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Saw no reservations online, but called and they said they could seat us on a Sunday night at 6PM if we left at 7:30. The inside is very modern and spacious. I'm surprised they didn't have any reservations online because it was pretty empty. We ordered cucumber salad, spicy tuna crispy rice, chicken karagge, yellowtail sashimi and salmon sashimi. Everything was really good, but the sashimi took about 20 more minutes to come out from everything else, so we were waiting for awhile and had to double check on these items. The quality of the sashimi was great- very soft! Would come back! Parking is annoying cause they only have valet in their lot, but I usually park in the neighborhood which might make you walk a block or two.
Loved the instant authentic atmosphere here and low-key placement in the back of the plaza, I was able to get a table with my friend on a weeknight with no notice. We tried a number of different dishes, starting with the sheet peppers which were good, but could have used a bit more char and time to cook. I also felt like the flaky papery topping was too much. The carpaccio and rock shrimp or definitely the highlights for me, the shrimp was delicious and the sauce was the perfect texture and flavor. We also tried the crispy tuna rice, but I wasn't too impressed. The service was good and the prices were reasonable, I would still come back to try a number of other dishes that I didn't get to this time.
Who would have thought you could find outstanding omakase tucked away in the corner of a strip mall? Looking to grab a quick but high-quality lunch in between meetings, we hurried into Hamasaku and were able to be seated at the sushi bar (each table was filled by businesspeople - yet the atmosphere was still bright and welcoming). We ordered the lunchtime special, which included eight chef's choice onigiri, one handroll, salad, and miso soup. After we were served our miso soup, each onigiri was placed in front of us, and the chef provided a quick explanation of the sushi we were about to enjoy. The sushi didn't appear pretentious, but each bite unfolded to reveal a new layer of flavor. For example, the first onigiri had a subtle ume flavoring that complemented the subtle sweetness of the fresh fish. Everything was expertly crafted, and the sushi chef explained the components of each piece of sushi as he placed it in front of us. I would be remiss not to mention the salad - the crispy salmon skin lended an intriguing smokiness and crunch to an otherwise simple green salad. When we explained to our server that we had to run to a meeting after lunch, she was understanding and quickly closed out our bill. This lunch felt very decadent and was an unexpected mid-day treat. No wonder the restaurant was absolutely packed!
The food here was incredible! Everything that we got kept getting better and better! The spicy tuna crispy rice was phenomenal. All of this sashimi that we got melted like butter and each sauce pairing with it was perfect. The rock shrimp was perfectly crispy and the sauce was amazing on it. The tables were very close together, but it was a very small restaurant so understandably so.
I went to Hamasaku for my boyfriend's birthday and was extremely impressed. The location is very unassuming, tucked into the corner of a strip mall in Santa Monica. I found the interior to have a perfectly blended ambiance of casual and comfortable while still being sophisticated and upscale. We ordered omakase, which I have to say is among the more reasonably priced experiences I have seen. By no means does this mean quality was sacrificed. Every piece was carefully thought out. The service was prompt and friendly - I thought it was courteous they waited to serve the next course until I'd returned from the restroom. Among my favorite bites was a fish liver sushi and octopus salad. One thing I did want to note - I made our server aware we were celebrating a birthday and they brought out a birthday dessert that we did not order, which as it turns out was not complimentary. We did not appreciate the assumption. Otherwise it was a great evening, and a worthy entry point to omakase if you were looking for a decent price for great quality.
I did not go to the restaurant so this is about the staff and experience. I wanted to host a birthday here and made reservations for a 10-12 person party. They accepted my reservation and then sent an email asking I submit our full order ahead of time. I fully understand how difficult it can be to make ready to order food for such a large party. The pre-fixe menu they made was around $1,200. I called to explain that the party would like to also order more when we get there and would try to help accommodate them to make it easier. They then cancelled my reservation and I called again. I re-explained and they said I could keep my reservation. sent back a small list of confirmed items. They then sent me back the $1,200 list and said I had to order all of this or remove or add a few items. This was for a special experience (was getting omakase @ $130 pp - they have lower prices adv but there isn't a lower option) and they ruined the experience and excitement. I am no longer going and feel that we would have been faced with poor service based on the multiple conversations I had and inaccurate information and being forced to order their pre-fixe menu. It seems like a restaurant that tries to add in extra charges or change things. Saying this having worked in the industry and understanding it would have been easier on them to make a pre-fixe menu but, left a very sour taste from them.
