Tony (owner) is there every day to ensure operation runs smoothly. And there seems to be quite a bit of regulars because I noticed Tony would greets them by their name and open arm. The hostess is always welcoming while the wait staff is attentive. Expect a slight bit of wait if you don't have a reservation but it's well worth it. We usually ask for bar seating because we enjoy watching them grill. To start, we get the Ochazuke, check the chalkboard for any specials and order some sake/beer while we browse through the menu. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

Food: - Yellowtail fish collar: special, surprising amount of fish on the small collar, good flavor - Yaki onigiri: best value! The house special one was tasty especially with the crunchy rice. The salmon onigiri needed more salmon - Stuffed shitake: great flavor and consistency wasn't too rubbery - Steak: decent - Meatballs: I expected more flavor, but good consistency - Shiso Chicken: my least favorite dish since it had the least flavor Ambiance: - Don't be deceived by its humble exterior, this place can get packed and is quite cozy inside - Make reservations! Even on a weeknight, the restaurant gets crowded - Staff were helpful and efficient - Street parking - You can see them grilling the food in the bar area - Overall great pricing for Izakaya read more

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Wow, I'm so impressed with this yakitori spot! Parking was pretty easy to find on a Saturday night around the corner. It was busy!! I think it's best to make reservations if you want to come in. They turned away a couple people/groups because they didn't have reservations. The pricing for everything was reasonable. Definitely ask what's unavailable before ordering. The yakitori sticks came one by one and cooked well. I think my favorite was a non-yakitori item, miso cod. Sooo good!! It did take awhile to be served. Since the sticks kept coming out slow, we all got full fast. Id love to come back again if I know I'm going to be in the area. read more

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Great spot, good value! We came for a bday dinner with 5 people and all left full for under $250!! I love the tsukune, asupara maki and salmon. read more

I followed other Yelpers' advice and called around 5 p.m. last week for a table this Friday. I left Naba­e­n-kan tonight fully convinced this place is hard to beat for yakitori in LA. The restaurant is unassuming from the outside. Only after passing through the noren at the reception area do you see the spacious yet homey dining room. The open grilling station immediately drew my attention. Four or five chefs stood calmly at the grill, working in a space that was both clean and organized. When I saw the smoke rising in elegant ribbons toward the ceiling, I knew we were in for fire, flavor, and something special. Definitely do not miss the chicken meatball and the wings. Very harmless choice, yet they show exactly how good this yakitori spot really is. The meatball is gently dipped into a house-made tare (a glossy, sweet-savory soy-based sauce), which gives it an appetizing sheen. They are a bit smaller than an IKEA meatball, but somehow pack several times the flavor. Those subtle orange flecks inside are a hint that the sweetness comes not just from the sauce, but also from fresh carrots. The high heat of the charcoal locks in the meat's moisture, so every bite releases a rush of juices from the chicken, the vegetables, and that incredible sauce--everything coming together in a perfect, happy bite. The wings are even more impressive. Instead of crisping the skin, the fire gently softens it. A light sprinkle of salt on top lets the aroma of the charcoal soak into the meat. It's such a simple preparation, but every bite is deeply satisfying: I see the steam, smell the char, and taste this concentrated, comforting richness. Also 100% ordering the Unagi Bowl again. This "simple" $13 bowl comes with two bowls of miso soup, which are such a fun, cozy way to start the night. The freshwater eel arrives steaming hot from the grill, with zero fishiness and practically melts in your mouth. The rice underneath, soaking up the sauce and eel drippings, pairs beautifully with the skewers and helps balance out the more intensely flavored bites. Service is top-tier. I didn't expect full-on Japanese-style hyper-formal hospitality, but my water was always refilled, dishes and specials were patiently explained, and every request was handled quickly and kindly. When we asked for the check, our Japanese hostess cheerfully said, "We accept Apple Pay, American Express, Visa, Mastercard--basically anything," and it was honestly adorable. For two hours, it felt like I stopped being in LA but became a regular at a neighborhood spot in a country 13 hours away. It could have been pouring outside and it wouldn't have mattered. In this space, at this moment, I felt warm, cared for, and genuinely happy. read more

Nanban-Kan - Miso Soup - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This place is very popular and there was a line to get in. Fortunately, we had reservations. I found most of the dishes a little lacking in flavor. My understanding is that this is by design because they want to present authentic flavors that emphasize the taste of the food. So I think I get it and can accept that. A worse issue was that most of the dishes were overcooked and dry. This was particularly the case with the shrimp and scallops -- which is pretty bad because overcooked seafood is really not very good. The chicken breast was also pretty dry. The best dish was the meatballs. They were not dry. I might be willing to give it another try -- maybe it was an off night ... read more

