The quiet izakaya of Little Tokyo.
Premium sake, seared uni, bone marrow dengaku and thick-cut beef tongue — shared plates from Chef Yoshikazu Kondo, served in a small room on 2nd Street.
Good food. Good drink. A little happiness.
Once upon a time, a boy named Ninomiya Kinjiro rose from humble origins to become one of Japan's most beloved statesmen — bringing food and joy to the people during hard times through agricultural reform.
We, Nomiya (“tavern”) Kinjiro, carry on our namesake's mission: to bring happiness to every guest through good food and drink. Kinjiro is a small, modern izakaya specializing in premium Japanese sake, with a menu of traditional and contemporary sharing plates.
二宮金次郎の精神を受け継ぎ、「飲と食」を通し、お客様お一人お一人に、幸せをもたらすことを目指します。
Read our story
金次郎
The most elegant izakaya in Little Tokyo.Jonathan Gold · Los Angeles Times
The dishes people cross town for.
Everything is designed to share. We suggest two to three plates per guest — start cold, move to the grill, and finish with rice or noodles.
Bone Marrow Dengaku
Roasted marrow glazed with sweet miso, with toast for spreading.
Seared Uni
Sea urchin, kissed by the torch and served in its shell.
Thick-cut Beef Tongue
Grilled, with bright yuzu negi.
Uni Risotto
Rich, saline and impossibly creamy.
Squid Ink Udon
Inky noodles, squid, tomato and herb.
Start cold
Sashimi, cured fish, oysters in ponzu and chilled tofu wake the palate.
Pour sake
Over 40 labels — from crisp Niigata junmai to rare, limited daiginjo.
Go to the grill
Black cod in saikyo miso, wagyu short rib, duck with kanzuri.
Finish warm
Ochazuke, udon or curry rice — then something small and sweet.
A library of sake, poured by people who love it.
From everyday junmai to bottles that rarely leave Japan — Kokuryu, Kuheiji, Dassai, Tatenokawa and Born — our list is built for exploring.
Find us in Honda Plaza.
Address
424 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Honda Plaza, Little Tokyo · between Alameda St & Central Ave
Hours
| Monday | 5:30 – 10:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday – Saturday | 5:30 – 10:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Parking
Honda Plaza lot ($10, subject to availability), metered street parking and nearby public lots.
A small room. Worth planning ahead.
Reservations open at noon, exactly four weeks before your date — and they go fast. Email us your date, party size and preferred seating.