Best of SGV

Where's the best Japanese food in the SGV?

Sushi and ramen have their own lists. This is everything else.

Fresh ranking. Your vote shapes it.

The short answer

Locals' current top pick for japanese in the SGV is Chubby Cattle in Rowland Heights, followed by Kaijin Sushi in San Gabriel and iWagyu in Monterey Park. Best is relative, so filter by price and vibe below, and vote for the pick you'd stand behind.

Narrow by city

#1Chubby CattleRowland Heights · Japanese · $$★ 4.9

"Chubby Cattle Rowland Heights is not your typical BBQ spot. It's got unlimited Chubby Tea, which includes milk tea."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#2Kaijin SushiSan Gabriel · Sushi · $$$★ 4.9

"Sushi-focused Japanese spot with date-night potential."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#3iWagyuMonterey Park · Japanese · $$$★ 4.9

"iWagyu is a premium Japanese-style wagyu BBQ spot in Monterey Park where servers help grill your meat, with set menus starting at $64 per person and a la carte options going up to…"

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#4Umi Hot Pot & SushiCity of Industry · Hot Pot · $$★ 4.8

"An all-you-can-eat restaurant combining hot pot, sushi, and a wide variety of buffet selections."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#5MikiyaTemple City · Japanese · $$$★ 4.7

"Mikiya is an all you can eat wagyu shabu restaurant in Temple City. They are famous for their A5 wagyu beef, which is high quality and tasty."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#6OsawaPasadena · Japanese · $$$★ 4.7

"Japanese spot in Pasadena. Sushi."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#7Junbi Matcha & TeaCity of Industry · West Covina · Matcha Cafe · $★ 4.7

Order: Matcha Latte

"A community-suggested matcha cafe with SGV locations in City of Industry and West Covina."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#8YumiyakiRowland Heights · Japanese · $$$★ 4.6

"Yumiyaki in Rowland Heights is a sister restaurant to Mikiya where they serve premium wagyu beef shabu."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#9Ramen NagiArcadia · Ramen · $$★ 4.6

"Ramen Nagi specializes in Japanese ramen with rich broths and springy noodles. It's a solid stop if you're craving a bowl of quality, authentic ramen in the SGV."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#10Akasaka RestaurantHacienda Heights · Sushi · $$$★ 4.6

"A tucked-away Hacienda Heights sushi spot known for huge portions, generous cuts of fish, and chirashi bowls that people still drive across SGV for."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#11Sushi NakataArcadia · Japanese · $$$★ 4.6

"Japanese spot in Arcadia. Sushi."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#12Ramen TatsunoyaPasadena · Ramen · $$★ 4.6

"Ramen spot in Pasadena. Ramen."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#13YakiyaPasadena · Japanese · $$$★ 4.5

"If you are looking to splurge on yakiniku, Yakiya in Pasadena might be the move."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#14HiroNori Craft RamenPasadena · Japanese · $$★ 4.5

"Japanese spot in Pasadena. Ramen."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#15Sushi KisenArcadia · Japanese · $$$★ 4.5

"Japanese spot in Arcadia. Sushi."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#16Matsuri RestaurantPasadena · Japanese · $$★ 4.5

"Japanese spot in Pasadena. Japanese."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#17Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata RamenRosemead · Japanese · $$★ 4.5

"Japanese spot in Rosemead. Ramen."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#18Panda InnPasadena · Chinese · $$$★ 4.4

"A longtime Pasadena institution serving Chinese-American and Chinese-inspired dishes."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#19Eats Ayce SushiAlhambra · Sushi · $$$★ 4.4

"An all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant known for its extensive menu, specialty rolls, and premium upgrade options."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#20MikomiAlhambra · Japanese · $$$★ 4.4

"A modern sushi restaurant known for fresh fish, creative rolls, and one of the most extensive menus in Alhambra."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#21KaguraMonterey Park · Japanese · $$$★ 4.4

"Slightly pricier Japanese comfort-food spot."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#22KoganeAlhambra · Japanese · $$$$★ 4.4

"Japanese spot in Alhambra. Omakase."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#23Menya HanabiArcadia · Japanese · $$★ 4.4

"Japanese spot in Arcadia. Mazemen."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#25Gram CafeMonterey Park · Cafe · $$★ 4.3

"Gram Cafe in Monterey Park is all about the souffle pancakes, thick, jiggly, and worth the hype. They can take up to sixty minutes on weekends so order them early."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#26Big E’s TeriyakiRosemead · Japanese · $★ 4.3

"Japanese spot in Rosemead. Teriyaki."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#27Ai Japanese RestaurantSouth Pasadena · Japanese · $$★ 4.3

"Japanese spot in South Pasadena. Sushi."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#28Dozo Sushi & BarMonrovia · Japanese · $$$★ 4.3

Order: Bay scallop sushi

"An all-you-can-eat sushi option in Monrovia with standout scallop, yellowtail, and salmon, plus specialty rolls, nigiri, hand rolls, and sashimi at dinner."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#29Tatsu RamenPasadena · Japanese · $$★ 4.2

"Japanese spot in Pasadena. Ramen."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#30Tori Tori Shabu N SushiArcadia · Japanese · $★ 4.2

"Arcadia shabu and sushi spot combining hot pot and Japanese fare in one sitting."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#31Hibiki BBQSan Gabriel · Japanese BBQ · $$$★ 4.1

Order: Japanese Salad

"A lively Tokyo-train-themed yakiniku room where the AYCE menu rewards a focused order: start with beef tongue, Kurobuta sausage, and the miso or lemon Wagyu short plate."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#32Tendon Tempura Carlos JrPasadena · Japanese · $$★ 4.1

Order: Premium Tempura Bowl

"Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr is the Pasadena outpost of a Torrance tempura favorite, run by a Peruvian-born chef who trained in Japanese cooking in Japan."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#33AYCE Mabu SushiEl Monte · Sushi · $$$★ 3.9

Order: Mabu Special Roll

"An all-you-can-eat sushi and ramen spot in El Monte with an extensive menu of rolls, nigiri, and hand rolls, plus a full ramen menu on the side."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

#34TSUKE Artisan NoodleSan Gabriel · Japanese · $$★ 3.8

"Japanese spot in San Gabriel. Ramen."

Eat in SGV staff pick

be the first

Know a better spot?

One nomination with a real reason beats a hundred name-drops. Your pick shows up with your name on it.

Discussion

Debate the ranking

Think the order is wrong? Make the case.

Sign in to join

Know where to eat next in the SGV.

Twice a month, get Eat in SGV’s picks: places worth trying, what to order, and what’s opened or closed.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Read a recent issue: The SGV plaza you've been to 100 times just changed

More questions, answered