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Japonica - El Segundo, El Segundo, CA

Japonica - El Segundo

4.6 (56)
$30 and under
Japanese
229 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Make a reservation

A photo of Japonica - El Segundo restaurant

Japonica - El Segundo

4.6
$30 and under
Japanese
El Segundo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

  • Innovative
  • Healthy
  • Neighbourhood gem
At Japonica, we take great pride in offering the best Japanese cuisine and sake to our wonderful guests. Every day, it is our pleasure to share our joy of the Japanese culinary arts with the local community through delicious food, curated sake, and a welcoming ambiance. However, none of this would be possible without our loyal patrons and our hardworking team. We love you, we love the South Bay beach cities, and we could not be more grateful to you all. We truly believe that the world will be a better, more peaceful place when everyone is happy. By filling your bellies and souls, we hope to spread just a little more happiness throughout Southern California.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Contemporary Asian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighbourhood
    El Segundo
  • Cross street
    On Main St, between Grand and Franklin.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
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Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 56 people are saying

Japonica - El Segundo reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Japonica - El Segundo delights with its "incredible service" and "phenomenal sushi." Guests appreciate the "unique rolls" and house-made "smokey soy sauce." The restaurant offers a "friendly staff" and "nice outdoor seating." While some find the food quality inconsistent, happy hour provides excellent value. Reservations are recommended for this "neighborhood gem."
56 Reviews
  1. Marissa

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were seated right as we got there and the waiter was so nice to let us order in the last five minutes of happy hour, something many restaurants aren’t gracious enough to do. He was attentive and checked in on us throughout the night to take plates and place orders. Our highlights were the lychee and lemon drop cocktails, the salmon carpaccio and the jessica alba roll. They were light and flavorful. They also make their own smoked soy sauce which is really cool. The restaurant is deceiving as it looks really small but actually has a much larger seating section mixed between inside and outside. The food was decent and we liked everything we got.

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  2. Vanessa Gold

    San Diego16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on November 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is my favorite sushi restaurant. The service is always incredible and the food is out right on time

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  3. Jacinta

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on November 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great restaurant had a really good time. Service was super fast and we were a table of 12

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  4. Jesus

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Staff was very attentive and quick . Food was delicious and delivered on time. Everything was amazing. Sushi was phenomenal

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  5. ScottB

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 14, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    First of all—the service was great, and that can go a long way. The food—unexceptional. My “go-to” dish at a new Japanese restaurant is the chirashi bowl. Essentially it’s slices of sashimi atop of bowl of sushi rice. Done right, it’s a beautiful display of color and a varied selection of fish. Japonica didn’t have chirashi on the menu, didn’t know what it was. Basically, if you’re coming here for sushi, I think you’d be disappointed. The pricing is very reasonable, so if you’re looking for something in a pinch for under $25, you could do worse.

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  6. Damion

    Los Angeles4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this place for their unique rolls and smokey soy sauce!

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  7. Gwen

    San Francisco7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great sushi recommendation from a friend. Arrived in time for our reservation and the food was great!!!

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  8. Joan Gold

    Orange County16 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on September 27, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    The food good but service was not. Hoping it was just an off night because we really like this place! Never brought ginger & wasabi. Asked 3 times before getting one small serving for the entire table of 5. Never got ponzu sauce. It was disappointing.

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  9. mk

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I always love going to Japonica for so many reasons, the food and the people who work there… It is always awesome!!

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  10. Valerie

    Los Angeles4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on September 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Fresh, delicious variety of food, nice outdoor seating. Friendly staff, excellent service; parking can be a challenge but it's worth the effort

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Contemporary Asian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighbourhood
    El Segundo
  • Cross street
    On Main St, between Grand and Franklin.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Family-friendly: yes, guests regularly bring kids and families, and several reviews mention kids loving the food. The space is described as small and cozy, so parties with young children do dine here comfortably. Accessibility: specific details about wheelchair access or ADA seating aren’t mentioned in reviews or owner info; call ahead if you need accessible seating so the team can advise and accommodate when possible.

Yes, Japonica is often recommended for date night. Guests frequently praise the cozy, chill atmosphere, attentive staff, and consistently delicious sushi, making it a relaxed spot for couples. Consider booking ahead (it can get crowded) and try popular dishes like specialty rolls or ramen; many guests mention memorable date-night experiences and a comfortable vibe perfect for an evening out.

The ambience is warm, casual, and welcoming, many guests describe it as cozy and great for date nights or casual dinners. Expect a friendly, neighborhood sushi bar vibe with attentive staff, a relaxed energy, and occasional busy nights. Outdoor seating adds to the pleasant atmosphere when available.

Business casual is the stated dress code. Guests typically dress casually for a relaxed sushi and ramen experience, so neat, comfortable attire is appropriate for dining here.

Portions are generally what guests expect from a casual Japanese spot, sushi rolls and appetizers designed for sharing, with entrees like ramen and bowls priced around $12–$18. Several guests note good value during happy hour and reasonable prices for quality sushi. If you’re sharing rolls and small plates, you’ll likely leave satisfied; for big appetites, consider ordering an extra entree or sharing multiple rolls.

Aim for weekday lunch or an early weekday dinner if you prefer a quieter visit, guests note the restaurant can get crowded, especially on weekends and special nights. If you want lively energy and the full scene, weekend evenings or happy hour are popular. Reservations are recommended for prime evening times.

Japonica is a small, cozy casual-dining spot with indoor seating and some outdoor seating. The owner notes they don’t take private parties or large-party bookings, and guests report it can handle medium-sized tables (one review mentioned a party of 12). If you need a specific arrangement, call ahead, large or private events aren’t accepted.

Yes, you can call ahead to request seating preferences or let the team know about celebrations, dietary needs, or special occasions. Note: the restaurant does not offer private-party rooms or accept large-party bookings, and one guest noted a birthday wasn’t acknowledged, so it’s a good idea to confirm specifics with staff when you call to set expectations.

Yes, Japonica is kid-friendly. Multiple guests mention bringing children and families, and kids reportedly enjoy the menu. The casual atmosphere and reasonably priced dishes make it a good spot for family meals, though there’s no mention of a dedicated kids’ menu, so families often share rolls and appetizers.

Busiest: weekend evenings and special occasions, guests mention busy nights, packed dining rooms, and events like Valentine’s Day causing long waits. Quietest: weekdays, especially daytime lunch or early weekday dinners, tend to be calmer. If you prefer a quieter meal, visit during weekday lunch or make an early reservation.

Yes, several guests mention nice outdoor seating. Outdoor tables help contribute to the relaxed vibe, though parking can be tight, so plan accordingly if you’re driving.

Weekdays (Monday–Thursday) are your best bet for a quieter experience, while Friday and Saturday evenings are livelier and busier. If you want to enjoy happy hour and a bustling scene, aim for weekend evenings; for a more relaxed meal, choose a weekday lunch or early dinner.

Yes, guests reference other Japonica locations in the South Bay; one guest compared the El Segundo spot to a Redondo Beach location, indicating at least one additional branch. If you’re curious about other locations, call the restaurant or check their website/social pages for full details.

Japonica - El Segundo offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (424) 392-7621.

Japonica - El Segundo is rated 4.6 stars by 56 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Los Angeles
  4. Beach Cities
  5. El Segundo

Make a reservation

A photo of Japonica - El Segundo restaurant

Japonica - El Segundo

4.6
$30 and under
Japanese
El Segundo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 5 times today
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