Among the most widely embraced features of the Japanese American culture is their food - one that is geared towards health consciousness. The famous 'California maki' is a glaring evidence that proves how relatively mainstream Japanese fare has become in the extensive American menu.

Since 1905, the district called Little Tokyo was already home to over 3,500 original migrants from the 'secluded' archipelago across the Pacific Ocean. Nowadays, the Little Tokyo and Sawtelle District in Los Angeles comprised a fraction of the entire 1,411,188 Japanese-Americans living in the United States.

Like most of the US cities with the long history of coexistence with the Japanese Americans, the Japanese restaurants in LA are very competitive commercial outlets. These are examples of the 5 best places to try out authentic Japanese food in Los Angeles:

Inaba. Soba is not exactly a more renowned noodle dish than ramen as far as ordinary Americans are concerned. But people who have tried this signature noodle recipe in Inaba could easily elevate it as the best Japanese food in Los Angeles. From a $13 soba to a $55 dinner set, Inaba is also best known for its medium-cost quality.

Yabu. The original restaurant that stands in old Sawtelle is one of the oldest noodle bistros serving soba outside Little Tokyo. This restaurant has a reasonably affordable price range for Japanese food in Los Angeles - anywhere between $11 and $30.

Robata Jinya. Robata Jinya has become one of the most popular Japanese restaurants in LA because of its flamboyant interior design. The restaurant interiors seem to copy the ambiance of a samurai aristocrat's luxurious household with its dim lighting and wood-based architecture. This restaurant serves delicious signature 'disciplined' dishes like organic tofu and other predominantly vegetable-based fares.    

Sushi Gen. As one of the mid-range Japanese restaurants in LA, Sushi Gen is famous for its namesake dish. This restaurant is ranked No. 15 by Trip Advisor in all fine dining tourist eateries in Los Angeles. Diners should expect a price range of $30 to $60.

Nobu Malibu. If there is one Japanese bistro in Los Angeles that is heavily influenced by Western and international elements, it is the Nobu Malibu. This elite luxury restaurant sports a minimalist 5-star hotel interior with a scenic coastal view of the Pacific Ocean.