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Best Yakitori in west LA . The menu is extremely good . Prices well worth the visit. Great service and ambiance. Make sure to make reservations because this place fills up fast . The owner Tony is a very gracious host and will make your experience well worth your experience read more

Nanban-Kan - visit - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is the spot I want to gatekeep for the rest of my life. My mom says it's really a piece of Japan in LA. Make sure to ask for bar seating and make a reservation. I like to go when they first open as popular items do sell out. The vibes at the bar feel like you're in Japan getting yakitori and beer! I recommend literally everything on the menu here! read more

Was a very strange experience. I walked in here without a reservation. There were seats available at the sushi bar area and there were tables seemingly free but perhaps reserved. However the man standing there asked if I had a reservation and when I said no, he shook his head. Then he said I could come back at 9:30pm or try on the weekend. I suppose you absolutely should have a reservation or don't bother to walk in. read more

Food on a stick, what can be better?! Knew this was going to be good when they only take phone reservations. There was a huge variety of things to order. My favorite ended up being the beef tongue and the pork belly. Waiters and host were all very kind and checked in on us often! read more

Nanban-Kan - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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If you don't have time to fly to Japan then this is your go to restaurant for traditional Japanese yakitori.

The best Yakitori we've ever had around town. Comparable to what we had in Kyoto. They even had chicken tail & kidney! That's a rare find! The grilled squid is super tender too. They did mention our meal time would only be 2 hours but that's not a problem. Must have a reservation. We saw a bunch of ppl getting turned away. We got a spot the same day, but they are old school and must make reservations by calling. read more

Nanban-Kan - Chicken kidney, last order they had for the night. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I'm giving this place 4 stars for atmosphere and 1 star for food. Walking in I felt like I was about to have a wonderful kushiyaki experience. Intimate, cozy, clean, respectful staff, and super busy. However, the food was bland beyond belief. Typically, these types of places use fresh high quality meats so that the flavor of the food is brought out during cooking. Here, not so much. The meat is dry, overcooked, chewy and tough, and lacks any flavor whatsoever. Do these places not use salt prior to or during cooking? My steak and pork was all cooked well done. It looked and tasted like everything was boiled before being thrown on the grill. I absolutely would not come back here for the food. Maybe for drinks and the vibe. read more

Nanban-Kan - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

They have a phone number that is either busy or requires an access code. You can't ever make a reservation, and they say reservation required. It's like a bad joke. The food is great. If you can get in, but it's not worth the hassle. read more

ambiance delightful with Tony greeting everyone with a smile and open arms. Food delicious. great menu.

The food here tastes authentic but it's incredibly bland, and not in a good way. It tasted incredibly mid to me for Japanese food. Maybe my expectations are higher because I've been to Japan and I frequent Michelin star-restaurants. I just cannot tolerate food I can cook better at home. I've been to Hayato in LA and traditional kaiseki in Kyoto, where food is also bland. However, the reason behind the blandness is the chef wants to show case the natural flavors of the ingredients. The ingredients are so high quality and full of umami in their own right you don't need salt. Here at Nanbankan the quality just doesn't seem to be there to justify the lack of salt. The meats tasted kinda dry, bland, tough, and overcooked like cardboard...no fat. Even the chicken wing, which I usually love to get for yakitori, was just so bland. Nothing had good charcoal flavor either. It had less charred taste than food I could grill on a gas grill or broiling in my own oven! I had very average yakitori in Tokyo and it tasted better than this. Heck the yakitori I got at Furaibo Teba-Saki off UberEats in LA was better than this. I ordered some seaweed salad appetizer and it was legitimately just slime. The sunomono was just lazily drizzled in some soy sauce, no yuzu sauce or special dressing. The spinach was waaaay too salty. I ordered chazuke and while this is a very authentic Japanese dish, it tasted like something a cook with below average skills could throw together. I'm also used to having some salt on the side to dip my meat in but they only had soy sauce and spicy topping. I was loading each skewer with the spicy topping and it did not help. The food seriously lacks umami. If you've ever been to Osaka and had tourist trap food in Dontonburi, this is the same quality and price. I ordered a decent amount and my meal came out to be over $120 after tax and tip. It wasn't cheap and it wasn't enjoyable. There are much better Japanese food in town some serving the same dishes. My new favorite is Shirube an Izakaya. They have very similar duck breast compared to Nanban but the execution is so much better. If you strictly want yakitori, honestly the skewers and chicken wings at Furaibo are better. The dishes and ingredients are definitely very authentic, like they more strange ingredients like ginkgo nuts, smelt, and chicken tails, but the food just didn't taste like it was made with care or skill at all. read more

