KAMINARI GYOZA BAR

When I first found this restaurant and saw it was a gyoza bar, I was instantly going there. It’s such a cool concept to get different flavors of gyoza cooked different ways with multiple sauces. We had the pork gyoza both deep and pan fried, we both liked the pan fried ones the best. You must try to soup or get the meal option so you get a bit of everything, it’s really worth it. Excellent flavors, plenty of parking nearby, great service…truly you can’t go wrong. The next time we are in Down Town LA, we will be back.

Tried a few things here and everything hit. The pan-fried gyoza were crispy and packed with flavor—none of that soggy, bland stuff. The bento box was legit too—fresh rice, solid miso soup, and all the sides actually tasted good, not just there to fill space. Fried dumplings with the red pepper garnish were crunchy and full of flavor, not greasy at all. You can tell they care about the food. Clean presentation, good portions. I’d definitely come back.

This gyoza bar has three styles of gyozas with a variety of fillings. I got the traditional gyoza teishoku (set meal) with yaki (pan fried) pork gyoza. The set came with rice, cabbage, spaghetti, miso soup, veggies, and pickled radish. The gyoza were flavorful and paired nicely with their house chili oil. I also noticed they have a good happy hour deal and serve desserts now!

Went for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon, not crowded. The high top stools were a bit uncomfortable for my back but the staff graciously moved us to a booth after a party left not long after I asked if we could move. We ordered the deep fried vegan dumplings and pan fried chicken dumplings and they were so tasty! The combo price is a good deal for all the food you get though the spaghetti seems really out of place lol. Pro tip - add chili oil to the broth, it really ups the flavor. The cilantro chili oil dipping sauce is also amazing. Also had the spicy cold tofu, it felt packing in flavor until I added a dash of soy sauce to it and then it was perfect. My one complaint is that the restaurant smelled a bit off when we were there, maybe they were having a plumbing issue or something. it was mild but noticeable to me.

The gyoza was very delicious. I will go back for it! Also the server was very nice too.

The pan fried chicken gyoza is maybe the best single item I've had in Little Tokyo. The set meal is an incredible value.

Was a little curious about a place that only serves gyoza as the main, but went with the teishoku meal set and was immediately impressed. Felt very much like eating at a mom and pop place in Japan. Was priced really well too. Definitely would go here again in the future. The only thing I can nitpick on was the soup was really hot and somehow it stays hot, so take care when you have it.

There are open seats due to the ramen and udon store next door being super busy. Overall the gyoza is just okay. Nothing bad but not memorable. I’d go back.

Best gyoza in LA. We are from Japan and this place is authentic and legit. They're rice was soooo good too. The owner explained to us he uses special water to cook rice, to make it fluffy and fresh, perfectly chewy too. Recommend chicken yaki gyoza (pan fried) and pork sui gyoza (boiled). The restaurant itself is super clean too, highly highly recommend!!!!!

Tried this spot on a whim, and it turned out to be the perfect chill night out! I ordered the Yuzu Bubbles sake, which was light, refreshing, and had just the right amount of sweetness and fizz, definitely tastes better chilled as promised, and it paired perfectly with our food. The fried gyoza here is next-level. They're crispy without being greasy, filled generously, and topped with a sprinkle of thin chili threads that add a subtle kick without overpowering the flavors. They were so good we ordered another plate. The atmosphere is cozy with warm wood tables and a casual, friendly vibe that makes it easy to relax. Service was quick and attentive without hovering, and the staff made sure our drinks stayed cold and our table stayed clear. Overall, if you're looking for a place to grab good drinks and solid small bites, this spot nails it. I'd come back just for the sake and gyoza combo alone.

A nice spot with really tasty gyoza. Tried all the meat options but preferred the shrimp. Parking is typical for little Tokyo. Couldn't find street parking but a few lots nearby and the Tokyo mall structure is right across the street. Overall fairly priced for the area and wasn't too crowded. Service was good and is perfect for small groups.

