Bar Asobu

This is a great cozy neighborhood spot with staff that care about the food and love LA. They have a TV so great to catch a Dodgers game while enjoying Japanese food.

We had an incredible time at Bar Asobu Sho was so welcoming. Best fried soft shell crab I’ve ever had. The snapper and yellow tail carpaccio was mind blowing. Sho’s favorite dish was the popcorn shrimp it was so worth it such light batter.

If google reviews had 10 stars I’d give it a 10. Each dish had a unique flavor profile. Don’t be swayed by the limited menu, it’s small but powerful. They even have a chef’s creation option. We got lucky and walked right in on a Saturday evening - they’ve just opened two weeks ago, and we’re sure this place is gonna do well. Good luck to Ken and team!

Atmosphere, food, workers and everything was on point!! Food is so so good. I hope they will expand their menu because everything is delicious. 10000% recommended!

I ordered the mackerel, and with each bite, I couldn’t help but admire the precision of its preparation. The fish was perfectly halved with such symmetry that when lightly grilled, the bones took on a delicate char while the flesh remained buttery soft, infused with a rich, smoky flavor. As a bonus, this spot boasts the cleanest bathroom in Little Tokyo—complete with an automatic toilet seat that greets you upon arrival.

This place needs a 100/10 - give me 14 of them kind of vibes because my husband and I stumbled upon this for one drink and one appetizer before continuing along the rest of the strip of food and drinks we could find and ending up staying to have one of the best experiences ever!!! Being the only ones there for a moment and getting to know the the team behind this establishment was the cherry on top to the drinks, food, and atmosphere being on a level unmatched for what we were expecting. I do not leave reviews often because unfortunately I do like to gate-keep but this place needs the love and acknowledgement my husband and I experienced tonight!! we cannot wait to come back!!

Walked in on vibes alone and this place absolutely exceeded expectations. The staff was fabulous the food was better and the drinks never stopped. Give them your money, they deserve it.

Fantastic 3rd place. The drinks are traditional Japanese but they were great. Very cozy and a great spot to have a conversation at.

Post Valentine's date with my Lady at Asobu was a great choice. Saturday nights seem very busy at this relatively new place, so glad the buzz is finding it's way. Strongly recommend reservations if dropping by on weekend, as I saw a good number of folks had to be turned away because no rsvp. Enjoyed every aspect: food, service, the setting. All really cool, real DTLA, and not touristy Little Tokyo. Star of night was the Japanese Sea Bass, a finely slit carpaccio in a light oil base. May be one of best single dishes I've had in all DTLA restaurants. And big props to Kentaro, who took care of us all evening. Excellent service. By the way, can't go wrong on Sake choices, we went through a bottle of a semi-sweet, semi-dry Sake from a small region in Japan. Solid. Maybe next time the Omakase, which based on folks who ordered it, looked really interesting.

The food was great but the service was disappointing. We were able to get a few seats without a reservation and were given the menus and left to look at it on our own which was fine but when other people showed up after us the service was a lot different with the staff going through each item and special they had. Our first part of our order got to the table fairly quick but our last item was delivered way after a lot of people who ordered after us had gotten their main item. Overall the service quality was noticeably different.

Great service! Nice ambiance. It definitely looks like they're just open so menu can be a bit small. Prices reflect portions! We spent about $120 between 2 people with 2 drinks and we think that's more than fair. The drinks are strong too!

Great food, great vibes and great owners to drink with! Ordered the yellowtail and was surprised with a basil/olive oil blended sauce - not your normal carpaccio sauce- but super tasty!! Ordered the fried shrimp and mayo- perfect crunch and fried in clean oil- the batter on the shrimp was a perfect golden hue. The curry is from one of the owners' grandmother's recipe- deliciooooso! The best item we got was the bacon asparagus pasta - al dente and not too sweet! Need to go back when they have the taro balls!!

We just walked into this establishment at 10:55pm and got turned away. The outside signage clearly says they close at 12am on Sundays and on yelp it's advertised that closing time is at 1am. I walked in before my bf and the sever/host said sorry we're closed (the one in a LA hat w/ tattooed sleeves), my boyfriend walked in after me and asked if the hours had changed and the same guy told him "we're expecting a big party so we're not seating walk -ins" and then continued to say "and our kitchen is closing in 5 min" so contradicting his first statement. There was open seating at the bar and on the floor, and we saw a different party of 2 just finish ordering their food so it was a little disappointing and confusing as to why we couldn't get service. Both of us have been in food industry and have never been turned away like this with different excuses or for false advertised hours. I'm guessing the business is doing so good they don't need to make more money after a certain time.

Just wow. This place is fantastic. The staff is incredible, the food is just wow, and the vibes are unmatched. Please don't go here, so I can reserve a seat every weekend!

wanted to update my review with some pictures of other dishes I've had at this place. Really delicious things on and off the menu! The omurice was a perfect closure to the meal! Highly recommend!!

