If you’re craving Japanese food in Los Angeles or Long Beach, here’s where to go!

Los Angeles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in America. Among its many areas, Long Beach in the South Bay is known for its pleasant atmosphere and is a favorite among tourists visiting from Japan. While exploring Los Angeles, you might enjoy American-style meals, but don’t you sometimes suddenly crave Japanese food?

Even in Los Angeles and Long Beach, Japanese cuisine is one of the most popular food options, and there are several Japanese restaurants loved by the locals. Here, we’ll focus on the Long Beach area of South Bay and introduce some recommended Japanese restaurants.

1. Tokyo Wako

In Long Beach, located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, there’s a popular Japanese restaurant called “Tokyo Wako” that’s loved by locals. There are several popular restaurants along the Long Beach waterfront, but you’ll easily spot this one thanks to its distinctly Japanese-style exterior.

At South Bay’s Tokyo Wako, you can enjoy sushi, teppanyaki, tempura, and more. It’s well-known for its delicious flavors and lively atmosphere, drawing many regulars from the local community. The dynamic teppanyaki cooked right before your eyes is entertaining for both the eyes and the palate. When you’ve had your fill of American food and start craving something Japanese, this is the perfect place to satisfy that longing. It’s especially recommended when you want to relax and feel comforted. If you ever crave Japanese food in Long Beach, South Bay, definitely stop by.

2. Octopus Japanese Restaurant

In South Bay’s Long Beach, there’s another Japanese restaurant bustling with locals called “Octopus Japanese Restaurant.” While this place is more of an American-style Japanese restaurant, its flavor still satisfies Japanese diners, making it highly recommended.

They offer a wide variety of American-style sushi — the kind you won’t easily find in Japan — so why not give it a try? It’ll surely become one of your memorable American experiences. They also serve plenty of other Japanese favorites like tempura, agedashi tofu, and gyoza, giving you plenty of choices to enjoy.

The staff’s service is friendly and welcoming, so if you’re in Long Beach, South Bay, and craving Japanese food, this is a must-visit.

3. Donburi Cafe

In America, Japanese restaurants often focus on sushi, but in Long Beach, South Bay, there’s a specialty rice bowl restaurant called “Donburi Cafe.”

While Japanese food abroad tends to have a somewhat upscale image, this donburi cafe offers meals at relatively reasonable prices, making it popular among locals. They serve karaage don (fried chicken bowl), gyudon (beef bowl), katsudon (pork cutlet bowl), and oyakodon (chicken and egg bowl). The dishes are well-reviewed for their flavor, and you can also enjoy miso soup and gyoza. It’s a great spot to relax when you need a break in Long Beach, South Bay. The staff are friendly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. With such affordable prices, you might find yourself wanting to come back again and again.

4. White Wasabi Sushi+Beer

Located along East Marina Drive in Long Beach’s South Bay, “White Wasabi Sushi+Beer” is a popular Japanese restaurant with a bit of a hidden-gem vibe, sitting at the eastern edge of Long Beach.

This restaurant is a local favorite for sushi lovers, offering freshly prepared sushi made from high-quality fish. You can enjoy both traditional Japanese-style sushi and sashimi, as well as American-style sushi rolls — one of its major attractions. Their large, crispy tempura is also well-regarded. Thanks to the affordable happy hour deals, the place is often lively and filled with regular customers. If you’re craving Japanese food or sushi in Long Beach, South Bay, this is definitely worth a visit.

◎ Summary

This article introduced recommended Japanese restaurants in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, focusing especially on Long Beach. There are plenty of Japanese restaurants in Long Beach where you can enjoy sushi, so if you ever get tired of American food, be sure to check out one of the restaurants featured here.