Kinjiro - Los Angeles

While I would give the food a full five stars for its quality, I do have three critiques from the evening (out of the eight dishes I ordered). 1. There was a salt issue. The thick-cut beef tongue was definitely undersalted—almost perfect, but just a small pinch more salt would have really enhanced its flavor. Conversely, the chicken thigh was oversalted, likely during the dry brining phase rather than during cooking. 2. The beef tendon and tongue miso stew was absolutely fantastic, one of my all-time favorite Japanese dishes. However, it was served with dry, crusty bread, which I believe was a mistake. I appreciated that we requested a bowl of rice, as it felt wrong to pair such an incredible stew with slightly stale crunchy bread. I would strongly recommend replacing the bread with a small portion of rice to complement the stew instead. 3. The dashi used in the ochazuke had a peculiar flavor that was oddly smokey and somewhat strange. I apologize for not being able to describe it better, but I found it quite difficult to enjoy. These three critiques are minor in comparison to the overall outstanding technique, fantastic service, and the thoughtful coursing style that allowed me to fully appreciate each dish. The standout dishes for me were the mozuku, mizuna, beef tendon and tongue miso stew, and zaru soba. I will definitely be returning—thank you! In terms of atmosphere, I would rate it four stars because the small space could benefit from some sound-dampening foam on the ceiling.

Everything was outstanding, setting a new standard. The flavors were intense and perfectly paired, with great attention to temperature and texture. The chef was also very considerate in accommodating my food allergy. The dessert was exceptional as well and felt like a thoughtful addition rather than an afterthought. Overall, I rate the food 5 out of 5.

My personal favorites were the grilled beef tongue, grilled cod, and sesame mousse. The grilled beef tongue had a crispy exterior and was wonderfully tender, with just the right amount of chew. The grilled cod was incredibly juicy and savory, with a crispy skin that I could enjoy at every meal. And as for the sesame mousse—it's surprisingly delightful. Creamy and subtly sweet, it was so delicious that we ordered another one right away. No doubt, I will be back the next time I'm in LA!

We had an amazing meal at Kinjiro! We made an e-mail reservation a few weeks ahead of time and it was easy. For 3 people, we ordered the Uni, Ikura, Scallop Blue Crab shooters, Sashimi Salad (Hokkaido Scallops, King Salmon) w/ Blue Crab, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Grilled Thick-cut Beef Tongue, Bone Marrow Dengaku, Uni Risotto, and Truffles Organic Mushrooms Creamy Udon Noodles. We were definitely stuffed at the end of it. Everything was so delicious and cooked nicely. The beef tongue is so tender and the bone marrow is juicy and fatty. Loved the creaminess of the risotto and udon.

This place is sooo delicious! From the vibe of the restaurant to the vast array of delicious sushi and Japanese items, Kinjiro is on the top of my list! My favorite was the bone marrow. I've never seen this at a sushi restaurant and that's the great thing about this place, it is unique and different. Highly recommend Kinjiro for your sushi fix!