BEST SUSHI OF LOS ANGELES

After seeing the list that grubmerister came up with I thought it would be interesting to compile one about sushi. It seems likeeverybody has their "it" place as well an opinion to refute some else's sushi haven- so here we go. Please respond with your 5 favorite sushi spots.

[MahiMahiFish]

1. Sakura on Centinela
2. Sushi Gen
Due to my rabid appreciation of these two places, I am unaware of any other sushi places that exist in Los Angeles.

[orythedog]

I only have two sushi spots to offer, but they are good and consistent.

1. R23 downtown in the warehouse district
2. Sushi Agoura in Agoura Hills

[buzzearl]

Nozowa-yes
Sasabune--so over-rated and gone
Try Echigo--a new strip mall sushi joint on Santa Monica Blvd. on block west of Bundy

[Servorg]

Echigo, new? It has to have been there at least 5 years (and probably longer) now.

[minnie]

KATSUYA!!!!!

[miffy]

I forgot the name of the place but 3rd floor in Little Tokyo Mall above Hello Kitty store etc.. it was reasonable, give you enough, and good food

[HPLsauce]

Are you talking about Sushi Go55? Probably not "best in LA" in my book, but certainly good, affordable, and worth a visit. Also a good place to take a mixed party (i.e. some don't eat raw fish) as their cooked food is every bit as good as their sushi and there is a good selection of both.

[Jerome]

it was great when kawasaki was there. I don't know where he is anymore too bad.

Wrote about going back to the Beverly blvd shibucho. Fish quality is as high as ever. Shige - love him or hate him- still makes some of the best fish in town (cuts and marinates etc.)
Also, when in the right mood, Sushi Mori in west l.a.

[GuidoTKP]

Mori Sushi (WLA)
Omino Sushi (Chatsworth)
Sushi Gen (Downtown)
Hiko Sushi (WLA)
Teru (Studio City)

[Sgee]

can you provide more info on Omino? TIA

[ozhead]

We have always had good experiences at Shibuya in Calabasas. The quality of the fish is very high, and the menu is broad. I particularly like the spicy calamari salad, which I order for me with the full knowledge that my family members will eat at least half.

[SauceSupreme]

I'm a fan of Shibuya in Calabasas also. If you visit, you better arrive early -- the place is tiny and fills up quick.

Here's my blog post on Shibuya:
http://taste-buzz.com/lunch-hour-omakase

[ozhead]

Good point about the size of the place. They take no reservations; rather, there is a clipboard with a list on which you write your name, the size of your party, and whether you prefer the sushi bar or a table (or either). Best bet, of course, is to tell them you'll take either the bar or a table. I've never had to wait more than half an hour, but that's a pretty long time when you are craving yellowtail STAT!!, the only place to wait is on one of the two benches outside the restaurant, and it's a Calabasas summer evening and the temp is still 94.

[likesweets]

Crazy Fish on Olympic&Doheny in Beverly Hills is absolutely delicious. Be prepared to wait but it's worth it.

[Quesera]

WARNING: You will get reamed on this site for that posting! Sushi is very precious to the 'hounds and Crazy Fish ain't no 'Zo...

[likesweets]

Sorry.....I like sushi but probably shouldn't have posted due to lack of experience. I haven't tried as many places as the others on this site and I look forward to taking your recommendations.

[diba5]

good$-Noshi Sushi on Beverly Blvd....local hot spot! DYNAMITE dish is quite popular.
better$$-Azami Sushi on Melrose
Katsu-Ya on Ventura...I LOVE their Fois Gras and scallop dish!
Sushi Dan on Ventura...they have white TUNA which is very rare in most sushi places
best$$$-Matsuhisha on La Cienega, restaurant row

[Servorg]

Outside of Urasawa there is only one place to go for sushi, Zo.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/445637

[SauceSupreme]

I was just at Zo for lunch today. Standouts included bonito and the skipjack. The bluecrab handroll was great as usual.

-----
Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[Sgee]

white tuna can be found everywhere aka albacore

[westsidegal]

sushi zo
shima
sushi zo
sushi zo
sushi zo

[Loveleenda]

R23 in Little Tokyo for traditional...it's all about the fish.
Azami on Melrose for good consistent food.
Geisha House for fun rolls.

[Diana]

Soory, I kinda think Geisha house is really not that good for sushi. The best "fu rolls" (americanized sushi for the golden arches crowd) I had were at House of Taka.

