Gindaco Highball Sakaba

We got the cheese and mentaiko takoyaki, the scallion and ponzu takoyaki, the oden sampler, the tuna and salmon roll and we really enjoyed it! We've been eyeing this place since it opened and I'm so glad we made the effort to try something new. Service was amazing and she was incredibly kind and informative. Food came pretty quick but we came at like 5pm. I think portions are perfect for the quality of food and price. I really liked it and we will be coming back! The oden was the star for me as I haven't tried something like that before and it was super yummy. The vibes was definitely reminiscent of izayaka in Japan :)

I was really really excited to try this place. I had it bookmarked since when it first opened. I finally got to try it yesterday at around 8pm on Tuesday and was disappointed. It was not busy when I came. In fact while many restaurants in the plaza had lines, this place had no wait. First impressions walking in was that the place was warm. Not uncomfortable warm but definitely warm. This is not an issue, but when the room is warmer than the food, that's an issue... We ordered a oden sampler, original takoyaki, kobore handroll assorted, assorted sashimi, and a high ball. The takoyaki came out immediately. It was cold... it had good flavor though. Oden came out somewhat after, was also cold.... The broth was also really salty, but addicting...because it was super salty. Handrolls were fine. They look different from the pictures. I guess they changed their handrolls since when they newly opened. Sashimi was fresh. It didn't blow my mind with how fresh it was but it was decent, didn't get sick after. It was a good price too. Service was okay. We didn't have to wait super long for anything. Overall, this wouldn't be my first choice for Japanese food in Sawtelle. This is the only place that I know of that sells oden in the area and I'm glad there is finally that option. But I wish it could have been better.

As a japanese immigrant, this place reminds me of home. A literal slide of japan right in LA. Great drinks and service, and the bar food is authentic. The place also feels tight and busy like a real izakaya. Would definitely recommend for late night highball + food with friends.Will be coming back again soon!

This place is finally open! My friend and I have been dying to try this place but they were closed for awhile during the holidays and renovations. We finally came today and got the lemon highball and takoyaki. The takoyaki was ok - nothing crazy. I wish it was more softer cause it was more fried on the outside than the ones I've had in Japan. However the vibes were great and we loved our lemon highballs. We'll definitely be back for more drinks and try other dishes.

Came here for dinner on a weeknight during the week that the restaurant officially opened.My friend and I tried a few different items, including the Cheese & Mentaiko Takoyaki, Fried Fishcakes, Assorted Oden, and Assorted Handrolls. I really liked the texture of the fried fishcakes. The takoyaki and assorted oden were flavorful and made well. The handrolls, however, were disappointing for me and not worth the high price tag.Service wasn't bad. The entire staff was friendly. Our waiter didn't seem to know the dishes too well, but this was during their first night when new menu items were available.I always look for street parking (free after 6pm) a block or two away on Olympic.

Friendly service and good food. The 3 star is mainly because of the automatic tip calculation method. The server brought the card reader to teh table, and the "Suggested Tip" is calculated with sales tax, which means the 20% suggested tip is actually almost 22% pre-sales tax. Not that big of a deal, just not a good math formula for the customers. The handroll set (3 pcs/$10) was delicious with a beautiful presentation.

My friends and I went on Halloween night. It wasn't too busy. Since the Dodgers won, they gave us a free order of original takoyaki. We also got the cheese takoyaki as well and the sushi. Everything was spectacular and one of the best takoyaki I've had. It was soft in the inside and still crispy on the outside. The interior was really cool, feels like you're in Japan. The service was on point as well. We also ordered high ball drinks-mango, muscat, and kiwi. My favorite was the muscat! Try it if you can!

We stepped into a newly renovated, bright izakaya-like experience. What a neat addition to the plethora of Japanese food options on Sawtelle! FoodSeaweed chips: these are so addictive. They're sweet and super crunchy. Very crunchy (I almost say this with a warning).Assorted oden: nice large portion of mostly fish cakes. The cube one was my favorite. Assorted kushiyaki: the onion or leak was very spicy. The tomato and bacon was really good.Takoyaki: This is so crispy this is their speciality and it shows. I recommend this.Service was good from the bar. Friendly and casual. The Japanese decor really adds to the izakaya vibes.

A great addition to the local dining scene in Sawtelle! Authentic food, friendly service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommended!SERVICE: 4/5The service was friendly and welcoming. Our server was attentive, and we felt well taken care of when we arrived just before the dinner rush. Once the restaurant filled up, the pace of service slowed slightly, but the staff remained courteous and professional throughout.FOOD: 5/5We tried the oden, assorted hand roll omakase, takoyaki, and sashimi, and each dish was both delicious and well-priced. For instance, their rainbow roll is priced at $12--significantly more affordable than the typical $16 we've seen at other places, without any compromise in quality. The fish was fresh and flavorful, especially in the sashimi, and the hand rolls were a standout, offering fantastic flavor and presentation. If you're visiting, I highly recommend the handroll omakase, absolutely worth it!ATMOSPHERE: 4/5The restaurant is small but charming, with traditional Japanese decor like lanterns that create a warm, authentic ambiance. Seating options include both bar and table seating, though it can feel a bit tight when the place gets crowded. Despite the limited space, the atmosphere captures the cozy, bustling feel of a true Japanese eatery.

I liked the concept of Gindaco Highball Sakaba, but the food quality was not up to par with the prices. I understand it's hard to maintain a profitable restaurant on Sawtelle, but I felt like I was being robbed for the food that I received. Assorted Oden: You can literally get twice as many fish cakes for the same price across the street at Nijiya; just boil them at home. When eating oden at a restaurant, I expect more flavor in the broth and quality ingredients, but this dish tasted the same as quickly making it at home. - Gyusuji stew: this was the best thing on the menu. The meat was tender, and the flavors from the broth were nicely absorbed. - Chicken drumsticks in Paitan Broth: The portion was huge, and the chicken was stewed very soft, however the dish lacked flavor. The broth tasted like a mixture of chicken noodle soup and gravy, except it needed waaay more seasoning. - Takoyaki: This was so disappointing. Since this is a Gindaco location, you'd expect the same quality as the other stores. The balls weren't crispy on the outside nor fluffy on the inside. They were all just mushy with tiny pieces of octopus inside. - Drinks: they were all ok, nothing to write home about. For being called a sakaba (drinking place), the drinks seemed watered down and not very unique. Gindaco Highball Sakaba's food is mostly something you can easily make at home, and it feels like they take advantage of Americans that don't know the price or value of Japanese bar food items. I would not come back to this spot, since the food and drinks are way overpriced for the quality.