Makomae Japanese Cuisine Introduce
For those of us in California who appreciate the genuine artistry and nuanced flavors of Japanese cuisine, finding a spot that truly transports you can be a delightful quest. In Diamond Bar, locals have discovered a remarkable "hole in the wall" gem: Makomae Japanese Cuisine. This unassuming yet exceptional restaurant has quickly become a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic, traditional Japanese dining experience, without having to leave the comfort of Southern California.
Makomae Japanese Cuisine stands out for its unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. Patrons consistently rave about the "consistently excellent" sashimi and sushi, a testament to the freshness of their ingredients and the skill of their chefs. What truly sets Makomae apart, however, is its ability to create an atmosphere that genuinely makes you "feel like you're in Japan." This immersive experience, combined with incredibly reasonable prices, offers an unparalleled value in the local dining scene.
Beyond the impressive freshness of their raw fish, Makomae ensures that every dish, from sushi to hot entrees, is "full of rich, fresh, and satisfying taste." They skillfully balance traditional Japanese flavors with a subtle adjustment to suit American palates, making their cuisine broadly appealing while retaining its authentic essence. If you're craving a true taste of Japan in Diamond Bar, Makomae Japanese Cuisine is a highly recommended destination that promises a genuine culinary journey.
Makomae Japanese Cuisine is conveniently situated at 868 N Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, USA. This address places it along a key thoroughfare in Diamond Bar, a community well-known for its accessibility and vibrant local businesses in the San Gabriel Valley.
While described as a "small hole in the wall place," its location on N Diamond Bar Boulevard ensures good visibility and ease of access for customers. Being on a main road, the restaurant is simple to find, whether you're a long-time resident or navigating the area for the first time. For those driving, commercial areas like this typically offer adequate parking, making visits convenient and stress-free.
The accessibility of Makomae Japanese Cuisine makes it a practical choice for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner, allowing locals to easily satisfy their cravings for authentic Japanese food without significant travel. Its presence in a well-trafficked part of Diamond Bar ensures it remains a beloved and easily reachable spot for its dedicated clientele.
Makomae Japanese Cuisine provides a focused yet comprehensive range of services, prioritizing the delivery of authentic and high-quality Japanese food, primarily emphasizing the in-dining experience with a strong takeout option:
Dine-In Service: Makomae offers a small, cozy dining area. Despite its size, the atmosphere is noted for creating an "authentic, traditional Japanese vibe," making it a highly recommended spot for an immersive dining experience. It's ideal for a smaller group or intimate meal.
Lunch and Dinner Service: The restaurant operates with specific hours for both lunch and dinner, catering to different dining needs throughout the day. Typical hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM for lunch, and then reopening from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for dinner. This split schedule ensures fresh preparation for each service.
Extensive Menu: Makomae offers a broad selection of Japanese dishes. While renowned for its "sashimi and sushi," their menu also includes a variety of hot dishes. Patrons can expect appetizers like Edamame, Garlic Edamame, Karaage, and Baby Bomb. Their sushi and sashimi menu is diverse, featuring Nigiri Sushi (Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Albacore, etc.), Sashimi plates, and classic rolls (California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Rainbow Roll, Dragon Roll). They also offer Dinner from the Sushi Bar, including Chirashi, Uni & Ikura Don, and Tekka Don. Noodle dishes like Udon and other sides such as Chawanmushi are also available, showcasing a comprehensive Japanese culinary offering.
Takeout Option: While known for its authentic dine-in ambiance, Makomae Japanese Cuisine also offers takeout. Some sources indicate a strong takeout operation, especially during busy periods, implying that customers can call in their orders for convenient pickup, ensuring they can enjoy Makomae's delicious food even on the go.
Makomae Japanese Cuisine is distinguished by several key features and highlights that consistently receive glowing reviews from its loyal customers:
Consistently Excellent Sashimi and Sushi: This is a recurring and strong point of praise. Customers highlight the unwavering quality and freshness of the sashimi and sushi, describing it as "consistently excellent." This commitment to premium ingredients is a major draw.
Exceptional Value for Price: Despite the high quality, patrons emphasize that the "value for the price is even better." This makes Makomae an incredibly attractive option, offering top-tier Japanese cuisine at "very reasonably priced" rates, which is a significant advantage in the competitive California market.
Authentic, Traditional Japanese Vibes: One of the most unique and praised features is the atmosphere itself. Despite being a "small hole in the wall place," it genuinely "makes you feel like you're in Japan." This traditional ambiance contributes significantly to an immersive and memorable dining experience.
Absolutely Delicious Food: Across the board, the food is described as "absolutely delicious." This applies to everything from "the sushi to the hot dishes," all of which are noted to be "full of rich, fresh, and satisfying taste."
Flavors Adjusted for American Palates: While maintaining authenticity, the flavors are "slightly adjusted to suit American palates." This thoughtful approach ensures broad appeal, making the traditional Japanese tastes accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of diners without compromising integrity.
Highly Recommended for Genuine Experience: Customers "highly recommend" Makomae if you're "craving a genuine Japanese dining experience." This endorsement highlights its success in delivering on its promise of authenticity and quality.
While specific, regularly advertised "promotions" in the traditional sense (like weekly discounts on certain items) are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the core value proposition of Makomae Japanese Cuisine itself serves as a continuous special offer for its patrons. The consistent feedback of "value for the price is even better" and "very reasonably priced" indicates that the restaurant's everyday pricing already offers significant savings for high-quality Japanese food.
