Izakaya Go Los Angeles

Having recently moved to Little Tokyo, I was excited to try all of the restaurants in the area - every place I eat has been delicious. But Izakaya Go has quickly become my absolute favorite. Despite the variety of high quality restaurants, I find myself coming back here again and again. Whenever you walk in, you can rely on a genuinely warm greeting from the staff. Angela and Emily in particular are always friendly and attentive, and have great recommendations if you're unsure what kind of meal you're looking for. The food is excellent. The nigiri and sashimi are top quality - one of the current specials, the 5 Kind Tuna Lover Sushi Special, was plated beautifully and was a great experience to eat. The person who brought me the dish gave me a description of each piece and explained the order they recommended eating them as well, which was great. For New Years, they have a traditional Osechi Ryouri dish they're serving, with reservations required - I made sure to lock one in, because if the normal dinging experience is good, I can't wait for this one! The last time I was here, I had the Tai Chazuke, which was the first time I'd had chazuke. I ended up journaling about how delicious it was. I came here again tonight specifically to get it again, but Angela recommended a new special, the Baked Scallop Roll - and it did not disappoint. But I think I'll come back again tomorrow for the chazuke 😁 EDIT: I did in fact go back for the Tai Chazuke, pictured below 😄 EDIT 2: I've had ~55 things on the menu at this point, all of them delicious. Chris, Ko, Go, Hide-san, Stephen, Aya, Malisa, they're all such warm, welcoming people [edit: And how could I forget Cici, who has given me so many great recommendations, wonderful conversations, and helped me make friends outside of work when I was new and knew nobody 😭😭😭 I feel lucky that I live so close to a place that has such a great crew. If you go to one place in Little Tokyo for sushi, yakitori, or just good Japanese food, make it this one.

I tried this new izakaya go place today and I loved it so much so I’m leaving a review. it was just sooooo good. The amberjack carp is chewy and buttery and every bite was just spectacular. I heard they only have ten places a day and it’s a must try if you’re a seafood oyster lover and sukiyaki is good too. The ambience inside the restaurant was also warm and welcoming. It’s not too loud and there’s a music playing at the back so it was extra relaxing and comforting. But what makes the whole experience better were the servers. They were so kind and helpful and they explained the whole menu patiently. Honestly, this is the best interaction I’ve ever had with restaurant staffs. Thank you so much to Angela for the wonderful hospitality! I’ll definitely be coming back soon. 🍜✨

Really good restaurant with a great selection of sushi, sashimi, and grilled skewers. I truly enjoyed the stuffed jalapeños and the fresh sashimi paired their their good selection of sake. We did have a reservation but despite booking it we had to wait about 20 minutes before our table became available.

If you enjoy the izakaya-style dining experience, this place is a must-visit. From the first bite, I felt transported to Japan — the atmosphere is filled with the aroma of charcoal smoke that perfectly complements the food. I highly recommend trying the chicken tail, chicken heart, and the mackerel roll. They also offer a solid drink selection, including Asahi, Sapporo, Orion beer, and a variety of sake. The staff here is attentive and professional. They pre-bus tables, ensure everything runs smoothly, and make you feel genuinely cared for throughout the meal. Dessert options include ice cream, which is a nice finishing touch. Overall, I left feeling pampered and satisfied. This spot is ideal for small groups of up to four, though they can accommodate larger parties as well. I’ll definitely be coming back.

stumbled upon this spot after a movie and was warmly welcomed upon arrival. the server gave great reccomendations and checked up on us regularly. the standout for my partner was the stir fried pork cheek and veggies (not pictured) — as for myself, i was a big fan of the beef and tofu (pictured). would probably order everything we enjoyed tonight again except for the grilled corn with truffle. it could’ve used a little bit more truffled flavor! other than that it was a great experience and everything was of good value. will be back for happy hour!

This place is a super legit Izakaya. They got a huge variety of different dishes and everything is fresh. Sashimi, sushi rolls skewers, simmered dishes, yummy and creative appetizers. We had monkfish liver, raw wasabi marinaded octopus, and dumplings wrapped in chicken skin!! so u know they got those hits. They even got a good selection of craft beer. 10/10 might be my new fav izakaya in LA!

The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, with each dish offering a great mix of textures and taste. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, creating the perfect setting to enjoy a meal with friends. On top of that, the service was attentive and friendly, making the whole experience even more enjoyable.