We got the $130 omakase at Hamasaku, and we enjoyed it. The crab sunomono salad was light and refreshing. The six pieces chef's choice sashimi was clean, well-balanced, and delicate; a good starting course. The seasonal sushi also was of great quality, and they had different types of sauces like yuzu and ponzu, and they blow torched some of the fish to give it a smoky flavor. Overall it was pleasant. The uni ikura had strong flavors, and I'm not a big fan of uni personally but it was decent. The toro hand roll was delicious and one of our favorites. The asari miso complemented the fish very well, and the dessert was a great way to top off the meal. Overall the food was pretty good but the experience was fine, but we didn't feel like there was anything particularly unique. The restaurant was pretty packed and you didn't get the same experience as some other omakase options.
We arrived for lunch at about 1pm on a weekday, & were shocked to see a packed house. Luckily they had a table for us right away. Our food was all beautiful & delicious: Lunch Chirashi - served w/a green salad topped with crunchy fish skin pieces, & a cup of miso soup Sunumono salad - a large, very fresh & delicious salad Ankimo sushi - small squares of velvety ankimo Japanese Uni sushi - deep orange, creamy & delicious Salmon sushi - generous pieces We shared a large iced green tea, poured out of a beautiful glass decanter set on our table. The atmosphere was very lively, & nearly every table was filled. They close their lunch service at 2pm, but were gracious & patient with us when we chatted til past the hour. Parking is a challenge in their small lot. There is valet service, but the one guy on duty was overwhelmed, trying to get on top of a cluster of cars patrons left at the valet stand. There was such a bottleneck that it created a line of cars that trailed out onto Santa Monica Blvd. Street parking was very sparse too. But once you're seated & being served, the excellent service is a whole different vibe. You'll forget all about that congested parking lot, & you'll return for the excellent sushi.
We've come here several times and they never seem to disappoint. We always order the omakase, and I think at $130, it's priced reasonably for the quality of sushi you get. It's done with a very minimalistic modern vibe with clean lines, typical of many places in Japan. Service was great, waitress checked on us several times to pour our drinks. Although being the first ones in for a while, was hoping for faster service with the sushi coming out before the crowds started coming in. But I guess it was understandable with the amount of take outs they were doing. Omakase included all my favorite things: toro, uni, and amaebi, with the fried shrimp head...yum! Will be back again!
29 days ago
I work walking distance from this restaurant so I decided to stop in this past Thursday for lunch and I'm very happy that I did so. It's quite large on the inside and has plenty of table or sushi bar seating options. It's tucked away in the corner of a small shopping center with limited parking attached, however it never seems to be full and free street neighborhood parking on the side street is easy to find as well. It's quite hard to spot, just look for the large wooden door otherwise you would easily miss it driving by. My server was very attentive and everything that I ordered came out pretty quick. They have a very large menu that has a lot of great options on it. I ended up going with the SUSHI MORIAWASE which is 2 albacore, 2 salmon, 2 yellowtail, 1 tuna, 1 white fish, and 1 spicy toro roll for $39 and really enjoyed it. It also came with a miso soup and salmon skin salad and I really enjoyed both. They were a really pleasant treat at lunch. The sushi was also great, especially the albacore, and I already want to stop in again to try more items. I would recommend for lunch or dinner and feel it is a solid recommendation to any sushi fan. read more
1 year ago
Saw no reservations online, but called and they said they could seat us on a Sunday night at 6PM if we left at 7:30. The inside is very modern and spacious. I'm surprised they didn't have any reservations online because it was pretty empty. We ordered cucumber salad, spicy tuna crispy rice, chicken karagge, yellowtail sashimi and salmon sashimi. Everything was really good, but the sashimi took about 20 more minutes to come out from everything else, so we were waiting for awhile and had to double check on these items. The quality of the sashimi was great- very soft! Would come back! Parking is annoying cause they only have valet in their lot, but I usually park in the neighborhood which might make you walk a block or two. read more
Loved the instant authentic atmosphere here and low-key placement in the back of the plaza, I was able to get a table with my friend on a weeknight with no notice. We tried a number of different dishes, starting with the sheet peppers which were good, but could have used a bit more char and time to cook. I also felt like the flaky papery topping was too much. The carpaccio and rock shrimp or definitely the highlights for me, the shrimp was delicious and the sauce was the perfect texture and flavor. We also tried the crispy tuna rice, but I wasn't too impressed. The service was good and the prices were reasonable, I would still come back to try a number of other dishes that I didn't get to this time. read more
