A vibrant neighborhood izakaya serving seasonal small plates, noodle dishes, and dumplings in a cozy, bustling atmosphere perfect for sharing.
"You spent five hours smiling and nodding at strangers at a work conference today, and you’re pretty much done having conversations. Spend some quality alone time at the bar at Tsubaki, the modern izakaya in Echo Park. This spot is arguably better experienced by yourself - when you sit at the bar, the chefs will pour you sake without you even asking, tell you stories, and generally make every part of this already-great izakaya even better." - amy clark, brett keating
"A collaborative dinner event featuring a 10-course menu by chefs from Echo Park izakaya Tsubaki and Thai restaurant Holy Basil, taking place on March 18." - Rebecca Roland
"The sister restaurant of Ototo, Tsubaki is a 35-seat izakaya with an extensive wine and sake program from Courtney Kaplan. Expect dishes like donabe steamed clams, wagyu kushiyaki, yaki onigiri, and charcoal-grilled chicken hearts from chef Charles Namba, a veteran of Bouchon. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time; though Tsubaki has been open since 2017, it tends to fill up every night." - Rebecca Roland
"Known for its Japanese cuisine, frequented by Lesley Suter." - Eater Staff
"For refined Japanese cooking, it’s hard to think of a better place than Tsubaki. The diminutive Echo Park restaurant (and attached sake bar and snacks spot Ototo) is perfect for a Monday night celebration, dining over dry-aged sashimi, silken tofu, and grill-kissed meats." - Eater Staff
