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    Hamasaku

    4.0 (729 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese, Sushi Bars
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:30 PM

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    Business Info

    HAMASAKU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Hamasaku

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    the interior
    Zan L.

    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.

    Yellowtail Pepper Sashimi, Salmon Crudo Sashimi
    Crystal H.

    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.

    Rock Shrimp
    Nina C.

    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.

    Kayla Z.

    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.

    Pre-fixe menu for 12
    Rachel B.

    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.

    Scott H.

    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.

    Lunch Chirashi - served w/a green salad & miso soup : )
    Lucy Y.

    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.

    jeannette h.

    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!

    Elisa C.

    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.

    Omakase dessert
    Aheeka M.

    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.

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    4 months ago

    very good, so delicious and flavorful. You could tell the fish is fresh and made with love.

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    Hamasaku Reviews in Other Languages

    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 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.

    View All 4 Questions

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    (246 reviews)
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    Kid friendly
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    * The Japanese BBQ Chicken Ramen was amazing - the chicken was incredibly tender and had a…read morebeautiful char from the specially-prepared charcoal, leaving an enticing smokey aroma that lets you practically taste the dish before eating; the broth was great but becomes elevated once the chicken char starts getting absorbed by the soup, intensifying the flavor while gaining an almost cream-like texture * The Small Fried Chicken Bowl with Tartar Sauce was terrific - the chicken was deliciously crispy, the tartar sauce was savory and sweet, and was a nice accompaniment to the ramen * Overall, a superb spot in Sawtelle with friendly staff and a unique take on ramen that definitely warrants a visit while in the area

    Japanese BBQ Chicken ramen was the most interesting chicken ramen I've ever had ! My friend whose…read moretried majority of the restaurants nearby told me this CHICKEN ramen place is a must and I was doubting it at first because I always get pork ramen usually, but Holly CHICKEN , I GET the hype. It was so flavorful and rich even though usually chicken soups are more bland, I love that the bbq chicken ramen had the charcoal chicken which added a kick to the broth, the noodles were perfectly cooked. The rich chicken ramen was delicious too, Rich was the right name because I couldn't believe I was tasting a chicken ramen while I was eating it. I will definitely be back to try their rice bowls and more apps in future. Cute little spot, relatively loud and busy , I like how you can see flames from The kitchen area , chefs grilling up food ! Follow me for more foodie things, -Living with Luci

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    Midoh Sawtelle

    Midoh Sawtelle

    4.3
    (292 reviews)
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    Stopped by Midoh Sawtelle for a dessert break and their soufflé cheesecake did not disappoint --…read morelight, jiggly, not overly sweet, with just the right amount of density to feel indulgent without being heavy. Paired it with their Japanese tea and it was the perfect combo, the tea cut through the richness and made it feel like a proper little ritual instead of just a snack. Cozy atmosphere, great for catching up with a friend or grabbing a quiet solo moment. Staff was attentive and quick to bring things out. Portion was generous for the price too. Already thinking about going back to try the three-layer cream puff next. Highly recommend if you're in the Sawtelle area and want a dessert spot that actually delivers on flavor and presentation, not just Instagram appeal.

    Going into Midoh this recent Thursday was a nice experience, the lighting was good, there was…read moreplenty of seating and I was able to get sat right away. My server was an absolute gem. Food: Omurice w/ Demi-Glace ($16): The egg was really fluffy and the rice was absolutely packed with flavor. The pieces of chicken inside were juicy and it all came together quite will with the sauce. The dish also came with miso soup and a salad, both of which were delicious. Fried Mackerel ($7.50): The breading was quite nice and crispy, but not too much. The fish was really good and the tarter sauce helps enhance it. Lemonade ($3.50): Was a standard lemonade, strongly thinking it's Minute Maid Lemonade, but it came with free refills which isn't bad. P.S. There was a lovely couple having their first date next to me, here's to hoping things turn out well for them

