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New Yorkers 1st Choice
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Japanese soup in Sawtelle

You want a bowl of soup that anchors the meal, and you expect the Japanese kitchen to deliver it properly.

Based on 505 Opinions
+502
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Updated April 2026
01
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Tiny restaurant with minimalist decor and an open kitchen creates a homely vibe and relaxing ambiance. The space feels airy despite limited seating, offering a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Loud kitchen noises occasionally disrupt the otherwise comforting setting.

Tom Yum soup stands out with its strong, vibrant flavors. The Beef Khao Soi soup offers a rich, flavorful broth that complements the dish well.

Teriyaki sauce stands out as a key highlight, especially on the chicken and steak bowls. Wings, spring rolls, and steak barbecue over rice also feature as notable dishes with strong flavors.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and packed with incredible flavor."

"I thought their teriyaki sauce was the best I have ever had."

"I had the Tom Yum soup and it was the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

On June 20, they are having 50% off bowls for the grand opening.

2

On June 21, they will have a BOGO free bowl promotion.

3

They are currently having their soft opening, which includes a free drink.

02
En Sushi image 1
Japanese restaurant

Space combines high ceilings with a cleaned-old industrial look and modern interior, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A separated bar offers a lively spot with games and a fully stocked selection including Sapporo on tap and lychee martinis. Seating is ample, making it comfortable for dining with friends or special occasions.

Simple and clean, the miso soup stands out as one of the better versions around. It pairs well with sushi rolls and sashimi, often included in lunch specials with salad and micro soup.

Sushi features fresh blue fin tuna and consistently great quality and portions. Staff provide superb, kind service and the owner brings extensive sushi-making experience ensuring high standards.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is so fresh and delicious."

"The lunch special here is amazing and a great deal."

"I thought their miso soup was one of the best I had."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs late into the evening with great discounts on rolls.

2

Parking is convenient with a lot right by the restaurant.

3

Lunch combos offer good value for a reasonable price.

03
Torisoba Sumiya image 1
Japanese restaurant

Open kitchen with charcoal grill flames creates a cozy, lively atmosphere accented by warm wood and modern decor. Seating is tight but inviting, with a large wooden bar facing the kitchen and about 10 tables. The vibe blends authentic Tokyo style with casual comfort, making it quietly distinctive.

Chicken Paitan soup stands out with its creamy and flavorful profile. The ramen soup matches that quality, delivering a rich and satisfying broth reminiscent of authentic Japanese chicken soup noodles.

Charcoal grilled chicken adds a smoky aroma and rich umami to the ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful, complementing the flame-kissed chicken and thick scallions for a unique taste.

People are saying

"The Japanese Food here has a uniquely smoky, charred chicken."

"The ramen here is super flavorful with perfectly chewy noodles."

"This chicken soup is smoky, flavorful, and perfectly cooked."

Good to know

1

Parking is free with validation in the basement parkade.

2

Expect a five-minute wait before being seated during peak hours.

3

They stop accepting new guests at 9 pm, so arrive early.

04
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Interior design features wall slates and a modern spa vibe with spotless, stylish decor. Atmosphere stays laid back and comfortable, supporting relaxed conversations. Seating is very comfortable, and the place maintains a quiet, clean environment even when half full.

Rich yet light broth offers a chicken noodle soup vibe rather than traditional ramen. The soup contains MSG and delivers a tasty, satisfying flavor.

Ramen here features a rich chicken broth that stands out from typical pork-based versions. The signature ramen offers a light, fresh broth with a jammy boiled egg, paired with handmade pan-fried gyoza that have a paper-thin skin and juicy filling.

People are saying

"This ramen is lighter and less oily than others I've tried."

"This Japanese food is so fresh and delicious."

"I found the rich chicken soup to be so tasty."

Good to know

1

The restaurant has a larger parking structure beneath the building.

2

A typical person spends between $20 and $30 for ramen and one appetizer.

