Nanbankan

11330 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
+1 310-478-1591
$$$ Yakitori restaurant
(485 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Step into Nanbankan, a delightful yakitori restaurant nestled in the heart of Los Angeles’ busy Sawtelle district. The moment you enter, you’re enveloped by a cozy and intimate ambiance that seems to draw you in and whisper, “Stay a while.” The cozy, upscale setting is perfect for everything from casual dinners to romantic date nights. With its inviting atmosphere and attentive staff, it’s no wonder guests often remark on how well-managed Nanbankan is.

Specializing in the art of yakitori, Nanbankan offers a tantalizing selection of skewered grilled delights, all cooked to perfection over charcoal. The menu reads like a culinary love letter to Japanese cuisine, featuring an expansive array of choices that cater to every palate. Start your meal off with a hot, crispy serving of Tempura Deep Fried Shrimp paired with seasonal vegetables, a crunchy yet tender prelude to the main event. Don’t miss the Duck Skewers—a favorite highlighted by satisfied customers—and the Miso Black Cod, each bite offering an explosion of smoky flavor that dances on your taste buds.

Vegetable lovers, rejoice! The grilled Eggplant and Ginkgo Nuts receive high praise from many patrons. For something unexpected yet equally delightful, try the savory Bacon-Wrapped Okra. And of course, no visit is complete without sampling the fan-favorite skewers like the juicy Chicken Skin and tantalizing Pork Belly. Every dish at Nanbankan is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality, flavor, and authenticity.

The atmosphere at Nanbankan is electric yet relaxed, making it an ideal spot for friends and family alike. Many customers recommend making reservations, especially on weekends, as this hidden gem is a popular choice among locals. As one satisfied customer reported, "Reservations are a must; we love to come here for date night when we miss Japanese foods." On busy nights, the buzz of conversation harmonizes with the satisfying sizzle of skewers being grilled in front of you, creating a truly immersive dining experience.

With reasonable prices for the quality, Nanbankan has earned numerous accolades from its guests. They rave about the attentive service that ensures your glass is never empty and your needs are always met. One review succinctly encapsulated the essence of the place: “Food quality is always above top notch.” So whether you’re a yakitori aficionado or a curious first-timer, you’ll find yourself leaving with a full belly and a smile, eager to return for more of what Nanbankan has to offer.

Next time you find yourself in the Sawtelle area, make it a priority to experience Nanbankan—you'll quickly realize it’s one of LA’s true culinary treasures.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Popular for
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

05:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Tuesday

05:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

05:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Friday

05:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Saturday

05:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Sunday

05:30 PM - 10:30 PM

485 Reviews
Doug Brown

24 Sep 2025

Came here on a lark, after discovering that the restaurant I came to the area for was seemingly closed, and I'm so glad I did. The restaurant is very cozy and was full even on a Tuesday evening, so reservations are recommended. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was excellent (and reasonably priced for the quality). Expansive menu of yakitori options, I would happily come again next time I'm in the area (with a reservation next time).

Quynh Dao

20 Sep 2025

Last minute decision to eat and was craving yakitori. Upscale atmosphere and small quaint space. Good quality and flavors! Food was steaming hot and fresh (obviously). My least favorite was steak and they were sold out of the beef sliders. My husband’s favorite was the cod. We pretty much tried everything off the menu, there were hits and a few misses. I liked the chicken skin, duck and pork belly. Didn’t love the steak. A great option is their dinner and it includes a variety of skewers (their most popular ones. Service was ok, a bit slow and it wasn’t busy at the time. We had to wave them down to ask for most things and their rice took an abnormally long time to arrive at the table. We brought our 4 year old and his review was “10/10”! He said he liked the rice the most LOL. Also, make a reservation! We called in ahead of time and luckily since it was a weekday and early dinner they gave us a table. It was definitely very crowded for dinner time.

Angry 8

26 Aug 2025

One of the last great yakitori restaurants! Food quality is always above top notch. I see a few people complaining about the service but not a big deal for the delicious food you get in return.

Nha Le

04 Aug 2025

We love to come here for date night when we miss Japanese foods. The staff and food quality are always consistent. Prices are good. Remember to make reservation because it’s often crowded on the weekend.

T

23 Jul 2025

The duck was on the chalkboard menu and it was our absolute favorite! Miso black cod was also on the chalkboard menu and delicious too! The skewers have such an amazing flavor and the staff was extremely attentive -- switching out my plate 3 times and my water cup was never empty. Call ahead to make reservations, and parking is easy a couple blocks south.

Shanelle S

10 Jul 2025

Popular yakitori restaurant in Sawtelle. Came here for an early dinner and made a reservation over the phone a week beforehand. I noticed that quite a few people without reservations were turned away at the door, so I would highly recommend making one. There’s table seating as well as bar seating where you can watch the chefs cook. My mom got the set menu while my dad and I ordered things a la carte. Of the things I tried, I would recommend getting a grilled onigri (it was my first trying one and it had a nice texture), the Soboro Don rice, and the black cod (special menu item). Of course, everything we tried was nicely grilled and it was fun trying different things. Service was very attentive and cleared plates quickly. We had the green tea ice cream as dessert and it was a nice palette cleanser. Credit cards accepted but only a maximum of two are allowed. Restrooms available in the back past the meal prep area.

Jaya Lin

11 Jun 2025

What a delightful place. Exceptionally well managed and friendly service. Atmosphere is intimate. And the yakitori are charcoal grilled to perfection. On top of all, it is very reasonably priced making it a regular and suitable stop for solo diners and group dinners. Recommending: cod; duck; bacon-wrapped okra; ginkgo nuts.

Eric

09 Jun 2025

Yakitori specialist here at a staple place in Sawtelle’s Japanese Town. Amazing meats, veggies grilled in front of you!! Reasonable priced and so delicious!! Try the eggplant, corn, little sausages, and chicken skewers!! A must stop next time in West LA!

Checking
Listing Image

Seneca Trattoria

901 Bayfront Ct Level 19, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Italian restaurant
(1086 Reviews)
Listing Image

Delia's Pizzeria and Grille of Countryside

128 Edds Ln, Sterling, VA 20165, United States
(239 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

Canton Bistro

79405 CA-111 #5, La Quinta, CA 92253, United States
Chinese restaurant
(496 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

Stephanie's On Newbury

190 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116, United States
American restaurant
(2178 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

The Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center

23820 Mercury Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Thrift store
(267 Reviews)

Join the Nanbankan Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.