaker stomach. The duck udon is flavorful with plenty of meat. The soup pair perfectly with the udon as well. There was a line outside before it opened. But not too bad. They got a little eating area outside right next to the street and I saw people ate there with their dog as well. I guess that they are "kinda" dog friendly?

    7/19/2026 3 1/2…read moreStars Not my first time here, but my first review on Yelp. Been awhile since I was last here. UDON KAKE It was good, but the broth was a bit salty at first. Udon noodles were good, but it was not excellent. It did have light chewy texture. BUT in comparison to Meiji Seimen, it fell short, really short! I was disappointed. BEEF BOWL It was delicious! Beef was tender and moist and loved the caramelized onion too. Rice was delicious too, not dry nor mushy. Served with pickled red ginger. A very satisfying bowl. Sat at the bar, so watched them make udon from scratch, which was nice. WAIT LIST There was a line when I got there, just as it opened. It wasn't long, but everyone wrote their name down on a wait list. There's a sheet of paper placed on the table outside. Please write your name down ASAP, as that will help in making sure that you will grab a seat. Also, the lines are disorganized too, so it's best to write down your name, so no one cuts in front of you. It is a small restaurant. Limited seats. CUSTOMER SERVICE It was okay. Everyone got in the restaurant in the order they came in. Service was quick and there were no delays in taking orders. The server came by quickly and dropped off the check as she saw that I was nearly finished with my meal. PARKING Parked at Joe's Autoparks. It was $15! I did not know until after I paid the ticket. Very difficult to find parking in this area, so not many options unless you want to walk really far, back to your car in 90 degree heat. There was another parking garage next to Joe's, but the price was the same! Would I come back again? Not sure. Given that the udon wasn't what I expected, it may be my last time here. Also, parking sucks.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Fried chicken skin
    Fried chicken skin
    Agedashi Eggplant ($6)

    See all

    Agedashi Eggplant ($6)
    Tsubaki

    Tsubaki

    4.1
    (510 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$

    My precious friend Amelia G. treated me to dinner at Tsubaki for my 40th birthday last month. I…read moreloved this place went I went before kids and pandemic, apparently almost a decade ago. It was as good as I remembered, and probably even better. I can't imagine letting another eight and a half years pass without going back. The only negative is that parking is either difficult or $15, which feels bad in a pretty quiet residential area. Better to take a car in any case, so you can enjoy the extensive selection of sakes. We shared a full-sized bottle, I forget which but I think it was a junmai daiginjo, and it was lovely. Tsubaki is such a nice, welcoming little izakaya. Service is great, the atmosphere warm and easy. You just want to sit back and drink at a leisurely pace. The food is excellent, with a robust menu of creative Japanese food. We shared everything, starting with a stellar kanpachi crudo with ume ponzu, shiso, sweet onion and habanero pickles, and furikake. My favorite dish of the night was the tsukune katsu. I love tsukune, the tare-glazed chicken meatballs you'll find in any yakitori place. This was my first time having them in katsu form, panko-fried and served over cabbage with Kewpie mayo and tonkatsu sauce. The chawanmushi was delicious, silky steamed egg custard topped with Dungeness crab, truffle salt, and mitsuba. Likewise the kinoko tempura, an array of maitake, shiitake, and enoki mushrooms fried light and crispy, with yuzu shichimi and tentsuyu for dipping. We got a skewer of bonchiri from the yakitori menu, delightfully chewy bites of charcoal-grilled jidori chicken tail. Finally, a plate of yakisoba, pan-fried noodles with house-cured Peads & Barnetts char siu, pickled green garlic, and cracklin. We got the hojicha parfait, and it was more or less my ideal dessert. Roasted green tea soft serve with sesame black sugar burnt miso and candied walnuts with cornflake dust. Cold, light, sweet. I could eat a whole one by myself pretty much any time. After nine years in business, Tsubaki feels like an Echo Park institution, and the kitchen is as strong as ever. This was a wonderful dinner, one I hope to repeat soon, with more sake, more yakitori, and more hojicha parfait.

    I did have the most amazing Caesar salad at tsubaki, maybe it's because of the little fish…read moreingredients they are adding to the salad. It's not fishy at all tho, but there's just the flavor from the sea that really elevates the salad. The whole time I'm looking for the fish lol, but in the end I just finished the leaves with great satisfaction. The skewers are pretty tasty but too pricy when I know that at the same price Nan Ban Kan in Sawtelle just does it with 20% better flavor, 30% less wait time and maybe 10% cheaper. Didn't like the fried rice at the end. It'd be better if only they kept the braised beef with the sauce. The fried rice is way too dry to enjoy on its own. Living on the west side, I'm definitely in no time to visit again

    Photos
    Tsukune - chicken meatballs
    Tsukune - chicken meatballs
    Fruit tomato kimchi
    Fruit tomato kimchi
    Tsubaki

    See all

    Bon Shabu - hotpot - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...