[russkar]

Not much has changed since 04'
LA
1.Urasawa
2.Nozawa
3.Sakura
4.Sushi Gen
5.Tama
OC
1.Sushi Wasabi
2.Shubicho
3.Abe
4.Wasa on the Bluffs
5.Taiko

Permalink | Report | Reply
russkar Oct 21, 2004 07:28PM

[thegrifter]

I went to Sushi Gen a few weeks ago and was really disappointed. Maybe I went on an off night, but I don't think it comes close to stacking up with Nozawa (my fave, although I've yet to try Urusawa). I second the Tama shout out, that place is very good and Katsu is a great guy. Never heard of Sakura - looking it up right now.

[mollyomormon]

I was at R23 for lunch several weeks ago and the quality of the fish was not good. Their cooked dishes, on the other hand, are still awesome.

[smonkey]

I'll travel from the east side to Nagao Sushi in Brentwood. It's nothing fancy and I'm on a budget, but it's fresh and wonderful. Their tofu salad is also amazing.

[thegrifter]

Ok, here is the definitive and only true list (I kid):

1. Nozawa (the one and only king)
2. Matsuhisa/Nobu (haven't been to either in a while so I will put them both here, even though it admittedly is a copout)
3. Asanebo
4. Katsu-Ya
5. Hamasaku
6. Sushi Park (great relatively new place on Sunset & Alta Loma)
7. Mori
8. Hirozen

Places that are dead to me:

1. Fat Fish
2. That lame conveyor belt place on Vine

Places that are overrated:

1. Sasabune (only been once, maybe I need to revisit)
2. Roku
3. Yu n Mi (all mayo, all the time)

Places that I most want to try:

1. Urusawa
2. Sushi Gen (never heard of it until reading this thread, but sounds fantastic)
3. Tama
4. The other 8 billion places on Ventura

[chowmominLA]

I live for sushi. These are my favorite places, and I've been to most within the past few months so it's fairly current info:

Sushi Don (studio City/Valley Village) - Wonderful casual/take-out place. I don't know the exact story, but this is somehow a Sasabune spin-off (same fish source, maybe?) for about 1/5 of the price. Same blue crab roll and warm sushi rice. It's in a mini-mall on Laurel Cyn., just north of Riverside, on the east side of the street. Owner Jimmy makes you feel at home.

Uzen (WLA) - great sushi, lots of wonderful cooked dishes, no-frills, reasonably-priced, never a wait. On SM Blvd., one block east of Bundy, north side of the street.

Hide (WLA) - We all know Hide. I've never been disappointed in the 1,000 times I've been there, although I know others have been. Great dynamite. Special scallop sushi is the bomb. I don't recommend their toro though, it's a bit too fishy.

Sushi Gen (downtown) - Best sashimi lunch special anywhere, for about $13. Sushi is top-notch too, but so much more expensive.

CA Roll Factory - The nigiri sushi is not very good, but there are so many wonderful rolls to choose from. I have a list of my favorites in my palm pilot. Try the Greg's Roll with the special sauce -- a tangy ponzu-ish sauce with cream cheese!

Bui (Malibu) - A new place next to Coogies. I might have the name wrong. Very good sushi, nice atmosphere, a nice alternative to Nobu, not so hard on the wallet.

Nobu (Malibu) - Best place for sushi in LA, in my opinion, if you've got money to burn. Great place to take out-of-towners for the star sitings.

Sasabune (WLA) - We all know about Sasabune. The omakase makes up for their Nazi-ish attitude.

Hamasaku (WLA) - Hidden in a mini-mall on SM and Veteren, next to Coffee bean and Tea Leaf and Carvel's. Great sushi, nice atmosphere. A bit pricey but worth it.

Asakuma (WLA) - Wilshire and Barrington. Great sushi, on the pricier side. Haven't been there in about a year though.

Zono Sushi (Pasadena) - On Lake and Cordova. Never been there for dinner but the few times I went there for lunch I was pleased.

The Hump (SM airport) - Great atmosphere and food, but on the pricier side. Great date place. Especially if he pays.

Sushi Agoura (Agoura) - Next to Johnny Rockets and the movie theaters at Kanan. Consistently great sushi and cooked dishes. My mom and I love that place.

Sushi Isshen (Westwood) - Never been there for dinner but they have wonderful mix n' match lunch specials.

Hana Sushi (WLA) - on Wilshire and Bundy. Nicely remodeled, great food. Like Uzen but a little nicer atmosphere. Best dynamite, with Hide in a close second.

Sushi King (Santa Monica) - Wilshire and about 10th street.

Forgot the name, but that newish conveyor-belt place in the 3rd St. Promenade (and Broadway) is pretty good value, esp. their lunch special. One of the only places where you can pay $10 for a sushi meal and be satisfied. They have a tasty salmon and mango roll.

In my opinion, Nishimura, Matsuhisa and Sushi Roku are overrated and overpriced. I had liked Yabu a lot but the last time I went there I was very disappointed.

Looks like I've got to try Urusawa, Nozawa and Go. Can't believe I haven't been to those places yet :0)

[ThatPat]

One word--Kiriko.

[Das Ubergeek]

Sushi King is on Wilshire and 14th.

Mostly OK (haven't tried some), except for CA Roll Factory -- ick, ick, ick. For creative rolls I like Maki Yaki.

[Diana]

Asanebo
4 on 6
Sushi House of Taka
Sushi Gen
Sushi Delivery for chep pretty good Sushi and sashimi delivered right to my door. Order a good number of plates, get some good saki out of the fridge, spread cusions and blankets on the floor, load up the coffee table with food, candles, saki and real fresh wasabi and tamari, put on some romantic music....a good night for two!

[mcheng]

i believe the 3rd street sushi place is called kaiten. i'm sad to say they've recently closed down.

[MalibuAly]

Go's Sushi in Canoga Park
Nobu in Malibu
Hide on Sawtelle
Go's
Go's

[moeberg]

i double that triple on go's.

[LizKait]

On the westside, I love Hide Sushi on Sawtelle for big solid pieces of fish. My favorites there: Spicy scallop sushi is a must (the best out of all the sushi restaurants I have been to in different cities. It's not too spicy and always mixed well with many good-size scallops) and Monkfish liver is a treat if you like liver. I have only been disappointed with their fish when I went for early lunch, when they probably serve fish from the night before (like many other sushi restaurants).

[Das Ubergeek]

Bear in mind that Hide is cash-only -- and it's not exactly cheap, so bring a wad.

[westsidegal]

their cold, dense, monkfish liver doesn't compare with the warm, delicate akimo served at zo.

nevertheless, if i can't get to zo or i can't afford zo, then hide is my go-to spot.

[Marco Polo]

Urasawa
Nozawa
Matsuhisa
Nobu Malibu
Mori Sushi

Disclaimer: I haven't been to the HUMP or GO'S MART yet.

[russkar]

Strong group. I would probably replace Nobu Malibu(weak last time we visited) with Sasebune.

[kelela]

All my fave places are on the inexpensive end...
~Wasabi Wok in Beverly Hills on Burton (japanese, chinese & thai), VERY fresh
~Crazy Tokyo Sushi in Tarzana - great chefs, they make fun rolls when you ask them to
~California Roll Factory on Santa Monica - so many rolls
~this new-ish place on the corner of Highland and Santa Monica; it's a slightly shady strip mall, but there's a little sushi place that is great and the workers are very nice
~Kabuki... I know, a chain, but they are open late enough and it's nice.

[greengelato]

sushi zo...i love sushi zo. :) can't afford the more expensive places.

[westsidegal]

you owe it to yourself to try the omakase AT LUNCH at kiriko.
it will not cost any more than sushi zo.
their lunch price is much lower than the dinner price.

[ThatPat]

and the taste and quality of the fish is amazing. Plus the home-made vanilla ice cream is the best vanilla I've ever had!

[westsidegal]

but it should be noted that it appears that the ice cream doesn't appear to be part of the lunch omakase package.
the last two times i went to kiriko for lunch the tab far exceeded the stated omakase price. my guess is that the ice cream is extra.

[Jerome]

IS it really an omakase or is it just a set sushi selection lunch special?

[westsidegal]

prolly a set sushi selection.

[r_oxymoron]

sushi mac is my favorite. cheap and the quality of the fish is always excellent.

I also like California Roll Factory on santa monica blvd.

[epop]

no offense but i couldn't disagree more. Masu is perfectly average in a
city with extraordinary sushi

[melissalf04]

Clearly there are many sushi lovers on this board. :) Wonderful to be in such good company!

I've been to several establishments throughout LA and have to say that Sushi Masu is the one I consistently return to. If you make it clear that you are looking for true omakase he'll blow your socks off.

[MalibuAly]

Tomorrow night, I"ll be experiencing The Hump for the first time.... will report back. I understand it's pretty outstanding. Alas, however, Tom Cruise is busy and in Rome at the moment and I don't think we'll see him pull up for a bite after flying his plane into Santa Monica airport. Booo hooo.

[epop]

your meal will be better without cruise around.

Hump can be incredible or only ok. hope it was the former

[MalibuAly]

Aaah, such a formidable conversation in the City of Angels. My favs:

Hide Sushi on Sawtelle - if you're not Japanese, you might be the only one there different than the rest.

Go's Sushi in Canoga Park - tiny bar in the back of a Japanese market. Used to be the chef at Bambu in Malibu (which is now Nobu).

I've taken friends who work in Asia for most of their lives and they are BLOWN AWAY by Go'.s Gotta love the irony of it being next door to Papa John's Pizza in a stripmall.

[miffy]

I second Hide sushi- and don't be shy- Japanese people won't bite you ;)
I am from Japan and I think they have good fish there

[f_diva]

Lately I'm really feeling Irori in the Marina and Ichigo (Echigo?) on Santa Monica.

[adelly]

yes, irori is such a find! their oyster shooters are amazing!

[westsidegal]

was really disappointed in irori the last time i went.
the rice was cold and hard
the fish was ok.
the sauces might as well have been applied with a fire hose.

either this place has gone downhill or my tastebuds have been reacclimated by my many sushi zo experiences.

[cookgirl]

Azami!

[stollingrone007]

I thought it would only be fair to offer my experiences of last night @ Azami.
I'd rate it FAIR, at best. The quality of the fish was quite good. The preparation, however, was not.
Sweet Shrimp: We asked for one order (2 pieces). It was $8 on the menu. Our order arrived and it was one shrimp cut in half. The head was cut in half and fried. One tail was placed on the serving plate - completely detached from the fish. Who does that?!?! Why not just charge $16 for the order and serve it properly?
Spanish Mackerel: Good fish. But it was doused in sauce. The rice fell apart upon lifting the sushi with the chopsticks.
Halibut: Same problem as the spanish mackerel.
Toro: Same problem as the sweet shrimp - 1/2 the fish of a normal order.

The rest of our meal was fair. But for, $75, for two people - there are much better places that are not only cheaper, but also superior in quality and preparation.

[s0memale]

Nozawa, Matsuhisha, Sasabune

[amandine]

5? there's only one: sushi gen.

[epop]

one of my high school teachers was asked what the 10 best books were. "10? There's only 8," referring to Jane Austen.

Gen is wonderful but I think there's a wide wide world of sushi in LA, Amandine.

[NAspy]

Very funny, but she actually only wrote 6.

[BarbnFil]

Have you tried Mika? It is on SW corner of Olympic and Sepulveda in a mini mall. Very fresh and the service is friendly too. The only drawback is parking. The lot is very small, but they deliver too.

[liu]

I know we have talked and talked and talked SUSHI on this board before, but I think that it is always a good idea to revisit our lists every now-and-now; things can change pretty rapidly! For example, I have always liked Hide on Sawtelle a lot; it has been dependable, reasonable sushi for many years. However, beginning many months ago -- when they began a change of chefs -- it is just not the same.

Also, since sushi can be an expensive meal, it may not be possible to experience some of these bars with frequency, as we might some other type of cuisine. Therefore, I love to see "top ten" sushi lists, but only if the poster has repeatedly visited their sushi bars within the past several months. One very good experience does not make a "top ten" list necessarily.

So, I do hope to see more posts on this subject, and I would be interested in knowing approximately how often and how recently one has enjoyed their top choices.

[Beignets]

i really like your idea... has this been done??? it'd be interesting to find out who's the hot sushi chef at the moment. and hot doesn't mean trendy.

[adelly]

where's sasabune in this list?? i actually think sasabune is the best.

[Das Ubergeek]

We've had probably a hundred long sushi threads since this one, and Sasabune almost always comes up. I hate these threads, though -- they always end up bitter in tone. "Oh, you like Sasabune? Well obviously you might as well go to TODAI..." and things like that.

[russkar]

Your correct, Sasebune should have been my #3 for LA.

