Perfect Restaurant Choices for Holiday Season Family/Friends Meet-up

There are only two months left in the year of 2023… Halloween is over and the holiday season is upon us! After the upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas will already be there before you know it, and the New Year 2024 is waiting just around the corner.

We assume that a lot of JapanUp! readers are planning to get together with friends and family at the end of the year. However, when you actually decide on a place, you may find that all the places are booked up and you can’t get in. It happens all the time. To avoid such a situation, let’s get the information early!

For this feature, JapanUp! editorial staff asked some restaurants their three recommended dishes. When you go to the restaurant, you can be sure to order these dishes!

To welcome the new year with a smile, you gotta make the best memories for the rest of the year with loved ones with DELICIOUS DISHES!!!

Table of Contents

TOKU UNAGI & SUSHI
Invite Your Family/Friends to Sushi and Real Japanese Unagi (eel), Found Only at Toku

Toku Unagi Japan was founded in 1909 in Shizuoka, Japan. They use the special unagi sauce that has been passed down from generation to generation and the same traditional cooking methods that have remained unchanged since the opening of the restaurant.

Toku Unagi and Sushi opened in 2019 on La Cienega Blvd, one of Southern California’s premier dining areas. Toku Unagi and Sushi is the only restaurant in the States that specializes in Japanese eel imported directly from Japan, offering dishes of high quality Japanese ingredients prepared by experienced chefs. An authentic and real Japanese eel is found only in Toku! Currently, thay have eight eel specialty restaurants in the States, Japan and Thailand. You can also enjoy a variety of Japanese sake.

Best 3 Must-Try Dishes

TOKU UNAGI & SUSHI

(310) 854-7285 | www.tokuusa.com
1106 N La Cienega, Suite 201, West Hollywood, CA 90069

HAPPA RESTAURANT
“Nomikai” Get-together with a wide variety of Japanese-style izakaya food and drinks!

HAPPA RESTAURANT, located in New Gardena Hotel, is where you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes and drinks. The spacious hall can accommodate large groups. While it has the dark and sick “Bar-ish” atmosphere, it can also be casual enough that you can stop by alone, on a date, with friends or with family.

The menu is full of unique dishes which probably cannot be found in other izakaya bars. HAPPA, of course, has a wide selection of shochu and wine in their bar. In addition, the hotel’s multi-story parking lot is free!

Open 7 days, until midnight except Sunday. Restaurant takes reservations at OPENTABLE.COM. It is the perfect place for any occasion including year-end gatherings, and can be rented out as a banquet room with an advanced booking. HAPPA offers customized menus for special requests.

Best 3 Must-Try Dishes

HAPPA RESTAURANT

(310) 323-8890 | www.happarestaurant.com
1641 W Redondo beach Blvd. Gardena CA 90247

Cafe Hiro
Share This Taste with Your Loved Ones

Cafe Hiro is located in Cypress and serves Japanese-inspired Western cuisine. The owner, trained in England and France, takes particular care with each dish, infusing them with complex flavors that captivate diners.

Large parties are welcome for this holiday season. There is no particular limit on the number of groups, but for a party of over 4 people, please call Cafe Hiro so the friendly staff will be able to help you for the best experience. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Only on Christmas Eve, December 24, a course meal is only served each year. “Omakase Course” is very reasonably priced at $45 per person and includes 3 appetizers, 1 salad, 2 pastas, and 2 main courses chosen by the chef to share with your loved ones. Courses are for two, three, and groups of four or more, all for $45 per person. The number of items in a course varies depending on the number of people. The course also includes a homemade dessert. Spend your special holiday enjoying a delicious meal with your loved ones at Cafe Hiro.

Best 3 Must-Try Dishes

Cafe Hiro

(714) 527-6090 | https://cafehiro.com
10509 Valley View St. Cypress, CA 90630

IZAKAYA HONDA-YA
Delicious Food and Décor to Experience the Japanese Izakaya

Izakaya Honda-Ya is authentic and nostalgic Japanese izakaya in Tustin provides about 250 menu items of well-prepared Japanese home cooking dishes. They also have tatami Japanese-style room, where you can have party with up to 20 people. They are kids-friendly! Let’s have party or family gathering at Honda-Ya! Don’t miss the popular Honda-ya original Sake and Beer!

Best 3 Must-Try Dishes

IZAKAYA HONDA-YA

(714) 832-0081 | www.izakayahondaya.com
556 El Camino Real. Tustin, CA 92780

KAPPO HONDA
You can experience the atmosphere of a good old Japanese Izakaya

Kappo Honda is a classic Japanese restaurant, which offers quality sushi and authentic Japanese dishes, including sashimi, tempura, grilled fish, ramen and more in Japanese Izakaya atmosphere.
The amazing variety of rolls and hand rolls makes it fun to choose.

A wide variety of menu for everyone from adults to children. It can be used for various occasions such as a meal with family, a drinking party with business associates, or a launch of an event.
They are open until late at night, so if you are hungry after a baseball watching, here is the perfect place for you!

Best 3 Must-Try Dishes

KAPPO HONDA

(714) 964-4629 | www.izakayahondaya.com
18450 Brookhurst St. Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Tamon Restaurant
Great Place for Large Gatherings

Tamon, opened by the Bishamon Group, which currently operates fifteen restaurants throughout Los Angeles and abroad, is located on the second floor of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. We can enjoy sushi and Japanese cuisine there.
Tamon offers everything by hand, even the sauce. The dishes seem simple, but they are deep and rich in flavor.

Since its opening, Tamon has become a popular venue for group events and a place to take a break, as the dining room can accommodate up to 50 people and the banquet room up to 80 people.

Private rooms are available for party events and business meetings, Banquet rooms at the Miyako Hotel are also available. Reservations can be made at [email protected]. Or scan the QR code and email us.

Best 3 Must-Try Dishes

Tamon Restaurant

(213) 617-7839 (We cannot accept voice message) | E-mail: [email protected]
www.tamon-ten.com
328 E. 1st St. Miyako Hotel 2F, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Kagura
Kagura, the people’s favorite melt-in-your-mouth TONKATSU restaurant

Kagura’s specialty Tonkatsu pork cutlets are made from the finest selected kurobuta black pork and fried with special raw breadcrumbs. Crunchy breading and juicy pork meat are the secret behind its popularity. Pork cutlets are served with ground sesame and house made Tonkatsu sauce. For lunch, gozen plate with many small dishes is also recommended.
Adding a slight change of menu each month. A variety of appetizers are prepared; best for Year-end party season!

Various selections of sake, shochu, and beer are available. They also offer limited-time and quantities special sake, too.
Booth tables are great for business meals and romantic dinner. Private rooms are available for your party! (Reservation recommended.)