What started as a quick search turned into one of the best sushi experiences I've had in a long…read moretime. We were in the area for my son's doctor's appointment and discovered this place nearby. What a bonus! If you're anywhere close, it's absolutely worth a visit. The sushi here is next-level. You can immediately taste the quality of the ingredients--the freshness of the rice, the fish, and the attention to detail in every bite. I started with salmon and tuna nigiri, plus a salmon roll that was cut into small bite-sized pieces. Honestly, I was popping them into my mouth like candy. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. They also have a great selection of hot foods. Right when you walk in, you're greeted by freshly prepared unagi (eel), which looked amazing. They also offer katsu, and other ready-to-eat items. I grabbed a Spam musubi, and wow--it may be the best Spam musubi I've ever had, even better than some I've had in Hawaii. The Spam still had a slight crispiness, the egg added richness, and the seasoning brought everything together with an incredible umami flavor. What I love most is that the place reminds me of a Japanese convenience store (konbini)--but an upscale version. It's like Tsukigi market had a store in Ginza. You can buy fresh seafood, ingredients to make your own sushi at home, or simply grab a meal and enjoy it there. The quality throughout the store is outstanding. The atmosphere is great too. There's always a buzz of people shopping for sushi or enjoying their food outside in the seating area. It feels lively and authentic. One suggestion: try to get there early if you can. They had so many ready-made sushi trays, rolls, nigiri, and prepared foods available, but a lot of them were already nearly sold out by the time I got there. I noticed a sign saying items are made fresh regularly throughout the day, which is a great sign of how popular and fresh everything is. Still, if you want first pick of all the goodies, I'd recommend arriving earlier. My only real complaint is the parking. The lot is small, and during busy times you'll probably need some patience. I visited on a weekday during rush hour, but once I got my food, it was completely worth it. The drive back to Simi Valley flew by because I couldn't stop eating and thinking about how good everything was. I honestly can't wait to find another excuse to come back. This place is such a treat. If you're looking for high-quality sushi, fresh seafood, delicious prepared foods, and a taste of Japan without getting on a plane, this place delivers.

Service, even on the least busy hours, is absolutely ridiculous. There are at least six employees…read morebehind the counter with no customers in sight and often commiserating with each other. I spoke to one young man about seeing the manager who looked like he was high on everything, he made a motion about poking his head, and told me, "He might be around that corner". I took a little less than two steps to see for myself and nobody was there. I turn back around and he has his back to me while babbling with his coworkers with no mind for anything. Eventually, a lovely girl finally came to my aid as I awkwardly stood there to find this manager, and she made the worthwhile effort to do that. The initial idiot made a quip, "Oh there he is", and I shook my head. It should also be said that the manger isn't exactly a brain surgeon either. They hire privileged idiots with no mind for common sense for the front and regular idiots managing these places. Their sushi and other dishes also looked cheap showcased under their plexiglass. Avoid this place even if you can wriggle some form of parking.

Great food and customer service! Nothing but great experiences! Highly recommended. Get the tan…read moretan men! You won't be sorry.

The black garlic tonkatsu is the best ramen I have ever had in my LIFE and I've had quite a few…read morebowls from top-rated ramen shops when we travel. If you love garlic and feel like dishes could always use a little more garlic, this one is for you (with an extra side of garlic, naturally!). My husband got the tan tan men with mild spice (he said it was savory, flavorful spicy and not burn-your-mouth-off spicy) and my daughter had the tonkatsu and loved it. My husband is rarely reactive about food ("It's good" is the best I usually get out of him) but he said this was "*really* good!" Wow that's 11/10 stars coming from him! The jammy egg was actually jammy! So often places overcook them but not here. I hope we are back in the area someday because I can't wait for my next bowl from Moto. Do not miss this shop! We ordered takeout on a Thursday around 11:30am and it was ready in less than 10 mins and when I went to pick it up the shop was maybe half full. Parking looked challenging nonetheless. It's metered street parking out front with a tiny, tiny parking lot out back and perhaps you can find some parking in the neighborhood behind the shop.