Who would have thought you could find outstanding omakase tucked away in the corner of a strip mall? Looking to grab a quick but high-quality lunch in between meetings, we hurried into Hamasaku and were able to be seated at the sushi bar (each table was filled by businesspeople - yet the atmosphere was still bright and welcoming). We ordered the lunchtime special, which included eight chef's choice onigiri, one handroll, salad, and miso soup. After we were served our miso soup, each onigiri was placed in front of us, and the chef provided a quick explanation of the sushi we were about to enjoy. The sushi didn't appear pretentious, but each bite unfolded to reveal a new layer of flavor. For example, the first onigiri had a subtle ume flavoring that complemented the subtle sweetness of the fresh fish. Everything was expertly crafted, and the sushi chef explained the components of each piece of sushi as he placed it in front of us. I would be remiss not to mention the salad - the crispy salmon skin lended an intriguing smokiness and crunch to an otherwise simple green salad. When we explained to our server that we had to run to a meeting after lunch, she was understanding and quickly closed out our bill. This lunch felt very decadent and was an unexpected mid-day treat. No wonder the restaurant was absolutely packed! read more
The food here was incredible! Everything that we got kept getting better and better! The spicy tuna crispy rice was phenomenal. All of this sashimi that we got melted like butter and each sauce pairing with it was perfect. The rock shrimp was perfectly crispy and the sauce was amazing on it. The tables were very close together, but it was a very small restaurant so understandably so. read more
2 months ago
I went to Hamasaku for my boyfriend's birthday and was extremely impressed. The location is very unassuming, tucked into the corner of a strip mall in Santa Monica. I found the interior to have a perfectly blended ambiance of casual and comfortable while still being sophisticated and upscale. We ordered omakase, which I have to say is among the more reasonably priced experiences I have seen. By no means does this mean quality was sacrificed. Every piece was carefully thought out. The service was prompt and friendly - I thought it was courteous they waited to serve the next course until I'd returned from the restroom. Among my favorite bites was a fish liver sushi and octopus salad. One thing I did want to note - I made our server aware we were celebrating a birthday and they brought out a birthday dessert that we did not order, which as it turns out was not complimentary. We did not appreciate the assumption. Otherwise it was a great evening, and a worthy entry point to omakase if you were looking for a decent price for great quality. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
I did not go to the restaurant so this is about the staff and experience. I wanted to host a birthday here and made reservations for a 10-12 person party. They accepted my reservation and then sent an email asking I submit our full order ahead of time. I fully understand how difficult it can be to make ready to order food for such a large party. The pre-fixe menu they made was around $1,200. I called to explain that the party would like to also order more when we get there and would try to help accommodate them to make it easier. They then cancelled my reservation and I called again. I re-explained and they said I could keep my reservation. sent back a small list of confirmed items. They then sent me back the $1,200 list and said I had to order all of this or remove or add a few items. This was for a special experience (was getting omakase @ $130 pp - they have lower prices adv but there isn't a lower option) and they ruined the experience and excitement. I am no longer going and feel that we would have been faced with poor service based on the multiple conversations I had and inaccurate information and being forced to order their pre-fixe menu. It seems like a restaurant that tries to add in extra charges or change things. Saying this having worked in the industry and understanding it would have been easier on them to make a pre-fixe menu but, left a very sour taste from them. read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
We got the $130 omakase at Hamasaku, and we enjoyed it. The crab sunomono salad was light and refreshing. The six pieces chef's choice sashimi was clean, well-balanced, and delicate; a good starting course. The seasonal sushi also was of great quality, and they had different types of sauces like yuzu and ponzu, and they blow torched some of the fish to give it a smoky flavor. Overall it was pleasant. The uni ikura had strong flavors, and I'm not a big fan of uni personally but it was decent. The toro hand roll was delicious and one of our favorites. The asari miso complemented the fish very well, and the dessert was a great way to top off the meal. Overall the food was pretty good but the experience was fine, but we didn't feel like there was anything particularly unique. The restaurant was pretty packed and you didn't get the same experience as some other omakase options. read more
