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    SOBAR

    4.1 (199 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    Moderate noise
    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - SOBAR

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    Ribeye soba - NEW and popular
    Sandra C.

    This place is a diamond and James is AMAZING. Everything he recommended was incredible. My husband and I went here on date night on a Tuesday. It definitely could've been busier but honestly, it really didn't matter because the food and service were fantastic. The bar area where you eat has elegant wooden chairs, and there are only a few tables where you can actually sit down at a traditional western style table and eat. You absolutely have to get the premium sake sampler. The pours are generous and the sake is very good.

    Karaage- perfect juicy
    Kevin L.

    Excellent service and sake execution from James. Nice clean chewy texture of soba. We had warm broth and Zara, both amazingly high quality and perfect. Same flights absolutely delicious, with James explanation, we knew which would be our favorites , but all were refreshing. Otafuku has always been my go to, but SOBAR is a very nice new addition for me. One of the best soba ya in LA.

    TG - Special Appetizer Plate
    Rachel C.

    Really delicious soba noodles! Staff were kind and helpful. Found free street parking right out front for dinner time. Will need to put money in the meter for other times. Can't go wrong with the mushroom scallop soba noodles! Clean and bright interior. Make a reservation before you go

    Katharine L.

    Came for a friend's birthday and we made a reservation for 4. There was only one other party in the restaurant for dinner but it was on a rainy night. So shared the duck appetizer, some tea, and ordered different noodles. The food was all very yummy but they are on the pricier side a bit. I could not finish my food as it was a good amount! Tea was also very interesting and flavorful. The vibes are kinda like a date spot. The seating is a couple tables and a bar like seating. Next time I'd like to order my tempura crunchies on the side of my soba so they don't end up getting soggy. Otherwise I really enjoyed it.

    TG-Scallop Shiso Maze Soba
    Arnold T.

    Stopped by for cold soba on a hot day and this just hit the spot. We were on a semi-rush and staff was understanding and we got our food, ate, and out the door in less than 45 minutes. We got the special lunch combo for $17. We ordered the Ribeye Niku Soba with Karaage and my friend got the Scallop Shiso Maze Soba with Tendon tempura bowl. Refreshing and perfect for the weather. The ribeye soba was meaty and flavorful. The tempura bowl and Karaage were were perfect compliments to the soba, filling and provides a nice contrast to taste and consistency. Service was friendly and attentive. Interior was clean and welcoming. Only street parking is available, though, so be prepared!

    Kakiage soba (warm soba with fried shrimp, scallops and veg)
    Abba Z.

    Delicious soba. Chill environment. Prompt and helpful but not overbearing service. I had the Kakiage Soba and the Special Sake Sampler. Both exceeded my expectations and I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

    Zaru soba with shiso sauce
    Luke Q.

    The atmosphere is clean and minimal, centered around a U-shaped bar that adds a welcoming touch. Near the entrance, a display of sake bottles sets the tone, offering a glimpse into the restaurant's curated taste. It feels like a great spot for a solo meal, especially if you're looking for something calm and thoughtfully prepared. We visited for a weekday lunch. With only one chef on duty, the service was understandably a bit slow, but still attentive. We ordered the special appetizer plate, along with two types of zaru soba -- one with shiso sauce and the other with tororo. While the appetizer plate felt slightly overpriced given the portion size, I appreciated the care put into each item. That said, the grilled rice ball and salmon could've been warmer -- possibly a result of limited staffing. The soba itself was excellent, with a pleasantly firm and tangy texture. The shiso sauce, however, leaned a bit too salty and thick for my taste, whereas the tororo sauce was well-balanced in both flavor and texture. After finishing the noodles, we asked for sobayu (hot water mixed with buckwheat flour), and once again, the shiso dipping sauce remained too salty to enjoy even when diluted -- but the tororo sauce paired beautifully with it, enhanced by the delicate sweetness of fresh wasabi.

    Zaru Soba with a side of chicken karaage
    Edward S.

    At Sobar, you're here for a calming experience at the U-shaped wooden live edge bar. As you listen to relaxing jazzy grooves, the team creates handcrafted soba noodles. Zaru Soba: The chilled soba is on a round bamboo sieve. The thin noodles have a subtle almost nutty flavor. They are firm and a little slick. The tsuyu is soy sauce plus dashi with a plate of scallions and a bump of wasabi. You pick up some of the soba and dip it in the tsuyu. The flavors are very precise, distinct, and understated. The friendly staff is happy to share their culture. They shared some new age sea salts for a non-traditional flavor boost. The salt flakes add jolts of yuzu and matcha. When the soba is finished, they'll bring a teapot. Pour the starchy white soba cooking water into the tsuyu so it becomes drinkable. The warm and savory soup is a comforting treat to end the meal. Chicken Karaage: The chicken is outstanding - plump and super juicy - as if they would burst. The big golden dark meat pieces are battered and fried to perfection. I could easily eat a bucket of these. Parking is bountiful in the adjoining residential streets. It's a joy to walk through this very calm neighborhood filled with blooming flowers.

    Scallop Shisho Maze Soba
    Jonathan C.

    Came here for their anniversary celebration and was seated promptly at open. Overall consensus on this place is it's nice, clean, and simple. Although you do pay some West side mark ups for Asian food, the soba was still enjoyable. Their most popular dish, the Ribeye Niku Soba, skimped pretty hard on the ribeye but the scallop which was also the same price had just as much if not more protein than the ribeye. Would recommend this place only if you don't want want to go far from the west side for soba.

    Andy M.

    A small but very beautiful and clean restaurant specializing in soba. Their tempura is crispy and light, the agadashi tofu is perfectly fried and the broth delicious. The eggplant was an expected flavor bomb. So so good! I love a classic cold dipping soba. It's so comforting and SOBAR definitely hits all the notes. They have some interesting dipping sauces in addition to the classic. Some of the swings are a miss, but others work ok. Overall, an excellent soba place that I wish I had locally!

    Tuna and salmon hand roll
    Lena T.

    The quality is so good! The noodles tasted so fresh and delicious. Got the bold chicken broth soba, which is one of their newest menu items and the broth is so good!! The lemon sour cocktail paired well with it. I also love the interior. It has such a calming and cozy ambiance. Service was very quick and kind. Can't wait to come back!

    New menu! I miss the pickles but luckily they still offer the lemonpeno cabbage which I love. We got the rib eye ramen (with hot broth) and the chicken ramen and I added a poached egg. Yummy!

    SOBAR Premium Matcha-Hi
    Brian V.

    Relatively new spot (I think they have been open about a year or less as of early 2025) that specializes in soba noodles. With a pretty streamlined menu and a minimalist wooden decor inside a pretty small spot, this place feels like a cozy, sleek spot to grab some delicious Japanese food. Before coming here, my mind was already made up. I had to order the Kamo Negi Soba. I really wanted to savor the noodles and asked for the yuzu and matcha salt. I took small bites of the chewy, delicious noodles using the different salts and really trying to showcase the flavor before dipping the noodles in the broth. Such a simple, wonderful dish of beautifully crafted noodles. Minimalist like the surroundings at the bar. In addition to having the delicious noodles, we wanted to try a couple of the sides as well. We went with the nori-shio potatoes and agedashi nasu (eggplant). Both sides were very good and had wonderful texture. I'm a big fan of eggplant and that dish really hit the mark for me.

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    I got the soba noodles. This place is a hidden gem. The food was fresh and really good! 5/5...highly recommended.

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    Thank you so much ! we hope to welcome you back again.

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    Page 3 of 5

    SOBAR Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - SOBAR

    Does Sobar have alcohol beverages on the menu?

    Yes, primarily Sake, though there is also wine beer and some cocktail options.

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    Gokigen Tori

    Gokigen Tori

    3.9
    (94 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    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).

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    Gokigen Tori
    Tomato Maki beefsteak tomato slices wrapped in bacon Sandi chicken tender with wasabi
    Tomato Maki beefsteak tomato slices wrapped in bacon Sandi chicken tender with wasabi
    Ryu meet with Tenko (Divine Craftsmanship) Both shared the theme of reaching perfection through discipline

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    Uzumaki

    Uzumaki

    4.4
    (826 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Exterior signage.
    Exterior signage.
    Uzumaki +
    Uzumaki +
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    Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City

    Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City

    4.4
    (148 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    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

    Photos
    Albacore
    Albacore
    Special handroll
    Special handroll
    Salmon handroll

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    Salmon handroll
    Afuri

    Afuri

    4.3
    (384 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Fresh noodle
    Fresh noodle
    Crispy Pork Gyoza
    Crispy Pork Gyoza
    Crispy Pork Gyoza

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    Crispy Pork Gyoza
    Yunomi Handroll

    Yunomi Handroll

    4.4
    (428 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Casual dining

    the tuna hand roll was sooo good buttery, fatty, soft... honestly one of my favorites of the…read morenight. and i might get some heat for this, but i actually preferred the hand rolls here over kazunori. the seaweed stayed crunchy the whole time, even though i'm a super slow eater the salmon hand roll was a little harder for me to enjoy. maybe i got an extra wet piece of fish or a bad sheet of seaweed, but i had a hard time biting through it. i literally ended up putting half the roll in my mouth at once because every time i tried to take a bite, the seaweed wouldn't break cleanly. the real star for me was the scallop hand roll. that oneeeee was so fresh. not fishy at all, and the bite was fantastic. even though the scallop was wet and saucy, the seaweed still stayed crisp and broke perfectly with the rice. i was actually able to take clean bites without the whole thing falling apart or making me wrestle with it lol. overall, the tuna and scallops were definitely my favorites

    This is a review on an older visit, but I really enjoyed this place and they accommodated for us…read morewith our baby and sat us at the lower bar. Fod we fast and delicious. We really like the brussel sprouts of all things. The seating is limited at the bar, otherwise you'd have to sit outside which is also pleasant since its by the culver city steps. All in all, a great handroll place with fair prices and good quality food.

    Photos
    Front Bar
    Front Bar
    Brussel sprouts - a must!!
    Brussel sprouts - a must!!
    Yunomi Handroll

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    SOBAR - japanese - Updated June 2026

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