JiST cafe

Cafe · Historic Core

JiST cafe

Cafe · Historic Core

4

116 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Photos

JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by
JiST cafe by Benji Dell
JiST cafe by Benji Dell
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null
JiST cafe by null

Highlights

Asian-fusion brunch with fluffy pancakes & savory chashu hash  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

116 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Get directions

jistcafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

116 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Get directions

+1 213 792 2116
jistcafe.com
jistcafe

$10–20 · Menu

Features

Tap to pay

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@infatuation

The 16 Best Restaurants & Bars In Little Tokyo - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"JiST Cafe is one of those places you walk into and wonder why it took you so long to get here. It might be hard to tell from its current modern digs, but this bright little cafe has been around for over 70 years (albeit under a different name). Open for breakfast and lunch only, this spot serves a chashu hash skillet worth driving across the city for. But if you happen to be in the area, it’s also just a nice place to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the side patio in peace." - Brant Cox, Kat Hong, Nikko Duren

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/where-to-eat-and-drink-in-little-tokyo
View Postcard for JiST cafe
@infatuation

JiST Cafe - Review - Little Tokyo - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"JiST Cafe is one of those places you walk into and wonder why it took you so long to get here. It might be hard to tell from its current modern digs, but this bright little cafe has been around for over 70 years (albeit under a different name). Only open for breakfast and lunch, their chashu hash skillet is worth driving across the city. But if you happen to be in the area, it’s also just a nice place to stop in, grab a cup of Stumptown coffee and enjoy that excellent side patio in peace." - Brant Cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/jist-cafe
View Postcard for JiST cafe
@eater

Best restaurants in Little Tokyo Los Angeles - Eater LA

"Look no further than Jist Cafe for a brunch spot in Little Tokyo. Open Thursday to Sunday, Jist serves up comfort foods like porky omurice and chashu hash. The real star is the cafe’s pancake, a thick and fluffy piece of heaven on a plate. Get one on the side with creme fraiche and syrup, or the more decadent tres leches version." - Kimberly Madrid

https://la.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-los-angeles-little-tokyo-japanese
View Postcard for JiST cafe
@onthegrid

"Jist Cafe, Little Tokyo. This cozy bright cafe is a great brunch spot in Little Tokyo. The inside is small, but they also provide outdoor patio seating with heaters, for those random chilly days in Los Angeles. Choose your own table, look over the menu and order at the counter. Follow the crowd and order their well known Chashu Hash Skillet: pork belly, potatoes and two soft boiled eggs. The portions come large and plenty, so choose multiple items and share with your friends. Don’t forget the mimosas."

Los Angeles
View Postcard for JiST cafe

Jenny

Google
place is really cute ! The food was delicious! 10/10 Came here early morning when they opened ! Completely empty, which I loved ! Service was awesome & just the atmosphere was splendid. I'm coming back with my mom for sure! The only thing I wished was if the coffee was in a cute cup other than that everything was super good ! ♡

goim kim

Google
Yellow chairs welcome you to the lovely outdoor seating💛. Everything we got was soooo delicious! I normally get juice for drinks when I have brunch, but this time I really wanted to try their cafe cado which is coffee with avocado cream. The avocado cream was thick and sweet. For those who are not a big fan of sweet drinks, ask for light on sweetness! Chasu hash was so soft and flavorful, really liked the poached egg as well. Tres leches pancake, soaked in sweet milk, was the perfect pancake version of the cake. The staffs were attentive even though it was pretty packed. Overall, loved everything about this place!

Jordan Montoya

Google
Had the most amazing Duck and egg dish might have been a special I don’t see it anywhere.. amazing work there. My gf got the coconut cream pie pancakes which were not only filling af but delicious thicc and soft.. bloody Mari went well with everything

Lim

Google
Saw long queue outside the shop from my hotel room, prompted me to give it a try. The shop on open few hours a day and close by 1:30-2pm. Overall, will rate the food slightly above average at the price . One of the very few shops with foods served not too sweet neither too salty, it taste just nice . Had their Ghirardelli hot chocolate , the best hot chocolate I had in LA & Minnesota so far . Stronger chocolate taste and less sweet (requested less syrup).

Mariah Johnson

Google
Good lunch option, full of people during lunch, which says it’s popular. The chashu hash was recommended, similar to a sweet sour pork dish. I had the chocolate banana, Pancakes which ere really good, fluffy and filling. My chicken burrito was very bland as was the faux Frenchman - toasted croissant with shaved ham, scrambled eggs, avocado, sliced tomato, cheddar, Dijon mustard. Just clear they don’t use any seasoning for eggs. One server seating everyone outside and handling the incoming customers to wait and he was efficient and friendly. Payment is done via phone.

Albert Emery

Google
I came into this place about 4 months ago and it was very high quality. It was very clean and modern. You order everything digitally, without the waitress. With that in mind, they will check up on you from time to time to see if you need anything. I ordered one of the Japenese coffees, which tasted very good. For food, i ordered the porky omurice. It tasted pretty good and was quite filling. The place is quite pricey so keep that in mind. Like I mentioned before though, it is high quality. I was seated outside, which was a very lovely area. Overall, this place was pretty good.

Yari D.

