Nanbankan is an absolute gem in the world of yakitori, and it effortlessly earns a solid five stars in my book. From the moment you step in, the ambiance sets the stage for an authentic and intimate dining experience. The warm lighting and the cozy, rustic decor make it an inviting space, perfect for enjoying the artistry of yakitori. The star of the show, of course, is the yakitori itself. Each skewer is a masterpiece, expertly grilled to perfection. The variety of meats and seasonings showcase the chef's skill and dedication to the craft. The Tsukune, in particular, is a flavor explosion that leaves a lasting impression. The menu offers a delightful array of options, ensuring there's something for every palate. The service at Nanbankan is impeccable. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about yakitori. They guided us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm, making the dining experience not just a meal but a journey into the world of exquisite flavors. In a city filled with dining options, Nanbankan stands out as a yakitori haven. Whether you're a seasoned yakitori enthusiast or a first-timer, this spot is a must-visit. The quality of the food, coupled with the inviting atmosphere and stellar service, makes Nanbankan a five-star destination that I'll be returning to again and again.

This is one of my favorite spots in West LA, the food is delicious and the ambience is perfect! The service is so great, I think it's a couple that runs it, and they are so cute, professional, and welcoming! Every time I come here, I have the best experience, thank you so much, and I'll be back again!

Absolutely gas!!! I would recommend this skewer place to anyone who visits LA. Skewers were delicious and the yaki onigiri is amazing. Excellent service and a great ambiance.

I frequent this fine Japanese establishment for the past two decades and remains spectacular. This is probably, because the owner is there and genuinely cares. You probably already know that they were at this fine yakitori since 1975! The skewers of carefully assembled veggies, all parts of chicken, whole smelts (beautiful small fish), mushrooms, pork wrapped in shiso leaf, or the dishes served on plates - like the black cod, lamb chops / all grilled to perfection on charcoal... these are all good reasons to come and spend considerable length of time with your friends. The ambience is lively as it gets busy (you need a reservation) and they play great jazz just before closing. We're lucky to have this wonderful establishment in our city. Cheers

Rumors are swirling that this was Nobuyuki Matsuhisa goto spot for a relaxed dinner before he dropped the "uyuki Matsuhisa" and became known as just "Nobu." Being known by only 4 letters is such a power move ahahaha... I think I'm gonna start going by... "John." Walking into Nanban-Kan is like entering a wormhole in the sense that you walk right off of the trash littered high traffic street that is Santa Monica Blvd, and enter into an authentic Yakitori restaurant in the heart of Shinjuku. The waiting room is separated from the dining area by a short white curtain with Japanese script, and a small, maybe 10 inch, TV that has likely been hanging in that very spot since the early 90s. As I was taking in the ambiance, surrounded by traditional Japanese art and framed light flexes of Nanban-Kan being mentioned in magazines and articles, a well dressed Japanese man came and greeted us. His suit jacket fit so perfectly, that thing was DEFINITELY tailored. Don't ever mess with someone in a tailored suit you know they mean business ahahaa. He was working that room so crazy too ahahaha, just talking to all the customers, having them laughing a little too hard, checking in on everybody every so often, etc. You can tell he BEEN doing this. We were seated at the bar in the middle of the room that wraps around the open kitchen concept where you can see them grilling your skewers right in front of you. Lol I said "open kitchen." The Japanese invented the open kitchen, it really should be called the "Japanese Kitchen." The front page of the laminated menu read "Yakitori and other good things," and idk why that made me laugh, but they are NOT lyin. I came with one of my best friends, who doesn't post me on social media anymore because I don't have enough clout, as he LOVES this place with all his soul. He asked "You cool if I just order for us?" Honestly, I always say yes to anyone who asks this question because how could I not respect that level of confidence? And to be fair he does have impeccable food taste, even though he wont post me. All in all, we got shishito peppers, hot dog, bacon wrapped asparagus, eggplant, dark meat chicken, white meat chicken, NY steak, chicken leg, shrimp, fish, chicken liver, and mushrooms. I've been trying to string together some glowing adjectives intertwined with some sly metaphors and similes that will make you laugh and then cry in the same thought loop to get across how delicious this food was, but I'm just gonna leave you with this: I get why Chef Nobu was an alleged regular here. I often see restaurants that were once amazing start to go through the motions after a certain amount of time. To be in business 40+ years like Nanban-Kan has and still have this level of care and attention to detail defies the known laws of physics....they must be operating in the quantum physics realm.... Eternally grateful that my friend showed me this place, even though he won't post me haha :( -John IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__reviews

Absolute GEM hidden off the main path in Sawtelle. The staff here are so sweet and attentive; I always feel so welcome each time I arrive. The food here is insanely fresh and served directly off the grill to you. I love that they serve everything as it finishes being cooked so you are getting it in its prime. The vegetables wrapped in bacon are by far my favorite thing on the menu - they come out tasting perfectly charred and cooked to perfection. The dessert here is incredibly reasonably priced and DELICIOUS. I've already decided I'll be back on a weekly basis and I cannot wait. Immaculate vibes and ambiance at this traditional Japanese spot :)

We had an exceptional dinner at this Japanese izakaya! Located off Sawtelle, the restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside. Once you enter, you're transported to a calm and peaceful atmosphere for dinner. Definitely recommend getting there around opening time unless you have a reservation. We witnessed the owner turning a few people away since they didn't have one. We ordered the dinner set, which came with 7-8 different skewers, rice, and miso soup. We were worried it wouldn't be enough food but it surprisingly was the perfect portion for each of us. Our favorite skewers were the chicken wings and grilled meatballs. The meatballs were so flavorful and had a nice char on the sides. We loved the matcha ice cream after our meal. The service was very friendly and attentive. We will definitely be coming back!

I really loveeee this place! I did some research before the visit and I knew it was going to be popular, tried several calls to make a reservation but no one picked up. But I just wanted yakitori so much that I decided to just come here early when it first opens. They let us in to sit down and wait before the official open time, which is really sweet because it was quite cold that night, ppl are so nice here they check on us quietly literally every min to see whether we need something. Food is great at a really acceptable price, yakitori is one of the pricy Japanese cuisines, so I was extremely happy to have this meal with even the hot sake at such a price. I like all the food I ordered here.

One of my favorite Yakitori Places in LA! Nanbankan is by far one of my favorite places to get some great yakitori skewers when I'm craving some quick, grilled meat! Each skewer is priced under $10 for the most part, depending on what type of meat you get. Make sure to check out their specials which are really good! This time we got their lamb and miso cod which was a must! I HIGHLY recommend calling to make a reservation before you go, however the line is always busy and you still might have to wait to get seated even with a reservation. There is a bunch of street parking nearby as well!