This place gets 5 stars JUST for their pork broth. Who would guess that a Gyoza Bar would offer a $2.50 bowl of piping hot broth that would steal the show? It is difficult to describe how delicious this broth was! Pork bone broth garnished with scallions was the perfect snack in between bites of Pork Gyoza which our table also enjoyed. The draft Sapporo 16oz at $6.50 is a steal in DTLA. For $18.00 for the Gyoza, we felt that the price was okay, but the gyoza was understandably in the shadow of the pork broth. Service was friendly and attentive, we noticed a slight smell of mildew (most likely from the AC unit directly above our table), but it did not bother us enough to inform the staff and move. Great place for a snack!

At first I thought this place was just a basic gyoza/dumpling spot with very little on the menu however the pictures for this place looked really good so we gave it a shot. And surprisingly the gyoza was really good. I guess it would be. Little Tokyo has a lot of good restaurants and this one did not fail. I order the pork gyoza bento box, the soup gyoza, kimchi, tofu, edamame and soju with beer. Again this place did not fail. Everything here was yummy. The service here was good, we came with a party of six and the server was quick. The place is small but was spacious enough to enjoy. If you're in the area don't skip on this place. It was very tasty!

Kaminari was such a pleasant surprise! We came here before a night out in LA and we were seated promptly. The gyoza ranges from $6-14 and the portions are decent. The gyoza is well-made with the fillings being decadent and flavorful. Service was quick and while the restaurant wasn't busy, they should definitely receive more attention.

Gyoza Bar is an interesting concept and I happened to be in the area. Definitely order the Shrimp Gyoza, it was the highlight of my meal. I enjoyed the quality vinegar and soy sauce. $20 The Pork Gyoza was alright and the side dishes reminded me of takeout meals from Japanese Market.

If you like gyoza, this is the spot. I got a gyoza plate with rice and veggies. The gyoza was fresh and tasty. The restaurant is small but can hold groups of 4+. They also have a great beer choice. Food came out quick and the employees were very friendly. Would recommend.

Gyoza is one of my favorite Japanese dishes. I grew up eating my mom's delicious gyoza & I can make a decent gyoza but it's so much work, I prefer to eat it when I'm out. I've been looking for my favorite gyoza in LA for some time & Kaminari might be the one. Wanna know something interesting? I ended up liking the shrimp gyoza the most, not to say the pork wasn't good. Both were delicious but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed my first ever experience eating shrimp gyoza. I ordered takeout and the food was ready on time. The team was friendly and pick up was easy. The interior was so cute, very authentic Japanese. I definitely want to eat in person next time. Gyoza is allays best fresh. If you want to impress a date who's enjoys Japanese cuisine...skip the typical sushi, came it up and try a gyoza date night instead.

Great service! Good for lunch! I especially like eating in if you can! I think it's a nice place inside

Food was great! Gyoza was very crispy and I loved the kinpira gobo! Pork soup was a bit too rich for me but everything else was great. A bit of an odd bento but very delicious and no complaints! I'd come back here again

I'm a little obsessed with gyoza, so when we stumbled on a gyoza-focused restaurant while wandering around Little Tokyo back in September, our lunch plans were instantly decided for us. There was one couple ahead of us waiting for the doors to open, so we were seated right away. There are three different types of gyoza -- yaki (pan fried), age (deep fried), and sui (boiled and served in a clear pork broth) -- all available in either pork, chicken, or shrimp. You can get either six or 12 to an order of yaki, while the age come six to an order. The sui gyoza are limited to five per order. There are also a number of sides and side sauces to choose from. We went with six pieces of yaki, an order of age, one order of the sui, and the cilantro chili, yuzu kosho, and spicy miso sauces. Since the sui is already in a pork broth, we got pork gyoza with that dish. For one of the other gyoza types we ordered chicken and for the other we got pork, but I don't remember which. Not that it really matters, because everything was outstanding. This was such a delicious meal. Every type of gyoza were so good, flavorful, and went very well with the sauces we ordered. While all of the sauces were good, the yuzu was the star of the table. I couldn't get enough of it. It was bright and citrusy without being tart. The age were crispy, not oily, and the broth of the sui was light and gentle. Everything was pretty reasonably priced, too. At the time, the pork and chicken yaki were $9.50 for an order of six, the pork and chicken age were $9.50, and the pork and chicken sui were $9.50. I wish we had KAMINARI or something like it here in the Bay Area. I'd be going there all the time. I'd 100% come back here on my next trip to Little Tokyo.

