It was a nice and clean, no frills Japanese fast food. The prices were very affordable and the portions were very generous. Easy parking in lot and pretty quick service.

Great low key Japanese food spot! Cheap prices and quality food. Ordered the Beef Yakisoba and it was divine. Check this place out for a quick bite anytime. I will be back!

I have had wonderful meals here since 1990 during my University high school days. To date this is my go to spot for fast friendly home cooked Japanese meals at an honest price. I eat here 2-3 times a week and it has never disappointed. Yes we have a lot of options like Nobu or other high priced sushi spots which are great for social media posting but for simple down to earth meals they wont disappoint. A bit of advise you can substitute for Brown rice, skinless chicken, or ask for it well done.

My Japanese friend said it was like eating her mom's cooking. Probably my go-to for Japanese food in West LA.

I’ve lived a few blocks from these restaurant for years and honestly didn’t even know it was there till recently. I stopped in a few nights ago to get a to go order and I admit this place is a fun little hidden gem in the West LA area. Walking in you definitely feel like you walked into a hole in the wall restaurant straight out of the late 80’s, early 90’s. All the teal and white coloring gives the place a retro look. The staff was super friendly and didn’t try to rush me to order. Ordering was a bit tough as their menu is spread out across nearly three walls. Most of the items have pictures of the food, but several things I had to ask about. So unless you know what you want going in, it may take a few mins to go through the entire menu. Still it was easy to order once I figured out what I wanted. There isn’t a ton of seating and tables, but I was able to find somewhere to wait after placing my order. They seemed busy the night I went in as it took about 30-35 mins for my order to be ready which is totally fine as it was all made fresh which I appreciate. I went simple and just got their Beef Teriyaki Dinner and a side of the Vegetable Tempura. The food was all good, though I wish there was some more pieces of the Tempura given the price point. Sides that, all of it was tasty and I am glad I finally checked this local neighborhood staple out!

Probably the best Katsu I’ve had in Los Angeles by far food was great place was great and staff was really nice reminded me of being back in Japan and living there again would highly recommend visiting to eat some good food

JC V

10/10 food was amazing chef kisses! Service was great ! Great music!

Rene Sanchez

Very good Oaxacan food with several typical and delicious dishes, The dishes are very abundant very good service and good atmosphere. The traditional mole negro is delicious.

moises calvo

I been coming here for YEARS since I was a kid until now. I am now very frequent customer coming here for the past 10 years. This food is amazing and authentic. I love how much service is given here. 1000/10

Alexis Evanoff

This is easily one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles! The food is made with love and the cocktails are delicious. This is a very down to earth, family run kind of place. I feel like I’m in the best parts of the 90s when I eat here. Come and enjoy!

Yadira Marroquin

A piece of Oaxaca is hidden in this place. Nice and cozy. You feel like a visiting a magic city in the heart of Oaxaca. Portions are big. You can ask For the spicy salsa 😉 staff is super friendly.

Bill Pahutski

Delicious food! Incredibly friendly, helpful, attentive staff. Gave us great recommendations and brought us a spicier salsa for our chips. Beautiful, authentic atmosphere. I got the Burrito con Mole and they knocked it out of the park. Their mole is some of the best I’ve ever had. Really really happy with this restaurant and can’t wait to return!

Kahrissa Bell

A lucky find! We were searching for an easy local restaurant and this exceeded all expectations. The food is phenomenal and the service was beautiful. A chill atmosphere, great food and great cocktails / drinks. Will be back on a regular occasion

TX10 T

Really great food and experience, had a great time and enjoyed the atmosphere. Parking wasn't bad at all.

Alex Ylanzo

I went there to try Oaxaca's food. The food was great & tasty, the service was good and the place was clean & neat. The price was moderate, free parking, but the only downside was the parking sometimes is difficult to find it. Great experience

+2

Junghye Park

I had lunch with my friends at Monte Alban because it has so many good reviews. Just like everyone's review, the food, space, and staff service were all great. We ordered a variety of dishes, cocktails, and desserts, all of which were delicious, and I especially liked the quesadilla, Fajita, and Molote. I also recommend their special desserts, deep-fried bananas and pudding (I can't remember the exact name). If you're craving a variety of Mexican food beyond the usual burritos and tacos, I highly recommend this place! * I parked inside their parking lot, but there were also many spaces on the street. It was convenient.

+5

Rubi Morales

The food was tasty and the customer service was good. Dessert was delicious. They have tables for bigger groups available and outside seating. The parking was the only downside but everything else was great.

pepe enrique (L Pelao VIP)

Is like filming a movie, reviving memories and feelings on a colorful stage, flavored with authentic gourmet dishes from Oaxaca, Mexico. Place where I lived for three years, decades ago. Chicken mole, entomatadas, antojitos oaxaqueños, fried slides of banana and shots of mezcal, the one with the worm in the bottom of the bottle. Just delicious!!!

