Unico Tokyo Pasta - El Segundo
411 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245
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If you’ve been looking for an excuse to head back to Main Street in El Segundo, here’s one worth making dinner plans for. Unico Tokyo Pasta has officially opened its newest South Bay location, bringing its signature Japanese-inspired pasta dishes to one of the area’s favorite walkable downtowns.
Already a favorite in Redondo Beach, Unico has built a loyal following by introducing many locals to Wafu pasta, a Japanese take on Italian pasta that combines classic noodles with rich umami flavors, seafood, soy-based sauces, and creative ingredients you won’t find at your average Italian restaurant. The new El Segundo restaurant continues that tradition in a fresh Main Street space, making it even easier for South Bay food lovers to experience this unique style of comfort food.
What Is Wafu Pasta?
At first glance, it looks like classic Italian pasta. One bite, though, and you’ll quickly understand why Japanese-style pasta has become its own category.
Unico describes its menu as a blend of traditional Japanese techniques with the comforting flavors of Italy. Instead of relying only on tomato or cream sauces, many dishes feature ingredients like mentaiko (cod roe), yuzu, shoyu, uni, mushrooms, and garlic to create layers of savory flavor that feel both familiar and completely new.
It’s the kind of restaurant that’s equally great for adventurous eaters and anyone simply craving a really satisfying bowl of pasta.
What to Order
One of the biggest draws is the restaurant’s famous Uni Cream Pasta, featuring a silky sea urchin cream sauce that’s become one of Unico’s signature dishes. Seafood fans can level it up with the Uni Ebi, which adds shrimp for an even richer experience.
If you’re looking for something lighter, the Yuzu Pepperoncino delivers bright citrus notes with garlic, pancetta, sugar snap peas, and a gentle kick of chili. The Napolitan is another standout, a nostalgic Japanese comfort food favorite made with sausage, mushrooms, onions, asparagus, and an umami-rich tomato sauce that perfectly captures the spirit of Tokyo-style pasta.
Before your pasta arrives, don’t skip the starters. The shrimp Confit, Koji cauliflower soup, fresh caprese, and garlic bread make excellent additions if you’re sharing the table.
A Perfect Addition to Main Street
The new restaurant fits right into El Segundo’s growing dining scene. Main Street has become one of the South Bay’s best destinations for grabbing dinner before strolling through downtown, stopping for dessert, or meeting friends for a relaxed evening out.
Unico adds something entirely different to the neighborhood, a restaurant dedicated to Japanese-Italian fusion that you won’t find just anywhere. Even the beverage menu leans local, featuring beer and wine, including the Japonica Rice Lager brewed by El Segundo Brewing Company.
Whether you’re grabbing a casual weekday lunch or planning a weekend dinner, it’s another reason to spend a little extra time exploring one of the South Bay’s favorite downtowns.
Why South Bay Locals Are Already Talking About It
Part of the fun of visiting Unico is introducing someone to Japanese pasta for the first time. While longtime fans already know the Redondo Beach location, the El Segundo opening makes these distinctive flavors much more accessible for locals working nearby or exploring Main Street.
Early guests have praised the welcoming service along with favorites like the mentaiko pasta and the restaurant’s creative take on traditional Italian comfort food.
Plan Your Visit
You’ll find Unico Tokyo Pasta at 411 Main Street in El Segundo, serving lunch and dinner seven days a week. With its modern atmosphere, approachable menu, and memorable flavors, it’s quickly becoming one of the newest dining spots worth adding to your South Bay restaurant list.
If your usual pasta order has started feeling a little predictable, this might be the place that changes your mind. Japanese-inspired pasta has officially arrived in downtown El Segundo, and it’s well worth a visit.
