Yamashiro Hollywood: Dining in Japan Without Booking a Plane Ticket

With an interior that reportedly cost 2 million dollars to create, Yamashiro Hollywood takes pride in replicating its name, which means “mountain palace” in Japanese. Its precise design recreates a Japanese landscape through serene koi ponds, well-kempt botanics, running waterfalls, and wooden architecture. The just-over-110-year-old restaurant is a Japanese getaway in the middle of LA with beautiful views and authentic dishes, beautiful and delicious in all aspects.

The property is more than just a place to eat, complete with full courtyards and private dining rooms to immerse its guests into its relaxing atmosphere. For example, the Koi Dining Room is a large space intended to host events like wedding receptions and birthday dinners. Yamashiro is known for welcoming (and even assisting) with planning weddings on its property due to its picturesque yet accessible nature to Angelenos. Guests are welcome to explore the details carefully placed throughout the grounds in the Garden Courtyard, which includes a genuine 600-year-old pagoda and antique Buddha statue. In the Skyview room, the restaurant overlooks one of the city’s best skylines, showcasing Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Wilshire as a reminder that the guests have not left the city despite being fully immersed in Japanese culture. Even some of the most famous Hollywood celebrities have enjoyed what Yamashiro has to offer, including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Brad Pitt.

But the real showstopper of Yamashiro is its menu; created by Executive Chef Jae Hee Lee, the restaurant stays consistently updated with seasonal menus that incorporate the restaurant’s Californian home with its Japanese influences. Yamashiro invites guests of all different tastes to dine at the establishment, and menu favorites include meats and seafood like the Wagyu Sukiyaki, Ginger Soy Pork Chop, and Lobster Handkerchief Pasta from their current menu. Chef Jae Hee Lee also offers a wide selection of sushi and sashimi, such as the special Yamashiro Roll that includes three types of fish, tuna, salmon, and Hamachi, alongside Californian staple ingredients such as avocado and spicy mayo. His mission is to provide “ichi-go, ichi-e”, which entails his devotion to honor Yamashiro chefs’ traditions from generations prior through making each guests’ experience at the restaurant exceptional.

The novelty of a restaurant with the level of care Yamashiro puts into all aspects of its restaurant makes it a truly special place with over a century in Los Angeles’ history. It provides a space for guests to escape and step into a haven of Japanese culture without ever having to leave the familiarity of the city.