I haven't updated my review for this place for a few years, so I think it's time, because they have survived the pandemic and stood the test of time (I still miss their Soup Bar though) that others have not, and that's because of the delicious food, great locations (they pack a lot of personality and ambiance in places that are smaller than they appear), the service is always impeccable and pleasant, and they are very efficient despite how busy they actually get. If you've never been to the Yuko Kitchen, then you really should get in here and see what it's all about. read more

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Saturday evening, my wife & I stopped in on our way to a local comedy show. There are 2 public parking lots near by which was encouraging. We split apetizers; Spicy Salmon Rice Cakes, Beef Dynamite, Crispy Wonton Nachos with spicy salmon, and Chicken Karaage. All enjoyable! Although I wouldn't order the Beef Dynamite again. We were short on time otherwise I would have tried some of their cookies. read more

Service good Friendliness good Ambiance good Food not so good. I ordered Teriyaki chicken plate and I paid one dollar extra to have shrimp roll instead of the spicy salmon roll. The food looked delicious and the presentation was very good. The cucumbers with a sort of sauce on top were very good. The lettuce was basically spring mix lettuce with tomato. The bottom of the plate was all rice /teriyaki sauce, which was good- the problem was the main part of the meal, the chicken. It was very dense, almost like it was either overcooked or had been around for a while. It was hard to bite into it. It also came with a little soup that with a tasty curry flavor. The little cup with three pieces of cookie was a nice touch as well. My nephew had wanted to go to this place because he seen it on his social media and he enjoyed the ambience but he also mentioned that his chicken was hard and tasted like possibly a Costco frozen chicken bites that he had in the past.He ordered a side of soup so the total for both of us was a little over $50 without drinks. We had the water that they offer on the side with cucumber. That was a nice touch. They ask you to bus your own tables, which is fine. Overall for 50plus dollars for two plates with the main protein tasting old and hard, I would not recommend.h read more

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I had to grab a bite at Yuko's before going to see a concert! When I walked inside, I was in awe of how many plants there were and how creative the inside was. It almost felt like I was in a greenhouse! I ordered the Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl and it was so delicious. I loved the zing from the salad and it tasted so fresh. I ordered a matcha strawberry cookie as well. Yuko's has a great baked goods selection along with their expansive menu. The customer service was welcoming and it had a great vibe throughout. I will most definitely be stopping by again. read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Yuko Kitchen DTLA is that kind of place that just feels good the moment you walk in. They've done something really special creating such a peaceful vibe in a neighborhood that is anything but. All the plants surrounding you don't hurt either. I went with the Amazing Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu, which was exactly as good as it looks, and trust me it looks great. So much flavor. I also tried their homemade hot sauce and even though the bowl was already working perfectly on its own, it was a nice little bonus. One of my new favorites in downtown LA. read more

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I landed here cause me and my girlfriends had a mini LA day and needed a place that offerred Vegan options. Wow but not only was the food INSANELY GOOD. I ordered a Garlic Shrimp Bowl and the quality was BAR NONE PHENOMENAL. I'm not kidding. This location is very quirky and nature driven, perfect for IG pictures but more than that, it gives u the sensation of sharing a lot of nature in the middle of downtown LA without even going far. The service is spectacular, the staff is so friendly and their menu options are SOOOO inclusive. You have a lot of options for every foodie and for very affordable prices. There is even a parking lot next to this downtown location and plenty of meters outside. Im DEF going back soon read more

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This place is aesthetic af, with plentiful greenery and options for Asian bowls. The setup is fast casual and likely caters more towards corporate workers getting lunch downtown. That being said, the food is very plentiful as you get huge portions and the quality of the food is also pretty good for a corporate lunch spot. I would also say this is a pretty good spot to just chill overall and bring a laptop to work/study. read more

