Los Angeles Spotlight: Kinjiro

Kinjiro is an acclaimed, upscale, and intimate Japanese Izakaya (a type of casual Japanese gastropub that serves small plates and drinks) located in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles.¹

It has been praised for offering an elevated and sophisticated take on Izakaya dining, earning it the moniker of the “most elegant izakaya in Little Tokyo” from the late food critic Jonathan Gold in 2015.²

🌟 What Makes Kinjiro Unique

• Elevated Izakaya Experience: Kinjiro specializes in a blend of traditional and contemporary artisanal Japanese small plates using high-quality ingredients.³ Unlike a typical casual Izakaya, Kinjiro offers a refined dining experience that requires reservations.⁴

   

• The Chef and Cuisine: Opened in 2014, Kinjiro features the skillful cooking of Chef Yoshikazu Kondo.⁵ His background includes culinary training in France, Italy, and Spain, in addition to Japan, which influences the contemporary twists found in some of the dishes.⁶

   

• Intimate Atmosphere: The restaurant is small and often described as intimate and unpretentious yet elegant, with a minimalist setting that focuses the attention on the food and service.⁷

   

• Curated Sake List: Owner Jun Isogai is known for his highly curated and impressive list of premium Japanese sake, beer, and wine, which is central to the Izakaya concept.⁸

   

• Focus on Ingredients: The restaurant is known for its impeccably sourced ingredients, such as high-quality uni (sea urchin), A5 Wagyu beef, and even rice imported from Japan and freshly processed in the U.S.⁹

   

📜 History and Namesake

• Establishment: Kinjiro soft-opened in mid-November 2014 in Honda Plaza, Little Tokyo.¹⁰

   

• Namesake: The restaurant is named after Ninomiya Kinjiro (Sontoku), a 19th-century Japanese statesman and agricultural reformer.¹¹ The restaurant states it strives to carry on his mission to “bring happiness to our customers via good food & drink.”¹²

   

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

Kinjiro’s menu is designed for sharing, and while some items may rotate, consistent favorites and critically acclaimed dishes include:

• Seared Uni: A signature and highly-praised dish, often served dynamically seared with a cream sauce or with wakame and nori.¹³

   

• Uni Risotto: A decadent and highly recommended dish, often cited as one of the best uni preparations in Los Angeles.¹⁴

   

• Bone Marrow Dengaku: Bone marrow that is miso-glazed and broiled, offering a rich and savory experience.¹⁵

   

• Thick-cut Beef Tongue: Often served grilled with yuzu negi, or as part of the Beef Tendon, Tongue Miso Stew or Beef Tongue Curry Rice.¹⁶

   

• Wasabi Potato Salad with Ikura & Smoked Salmon: A unique and popular appetizer.¹⁷

   

• Japanese (Miyazaki) A5+ Wagyu Strip: A pricier, high-quality grilled meat option.
• Agedashi Fried Tofu with Organic Mushrooms Ankake Sauce.¹⁸

   

• Sake Kasu Crème Brulee: A unique dessert flavored with sake lees.¹⁹

   

🗣️ Customer Feedback

Customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with high ratings and mentions of:

• Exceptional Food and Service: Reviewers consistently highlight the delicious, fresh, and perfectly executed dishes, often accompanied by outstanding, friendly, and unpretentious service.²⁰

   

• Presentation: The food is frequently noted for its beautiful and considered presentation.²¹

   

• Must-Try Dishes: The uni dishes (especially the risotto and seared uni), bone marrow, and beef tongue are almost universally recommended.²²

   

• Reservation Policy: Due to its small size, securing a reservation is essential and is often cited as the main operational challenge for diners.²³

   

• Service Charge: An 18% service charge is automatically added to the check in lieu of gratuity.²⁴

   

📅 Significant Events

The most significant event related to Kinjiro’s reputation was its early recognition:

• 2015 “Most Elegant Izakaya” Title: Receiving a glowing review from the highly influential food critic Jonathan Gold in 2015, which cemented its status as a top dining destination in Little Tokyo and Los Angeles.²⁵

   

Beyond this, as an intimate restaurant focused on dining, its “events” are primarily the continuous stream of high praise and inclusion in various “Best of LA” and “Must-Try” lists over the years.

📍 Contact and Location Details

Operating Hours (Subject to change):

• Monday, Wednesday – Saturday: 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM²⁶

   

• Closed Tuesdays and Sundays²⁷