Best Japanese Restaurants in San Gabriel

Has been one of my best experiences at Benihana with our Chef Zach making it extra special

This experience lived up to expectations, which were high. For our golden wedding anniversary we wanted to have a special night. Alexander’s delivered exquisite food, service, and ambiance. The Chef’s Tasting proved the perfect order—no need for decision making, so we could focus on each other. And the dishes were phenomenal, each one better than the last. For an important occasion, Alexander’s can’t be beat.

For full disclosure, we were already huge fans of their Tsubaki. With Camelia, Chef Charles Namba and the superb Courtney Kaplan have created a remarkable dining experience. The menu offers choices for everyone at the table. By offering small plates or larger communal options, Camelia allows you to enjoy an exciting and delicious dinner. My husband and I happily cruised through just a small part of the menu. Starting with Chef Charles' version of Uni toast and his spin on Dungeness crab on purple yam blini, we were primed for the elevated Chicken liver mousse toast that followed. These small bites each built flavors and tastes. Our meal was further enhanced with Courtney's perfect choice of sake. Her deep knowledge and instinct for what a guest will enjoy is unique. If there is any such thing as a "Sake Sommeiler," Courtney would be the grand master. We moved to larger plates with Scallops, dashi lime cream, maitake & king trumpet mushrooms, Tokyo negi, and chestnut date purée, a series of complex tastes. And the Abalone and Florida wild pink shrimp pot pie!!! A perfect sized bowl of magic! We finished up with the Koshihikari risotto, grilled Monterey Bay squid was a perfect ending, creamy with and rich with deep flavors. The grilled squid were lightly spiced, crisp, soft and with a bit of chew all at the same time. GM Kristen Dumandan leads a warm and welcoming staff. Everyone was knowledgeable and helpful guides through the menu. Happily, dinner was perfectly paced, without more plates arriving to distract from what we were enjoying or getting cold. We didn't leave room for dessert. But we're coming back because there is so much more we want to enjoy.

I came in observance of the launch of a Jujutsu Kaisen mobile game that launched and for one day, Asayoru has made some of menu items Jujutsu Kaisen theme. I ordered the gyodan that wasn't much different than the regular gyodan, it has a sausage on place of an egg to replicate Sakudo's finger. I had the Gojo parfait and it was yummy. It has a vanilla scoop, blue jello, and Pocky. I did enjoy the matcha milk. When I arrived, the cafe was very busy. It holds he same fun atmosphere like it was back at EXP, but it was on a Saturday, so, high chances of availability to go is expected for young adults who work weekdays or go to school can make it on the weekends. I was able to get some Jujutsu Kaisen freebies after sharing the banner for their mobile game on Instagram. I was able to have a good time at Sakurin's birthday event the day after or the day I reviewed my experience. One thing I want to point out is in the second row somewhere in the middle, I felt something hot on my back. I assumed it was the stage light projecting from the back row. I was too focused on the performance to consider finding out.

Shinsen Gumi is one of the best Japanese dining experiences in Los Angeles, if not California. They started in a little shop in Gardena and have grown a lot over the years. They have excellent food and I always walk away happy. Great for casual dining with friends. Some shops are louder than others. But this is by design. Japanese restaurants like this in Japan are loud, friendly places. You don't go there to quietly chat. Keep up the good work and the great food!