Traditional breakfast & lunch options from Japan or France served in a small open kitchen.
"Offers a cozy Japanese breakfast experience, known for its non-fussy and delicious meals." - Michael He
"The Japanese French menu at Little Tokyo’s Azay represents the path its founding chef, Akira Hirose, took to opening the restaurant. Born in Kyoto, Hirose trained in Azay-le-Rideau, France before moving to the U.S. to work as an apprentice at L’Orangerie in the early 80s. Hirose opened a French restaurant in Kyoto in the late 80s before debuting the now-closed Maison Akira in 1998 in South Pasadena. Azay distills Hirose’s life experiences into a menu that includes what may be the last traditional Japanese breakfast in Los Angeles, plus a daily bento, omurice, duck confit, beef Bourguignon, and more. The dinner menu changes weekly but often offers dishes like miso black cod, branzino, and charred octopus. After Hirose’s death in September 2024, chef Chris Ono took up the mantle, leading the restaurant alongside Hirose’s son Philip and the rest of the family. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor" - Eater Staff
"Azay is a half-French, half-Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo where you’ll find the only Japanese breakfast being served in LA proper. It’s run by a tight-knit family that’s been in the community for decades, and eating here feels like watching a motivational TikTok or finding out about the Swedish sport known as kaninhoppning - or professional bunny hopping. In other words, you’ll be completely charmed. Their rendition on the Japanese breakfast is quite understated - nothing but a tray of broiled fish, tamago, tofu, miso soup, a side of rice, plus a few pickles. The broiled fish comes with a flakey top and charred bottom, but completely moist meat in the middle. Bright yellow eggs taste slightly sweet, and resemble the shape and size of an elementary school kid’s eraser. Plus, the portions are perfect - not too big, not too small, and you can walk away feeling full, without needing to undo a button on your pants." - kat hong
"While doing research for a super-secret guide (just kidding, the Japanese Breakfast guide drops on Monday - please read it), I swung by Azay, a charming restaurant in Little Tokyo that serves one of the only Japanese breakfasts in town. It’s a simple dish - nothing but a tray of broiled fish, tamago, tofu, miso soup, side of rice, plus a few pickles. But folks, this isn’t just my favorite meal of the week - it’s one of my favorite dishes in the entire city. The broiled fish comes with a flaky top, charred bottom, but completely moist meat in the middle. Bright yellow eggs taste slightly sweet, and resembles an elementary school kid’s eraser in shape and size. Plus, the portions are perfect - not too big, not too small, and you can walk away feeling full, without needing to undo a button on your pants. I honestly could write ten thousand more words about this breakfast set, but do check out that guide on Monday (please). -Kat Hong, Staff Writer" - the infatuation los angeles crew
"Azay in Little Tokyo serves one of the few Japanese breakfasts in the LA area. It'll arrive with nothing but a tray of broiled fish, tamago, tofu, miso soup, and a side of rice, plus a few pickles. The broiled fish comes with a flaky top and charred bottom, but completely moist in the middle. Bright yellow eggs taste slightly sweet and resemble the shape and size of an elementary school kid’s eraser. Plus, the portions are perfect—not too big, not too small, and you can walk away feeling full without needing to undo a button." - brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins