Best sushi (and sushi happy hour) in Studio City/Sherman Oaks?

[emba]

I've lived in the valley for several years now, but I still I don't know how to navigate the sushi strip on Ventura. Which places are the best (without being too overpriced I hope)?

By the way, I'm not as elite a foodie as most of the people on this board, but I'm mostly sure that what I'm looking for is simple, real, quality sushi. As in, a generous, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth nigiri with a dab of wasabi underneath, not the largest possible array of seared, fried, tempura flaked, heavily sauced rolls with names that sound like drink specials.

Bonus question: Which places have the best happy hours?

[gordo26]

Asanebo is one of the best sushi places and down the street from Nozawa and Katsu Ya. In a strip mall like the other two. Awesome sushi.

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Asanebo
11941 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

[PommeDeGuerre]

Try Kiwami in Studio City. Great fish. Fairly long happy hour. Go as often as I can.

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Kiwami
11920 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

[degustateur]

Please consider Sushi Nozawa, LA’s own, original “Sushi Nazi” - it's his way or the highway! Chef Kazunori Nozawa commands a very traditional sushi bar and serves up some of the freshest and finest sushi to be found anywhere. Mon-Fri, lunch/dinner only. No reservations. Be prepared for a brief standing wait. Sit at the bar and request the “omakase”, Nozawa-san's choice of the day's selections. Trust him, he will do you right. Whatever you do, please DO NOT ask for a California Roll unless you relish being the day's entertainment. (^_^)

Sushi Nozawa
11288 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
[phone]

http://www.sushinozawa.com

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Sushi Nozawa
11288 Ventura Blvd Ste C, Studio City, CA 91604

[tornadoliese]

i agree that Nozawa is the best in that area (and maybe even in all of LA) but it's neither inexpensive nor is there a happy hour.

[farmertomato]

I would call Nozawa the worst in the area, or close to it. The quality is very inconsistent and it's not worth enduring the rudeness, particularly when you're served a piece of dubious fish.

[creamfinger]

Don't listen to anyone telling you that he will get mad if you order a California Roll. That is a myth. Chef Nozawa makes one of the best, and most original California Rolls in the country. Just remember to ask for it with extra tempura crunch and spicy mayo!

[GK in SO]

Try Little Island on Ventura in Sherman Oaks. A new location of Brothers Sushi in Woodland Hills.

Excellent quality, and simple and real as you stated. Excellent yellowtail and halibut nigiri, very fresh and tasty. Great, efficient and friendly service as well.

[emba]

Nice! I really liked Brothers Sushi, but it's a bit far for me. Thanks!

[Jwsel]

The best sushi happy hour I've found in the valley is at Hirosuke in Encino, so it would be a bit west of your location. They have a fairly large selection of nigiri and creative rolls at a discounted price from 5-6:30. I don't consider their fish as fresh and melt-in-your-mouth as the best places in the area (the top being Sushi Iki in Tarzana), and they do tend to emphasize the heavily sauced rolls over simple nigiri.

I suspect that sushi happy hours and fresh, melt-in-your-mouth nigiri may be two concepts that do not mesh very well.

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Sushi Iki
18663 Ventura Blvd Ste 106, Tarzana, CA 91356

[westsidegal]

went to hirosuke about a month ago.
agree with you when you say

<< I don't consider their fish as fresh and melt-in-your-mouth>>

it wasn't vile, but it certainly wasn't fresh nor high quailty either.

[emba]

Sorry, I meant for them to be totally separate questions! I'm still learning what gets good responses on this board and I guess I shouldn't be surprised that clarity helps. Thanks for the suggestions!