Irori Japanese Restaurant

In Short – An easily adaptable beach crowd sits cross-legged on silk pillows propped on a wooden floor surrounding a traditional fire place embedded in the floor. Miniature dark wood tables seem less daunting surrounded by splashes of color on the light green walls and cloud-painted ceiling panels. Standard rolls keep sushi chefs busy. Servers will suggest freshest catches and sashimi adventurers, or chicken, beef and salmon teriyaki to the less experimental. Sunomono, a Japanese noodle and cucumber salad, can also be enhanced with octopus, shrimp or crab.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:: The restaurant only accepts reservations for parties of five or more. Otherwise, expect at least a 15 minute wait during peak dinner hours.
Save Money:: Lunch box specials feature mix-and-match main courses such as tuna sashimi and teriyaki. Pair entrees with up to three items, including tempura, fish cutlets and California rolls.
What to Drink:: A lengthy sake list offers a wide range of the spirit to fuel thirsty diners through the meal.

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User Reviews (34)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“would love the place to be in a nicer setting, but i think its hidden strip mall location makes it less crowded.” “The ambiance is great.” “Very traditional, beautiful ambiance, friendly staff (Hi Shige!)” “My husband and I are crazy for sushi and always searching for a place that offers truly fresh sushi in a clean, fun environment.” “The atmosphere is incredible and the staff is very pleasant and helpful if you have questions.” “The atmosphere is wonderful!” “We have always had excellent sushi here and we love the ambience.” “the atmosphere was great as well.” “Great atmosphere”
dessert	100.0% positive	“Everytime we go wtehre we pick a new special, sushi tekadon (comes with salad and soup) and we top it with my favorite desert ever!”
drinks	83.33000183105469% positive	“The sushi chefs at the bar have all been very friendly and helpful, but very busy.” “If you love sushi, sit at the sushi bar and get to know the chefs.”
food quality	93.24999809265137% positive	“Although my kids are extremely well behaved, we felt like we were being rushed in favor of other clients received poor service from the wait-staff (had to ask for wasabi for the sushi (!))” “Sashimi is fresh.” “the toro, and live sweet shrimp were excellent.” “If you lean toward simple sushi and sashimi vs. rolls filled with mayo/sauces, you know how important getting a fresh, good cut of fish is.” “Excellent fresh fish.” “Also, a super friendly, professional wait staff and team of sushi chefs see to it that you feel welcome, are well taken care of, and have a great time.” “The food is awesome ( try the sashimi news) and I am a food critic.” “Great quality fish, nice intimate setting with tatami style seating.” “Some of the best Japanese food you're ever going to find.” “tried good sushi all over the town and I pretty much know my sushi.” “The sushi is awesome!” “So if your not a sushi fan the teriyaki and udon are also great.” “Food is delicious.” “If you love sushi, sit at the sushi bar and get to know the chefs.” “love the traditional table setting and the warm welcome from all the sushi chefs upon entering.” “The staff is friendly, and the fish fresh.” “This place had amazing sushi, food, everything.” “It will add flavor to your sushi and the price is reasonable.” “The quality of the fish is nothing short of amazing - buttery wild salmon, albacore, the best red snapper with shiso and marinated salt, painstakenly seared escolar.” “Hey, you can't expect to get good quality fish at conveyor belt prices.” “We have always had excellent sushi here and we love the ambience.” “To find a good neighborhood sushi restaurant is lucky.” “Irori serves the best sushi we have found in LA.” “The fish is fresh, the menu is varied and the staff is terrific.” “The food is outstanding.” “Excellent sushi for very good prices” “We ordered a beautifully plated appetizer of Fried Calamari, 3 entrees' (sweet shrimp sashimi is excellent), and a large Asahi.” “The place has authentic vibe and the sushi was amazing.” “Great place for sushi for beginners to connoisseurs” “If you don't love sushi, choose from anything else on the menu.” “This sushi is excellent.” “The prices are not incredible bargains, but the food is always high quality (which is important) and we feel the prices are reasonable for what we get.” “am a little less adventurous with sushi and sashimi so it's nice to have a place that has great sushi for my boyfriend and friends who are more adventurous while I still get great food as well.” “There are other things to eat as well and we have been happy with everything we have tried (I love the chicken teriyaki and they even give the option for it to be all white meat).” “highly recommend this place if you're looking for an excellent Japanese meal in the Marina.” “Everytime we go wtehre we pick a new special, sushi tekadon (comes with salad and soup) and we top it with my favorite desert ever!” “I'm fat and I know good food.” “My husband and I are crazy for sushi and always searching for a place that offers truly fresh sushi in a clean, fun environment.” “The sushi is fresh, consistently good, there is a good variety, and portions are good.” “Ok, there's plenty of good sushi in LA.” “Great Sushi, fresh fish and friendly and attentive staff.” “The sushi chefs at the bar have all been very friendly and helpful, but very busy.”
menu variety	66.66999816894531% positive	“The sushi is fresh, consistently good, there is a good variety, and portions are good.” “The fish is fresh, the menu is varied and the staff is terrific.” “If you don't love sushi, choose from anything else on the menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“am a little less adventurous with sushi and sashimi so it's nice to have a place that has great sushi for my boyfriend and friends who are more adventurous while I still get great food as well.” “great place to dine since it's only 5 minutes from my place.” “However, it's a great restaurant and the people who work there are incredibly nice.”
service	83.33000183105469% positive	“The atmosphere is incredible and the staff is very pleasant and helpful if you have questions.” “The waitstaff is friendly and very attentive.” “Everyone, from the host to the waiter, gave our baby a nasty look.” “Very traditional, beautiful ambiance, friendly staff (Hi Shige!)” “Charming, attentive servers float around you in an unhurried serene setting.” “Although my kids are extremely well behaved, we felt like we were being rushed in favor of other clients received poor service from the wait-staff (had to ask for wasabi for the sushi (!))” “The staff is incredibly friendly.” “However, it's a great restaurant and the people who work there are incredibly nice.” “The sushi chefs at the bar have all been very friendly and helpful, but very busy.” “Also, a super friendly, professional wait staff and team of sushi chefs see to it that you feel welcome, are well taken care of, and have a great time.” “The staff is friendly, and the fish fresh.” “Great Sushi, fresh fish and friendly and attentive staff.” “He was friendly, very knowledgeable and gave us great recommendations.” “The fish is fresh, the menu is varied and the staff is terrific.”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“Hey, you can't expect to get good quality fish at conveyor belt prices.” “The sushi is fresh, consistently good, there is a good variety, and portions are good.” “little pricey but definately worth the price.” “Excellent sushi for very good prices” “It will add flavor to your sushi and the price is reasonable.” “The prices are not incredible bargains, but the food is always high quality (which is important) and we feel the prices are reasonable for what we get.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“great place to dine since it's only 5 minutes from my place.”