From the moment we walked into Izakaya GO we were greeted with warm smiles from the chef and host, setting the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The vibe here is fantastic—cozy yet vibrant, perfect for a night out. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. We started with the poke nachos, which were mouth-wateringly delicious, bursting with fresh flavors. Our table also enjoyed a variety of rolls, sashimi, and sushi, and every bite was perfection—super fresh and beautifully presented. The sake selection was impressive, complementing the meal perfectly. Pictures don’t do this place justice; you have to taste it to believe it. Do yourself a favor and call now to make a reservation. This spot is a gem!

Great place to experience a variety of Japanese pub food. There is something there for every type of taste. Great place to hang out late with your friends, enjoy some fresh izakaya and drinks. The service is excellent. Please ask for Go, he will tailor the meal to your taste. The location is near everything in the heart of little toyko.

Had an amazing experience at Izakaya! The service was great, very attentive. Highlight of the meal was the chicken wing skewers. So delicious!

Great spot, even better service. Angela took care of us from start to finish. She was engaging without being pushy, gave helpful menu tips, and kept everything running smooth. Food came out quick and exactly right. She made the night simple and fun. Thanks Angela!

We went to this place after an event because it was pretty much the only sushi spot open late enough for us to go to, we did not expect to have such a good time. The place is small but we were sat right away and decided to go for a bar seat. They have a late night happy hour that included happy prices for our wallet. The food was very good for the price. We got 2 spicy tuna hand rolls, 2 beef skewers, and a bff roll. The beef was juicy and simple. The bff roll was very good as well. The hand rolls were so great, we ordered 2 more. As for the service, everyone was very attentive, even the sushi chefs ! It's a great spot for small bites. We will be back the next time we are in the area :-)

Tried this place for the first time last night with a group of friends before a night out. This place was such vibes. Major shoutout to Ko San & Angela for above and beyond cooking and service (and great pics of our group) The sashimi was fresh & tasty by itself and carpaccio style. Great tofu & monkfish liver. Really enjoyed all the flavorful skewers as well as the uni/salmon ikura dons.

This place is the real deal! I've been to both of their locations, here and in Las Vegas. The quality, flavor, and service are consistently amazing. Everything feels authentically Japanese - from the owner and staff to the kitchen crew and grill master. You can really taste the care and craftsmanship that go into every dish. The food was outstanding! Perfectly grilled skewers and flavorful small plates that go perfectly with sake or beer. The owner, Mr. Go, is super friendly and customer service was excellent. They also stay open late, which is perfect for a laid-back night out or a late dinner with friends. This place is highly recommended!

I've been craving Yakitori the past few days and what better place to have some than Little Tokyo! We were here for an event so we decided to try this spot for the first time. It wasn't very busy during lunch time on a Saturday but it slowly started getting busy once we were almost done eating. I really just wanted Yakitori and my bf was on the same page! We ordered a few different ones and it was honestly perfect. Service was fantastic, the man who served us was very sweet and made sure to check in on us, even told us what each skewer was when bringing them to us. Super detailed! I absolutely love beef tongue and I always get it, they did a perfect job. I saw scallops on the menu and I've never had BBQ'd scallops before so I went for it and LOVED it!! The slice of lemon they brought with my beef tongue was a nice touch on both. I also got the chicken meatballs that my bf loves but I thought they were just okay. The wings were very good and he also enjoyed his yuzu chicken. Wish this place was closer to us because we'd probably be eating here every night lol! Great food and service, located next to the old Starbucks right outside of the little Tokyo plaza. Plenty of parking structures around! Looking forward to coming back. IG: @ammysalamii

My new favorite place Izakaya Go LA in little Tokyo which is basically Japanese tapas & drinking they serve sushi cooked food even soup like udon They have a great selection of beer and sake let's not forget how affordable their prices are. Make sure to check out Happy Hour Menu food and drinks including dollar oysters delicious !! Ambiance is modern and Japanese . Oh let me mention how they have sports playing here on their big 100 inch screen. I love how authentic this place is . Just remember all restaurants can have challenges with staff so be kind and understanding.