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My girlfriend and I have dined here several times over the years. We love the quality of their food. See my original review. The biggest issue is making a reservation, which is required. They are not on any of the reservation sites; you need to call them to make a reservation. If they pick up the phone, that's not an issue. This time, we called the toward the end of their business hours on one day and toward the beginning of their business hours on the next day, but we just could not get through to them. Both my girlfriend and I tried a few times, but no luck. We have to say we are very disappointed! read more

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This place is such a gem and is one of THE BEST yakitori restaurants I've ever had, which is a lot! I've brought a lot of friends here, and we've all become regulars. So affordable and amazingly consistent quality. Yakitori is one of my fav foods, and Nanban-kan delivers! I love watching the workers grill the food if you can get a space at the bar area. It is so fun to watch! Stand out skewers are the tsukune and cod, but I seriously love them all! Space is small and intimate, great for a date night or catching up with a couple of friends friends. Since the place is so small, never plan to stay here too long! If you know this place, you cannot eat here without a reservation unless you want to eat at 9-10pm instead. It's pretty easy to get a reservation, just call them a couple days ahead! For the people who gave low rating due to the reservation system, you literally just need to call and make a reservation... this restaurant is small owned and operated by this Japanese man who has earned himself a very loyal customer base. Respect the system and loyalty he built and just make a resy lmao. read more

Food was great but the manager or owners attitude was horrible. Which ruined everything. We had ask just to split certain items for payment but the oldman threw the check back at us saying since we didnt tell him earlier that you cant do that. Not only did he throw the check he hit my shoulder and i did not like being touch or being hit. Just that alone ruined my experience here I will not come back here anymore read more

3.5/5. Not bad, but I've had better yakitori. My favorite items were the black cod (special item; the sauce was perfectly umami) and the chicken wings (nicely salted and tender). Everything else was okay and we tried almost everything off the regular menu. Things were not overly salted, but also not memorable. I would not recommend any of the beef items; both the beef tongue and the sirloin tasted flavorless and a little frost bitten. Also the grilled onigiri was super crispy, but a tad heavy on the soy sauce. Reservations only - I tried to come one time without a reservation and was turned away. Understandably though, it's a small restaurant. Great service though! The staff was quickly clearing the empty plates and filling up our water glasses unprompted. Food came out really quickly, and I enjoyed sitting at the bar watching the chefs cook the meats. I'm not a regular, but I noticed that restaurant was filled with a lot of regulars, and the regulars got even better service. Street parking only. read more

Haven't been here in ages. We just got back from Tokyo, we missed the good food. Brought hubby to try it & glad he enjoyed the meal. Every dish was perfectly grilled. We'll be back soon!! read more

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Overall, it wasn't bad, but I don't think I'd come back. Food and ambience was okay, but service was.. so so read more

Nanban-Kan - Food : 4 Service : 3 Ambience : 4 - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This was our third visit, and once again this restaurant absolutely delivered. The food is consistently exceptional--thoughtful, well-executed, and full of flavor. Every dish feels intentional, and it's clear there's real care behind the menu. The service is incredibly attentive without ever feeling intrusive, and the host is especially welcoming--friendly, warm, and genuinely checks in on diners, which makes the whole experience feel personal and relaxed. And a special shoutout to the grilled onigiri--it's my absolute favorite and the kind of dish I think about long after the meal is over. read more

What a beautiful little treasure nestled in almost a secret corner where only the smart and savvy foodies are lead to! Seated at the bar where I can watch each savory dish be placed on the counter I was able to be drooling at all the options coming out. I could watch the grill and the hustle of the chef's dipping the various veggies and meats into the secret sauce then unto the grill. Meticulous and fast! The place is packed and I can understand why. The food was delicious and the prices were insanely reasonable for what you were ordering. Authentic and traditional the kind owner and entire staff were so amazing and the service exceptional! Not once did I have to ask to have my water glass topped off. I don't want to share this place. I want it to myself. It's a gem and treasure of a place to know something like this still exists in this city. Tapas style each dish comes out one by one fresh and hot. Parking is in the very back of the building across the street at a public lot, or if you're lucky you can catch a meter. Make sure you call and reserve way in advance! read more

