Los Angeles' access to fresh fish from Japan, its tangled history with Japanese immigrants, and its population of Japanophiles constantly hopping back and forth to Tokyo have all helped make it the best place in America to eat Japanese food—especially sushi. Whether you're a newbie who wants to know what the fuss is about or a seasoned sushi devotee trying to cross all of the major omakase counters off your list, check out our list of essential sushi restaurants in Los Angeles.
Sushi Park
This is everything we love about sushi in L.A.: a deceptive storefront in a strip mall on Sunset, a sign outside declaring there are no California rolls or take-out to be found inside, the chance to spot a celebrity in athleisure -- oh, and one of the better omakases this side of the Pacific.
8539 Sunset Blvd #20, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sushi Ginza Onodera
Courtesy of Sushi Ginza Onodera$300 buys you one of the ultimate sushi experiences in the world. Few other sushi counters can command that price, but few others are armed with serious fish and global reach like Ginza Onodera, a Tokyo import with locations in New York (where the restaurant has earned two Michelin stars) and Paris.
609 N. La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sugarfish
An omakase at Sugarfish feels almost like cheating. Kazunori Nozawa's chain of stupidly affordable sushi restaurants turn out meals loaded with quality ingredients and perfectly seasoned rice starting at $23. With Sugarfish locations all over L.A., you're never far from a solid lunch option.
Multiple locations
Urasawa
If you can afford a meal at Urasawa, one of the most expensive dining experiences in the country, then you deserve the extreme luxury you will receive at Hiro Urasawa's Michelin-starred counter. Dinners can easily run over $600 per person. Expect uni, caviar, A5 Wagyu, truffles, gold leaf, and other fancy pants ingredients.
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Sushi Tsujita
Tsujita (and its annex) have locked down the best ramen and tsukemen on Sawtelle, so it should come as no surprise that some say Sushi Tsujita serves the best sushi on the Japanese strip too. Go for lunch when you can sample that astounding quality in an affordable chirashi bowl.
2006 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
KazuNori
Want the Sugarfish experience but prefer lowkey handrolls? Head to KazuNori for Nozawa's expert handrolls at equally affordable prices.
Multiple locations
Matsuhisa
Courtesy of MatsuhisaExperience the restaurant that birthed a mini empire and forever changed the way Americans think about sushi. It's here that Nobu Matsuhisa reinvented sushi to appeal to Americans back in the '90s. Get the black cod with miso or the yellowtail with jalapeño, and think about how far we've come.
129 N La Cienega Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211
