(10 minutes from Mammoth Ski Area)
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m all about making the most of every adventure -wherever the road takes me. On a recent road trip along Highway 395, I stumbled upon a gem of a Japanese restaurant in Bishop, California, and let me just say, you need to know about it.
Bishop is one of those small towns that packs a punch. It’s right off Highway 395 and has everything you need for a pit stop: auto shops, movie theaters, lodging, bakeries, restaurants - you name it. Why might someone find themselves here? For starters, it’s close to Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes (both incredible destinations, but more on those in another post), but even if you’re just passing through on your way to Southern California, it’s worth a stop.
Now, don’t get me wrong - I love the occasional fast-food burger when I’m on the road. But relying on fast food for an entire trip? That’s just not me. I like to turn road trips into full-blown adventures, and that means finding food that excites me and places with some atmosphere to match.
If you’ve seen my reel about Yamatani, another Japanese restaurant in Bishop, you know I’m a fan of that spot, too. It’s fun, it’s conveniently located on the Main St., and I’d still recommend it. But if we’re talking straight-up flavor, Gojira takes the win.
Gojira isn’t on the main road that runs through town, but it’s super easy to find - just as you roll into Bishop, head to a street that runs parallel to the main drag, one block over. Trust me, it’s worth the quick detour.
On top of having amazing food, there’s also an incredible bakery right in the same plaza: Great Basin Bakery. Grab a legit meal at Gojira, then stock up on freshly baked bagels or other goodies for the road. While Erik Schat’s Bakery gets most of the love in Bishop (and rightfully so, with its floor-to-ceiling baked goods and cozy Dutch vibes), Great Basin is a total sleeper hit. Don’t sleep on it. Lemon cookies, pizza bagels, grab n go sandwiches - all made from scratch and all seriously so drool worthy.
Now, on to the food at Gojira:
- Nigiri: Top-notch quality - so fresh and delicious.
- Rolls: Fun, flavorful, and perfectly portioned.
- Chicken Karaage: Absolute fire. Juicy on the inside, perfectly breaded and fried on the outside, and downright addicting. If you're all about the sauce, you might want to ask for a little extra.
- Bento Boxes: Perfect for those looking to sample all the flavors in one meal.
- Ramen: Packed with umami goodness, delicious toppings, and super satisfying. Not the best ramen I've ever had, but much better than a lot of other places I've been to.
- Boba: Go for the ones made with real fruit - choose mango or strawberry. Thai tea is also a solid recommendation.
- Takoyaki: While the texture leaned a little liquidy, the portion size and taste were spot on.
- Marinated Ramen Egg: pure fire
Vegans & Vegetarians, They’ve Got You Covered:
My dad is vegetarian, so I’m always on the hunt for legit options he can enjoy. At Gojira, I was thrilled to see vegetarian bento boxes, rolls, and ramen on the menu. The tofu from the bento box was perfectly fried, and their veggie gyoza were amazing - not like the frozen, generic ones you often find at the grocery store. The vegetarian sushi roll was fresh and flavorful, but next time, I’d ask for a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo for a little extra oomph.
So, if you’re cruising down Highway 395 and find yourself with a Godzilla appetite, make Gojira in Bishop a stop on your adventure & treat yourself to something memorable - #YOLO.
NOTES
- Plenty of parking available.
- Their vegetarian ramen was flavorful, but it wasn’t served piping hot. If yours isn’t hot enough, be sure to let them know. Also, ask if they could swap in fried tofu in place of the raw tofu (if you're looking for something with more texture & flavor) & add a ramen egg for good measure- that would be killer.
- The restaurant has a super chill and laid-back Godzilla-themed atmosphere.
- Food came out in a timely manner
- Pricing is reasonable, especially considering its touristy location.
- Kid’s menu available
- Japanese beer, sake, and plum wine available on the menu
- Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday, from 2 - 5 PM (not available for to-go orders).
- Shoutout to Dan, my super nice server who was attentive and patient with me and my family during our visit.
- Both outdoor and indoor seating options are available.
- The restaurant was packed when I visited. If you want to avoid crowds and wait times, try going during off-peak hours.
- Gojira is about 46 mins. from Mammoth Ski Resort
- Pressed for time? Call ahead or order online for pick-up
- When visiting the Mammoth area, make time to experience one of the free hot springs in the area.
- Mammoth is an amazing town worth exploring, featuring its own ski resort with it's own little "Heavenly" village, conveniently located a short drive from the main road.
- Always double-check the weather when traveling through high-elevation areas. Snowstorms can be dangerous, so avoid them unless you’re well-equipped to handle such conditions.
Did you know?
Godzilla's origins (1954) trace back to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II. The legendary monster was created as a symbol of nature's revenge against humanity's reckless meddling with destructive forces they barely understand.
