Otomisan Japanese Restaurant

The rolls tasted very fresh My beef teriyaki combination was delightful. Beef udon was packed with flavor, it would’ve been perfect if it was raining! The noodles were very tender. The salmon rice bowl was delicious. The experience felt like you were in a traditional Japanese family owned restaurant. The owner greeted you and was attentive. Felt like you were in a city in Japan and not in LA.

Local neighborhood gem with excellent service, fresh ingredients, savory authentic cuisine, large portions, and affordable prices. If there is a line it is absolutely worth the wait.

It is so small and so precious. Their curry is really amazing homemade Japanese curry and the rolls are super yummy too. Grilled fish plates are just like ones in Japan and I love how friendly they are.

Such a cool, homely place to experience. The food was delish and the service was wonderful! Will definitely come back!

2nd time eating at this oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in the City of Los Angeles. Otomisan Restaurant is located on 1st Street in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles. First time I came here I tried the beef udon 🍜 bowl, it tasted great and I enjoyed my meal. The second time I went I tried their combo options and got the spicy tuna 🍣 rolls and beef teriyaki, it was very good, it came with miso soup, bowl of rice and salad. The smell of their curry is very good, I need to try their curry next time! Friendly and good customer service!! 👍👍

First time at Otomisan with friends—amazing traditional Japanese food that transported us back to our initial visit to Japan 15 years ago. Nostalgia and flavors blended perfectly. A memorable experience!

+1

It's one of the last Japanese restaurants in Boyle Heights and they still serve great basic Japanese food. They're not specifically a sushi place and they have some sushi (and sashimi) and they're not a ramen spot but they have udon. They have a solid assortment for their combos (teriyaki beef, Teri chicken, tonkatsu, tempura etc), some bowls and grilled fish dishes. I recommend getting their sashimi, tempura (2 pieces of shrimp!) and curry. Parking is metered (2 hours across the street). It's a homey and cozy and comfortable.

One of the last remaining Japanese restaurants in Boyle Heights, you’ll find Otomisan. It offers classic Japanese comfort food. We love this place and if you’re around it’s a must try. So far we have not found a dish we didn’t like. This is one of those restaurants you come back and try something different and it won’t disappoint. I highly recommend it

+4

I love this place and history of it! It felt like going back in town. Boyle heights has so much amazing history with this fantastic hole in the wall that has been here over 50 years. They have seen all the change and the owner was so sweet! Their curry tonkotsu was pretty good! Sashimi plate was good but not great! I would come back to try other things next time.

+2

Bless this place… This was one of the best food memories, I made visiting L.A. Welcomed by a sweet, friendly,heartwarming Ms. Watanabe. I got seated in this cute but small seat in front of her and presented by a warm cup of tea. I ordered 1 spicy salmon and a sashimi dish and an unagi bowl. Wow… So good . The fish taste so clean and fresh. The unagi was so well grilled with its char and a touch of the teriyaki sauce, sweet and savoury with the flavour profile of soy. This whole experience feels like you’re coming back from a long tough day and you getting served by a loving home cooked meal by your japanese mom. Would go to this restaurant often if not weekly if I could. 10/10.

Place was awesome! Delicious food, fast, maybe Im wrong to say but it was the BEST authentic Japanese food Ive ever had. Felt homey and comfortable. Best little hole in the wall restaurant that survived the test of time

+4

This quaint amazing Japanese restaurant is a hidden gem in Boyle Heights. Very friendly staff and great food. They also let me order 10 minutes before closing. The only, minor, complaints are that there is very limited seating, they have a limited menu and they operate limited hours.

Cozy restaurant with comforting Japanese food. Sushi was fresh. Price is fair. Atmosphere felt genuine.

Wow the food here is AWESOME! Such good quality and it tastes very homemade and not super commercial which I like. There is extremely limited seating and only a few staff members, so please be patient. Recommend coming early if you want to dine in. A lot of people also ordered carry out from here. The sushi, udon, unagi, tempura, and literally everything is delicious. We parked on the street. You have to step outside and walk towards the back of the building to access the restroom.

I had a wonderful meal,the lady that serviced us her name is Kristine she was really friendly and nice we got our food right away there wasn’t much of a wait as we came on a Tuesday night which I don’t mind cause less wait times,there isn’t much space to sit inside but we got a booth luckily and it felt like a cozy home inside it was nice I would be back again to try something else. I did hear that the curry was good but can’t eat curry. Parking is difficult as it’s metered parking but I found a spot near by,if you can go during the week I would suggest that less crowded and available parking but if not be prepared for weekend traffic at the restaurant and finding parking.