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The portions here are massive and the food is really good! I got the chicken plate, which comes with a small dessert (cookie sampler, loved the two green ones, chocolate chip was a bit too sweet for me but my friend liked it) and a shot-sized soup of your choice (vegetable miso or curry). The chicken was a little firm for my liking, but overall the flavor was excellent. Also tried the Chinese chicken salad, big portions, tasty dressing, and lean chicken. The Tempura Fish Bowl-ito was also fantastic, especially with the spicy mayo. Everything was served by friendly staff, and the interior is super cute, with a green, nature-inspired vibe, perfect for pics or catching up with friends. Parking is tricky (metered only), and the neighborhood is a bit sketchy since it's downtown LA, but overall a great spot for a hearty meal! read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Chinese Chicken Salad, Chicken Plate, Tempura White Fish Bow-lito - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I paid $22 for this and I'm still trying to figure out what exactly I funded, a shrimp shortage? What you're looking at is a generous serving of plain white rice topped with exactly 9 microscopic shrimp. Not "small," not "bite sized" I'm talking coin comparison small. I literally had to put one in my hand next to a quarter just to confirm I wasn't losing my mind. And let's talk about the "protein" because it genuinely tasted like it came straight out of the frozen section at Costco. Nothing about it felt fresh, premium, or remotely worth the price tag. For $22, I expected a meal. The flavor? Embarrassing. If you're charging premium prices, at least pretend you're feeding an adult. Until then, I'll be over here eating actual meals elsewhere. read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Coin size shrimp! - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Overall great aesthetic feel, great staff and great food. I will be back and will be bringing my family. The staff honestly is great here, they make you want to come back because of how friendly they are. read more

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This place is such a cute spot. The bbq catfish plate is my favorite thing here. However, for the amount you pay, i wish they would put a little more catfish! But i get it, the plate comes with 4 spicy salmon rolls, a tiny soup, a sample of the best cookies and a ton of salad. I feel like half of the plate is just salad and there's never enough dressing. The matcha chocolate chip cookie is sooo good. read more

This place is a neat spot... gave it 4 stars because of the plants. Food: Food was okay. I felt like it was missing something... the WONTONS WERE MY FAVORITE! I ordered the fish and wonton and that was good. The banana and peanut butter cookie was actually good. SERVICE: UM you order your food, you pick up your food, your pick up your dishes when finished, and then you sort your food and dishes once you're finished... read more

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Food is great-- delicious, healthy, colorful in gritty DTLA. Nice that your meal has variety to have an appetizer (salad), main (entree) and portion controlled cookie bites as dessert all in 1 order/plate. Always a nice reliable place. read more

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I'm honestly waiting for the chance I'm back in this area to visit Yuko again. The atmosphere inside is so green and bright. Lots of drink options and solid Asian-style bowls. Do be warned that it is in the middle of DLTA, so parking is terrible and there's a lot of homeless in the surrounding area. read more

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Gorgeous creative interior with plants and wall painting. Not a good area, be safe walking alone and parking. Last bookstore and some galleries in the area. I ordered the catfish plate and it was not my favorite. The fish had a strong smell/taste and overall the flavors weren't very good. I would recommend their fried Beef roll side though, the sauce and fillings are great. read more

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The crispy rice spicy salmon Poke salad And the giant beef eggroll So good! Big portions, shareable read more

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Out of the restaraunt's control but the location is not the best. Otherwise, very hip and calming atmosphere inside. All the plants inside makes you feel like you're in a forest in the middle of the city. Food was just good. I would have liked more flavour but the portions of the bowl made up for it. Great quiet place to have brunch. read more

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Always a fire lunch spot. The atmosphere is dreamy, plants everywhere, on tables on ceilings, I love it. Food 10/10 I can NEVER finish all my food but it is always spot on. Person at the cash register very knowledgeable and friendly. My ONLY dislike was the cookies- they aren't gross they just weren't for me. One of them was hard as a rock when we got it too. read more

