Best Solo Dining Sanctuaries Japanese Restaurants in Mar Vista
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Uo Nigiri
Run by a fish wholesaler who sources whole wild Bluefin Tuna and seasonal catches from Tokyo's Toyosu Market, with chefs from Michelin-starred kitchens and NOBU—served at a fraction of comparable omakase prices.
Notable Picks
#1
Uo Nigiri
8
A fish-wholesaler-turned-omakase operation sourcing whole wild Bluefin and seasonal catches direct from Toyosu Market, with knife work from chefs who cut their teeth at Michelin-starred rooms and NOBU. The counter-only format keeps it intimate and focused on the fish, pricing well below what comparable Toyosu-grade nigiri runs at most LA omakase bars. Best suited for diners who care more about provenance and cut quality than scene—show up on a weeknight, sit at the counter, and let the sourcing do the talking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Omakase (15pc), Seared Scallop Nigiri, Hamachi (Yellowtail) Nigiri
What Makes it Special: Run by a fish wholesaler who sources whole wild Bluefin Tuna and seasonal catches from Tokyo's Toyosu Market, with chefs from Michelin-starred kitchens and NOBU—served at a fraction of comparable omakase prices.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A 17-year Mar Vista fixture where chef-owner Nick Nishi—who pioneered sushi happy hours at Chaya Venice—runs a tight izakaya focused on fresh fish from the chalkboard specials and Japanese small plates like Brussels sprouts and black rice risotto. The 5-7pm happy hour draws solo diners and regulars who sit at the bar, order omakase-style off the specials board, and leave with bills that feel like a different decade.
Must-Try Dishes:
Happy Hour Specials, Bento Box, Spicy Tuna Roll
What Makes it Special: Izakaya-style sushi bar with standout happy hour pricing and quality fish in Mar Vista
7.6
A Hokkaido-born chain operating since 1988, specializing in a slow-simmered shio broth that carries a milky richness uncommon in LA's ramen landscape—the toroniku pork cheek topping is the signature order for a reason. Tucked inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court in Mar Vista, it runs as a quick solo-dining operation where you order at the counter and focus on your bowl amid the lunch rush. The polarized review spread suggests execution can swing between excellent and disappointing, so manage expectations accordingly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shio Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Toroniku (Pork Cheek) Ramen
What Makes it Special: Hokkaido-born ramen chain renowned for its rich, milky shio (salt) broth simmered low and slow, a style rarely executed at this level outside Japan.