When my friend suggested this restaurant, I didn't even look at the menu because I was like, well,…read moreit's Los Angeles. Even though I have dietary restrictions, I'm pretty sure there's going to be something on the menu that I could eat. Now when I got there and I saw the very brief menu, I was stunned and I was like, oh my gosh, I should've looked at the menu before I came here This looks like I'm about to be eating a bunch of raw fish. But to my surprise when I looked closely, I was able to see that there was a whole section of grilled foods and appetizers that I could eat. I ended up ordering: - the miso soup - the edamame - the cucumber salad (for appetizers) - sea bass - oyster mushrooms - shrimp - the ginkgo nuts Every single food item that I ordered was delicious. I was genuinely surprised by how flavorful everything was and I was particularly impressed with the sea bass and oyster mushrooms. These two dishes were phenomenal. I don't know how they made that sea bass so flaky and moist and just melt in your mouth but it was so good. I don't know what sauce they put on top of it but that thing was amazing. The oyster mushrooms were so good that we ordered two more orders of it. For the edamame, the only thing I didn't like was that it was served cold. I don't know if that's like a traditional way of serving it or something but I'm used to having my edamame be served warm or hot so that was unusual for me. The server was amazing, super attentive and very kind. He always made sure we had what we needed and there was even something that was mistakenly served to us but he took it off the bill and allowed my friend to eat it anyway so we were grateful for him. He was also really good at explaining the menu and the dishes that he liked. The vibe in here is social but a little classy. There were these ladies that were sitting to the left of us and one of them just randomly started talking to us and asking us if we were from the neighborhood, which was a little odd because... why are you asking me those questions??? Other than that the vibe was fine and I would definitely come back here again. One thing to note though is that the food is served kind of like tapas style so if you're expecting massive portions and to be stuffed to discomfort, this is not the place where that's going to happen.

The seats are hard the food is good. They got my order completely wrong but everything I ate was…read moreamazing so I'm not upset the atmosphere is just OK it's not excitingly beautiful or wonderful but it's not a diner either and I would definitely go back but I would be very clear with them what I wanted and make them repeat it back to me. The quality of the food is really good

This is one of the best sushi spots I've ever been to, and as an LA native who used to work at Nobu…read moreMalibu, that says a lot! No reservations but worth a wait (but honestly, only ever had to wait 30-40 mins during peak dinner time on Friday once). It's a small space but it doesn't feel crammed, it's cozy and really well kept. The quality and freshness of the fish is impossible to beat. The nigiri melts in your mouth. The best part of coming to dinner here is their prefix meal options. When my boyfriend and I come together we never have to strategize what to get. I always order the Uzumaki & he gets the Uzumaki Plus prefix meals & we each get a miso soup. The ceviche sampler leaves you wanting more each time, the edamame starter is the perfect size, and with each bite of the nigiri I'm smiling and nodding my head in disbelief. You get to choose between two cut rolls with the Uzumaki prefix meals, either the crunchy shrimp or spicy tuna -- the shrimp is my favorite. We decided to try the chocolate donut with vanilla ice cream today and it did not disappoint. Now to the service -- we've never had better service. Each employee greets you with a smile, and as soon as your plate is empty or a piece of trash shows up on your table the staff immediately takes it away. I personally love eating the pickled ginger and some places can be stingy, not this place! Immediately they are bringing us more ginger, water, etc whatever it is, without us asking. It's incredible the attention to detail the staff has and they make coming back such a warm and friendly experience. The cherry on top? There's free parking in a structure attached to the building. We recommend parking in the structure over the street as sometimes there can be interesting characters outside. You know it's an amazing restaurant when you can't decide which is better, the service or the food! Go, you won't regret it!!!

Such a good experience at Uzumaki. First, they have a parking garage, so it already begins with a…read morepremium experience. We were seated right away at 530pm Tuesday. Originally we were going for the set menu, but the nigiri menu had so much that we were interested in. All of them were totally worth it, so I'll put stars for those that went above and beyond and surprised me in a delightful way. Here's our selects, ranked favorite first. ***Amberjack belly - this was my personal fav. It was thick, umami on instant bite where I could taste that it was coming from the fish itself. So delicious. **Seared toro (+truffle soy) - obviously. Super tender, seared perfectly, and truffle is a perfect match for the butteryness MP was $22. Wish it was a bit thicker, cause I've had it thick at a different omakase and it was unbeatable. It would be worth the extra! ***Seared Gindara - they had sashimi of black cod! It's one of my favorites grilled and loved that I got to try it as a raw nigiri. Flavoring was perfect and having it seared was a nice touch. **Seared salmon belly (+truffle soy) - like the toro, it's buttery and goes great with the truffle pairing. It's super soft and tender. Wish it was a bit thicker on this piece too! *Special Albacore - flavoring was with olive oil. Unique and paired well!! I was lowkey sad when they took the plate away so fast bc any basic roll dipped in olive oil + ponzu tasted so much better haha. Butterfish (daily special) - super soft & tender *Spicy yellowtail hand roll - seems like their spicy rolls are popular! Loved that it had right amount of spiciness, sesame, and not too salty. Tekka salmon hand roll & Salmon & Avocado roll - my bear friend loves his salmon, they're simple and clean, and have a good amount of salmon We also had banana tofu donut with pistachio ice cream! I've always wanted to try healthier Ring baked fonuts made from tofu and I'm glad I got to try it! Soft, just enough sweet. But pistachio ice cream was too icy. Service was super kind and fast. I appreciated that she suggested great recommendations (gindara and butterfish) based on what we liked! We really appreciated that as I'm glad to have tried them.