Google
Top notch, great quality, great staff and service. There might be a bit of a wait but it was quick service after. I tried the coconut creme w/strawberries pancake, super delish. Also not pictured was their chicken sausage - simply perfect - I cannot remember the last time I had a handmade sausage patty and so good. Had a latte - great tasting coffee! I have a feeling everything else at this place is just as delish.

Heather Lum

Google
They have a yelp wait-list. Ordering is done by QR code at your table. You complete the order online and tip before they bring anything out. Strawberry Dream was really yummy and refreshing but the cup was completely full of ice cubes. Egg Coffee was good. Lucky Ducky was pretty unique. They only provide plastic utensils so it was a little hard to cut the scallion pancake with the plastic knife. There were a lot of duck pieces and two eggs. Fancy French is French toast using creme brulee batter which was so good! 10/10 would come again. Just bring your own water if you need that. Their water smelled a little off.

Amanda H.

Yelp
One of the best meals I've ever had!!! Such a hidden gem!!!! Get the French toast!!!!!
google avatar

Christy L.

Yelp
The table setting and interior gives a very home-y vibe, plus being located right in Little Tokyo -- what's not to love? Egg Coffee: Absolutely loved! It was the first thing on the menu that caught my eye. Light, creamy, foamy - very well done. Porky Omurice: A classic, can't go wrong with type of dish. The chashu was very flavorful, soft, and tender. Tokyo Tater Tots: I love my crispy tots so there's a bias here, but I loved this one a lot. The runny egg on top really completed this dish. Tres Leches Pancakes: We were all caught off guard to see the pancakes sitting in actual sweet milk, especially because it makes the piece at the bottom soggy, but it actually still held its texture and flavor pretty well. The waiter warned us to take it easy on the syrup as the milk is already quite sweet and while everyone else agreed, I didn't think it was too sweet.
google avatar

Natalie Z.

Yelp
JiST is a cute brunch place that has apparently been in Little since the 1920s. I Iove dining at storied, mom-and-pop restaurants, so I naturally had to stop by on a Sunday morning. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like most Southern California brunch places have not evolved beyond a very traditional "All-American" breakfast menu (5 types of eggs, pancakes, french toast etc.) that will sometimes offer Mexican fusion dishes (chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos/tacos). I don't think I have ever dined at a brunch place that has a menu that is so Asian-fusion-forward. I've never seen scallion pancakes and chashu hash alongside pancakes and breakfast sandwiches before! My friend and I shared the lucky duck (duck confit, eggs, scallion pancake, mixed greens salad) and a creme fraiche pancake on the side. The savory dish was great in theory but missed the mark in terms of execution. The duck confit was dry, tough, and stringy, which was disappointing, as I was most excited about it. However, the creme fraiche pancake was fluffy and tender--probably one of the best pancakes I've had, and I'm never the one who orders sweet stuff at brunch. I still had a positive experience at JiST, though, as the food tasted homemade --the kind of homemade that is sometimes inconsistent in quality but is still satisfying and comforting. Sometimes that's all you need. The wait can be long because they only have seating on an outdoor patio, so I would join the waitlist before you arrive. You order and pay from your phone before you receive your food, so no need to worry about splitting checks and Venmo'ing.
google avatar

Tiffany L.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite brunch places in LA because I like the way they creatively utilize Japanese flavors in their brunch menu. Overall, I think they present their food very well; although the taste and texture of the food is not always on point, there are a few that really stood out to me that I would recommend. My favorite would have to be their new weekend special Short Rib Wet Burrito which is topped with curry sauce and inside has strips of beef short rib beef, crispy hash browns, Gruyère cheese, mushroom and eggs. I liked the taste of the curry sauce because it was so comforting and reminded me of the rich flavor of Japanese curry. The beef was also very tender that it combined well with the textures of the other ingredients inside. Second favorite would have to be their Pork Omurice because the egg on top is so fluffy and bouncy and the rice flavor is made rich from the pork and ketchup sauce. The Lucky Duck was interesting with its use of duck confit on a scallion pancake topped with a sunny side up egg. While I thought the duck was seasoned well that the flavors were solid, it was cooked crispy to a point it was a bit dry. The Tokyo Tater Tots are also solid with really crispy tots and with tender beef, but for the flavor the part that stood out the most was the spicy aioli sauce. The Tres Leches pancakes were really thick and creamy from both the milk and the pancakes, and depending on your taste it might be a bit sweet. I liked that it had fresh fruit on top to balance out the sugar overload. The Chashu hash was a little strong in flavor from the sauce, and I thought there was a lot more baked potatoes than there was pork belly. You have the option of adding rice to soak up the sauce, but I chose not to do this. I'm wondering if I'll like this dish more if I try this next time.
google avatar

Mary N.

