The ancient Japanese ritual of drinking tea is not well preserved in the Western world and has very few followers. However, the Japanese delight, sushi, has quickly turned folks in Los Angeles into the connoisseurs of it. For some people, this miniature meal is satisfactory only as an appetizing prelude before dinner. Many others make a feast out of the tasty morsels of fish, skillfully prepared by Japanese masters. As appetizers or a feast, sushi eating is a truly palate spoiling experience. It is also healthy, but please, choose a place that serves reliably fresh fish every day. The list below offers ten top restaurants where a chance to "lunge" into the Asian tradition awaits you.
THE HUMP 3221 Donald Douglas South Loop, Los Angeles, CA 90405 (310) 313-0977 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 12am-2pm;(Mon-Th.) 5.30-10.30pm; (Fr & Sat) 5.30-11pm; (Sun) 5.30- 10pm. By all means, The Hump just could be the best sushi restaurant in town, presenting the most reliably fresh sushi, sashimi and other Japanese delicacies "to live for." With a fireplace in the room and over looking the Santa Monica Airport runway, even with your eyes open, you might find yourself "flying." Begin by inhaling the airy Hibachi sashimi or the spicy yellow tail/tuna, accompanied with "silky smooth" sake. Another unique specialty is live sweet shrimp; notice the bodies wiggle even after the heads have been cut off. If you're really an adventuresome person, request the heads to be tempura fried. The waiter will seem a bit sloppy when you observe him over pouring cold sake into the glass and onto the small dish underneath. Don't be surprised; that's the way they serve it. Your wallet will look visibly thinner, but have no regrets as The Hump's sensational delicacies are like precious stones. The service is better at the Sushi bar than at the tables.
Average price range: $20-$40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day - closed, Easter - closed, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Eve - closed, Christmas - closed, New Years Eve - open
EN 11651 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 477-1551 Hours: (Mon-Sun) Lunch 11.30-2pm, Dinners 5pm-12pm West Los Angeles is bustling with great sushi eateries, each offering fun atmosphere along with fine Japanese cuisine. The several months- old En, has its own appeal. Above the bar area, an enormously large red symbol of En (sushi party) restaurant welcomes numerous guests. If you're looking for an intimate feeling, several tables near the windows could be the right choice as the artificial waterfall adds peacefulness to the modern décor. A large variety of sashimi, hot garden, cold ocean, and land appetizers are for you to enjoy. Their Tofu salad (sweet fried tofu & tofu with sesame oil dressing) is creatively presented and exceptionally flavorful. A neat martini menu is a welcome surprise at the sushi restaurant. Premium cold sake is available as well to accompany any delicacy you desire. Are you ready to party?
Average price range: $15-$25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day - open, Easter - closed, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Eve - closed, Christmas - closed, New Years Eve - open.
HAMA SUSHI 213 Windward Ave. (near Main St), Venice, CA 90291 (310) 396-8783 Hours: Lunch (Mon-Fr) 11.30-2.30pm. Dinner (Mon-Sun) 6.30-11pm Not only does Venice's most acclaimed sushi restaurant offer the ocean's breeze, but also a chance "to inhale" Japanese delights, arranged by the expert chef. Akinori Yokoyama has long perfected his "craft" of preparing sushi/sashimi an addition to the special kitchen menu that changes everyday. No need to study it carefully - each dish is exquisite. Be hungry and ready for something new to taste as the selection is extensive. Just to whet your appetite, order steamed asari clam with sake garlic butter or fresh asparagus with spicy mayonnaise. To complete your dinning experience, ask for an empowering dessert like banana fritters with chocolate sauce. After dinner, take a walk on the famous Venice boardwalk to see the sun slowly fall into the darkening sky.
Average price range: $20-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Year Day - open, Easter - closed, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Eve - closes earlier, Christmas Day - closed, New Years Eve - open
HAKATA SUSHI 2830 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 828-8404 Hours: (Mon-Fr) lunch from 12-2.30pm, (Mon-Sat) dinner 5-10.30pm. (Sun) NFL lunch from 10am-2.30pm, dinner 5-10pm. I think it is uncommon for a sushi restaurant to be open on Sunday at 10am? Indeed, the chef's of Hakata have passion for the outstanding sushi as well as the football. Come to see your favorite team play while gulping oyster shooters or the celestial crab sushi with sweet sauce. A large room has three televisions and a square bar area in the middle with a giant dinosaur hanging from the ceiling, holding a bottle of Kirin. If commercials during the break seem a bit boring, look around: the walls are crowded with posters and pictures, some of which are signed by legends of showbiz. Just to name a few: basketball player Reggie Miller, musician Brian Zetzer, skater Michel Kwan, comedian/actor John Candy. As energy builds up, ask Riki, a.k.a. crazy sushi man, to make lobster tempura with a sauce that adds a spiky taste to it. Don't let the fun slip away even if your team is losing.
Average price range: $15-$25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day - closed, Easter - closed, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Eve - open, Christmas Day - closed, New Years Eve - open
IROHA of Tokyo 12953 Ventura Blvd (Coldwater Canon Ave.), Studio City 91604 (818) 990-9559 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11am-midnight. Sundays till 11pm Don't miss this small in size, but huge in success restaurant sitting a few feet off Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. Iroha of Tokyo has been welcoming its clientele for twenty years. Impressive, considering many other sushi places in the neighborhood. Valet your car and make your way into the cozy Japanese home with high ceiling and a large mirror on the wall - one way to make a room bigger. Framed with red lanterns, the bar area suggests an intimate feel and an opportunity to make new friends while taking a pick at their choice of house specialties like spinach salad with 5 kinds of sautéed mushrooms. Belissimo, the chef is inspired by Italian cuisine. He has prepared a melting-in-your-mouth Sushi Pizza 1000 (spicy tuna & shiso leaves on top of crispy rice with miso paste). For lunch, tasty sashimi or Iroha boxes await to spoil anyone's taste buds. Visit this rare eatery with well-kept traditional Japanese cooking "art."
