Nanbankan

The 19 Best Restaurants On West LA's Sawtelle Boulevard

"Even in a neighborhood known for Japanese restaurants, Nanbankan stands out. Their dining room feels like a portal straight to Tokyo: everyone is sipping sake, kabuki art hangs from the walls, and in the center are two giant yakitori grills enveloped in smoke. This grilled skewer house serves almost anything on a skewer, from pork loin delicately wrapped in shiso leaves to salty quail eggs, plus other options like sunomono and grilled onigiri. But the real action is on the chalkboard, where you’ll find a rotating list of specials like live scallops, black cod, and wagyu beef. Snag a seat at the bar if you can. " - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore