I'll caveat this review by saying I came here for a private event, so this is not taking price into…read moreconsideration! The food though was amazing. Everything felt very fresh and flavorful, with my favorite courses being the tonkatsu, sashimi, chicken skewers, and hojicha panna cotta. The roasted duck chrysanthemum greens salad was a surprisingly good combo! Waiters were very attentive, checking in with dietary restrictions and drinks a lot.

Rintaro is a beautiful restaurant with gorgeous wood accents and thoughtful Japanese-inspired décor…read morethat makes the experience feel special from the moment you walk inside. As for the food, it was unfortunately just okay. We ordered the yellowtail appetizer, gyoza, chicken katsu, grilled mushrooms, and the tuna rice bowl. While everything was well presented, the flavors were fairly average and didn't stand out. The chicken katsu was a bit dry, and overall we expected more given the restaurant's reputation. Nothing was bad, but nothing really wowed us either. We made a reservation and ate quite quickly but we felt a bit rushed towards the end (understanding they probably needed our table). I'd still recommend visiting for the ambiance, but I was surprised that the food didn't quite live up to the beautiful setting.

What a gem amongst all the restaurants in Japan Town! It's in the outside center near the…read morestationary store Paper Tree for reference. Been here a couple of times already and the service never failed. Even came here during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the staff were still friendly / accommodating. They even put a spicy sauce on the side of one of the katsu plates when we mentioned that my dad couldn't handle all that haha. This cozy spot mainly focuses on katsu plates, but I like how they had off menu or specials to choose from if you'd like another option. I will say though them katsu plates were just chef's kiss. The meat is pounded thin enough where it's still juicy and tender, but doesn't affect the exterior from being crunchy and a bit flaky. Nothing was dry here yallll! I also like how it already comes with miso soup and salad. Huge fan of that Hamachi Truffle special though. Think of a citrusy flavor from the ponzu, fresh fish, a bit of micro greens, and a thin slice of jalapeño that just ~works~ on a cute wooden spoon that you want to steal I could honestly eat like 5 spoons of this. I'd skip on the calamari as it was kind of skimpy to share with a large group. Only note was that their fried katsu curry was a bit underwhelming with having more slices of carrots than potato! Would love to come back if I am ever in the area.

Ganji is a solid spot for katsu in Japantown! The service was excellent--the staff were friendly,…read moreattentive, and quick to take our orders, which made for a great dining experience. The miso soup was a delicious way to start the meal, and when my katsu arrived, it looked amazing. The meat was hot, tender, and the portion was huge, so I definitely left full. My only suggestion is to ask for the curry on the side if you like your katsu extra crispy. I had the curry poured over it, and the breading got soggy pretty quickly. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is the price. My dish was around $30, which felt a little expensive, although I can understand it given the quality of the meat and generous portions. Overall, it's a great place if you're craving katsu, and I'd definitely come back--just with the curry on the side next time!

So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

-Food is just okay. 3 stars. Some good value sushi and cooked food won't be available in menu. It…read morelimited to order every single round. In average, waiting time for food is 10+ minutes each round. -Hopefully this staffs will have more training in buffet style dining. Server will give you check when there's still have available time to order in system. -Environment is just okay too. They just stuck some paper towel underneath the leg of table to balance.

Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

What an experience! We were celebrating an anniversary and planned a bit last minute, but were able…read moreto snag a reservation here pretty easily. Immediately, the ambiance and service was quite nice. We were seated at the table, but typically I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the chefs make our food. The service was amazing and they were very attentive. They also offered to take photos and gave us a little gift of hojicha tea since we were celebrating. We got the omakase, which was massive and had 18 courses. They gave us a menu so we knew what to expect for each course, and we ordered some sake. The omakase was delicious and more traditional than other places, each course was so beautiful and delicately made. This is definitely a lot of food, I would recommend the petite omakase in the future as I was stuffed, but it was a great experience if you come hungry! Courses: - Chawan-mushi - super tasty and every bite was delicious and umami forward! - Otsumami - 7 seasonal appetizers presented in a beautiful box, there was a stuffed crab claw in there that was delicious - 4 kinds of sushi - each piece came out one at a time, the first piece was my absolute favorite and blew me away, it was a seared chutoro that immediately melts in your mouth and tastes smokey - Hamachi soup - very tasty and warming soup with hamachi inside, was perfect in between the sushi course - 4 kinds of sushi - A5 Waguyu shabu - this course was extra $10 pp but was so delicious, the wagyu was melt in your mouth and had some grated daikon on top in a ponzu dashi, the toppings help balance the meat so it's overwhelming since it does melt in your mouth, one of my favorite bites! - 4 kind of sushi - they brought out some really great sushis, including more chutoro and an unagi handroll, but I was so stuffed at this point that I felt I couldn't enjoy it as much - miso soup - this soup was so tasty and kind of revived me after all that food, it felt comforting and a great way to end - dessert- I got the hojicha ice cream in a waffle like cookie and it was delicious!