Nestled in the heart of Japantown, Kaminari Gyoza has a nice vibe--cozy interior, good music, and an overall welcoming atmosphere. The service is friendly and attentive, which makes it a good spot to unwind. That said, the food is just okay. The dumplings are fine but nothing to write home about--definitely not mind-blowing. It's more of a place to grab drinks, snack on some gyoza, and catch up with friends than a spot you go to for an unforgettable meal. If you're in the area and looking for a chill hangout, it does the job. Just don't expect culinary fireworks.

Came here with a group of 5 with no reservation and got seated immediately - tons of space inside. Good: - Amazing value for buck - we got a ton of stuff with the pork dumpling bento set - it came with salad, spaghetti, soup, banchan and gyoza and rice. - The soup was one of my favorites - it was so savory and flavorful - The staff were incredibly nice and kind! They took our order patiently and gave us water constantly Bad: - Pretty casual diner vibes - The gyoza was pretty average compared to others I've had Overall this place was a great find and fun gem! Don't know if I'd come again but would come for a cheap meal.

This hidden gem brought me back to Osaka! The vibe felt very similar to this one gyoza spot I ate at in Osaka, and the taste was just as good. The pan fried options are fried perfectly, crunchy and not too oily. The filling is very balanced. The soup was a great addition to the meal, and the rice somehow was absolutely delicious!! The whole set is just a great combination of flavors. Such a great dinner experience in japantown. Service was friendly and kind. It wasn't too busy at 5pm but started to pick up as we finished our meal. I will definitely return when I'm in dtla!

Kind servers and amazing food for a good price! On a Saturday around 12:30pm, there was also no wait. I got the pan-fried vegan gyoza set meal. It comes with 6 pieces of gyoza, rice, soup, spaghetti and some side veggies. This whole meal was under $15! The gyoza uses impossible meat and also had cabbage and mushrooms. They're tasty and good dipped in the soup. The soup seemed to be a pretty standard soy sauce based soup with some green onions, a little salty on its own but still very good. Rice was cooked well and dusted with some sour plum. It paired well with the veggies (carrots, mushrooms, greens) which seemed to be sautéed with some seasoned oil, very tasty! The spaghetti wasn't heavily sauced and it was a little on the sweeter side. A very filling and relatively healthy meal! Probably one of my favorite places to eat in little Tokyo, especially considering the price!

We were told they had the best Gyoza, and let me tell you - it is no lie. Their gyoza is the BEST! Happened to stop by for the first time during Happy Hour, so of course we tried their Gyoza & Sapporo Special - $11 for an order of of Gyoza and a pint of Sapporo. What a great deal! We ended up trying both the Yaki and the Age Gyoza and both were so delicious - we were initially only going to get one order but had to order a second because it was that good. Their Ajitama is on point as well. They also offer a Gyoza meal that we kept seeing go by. Looks delicious and will definitely be ordering it next time we come. Parking was easy in a paid lot a block or two away. Staff here are so kind and efficient - lovely! If gyoza is what you want, then this is the place to be. Stop by and leave happy.

I was staying at the Miyako Hotel across the street and ordered some food to go. The place is situated on the north side of 1st St. next to the popular Daikokuya (ramen) and Marugame Monzo (udon). For those eating in, there are a few communal high-top tables with non-movable stools in the front, with some cozy booths further back alongside the kitchen. The gyoza are prepared in 3 ways: yaki (pan-fried), age Ideep fried) or sui (boiled, served in a pork broth). There are pork, chicken, shrimp and vegan filling options, with 2 serving sizes for yaki gyoza. There are a few side dishes and sauces. I ordered the bento box, which comes with 6 gyoza, rice, pasta, cabbage, spring roll, edamame, pickles. Yelp photos show the box used to come with soup and a side dish. The pork gyoza were very good with a crisp bottom, and the spring roll was tasty too. The pasta was very lightly sauced with a tomato sauce. Good place for a light bite.