Yelp
When you find the place, you have to stop at the door and put yourself on the waitlist. While waiting you can look over the menu. The wait was around 5 minutes at 11am. Then you get seated outside. I only saw outdoor seating. You order online by scanning a qr code and then the food comes out. They charge you for hot water which I thought was weird especially since it came in a paper cup. Also, since everything was online, the service wasn't really there. Anyway, my partner really loves chocolate chip pancakes and he said they were the best he's ever had. They were huge! I got the pork belly hash. It was tasty but very heavy and I found myself wanting more crispy potatoes to balance things out. It was mostly pork belly and a tiny amount of potatoes. It didn't feel like a complete dish. It was good but something was missing. I also added avocado but it was not necessary since it was already too rich! I am not sure I would come back but I know my partner would for his pancakes. Also I am not sure about how I feel about online prepayments. What if I want to order another drink or add something else. I am already closed out of the first bill. Is it a restaurant or a cafeteria? It's a little confusing tbh.
google avatar

Hyewon K.

Yelp
Join the waitlist before arrival because it'll save you so much time. The place is only outside seating and the food takes a long time to come out especially when it's busy. You scan the code and pay and they bring the food to you. Super huge breakfast burrito with bacon was very filling and their housemade salsa verde went perfectly with it. The tator tots were cooked perfectly and the bacon wasn't fatty. Tres Leches Pancakes was also very yummy and easily shareable. The pancake lattered lightly with butter drizzled with syrup and dipped in milk was the perfect bite. The lemon flavor was also strong which I loved. Porky Omurice was very flavourful and the egg was perfectly cooked. The ketchup was too strong for me. I would come back to try their chashu hash and other pancakes.
google avatar

Noe C.

Yelp
JiST Cafe is a small brunch spot located right outside of the Little Tokyo Plaza in Los Angeles. The shop itself is small with minimal seating outside. We came on a rainy Saturday morning and waited about 5 minutes to be seated. They had tents covering the tables and heaters to ensure warmth. They had small, minimal but cute decorations and you order and pay online without having to use an app. The workers were nice and helped us with our umbrellas and leftovers. Overall, service and ambiance was great even in the pouring rain. Food and Drinks We ordered the porky omurice, the pork belly, the cafe dado, and the art of tea. The dishes run about $15-$19 and the drinks from $4-$8. The cafe dado was very creamy and one of the best Vietnamese coffee lattes I've had; I just wish it had less ice. The tea was nothing special but it stayed hot for quite a while. The main meals were presented beautifully. The porky omurice had a bit too much sauce and tasted a lot like sweet barbecue. The pork belly was soft and sweet and came with rice which balanced the flavor. Overall, JiST Cafe has great presentations and dishes, but the flavor can get a little overwhelming. Overall The ambiance + service: 5/5 The food + drinks: 4/5 The price: $$
google avatar

Myan T.

Yelp
Amaaaazing breakfast spot! Jist Cafe is a fusion breakfast/brunch spot with Asian influences. We really loved all of our dishes and will be back! It's located around the corner from the main hub of Little Tokyo. There is plenty of meter parking if you go in the morning, otherwise you can pay $7 to park in the lot adjacent to the store. It's outdoor seating only which I didn't mind at all! You order via QR code and everything is brought out shortly. All of our main dishes were incredible. This was my first time having omurice after many years of devotion to anime/manga and it did not disappoint. The rice was coated beautifully with the ketchup based sauce. Every bite was heaven. The chasu skillet was very filling and the pork bites were generous and juicy. The Tokyo tots were absolutely loaded with meat and cheesey goodness. Our party of three were barely able to finish everything. We can't wait to come back to try the sweet side of the menu! The pancakes and French toast look incredible.
google avatar

Mandy W.

Yelp
Absolutely delish! We visited on a weekday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We arrived a bit after noon and waited approximately 20 to 30 minutes before being sat; however, there is a Yelp waitlist for anyone who plans ahead. We were greeted quickly and our ordered seamlessly with their online menu. Loved that each item had a description and picture for quick references. All items were fantastic in taste and portion, and their outdoor dining space was exceptionally cute and well kept. Will definitely be back to explore their menu! Street parking and parking structures nearby and not too much of trouble to find during the weekday lunch hour.
google avatar

Chan Y.

Yelp
Neat little local place that's been around forever. Chashu Hash is a must, and being a savory dish I opted for some sweet pancakes to accompany it. Their outside seating area was great for enjoying morning brunch on a nice day.
google avatar

Micaela W.

Yelp
Amazing food, would recommend the duck confit scallion pancakes and the braised pork belly... truly can't go wrong. The outdoor patio seating is under a covered patio in the parking lot of a church next door, haha. They do have simple but cute table decorations! Definitely make a res before going because it gets busy and service was a litttle slow but we didn't mind
google avatar

Gina T.

Yelp
We ordered the chashu bowl and the omurice and they really hit the spot. The chashu was tender and flavorful, loved it. The omurice was classic and the eggs were insanely fluffy. Ordering was easy and efficient (order online at your table). Seating was outside and they turned on a heater for us. The service was very friendly and fast. Big recommend!
google avatar

Lizz M.

Yelp
This spot was super close to our hotel and after an early flight we needed something close. We found Jist and they have an interesting menu. We had to sign up on the waitlist outside the restaurant on their tablet but since they had just opened not long before we waited less than 3 minutes and were taken out back to the spacious patio. Our server came out quick for our drink order and then again for food. While we enjoyed the lucky duck I'm going to say that the tater tots plate was our favorite. These plates are also huge and even though we shared everything we couldn't finish everything. My Vietnamese coffee I would add wasn't great, I've had better but it was strong.
google avatar

Hannah S.