Me and my group of 6 had a below decent experience here. We came for their happy hour special late at night at around 12am and there were barely any tables open, so we had to awkwardly wait by the door of the restaurant for a table to free up. It wasn't very comfortable because we were in the way of people coming in and exiting. There was an upstairs seating area I believe, so I'm not sure why they didn't give us a seat up there? We waited for about 20-30 minutes until we were finally seated. For food, we ordered fries, the crunchy roll, and chicken karaage to share and all of them were decent. The best thing from there were the fries which tasted like McDonald's fries but a little healthier. The crunchy roll was okay, but nothing special. It was like grocery store quality. The chicken karaage was disappointing. It was only fried once, so it wasn't as crispy as I hoped. It could've also used more batter, but at least the chicken wasn't dry. One of my friends could only eat one bite of it before deciding not to eat it anymore. The service was not the best. We had to wait long periods of time to get to order and get the bill. We eventually had to flag down a different server to give us our bill because I think our server forgot to give us our bill. I feel like we wasted a lot of time here. Overall, I probably wouldn't come back due to this subpar experience.

Dude what is this place, please open one up back home. The gentleman who served me 2 nights in a row (yes I came back to back) glasses and good hair, really kind and wonderful service! Chef's choice omakase 8 piece nigiri (5/5) So good, ordered this 2nights in a row Bluefin 8/5 (god bless America) Albacore 5/5 (good) Uni 5/5 (god bless America) Scottish salmon 3/5 (not my thing, but still good) Midai (snapper) 4/5 (good-ish) Hirami (halibut) 5/5 (very good) Kanpachi 5/5 (god bless America) Sweet shrimp 6/5 (god bless America) Fried shrimp head to go with the nigiri 5/5 (tasty) Chicken karaage (5/5) Love the batter and the chicken was extremely tender. Yakitori review Scallops 4/5 (a little over) Beef 5/5 (perfect) Shiitake mushroom 5/5 (perfect) Shrimp 3/5 (over, but good flavor) Beef tongue 5/5 (good) Chicken gizzard 5/5 (good) Salmon sashimi (not the Scottish one) 5/5 Perfect, very meaty. Soy sauce was good, wasabi is not numb/spicy enough, but that's okay. Ginger was very good. Water is better than most Japanese restaurants I've been to! Service was spectacular, mainly my guy with the glasses and good hair. Definitely recommend, would come here everyday if I could.

Had a lotta fun eating here. The best items were the happy hour $1 oysters, otoro and wagyu. Our waitress Angela was very attentive and chopped it up with us a good amount. Made us feel very at home. The environment was pretty dope and wooden. Reminiscent of alot of traditional bars. Furnitures rly comfy. Will come back again for some more drinks

Finally...a great Izakaya spot in Little Tokyo! Driving past the restaurant we saw that they were still conducting their "soft opening". Well, I told one of the chefs that they were ready to celebrate their grand opening! Everything was excellent and pleasantly surprised they were using charcoal instead of gas for grilling. Charcoal just adds a different taste to everything and it is working. The service is excellent and we were taken care of through our whole dining experience. Of all the food we ate, I loved the clams and eggplant dishes, especially the clams. A bit crowded but it reminded me of some of the smaller shops in Tokyo. Luckily we were able to sit at the counter and right next to the expo station so we saw all the food coming out of the kitchen. On my next visit, I want to try the ribeye! Ambiance 9/10 Cleanliness 9/10 Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Bathrooms 10/10 Value 9/10 Will I Return? Yes

This is my new favorite Izakaya in LA! I got 4 items and I liked every single one. Parking and driving in the area is a huge pain, especially during peak times, but that could probably be said about everything in Little Tokyo. The dishes I ordered this time are: Crunchy hand roll - excellent balance of flavors and textures. I would have liked an option for a soy wrapper but that's just personal preference. The seaweed was also great. Agedashi tofu - overall it was good. I wish the starch crust were crispier though, the texture was mostly mushy and falling off the tofu. Chicken karaage - texture was great. Seasoning was a bit uneven though as some pieces were too salty and some were perfect. Nasu miso - portion was too small, there was barely 6 bites of eggplant in the dish. But the taste was excellent. I especially loved the shishito peppers, they balance out and complement the flavor of the miso eggplant. As you can tell, my gripes/complaints for each dish are all pretty minor and are more due to personal preference than anything actually wrong. Overall I loved the experience and am looking forward to coming back to try other dishes in the future. Ambiance was modern and the service was fantastically attentive. But neither of these factor into my rating - the rating is just for the food.

New Izakaya spot that opened in Little Tokyo! Inside is very clean and nice, love the decor. They have charcoal grilled Yakitori skewers and a nice menu. Nice selection of alcohol from Japanese beer (on tap as well) and a nice selection of sake! They have a huge TV where they show the games as well. Service is great! The servers are all very nice and attentive. If you're looking for a new spot to enjoy the game, have some drinks, and enjoy good food I highly recommend checking them out!