Was looking for some small plates in Little Tokyo after a drink and found this relatively new gyoza bar in the area. Can't go wrong between their pan-fried and deep-friend gyoza. Both were nice and crispy on the outside but still savory and soft on the inside. Great place to go if you're looking for some quick eats.

Got here on a Saturday around 12 and it wasn't busy so we were seated quickly! I ordered the pan fried vegan gyoza set meal! I believe the meal was around $15 which was not bad for the amount of food you get! The staff were also very friendly and helpful! The set meal came with 6 pieces of gyoza, spaghetti, spring rolls, rice, soup, and some vegetables! The gyozas were nice and crispy and very tasty when dipped in the soup! The broth was your normal soup broth but it was very tasty! The spaghetti was very good and had the right amount of sauce on it! I also really enjoyed the spring rolls! They were nice and crispy just like the gyozas! Also the rice had sour plum on it which was a nice touch! That was my first time trying sour plum! Overall, the meal was really good and I would definitely go back next time I am in Little Tokyo!

Located in the Little Tokyo area of DTLA, Kaminari Gyoza serves a very focused menu of Japanese style dumplings. We stopped in for Sunday lunch, and found the dumplings to be delicious, though not the best value for the price. We put our name down for dine-in for three, and got lucky that a table opened up right then (there isn't that much seating, being that the dining area is long and narrow, only having width for one table and space to walk through). Our server (Pear) was great, friendly in the beginning and attentive to check up on us throughout. We ended up ordering dumplings to share. Drinks were water and a Mexican coke ($4.50), along with some good edamame ($4.00), clear pork soup ($2.50), and white rice bowl ($2.50). In terms of the main course, we got 3 sets of 6, pan-fried with the three different fillings (shrimp $10.5, pork $9.5, chicken $9.5). As it usually ends up with me, the pork tasted the best, but I appreciated the large chunks of whole shrimp (instead of the ground version that was the chicken and pork). They LOOKED great, with the skirt going around the set. Payment is done tableside, and if one really wants, can be in-and-out pretty quick. The portions were small enough that there were no chance for leftovers, with plenty of space in our stomachs for ice cream dessert at the neighboring shops. I have to admit I can't tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, or Korean style dumplings based on the meat fillings or thickness/taste of the wrapper...which kinda makes sense since most believe all of it originated from mainland China anyway. The sauces can be different however, and Kaminari does have optional sauces you can order beyond the soy sauce and vinegar. Will need to try that next time.

This place is adorable, it definitely reminded me of Japan - the small cozy vibe and the concise menu. I love a place that has 1 thing they do well and they just stick to that instead of having a giant menu of medicore dishes. I got a bento box with age pork gyoza and picked the yuzu kosho as my sauce. The sauce was so bright and delicious, it really amped up the flavor of my gyoza. I also really enjoyed their pickles - it's a great acidic addition. This is a super well-balanced bento. I would definitely come back!

The gyoza come three ways, all excellent: pan-fried/steamed (yaki), deep-fried (age), and boiled in soup (sui). The bento boxes are a great value and a good portion size for lunch. Maybe add on another 6pc gyoza if you're especially hungry.

Food was amazing. Definitely going back. My favorite were the shrimp gyoza. Service was really great and they were very attentive.

I. Love. This. Place. We used to order it on post mates all the time when we lived in DTLA. I didn't realize they had a sit down option. Food is usually always good. Top quality gyoza - who knew that was a thing? Service in line with hospitable Japanese restaurants in town. Ambiance was a traditional Japanese restaurant in the center of J town in downtown Los Angeles.

Im glad we don't have to deal with long line on Saturday night is a nice little cute Gyoza bar. we order pork and shrimp gyoza and pork gyoza with soup the size of the gyoza is pretty decent and the taste was amazing and the soup base was excellent

Part of our little Tokyo food tour. We are here to eat only gyoza. This is the specialty in all forms. They serve them pan fried, deep fried or steamed. We opted for a deep fried and pan fried order. These arrived freshly made to order with ponzu dipping sauce standard. We both agreed we enjoyed the pan fried version for taste and texture. These were by far better than the ramen store version. Also conveniently located next to the ramen shop.