Instead of fleeting deals, Makomae's standing offer is the reliable delivery of authentic, delicious, and fresh Japanese cuisine at an accessible price point. This inherent value makes it a preferred choice for regulars who appreciate not having to wait for a special occasion to enjoy premium sushi and traditional dishes.
It is always a good idea for patrons to inquire directly with the restaurant about any seasonal specials or chef's recommendations that might feature unique ingredients or limited-time offerings. Many authentic Japanese restaurants highlight daily fresh catches or seasonal preparations that, while not "promotions" in a discount sense, offer a special culinary experience. Makomae's commitment to "rich, fresh, and satisfying taste" implies that they prioritize such offerings to maintain their high standards.
To experience the authentic Japanese flavors and cozy ambiance of Makomae Japanese Cuisine, here's how you can get in touch:
Address: 868 N Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, USA
Phone: (909) 861-6537
Mobile Phone: +1 909-861-6537
With both a traditional phone line and a mobile contact, Makomae Japanese Cuisine ensures easy accessibility for its customers. You can use these numbers to inquire about their current hours, make a reservation for their intimate dining space, or place an order for convenient takeout. Given their popularity and small size, calling ahead for dinner or during peak lunch hours is advisable to ensure a smooth experience.
For the residents of Diamond Bar and surrounding communities in California, Makomae Japanese Cuisine is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended dining destination. Its unique blend of authenticity, quality, and value makes it a truly special find in the local culinary landscape. Locals seeking a genuine taste of Japan will be delighted by the restaurant's ability to create an "authentic, traditional Japanese vibe," making every visit feel like a mini-getaway to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The consistent praise for "consistently excellent sashimi and sushi" underscores the restaurant's dedication to using the freshest ingredients and maintaining high standards of preparation. This commitment to quality is crucial for discerning Californian palates. Furthermore, the fact that this high quality comes at an "even better" "value for the price" means that residents can enjoy premium Japanese cuisine regularly without straining their budgets. This affordability, combined with the assurance of delicious, satisfying flavors—even those subtly adjusted to suit American preferences—makes Makomae a pragmatic and appealing choice for everyday dining as well as special occasions.
Despite being a "small hole in the wall place," its charm and immense popularity speak volumes. It's the kind of local spot that fosters a sense of community and pride, where patrons know they can always expect a warm welcome and an exceptional meal. For anyone in Diamond Bar craving a truly genuine and delicious Japanese dining experience, Makomae Japanese Cuisine is an indispensable local treasure that truly delivers.
Makomae Japanese Cuisine Photos










Makomae Japanese Cuisine Location
Makomae Japanese Cuisine
868 N Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, USA
Makomae Japanese Cuisine Reviews
The sashimi and sushi is consistently excellent and the value for the price is even better. I can't wait to return.
Dec 15, 2024 · Thomas McAndrewIf you're looking for authentic, traditional Japanese vibes, this small hole in the wall place is a must-visit! The food is absolutely delicious and very reasonably priced. The atmosphere truly makes you feel like you're in Japan. And the flavors are slightly adjusted to suit American palates, everything, from the sushi to the hot dishes, is full of rich, fresh, and satisfying taste. Highly recommend if you’re craving a genuine Japanese dining experience!
Apr 27, 2025 · Nixie SilbaughMakomae is a hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant in Diamond Bar. We went for (my bday) dinner on a Wednesday - without a reservation - and there was about a 20 minute wait, so not too bad.Here's what we recommend:- Premium chirashi bowl ($34.95): this was amazing value. There was chutoro, uni, amaebi, salmon, tuna, and a whole lot more in this bowl. We even got the fried shrimp head on the side with it. Fish was amazingly fresh and we were very impressed! It's a must try!- Salmon skin salad ($11.95): another dish with amazing value. It was overflowing with salmon skin. Another must try!We also tried the fried geso aka squid legs ($7.95), agedashi tofu ($6.95), and gyutan aka beef tongue ($8.95). These were ok, we'd recommend sticking to the premium chirashi and salmon skin salad. There is also an omakase option available for 10 pieces that comes out to like $60-70pp. Not bad value given how expensive omakases are in LA.There are limited tables at the restaurant so get there early. Or make a reservation ahead of time. Ample parking spaces in the lot. Would highly recommend and will definitely be back.
Nov 10, 2023 · Marc RilleraThe seafood was very unfresh and had a strong fishy smell. I’ve eaten at this restaurant many times before and even recommended it to others, but this time was especially bad—I won’t be coming back. Even now, 30 minutes after finishing my meal, I still have that fishy taste in my mouth.Also, a heads-up to other customers: be careful, you might get quietly talked about by the staff. This review is just to let you know that some people can understand Japanese, so if you think no one notices when staff are whispering snide comments while you’re eating—you might be wrong.
Mar 28, 2025 · Cheryl ChenWhat a gem! The Premium chirashi bowl was absolutely delicious! And Uni and Ikura don - so good you want to squeak with every bite. Japanese uni was tender and sweet, perfect! And lunch prices are super reasonable.Note: Makomae opens at 11:30 am, but by that time there's already a line of people waiting.
Feb 15, 2024 · Natalia Pavlova
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