Amazing and fun happy hour. Great variety of food and drinks, will come again! Service was fast and very friendly!

I've been to the Vegas one a few times so I thought we could give this one a go. My son loved the ikura bowl and shrimp tempura I ordered the chirashi bowl and chawanmushi. The fish in the chirashi tasted fresh. The chawanmushi was fishier than I've had at other places but I still enjoyed it. There was a mix-up with one of the orders at our table and the staff bent over backwards to make it right. Wait staff was great and the dining area was clean. I'd come back!

I can't remember the last time a new spot filled such a clear gap in the local dining scene. This izakaya isn't just a restaurant--it's the vibrant, casual escape we didn't realize we'd been craving. The location couldn't be more convenient, just minutes from the city's core, making it perfect for after-work meetups, casual date nights, or winding down with friends before heading home. Convenient parking right next door, and they validate for an hour! The atmosphere strikes that balance of modern and chill vibe with a hint of coziness that the staff bring. The menu is a love letter to Japanese comfort food. From crisp, golden karaage that melts in your mouth, to skewers grilled with smoky perfection, every dish feels crafted with care. The sashimi is fresh enough to make you pause between bites, and the small plates encourage sharing--though you'll be tempted to hoard your favorites. Pair it all with their thoughtful sake and Japanese beers, and you're in for a complete experience. They also have Suntory Premium Malt on tap! (Very rare) In a neighborhood that's been crying out for an authentic yet approachable izakaya, this place delivers in spades. It's the kind of spot that makes you linger long after your last bite, just to soak in the atmosphere a little longer. Verdict: A timely arrival, beautifully executed. This izakaya isn't just filling a need--it's raising the bar.

5 Stars - Amazing Service from Angela! I had a great experience at Izakaya GO in Little Tokyo. The food was solid, but the real highlight was Angela. She was warm, welcoming, and always checked in at the right times without hovering. She knew the menu well and gave good suggestions. My order came out quick and accurate, and she kept the vibe relaxed and fun. You can tell she genuinely cares about her guests. Thanks Angela--I'll definitely be back.

HOLY! I'm not even exaggerating when I say this place exceeded my expectation. One of the best izakaya spots I've had in the states, since coming back from japan. This place is super well-rounded in all their dishes from izakaya to even their sushi/sashimi. We ordered scallop nigiri but ended up falling in love with how good the quality was, we ordered a sashimi order of it. Their beef tongue, grilled scallop, and lamb chops are a MUST! All the skewered so well charred and cooked perfectly . Wings were super juicy and the lemon juice balanced out the saltiness. The staff was sweet and responsive, they are understaffed but seemed really quick with everything. There is free 1-hour validated parking in the plaza and super clean spot. Seems like a night out spot, but it was not loud at all like a typical pocha. Great dinner spot, date, and family gatherings. Will be coming back to try the rest of the menu.

Best izakya in Little Tokyo! Huge menu! Great happy hour!! Friendliest staff!!!

MID at best. Everything was dry and lacking flavor. The only things that had flavor were things covered in basic teriyaki sauce (chicken meatballs and beef skewers) not even the skewers had any grill marks or char? Many "izakaya" places in LA throw around that word too freely when they rarely have a selection of small plates and skewers. So, we were really excited to try this place given its selection of small plates and skewers. Such a disappointment to find out that there's no flavor in anything.

Hands down one of the top and newest Izakayas in So Cal! Their menu selections are pages on pages on pages. Sake selection is great too. They were able to accommodate my group of 6 and there was another group of 6 seated at the time of opening. Maybe recommend seeing if they take reservations after grand opening. Yakitori selections are great, beef tongue is my recommendation. Don't forget to check out the off the menu specials on the chalk board by the kitchen. We had the tail (bonjiri) and was so juicy. Their sushi and sashimi was quality is top notch too! Get the negitoro roll. Happy to have such great quality Izakaya in little Tokyo now. Will be my go to!

The service and food were great, but the chicken was a little tough, other than that everything was great.

The best service and the best food must have! Little small restaurants but the food is very tasty and the beer is beer ...had the chu-hi very very good need more

Nice service, a lot of happy hour specials. But table is small for varieties of foods ordered.