This is my only favorite place on 1st st. at Little Tokyo for now on Dodgers Days with the best Japanese GYOZA you could get its not heavy but very tasty and TAKA makes this place even better with such a kind and great services in this cozy place I love Everything especially they strictly serve limited menue to give the best of what they've got, the Best J-GYOZA‼ Have a Beer

Fast casual with a lot of heart Gyozas (AKA dumplings) are hit or miss for me. I've had tasted the entire gamut - from thick and chewy and undercooked, to dry and overcooked. But KAMINARI sends it each time. Their gyozas are light, golden-crispy, and delectable. Consistency and attention to perfection are evident - from the chef's recipes and fast-yet-efficient service. My partner and I always order the set meal, I get the vegan age (deep fried) and he gets the shrimp yaki (pan fried) and we basically share the whole thing. Yum!!!!

Some of the best yaki gyoza I've ever tried. Delicious spring rolls and tasty takoyaki. We will be coming back soon for happy hour!! And, I can't forget to mention the extremely friendly and helpful staff.

Tried their pork yakigyoza which seems like their most popular one and it was really delicious. Their 12 piece portion is a perfect size to fill you up. We also tried the set meal version and it has a good variety of sides. The broth it comes with is really delicious, flavorful and comforting. The dumplings itself are cooked perfectly with a juicy meat filling and a perfect pan fried skin. The menu is super easy since they only have a few things on the menu. You can't go wrong with what you order!

This place is amazing and super affordable....I got pork & chicken gyoza....fireeeeeeeeeeeee One was soup and the other was pan fried. The service was top notch fast and friendly....this is hands down my favorite spot in little tokyo.......

I wanted to love this place... I am a dumpling lover in every shape and form, especially in gyoza pan fried form. The service here was super friendly and quick, as we were sat right away on the high chair tables. You order and pay right away so once you're finished you don't have to wait for anything! The chairs were just a tad bit uncomfortable for me as the edges were sharp and I prefer to sit on the edge of my seat.. just to keep that in mind. Onto the gyoza! We got shrimp ($9.50) and pork ($8.50). The shrimp was okay, we were definitely bigger fans of the pork gyoza. The gyozas stuck together so it was a little bit difficult pulling them apart without ruining the wrapping of the next one. I thought overall, it was okay. I wish it was more outstanding, and I can see more potential in the sauces and maybe more flavor in the filling. I love the concept though!

I like gyoza! So I had to come here when I found myself in Little Tokyo. This is really a place for appetizers, because you (or at least I) wouldn't want to eat enough gyoza to make a full meal, and there's not much else, at least that I'd want. I got two plates of 6 each, pan fried shrimp and pork gyoza. They're not particularly big, and the cake is thin, but the frying makes them crunchy. The pork filling was not that interesting, but the shrimp were whole shrimp and more textured. As an appetizer before going somewhere else, this was good.

Best gyoza in LA hands down. Service is amazing staff is ridiculously friendly and attentive. All styles of the gyoza are delicious, my personal favorite is the pan fried veggie, and the pork gyoza in their mouth watering soup always served extra hot to warm the soul. If you want to try this spot which I fully recommend come for the happy hour for a great deal.

There was a short wait when I visited with a party of four at around 1 PM on a Sunday. I ordered the pan fried yaki pork dumpling bento while my partner ordered the deep fried age shrimp dumpling bento. I personally preferred the deep fried age however, both the pork and shrimp dumplings were delectable. I really liked the bento because it included pickled vegetables, rice and egg rolls, a perfectly balanced meal. Good price too. Recommend.

Very limited menu of gyoza and side dishes but it's everything you really need. Tried yaki (pan fried) chicken and pork gyoza, sui (boiled) shrimp gyoza in broth, and (fried) spring rolls. I wouldn't order the chicken gyoza again as comparatively they were rather plain while everything else was excellent! The spring rolls were surprisingly good and the Cilantro Chili Sauce would be delicious on anything. Service was very attentive. Our water glasses were almost never empty. This would be a perfect late night spot but they close at 10pm. On the plus side, we came to this restaurant because it was open at 11am, a half hour before most restaurants open in Little Tokyo.