+23

Elizabeth Ventura

Everytime I come to this place I always order the same dish. No one beats the camarones a la díabla, so far this has been my favorite place. I highly recommend this place! It’s a very friendly environment, costumer service is great!

George Lombard

Delicious food! From the ceviche to the various mole dishes, all are well presented and very tasty!!! The restaurant is open late (10pm), has plenty of parking available, and is impeccably clean. The service is outstanding too. Highly recommended!

Evaldas Paliliunas

I'm not expert of Mexican food, so when in USA I tried time to time to try it, as in my country we don't have much Mexican restaurants. I enjoyed this place very much, I choose it thanks to Google reviews and I was really happy that I made this choice. For me it's highly recommended place, they have one amazing dish, which come in hot stone bowl, it cost something around 35 USD, but it was so fulfilling that two of us had challenge to finish (of course before we had some appetizers and share mole).

Brandi Lewis

I went here for lunch with my girlfriend and I was completely satisfied with my experience. I ordered the Camarones a la Diabla and it was amazing. Fresh taste, perfect spices, and very fulfilling. The shrimp was cooked and sautéed to perfection. Made me want to over eat because it was so delicious. The staff was friendly and very attentive. I will say, don’t expect fast service because their food is made to order. It took a little longer than expected but because of how great the taste was, it was definitely worth the wait. My only complaint is the freezing cold bathroom but that is no reason to give this place less than 5 stars.

A Luna

The food was beyond delicious. I'm vegetarian and they can definitely accommodate some items in the menu for vegetarians... the service was great and the beans in pasta were really good, even the cocktails were different and tasty. I would totally go back sometime soon.

Dulce Bedolla

This place has the fest mexican food in all of LA! If you are hungry, make sure you try the Molcajete Grill Plater brought to you on an piping hot lava stone thingy. There are several you can choose from but my favorite is the regular one. Its enough for two or one really hungry person like myself. Or the Carnes Monte Alban which is two types of Oaxacan meats. Very delicious. If you feel like you're a little more adventurous, try the mole made from spices and chocolate or the Clayuda which is like a pizza but Oaxacan style. Also the pozole is really good and the tacos de barbacoa, which are goat tacos. And of course for dessert, try the best homemade flan or the cactus icecream. Mmmmmmmm, guarantees you'll leave happy. This is my favorite restaurant!

+1

Great tempura batter is just right not too thick not too thin crispy just the right amount. 🍤⛩ No restrooms, table service, or all you can drink. 🚽🛋⛲ Parking is squeezy 🚗 Menu is simple and good 📖 Sushi is yummy for the price. 🍣 Very cute location🐱 Quaint private quiet📴 Good for meeting a friend not good for date night. Also great for groups. 👭👬🏻 Simple honest straightforward🥊 Service was good and authentic🇯🇵 The staff was accommodating to my eating needs. 👨🏻‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳

This place has good food at a reasonable price! Looks like family owned. No frills but tasty. Not many places especially in Santa Monica where you can get by under 15 bucks!

Merce Figueroa

Nice little place to eat. The food was OK but the cafe de olla was excellent. Next time, I am in LA. I will come here just for the coffee and pan.

Monica Guevara

Came here for the specialty: mole. Ordered the dark Oaxacan black mole and the red spicy mole. Enjoyed both. The black mole was a great blend of spices although the amount of chocolate made it a bit too sweet. The red spicy mole was very mild and excellent. When we mixed the two moles it mellowed out the sweetness of the black mole and gave it a little kick. They only serve it on chicken breast but I wish I had the option of requesting dark meat instead, especially since the chicken was a bit dry. Lots of mezcal drinks to choose from and they let me sub in tequila. The dessert was underwhelming so I would say go elsewhere for that.

I come here usually on Fridays after 7pm and the gentlemen who’s at the register has a NASTY ATTITUDE EVERY SINGLE TIME . doesn’t welcome us in , we say please he doesn’t reply back , doesn’t do conversation . Just seems so grumpy all the time . Maybe he’s racism because he will welcome other people and not I . Who knows . But overall the food is good .

I have been coming to this restaurant for the past 12 years! It has been one of my favorite, go-to restaurants because of their delicious foods and sweet owner! However, today I had a horrible experience! It was one of the most racist and most hostile environments I have ever faced in a restaurant! The young male behind the cash register, taking orders was not welcoming in any way and extremely rude to colored customers. We witnessed him be pleasant with all the guests that were Asian/Caucasian. I brought my family here in hopes of having an amazing meal as I have been for the past 12 years to support this small business. It was horrible to have my young children be faced with this kind of racist behavior, especially in 2024!