07/08/11

Best food in town

by star jenkins15 at Citysearch

Food is amazing. Every time I come here, I feel like I never want to leave. Very chic atmosphere with a relaxing mood.

The service is great and the staff really does a terrific job at taking care of you.

The appetizers are delicious.

Theres plenty of places to park: theres a parking lot across the street and a parkin garage up the street within walking distance.

Most of the time I find myself looking at my watch waiting for the food to come, but here I was so entertained with the fun atmosphere that I was pleasantly surprised when my food arrived

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09/19/10

My Favorite Sushi Restaurant

by nicoleeeena at Citysearch

I love this place. If you are looking for amazing SUSHI this is the place. I am an avid sushi goer, not rolls but sushi. This place is hands down amazing. Masa, the head chef, has magical hands. He makes the best plates. My husband and I go here atleast 2xmonth and we always get their "Sashimi News" with either japanese albacore or yellowtail. The sauce is so unique and delicious. Their live shrimp is amazing, also their tempura battered shrimp or lobster with their spicy mayonaisse is also to die for! I could eat here every night! If you go, know that you are asked to take your shoes off before entering the dining room and for girls, don't wear tight short skirts/dresses b/c you sit on a pillow on the floor. I would say call ahead for reservations, and if you are going with a date, sit at the bar and ask to sit infront of Masa! You will not be disappointed! :) ENJOY!!

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07/05/10

Deeeee-licious!

by jordana_lorraine at Citysearch

I LOVE this place! They have fresh, tasty sushi and a variety of warm options, too. Some of my favorites: Japanese albacore sushi, mushroom teppan-yaki, red snapper with plum wine sauce, Japanese eggplant with sweet miso. The friendly staff works together to make sure everyone is taken care of, and I've always felt just that.

Pros: incredible albacore from Japan, creative specials
Cons: um....nope

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04/10/10

Not baby friendly

by mirkaltern at Citysearch

My husband and I used to go before having kids and always had a good experience there. So after having our baby, we went there again. Everyone, from the host to the waiter, gave our baby a nasty look. They ignored us, and looked pretty upset to serve us. We told the manager about it and she just frowned and grunt to us. Our poor daughter was six months at that time and never cried, so it's not like our baby was a pain in the butt for anyone in there, she didn't even move.

So if you have a baby, avoid this place. The food is totally average, there are plenty more and better options in LA. We're positively not going back, even without our daughter. What a way of losing customers!

Pros: Acceptable food
Cons: Awful personnel if you go with your baby

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12/07/09

Very Impressed

by sjhan12652 at Citysearch

I went there for my birthday with a friend. I read the reviews before I went there so I knew what to expect. I tried good sushi all over the town and I pretty much know my sushi. So I could tell you with confidence that Irori has one of the better high quality sushi in town and you shoud expect to pay more. Try the Blue Moon cold sake. It will add flavor to your sushi and the price is reasonable. It comes in a 500 ml bottle and is just enough for 2 people. I will definitely go back when I am in the area.

Irori Japanese Restaurant

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What People Are Saying About Irori Japanese Restaurant

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Editor's Tips

07/08/11

Best food in town

by star jenkins15 at Citysearch

09/19/10

My Favorite Sushi Restaurant

by nicoleeeena at Citysearch

07/05/10

Deeeee-licious!

by jordana_lorraine at Citysearch

04/10/10

Not baby friendly

by mirkaltern at Citysearch

12/07/09

Very Impressed

by sjhan12652 at Citysearch

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