The first step you take inside this establishment is jaw dropping. The plethora of plants and different kinds of vegetation all around the restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing. As a plant lover, this was truly breathtaking. As for the food, you order at the counter and get a number. They have daily specials on soup and offer a happy hour as well! They have plates, bowls, salads, and sushi rolls. Some dessert is also displayed by where you order (I peeped a matcha cookie!) I ordered the spicy salmon "bowl" but I subbed the rice for salad. This was a really tasty. The spicy salmon was perfectly seasoned and it came on a giant bowl of lettuce with some cucumbers and radishes. My boyfriend, creature of habit, ordered the Chinese chicken salad which he's had (and loved) before. Huge portion of (orange?) chicken on a bed of lettuce with crispy wontons, oranges, and pecans. We also ordered some beer, it was on tap, twist my arm! read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Chinese Chicken Salad and Spicy Salmon Bowl (no rice) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Idkwtf to say about this place fr fr. Maybe come for the vibes, stay for the cookie... leave cuz of the food. So lemme set the scene: Ya girl was driving home after a Uber weird ass doctors appointment (39 is a clusterfck y'all- stay far away) & wanted to pick up something tasty on the way. slide thru Uber eats and seen this place had great reviews & was close Say less. We on the way. By "we" I mean.. my single ass. Parking - classic LA--circle the block or double park like an asshole. lucked out with a meter across the street, but then couldn't figure out where the entrance was. The sidewalk's a bit chaotic. Beautiful but also TF going on here? Inside - Total wonderland. Art, plants for sale, high ceilings, and two floors of visual overload--in the best way. eclectic, whimsical, uber hippy dippy. you a "woo woo" crystals, sage & affirmations type? this is 4 for u. lol I had ordered through Uber Eats, but I showed up early cuz my spidey sense said "they efficient af over here" and yep, my food was ready when i walked in. Major points for that. I ordered two dishes because it's a new restaurant and so basic gambling math would assume that at least one of them would be good I ordered a teriyaki chicken bowl and a salmon Poké bowl. Now, like most reasonable people ... I hate cold food that's supposed to be hot . And bcuz I had a 15-minute drive, I busted that thang (by thang we mean teriyaki chicken) open in the car #allPunsIntended And mind you... they gave me chopsticks. But it was LA traffic (Mid-Wilshire to South LA), so I had plenty of time to finesse during them tragically geriatric red lights. S/0 to chopstick appropriate traffic. Anywho.... Food looked great, but .... they put the cold salad right next to the hot rice and chicken in the same to-go box. The steam wrecked my salad. Annoying. As for the teriyaki chicken: Lord where do I start? I guess you can say this chicken had me fck'ed up. dry, overcooked, & kinda flavorless. It gave "end of the day, get-rid-of-this-chicken before more fresh & better chicken" energy. Super disappointing--especially since the reviews was going AWF about it. The parts of my salad that were not soggy were tasty. But hey, it was a "Buy One Get One Free" item, and sometimes that means you get what you pay for. Still, PROMO or not, quality should be consistent, yes? Yaassssss. The salmon bowl? Welp... My odds was off AF. Just as bland but somehow worse. Like a pink, flavorless purée with pretty plating. Let me tell you about iceberg lettuce. It is the devil. The best part was the pickled radish. Seriously, outshined er'thang. Now... the real MVP? The butter cookie I impulsively bought from their interesting little bakery display before I shook Hands down one of the best cookies I've ever had. I was skeptical--American hippy bakery and authentic Japanese food? I aint click for ya girl--but this cookie was a 10/10. also tried a walnut apple cookie, which I hated but gave to my neighbor... and she loved it.... So, to each their own. Overall: Super cute space, good vibes, but the food was a miraculous letdown. I won't be back for a meal, but I will swing through for that cookie--and nothing else. read more

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Rating: 7.1/10 The place is absolutely GORGEOUS. I could not stop taking pictures because it looked like I was in a forest. The food on the other hand was nothing special. I got the Tempura Bow-lito and it was okay to say the least. Without the spicy mayo, I probably would've given this place a lower rating. It was decent but I wouldn't willingly go out of my way to travel an hour to try it (which is what I did). The area it's in is also pretty dangerous so if you don't have a car, I wouldn't exactly recommend this place. (Accidentally ended up near Skid Row haha.) Anyway, if you just wanna eat in a pretty place, this place is a good option. :) read more

