Our History
Suehiro Cafe is a legacy restaurant that serves Japanese Comfort Food in Downtown LA and Chinatown! For over 50 years and counting, our family has served mouth-watering dishes from tonkatsu to our beloved House Special. We have served multi-generations, serving couples on their first dates to when they start having their own children. Thank you for continuing to show us support and enjoying our food—It is our only wish!
1972:
Suehiro Café was opened by two sisters, Junko Suzuki and Yuriko Suzuki on 2nd Street. It was their dream of serving authentic Japanese comfort food to the people of America. This path was much harder than they had imagined, but they never gave up, and that allowed things to become incrementally easier.
Junko standing in the original 2nd Street location
1990:
Moved from the 2nd Street to the 1st Street location in the Sperl building.
Picture taken approximately in the late 1980’s. We were evicted from the old 2nd street location when the entire block was sold to an investor and was scheduled to be torn down. We were lucky enough to secure this 1st Street location. In the picture is my mother (middle) and my grandmother (right) and one of the waitresses.
2001:
Junko retires and her son, Kenji Suzuki, has been running the family business since. He wants to continue what his mother and aunt had started and to remember / appreciate all the sacrifices that were made by them that have made Suehiro Café into what it is today.
Kenji Suzuki (pictured left side) with his family dining at Suehiro Cafe.
Kenji Suzuki, current owner of Suehiro Cafe, at the Little Tokyo location.
2019:
Suehiro Mini location opened up in Chinatown!
The front entrance of the Suehiro Mini location in Chinatown.
2020:
Marked Suehiro Cafe’s 48th year at the Little Tokyo location, making it one of the oldest legacy restaurants in that area.
Suehiro Cafe Little Tokyo original location showcasing the cozy atmosphere, trademarked by the orange colored lighting.
2022:
Marked Suehiro Cafe’s 50th year at the Little Tokyo location, making it one of the oldest legacy restaurants in that area.
2023:
At the DTLA location, there was a mural unveiling that showcased the beloved art previously at the Little Tokyo location.
Our friend, Robert Vargas, painted this mural of Junko and Yuriko in 1972. This mural is titled “Shimani” which means “sisters” in Japanese.
The entire community including family, friends, and supporters of Suehiro huddled around after the unveiling!
2024:
Thanks to the help of Little Tokyo Service Center and the Go For Broke Foundationfoundation, we will be returning to Little Tokyo in 2026!
The official grand opening of DTLA location on March 19th!
To celebrate the grand opening at the DTLA location, there was a party where much of our beloved community came together as one!
The same beloved booths can be found at the Suehiro Cafe DTLA location!