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Find Filipino fare, affordable omakase, and one of LA’s oldest Japanese restaurants in the Westside neighborhood
Sawtelle Japantown, one of California’s last remaining historic Japantowns, is one of the region’s best neighborhoods for dining. Stacked with karaoke lounges, yakitori dens, and ramen shops, this West LA neighborhood is abuzz with activity every day of the week. Here now are 15 essential Sawtelle Japantown restaurants to try.
Read MoreThis brightly lit yakiniku spot writes its specials on a board daily. Be sure to arrive on the early side for the most ample selection of skewers as they often sell out. Pair the fantastic tsukune (chicken meatballs) with one of the restaurant’s sakes on draft.
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The family behind Fairfax’s longstanding Chao Krung opened Tuk Tuk Thai serving a mostly street food menu in early 2022. Find classic dishes like Isaan sour sausage and prik khing moo grob served in the small and cozy space. There’s also a streetside patio for al fresco dining.
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Open since 1949, Tempura House is one of LA’s oldest Japanese restaurants. The classic spot serves reasonably priced bento featuring homestyle Japanese fare like chicken katsu, hamburg steak, and tempura shrimp just a few blocks north of the main Sawtelle drag.
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The complex on Sawtelle and La Grange Avenue saw some solid newcomers in 2023 including 10 Speed Coffee, Coco Ichibanya Sawtelle, and Hunan specialist Dongting Noodle. Dongting’s signature beef noodle soup comes with a bit of heat, but anyone can amp up the spice upon request. Also check out the restaurant’s extensive offal menu with tripe, pork trotters, and chicken gizzards.
After an uncertain few years leading up to and during the pandemic, Sawtelle Japantown’s quintessential shabu-shabu restaurant is better than ever. Choose from a protein array that includes Jidori chicken, Kobe-style beef, and specialty platters, like the “surf and turf” with Manila clams, shrimp, and king crab legs; vegetables like kabocha squash, mushrooms, and napa cabbage (for $8 you can upgrade to an all-organic, seasonal selection); and either udon or gluten-free glass noodles. An all-you-can-eat lunch menu includes meats like premium ribeye rolls and king pork belly, rice, noodles, kimchi, seaweed salad, and assorted vegetables for $35.
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Sonoritas prepares some of the city’s best carne asada tacos using prime steak cuts and served on handmade corn or imported flour tortillas. Additionally, the surf and turf burrito — a mix of spicy shrimp and steak with guacamole, cheese, chipotle mayo, and rice and beans — may well be the city’s best.
It’s been nearly a decade since Sushi Tsujita opened on Sawtelle and it remains one of the neighborhood’s best spots for pristine Edo-style sushi and sashimi. The restaurant offers three set menus prepared by chef Yoshito Hirata priced from $49 to $89, making Sushi Tsujita one of the more affordable omakase options in LA.
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B Sweet founder Barb Batiste opened Big Boi in honor of her late father and the restaurant dazzles with modern takes on classic Filipino dishes. As one of LA’s early successful modern Filipino upstarts, Big Boi serves favorites like chicken adobo, beef giniling, and sisig, plus pancit and garlic rice on the side.
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Bar Hermanito is the place to go for a winding meal paired with solid cocktails served on one of the Westside’s best patios. Hungry folks can dig into tacos of all kinds including chicken, fish, and shishito de rajas. Lighter appetites can opt for avocado fries and Tajin kale chips. A round of margaritas is a must for all.
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Sawtelle Japantown is home to some of LA’s best soba noodle specialists including Kaz the Soba Place, which opened in 2020. Kaz’s buckwheat strands come in traditional and innovative ways including “the Shanghai” served in a Sichuan soup or “the Genova” with an Italian soup stock, basil, bacon, and cherry tomatoes.
Located across the street from Tsujita, the Annex location has become just as popular as the original. With thicker noodles and an ultra-rich broth that's chock-full of garlic and pork back fat, this isn’t a noodle soup for the faint of heart. The dippable tsukemen tinged with a vinegary kick is always a good bet.
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Spoon & Pork was inspired by chefs and friends Raymond Yaptinchay and Jay Tuga’s street food-fueled childhood in the Philippines. The menu pays homage to Pinoy comfort foods including sisig with Duroc pork jowl and a slow-cooked fried pork shank.
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The namesake dish at this Sawtelle staple comes in enough varieties to please everyone. Yakitori beginners can start with the chicken thighs before graduating to gizzards and hearts — all grilled over binchotan.
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Known for its stunning pastries, Artelice Patisserie opened in early 2017 and expanded to Burbank to increase the bakery’s output of macarons, tarts, eclairs, and some of the most gorgeous cakes in the city. Visit and gawk at the display case, especially the sun-colored pistachio sponge cake with mango, banana, and passion fruit.
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A group of seasoned LA restaurant veterans opened Wine House Kitchen slightly off the main Sawtelle drag where chef Maiki Le prepares a French Vietnamese menu served with an outstanding cocktails and wine list. Order Le’s carbonara deviled egg or the salmon Imperial rolls.
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This brightly lit yakiniku spot writes its specials on a board daily. Be sure to arrive on the early side for the most ample selection of skewers as they often sell out. Pair the fantastic tsukune (chicken meatballs) with one of the restaurant’s sakes on draft.
The family behind Fairfax’s longstanding Chao Krung opened Tuk Tuk Thai serving a mostly street food menu in early 2022. Find classic dishes like Isaan sour sausage and prik khing moo grob served in the small and cozy space. There’s also a streetside patio for al fresco dining.
Open since 1949, Tempura House is one of LA’s oldest Japanese restaurants. The classic spot serves reasonably priced bento featuring homestyle Japanese fare like chicken katsu, hamburg steak, and tempura shrimp just a few blocks north of the main Sawtelle drag.
The complex on Sawtelle and La Grange Avenue saw some solid newcomers in 2023 including 10 Speed Coffee, Coco Ichibanya Sawtelle, and Hunan specialist Dongting Noodle. Dongting’s signature beef noodle soup comes with a bit of heat, but anyone can amp up the spice upon request. Also check out the restaurant’s extensive offal menu with tripe, pork trotters, and chicken gizzards.
After an uncertain few years leading up to and during the pandemic, Sawtelle Japantown’s quintessential shabu-shabu restaurant is better than ever. Choose from a protein array that includes Jidori chicken, Kobe-style beef, and specialty platters, like the “surf and turf” with Manila clams, shrimp, and king crab legs; vegetables like kabocha squash, mushrooms, and napa cabbage (for $8 you can upgrade to an all-organic, seasonal selection); and either udon or gluten-free glass noodles. An all-you-can-eat lunch menu includes meats like premium ribeye rolls and king pork belly, rice, noodles, kimchi, seaweed salad, and assorted vegetables for $35.
Sonoritas prepares some of the city’s best carne asada tacos using prime steak cuts and served on handmade corn or imported flour tortillas. Additionally, the surf and turf burrito — a mix of spicy shrimp and steak with guacamole, cheese, chipotle mayo, and rice and beans — may well be the city’s best.
It’s been nearly a decade since Sushi Tsujita opened on Sawtelle and it remains one of the neighborhood’s best spots for pristine Edo-style sushi and sashimi. The restaurant offers three set menus prepared by chef Yoshito Hirata priced from $49 to $89, making Sushi Tsujita one of the more affordable omakase options in LA.
B Sweet founder Barb Batiste opened Big Boi in honor of her late father and the restaurant dazzles with modern takes on classic Filipino dishes. As one of LA’s early successful modern Filipino upstarts, Big Boi serves favorites like chicken adobo, beef giniling, and sisig, plus pancit and garlic rice on the side.
Bar Hermanito is the place to go for a winding meal paired with solid cocktails served on one of the Westside’s best patios. Hungry folks can dig into tacos of all kinds including chicken, fish, and shishito de rajas. Lighter appetites can opt for avocado fries and Tajin kale chips. A round of margaritas is a must for all.
Sawtelle Japantown is home to some of LA’s best soba noodle specialists including Kaz the Soba Place, which opened in 2020. Kaz’s buckwheat strands come in traditional and innovative ways including “the Shanghai” served in a Sichuan soup or “the Genova” with an Italian soup stock, basil, bacon, and cherry tomatoes.
Located across the street from Tsujita, the Annex location has become just as popular as the original. With thicker noodles and an ultra-rich broth that's chock-full of garlic and pork back fat, this isn’t a noodle soup for the faint of heart. The dippable tsukemen tinged with a vinegary kick is always a good bet.
Spoon & Pork was inspired by chefs and friends Raymond Yaptinchay and Jay Tuga’s street food-fueled childhood in the Philippines. The menu pays homage to Pinoy comfort foods including sisig with Duroc pork jowl and a slow-cooked fried pork shank.
The namesake dish at this Sawtelle staple comes in enough varieties to please everyone. Yakitori beginners can start with the chicken thighs before graduating to gizzards and hearts — all grilled over binchotan.
Known for its stunning pastries, Artelice Patisserie opened in early 2017 and expanded to Burbank to increase the bakery’s output of macarons, tarts, eclairs, and some of the most gorgeous cakes in the city. Visit and gawk at the display case, especially the sun-colored pistachio sponge cake with mango, banana, and passion fruit.
A group of seasoned LA restaurant veterans opened Wine House Kitchen slightly off the main Sawtelle drag where chef Maiki Le prepares a French Vietnamese menu served with an outstanding cocktails and wine list. Order Le’s carbonara deviled egg or the salmon Imperial rolls.
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