Chiba Japanese Restaurant in N. Hollywood

One of the oldest sushi esbalishments in Los Angeles, run by the son of the original owner, we have not frequented any other sushi place since finding this one.

I have sent many of my friends, and they have all loved this place.

1. Mori Sushi
2. R-23
3. Sushi Ike
4. Mako (Weller Court)
5. Sushi Ryo

[admittedly based on less than comprehensive exposure]

I haven't had the.. err.. werewithal to get to Urasawa yet, so..

L.A.:

1. Nozawa: I actually have made a trip up from Irvine with wife and two infants just to eat there (used to live much closer, in downtown LA)
2. The Hump: the first place I had kumamoto oysters.. you never forget your first. ;)
3. Matsuhisa: admittedly, have not eaten here in a couple of years
4. U-Zen: my favorite neighborhood haunt type sushi place
5. (leaving a place for Urasawa to bump some/all of the above.. someday!)

O.C.:

1. Sushi Wasabi: far ahead of the field in OC, probably would be #3 for me if in LA
2. Shibucho
3. Kitayama
4. Kotobuki
(can't think of five I'd list)

LA
1.Urasawa
2.Nozawa
3.Sakura
4.Sushi Gen
5.Tama
OC
1.Sushi Wasabi
2.Shubicho
3.Abe
4.Wasa on the Bluffs
5.Taiko

Taiko? I haven't had great sushi at Taiko, but maybe because I'm just an average joe.

My OC list would be

1. Wasabe/Shibucho (hard for me to decide) I love their fish. Wasabe has small portions, but quite fresh fish. Shibucho has bigger portions, and on occasion the fish has been spectacularly fresh. I have had toro there that was really excellent. I almost cried.

2. Abe. Ikura (salmon egg) cocktail is a fave of mine. Omakase is $50 for dinner and $25 for lunch. Lunch omakase is a good deal IMHO. Presentation here is kind of cool, different plates and glasses and such. A holdover from his Beverly Hills days, I guess.

3. Ango Tei (I don't get regular sushi, only order off the specials). Still die-hard sushi fans might be disappointed with this place. More of a neighborhood joint where you bring your kids and order spicy tuna for them. I like it.

[nbgaucho]

For OC, I would throw in San Shi Go in Laguna beach across from the Sandpiper (dirty bird). When I am down in OC it is a must stop.

Sakura on Centinela or in Pasadena?

Centinela

[epop]

yes, russkar, i'm also surprised to see Taiko (brentwood??) on the list. I like the place for noodles but never ventured into far into their sushi. a quick search in the yellow pages shows a place in El Segundo as well...

Also, if you search for Sakura there are some negative reviews of the place in Chowhound. curious opinion therefore. really, better than sushi zo? sushi gen? kiriko?

[Professor Salt]

Don't wanna speak for russkar, but I'm pretty sure he means the Taiko in Irvine.

[epop]

ah yes this makes sense, thanks

Yamato-good sushi, good price, great service, ambiance and attitude.

Katsu-Ya - innovative and tasty sushi, great service. Icky crowds and high proced.

Iroha - Fabulous atmosphere and ambiance, great sushi, servers who aren't afraid to say when you've ordered TOO MUCH food.

Sushi Mac- Sushi is typical, but the price and speedy service can't be beat. $2.50 a plate? Annual "Roll eating contest"! Great for Sushi pig-outs.
Hiro Sushi (Wagon Wheel road in Oxnard)- Grear Sushi, fabulous chef, small-town prices and less crowds.

[therealbigtasty]

Moon sushi is amazing!!!! I can not express to you how good the sushi is there! Moon sushi aka. sushi Ryo is on the corner of Santa Monica & Highland. The fiancee and I went there tonight, 11-29, and man was it good. The spicy tuna has NO mayonnaise in it. It is SO fresh tasting! We had so many dishes and everyone there was so pleasant. The owner, who also does catering, was so impressed with our sushi eating that he made us a roll that was spectacular. The roll consisted of albacore tuna, fresh chopped garlic, radish sprouts and deep fried onions, with a a little bit of ponzu sauce. I would definitely go again, and so should you. Please get the heart attack appetizers, which is jalapeños, cream cheese and spicy tuna deep fried to perfection. This place is wonderful. You better go there. This is a threat.

[Diana]

Yamato has tanked since Toshi quit. It's garbage now. Smaller protions, messier rolls, not so fresh fish.