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Nanban-Kan has been a family favorite of ours for years. The food is consistently excellent -- always fresh, flavorful, and prepared with care. There are plenty of options for everyone- meat lovers and vegetarians. Prices are fair for the quality, and the cozy, lively atmosphere makes it a great spot for a night out. It's a small restaurant, so reservations are definitely a must. The waitstaff is always very nice and attentive, which really adds to the experience. The only downside is that the owners/managers don't come across as the warmest or friendliest, but that hasn't stopped us from coming back time and time again because the food really speaks for itself. If you're looking for delicious Japanese food in an intimate setting, this is a spot worth checking out. read more

Tried to come into this spot. Doesn't take walk ins, reservation only. Did try to call, but the number didn't go thru. The guy was pretty rude when we got there too. Will prob give this place another chance, but very poor first interaction. read more

Last minute decision to eat and was craving yakitori. Upscale atmosphere and small quaint space. Good quality and flavors! My least favorite was steak and they were sold out of the beef sliders. My husband's favorite was the cod. We pretty much tried everything off the menu, there were hits and a few misses. I liked the chicken skin, duck and pork belly. Didn't love the steak. A great option is their dinner and it includes a variety of skewers (their most popular ones. Service was ok, a bit slow and it wasn't busy at the time. We had to wave them down to ask for most things and their rice took an abnormally long time to arrive at the table. We brought our 4 year old and his review was "10/10"! He said he liked the rice the most LOL. Also, make a reservation! We called in ahead of time and luckily since it was a weekday and early dinner they gave us a table. It was definitely very crowded for dinner time. read more

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The food is great and the price is decent, a lot of chicken choices , not a lot of beef choices. The service is impeccable, super fast and clean the plates within a second. It's better to make a reservation since the restaurant is not so big. We got there at 7 still have parking in front. By 8pm the restaurant is packed and no parking in front. read more

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A wonderful yakitori place with consistent good service, taste, and quality ingredients. We always choose to sit at the bar, so we can watch the grilling happen! My recommendation for the restaurant would be to add an online reservation system because it can be inconvenient to have to call in for a reservation. This is my fourth visit and I have not been disappointed. I'm a fan of the tsukune chicken meatballs and nanbanyaki NY steak as well although I did not get a good picture of them this time. I always leave feeling full but not sickening full considering how healthy and clean the meal feels. read more

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The food was delicious and totally filled my Yakitori craving. While crowded, it was relatively easy to flag down a server to order more food or get the check. Despite the crowd, the place felt warm and cosy, and the noise level was reasonable. Strongly recommend making reservations if you want to get in. read more

Upon arrival, was greeted by the owner/host. They couldn't find my reservation. Proceeded to be extremely rude and condescending. Rolled his eyes when he saw that we had a child with us... Bad taste walking in. I think it's time for him to retire. Service is despicable. Food is going downhill. Not that great. They are now on their nostalgia tour. Nothing to write home about. And I think others agree. read more

This is somewhat like BBQ, Japanese style and I visited on a Saturday night with reservation. Had a variety of Kobe steak, Chicken Liver, scallops, corn, potato, asparagus, tomato & bell pepper, miso soup, the crispy rice, & the mochi. The food was delicious and made fresh to order, the staff was polite. The only cons are that the service was slow it would take a long time for my skewers to get out (too long) and I didn't have a designated server. There was about 4-5 different servers delivering our meals which makes the experience impersonal. The restaurant was hygienic & I liked the bar view. Food was good. Service ok. I would return tho. read more

This spot is a hidden treasure, and I want to keep it that way. A fair warning to those in the area looking to dine in without a reservation. You will be turned away. The majority of the bad reviews are around that. A little tip, call in your reservation on a weekday not during their busy hours. I never had trouble. Tony, the main host, gets a bad rep for having to turn away walk ins. He is the pulse of the restaurant. When those guests that came with a reservation, he is welcoming and takes care to make sure you are enjoying your dining. He is an amazing host. You can tell from the number of regulars who joke and laugh with him. The inside is small, but cozy. I would recommend getting a seat at the bar. You can watch the cooks while you enjoy your food. Prices for yakitori are amazingly fair for a place this caliber. They also write down the specials of the day on a chalkboard. Always look into those. I love this place. I recommend it to everyone I can. read more

