Irori Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
4371 Glencoe AveSte B4
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 (310) 822-3700
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
58 reviews
Neighborhood: Westchester / LAX
"I love love love Kabuki! They food is great, their service is wonderful, the atmosphere is modern and friendly. When I feel like sushi,…" read more »
67 Reviews for Irori Japanese Restaurant
The sushi is good, but in NO WAY worth the money they charge. Cool that they've got the floor cut out so that we round-eyes don't have to sit Indian style. I should've ordered a "combo plate" or a meal that came with extras because buying 3 individual rolls of sushi didn't amount to much.
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OMG. Just went to Irori this weekend and had omakase. It was pretty unreal. It left me in a food coma for the rest of the weekend, but that was ok with me. I've been dreaming of the sushi I had, it was so good.
I'm not sure whether the omakase varies a ton depending on what chef you get. We got Kazu, who we love, and he treated us riiiiiight. We had a few appetizer style rounds, including Japanese red snapper that was to die for, and then a few rounds from the kitchen. Then, he just dropped bombs of sushi on us, with some fantastic toro and blue fin tuna.
The desserts were pretty good too. We got the apple pie and some mango dessert - thought the mango was better.
Irori is truely a hidden gem: located behind a non-descript storefront in a pretty lackluster mini-mall.
But once you walk through the door, you are in for a real treat. You'll find yourself in a clean, modern restaurant with a Zen-like vibe and an authentic "no shoes" policy. Miles away from Radio Shack and Cop-A-Tan!
Irori serves the freshest sushi I have found to date in Los Angeles. No outlandish rolls, no california-ized accoutrements,...just good solid, consistent sushi and sashimi. Every selection is impeccable and in addition to the usual suspects, you can sample salmon sushi served with a delicious, sweet ginger, a not -too- common but yummy seared ono, an out- of- this -world whitefish sushi, and a to- die- for special fish (Moeji) which is available on occasion.
We prefer the sushi bar. Masa is the master chef serving it all up with an impish smile and a passion for nudging his customers to step out and try something new. He never disappoints. And the wait staff is incredibly attentive and nice and they actually remember you and your drink orders if you go there more than once.
A major thumbs up!
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Iori was the best sushi I've had since moving to Los Angeles. The sushi was reasonably priced, very good quality, with a unique atmosphere and great service. A great place for a group night out if you are looking for something out of the ordinary!
Located in an unassuming area of this Marina del Rey shopping complex parking lot, Irori is truly worth a drive to the Westside (believe it or not!) for some spectacular Japanese cuisine! As you walk in, you leave your shoes at the door for a more "authentic" experience. You and your party are then ushered to tables that are lowered with spaces underneath to plop your feet down in. Last time I was there, we ordered sashimi salad, baked cod, jalapeno yellowtail, some baked eggplant dish. We washed this down with hot sake recommended to us by the lovely waitress. How can you resist a place where the sushi chefs sing to you!? I for sure can't wait to go back:-)
yea this place was fantastic. the sushi was fresh and they had some different kinds, not just the usual. the seared ahi sashi is fantastic. We sat at a cute little table put our feet in the spaces below and were served right away. our waitress was prompt and took care us from start to finish.
but like the person you are going with because its hard to not play footsie under the table..
Best Japanese Restaurant in Los Angeles, hands down! Most restaurants have good days and not so good days, but it's good every time. We've been to all the fancy celebrity sushi joints in LA, and nothing comes close to Irori. The quality of fish is very high. You can get traditional sushi or sashimi and be satisfied or try their innovative dishes. I love the Japanese clams with yummy broth, crab in smoked salmon hand roll, scallop sashimi, lobster spring rolls, dynamite... They also have a lot of country-style Japanese dishes like monkfish liver, eggplants, beans, etc. We usually get a table and order from the menu, but we occasionally sit at the sushi bar for Omakase by Yuki San, and it's a 5 star experience. Considering what you get, the price is very reasonable.
This is a great lunch spot! I've been here many times for lunch and they have great lunchbox specials.
I've been here for dinner as well and it's a nice spot for a date or to get together with an old friend. The restaurant is quite small and you might have to wait for a table at times.
It's cool when you first walk in because you think that everyone is sitting on the floor but there is actually a big opening under the table where your feet hang down under the table, so it's kinda like you are sitting on a bleacher with a table over your lap. It's fun!
anyways...impress a girl and take her here...