We arrived for lunch at about 1pm on a weekday, & were shocked to see a packed house. Luckily they had a table for us right away. Our food was all beautiful & delicious: Lunch Chirashi - served w/a green salad topped with crunchy fish skin pieces, & a cup of miso soup Sunumono salad - a large, very fresh & delicious salad Ankimo sushi - small squares of velvety ankimo Japanese Uni sushi - deep orange, creamy & delicious Salmon sushi - generous pieces We shared a large iced green tea, poured out of a beautiful glass decanter set on our table. The atmosphere was very lively, & nearly every table was filled. They close their lunch service at 2pm, but were gracious & patient with us when we chatted til past the hour. Parking is a challenge in their small lot. There is valet service, but the one guy on duty was overwhelmed, trying to get on top of a cluster of cars patrons left at the valet stand. There was such a bottleneck that it created a line of cars that trailed out onto Santa Monica Blvd. Street parking was very sparse too. But once you're seated & being served, the excellent service is a whole different vibe. You'll forget all about that congested parking lot, & you'll return for the excellent sushi. read more
2 years ago
We've come here several times and they never seem to disappoint. We always order the omakase, and I think at $130, it's priced reasonably for the quality of sushi you get. It's done with a very minimalistic modern vibe with clean lines, typical of many places in Japan. Service was great, waitress checked on us several times to pour our drinks. Although being the first ones in for a while, was hoping for faster service with the sushi coming out before the crowds started coming in. But I guess it was understandable with the amount of take outs they were doing. Omakase included all my favorite things: toro, uni, and amaebi, with the fried shrimp head...yum! Will be back again! read more
Tucked in a corner of a busy strip mall on the Westside is some really good sushi. We opted for the omakase and it exceeded expectations. Scallop and tamago/sea bass were some of the highlights. Hamasaku has low lighting and is a bit more old school in decor. I had marked that it was my friend's birthday on the reservation and they made sure to bring out a complimentary ice cream to celebrate. read more
7 months ago
Sat in the dining room and had a wonderful traditional sushi experience. The quality of fish is special occasion quality. The server made sure to go over every dish that was brought out and here's what we got as part of the omakase: - Crab sunomono salad - Sushi: 11 pieces of seasonal sushi - Sashimi: 6 pieces chef's choice sashimi - Uni & roe with rice in a mini bowl - Toro hand roll - Asari miso - Dessert: Ice cream Every single dish was delicious and a hit; my partner and I loved the uni & roe dish we got in a tiny bowl - I really wanted that bowl too! The flavours were all so balanced and complementary to one another. We did not leave feeling hungry nor weighed down by the end of the 1.5 hour dining experience. I loved the service here. We did end up arriving about 15 minutes past the reservation I'd made, but the hostess was accomodating and got us to a seat. Thankfully, the restaurant had just opened up, so it wasn't packed yet. Our server was attentive, bringing everything out in a timely, but in no way overbearing at all. The ambiance is date night as well as meeting up wtih friends for some good food. It can feel small/intimate, but it's also seemed busy and active - depending on where you sit. An extremely clean and well laid out restaurant, with the added bonus of seeing the sushi bar from almost anywhere in the room. Since Hamasaku is located in a strip mall, there is parking, however it is not free. It says "valet" but you park your car and it's free for the first 45 minutes, and then 2 dollars afterwards for every 30 minutes or so, for a maximum of $12. To pay for parking cash only, so remember to bring a few dollar bills! Another quick note: This was priced at $125/person when we went in September 2023, and is not $130/person as of late October 2023 - both notable increases from the previous months when it was $85/person. I understand that times are what they are, so everything is expensive, but while this is an incredibly delicious meal, I can't say that it's affordable anymore. read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
Hamasaku is so delicious! The sushi is so fresh. I always love to get their omakase to celebrate special occasions with my loved ones. Each bite is so unique and fresh. Such a fantastic dining experience in a beautifully decorated and intimate restaurant. The service was a bit slow the last time I went, but I'm looking forward to returning again because the sushi is just so good. read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
11 months ago
