There are more than handful of good Japanese barbecue places in Los Angeles, but you simply can not beat Nanbankan. Located in West Los Angeles, Nonbankan’s specialty is yakitori, which in layman terms means “meat on a stick.” Their skewered meats are authentic and delicious, grilled at a bar where you can actually reserve a few seats and watch the chefs at barbecue whileyou eat!
The best thing about Nanbankan for me is that everything is barbecued and grilled fresh, from their meat to their veggies, and not loaded with fat. Like sushi, yakitori at Nanbankan is served a la carte because the portion sizes are small. They serve all different types of delicious vegetables from the grill, like squash, baby zucchini, and corn, as well as chicken garnished with shiso leaf served without sauce or salt. There are also combination plates too, that come with rice, soup, tea, and ice cream for dessert. Even if you are not a fan of traditional yakitori, there is something at Nanbankan for everyone to enjoy.
My only suggestion to you if you decide to visit Nanbankan in the near future would be that you make a reservation in advance, especially if you want to sit at the yakitori bar. The place gets packed even during the week! Also, the front of the restaurant is a little hard to see from the street, which can deter many people from visiting, but the inside is a far cry from the somewhat sheltered exterior. Once you step inside it is elegant, cozy, and warm, and the staff greets you like an old friend. It is a true Los Angeles gem!
References:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nanbankan-los-angeles