Yelp
Jist café is located on an unassuming street corner in Little Tokyo, right outside all of the action. I think this makes it great! That being said, they still seems to be a decent amount of people who know about it, because we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table of four. (we did come on the weekend, so maybe our fault) The food here was really great! It was nice fusion of American LA brunch and Asian food. However, some of the meals are really rich for breakfast, like the Chashu pork, so I think it makes for a better late brunch or lunch meal. Since I can never pick just one thing, I ordered one Tres leches pancake and an order of scrambled eggs. I'd say this combo is great if you want a little bit of sweet and savory. And I really would highly recommend the Tres leches pancake, this fluffy thick pancake, was floating in decadent milk and topped with luxurious whipped cream-- I think no syrup was needed!
google avatar

Brian K.

Yelp
Definitely in the OK space. Some good, some just ok. I enjoyed the curry burrito, which was a special that day. My wife got the Tokyo tater tots, but that was just ok for us. Not amazing, but basically some thin steak on tater tots. The sauce wasn't exceptionally tasty, but not bad. I had the cafe cado, which sounded interesting but was pretty basic Vietnamese coffee. The Ava adp part want really noticeable. My wife got the strawberry dream, which was a light strawberry flavor on a sprite. Wait staff was nice and the check in process was pretty smooth.
google avatar

Yang N.

Yelp
I tried the Cafe Cado (coffee and avocado) at JiST Cafe, and it was pretty good. Make sure to mix the avocado in nicely for a balanced flavor. The super huge breakfast burrito was indeed massive, so don't let the photos deceive you. Overall, a satisfying experience with generous portions at JiST Cafe. The service was good, you just order off a QR code and they bring your food to you. It also came out faster than expected. You're seated outside, and it was really nice when I went. Would definitely come back if I was in the area!
google avatar

Sasha D.

Yelp
We stopped by on a Saturday morning not long after they opened and were seated right away. They only have outdoor seating. We ordered the Angeleno veg scramble, lucky duck, and faux Frenchman. Food was good, very solid brunch food. My personal standout was the Vietnamese egg coffee, it was really delicious!! Would come back just for that. Service was just okay, once our waiter took our order he didn't really come back to check in on us again and they never brought out our waters until we got up and asked a second time once we finished our meals.
google avatar

Jason T.

Yelp
Small hole in the wall with good flavor. Service is friendly. You order by using their QR code and paying ahead of time. I highly recommend parking across the street to save you hassle of parking in Little Tokyo. I got just a single coconut cream pancake since I wanted to nibble off my wife's food along with some rosemary tots to counter the sweetness. The pancake was very fluffy and yummy with the coconut cream. Would recommend sharing even just the one pancake as it is very filling! The rosemary tots were very plain, only would recommend if you are in the mood for them. Wife got the Chashu hash with a vanilla cold brew. The Pork Chashu reminds me of adobo (Filipino dish). Chashu is flavorful and soft. I would recommend adding rice to order.
google avatar

Alex W.

Yelp
Came for brunch and the food wasn't bad but it also didn't hit strongly on us. To start, a minor wait at the front as they only have outdoor seating under a canopy. Didn't take long to seat us and their high chair was quite clean and new as to date. The most service is when they seat you, bring food to you, and when clearing the plates. That's because their ordering system is entirely online where you scan a QRC to order and pay. Once paid. The food comes out to your table. In total, we had their porky omurice, chashu hash, coconut cream with strawberries pancakes, and fancy French toast. To start, the French toast was nice and flakey. The lemon-flavored cream on top was also a nice palette cleanser as you ate the French toast. A nice sweet treat and it was pretty decently portioned. For the chashu hash, the pork belly are diced into squares and placed with two poached eggs along with a bed of potatoes. The side of rice is extra and I honestly think rice should come with it and not be optional as there aren't nearly enough hash to complement the saucy chashu and eggs! The eggs were nice and runny so it was nice to have as a personal egg lover. The potatoes weren't much to write home about though. There wasn't enough in my opinion compared to the rest of the entree and a portion of the potatoes were also burnt too so it wasn't too pleasant. The chashu was succulent and the sauce accompanying it was nicely balanced. Sweet, salty, and sticky texture that made it a very nice comfort dish to have. For the pancakes, the coconut cream was quite delectable. The pancakes were crisp on the edges and fluffy on the inside. The amount of strawberries is a wonderful addition and I didn't think it was overly sweet. Last item was the porky omurice that was unfortunately a larger miss. The egg on top was soft and not what they expected to be runny. Not too big a deal as making the runny omelette can be quite difficult, but the largest negative was the rice. We all felt that the rice had too much ketchup in it. The ketchup made it sweeter than the pancakes to be honest so it was kind of not pleasant. All in all, the food is decent and pleasant to have. They are ascetically arranged so it's a feast for the eyes and stomach. Definitely worth a try to formulate your own opinions though.
google avatar

Dan Z.