Average price range: $20-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day - open, Easter - open, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Eve - closed, Christmas - closed, New Years Eve - open
HIDE SUSHI
2040 Sawtelle Blvd (Cross Street: Between La Grange Avenue and Mississippi Avenue) (310) 477-7242 Hours: (Tues-Sat): 11:30pm-9:00pm; (Sun): 11:30pm-8:00pm; Closed on Monday
If you do not break ‘híde’ into two syllables, as it is should be, one can explain why this restaurant is hidden on the busy street in West Los Angeles. No doubt, the faithful clientele knows how to pronounce the name Hide correctly, not to mention eating at off-peak hours to avoid the queue. Along with the simple menu of always fresh sashimi, the lunch special combo celebrates a tempura and teriyaki (beef or chicken), accompanied with rice and Tsukemono (pickles). Skip the traditional salads to favor a piquant vegetable salad with dried shaved bonito, pickled burdock, cucumber, daikon sprouts, and pickled daikon. When in season, the salmon teriyaki makes you forget about beef and poultry, certainly at this eatery. Once served, the perfectly seasoned, generous piece of fluffy fish slowly peels from the crispy skin. A savory meal for an unbeatable value! Cash only.
Estimated cost per person $10-$15 Holiday schedule call for info.
SUSHI SASABUNE 12400 Wilshire Blvd., #150 Los Angeles, CA 310-820-3596
Hours: (Mon-Fr) lunch 12-2pm and dinner 5.30-9.30pm. Closed Saturdays & Sundays. This Spanish looking house prefers to remain clandestine, as no name is visible to one's eye. However, many folks who are penchant for the traditional Japanese way of eating sushi know about this popular spot and pay their visit to the prominent chef. He decides what will satisfy his patron's taste buds for the meal. If you pick a seat at the bar, trust the chef in making omakase, an assortment of fish he has "caught" and prepared for you today. The chef won't listen to what you like, but you might mention what you don't like. Expect a stern, yet accepting look. If you're not quite ready for this adventure, pick a table. Take a chance, at least once.
Average price range: $25-$35
Holiday Schedule: closed most major holidays.
SUSHI ROCKU 8445 W. Third St (La Cienega Blvd.), Hollywood, CA 90048 (323) 655-6767 Hours: (Mon-Fr) lunch from 11.30-2.30pm, dinner from 5.30-11.30pm. (Sat) 11.30am-11.30pm & (Sun) till 10.30pm. Sundays closed for lunch. Fulfill your dreams and immerse into the hip atmosphere of Sushi Rocku to glimpse at the gorgeous people while indulging in super tasty Japanese delicacies. Their grandiose menu is imaginative, complete with an elaborate array of specials and an endless cold sake list. Order a luscious rainbow roll and hope that the always popular Toro sushi is available. If not, try the king crab cakes with mashed potatoes and homemade mustard sauce or a baked lobster roll, wrapped in soy sauce; both are delicious. Accompany the chef's omakase tasting menu ($60 per person) with silky sake or a Red Sun beer exclusively brewed for Sushi Rocku. Like most sushi restaurants, reservations can be made for tables only. Be ready for a wait at the forever busy bar area. Pricey, yet priceless!
Average price range: $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year - closed, Easter - closed, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Eve - closed, Christmas - closed, New Years Eve - open
Another location: 1401 Ocean Ave. (Santa Monica Blvd.), Santa Monica Call for the hours 310-458-4771
SUSHI MASU 1911 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. CA 90025 (310) 446-4368 Hours: (Tues-Sun) lunch from 11.45-2.30pm and dinner from 5.30-10.30pm. Closed on Mondays. It is not simple to spot this authentic miniature Japanese restaurant mostly known to its loyal locals. Each table is framed by an exotic arrangement of a colorful bouquet of fauna in cobalt vases. The chef Mashiko is probably fully absorbed in making one of many succulent delights, but will take a second to greet you. Just like a painter working meticulously on his canvas, the Japanese master is creating superior "masterpieces". Any choice from his menu is a delicious one. Masu offers a lengthy selection of appetizers, special combinations, salads, and soups for lunch and dinner. If available, melt-in-your mouth Toro shabu-shabu, enriched with an especially perfumed sauce, is served on a bed of flavorful salad and displayed on an oriental tray. The authenticity along with inventive presentation is absolutely matchless.
Average price range: $20-$35
Holiday Schedule: check availability.
HANAKAWA 207 South Central Ave, Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA (213) 625-8125 Hours: diner only: (Mon) 5.30pm-1am, (Tues-Fr) till 2am, (Sat) till 12am, (Sun) till 10.30pm. If you happened to be in downtown Los Angeles, wander your way into Little Tokyo. There, discover a traditional sushi restaurant, located just a few minutes away from the renowned Music Center. Allow enough time before the concert to leisurely enjoy fiercely small, yet exceptionally fresh sushi. Japanese cooks are more concerned about the taste, not the portion or décor, so I learned from my Japanese friend. Hanakawa receives more Japanese businessmen and tourists then locals. Business affairs can be discussed over the heavenly sashimi or sushi, accompanied with cold sake. Other luscious delights are available upon your request. The restaurants seats about twenty people, so don't invite the whole football team. Dinner only.
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Los Angeles, CA