At Gokigen Tori, a yakitori concept originating from Tokyo, the team has opened a Culver City…read morebranch with their original chef brought over from Japan, delivering a truly authentic Tokyo yakitori experience in the U.S. The meal begins with a striking presentation: a wooden crate of assorted skewers for the omakase, ranging from all kinds of chicken cuts to richly marbled A5 wagyu. It immediately sets the tone for a meal rooted in traditional technique, yet open to a more modern, elevated interpretation. Yakitori here follows a philosophy deeply embedded in Tokyo's top counters, full utilization of the bird, precise binchotan grilling, and a deliberate pacing that emphasizes progression. Within this framework, I explored a more contemporary pairing approach. Elite "Cult" wines into a setting traditionally dominated by beer, sake, and shochu A bottle of Chateau Petrus kicks off the early progression. Its plush plum fruit and silky tannins align with the smoky depth of the grill, particularly alongside lightly charred chicken skewers where restraint in seasoning allows the wine elegance to surface. My approach tonight reflects a growing high end dining trend seen across Tokyo's top yakitori-ya, where prestigious Bordeaux and Napa cult wines are increasingly paired with yakitori. Bringing that perspective to Culver City, the contrast becomes intentional, humble, fire driven cuisine meeting some of the world's most coveted bottles. As the meal progress, the pairing shifts into a high gear, Screaming Eagle alongside Petrus elevates the wagyu into something far beyond traditional yakitori. Both wines concentration and structure cut cleanly through the beef's rendered fat, creating a powerful interplay between richness and precision. Even beef tendon, often seen as a more rustic skewer, takes on a refined dimension here. Against the backdrop of these world class wines, its savory glaze and charcoal kissed exterior provide a compelling contrast to the wines depth and smooth textures. Coming up next are the sake, Fudoh Junmai Daiginjo offers a composed, textural counterpoint. Its rounded umami and gentle fruit sweetness integrate seamlessly with tare-glazed skewers, while a clean finish resets the palate between richer bites and the Tenko 40 Muroka Nama introduces a more expressive, energetic layer. Paired with chawanmushi, sashimi, and lighter preparations, its fresh aromatics and subtle acidity bring lift and contrast, expanding the range of the meal beyond what wine alone could achieve. What I am experimenting here tonight are full of contrast, charcoal and silk, fat and structure, tradition and reinterpretation. Pairing wines like Petrus with yakitori may seem unconventional to a lot of you, but within the context of modern Tokyo dining, it feels increasingly natural. Here in Los Angeles, Gokigen Tori captures a glimpse of that evolution, where even the most traditional skewers meet the world's most prestigious glass. As always, I'll let the photos speak for the rest of the fun.

I am always on the hunt for authentic Japanese food and the vibes found IN Japan. I don't like the…read morefusiony stuff. This restaurant did not disappoint. The yakitori is the best I've tasted in LA so far. It is also the most expensive. I've been to Saijo (not bad but more American palette), Nanbankan (disgusting), and Kappo Miyabi (acceptable). The chicken here tasted so tender and fresh and I could tell the ingredients were top quality. There were some very authentic daily specials on the menu like Sakuradai sashimi, Japanese Spanish mackerel, and firefly squid. Usually the firefly squid I've had were marinated and preserved with a funk to them but these were very fresh! I love that they get fresh fish flown in Japan and the sashimi was cut pretty well, too and served at the right temperature. Nothing worse than veiny hard cold fish. We also ordered the chicken soup and the minced chicken stone pot rice. I don't think the rice was worth it because the wait was too long and didn't have the right texture imo, too soft. The chicken soup was super basic, just meat and broth but wow SO delicious and comforting! The best chicken soup I've ever had. Apps were good, too. I love they had authentic feeling Japanese pickles. The mentaiko however was too salty. Menu said there would be otoshi (cover charge cabbage salad) just like in Japan for $5 but they didn't serve it. Probably because people didn't like the idea you have to opt out since this isn't a thing in America. I appreciated the thought. It adds to the authenticity of the restaurant and brought a bit of nostalgia. I also ordered a glass of sake and the waitress told me to say when to stop but I did not understand stand her and said nothing. She poured until the cup and the box underneath overflowed! Ended up with 3 glasses full. Didn't mean to be shameless but appreciated the authentic generous Japanese hospitality for sure. They have a great sake selection too, many easy izakaya style drinkers such as one of my favorites, Dewazakura Izumi Judan "Tenth Degree". You won't find this sake at fakey fake fusion Japanese places. The only thing I did not like about the restaurant was the wait staff was weird. They were mostly Eastern European women with blonde hair (all working at an authentic Japanese restaurant???) and it was hard to understand our waitress because of her accent. She also had a perpetual frown on her face. She seemed angry to serve us. Not sure what was up with that. I don't really knock any stars off for service though unless it's egregiously bad or non-existent. I would reserve the chef's counter next time to just interact with the chefs as they are definitely Japanese. Update: It was so good, I went back again! I have to say the food that comes out of the back kitchen is better than the yakitori. Presentation and knife skills are top notch. The mini tori chicken ramen is the top 3 I've every had in my life. The broth was so flavorful but light. The noodles were the right texture and the toppings were cooked PERFECTLY. I highly recommend their soups and daily specials! (Ask for the chalk board).