Yelp
Interesting place. The food was good for breakfast. Nothing amazing but solid offerings with a twist. Outside only seating which would be nice how ever the homeless are camping across the street. They do ordering online via smart devices. They want you to pay and tip before any service. Very strange and I don't like that concept. I wanted to order something extra to go for someone waiting back home. However didn't see any options for take out on website. Too difficult to flag down staff to ask. Just a bad situation they lost out of doubling the check price form me.
google avatar

D. D.

Yelp
Ordered the chashu hash and the omurice. Felt like the flavors were not very cohesive and some parts were just clumped up white rice- don't think they mixed it well (omurice). I was not fond of the hash. Just reminded me of canned stew with its consistency and flavor. No indoor seating. Only outdoor. Staff is nice.
google avatar

Nathalie B.

Yelp
I recently had an excellent experience at Jist Cafe in Little Tokyo! The food was delicious, the service was top-notch, and I highly recommend trying their Tres Leches Pancake - it's a real treat! Five stars well-deserved.
google avatar

Aaron W.

Yelp
Popular + local brunch spot near Little Tokyo. Parking is affordable, as there is a lot right next store at a reasonable fixed rate. The place is small, mostly outdoor seating. In terms of the food, the Chashu Hash is certainly worth the hype. It's potentially a bit more savory and pork belly-ish than expected, but nonetheless excellent. For something sweet, we had the Tres Leches Pancakes which were decent. The portions were extremely generous and couldn't finish it.
google avatar

Regina K.

Yelp
Located in the Little Tokyo area, this is one of my go-to restaurants for brunch. Chashu Hash ($17): they are very popular for this dish and it is my favorite as well. It includes marinated braised pork belly chashu, 2 sous vide eggs and breakfast potatoes. Definitely recommend adding rice (for $1.50) so you can soak up the flavorful, rich sauce. Porky Omurice ($16): ketchup fried omelet rice with hickory ham and peas with demi-glace sauce. The presentation was nice, but I would consider it more of a classic dish rather than must-order item. Butterscotch Latte ($4.75): sweet, creamy and delicious. They make their butterscotch in-house! Strawberry Dream ($6.50): sweet, refreshing, and aesthetically pleasing. The drink consists of strawberry with coconut cream and sprite.
google avatar

Jenny H.

Yelp
I've been coming to JiST for years and recently visited again and got my favorite - chashu hash skillet. However it does not come with a skillet anymore. It was served in a plastic bowl/pot and it really took away some of the flavor I was expecting. For example, the dish comes with potatoes and without the skillet, it was just plain boiled potatoes thrown into the dish. The skillet would keep everything nice and warm and kinda crisp up the potatoes. A bit disappointed by this change. The chashu hash isn't the same anymore. Parking: street or nearby garages.
google avatar

Ashley H.

Yelp
I was fortunate to visit JiST Cafe on a Saturday. It truly is a hole in the wall and a little bit of a struggle finding as its not in the main street that Little Tokyo is known for. They only offered outdoor seating while I my party of 3 came in for brunch (OCT2023.) The outdoor seating was very cute, but it was kind of a bummer that we heard mild traffic during our meal. The have a QR code for easy ordering per table. Our table ordered the porky omurice, chashu hash, a mushroom scramble and coconut cream pancakes to share. Everything was pretty tasty. Its pretty rare to find a place that offers omurice; now I have a go-to if I ever have the craving! We all also ordered an eggdrop Vietnamese coffee; it was just okay. Staff was also very friendly and helpful. Overall, I had a delightful brunch experience.
google avatar

Tracy P.

Yelp
Super cute brunch spot if you are looking for somewhere outdoors to eat at. Everything was ordered online. Scan the QR code when you get to the table, then place your order, pay, and mention your table number listed on the paper. The food was great here! The portions were big too so definitely shareable. I feel like we got a great mix of options. The Chashu Skillet is a must! The flavoring was super good!! I loved the scrambled but dipping the tots in the chashu skillet sauce was simply delicious! The omurice dish was great with the flavors. The only thing is the burrito was a bit more on the drier side for me. It was missing sauce to it. Though the size of the burrito is great!! Again we used the chashu skillet sauce for the burrito and it was great! Service / staff was amazing! They were very attentive. Would recommend this spot for brunch!
google avatar

Katelee C.

Yelp
The food here is delicious! The presentation of the food was very nice & the ambiance had a very cute aesthetic. The service was very friendly and the food arrived very quick. Will be eating back here again, the parking was a bit tricky but luckily we found a parking lot that is across the street. The restraunt itself is very small so it's good for a date but may be difficult for a big group brunch other than that the food was very yummy !
google avatar

Jillian L.

Yelp
JiST Cafe is an absolute must try if you are in the area. The food is amazing, the service is amazing. It is outdoor seating only and parking is a little difficult, but their food is definitely worth it.
google avatar

Kimberly P.