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    Chinchikurin - Sawtelle

    Chinchikurin - Sawtelle

    4.2
    (946 reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    If you're looking for a delicious okonomiyaki, this is a great spot to get your fix! Tons of…read moredifferent okonomiyaki options, as well as omurice, takoyaki, and other classic Japanese options. The spicy GOAM with crispy noodles as the base was great, definitely not as much of a spicy flavor as I thought, as it seemed the main source was pickled jalapeños tucked into the layers. I personally am not a fan of a concentrated spicy jalapeño bite so I ended up not getting much spice. However the rest of the pancake was very good! The loaded Kaisen was indeed piled high with seafood, but I thought the flavor was a bit light in the pancake itself. The seafood did seem fresh and tender though! The hamburg omurice was absolutely delicious. Something about their demiglace sauce here was special, I'm usually not a fan but this time I ate every drop! The steak was also tender and juicy, a perfect combination with the dish as a whole. At a late lunch time (2PMish) it wasn't too busy, and service was pretty quick! The interior is casual and you can even see the chefs working. I'd definitely come back to Chinchikurin, I can't wait to try more!

    I rarely give a one star but I have also never had a place get me so livid…read more We came here for the omurice special they had going on. First, let me talk about their good. The appetizers we got were delicious. The cabbage and the octopus balls were great. We also enjoyed the drinks we ordered. Also, while I'm about to criticize the service, our servers never spoke rudely to us. So, the bad. -Sat us down, took our drink order and then forgot about us. When we asked about our drinks. Our waitress came back to ask us 3 different times for our drink order and still got the drinks wrong. -We were mainly ignored and were rarely checked on. I thought it may have been because we were in the patio. But no, the family across from our table seemed to have no problem getting service, but who knows the reason. -Omurice dishes were mediocre. We got the mentaiko, the curry and the hamburg dishes. Mentaiko was probably the best taste wise. The curry and hamburg were watery and bland. Had to hunt a waiter down to get us some sort of hot sauce. They would have benefited from some pickled veggies or some other different textures. After a while the dishes started to feel monotonous and gross. -As I had mentioned before, we were sitting in the front patio. By the end of our meal, I got up to go to the restroom. As I am walking down, one of the workers asked if I was a customer there. Stunned, I blurted "Yes" and continued on. My dear reader, that was my final straw. We had been sitting outside for what felt like HOURS. Got bad service, had mediocre main dishes, watching two servers running around like chickens with their heads chopped off. Only to come inside and get rudely questioned if I had been eating there by someone I am assuming was inside the entire time. If this is an issue the restaurant has, WHY ARE YOU NOT CHECKING WHO IS DINING AT YOUR ESTABLISHMENT PERIODICALLY. WHY ARE YOU INTERROGATING PAYING CUSTOMERS WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO PEE. WHY ARE YOUR WORKERS NOT DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE LOOK AT YOUR CUSTOMERS. I have never been asked if I was eating somewhere because I never HAD TO. For a store front that small, how are you not aware of your customers?! I am still getting heated just thinking back on it. Honestly, these issues separately I could have dealt with them, but it all happened in ONE meal. it was just a bad experience. I will not come back here. Do better.

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    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori Izakaya - West L.A.

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    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
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    So the first time I ever had REAL ramen was in 2009 when my then bf now husband dragged my sleepy…read moreself out of the car to the location in Little Tokyo. LIFE CHANGING, of course. So now when we travel down south or fly out of or back from LAX, we try to hit up any Shin- Sen we can find. We've been to this one on Sawtelle a few times and have dragged the Caucasian fam along before LAX flights, their lives too were changed. As ever, the vibe is hometown feel and the energy is always cheerfully chill :-) Stopped here again a few night ago and it never ceases to make me feel like I'm having a religious experience every time. Never gets old. The ramen is perfection as usual, the service is amazing, warm, friendly and almost makes you feel like family. We usually get too full on our Ramen but the couple next to us looked like they are Olympian Gold Medal orders. Next time we get down here we're gonna have to take several hours and bring our stretchy pants in order to have all the things, cuz I highly doubt they're anything less than mouthwateringly delicious. Until we see you again, we'll be drooling in our dreams!

    Shin sen gumi is my go to ramen spot in socal, and I love that there are so many locations for me…read moreto get my ramen fix. I tried the shoyu ramen for the first time and it was super unique in my opinion. It doesn't taste like the typical shoyu ramen, but rather like indonesian noodle soup. Maybe because it had a lot of fried shallots and the soy sauce taste wasn't super strong like other shoyu ramen. We also got the usual tonkotsu ramen and it was good as expected. I do think the noodles here are a bit softer compared to the other locations though

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    Street

    Hamasaku - japanese - Updated July 2026

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