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Rumors are swirling that this was Nobuyuki Matsuhisa goto spot for a relaxed dinner before he dropped the "uyuki Matsuhisa" and became known as just "Nobu." Being known by only 4 letters is such a power move ahahaha... I think I'm gonna start going by... "John." Walking into Nanban-Kan is like entering a wormhole in the sense that you walk right off of the trash littered high traffic street that is Santa Monica Blvd, and enter into an authentic Yakitori restaurant in the heart of Shinjuku. The waiting room is separated from the dining area by a short white curtain with Japanese script, and a small, maybe 10 inch, TV that has likely been hanging in that very spot since the early 90s. As I was taking in the ambiance, surrounded by traditional Japanese art and framed light flexes of Nanban-Kan being mentioned in magazines and articles, a well dressed Japanese man came and greeted us. His suit jacket fit so perfectly, that thing was DEFINITELY tailored. Don't ever mess with someone in a tailored suit you know they mean business ahahaa. He was working that room so crazy too ahahaha, just talking to all the customers, having them laughing a little too hard, checking in on everybody every so often, etc. You can tell he BEEN doing this. We were seated at the bar in the middle of the room that wraps around the open kitchen concept where you can see them grilling your skewers right in front of you. Lol I said "open kitchen." The Japanese invented the open kitchen, it really should be called the "Japanese Kitchen." The front page of the laminated menu read "Yakitori and other good things," and idk why that made me laugh, but they are NOT lyin. I came with one of my best friends, who doesn't post me on social media anymore because I don't have enough clout, as he LOVES this place with all his soul. He asked "You cool if I just order for us?" Honestly, I always say yes to anyone who asks this question because how could I not respect that level of confidence? And to be fair he does have impeccable food taste, even though he wont post me. All in all, we got shishito peppers, hot dog, bacon wrapped asparagus, eggplant, dark meat chicken, white meat chicken, NY steak, chicken leg, shrimp, fish, chicken liver, and mushrooms. I've been trying to string together some glowing adjectives intertwined with some sly metaphors and similes that will make you laugh and then cry in the same thought loop to get across how delicious this food was, but I'm just gonna leave you with this: I get why Chef Nobu was an alleged regular here. I often see restaurants that were once amazing start to go through the motions after a certain amount of time. To be in business 40+ years like Nanban-Kan has and still have this level of care and attention to detail defies the known laws of physics....they must be operating in the quantum physics realm.... Eternally grateful that my friend showed me this place, even though he won't post me haha :( -John IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__reviews read more

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Disappointing experience. The maître d' was shockingly rude the moment he saw we had children with us, which immediately set the tone for the evening. Our kids are very accustomed to dining in high-end restaurants and have sophisticated palates, so the attitude was completely unwarranted and unprofessional. Paying customers--families included--deserve basic courtesy and respect. As for the food, it was just so-so and nothing memorable, especially for the price. Combined with the poor service, it made the experience thoroughly unenjoyable. Skip Nanbankan and make the drive out to Sumibiyakitori Kidoru instead for a far more elevated experience with food and service that actually live up to expectations. read more

loveeee this place! my gf and i were near the area skating & we got hungry and this place was literally down the street!! random gem that we got rly lucky with! we ate a multitude of skewers, but the ones stood out (5/5) were - beef tongue - lamp chop - chicken skin - pork belly some of these dishes have an option of teriyaki or soy seasoning & some dishes came with a lemon slice to enhance the flavors! they also provide a spice seasoning where u sit & i like putting it on every dish! for the service: everytime ive been, ive been seated at the bar, but there are tables inside & i would highly recommend reservation or coming exactly when it opens! it's rly nice inside and has a simple japanese aesthetic to it! when you're seated at the bar, you get to see all the foods being grilled & seasoned, but the smoke & smell doesn't get in ur face :-) the servers are always really nice & come around often in case you need anything, but after u place ur order, you don't rly need them anymore as the chefs place ur food at the bar for u right after cooking it read more

Nanban-Kan - interior - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Fantastic food and great service! I personally think the food there is very reasonably priced too. We'll definitely come back!

This place is pretty good if you want skewers. Slightly on the bland side but super authentic and such a cute place for a date night! Everything tasted very fresh, would recommend! read more

Nanban-Kan - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We had an exceptional dinner at this Japanese izakaya! Located off Sawtelle, the restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside. Once you enter, you're transported to a calm and peaceful atmosphere for dinner. Definitely recommend getting there around opening time unless you have a reservation. We witnessed the owner turning a few people away since they didn't have one. We ordered the dinner set, which came with 7-8 different skewers, rice, and miso soup. We were worried it wouldn't be enough food but it surprisingly was the perfect portion for each of us. Our favorite skewers were the chicken wings and grilled meatballs. The meatballs were so flavorful and had a nice char on the sides. We loved the matcha ice cream after our meal. The service was very friendly and attentive. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Nanban-Kan - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is one of my favorite yakitori places in LA. Prices tend to be higher these days, but I think they offer a fair deal. Another reason I love it here is the wide variety of grilled options. Definitely try to sit at the bar and enjoy the freshly grilled skewers. It's always busy, so I recommend making a reservation! read more

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