I love this place! I love how the set comes with all these little sides. The dumplings were prepared perfectly as well. I thought I wouldn't like the deep fried ones but they're actually my fav compared to the pan fried! The skin of the dumplings were the perfect texture and thickness and fried to perfection. I thought I wasn't going to be full after because everything was kind of a small portion but I was pretty satisfied! Service was quick and easy. They are attentive and check on you if you need anything. The ambiance was casual so I liked that. Parking is a bit difficult since it is Little Tokyo but I've gotten lucky with street parking if I circle around a bit!

Loved the ambience, service and food. Super simple menu consisting only of gyoza but made to perfection!! My favorite is definitely the fried pork gyoza. It is a little hard to find but just look for the yellow banner!

We ordered the 6 piece chicken pan fried gyoza and the 6 piece pork pan fried gyoza. They were both fantastic.

Great spot for delicious gyoza, they had three different options. My favorite was the yaki gyoza, but try them all!

Affordable + delicious Gyoza!! Food: 5/5 My friend and I tried the soup, pan fried, and the deep fried options and all were amazing !! Our favorite is definitely the pan fried chicken one though with their gyoza sauce! All the meat options were good though and the vegan one tasted delicious and had a good texture! The garlic aioli and sriracha mayo sauce were flavorful but best paired with the pan fried or deep fried options since they're a bit heavier! Overall would definitely come again if craving gyoza! Service: 5/5 Nice workers and we received our food super quickly. There's even cute drawings on the box + cold water w/o ice :) Ambiance: 5/5 It's a small shop but we had no issues with seats. Good vibes!

This place is great to grab a quick bite for lunch. I'm glad I took forever to write a review because now there is more to add. Always nice and quiet when I've had lunch here. Now since the last time I visited they have opened up some booths in the back. Looks like the menu has been tweaked as well. Always go for the bento box or now it's a Gyoza Teishoku set meal. Pick what kind of gyoza you want. Then choose how you want them cooked either yaki (pan fried) or age (deep fried). It's accompanied by rice, soup, edamame, spring roll, cabbage, spaghetti noodles, pickles, half an egg, kimchi, and seaweed salad. It's quite the lunch. Ever in the Little Tokyo neighborhood give this place a try dine in or take it to go.

I got the Yaki Shrimp Gyoza set - the gyoza was perfectly cooked and I enjoyed the side dishes that came along with it. Good boxed set option if you're looking for a filling meal with variety.

Decent prices for a restaurant in Little Tokyo. We ordered a vegetarian bento box to go. It came with rice, edamame, radish and gyoza. The service was quick and friendly and the portions were a perfect amount for lunch or a quick snack. Inside reminds me of a modern izakaya in Japan.

Check out them out for dinner and let me tell you it did not disappoint. The food was incredibly delicious and I really enjoyed everything we ordered. My favorite is their sui shrimp!! Great broth and such great flavor! Their egg appetizer was 100/10 best egg I have ever tasted soft boiled melted in your mouth! We tried age, sui, yaki! We tried all the fillings except vegan and they are all delicious! Really great service and friendly! And the ambience was cute modern and clean!

Came here for lunch today and the service was excellent. Our hostess was extremely polite and the food was scrumptious. We ordered the shrimp pan fried & the deep fried chicken gyoza with the garlic edamame. Definitely a fun little place to stop by for a quick bite to eat! Highly recommended!

A family of 3 got to eat a fresh healthy meal for under $60, including an order of beer and sake. Tucked away in Little Tokyo you can find this small restaurant disguised behind an inconspicuous yellow curtain. We sat in a booth and ordered a little bit of everything. We ordered Garlic edamame, both Yaki (pan fried) & Age (deep fried) gyoza, sui with shrimp gyoza and a bento box, kimchi, cilantro chili. It was all so delicious. Our server was attentive and friendly and I even got to speak with the manager before leaving. Giving her compliments on the establishment. It's dimly lit but it wasn't dark as each booth had its own lighting. I did see open tables at the front of the establishment. The place had a chill vibe with music playing in the background. This is a definite affordable option when visiting this side of town!

Great service was say immediately by this lovely server!! They were amazing the entire time. Really quiet place and the food honestly was amazing for a good price!!