I have been here a few times and this place does not dissapoint. The sushi is so good and I love that they don't get all fancy and go crazy with the rolls. They keep the sushi what it is. This place is the place to go to.
My absolute favorite sushi restaurant. Ever. Period.
When I first heard about it, I thought it was a little bizarre--"irori" in Japanese refers to a hearth that's dug into the ground where you hang a pot to cook, so I associated the word with hot, boiled food, and definitely not fresh seafood. But it's just that the tables are sunken into the ground like irori's, giving the restaurant its name.
Anyway, the appetizers, sushi, and desserts are all amazing. They are pretty creative with their appetizers. I really like the spring rolls that come in a glass served with salsa and a cherry tomato. As for their sushi, the toro is to die for. It melts in your mouth. They can make all the typical rolls found in any other sushi joint, but I've never been much of a roll person, so I'm not the best judge. The sushi chefs are super friendly too...they'll strike up a conversation if you're at the sushi bar.
It's a little hard to find within the plaza, but it's definitely worth it! GO!
Our top lunch spot for me and my coworkers!
Simple and clean decor, great service, and tasty food.
Try the sesame chicken if you get a bento box.
The location is a little bit hidden, but after your first time there, you'll be sure to remember where it is.
Do not be fooled by the mini mall. This place rocks. Best sushi I have ever had and the prices aren't bad either. You have to take your shoes off and sit on the floor though, so if you're weird about that, don't go.
Such delicious shrimp tempura rolls! mmmmmmm.
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I wish yelp had "half-stars" because I gave this place a 3.5, maybe 3.75.
It was fine, and my sushi was good but not amazing. I would go again if I was hungry and in the marina, but wouldn't drive past the 100 other sushi places between my place and there for dinner.
They did have very good spicy rolls. They weren't hot-spicy, but they had an interesting blend that tasted and looked like it had green onions (scallions, if you prefer) in it. Very tasty, but again, I wasn't knocked out of my seat.
(Note: it would be very hard to be physically knocked out of your seat since it is shoes-free sunken seating. More likely you could slither down under the table into the foot-pit.)
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It's rare that you find an un-Yuppified sushi restaurants these days, especially in LA.
Irori is definitely one of those sushi places with reasonable prices, a reasonably authentic atmosphere, and great service.
I knew it was going to be good when we ordered some edamame. For the first time in I don't know how long, it actually was served warm (as advertised) and delicious.
The only negative thing I experienced was the slow sitting times due to Irori's limited space. Still for a Saturday night, a 30 minute wait is usual.
Irori is spectacular! Their sashimi is delish and their appetizers are fantastic. I sound like their cheerleader, but really...i have gone here with over a dozen different people and have never seen anyone leave unsatisfied.
I may be totally off, but I don't think that even the sashimi I had in Japan was better. Maybe it was, but my sashimi/sushi experiences at Irori are at least comparable!
I don't LOVE the fact that you have to take off your shoes, but that's mainly because I am a germaphobe. But, the floors are clean and I have never left with dirty socks! :)
Oh ya, the butter lettuce wraps (scallops) and their wild salmon sashimi are my favorite things on the menu.
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What was I thinking? At first sight, I didn't want to go here. Seriously, D. had to convince me. I hate to admit it, but he was right.
The food & service are superb. There's always a wait, but it's well worth it. Once you get seated the servers are friendly and they're always willing to give suggestions on what to order.
My recommendations:
Red snapper w/ shiso leaf *a must try*
Seared ono
Kanpachi
*anything* Jalapeno
Irori is a great restaurant.
My experience there was fantastic. Excellent sake. Excellent ambiance.
The seating is great too. It looks as if you are going into do a traditional Japanese restaurant - but it's Americanized.
Service: superb. The wait staff is friendly and quick to serve.
I'm definitely going back. :D
We started going to Irori about a year ago & it was fast becoming our favorite sushi place cuz we loved their wide variety of super-fresh "real" fish - uni, aji, ankimo etc. Felt like the perfect spot for those of us who avoid the CA-rolls-on-steriods spots because we want actual sushi.
But the 4 stars we'd have given them went poof a month ago when my sweetie & I got terribly sick after eating lunch there. We only ordered miso soup, nigiri sushi and sashimi - no rolls, no sides & only water to drink. Hadn't even had b-fast before going in. W/in a few hours we were both doubled over w/ horrible cramps & spent a good chunk of the next 24 hours camped out in the bathroom. UGH.