If these walls or counters could talk, oh the stories they would share. Great spot that is filled with a story of immigrants, and lives from around the world. The food was delicious. The workers friendly, and the atmosphere adorable.

Open since 1956, this cozy Boyle Heights hole-in-the-wall is the longest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. A seriously old-school Japanese diner complete with 1950s red patent leather booth seating. Kitchen specialties include pork tonkatsu and curry. Simple rolls, authentic. Beyond just the novelty, the food is legitimately good. Not your granny’s kitchen, house-made flavors are comforting and forward.

I'm glad I decided to try this place! I started with the potato croquette, which was served piping hot and freshly prepared. It boasted an impressively crispy exterior and a delightfully tender interior. For my main, I opted for the unagi bowl—absolutely delicious—and the sashimi platter, which was remarkably fresh. I was a bit disappointed with the natto; it had a slight bitterness and lacked the characteristic strong, pungent aroma I'm accustomed to. Overall, dining at the oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in Boyle Heights was a very satisfying experience.

This is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles and the last in Boyle Heights. Nice old time cozy atmosphere and friendly service. The katsudon was delicious and I can't wait to try their other items.

What a hidden gem. Love how dainty and cute it is. It’s very special that this place is still operating and the food is delicious. Highly recommended. Under new ownership and the food tastes so good. Definitely would come back.

If you're looking for the best udon soup in town, look no further! This gem offers a delightful dining experience with its rich, flavorful udon soup that keeps you coming back for more. The teriyaki chicken is a standout, perfectly cooked and bursting with taste. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, enhanced by the charming backdrop of Japanese television, which adds to the authentic feel. The service is exceptional—super sweet and polite staff made us feel right at home, attending to our needs with genuine care. It's rare to find a place where food, ambiance, and service come together so harmoniously. I absolutely love this place and can't recommend it enough!

Great history and food. Very impressive tempura and curry, and of course the sashimi was super fresh. I do miss AOI, so the home estylen cooking here was a real rad treat. I loved it, we came pretty early and on a weekday as you must do because it gets filled up so fast!! So glad we made the effort because it had been on our list so long and it didn't disappoint

First the atmosphere: it's a cute, well put together little Japanese restaurant. Walls line with art and photos. You can read the history of the place as you eat. Dining tables and a bar to sit and enjoy a meal. Second, the food: impeccable food displayed on nice plates. Large chunks of fish in the sushi rolls. Spicy tuna and salmon roll had a smooth texture and world-class taste. I did not use soy sauce or because the fish was amazing by itself. This alone will bring me back. I ordered a combo with beef teriyaki and pork cutlet. The pork cutlet was succulent. Pick it up with chopsticks and marvel at the juiced flow. The crust had standalone flavor that I might use as a topping by itself if that were an option. The beef was cooked to perfection. The yeriyaki sauce had a unique taste to it. Came with soup and salad. Miso is a simple dish that this establishment has perfected. The salad was a standard side salad with ginger dressing. Great way to cleanse the palatte. Tempura was also served, and it was again a world-class dish. Fresh tasting veggies and two healthy shrimp. Lastly, the service:the older woman who was there was a gem, and this review is not about her. This review is about the young, inexperienced waitress. I don't think she has enough experience to be serving folks, so this may not be the best place for her to learn. This establishment is the longest running japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. That comes with a heavy burden. The young waitress was not warm or inviting. These two traits are set in stone within japanese culture. As the older woman tried coaching the younger, she younger woman gave dirty looks and rolled her eyes. She seemed uninterested and worse than that, unwilling to learn from her elder. I will be back at some point and hope to see how her journey is going. Overall, you will be satisfied here. Please come one and all to a modern marvel of japanese cuisine in the greater Los Angeles area.

This mom and pop restaurant is amazing! The staff is so welcoming and it feels like you’re in your mom’s kitchen. Protip: get there at 6 pm the latest and go inside to put your name on the list- or you won’t get in. The spicy tuna roll and tempera udon were 10/10

My God... Otomisan ROCKS! Starting with the friendly welcome. The edamame is nice and warm. The chicken Kaarage is lightly battered, flavorful, and juicy. You can taste the love that was put into making this dish. The Miso soup is good til the last drop. It's a tiny place, so come early or have patience and stand in line for your turn.

This place does everything right. The chicken bowl is just sauced enough to reach the rice below. The salmon is flakey and buttery, and their sushi has perfectly seasoned rice. I’ll be back.