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I don't recommend... First, the place feels kinda old, the overall environment doesn't feel very clean either... I went during happy hour which includes $4 beer and boba. Unfortunately, they ran out of boba and there aren't any other toppings. I tried their green (matcha) milk tea with less ice and 50% sweetness. I can barely taste the matcha. It was more milky and it tasted more like zero sugar or 25% sugar. I also tried their bbq catfish deluxe bowl since it seemed to be a popular dish according to the Yelp pictures. The bowl was HUGE. That's the main good part about it. There were a lot of toppings, however, some of the veggies (cucumber and beets) were too blocky, chunky. I would prefer them to be sliced/chopped thinner, into tinier pieces for a more enjoyable experience. The main flavor of the dish is teriyaki, nothing special. And I learned that I don't like catfish, or not this one at least. The catfish was fried. The outer layer is soft/soggy, not crispy. Maybe it was meant to be that way? I don't like the taste of catfish. It has a certain "dirt" taste to it like some tilapia I've tried from other places. Also the egg was cold. It had a runny yolk. Rating 3-3.5 for this bowl. There was a table that was constantly wet from water sprinkling down from the top, so we went to a different table. The interior is full of plant decorations, and it also feels super crammed. The bathroom is for customers only, with a key on the wall to access it. The bathroom sink water got so hot after I used the restroom that I could have scolded my hands. It's not safe... The WEIRDEST part was that we got a number for our table. Once the food was ready, a lady told use to get it from a table in the front... They also got my friend's drink order mixed up. Then when we finished, we had to take our trays to the front shelf and throw away our trash. I don't think a tip was necessary this situation...The lady at the cashier was really friendly though. read more

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I've had this spot saved forever and I finally got the chance to try it for lunch! The restaurant is beautifully decorated both inside and out. Seating is limited, so it was kind of tough to find seating. We ordered the spicy sushi salmon and the hot spicy beef udon, and we'd like to come back to try other things. read more

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I absolutely loved the food, drink, ambiance, and service! I ordered a Kra Pow (pork and rice mild spice level), Thai iced tea and Alex was my server. He was amazing. He checked on me all the time and made me feel comfortable and welcomed in the restaurant. He even gave me sauces to complement my meal and told me what each of them are. Will definitely come back for the amazing experience! read more

Escape into a magical space in the middle of DTLA! So many plants and colorful paint. Delicious, healthy and abundant food and drinks. An amazing place to get lost into for lunch or to catch up with friends. Also service was really fast! read more

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Such a cute cafe! I loved the chill and cozy atmosphere with all the plants surrounding you, people were studying and hanging out which gave it a relaxed welcoming vibe. The food was delicious and the menu is pretty big, so there's something for everyone. I ordered the fried chicken garlic rice bowl and was blown away by how huge the portion was! The chicken was perfectly crispy, and the price made total sense for the amount and quality of food. For drinks, the mint lemonade was super refreshing and the green tea boba was really good too. I liked that you can choose your preferred milk. The only dessert I had was the rocky road brownie and it was pretty good, highly recommend! read more

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It's such a airy, bright and vibrant space with a clean feel that creates a surprising escape from the chaos outside. The place offers a variety of dishes including many beverages. If you're in a rush might want to order before hand as it takes a bit of time. read more

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Japanese Bowls is excellent. The food tastes incredibly fresh, the portions are generous, and the quality is clearly high across everything we ordered. You can tell they do not cut corners with ingredients. On top of that, the atmosphere is great--clean, inviting, and comfortable enough to actually enjoy your meal and want to come back. Definitely one of the better spots if you want fresh, high-quality food with solid portions. read more

If you love plants, come here just to enjoy and admire the experience this place brings. I thought the food was ok. The karage chicken was really good. The desserts were ok and more o. The dry side for my liking. read more

A little slice of heaven! I would come here just to soak in the colorful plant-filled ambiance, but the food is the cherry on top. It's fresh and flavorful with hearty portion sizes. There are plenty of vegetarian options too. I only wish they weren't closed on Sundays! read more