Am heartbroken. Had thought we'd finally found a great neighborhood sushi home. But anytime I think of possibly going back my stomach turns.
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Just tried this place for the first time tonight and it lived up to the great reviews. Excellent sushi, great service and the decor is pretty cool, it looks like you are sitting on the floor but you aren't.
Can't wait to return and try more of the menu.
This place has very fresh everything. If you love sashimi and are on the west side, you should definitely check this place out. I took my sister here after picking her up from LAX.
I couldn't find the place for a while, as it is hidden in the back. I was a little skeptical at first, but after entering the restaurant, my skepticism went away. We walked in to a crowded waiting area and proceeded to take off our shoes and place them in the shoe racks. The restaurant is very cute with all the Asian decor. Then after waiting for about 15-20mins (we didn't have reservations), we were lead to a table. You pretty much sit on the ground, except that there's a hole in the ground for your feet to fit into. We were hungry hungry hippos. We had the toro (yum), fresh oysters (very fresh indeed), eggplant w/ miso, amaebi (sweet shrimp, raw), salmon, tuna, hamachi sashimi, uni. I'm pretty sure we ordered almost the whole menu and the waitress was a little aghast and embarassed for how much food we could pack away. Thumbs way up to fresheness.
my roommates wanted to go to irori, and i had never been. i'm never one to turn down sushi, so of course i was down.
it wasn't the best sushi i've ever had, but it was for sure good. the best thing though, is their edamame. i know, it's just edamame, but SERIOUSLY, it was super good. i dont know how they made it so perfect! service was good, and there's plenty of parking, because it's located in a strip mall (right next to a cvs, so if you need to pick up a thing or two after you eat...)
one random thing: my roommate's boyfriend loves ginger, and our server kept taking away the sushi plates right when the sushi was gone, and he got sad that she was "stealing" his ginger. but after we pointed out that he was a ginger-eating fool, she brought out a big bowl of ginger for him :)
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Ok so hubs and I are HUGE HARDCORE sushi eaters..and by HARDCORE i don't mean california rolls...i mean uni and mackerel action. there's only a handful of places where we'll recommend our friends go. this is one of them.
the sushi. it's fresh, it's clean, it's delicious.
the place is in a random strip mall. but it's a find. a true find.
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I was pleasantly surprised by this Japanese restaurant. Never would have expected decent sushi in this location. When we first walked in and saw nearly all white clientele, we were a bit discouraged. But were happy with the quality of sushi and especially the service. It's rare to find servers this good in LA. Our waitress kept checking on us and asking how the food was. I would rate the sushi a B+, but the service is what earns this restaurant 4 stars. One caveat, don't wear nice shoes to this restaurant, and you probably want to wear socks b/c they make you take off your shoes in the front before you get seated. To me, that's kinda gross, but oh well.
Los Angeles is the city of strip mall-hole in the wall restaurants. Packed in between a Radioshack and Pavilions, Irori is a bit hard to find. Irori has traditional Japanese seating, where you remove your shoes and sit on the floor. Makes for a nice atmosphere. We weren't that hungry so I ordered agedashi, deep fried tofu to start and a big bowl of tempura udon. My sister got san sai udon. It was awesome. The fried tofu was topped with some kind of radish paste and diced seaweed, went together really nicely. The tempura was crispy and not to oily, I often find tempura to be really greasy. All the veggies were fresh. We both ate the entire bowl of udon. Came out to about $26 for both of us, not bad at all. I'm definitely going to revisit this place and test out their sushi.
Update! 4/9/08 - Since my first visit, I've returned twice on a Friday night. First time I waited for 50 minutes only to give up and get Indian food. Second time I had a reservation and I still waited half an hour. Minus one star!
"Dude, I found an awesome sushi joint in Marina Del Rey!"
"No you didn't. There ARE no awesome sushi joints in Marina Del Rey."
This is an excerpt from the conversation I had with my friend Tim when I told him about Irori and it's pretty congruous with most sushi lovers' perceptions about sushi on the westside. Us westsiders tend to groan about the lack of good sushi here and how annoying it is to have to venture eastward in order to attain that which we crave. Woe is us!
Well, if you of the same ilk, this place will make you very, very happy. The sushi here is simply delectable, the sashimi is expertly cut and melts on your tongue, the rolls are creative and delicately delicious, and the nigiri is simply fantastic. The chef's specials were noteworthy as well - I recommend the baby big-eye tuna nigiri. Yum!