This is one of those places where they get everything right on every visit. You are greeted upon entering, seated graciously, and attended to in a timely but not overbearing manner. It's small enough to be intimate but large enough to feel busy and active. It's immaculately clean and organized. The sushi bar is visible from almost anywhere in the room unless you're sitting with your back to it. I've been here now on three occasions and I always leave utterly satisfied. Delicious sushi, amazing Japanese tuna tacos made in a fried wanton shell, and crispy rice (deep fried) with spicy tuna on top are all wonderful dishes. The popcorn shrimp, shishito peppers, and edamame are all great appetizers. Green tea budino was good but I'm not a huge fan of green tea desserts. However, the cheesecake and catalana are both excellent. Mochi is good too. Wonderful vibe, great service, and awesome food make this one of my favorite spots in LA, with no hesitation to return after each visit. Oh, and always make a reservation! read more
2 years ago
2nd time coming here for their omakase for special occasions. Although the price has increased, it is still oh so very worth it. Everything is so fresh and perfect. Words can barely describe it. Even the cuts that I don't "usually" like are divine. Tucked away in the corner of a random strip mall. Make reservations for bar seating if you're going to do omakase! The temperature of everything and the order is perfect that way and if you have room for more (which I barely do) then the chefs can make the perfect recommendation. read more
BEAUTIFUL sushi. So fresh and delicious. My roommate and I luckily live within walking distance and have a hard time not wanting to come here all the time! Restaurant is tucked away and unassuming from the outside, but beautiful when you step in. Presentation is always lovely and the desserts are to die for. We would come just for the deserts they are so good! Our favorites are the Cataline (frozen cream brulee) and the Tokyo Banana (banana pudding). Service is always great as well! read more
4 years ago
Good omakase under $100! The omakase is about $85/person. My boyfriend and I came here for anniversary celebration and our bellies left satisfied and the right amount of full! The meat quality is fresh and delicious! My favorite was the Otoro (tuna) which practically melts in your mouth! There was also dessert included at the end! :) I recommend eating at the sushi bar that way you can interact with the sushi chefs and see how they prepare the sushi. Service was also excellent! *Tip: make a reservation on Yelp ahead of time! **For parking: There is street parking on the side. Do not park in the lot as it's for valet (not free)! read more
4 years ago
My husband is super picky when it comes to sushi and is always looking for a good balance between value and quality, to the point where I never get to have sushi with him because he doesn't want to pay a premium just for some hype. He works nearby and comes here for business dinners often and strongly approves of Hamasaku. Recently I finally got to come here with him for dinner. I enjoyed everything that we ordered and I can finally tell that there's a clear difference in quality compared to what I usually get from other "sushi" restaurants. Cozy ambiance, valet parking or street parking in the neighborhood. It's hidden inside a strip mall along Santa Monica Blvd. read more
3 years ago
Such fresh and delicious sushi here! I recently came here to try a bunch of their appetizers and sushi options, and I loved how fresh all their fish was. There's only valet here and street parking might be hard to come by. Definitely recommend stopping by! read more
7 months ago
9 months ago
2 years ago
LOVED my meal at hamasaku !! everything was so so good, and i'd definitely revisit i always get crispy tuna rice if it's on the menu and theirs was delishhh. was not expecting the love the ice cream as much as i did but it was so yummy. i will say that i don't think the omakase is the best way to do hamasaku, we enjoyed ordering a la carte more than the omakase experience. service was good, and i loved the atmosphere for a date night. overall so yummy (their uni especially was divine) can't wait to revisit !! read more
1 year ago
Food was great! Omekase experience was clean and well done with great tastes (smoked pieces were our favorite). I want to emphasize the SERVICE. I took my girlfriend here for our 6 months, and I had many special requests: bringing flowers in + cupcakes for the servers to bring out during our dinner to surprise her. The manager, Michelle, accommodated all of our requests with fast responses and even went above and beyond to add extra flair in the presentation of the cupcakes I got! Couldn't speak higher of the service here... ownership if you're reading this give her a raise read more
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More info about Hamasaku
11043 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Westwood
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(310) 479-7636
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http://www.hamasakula.com
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Ask the Community - Hamasaku
Is there an option for Vegetarian (No Fish/Seafood/Meat) Omasake or Maki/Sushi rolls?
Sorry , I Don't Know
Is there lunch Menu?
Is this restaurant accommodating to solo diners?
Yes, request the sushi bar, which is perfect for solo diners as you can chat with the chefs. Otherwise, they have plenty of small tables good for solo diners.
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