3

The gyoza costs $8 and is a popular appetizer.

05
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Large dining room offers a cozy atmosphere with Japanese music setting a peaceful mood. Classic dinner-style seating includes booths and a small outdoor area. Menu features authentic Japanese diner classics with standout dishes like hamburg steak and pork katsu.

Starters include a corn soup and a miso soup that tastes authentic. The seafood soup uding offers a garlicky flavor without being too rich.

Udon and tempura dishes come out super hot and crispy. The oyster katsu is perfectly portioned and the hamburg steak shines with teriyaki sauce.

People are saying

"The Japanese food, especially the katsu, is so delicious and perfectly portioned."

"The corn soup starter was a great sign for the meal."

"The Hamburg steak here is epic with teriyaki or demi-glace sauce."

Good to know

1

Parking is free with a $10 purchase at Sawtelle Place Plaza.

2

One hour of complimentary parking is available in the underground lot.

3

Reservations can be made by calling ahead.

06
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Small, cozy space with Naruto-themed decor and an intimate layout creates a lively, welcoming vibe. Open kitchen near the bar offers a view of ramen preparation, enhancing the authentic atmosphere. Tables are tight but the setting feels non-pretentious and chill.

Soup stays hot and rich, with a mellow flavor that soaks well into the thick chashu pork. Tsukemen ramen lets you control the soup-to-noodle ratio while keeping noodles firm.

Ramen here blends Jiro and Iekei styles for a unique taste. The garlic ramen and Tsukemen with chashu stand out as very flavorful options.

People are saying

"I still dream about the ramen here."

"I still dream about the savory, fatty ramen."

"The soup here is rich, fatty, and delicious."

Good to know

1

Expect a one-hour wait time during peak hours.

2

The restaurant only offers pork broth options.

3

Parking is available in the back of the restaurant.

07
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Ramen restaurant

Ramen restaurant offers spacious seating with both indoor and outdoor options, featuring heated patio for cooler weather. Atmosphere includes loud noise levels and house music, creating a lively vibe. Interior design uses red and black accents with an open, clean aesthetic.

Soups come in Tokyo style and Downtown style, both with rich, tasty broth. Options include a spicy chicken noodle soup and a choice between soup or dry noodles.

Ramen stands out with its Tokyo style peanut-sesame broth and a choice of spice and numbness levels. Big, meaty gyoza and crispy chicken karaage serve as solid appetizers, while multiple vegetarian ramen options add variety.

People are saying

"The soup's flavor is off-the-hook, with a great balance of heat and depth."

"The gyoza here are gigantic and fatty, with a crisp, chewy skin."

"The ramen here is creamy and the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Parking can be challenging on Sawtelle.

2

The restaurant gets really busy after 6PM.

3

You need to jot your name down on their wait list to avoid waiting idly.

08
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Outdoor seating expands the space with a cozy, relaxing vibe that contrasts the intimate, buzzing interior. The atmosphere hums with the sound of slurping noodles and chopsticks, reflecting a serious ramen focus. Seating is limited indoors but spacious outside, creating a dynamic energy between the two areas.

Hot soup ramen features a rich and salty broth with authentic noodles. Adding lime and soup stock brightens and dilutes the broth, keeping every bite interesting.

Ramen stands out with rich, authentic flavors and a variety of options including tsukemen and vegan bowls. The noodles are consistently fresh and the broth deeply satisfying.

People are saying

"The Tsukemen broth is rich, deeply umami, and has a thick, grainy texture."

"The Japanese Food's dipping broth is rich and deeply umami."

"The dipping soup is rich, umami, and has a thick, grainy texture."

Good to know

1

During busy hours, especially dinner time from Thursday to Saturday, there can be up to an hour-long wait.

2

On Monday evening, there was no line at Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles.

3

Seating is limited and the restaurant is very popular.

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Sawtelle, Los Angeles

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