Yelp
Came here with my siblings after seeing a review on tiktok & it was pretty good! First thing to note is that you order & pay for everything on your own via a QR code. Also, they only have outdoor seating so keep that in mind. We started with drinks. My brother got a strawberry dream float & it was good but not amazing. I got the vietnamese egg coffee & the cream was really good (tasted like egg nog/rompope) but the actual coffee was pretty watered down. My sister ordered a hot chocolate & we were sad that it didnt come in a cute cup but rather just a to-go cardboard cup. Then we got the food & that was the best part! We ordered "family-style" and that worked besst because the portions are actually pretty big. We got the Tokyo tater tots which were sooo good! Definitely recommend those. We also got the chashu hash which was good but it was pretty sweet & if you dont like fatty meat, this is not for you. Lastly we ordered the tres leches pancakes and the banana creme pancakes because we couldn't decide. They were both really yummy & I would recommend them. I do think that if you dont eat a lot, you should get singular pancakes though & not the whole stack like we did. Overall good breakfast spot but keep in mind that there are limited food options! Make sure to look at the menu first!
google avatar

J. M.

Yelp
Popped into this quaint and unique breakfast spot last week and boy was it a treat! This restaurant gives normal breakfast a run for its money - JiST gives breakfast an asian twist which offered a waaaay better meal opportunity than regular breakfast if you ask me. My husband and I tried the banana chocolate chip pancakes, coconut cream pancakes, and the extremely large breakfast burrito. all of the food was INCREDIBLY delicious! we finished every last bite. Ordering and paying is very easy and convenient as you're able to use your cell phone. We ordered everything off of our phone and promptly paid and the food was out in about 10 minutes! we can't wait to come back!
google avatar

Mary D.

Yelp
In contrast to the many reviews here, I felt like this place wasn't worth it. A number of reasons. The food was okay but super overpriced. The service was a bit weird. I didn't really enjoy my experience at this cafe. To start with the service, you sign in on a Yelp waitlist. The cafe is pretty small. Some tables outside in this enclosed tent area. That day it was pouring and the tent was leaky. The server put my brother and me at a table that had water drips. They wiped the table but not the chairs... the table was also very wobbly. You order through a QR code that takes you to an ordering system on your phone. You also pay for your food and tip for service beforehand...? The server/workers kept disappearing and hard to get a hold of even though we were the only customers. We ordered the porky omurice, tres leche pancakes, chashu hash and iced Vietnamese egg coffee. The omurice and chashu hash were okay not really anything special. The tre leche pancakes were not good I wouldn't recommended getting them. And the iced egg Vietnamese coffee definitely did not taste like iced egg viet coffee. Not even sure if the coffee portion tasted authentic. More like a watered down expresso. What was also disappointing was they brought out all our food and didn't give us any silverware and while trying to get their service it took a while. When we finally got a worker to give us silverware he gave it to use wrapped in brown paper towels... the hard ones you get at the restrooms. When asked for more napkins it was the same deal just torn brown paper towels not the white napkins they give at the table. Overall the total was $80 and I really regretted coming here.
google avatar

James L.

Yelp
Expect a lengthy wait before getting a table, and you will be sitting outside. The chashu hash skillet is the real deal, it melts in your mouth and the slightly sweet and savory sauce packs quite the flavor. We also got the coconut creme pancakes which were light and fluffy. It's also a dog friendly spot and we were happy to bring our pups to brunch.
google avatar

Jasmine L.

Yelp
I went for brunch with a friend and had a great time. Seating is outside and you order using a QR code on your phone. It's primarily self service. I got the strawberry pancake with coconut cream and the presentation was beautiful. The coconut cream had floral notes which I wasn't a huge fan of but the fruits were fresh and sweet. I also got a side of eggs and bacon which was perfect for my savory tooth. I got the eggs lightly scrambled and it was perfect to my liking.
google avatar

Nina F.

Yelp
This was a cute little find. You're eating outside so be wary about when you go and if the weather makes sense. There is overhead coverage but I went when it was hot and there was no fans so it was a bit warm during the meal. You order your food and it's brought out to you so it's nice to be able to leave. The staff does check in on you while you're dining so they're available. The food itself is good but not to die for. We wanted to try some Japanese breakfast and it's a great concept and overall left a good impression. I liked the tres leche pancake the most out of the plates I ordered.
google avatar

Kristine L.

Yelp
I've been here before a few years ago and decided to make a return visit since my bf hadn't tried it. I don't remember the seating being in the back where you have to pass through the kitchen area to the outdoor seating. This would prob not be ideal on a really cold day. We didn't have to wait long (~5 min) to get seated on a Sunday at 1:30pm. I knew to park at the structure across from the restaurant as it was $2 for the first 2 hours versus the one next to the restaurant which charges $7. Also street parking I think was like $6/hr which made no sense. The service was all right. When we tried to place the order the waitress was surprised and asked if the website wasn't working. We were told we could order and pay on there but I prefer ordering with a waiter to ask questions and make any modifications. She seemed a little reluctant and almost annoyed to take our order. Onto the food! I remember ordering the chashu hash before which was good but we decided to go with the breakfast burrito with bacon and tres leches pancakes. Breakfast burrito (5/5): This was soooo good!! The tater tots and bacon were crispy but not too crispy and eggs were cooked perfectly. It also came with a salsa roja which gave it a nice kick. Also very filling and big. Tres leches pancakes (2/5): I thought the texture was a little gummy for pancakes (not the fluffy lightness you'd expect) and there just wasn't enough sauce that came with it. They gave us syrup but when I think tres leches it should be soaked with all those milks so kind of disappointing. Prob wouldn't really make a trip back here out of my way but if you're here give the breakfast burrito a try!
google avatar

Linda P.