A small and historical Japanese style restaurant in Boyle Heights that does not disappoint. The decor is eclectic and curious but offers a home feel. Family ran and operated, it is a very small business but offers delicious and authentic quality. Had the gyoza which is incredible, great texture, soft and not too fried and accompanied with a delicious sauce. I also had the chicken teriyaki and tempura combination which comes accompanied with a tasty miso soup to start, and some rice with the entree. Their teriyaki sauce is out of this world as well as the shrimp and vegetable tempura. My boyfriend had a beef udon soup which was also amazing. The miso was so good I had to take some to go. The business owner is always sweet and we love coming back. Honestly have no complaints about this gem.

Marleen

I had a wonderful meal,the lady that serviced us her name is Kristine she was really friendly and nice we got our food right away there wasn’t much of a wait as we came on a Tuesday night which I don’t mind cause less wait times,there isn’t much space to sit inside but we got a booth luckily and it felt like a cozy home inside it was nice I would be back again to try something else. I did hear that the curry was good but can’t eat curry. Parking is difficult as it’s metered parking but I found a spot near by,if you can go during the week I would suggest that less crowded and available parking but if not be prepared for weekend traffic at the restaurant and finding parking.

dawn sebastian

If these walls or counters could talk, oh the stories they would share. Great spot that is filled with a story of immigrants, and lives from around the world. The food was delicious. The workers friendly, and the atmosphere adorable.

Christopher Chung

Open since 1956, this cozy Boyle Heights hole-in-the-wall is the longest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. A seriously old-school Japanese diner complete with 1950s red patent leather booth seating. Kitchen specialties include pork tonkatsu and curry. Simple rolls, authentic. Beyond just the novelty, the food is legitimately good. Not your granny’s kitchen, house-made flavors are comforting and forward.

Tony Dee

I'm glad I decided to try this place! I started with the potato croquette, which was served piping hot and freshly prepared. It boasted an impressively crispy exterior and a delightfully tender interior. For my main, I opted for the unagi bowl—absolutely delicious—and the sashimi platter, which was remarkably fresh. I was a bit disappointed with the natto; it had a slight bitterness and lacked the characteristic strong, pungent aroma I'm accustomed to. Overall, dining at the oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in Boyle Heights was a very satisfying experience.

Poly Gone

This is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles and the last in Boyle Heights. Nice old time cozy atmosphere and friendly service. The katsudon was delicious and I can't wait to try their other items.

grace ok

What a hidden gem. Love how dainty and cute it is. It’s very special that this place is still operating and the food is delicious. Highly recommended. Under new ownership and the food tastes so good. Definitely would come back.

L.A. WILSON

If you're looking for the best udon soup in town, look no further! This gem offers a delightful dining experience with its rich, flavorful udon soup that keeps you coming back for more. The teriyaki chicken is a standout, perfectly cooked and bursting with taste. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, enhanced by the charming backdrop of Japanese television, which adds to the authentic feel. The service is exceptional—super sweet and polite staff made us feel right at home, attending to our needs with genuine care. It's rare to find a place where food, ambiance, and service come together so harmoniously. I absolutely love this place and can't recommend it enough!

Ari Donnelly

This place does everything right. The chicken bowl is just sauced enough to reach the rice below. The salmon is flakey and buttery, and their sushi has perfectly seasoned rice. I’ll be back.

Jim Sherman

Great history and food. Very impressive tempura and curry, and of course the sashimi was super fresh. I do miss AOI, so the home estylen cooking here was a real rad treat. I loved it, we came pretty early and on a weekday as you must do because it gets filled up so fast!! So glad we made the effort because it had been on our list so long and it didn't disappoint

