Nanban-Kan

I like this place because I haven't been any other Japanese yakitori that has the quality of taste and flavors here. Word to the wise do not ask them for ginger lol they will get offended if you do. With that being said the place is quaint it has a limited space for the bar and you should make reservations well in advance. There's nothing you can go wrong with on the menu. Make sure you look nice and come to enjoy a nice meal out.

Tried to come into this spot. Doesn't take walk ins, reservation only. Did try to call, but the number didn't go thru. The guy was pretty rude when we got there too. Will prob give this place another chance, but very poor first interaction.

The food here tastes authentic but it's incredibly bland, and not in a good way. It tasted incredibly mid to me for Japanese food. Maybe my expectations are higher because I've been to Japan and I frequent Michelin star-restaurants. I just cannot tolerate food I can cook better at home. I've been to Hayato in LA and traditional kaiseki in Kyoto, where food is also bland. However, the reason behind the blandness is the chef wants to show case the natural flavors of the ingredients. The ingredients are so high quality and full of umami in their own right you don't need salt.Here at Nanbankan the quality just doesn't seem to be there to justify the lack of salt. The meats tasted kinda dry, bland, tough, and overcooked like cardboard...no fat. Even the chicken wing, which I usually love to get for yakitori, was just so bland.Nothing had good charcoal flavor either. It had less charred taste than food I could grill on a gas grill or broiling in my own oven!I had very average yakitori in Tokyo and it tasted better than this. Heck the yakitori I got at Furaibo Teba-Saki off UberEats in LA was better than this. I ordered some seaweed salad appetizer and it was legitimately just slime. The sunomono was just lazily drizzled in some soy sauce, no yuzu sauce or special dressing. The spinach was waaaay too salty. I ordered chazuke and while this is a very authentic Japanese dish, it tasted like something a cook with below average skills could throw together. I'm also used to having some salt on the side to dip my meat in but they only had soy sauce and spicy topping. I was loading each skewer with the spicy topping and it did not help. The food seriously lacks umami.If you've ever been to Osaka and had tourist trap food in Dontonburi, this is the same quality and price.I ordered a decent amount and my meal came out to be over $120 after tax and tip. It wasn't cheap and it wasn't enjoyable. There are much better Japanese food in town some serving the same dishes. My new favorite is Shirube an Izakaya. They have very similar duck breast compared to Nanban but the execution is so much better. If you strictly want yakitori, honestly the skewers and chicken wings at Furaibo are better.The dishes and ingredients are definitely very authentic, like they more strange ingredients like ginkgo nuts, smelt, and chicken tails, but the food just didn't taste like it was made with care or skill at all.

My girlfriend and I have dined here several times over the years. We love the quality of their food. See my original review. The biggest issue is making a reservation, which is required. They are not on any of the reservation sites; you need to call them to make a reservation. If they pick up the phone, that's not an issue. This time, we called the toward the end of their business hours on one day and toward the beginning of their business hours on the next day, but we just could not get through to them. Both my girlfriend and I tried a few times, but no luck. We have to say we are very disappointed!

This place is pretty good if you want skewers. Slightly on the bland side but super authentic and such a cute place for a date night! Everything tasted very fresh, would recommend!

What a beautiful little treasure nestled in almost a secret corner where only the smart and savvy foodies are lead to! Seated at the bar where I can watch each savory dish be placed on the counter I was able to be drooling at all the options coming out. I could watch the grill and the hustle of the chef's dipping the various veggies and meats into the secret sauce then unto the grill. Meticulous and fast!The place is packed and I can understand why. The food was delicious and the prices were insanely reasonable for what you were ordering. Authentic and traditional the kind owner and entire staff were so amazing and the service exceptional! Not once did I have to ask to have my water glass topped off. I don't want to share this place. I want it to myself. It's a gem and treasure of a place to know something like this still exists in this city. Tapas style each dish comes out one by one fresh and hot. Parking is in the very back of the building across the street at a public lot, or if you're lucky you can catch a meter. Make sure you call and reserve way in advance!

This is by far my favorite restaurant in LA. Tucked between two business that you might never know was there, this restaurant is truly the gem of LA. The food and quality of their ingredients is spectacular. Service is always prompt and welcoming. It feels like a 5 star Michelin restaurant without any of the snobbery (think white linens and spectacular service) yet it also feels like being at home-warm and inviting. It's not unusual for me to frequent this place thrice in one week, and I love trying new places. A must-try if in LA.

This is one of my favorite yakitori places in LA. Prices tend to be higher these days, but I think they offer a fair deal. Another reason I love it here is the wide variety of grilled options. Definitely try to sit at the bar and enjoy the freshly grilled skewers. It's always busy, so I recommend making a reservation!

This spot is a hidden treasure, and I want to keep it that way. A fair warning to those in the area looking to dine in without a reservation. You will be turned away. The majority of the bad reviews are around that. A little tip, call in your reservation on a weekday not during their busy hours. I never had trouble.Tony, the main host, gets a bad rep for having to turn away walk ins. He is the pulse of the restaurant. When those guests that came with a reservation, he is welcoming and takes care to make sure you are enjoying your dining. He is an amazing host. You can tell from the number of regulars who joke and laugh with him.The inside is small, but cozy. I would recommend getting a seat at the bar. You can watch the cooks while you enjoy your food. Prices for yakitori are amazingly fair for a place this caliber. They also write down the specials of the day on a chalkboard. Always look into those.I love this place. I recommend it to everyone I can.

A lot of unique foods, try everything! There were several items that were new to me that I fell in love with. Beyond reasonable pricing. Not loud like a lot of LA places. Thank you Nanban-Kan!