There is a whole menu of non-sushi Japanese entrees and whatnot which I hear are quite good, but I have not steered away from the sushi to order anything of the like and I probably never will. The sushi is just too damn good and to eat anything else would feel like sacrilege.
I'm actually going through an inner struggle right now as to whether or not I should press the "post it" button - I don't want this place getting overrun by all of you out there in Yelper Yelper Land. Just do me a favor alright? Try to resist the awesomeness and limit yourself to once a year. Think of how much better it will be when you finally do come back. Delayed gratification rules. :P
**Update 2/22/08 - The word has gotten out. Came here tonight (Friday) and the wait for a table or even a spot at the bar was an HOUR. Apparently you have been breaking my "once a year" rule I mad e for you For shame! Heh.
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We came here a few times before and always had an amazing dining experience. However, last Saturday, we went for the gusto, made reservations for the bar, and had omakase. Omakase is a carte blanche of sorts in the sushi world.
For $65, Katsu (our chef) served us a sample of each of the specials (both cooked and raw dishes)... and sometimes Yuki (head chef and owner) would step in to conjure some new creations on-the-spot. It was fun. When we'd like something, we'd tell him and he'd give us more of it in the following plate. Everything was wonderful and not too glutinous, as you had smaller portions of everything.
My only cons for the evening were that I believe they were a waiter short and they served us Costco sorbet for dessert... I think they ran out of the tempura ice cream. (giggle) But, we all know that you don't go there for the dessert.
Tips or Words of Wisdom:
1.) BE ADVENTUROUS! Try the jalapeno specials, they're our favorites of the a la carte menu.
2.) MAKE RESERVATIONS. Based on my experience, walk-ins are a hit or miss. I recall waiting 1hr for a table for 6 because we missed our reservation by 30mins on a Thrusday night and I recall going on a Sunday evening to wait 5mins for a table for 4. It all depends. But, if you want to be certain that you get a table for that evening without the wait, a call before 2pm (that day) should do and arrive on time.
3.) WEAR CLEAN SOCKS. Your fellow patrons will appreciate it.
Now, GO... enjoy and tell 'em that you were REFERRED BY SKY of Manhattan Beach.
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I was impressed with Irori. The "floor" tables are really cool.
The prices were reasonable and the good was great. Uni, ankimo, and ikura all tasted very fresh and extremely flavorful. Also ordered a couple of rolls for the table to share and all were very good.
I can't think of any negatives about this place. Only thing I wonder is how they accommodate large parties due to their floor arrangement.
Serving NATO! Definitely hardcore. The slow cooked octopus is delicious as well as the smoked salmon.
For sushi snobs on a budget. Not as pricey as The Hump, but then again, you get what you pay for.
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Yes, if you live on the westside this place is a gem - but it's really no better or worst than the myriad of other places across town. In fact, for what you get I find it a bit expensive.
Make reservations for dinner, particularly if you want the sushi bar. Nice little quirk in that you have to take off your shoes to enter the dining room.
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Let me start by saying this is my favorite sushi restaurant in Los Angeles and I've been coming here for at least 14 years. It was originally called
"East" when Massa owned it and a few years ago when he retired the name changed to "Irori". Sarah and her mom run a top notch establishment now. It is and has always been good. That has been consistant since the first day I went there. Excellent food, well prepared, with killer service. You can't go wrong with "Irori"
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One of my favorite local sushi joints in the LA area. Come here for the sashimi; rolls are only moderate...although I have grown a fondness to the lobster roll...haha. Toro sashimi is usually delicious.
The random location will throw you off, but definitely a good place to eat. Make reservations since the restaurant isn't too big. The service is usually excellent. Oh, and wear nice socks, i.e. no holes, since you have to take your shoes off upon entering.
Must haves: yellowtail in ponzu with jalepeno, blackened fish, iced green tea.
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My roommate and I hit this place up last night - yum! The food is great, good portion sizes and a big selection on the menu.
It's tucked in one of the little shopping malls on Glencoe, and you wouldn't know it was there unless someone showed you. The inside is suprisingly nice for it's location (looks like it should be fast food from the outside, but isn't). It's traditional in the sense that you have to take your shoes off and sit on the floor - I like that, it's fun.
Definitely a good Japanese restaraunt to check out if you live in the marina.