Bobby Bigsbee

First the atmosphere: it's a cute, well put together little Japanese restaurant. Walls line with art and photos. You can read the history of the place as you eat. Dining tables and a bar to sit and enjoy a meal. Second, the food: impeccable food displayed on nice plates. Large chunks of fish in the sushi rolls. Spicy tuna and salmon roll had a smooth texture and world-class taste. I did not use soy sauce or because the fish was amazing by itself. This alone will bring me back. I ordered a combo with beef teriyaki and pork cutlet. The pork cutlet was succulent. Pick it up with chopsticks and marvel at the juiced flow. The crust had standalone flavor that I might use as a topping by itself if that were an option. The beef was cooked to perfection. The yeriyaki sauce had a unique taste to it. Came with soup and salad. Miso is a simple dish that this establishment has perfected. The salad was a standard side salad with ginger dressing. Great way to cleanse the palatte. Tempura was also served, and it was again a world-class dish. Fresh tasting veggies and two healthy shrimp. Lastly, the service:the older woman who was there was a gem, and this review is not about her. This review is about the young, inexperienced waitress. I don't think she has enough experience to be serving folks, so this may not be the best place for her to learn. This establishment is the longest running japanese restaurant in Los Angeles. That comes with a heavy burden. The young waitress was not warm or inviting. These two traits are set in stone within japanese culture. As the older woman tried coaching the younger, she younger woman gave dirty looks and rolled her eyes. She seemed uninterested and worse than that, unwilling to learn from her elder. I will be back at some point and hope to see how her journey is going. Overall, you will be satisfied here. Please come one and all to a modern marvel of japanese cuisine in the greater Los Angeles area.

Helena Golden

This mom and pop restaurant is amazing! The staff is so welcoming and it feels like you’re in your mom’s kitchen. Protip: get there at 6 pm the latest and go inside to put your name on the list- or you won’t get in. The spicy tuna roll and tempera udon were 10/10

Armando Garcia

My God... Otomisan ROCKS! Starting with the friendly welcome. The edamame is nice and warm. The chicken Kaarage is lightly battered, flavorful, and juicy. You can taste the love that was put into making this dish. The Miso soup is good til the last drop. It's a tiny place, so come early or have patience and stand in line for your turn.

Andrea Mendoza

A small and historical Japanese style restaurant in Boyle Heights that does not disappoint. The decor is eclectic and curious but offers a home feel. Family ran and operated, it is a very small business but offers delicious and authentic quality. Had the gyoza which is incredible, great texture, soft and not too fried and accompanied with a delicious sauce. I also had the chicken teriyaki and tempura combination which comes accompanied with a tasty miso soup to start, and some rice with the entree. Their teriyaki sauce is out of this world as well as the shrimp and vegetable tempura. My boyfriend had a beef udon soup which was also amazing. The miso was so good I had to take some to go. The business owner is always sweet and we love coming back. Honestly have no complaints about this gem.

It's a small place but super amazing! I wish I remembered her name but the lady helping us (at 430pm yesterday) was amazing! Super sweet, even more attentive. The food was fresh and tasted beyond perfect!! Great atmosphere, I loved the homely feel!

Otomissan is an absolute gem! Every dish tastes like it was made homemade with genuine love and care. On top of the incredible food, the service is truly spectacular: warm, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. The only downside is the limited seating but the wait is completely worth it. Highly recommended!

Looking for Delicious Japanese food , wow this is it . Food is prepared with great care, and the taste is very authentic. Had the tempura Udon and I can say the brought makes a huge difference in taste. Highly recommend it .

Otomisan Restaurant in Boyle Heights is a cozy gem that’s been serving LA since 1956. The Katsudon is absolutely perfect - comforting, delicious, and satisfying. Fantastic service makes the experience even better.

The food was excellent. We had the salmon roll and rainbow sushi (highly recommend the salmon roll) as well as the chicken curry and gyoza. The quality of the food was very high and flavorful! It's very rare that you go to a restaurant and know that the staff loves the restaurant. There was one person running the entire front of the house, but she was always genuinely smiling and at the end of our meal gave us cookies that her and her brother (the cook) had as children! We especially enjoyed the little slice of history this restaurant is a part of!

This Japanese neighborhood cafe reflects part of the history that makes Boyle Heights so special. My Dad (R.I.P.) even remembered the OG Otomisan back in the 50's growing up. Walking into this cozy, tiny place is very welcoming, especially with the earnestness and enthusiasm of the young family that now takes care of Otomisan. The tempura is some of the best that I've had, crispy and light, and it even includes a spear of asparagus which I have never come across before. The chicken teriyaki has been succulent and the rice just right. I come from the Westside to eat here, bringing others. Otomisan deserves to live forever!

J A

It's a small place but super amazing! I wish I remembered her name but the lady helping us (at 430pm yesterday) was amazing! Super sweet, even more attentive. The food was fresh and tasted beyond perfect!! Great atmosphere, I loved the homely feel!

Chris Hisamune

This Japanese neighborhood cafe reflects part of the history that makes Boyle Heights so special. My Dad (R.I.P.) even remembered the OG Otomisan back in the 50's growing up. Walking into this cozy, tiny place is very welcoming, especially with the earnestness and enthusiasm of the young family that now takes care of Otomisan. The tempura is some of the best that I've had, crispy and light, and it even includes a spear of asparagus which I have never come across before. The chicken teriyaki has been succulent and the rice just right. I come from the Westside to eat here, bringing others. Otomisan deserves to live forever!