It felt like one of those slow, cozy days where time doesn't rush you…read more I met up with my college friend after what felt like forever, and somehow we both landed on the same craving--ramen. No debate, no hesitation. Just ramen. I had tried this spot at another location before and remembered liking it, so it felt like a safe, comforting choice for a long overdue catch-up. We got there at that in-between hour... not quite lunch, not quite dinner. The kind of time where the restaurant feels like it's just exhaling. It was completely empty except for us, which honestly made everything feel a little more intimate--like the space was ours for the afternoon. We sat down and immediately slipped into conversation, picking up right where we left off after graduation. Life updates, little wins, quiet struggles... the kind of conversation that only comes easy with people who've known you for years. And in between all that, our mouths were busy. The ramen came out hot, comforting, and exactly what we needed. Rich broth, satisfying noodles--one of those meals where you don't even realize how hungry you were until you take the first bite. We kept pausing mid-sentence just to take another bite, then laughing because we couldn't decide what deserved more attention: the food or the conversation. Service was really attentive without being intrusive. They somehow knew when to check in and when to let us just exist in our little bubble. The music was soft, not overpowering, so we never had to raise our voices or repeat ourselves--something I appreciate more and more these days. We stayed longer than we probably planned, but it didn't feel rushed at all. Just two old friends, warm bowls of ramen, and a space that let us slow down for a bit. Definitely one of those simple meals that turns into a really good memory.

Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the tonkotsu shio ramen here. The broth was rich and…read moreflavorful, but the noodles were too thin. I personally prefer thicker noodles with a chewier texture. It came with one thin slice of meat and half an unmarinated egg. For $20, there are better, more satisfying bowls of ramen in the area. We came pretty late, and the staff were welcoming, so I did appreciate the good service here.

Great little spot and their food is delicious, a lot of umami flavors, great services, parking is a…read morebit challenging since they have a small parking lot but plenty of meter parking. You seat yourself and they have cute little tables and chairs, music playing in the background. I went with Deluxe Mazemen, pork bao and sparkling yuzu lemonade and my coworker had the same except for he got karaage chicken which was crunchy, and the deluxe mazemen was ahhmazing, flavorful, and they give you some rice when you are almost at the end to soak up all the juicy juiciness! If you are in the area and craving some umami flavor and something delish, stop by and give them a taste.

A few months ago went to a private party at Wadaya. Since then have wanted to go back to Wadaya…read more Recently I was working a block away from Wadaya for a few days. Had lunch twice at Wadaya while I was working a block away. On a day I worked for 11 hours had a small Karaage Chicken and rice bowl and a cup pf green tea. On a day I worked for 15 hours I needed more protein so I had a large Karaage Chicken and rice bowl. Both Karaage Chicken and rice bowls were very good and were served very quickly, which is important when you are on your lunch break.

Hinodeya is in the shopping center across from Trader Joe's so there is plenty of parking. Came…read morehere for lunch after yoga and it was such a nice easy casual spot. Service was super sweet and took care of us so well. We ordered the crispy chicken karaage, spicy miso ramen, and an unsweetened green tea. The karaage was aggressively crispy, almost more crunch than chicken, but still good with the mayo sauce. The real highlight was the ramen. The broth was so rich and comforting with the option to add more spice powder and crispy garlic. Left full, warm, and happy

Just got back from a trip to Japan and really wanted a taste of what I had overseas so stopped into…read moreHinodeya for that. Overall, it was a good experience however the Ramen itself wasn't as flavorful as some others that I've had and I felt the noodles were a bit too chewy. Our server was very polite and everything that we ordered came out pretty fast. There is a large free parking lot attached in back so parking was really easy. Inside is pretty small so there may be a wait if it's crowded but also many people seem to get to go orders. For this visit, I chose the Spicy Miso Soup Butter Corn and added a side of beef, which I enjoyed. Ramen is always a comfort meal to me so it did hit the spot on a cold night. It was a nice dinner and I would recommend however it is not my favorite ramen in Los Angeles.