COME HERE! The mojito has to be the best I've had. The pasta here is apparently really bomb. Sho and Ken are the nicest people, remembered my friend from the couple of times she has been here. Felt very very taken care of here and they made sure our big party can fit comfortably. Love this place, will be coming back!!!!!

I loved my experience here so much I came here two days in a row. Finding out they're associated with Sushi Enya made me expect more from this restaurant. The service and food far exceeded my expectations. The food was exceptional. Their daily items and pastas were delicious. I love their fries. I loved the idea they took inspiration from "Midnight Diner" to make off menu items if you call ahead of time. Ken was very attentive and very friendly. Even though the space was small, I didn't feel cramped at all. I loved they have one TV showing random shows. This place took over as my new favorite bar in Little Tokyo. I will definitely come back every time I'm there.

The food was amazing. Things I've had before like the garlic edamame. Best I've had. We enjoyed everything from the ambiance the impeccable service and the toilet that opens when you come in. Sick spot 10/10

I came here with my son. Chef Hitoshi made me potato salad, sashimi, Nagoya style teba, steak and curry&rice! He also made my son fish onigiri. Three dudes at this restaurant arefantastic and have gooood vibes. Can't wait come back!!!

Great food, cool vibe, helpful staff. Every dish we tried was fantastic; highlights were Chili crab, Curry and the Asobu salad

Kind cool and attentive staff slinging dramatic and delicious "bar" food. But that was some high flavor high end fare. Truly appreciated the vibe.

This is my second time here, and the vibe is great! Chill, welcoming, full of good energy. The staff is super friendly, and the food is spot on. Plus, the chef can whip up off-menu creations based on the fresh ingredients available that day. It's the perfect late-night spot for great eats and drinks. LA needs more gems like this!

I went here last night (on a Friday). Super fun place, the team was great, awesome tables, great music and a lively (but not too big) bar ... maybe 8 seats. Food was excellent ... we had the special pasta, truffle fries, edamame, sea bass carpaccio and their version of a Caesar salad. It was all great and very unique. We had Japanese beers but the drinks looked good too. Highly recommend. It's not huge so I recommend calling and asking them to hold a table or some bar seats (not sure if they do that but we had a table and I was glad we did).

Ken and Itoshi took such good care of us, and everything we ordered was absolutely perfect. Every single item I've had on the menu has been stellar. Keep killing it! The vibe is incredible too, the inside is beautiful and everyone is so friendly.

This is a newly opened spot in Little Tokyo worth your time to check out. Great drinks and food.

very nice izakaya. I've been wanting to try a legit izakaya place in little tokyo but never could find one. However, this place actually is an IZAKAYA place i've been waiting for. Must try. Also, they can also cook a dish even when it isnt on their menu as long as it is on their range.

Everything about this place is unique. It's a great place to find a new vibe. The food deserves more recognition. The service is personal. And you feel like you don't want to go home when they're closing. Try it out for yourself because words don't do justice.

Good vibes good people good food good atmosphere. Not a traditional izakaya but a twist of modern culture to it. Definitely give it a try and you will see what I'm talking about ! Very pleased with the overall service and quality

Great food and fun vibes! Cool concept where they can cook anything for you as long as they have the ingredients for it. Highly recommend!!

Great atmosphere with amazing food, must get the boned kalbi steak and gyu-suji curry!! Make sure to ask chef Hitoshi for recommendations

Stumbled into this place by accident, I'm so glad we did! Service is amazing, everyone is friendly, and the tapas are so good. Definitely making it a part of the date rotation list!

The food was delicious. Small portions. The service was very friendly and the ambiance was calm with the right tone of music. We enjoyed our experience. Totally, we would recommend anyone to have that experience in addition we're planning on going back.

This has become a regular spot for me now. Every time I go the food doesn't disappoint, the vibes the staff and patrons have in there are always amazing. Sho and Hitoshi make incredible dishes and can even make stuff off menu on request without skipping a beat. Ken is also a great host and moves fast. For a small kitchen they pump out a lot of food and the quality is never compromised. If you're looking for a spot to go in Little Tokyo, this is the spot.

it's almost 1 am, i'm so tired and am falling asleep, but i won't let myself until i finish this review. i had the most phenomenal experience here tonight ! the food, drinks, service, and ambiance was top tier ! everyone is friendly and passionate about the food, they experience the create. everyone checks in on you, they are happy to answer your questions and make helpful recommendations. the spice in my meal was flown in from Japan just two weeks ago !the look of the place is casual and comfortable, very clean for LA too might I add. their specials are worth trying ! this is easily a place that someone would gatekeep, but they deserve every punch of success it's kind of mind blowing that they've only been 2 weeks . come check this place out and be prepared to enjoy a wonderful evening