Omg genuinely such a beautiful and amazing cafe!…read more I had to try the matcha einspanner because it was so popular on tiktok! And wow was it delicious. The vanilla foam with kinako powder was SOOO good. The barista recommended us to eat the cream separately from drinking the matcha and omg that was life changing!! I've never tasted cream top this good, it did not have any milk/cheese taste! It also wasn't too sweet. The matcha itself was pretty strong, but not the best matcha quality I've had personally. Don't get me wrong, it was still really good! The hot hojicha latte was also good and strong, but nothing too special unlike the matcha einspanner. Matcha einspanner definitely the star of the show :) Space was beautiful and so aesthetic, it was bar vibes! At night they do serve cocktails :) Service was also amazing, workers were so kind! I NEEED to come back to try the dinner menu!!!!

This shop is served as a cafe in the morning and bar at night. I came here in the evening to check…read moreit out, and highly recommend to make reservation in advance. Their drink menu is full of unique creations, and their non-alcoholic cocktails were especially impressive. We ordered two: Cold Noodle and Dashi Apple. Both were delicious and totally my style - light, refreshing, and full of layered flavors. I honestly didn't have high expectations for the food, but it ended up being a pleasant surprise, especially the chicken wings. They were incredibly juicy, perfectly seasoned, and so good that I seriously considered ordering another plate. The oysters also stood out, served with a unique sauce that was bright, refreshing, and had just a subtle kick of spice to whet the appetite. We also tried their signature burger. The beef patty was cooked perfectly, staying juicy without being dry. To finish, we ordered the Matcha Affogato. The matcha is slowly poured over the ice cream tableside, making for a fun little presentation and the perfect ending to the meal. The interior design is modern, thoughtfully designed, and aesthetically beautiful. There's also a spacious, bright outdoor patio.

Good food and good service, will come back again. Nice location in Sunset district…read more Good food and good service, will come back again. Nice location in Sunset district.

Came for the AYCE lunch. The specialty sushi rolls were delicious! We paid an extra $10 each to add…read morenigiri, but honestly, I probably would've skipped it. There was too much rice, and a couple of the fish pieces were served super cold. The texture made them seem like they had been frozen or were still stiff. The overall price isn't bad, but the service is really slow. We had to flag down our server a couple of times just to get water and place our orders. The food also took a while to come out. Don't get me wrong, I understand places get busy, but with the 1.5-hour AYCE limit, there's really no way to get everything you want unless you order it all at once. We only ended up placing about four rounds of orders before we decided it wasn't worth waiting anymore. I'd definitely come back for the specialty rolls, but I'd probably skip the nigiri next time.

This place is a neighborhood gem for sushi. Fresh fish and fun tofu soufflé options. They also have…read moresome specials so make sure to take a look at the board. The rainbow roll was really good with tender fish. I didn't love the flavor of the udon broth for the seafood udon special, but it was really fresh so more of a preference. The tofu soufflé is fun and unique so I'd recommend trying one of those (there are three different options). It's a very small restaurant with not too many tables and no reservations so be prepared for a bit of a wait if it's busy (the whole party must be present to be seated). The servers are very sweet.

Went on a Wednesday at 6PM and there was no line! Pretty small inside - most were tables for 2 or…read more4. We got the hot tofu to share, and I loved all the various toppings that came with it. We also got the spicy tuna roll and hamachi roll. The fish was very fresh, and the rolls were excellent! Overall, a little pricier than I expected. They also had an $18 minimum per person. However, high quality fish!

Food came about very quickly and servers were very helpful…read more Very contemporary setting

Kizuki was excellent from start to finish. The ramen broth was rich, flavorful, and clearly made…read morewith a lot of care. The noodles had a great texture, and all of the toppings tasted fresh and high quality. Service was friendly and efficient, even during a busy time, and the restaurant had a comfortable atmosphere that made it easy to enjoy the meal. The portions were satisfying, and the menu had plenty of options to customize your bowl. Overall, one of the best ramen experiences I've had, and I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend Kizuki to anyone looking for authentic, delicious ramen.