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Breathe lighter here! All the plants created such a beautiful and relaxing environment. My fam of 5 all got bowl-itos (chicken, spicy salmon and spicy miso beef) and we devoured them before I could take a picture. This spot is a little oasis in DTLA. read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Plants everywhere - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Personally I like the Miracle Mile location a bit more because I'm biased in loving Studio Ghibli, but this location is also charming. I got one of the chicken budget boxes for $9 and was pleasantly surprised in how filling and tasty it was. read more

Their special plates are honestly one of the best deals you can get!! I got the chicken plate for dinner, which included the entree with salad, soup, 4 pieces of sushi, and dessert. We were also there during happy hour so I ordered a banana boba as well. The tapioca pearls weren't that fresh, but I really liked the flavor of the banana drink. You order at the counter and then pick up the food from a table near the main counter. There is a place to get utensils, napkins, sauces, and to dispose of/clean up after yourself. It kind of reminded me of a cafeteria, which I liked. Also, inside, there are a bunch of plants and greenery surrounding you, along with big windows to let the light in. It's super calming. I found this to be a great place to have dinner with someone. read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Chicken Special Plate w/ Banana Boba - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Between a 3 and 3.5. It's a super cute place but the food overall was mediocre. We got the milky coffee boba and green tea boba, which were not too bad. The boba itself could've been better but the green tea was great (I chose to get it without the syrup and only a little bit of honey) and the milky coffee was good, maybe on the sweeter side. The chicken teriyaki bowl was disappointing because the chicken was more like breaded chicken nuggets that were dry rather than a typical teriyaki chicken that's grilled chicken. The spicy salmon bowlito is good value but I felt there was too much sauce mixed with the salmon to take away from the "sushi" feel of the salmon. We also got the matcha and strawberry chocolate chip cookie and the chocolate chip overpowers the matcha. So depending on the bite you get, you almost get no matcha flavor. Slightly disappointing read more

Yuko Kitchen has great food, big portions, and a really chill vibe - plants everywhere and tons of natural light make it a super relaxing spot to eat. The food quality is definitely the highlight. Only downside was the service. It felt a little off - kind of pushy for tips in a weird way. If that doesn't bother you too much, it's still a solid spot worth checking out. read more

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Stopped in quick for some drinks, this place is visually stunning. The drinks we had were super tasty & full of flavor read more

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I was looking for lunch spots nearby and Yuko Kitchen was recommended multiple times, so I decided to come check it out! Such a cute spot filled with tons of plants - it really felt like a mini oasis in the heart of downtown LA. CHICKEN PLATE: Comes with so much food! Teriyaki chicken with rice, a ton of salad, 4 spicy salmon rolls, a small cup of soup, and even 3 small pieces of different flavored cookies as dessert. It took me forever to finish it and I was stuffed after. It was nice to be able to try their different cookie flavors. I really enjoyed the matcha cookie although the other 2 flavors were alright (not sure what they were though). APPLE MINT LEMONADE: A bit pricey but I really wanted a drink after walking here in the heat. It was super delicious and refreshing and worth the splurge in my opinion! It does start to settle after a while and look gross but just mix it up and it's still just as tasty. Overall, cute little spot with some filling lunch options. I'd like to come back to try their other bowls! read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Apple Mint Lemonade - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My girlfriend and I came to Yuko Kitchen after a hike with our dogs and had such a great time. The space is bright and full of greenery, with glass walls and plants everywhere that make it feel like a mini arboretum. We both got the poke bowl and were seriously impressed. Outside of Hawaii, this might be one of the best poke bowls I've had. The portion was generous, the fish was fresh and thickly cut, and the toppings were balanced and flavorful without feeling heavy. Even though you order at the front and pick up your food, the staff made us feel welcome and taken care of. It's a spot that feels easy and low-key but still delivers on quality. Perfect for a slow afternoon or a sunny lunch. We'll definitely be back. 8/10 read more

Yuko Kitchen DTLA - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We ordered here and had our drinks in the restaurant and took our food to go. My chicken was just ok, kinda dry but my friend enjoyed his food. The vibe inside was cool and the staff were friendly. read more

This is a very special place with an excellent vibe. The atmosphere is magical, and the food is delectable.