Yelp
I know that I really loved this place after I couldn't forget about its pancakes. I occasionally look at the photos I took and lovingly recall their delicious breakfast. Their pancakes are huge!!! The rosemary tater tots are sublime!! All in all if you haven't already eaten here, you need to!
google avatar

Christine B.

Yelp
Japantown brunch spot that's open early serving some Asian inspired brunch dishes. They also do a few different kinds of pancakes and French toast. Logistics: -parking in LA is tough, but there's a structure right across the street -check in on the iPad through Yelp. You can't check in ahead of time -seating is mostly all outdoors with heat lamps -order with QR code online and pay online Food: Egg coffee ($6.50) 3.50/5. I know this drink takes a lot of effort and energy to make. It was good but if you've had da vien in Westminster you know this one doesn't quite hit the spot. Would suggest switching the cinnamon on top out with cocoa powder. Perhaps less egg and making the base coffee include condensed milk. Lucky duck and the chasiu hash are so so good! Suggest getting a side of white rice with the chasiu hash for the sauce. Would come back again for brunch!
google avatar

Thuyvi T.

Yelp
first off, my partner and i came on a saturday morning at around 11am and we waited about 5 minutes for our table which was really surprising to me because usually it's super crowded during the weekends. the staff was accommodating and really sweet. we were seated outside and ordered through a qr code so it was pretty convenient. there were no tables in the restaurant but it pretty quaint outside. i ordered the pork omurice which was so delicious and it had the perfect balance of sweet and salty. my partner ordered the tokyo tots and the chashu hash and he really enjoyed them, and he ended up getting a togo box because it was so much food. i also ordered the veitnamese coffee with egg cream and it was delicious but just a little bit on the sweeter side. overall, i would definitely come back for the food and the environment. it is also in the heart of downtown so paid parking structures are your best friends.
google avatar

Cindy L.

Yelp
2 stars cause they don't deserve the 1 star but I will not be back Got here and waited for a seat for 15 minutes on the waiting list so super quick! The weird thing about this place is you pay BEFORE you eat. So they have you order your food online and then you pay + tip. The food then arrives. This isn't ideal for me because I had a problem with the food and this is why someone taking my order would have suggested something else or I would have had the option to return it. I didn't wanna make a big fuss and I never do so I had to bite the price of the food. Service was ok. Had to ask for a water twice and they gave me a cup. Would be nice if they came around every time water was empty or if there was a water station we can get water ourselves Food: I got the Vietnamese iced coffee and it was probably the best thing I had there. I also got a chocolate banana pancake and the Tokyo Tater Tots. I DID NOT EAT THE TATER TOTS. On Sundays it's my cheat day and I don't mind any calories I consume during this day but the tater tots were SO BLAND. They had eggs, steak, tater tots, caramelized onions, and a spicy mayo on top I think and it was still just zero flavor. All you can taste are the tater tots and onions. Just highly disappointing dish and I decided it wasn't worth me eating these calories if I wasn't going to enjoy this dish so I took 3 bites and pushed it aside. Like you would think this dish would be bursting with flavor from the steak at least. The chocolate banana pancakes are really nothing to write home about. They're just ok but I did decide to eat this. I won't be coming back here tbh. I get their menu is very unique and niche to Japanese breakfast but if you're gonna do it, do it right. Especially if we are paying before we eat/see the meals.
google avatar

Katherine D.

Yelp
This place is a cute little brunch spot in Little Tokyo. I went on a weekend afternoon and it wasn't too busy. We were seated outdoors right away and our server was polite and attentive. The coconut cream pancakes were fluffy, the chashu hash had good flavor, and the tater tots went well with everything else we ordered. There's plenty of servings for each dish which could easily be shared. In terms of parking around the area, there's paid parking garages or limited street parking.
google avatar

Kabrina B.

Yelp
The menu changes and selections are minimal for me. I didn't eat as they didn't have anything I liked that day!

Skeen C.

Yelp
So sad to see this small, family owned restaurant close. 70 years of chef perfecting his family's recipes and enhancing with high end classical touches will be missed. I wish I lived in LA and I would have visited more. Good luck to Chef Ishii and I look forward to hearing about his next project.
google avatar

Andrew L.