Juan Palacios

Looking for Delicious Japanese food , wow this is it . Food is prepared with great care, and the taste is very authentic. Had the tempura Udon and I can say the brought makes a huge difference in taste. Highly recommend it .

Jey K

The food was excellent. We had the salmon roll and rainbow sushi (highly recommend the salmon roll) as well as the chicken curry and gyoza. The quality of the food was very high and flavorful! It's very rare that you go to a restaurant and know that the staff loves the restaurant. There was one person running the entire front of the house, but she was always genuinely smiling and at the end of our meal gave us cookies that her and her brother (the cook) had as children! We especially enjoyed the little slice of history this restaurant is a part of!

Alison Arce

Otomissan is an absolute gem! Every dish tastes like it was made homemade with genuine love and care. On top of the incredible food, the service is truly spectacular: warm, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. The only downside is the limited seating but the wait is completely worth it. Highly recommended!

Food it's great but the place it's a little old and dusty the person in charged is very nice 👌 👍 😊

Family run Japanese restaurant for three generations. It is one of the few remnants of the once vibrant Japanese American community of East LA which is now predominantly Mexican. Food is good and taste is right. Good and attentive service.

I had the tempura salmon shio yaki combo. It was really good. I felt it was a just a little pricier when compared to other Japanese restaurants that I go to.

+1

Purely for charm and LA history, Otomisan is outstanding. The oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurant in the city, there's certainly a retro feel to this place that can't be replicated. Ever since a few well-received profiles (Vice, PBS, etc), Otomisan has experienced a burst in popularity. On Saturday, we arrived at 11:30am, which is when they opened, and already all three booths were taken. Our party of four sat at the counter, which honestly might have been the reason we had such swift service. The owner is SUPER nice and even though she was obviously totally overwhelmed with a long waiting list and a bunch of takeout orders, she handled everything with a smile and didn't rush anyone out. The food is exactly like what I had when I ate at my friends' parents' or grandparents' houses who were Japanese American, so this meal was a lovely hit of nostalgia. Highly recommend the katsu, teriyaki, tempura, edamame, and salmon roll.

Had to try this place just because it’s prominence in the area. Came here for an early dinner. I’m best to arrive 15 minutes or more before opening hours. Even though the sign says closed, if the door is unlocked, you’ll find you can be seated. We arrived 10 minutes before opening and got the last available seats! Keep in mind there isn’t much seating. It can really only accommodate 5 separate small parties of 2 or 3. Very limited parking in the back. Street parking is available but metered. I really enjoyed the pork katsu and curry plate. The teriyaki chicken was good in that the quality of the chicken was solid, but for me it really needed more teriyaki sauce. The shrimp tempura sushi roll we had was ok. A bit dry for me and that’s because they don’t use any mayo in the imitation crab. The mixed tempura was good. Everything including the miso soup was made fresh.

Jose Baldonado

Had to try this place just because it’s prominence in the area. Came here for an early dinner. I’m best to arrive 15 minutes or more before opening hours. Even though the sign says closed, if the door is unlocked, you’ll find you can be seated. We arrived 10 minutes before opening and got the last available seats! Keep in mind there isn’t much seating. It can really only accommodate 5 separate small parties of 2 or 3. Very limited parking in the back. Street parking is available but metered. I really enjoyed the pork katsu and curry plate. The teriyaki chicken was good in that the quality of the chicken was solid, but for me it really needed more teriyaki sauce. The shrimp tempura sushi roll we had was ok. A bit dry for me and that’s because they don’t use any mayo in the imitation crab. The mixed tempura was good. Everything including the miso soup was made fresh.

Food was tasty and fresh but definitely overpriced for the quantity and the quality. How is it possible to ask more than $17 for a dish ? The food was very basic, none of the ingredients used were expensive. This restaurant is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles.

Nothing fancy, home style historic Japanese restaurant. Very small and quant around four to five booths and around 6 seats and counter. Food is good and well prepared but very basic. Given the size and popularity expect a short wait. Service is pleasant and efficient. Lots of locals eat here. Street parking only.

Max M

Nothing fancy, home style historic Japanese restaurant. Very small and quant around four to five booths and around 6 seats and counter. Food is good and well prepared but very basic. Given the size and popularity expect a short wait. Service is pleasant and efficient. Lots of locals eat here. Street parking only.