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Best Sushi In Los Angeles

mori sushi 2 610 header
(credit: Galen M./Yelp)

From the valley with its multitude of sushi restaurants to the city with some of the most expensive sushi around, Los Angeles is a city in love with the Japanese specialty which found its way to America in the 1960's. With a myriad of sushi restaurants throughout the city, it can be tough to find the best but we've scoured the city to find the best sushi in Los Angeles in honor of national sushi day.

rsz_urasawa.jpg
(credit: RSZ)

Urasawa
218 N Rodeo Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 247-8939

Located in Beverly Hills, Urasawa was dubbed the 2nd most expensive sushi restaurant in the country recently. And, for good reason. The sushi here is as authentic as it comes. And, while the sushi bar only has enough room for just 10 diners, patrons flock to try to get a seat and taste the nearly 30-course omakase menu which changes daily. If you're looking to get sushi on a budget though or pick and choose what you want, this is not the place as your bill at the end of the night could come close to $1000/person and the chef picks what you'll be eating.

sugarfish
(credit: Lloyd B./Yelp)

Sugarfish
11640 W San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 820-4477
www.sugarfishsushi.com

Highly regarded as the freshest sushi in L.A., Sugarfish definitely lives up to its name. The sushi sensation has taken over the city with locations in Brentwood, Studio City, Beverly Hills, Downtown and Marina Del Rey. You won't find any spicy tuna with crispy rice here though. Sugarfish strips down its sushi and creates an experience with each and every bite with simple concoctions. Popular sushi creations here include just fish on perfectly seasoned rice which make for the perfect bite. In addition to dining at one of their locations, the sushi restaurant by Nozawa (formerly of Sushi Nozawa) has created the perfect take-out menu featuring specially designed Sugarfish experiences in a box.

Nobu
(credit: Allison T./Yelp)

Nobu
903 North La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310) 657-5711
www.noburestaurants.com

The beautifully designed Nobu Los Angeles Restaurant boasts not only a bar and lounge with amazing sushi happy hour specials, but also a full service, refined service in their main dining room, atrium, and terrace. Guests enjoy their signature dishes including local specials like Wagyu Tacos, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, and Kanpachi Sashimi with Baby Artichoke and Yuzu Dressing, all starting at about $25 for two pieces. Reservations are recommended.

Sushi Zo
(credit: Chris Y./Yelp)

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 842-3977
www.sushizo.us

If you're looking for crunch rolls, tempura or any other type of specialty roll, you'll be better off at another one of the thousands of sushi restaurants in the city. You would be smart to stick around though. While Sushi Zo is omakase only (which means you will eat at the mercy of the chef), they are exceptionally good at what they do. And, despite its less than hospitable setting in a Cheviot Hills strip mall, regulars will praise Sushi Zo for its delicious fresh fish served as sashimi and nigiri.

Mori Sushi
(credit: Rob C./Yelp)

Mori Sushi
11500 W Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 479-3939
www.morisushi.net

Reservations are recommended at Mori Sushi, where you will encounter a great variety of specialty dishes and sushi served in their omakase style dinners. Prices for sushi only omakase start at just over $100 and sushi and entree style begins at $180. The restaurant is famous for its unique dishes, so we recommend trying the latter for a full review of the restaurant's offerings. The sushi selections are diverse and offer a wide variety of subtle and unique flavors; you'll be able to experience each one as the meal is paced beautifully. Reservations recommended.

sushi park
(credit: Phillip K./Yelp)

Sushi Park
8539 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 652-0523

While this Sunset Blvd. sushi spot in West Hollywood isn't cheap, it serves up an excellent array of fish that will leave you satisfied. You won't find all of the Americanized rolls you'll find at the various other sushi restaurants around this location, but Sushi Park like's to think of themselves as a traditionalist of sorts. Favorites here include the toro and blue crab hand roll.

hama sushi
(credit: David W./Yelp)

Hama Sushi
347 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 680-3454
www.hamasushila.com

With the look and feel of a classic Japanese restaurant, this Little Tokyo spot serves up sushi with a lot of variety. Most patrons agree that Hama Sushi serves up real and authentic sushi fare with none of the Americanized sushi welcome. Our favorites? Try the spicy tuna hand roll which is a favorite among all that go.

Sushi Sasabune
(credit: Sushi Sasabune)

Sushi Sasabune
101 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 696-1124
Additional Locations: West L.A., Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades
www.trustmesushi.com

With two Los Angeles locations to serve you, Sushi Sasabune serves up an amazing set of omakase style dinners, always ending with their specialty blue crab hand roll, an intensely flavored dish served without both rice or nori. Individual roll prices are very economical, but the omakase menu starts at about $85/person. Be sure to sit close to the chef, this is the best way to experience the great food you will enjoy.

izakaya by katsuya
(credit: Nina M./Yelp)

The Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya
8420 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-9536
www.katsu-yagroup.com/izakaya.html

While Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya can be difficult to get reservations and always jam-packed with people, there's a reason why. Offering a myriad of specialty items, the sushi here is simply delicious. And, while sushi snobs may label this outpost as a place that can't compete with a traditional sushi restaurant, regulars and patrons will wholeheartedly disagree. Its most popular dish has to be the spicy tuna with crispy rice which is a definite must if you visit. Other favorites include the baked crab hand roll, the seared albacore with crispy onion dish and the yellowtail with jalapeno entree.

What are your favorite places for sushi? Share in the comments below!

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.

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