If this holiday caught you by surprise, just roll with it! Sushi is considered one of the most luxurious (and pricey) Asian dishes, but getting a sushi meal shouldn’t break the bank. Whether you’re hustling or balling, here’s a list of some of Los Angeles’ highest-rated sushi restaurants for any budget and occasion.
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1. Momo Sushi
Located in an inconspicuous strip mall beside a 7-Eleven, this mom-and-pop is not to be underestimated. The most popular item is their bento box which comes with miso soup, rice and salad and your choice of sushi rolls, sashimi, tempura and teriyaki.
Imagine being surrounded by conveyors belts holding plates of affordable salmon toro and sesame hamachi all around you. “Kaitenzushi,” or revolving sushi, is a quick meal that is also fun and interactive. Plus, you get a bit of tableside entertainment. After you insert a number of plates into the disposal slot, Kura’s mascot, Muten-Maru, appears in mini-movies on the menu touch screen above your table. After 15 plates you’ll even get a prize!
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3. Izakaya Osen
Order an ice-cold beer and experience an authentic izakaya, or Japanese tavern. Izakaya Osen serves a variety of rolls along with classic bar foods like kushiyaki and nabe. This cute, hidden gem in Silver Lake is well known for its sashimi omakase and blue crab hand rolls.
4. Sushi Enya
Cozy and contemporary, Sushi Enya has been a staple sushi spot in Little Tokyo since its grand opening five years ago. Order meticulously plated à la carte sushi from the menu, or try their signature omakase, which is reservation-only. If you aren’t close to DTLA, you can hit up their Pasadena or Marina Del Rey locations. Don’t miss out on the crab hand rolls. The premium nori snaps with every bite.
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5. Sugarfish
Chef Kazunori Nozawa’s Sugarfish restaurants are best known for their “Trust Me” sushi that includes eight plates of fan-favorite offerings, like tuna sashimi, albacore sushi, toro hand roll, sea bass sushi and crab hand roll. Dishes are served “Nozawa style,” which means you won’t find any sauces besides the house-prepared soy sauce and ponzu sauce, that sparingly top these rolls.
6. Sushi Gen
This historic sushi bar has stayed bustling for over 30 years. If you can bear the sometimes hour-long wait, you’ll get to sample crowd-pleasers like their melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, deluxe sushi combo or their chirashi. Another memorable find in Little Tokyo.
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7. Hana Re
Art and food blend together seamlessly at this two-Michelin Star restaurant located in Orange County. Take a seat at Master Chef Atsushi’s table and watch him prepare a seasonal omakase course that includes seven appetizers, nigiri and dessert. Settle in with a glass of sake and enjoy a two-hour meal of shrimp, uni, wagyu beef and foie gras creatively paired at the highest caliber. Meals here average between $180-230 (market price), but you can also enjoy a shorter tasting course of four to five appetizers, six pieces of nigiri and dessert for $95.
8. Urasawa
This luxurious and intimate 10-seat Beverly Hills sushi restaurant has an impressive two Michelin Stars. For a once in a lifetime three-hour dining experience, make a reservation to try Chef Hiroyuki Urasawa’s tasting menu. Feast your eyes on 30 courses of exquisite kaizeki preparations of the highest quality and service. Known as L.A.’s most expensive sushi restaurant, the meal comes with a hefty price tag of $1000 per person after tax and tip.
