Driving to Koreatown to eat sushi sounds a bit counterintuitive. In the case of Noshi, it makes perfect sense.

Sushi and salad run supreme at Brentwood’s treasured local bar. Never changing, the menu and ingredients at Nagao have remained the same for decades. Incorporating a true California feel to his menu, Chef Nagao has consistently delivered on bringing his clientele consistent and affordable Japanese cuisine.

Retail power-center non- chain sushi? Count me in.

Given the proximity to the ocean you would hope the area has something to offer, and Irori delivers for those residing in the Marina. The first thing you will notice when entering is everyone being barefoot sitting in little boxes cut out of the ground. This makes the ambiance of Irori truly unique.

Sushi House is a long-standing local establishment known for its rolls, reasonably priced omakase and of course, the relaxed vibe. Originally coined Reggae Sushi back in the 80’s, Chef Okyo has maintained the “roots” of his beloved restaurant and has continued to meet the market by providing high quality cuts of fish.

Since opening in 2012, Shunji has taken the sushi scene of West LA by a storm. Who wouldn’t want to go to a restaurant that resembles Sponge Bob’s pineapple lair? For reference purposes, Shunji replaced Mr. Cecil’s California Ribs, which was around for decades. This makes for a funky yet inviting layout in a dome-like structure.

Hide is a staple. In many ways, the iconic Sushi Restaurant of West LA, representing everything that is good about experiencing Japanese cuisine at its purest. One of the oldest restaurants still standing in original form in the Little Osaka portion of Sawtelle, Hide possesses every characteristic that makes the Sushi experience so cathartic.

So Sushi is a renowned Ventura Blvd. establishment claiming itself as one the most highly rated sushi bars on YELP. I am not one to judge my opinions by a mass review website (Rotten Tomatoes gave my personal favorite Tom Cruise film Last Samurai a 66%, what the hell?!), but accolades on a large scale should never be ignored.

A bit newer to the LA Sushi scene, I am hoping Asuka is here to stay.

No reservations with limited seating? Usually the kind of place I like to be.

Owner Ken Namba had a vision when first opening the doors of Kiriko on Sawtelle in 1999. The Michelin praised chef desired to capture “authentic taste of Japan with creative flair from the modern influences of sushi restaurants in Tokyo”. Kiriko successfully brings this hybrid to life with an inventive selection of tapas along with an unwavering focus on providing fine sushi.

Being a resident of West LA I am a bit biased to the Sushi joints nearby. That bias by no means is unjustified. Echigo finds itself located at the 2nd floor end-cap space in an old shopping center, we are off to a good start here...

If I could describe Hiko in two words it would be “old school”. When you walk in you instantly get the feel that the head chef is all business. Lucky for me, that business is doing nothing but serving sushi, and by sushi, I mean Nigiri and Sashimi.

Miya may be the most underrated sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. That is a term that is often thrown around when not due and may be for this case. Hell, I don’t think anyone that goes to Miya doesn’t rave about how good it is.

When looking up “Strip Mall Sushi” in the urban dictionary, Chiba is what should appear. Up until recently, Chiba attracted sushi goers from across the city to the old dilapidated strip center it found itself in since the 70’s.

Celebrities love their sushi. So, in a town as star studded as Los Angeles, sushi culture was bound to experience local crossover with the Hollywood industry.

Matsushisa very well may have birthed my infatuation for sushi when I went for a birthday close to 20 years ago.