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This place is a hidden gem. It has a great ambiance and very friendly staff. At first I was a little worried about having to sit on the mats instead of in a chair, since I am a tall guy and sitting cross legged might be uncomfortable. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out the floor was raise and when you sit down, your legs are in a hidden drop floor underneath the table - very comfortable.
The sushi is very fresh and flavorful. The sake was excellent. The atmosphere is definitely more low key than rowdy. It is more of a great date place than a place to get a little drunk with the sushi chefs.
I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great sushi on the westside.
Have been there twice now and it has been quite consistent. I would recommend the Tempura Udon. The Sea Bass was nothing to rave about. However they have VERY fresh Sashimi.
The ambiance inside the restaurant is worth the trip. Quite authentic, you have to take off your shoes and insert them into little cubbies before heading into the dinning area.
Would advise to check your socks for holes before heading there.
We have been eating here for about a year now and love it. The service is always spot on and the food quality as well as taste is pure quality. The servers are quick to offer specials, which are always unique and delicious.
The atmosphere is very traditional with the raised wood floors and shoe racks at the front entrance. I recommend making a reservation.
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This place is cool. In fact, it's KEWL. Ha, so old school.
From the moment you take off your shoes and stick them into the cubbyholes by the front door (please do that, I do not want to trip over your shoes!) to either settling into cozy tables with recessed space for your legs or sitting at the bar, you are welcomed with friendly staff.
If you're not comfy with sitting without a chair back, you can ask for one.
The sushi chef that I love is Masa. He remembered me after a couple of visits and gave us special things. Everything's pretty good here but if you see Spanish mackerel, get it. It's the best thing on their specials menu. The toro's pretty good too but I'm more of a mackerel fan (gasp!).
Don't be put off the place is in a busy strip mall, it's still MDR!
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hot damn this place is good. granted i've only been here once so far and didn't get to fully explore the menu. but irori (palindrome) did well with my standard order.
we went here for a work lunch, based off a co-workers recommendation, and it was a great lunch. the place is tucked in a corner of nice strip mall and looks like nothing from the outside. but inside is a whole other story. when you first walk in, you see a wall of cubbies full of shoes. so obviously we take off our shoes and we're seated at the sushi bar. second cool point about this place is that all the tables and even the sushi bar are just a few inches off the ground, but to get around this, there are holes in the ground around every table and in front of the bar. very cool! i liked sitting in a hole. the seats at the bar were basically seat cushions and backs that were not fixed to the floor. very unique and very neat.
i order some tuna, uni, unagi, red snapper and one other fish i can't remember. all the sashimi was perfect, melted in my mouth, no chewing required. the uni was the highlight. i'm still defining my taste for uni but i really loved it here. the unagi was the only let down. i'm used to sakura sushi monster sized pieces of eel. irori's eel was good but just not great. prices were good too, seemed fairly standard for the quality of fish.
i will definitely be back here to try everything else on the menu and to sit in all the holes.
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An excellent, authentic Japanese/Sushi restaurant. We went for an early dinner on a week night and sat at the sushi bar. We had a wonderful time watching and speaking with the sushi chef (since it wasn't too busy,) he recommended a wonderful mushroom appetizer with 6 kinds of Japanese mushrooms in it. They also have delicious vegetarian choices in both their sushi and entrees. Great service, affordable prices and a unique atmosphere: you take your shoes off and sit on the "floor." Also close to Mar Vista.
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wear cute, clean socks because your shoes are coming off as soon as you're in the door. When walking to the table, with the seating recessed into the floor, I felt like a GIANT amongst mere mortals. I almost insisted on standing through dinner. I pictured it: I'd laugh- big, thunderous peels of laughter- while gesturing with an enormous bottle of saki in one fist, and my free arm draped around the neck of a large moose, which I would of course dwarf in comparison.
...and then I sat down..,or, scooted, more accurately.
Oh-- and then I ate a great meal of delectably fresh fish and expertly assembled rolls. And that hot saki that i did end up having was smoother than I expected and quite good.
Fair warning-- the chefs are really energetic and the waitstaff very attentive. If you're not careful, this could end up being your regular sushi spot.
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Great atmosphere and friendly service. You have to take your shoes off and all the tables are inset so you are sitting on the floor with a pillow...cool. As for the sushi - somewhere between good and excellent. Not the absolute best I've had but still good and beautifully presented. The portions are small and the prices are steep, but I'll be back to this tucked away little gem.
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