Great new izakaya place in DTLA! Their menu is huge with some authentic dishes that may be hard to find elsewhere. Food was amazing and service was friendly and attentive. My favorites were: - Zaru-tofu - Agebitashi (deep-fried and simmered seasonal vegetables) - Yakitori - chicken liver - 5 kind mixed sashimi (so fresh!) - Nikusui (thin sliced beef in bonito broth) Definitely going back for more!

This place is amazing! Everything is delicious and the service is fantastic! Super fresh fish and awesome grilled items. Try the chicken meat balls! Delicious!! Scallop sushi and Amber Jack carpaccio are top tier. You will love it!

The food was very taste l, Waitress was awesome and nice the service was great. I will definitely be coming back!

This Japanese owned restaurant is phenomenal. The food was outstanding, fresh, flavorful and beautifully plated. The staff really took care of us with sake and a few dishes that made the experience even more special. The hospitality here is next level and you can feel the pride they put into everything. Easily one of the best spots in Japan town.

Foods amazing. Great price. Friendly service. Nice ambiance. Come for happy hour great value

This place was delish and had excellent service. I went on a Sunday during happy hour and loved it! Perfect for small bites. I highly recommend the tuna cracker!

My original comment was removed. Food and service sucks. Go to torrance and gardena for actual yakitori. Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori

Best Izakaya I've had in LA. The menu has a great variety of traditional Izakaya dishes and fun, delicious new flavors of familiar Japanese favorites. The Tofu Steak, is fire. Seared sushi grade tuna on a bed of delicious garnishes that don't over power the fish. The sushi and sashimi stand out as excellent quality. It's nice to see Japanese and Japanese American owners with roots in LA return and open up in Little Tokyo. I eat at their Vegas spot every time I'm in town and am happy now I can enjoy it here too. I'll be watching a lot of Dodger games at Izakaya Go...big TV and easy parking in their lot next to Starbucks.

Amazing food, happy hour is the best we have had in California! Great service and really fresh sushi.

Great to see this LA branch of the Las Vegas original finally open (LA permitting takes so long)! Excellent yakitori, had 6 grilled items that were perfectly done. Beer, wine and sake available to drink, no hard stuff like Vegas. No late happy hour either, but that's okay. Open until 12:30 am, great to see another late night eats option in Little Tokyo.

Great service! Come for dodgers game night! Big screen great food and service! Great environment for a good time!

A good myriad of sashimi, sushi and yakitori options to choose from. Good service. Love how it's walkable to Angels Brewery and to the metro station. Would definitely return to try more of their yakitori.

Food was good, but service was extremely slow . They also brought us the wrong food and bill! Never coming back again!

Always a delight in terms of freshness, flavors and authentic, homemade tofu in different flavors. Always a five, especially sashimi, Tempura and more.

The boss chef of Japanese food in Las Vegas has opened in LA! If you like Ono Authentic Japanese food, Chef Go of Izakaya Go is a must! Real Japanese real good!

Angela is the goat!!! Go, the owner, is also super generous always generating amazing service. Thank you guys for always taking care of me

Always super yummy and a great stop after work. It's like the best balance of super tastey and wallet friendly. Sometimes I feel like it's hard to find a place to just vibe at in LT without breaking the bank but this spot has definitely filled the void. Recommend the sushi rolls the fish is super yummy!

UGH this place is absolutely a vibe. So tasty, we got some A5 wagu carpaccio, tuna steaks, and just a little bit of everything! I've been to the Vegas location and they never disappoint! The service and Owner are always amazing! Thank you Go!

So unbelievably RUDE. Came in for dinner and had server tell us very rudely that they could not heat up some sake for us. We argued and he stormed off. Manager then came out with attitude and finally agreed to our request. We were so upset that we paid for what we had ordered and left without eating or drinking anything. BEWARE...

Very good service and atmosphere. If you want your beers keep coming, this is the place!

This place go crazy shout out Angela! The food is amazing! Great service and great food!

The food and service was incredible. They got us right in, late at night and took great care of us. The staff were incredible and wonderful to talk to. They kept us entertained during our visit. We had previously been to the Vegas location, and we're happy to have the LA location now. The Nigiri and skewers all were incredible. We look forward to another visit!

First time here and will definitely be coming back! The food was great and the ambiance was super chill. They had a great selection of food and the benefit for us was that they're open late. Shoutout to Junior at the sushi bar!

I discovered this place with my partner a couple weeks ago, and we've been back at least 3 times since. It's difficult to find authentic Japanese food in the area the way my mother makes it, and this place is as authentic as it gets! Amazing people and service, I plan on coming back as much as I can!