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Today, I’m going to talk about what is truly one of the most magical places I’ve been to in LA: Yuko Kitchen. From the decor to the food, you will undoubtedly have a one-of-a-kind experience at Yuko.
Yuko Kitchen has two locations: one in Miracle Mile and one in DTLA. The original Miracle Mile location opened about 10 years ago and is slightly smaller than the DTLA location, which opened in 2018. Yuko Kitchen DTLA also has a sister restaurant around the block called Yuko Soup Bar, where, as you might guess from the name, soup is the specialty.
Yuko, the owner, is originally from Japan and began her culinary career as a sushi chef. She eventually started a catering business before opening her own restaurant in the Miracle Mile neighborhood.
The groovy logo, the wall art, and the lush foliage instantly reminded me of the decor from an early 2000s movie. I immediately thought of Mia’s mom from The Princess Diaries. They lived in a super cool loft in San Francisco, and her mom was an artist.
Yuko Kitchen also doubles as a deli and market where you can buy fresh produce.
At the time of my visit, Yuko Kitchen was celebrating 12 years in business. To celebrate it, Yuko shared this photo along with a heartfelt Instagram caption:
“Yuko Kitchen, my kitchen in DTLA which I built as the success reward from the first location in Miracle Mile and this is where all the magical happens lol. It is usually crowded with my other staff members though working alone early morning is a Golden time for me. As a solo immigrant from early 20’s, I used to work a lot so I didn’t feel loneliness, and working for my own dream was a pride that gave me this energy. I used to be a sushi chef, hated being in front of all the customers. Kitchen was my safe place I often escaped from. And it is still it is. I find peace here. All those years, 100s of menu items were created and served to thousands and thousands of people from Yuko Kitchen. I saw kids were growing up here and there, telling me they love me and my food lol. I may not be the most friendly people person though I am very grateful that been loved by so many people. Thank you! Yuko Kitchen is almost 12 years old!”
I went to the downtown location. The exterior of the business is lined with shrubs for privacy. When I opened the door, I stepped into an oasis filled with ceramic ornaments, brightly colored walls, and hanging plants everywhere. It truly felt like I had just been transported into a secret garden protected from the chaos of Downtown LA.
Being the only person dining inside made the experience feel even more intimate. Throughout the restaurant, you’ll find decorative items, Japanese beverages for sale, and a gorgeous assortment of houseplants.
I can’t talk about Yuko Kitchen without mentioning the generous portions, which were a pleasant surprise. The meal also came with complimentary ginger-carrot soup and cookies. It goes without saying that you will leave completely satisfied. At Yuko Kitchen, everything from the soup to the cookies is made on the premises.
This was the Fish Plate ($13). The BBQ catfish was incredibly tender, and the thick, slightly sweet sauce added a delicious punch of flavor. The two spicy tuna rice pieces were large, crispy, and full of flavor. I loved that they added a generous amount of ginger, which gave the salad a zesty kick.
The food was really good, but the winner for me was definitely the atmosphere.
After my meal, I headed over to its sister restaurant, Yuko Soup Bar, which was also teeming with plants and filled with kitschy decor. There’s even an upstairs seating area where guests can enjoy their soup while overlooking the beautiful space below, complete with a living room setup featuring a couch and a lamp.
I talked to Fritz, the employee working at Yuko Soup Bar. He said that for first-time visitors, the Miracle Mile location might be a better choice because it offers free parking, unlike the DTLA location. Personally, I prefer the DTLA location, but I’d recommend visiting on a weekday, like I did. Whichever location you choose, you’re in for a great dining experience.
Yuko Kitchen Miracle Mile – 5484 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
Yuko Kitchen DTLA – 101 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Yuko Soup Bar – 125 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Note: Yuko Kitchen also offers catering and is available through food delivery apps.
Jaime Lauren, a former contestant on culinary TV shows such as Top Chef and co-founder of 2 Jewish Girls from NYC, mentioned Yuko Kitchen as one of her favorite restaurants in LA. Read it here.