Yelp
Haven't gotten to have too many brunch places around LA and this one popped up on TikTok and looked good so had to give it a shot. Got to come as 4 people this time woo!!! so got to order more food haha Came on a Saturday Morning at around ~11:00 and with the waitlist, you are unfortunately able to do it until you are 5 miles within the vicinity so we ended up waiting maybe 30-45 minutes which wasn't too bad. The service however was very nice, and they were very apologetic about being understaffed as well as checking in on us every so often. Now for the food: We ordered the Tokyo Tater Tots, the Porky Omurice, Chashu Hash, and the Fancy French. Tokyo Tater Tots: This was a decent 7/10 for me. On the positives, I really did like the tater tots, they had a nice crisp but not too burnt bite on the outside and was nice and fluffy in the middle. The eggs were also very pretty and the yolks were solid. The reason I couldn't like it too much though was the other parts of it just couldn't fit right for me, especially the meat. The rib-eye texture and taste kind of reminded me almost instead of those kbbq cuts of bulgogi, in which they get kind of almost congealed together and have this weird thick texture when cooked. The flavor of the meat also was a bit lack luster for me so I would only eat the tater tots personally. The Porky Omurice: This was a 6/10 for me. I am no stranger to the use of tomato with this a lot, and the acidity usually does well when eating omurice when I tried it. However for me, eating this felt almost like it was rice soaked in ketchup so the ketchup flavor essentially kept punching me in the face. I really did like the egg and actually falls down very nicely when you cut with a knife so that was a good plus. However, the omurice still stands on its own in terms of preparation and ingredients but for me to overcome the taste, I needed to use the sauce from the Chashu Hash to be able to taste better for me. Chashu Hash: My personal favorite of the bunch, 8.5/10. I really liked the braised pork belly chashu they did. The flavor profile was very homey, and the texture was very tender and not too fatty. The sauce does get a bit overbearing after a while, as the entirety of drenched in the marinade, but the sauce does go well with the other dishes that I ate here so can't complain too much about that. The potatos it came with were also not too bad too but my favorite was definitely the meat pieces they had. Finally the Fancy French: This I had conflicting feelings of and I feel its purely up to personal preference, but I have to give it a 6.5/10. The one thing that I personally could not get into was the citrusy and floral notes that came with it. I am not completely sure if it was from the whip cream or the french toast batter, but every bite I took had this slightly too overwhelming kick of citrus/floral aftertones that messed with the flavors a bit too much for me. Of course, if you are into that definitely go check it out but it was a more negative than me than a plus. Overall, a decent brunch place, but I do not know if I would go again. However, the service is very nice and they do have some interesting items on the menu that I may still want to give a shot like the breakfast burrito.
google avatar

Thiri T.

Yelp
(3.5/5) We came here right after a flight on a Friday morning and there was absolutely no wait. I loved their drinks but their food was just okay. There was fast service, and the staff always checked in on us! Cafe Cado (4/5) - It was very decadent and creamy, and I loved how they made avocado a concept to pair with coffee! The coffee was perfectly sweet, but just a little too rich for me. My sister loved it. Egg coffee (4.5/5) - this drink was personally my favorite! It was lighter, and the sweet egg foam was a good touch. It sort of tasted like a chai latte, but better because it had hints of a Vietnamese coffee. Omurice (2.5/5) - maybe I'm just not a fan of ketchup? I felt like the brown sauce and rice was also very underwhelming. It would've been better to use spam rather than American ham. I loved how their egg was cooked though!
google avatar

Joseph D.

Yelp
Honestly I am so disappointed and shocked in this place after reading such good reviews. The Chashu Hash was inedible at points. The meat was extremely, extremely, tough and difficult to chew. We had to spit out half of the chunks of meat because they could not be broken down through chewing. The potatoes were fine combined with the sauce they were the only saving graces for the dish. Then we also tried the Tres Leches and Chocolate Banana Pancakes. The pancakes were not great either and we could have gone without them. Another thing was the service - you pay for your food beforehand through QR code. They bring your food out to you but after that there is no follow up service. No one comes up throughout the meal to ask if you need anything else. Following up with your patrons to make sure that their experience is going well is a basic tenet of the service industry. I would not recommend this place and there are multiple other brunch spots that are less expensive and would satisfy you much better.
google avatar

Sabrina L.

Yelp
I've tried many brunch places in LA and have even tried JiST previously but as takeout eaten 45 mins later, and I have been absolutely blown away by my experience here this time. I definitely recommend dining in for freshness and the adorable decor! WAIT I forgot to join the Yelp waitlist beforehand, and there were around 13 parties before us by the time we got to the restaurant. We waited about 45 mins in total, which was faster than the expected time. However, I definitely recommend planning ahead and joining the waitlist early as it gets super busy here! FOOD Porky Omurice (5/5): How do they make omurice like this, and how can I learn their secrets?? The fluffy egg, tasty ketchup rice, and sauce came together perfectly and had me savoring every bite. Coconut Cream Pancakes with Banana (4.5/5): These pancakes were sooo fluffy, and the coconut cream is delicious and light. Next time, I would opt to get one pancake as the dish felt heavy and difficult to finish by the end. SERVICE (4/5) Our server was super kind and accommodating, but at times it was difficult to get help. It took quite a while for us to get water as well as the check later on. Overall, I had a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed the meal, so I will definitely be back soon!

Irene H.

Yelp
Ordered: Porky Omurice and Faux Frenchman(?) along with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee Went in the morning with my partner and we were immediately seated. You scan QR code to view the menu and order online OR you can go up to the register to order! There's only outside seating but it's under a tent and they have little furnaces to keep warm, so it wasn't bad at all. I ordered the omurice and my partner ordered the faux frenchman(?) The omurice was amazing - maybe idk enough spots in LA but I could never find a place where they made omurice like the one I ate as a child but this place hit the bullseye - their egg is super soft and their fried rice was so good with the right amount of ketchup mixed in with it. The iced coffee was also pretty good and my partner ate his entire plate of food - the employees were all super nice and I'd come back again for the omurice and maybe I'll try something new when I feel adventurous
google avatar

Helen Y.

Yelp
Always a treat to come to LT and eat at JiST. Food, quality, and service are always beyond awesome. Today, we brought our 4 legged daughter and they accommodated us. Will definitely be back.