Washoku Guide
Cities/Los Angeles/Izakaya/OTOTO
Los Angeles · Izakaya · a la carte

OTOTO

IzakayaSake BarIzakayaEcho ParkJames BeardJizakeOden

Courtney Kaplan's James Beard Award-winning sake bar in Echo Park — exclusively small-brewery Japanese jizake, with oden, katsu sando, and okonomiyaki as bar snacks.

Price
¥¥
Area
Echo Park
Since
2019
Chef
Charles Namba
Owner
Charles Namba & Courtney Kaplan
OTOTO — authentic izakaya restaurant in Los Angeles, Echo Park
Plate № 01
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About
Ototo opened in 2019 as the sibling sake bar to Tsubaki, operated by Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplan. Kaplan, who spent years in Japan, curates a sake list from small Japanese breweries (jizake) not typically available elsewhere in Los Angeles. The bar was recognized with a James Beard Award.
Neighborhood & visiting

OTOTO sits in Echo Park, one of Los Angeles's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • James Beard Award-winning sake bar
  • Courtney Kaplan: years in Japan, exclusive jizake selection
  • Small-brewery Japanese sake not available elsewhere in LA

Sibling bar to Michelin Bib Gourmand Tsubaki next door.

Links
Website →Map →Yelp →Tripadvisor →Instagram →

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Frequently asked

About OTOTO

Is OTOTO an authentic izakaya restaurant in Los Angeles?
Yes — OTOTO is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for izakaya in Los Angeles: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
Where is OTOTO located?
OTOTO is located at 1360 Allison Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026, Los Angeles, USA in the Echo Park neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at OTOTO?
OTOTO does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in Los Angeles we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at OTOTO?
OTOTO sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for izakaya of this format in Los Angeles.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles →Izakaya in Los Angeles →Authentic izakaya worldwide →All cities →