After going back and forth between different sushi spots, we landed on ikigai for their positive reviews, especially about their fish quality. We entered right behind a group of 3. The group was greeted and told to wait for them to clear a front table. We were behind the group so it may have been tough to see us. We decided to scan the barcode at the front and join the online waitlist. The wait time was 0 minutes and there were multiple tables open. The restaurant was probably 35% filled. The server who was seating folks sat the group ahead of us and did not even acknowledge us. We ended up waiting 10+ minutes for the server to finally sit us. The many servers were attentive but I think it was to their detrimental as the meal progressed. While we appreciated the constant water filling, we felt very watched when they would take our plates as soon as the last sushi piece was taken off. There were multiple times when I saw servers glance at our table for the plates and it made us feel rushed. Where I was sitting, I could see the servers pacing back and forth and constantly glancing at our table to see if they could clean anything up. I wish they were a tad slower on this part so we could have more uninterrupted time to connect and eat. I was pretty excited to try the food but was left feeling unsatisfied. We got the philadelphia, yuzu drop, alaska samurai, and negihama (yellowtail) handroll. The rice was overcooked and mushy on the Philadelphia roll. I'm not sure why but the fish didn't wow me or taste super flavorful when eaten as a roll. I purposely ate the ingredients separately to get an isolated taste of the fish. The fish quality was okay - I was expecting more. Their salmon was lackluster but the tuna and yellowtail were decent. The ambiance is more modern and folks who seem to go here fit more hipster vibes. Not sure if we would return. read more

Great location in the heart of Eagle Rock--not-so-great parking options, but that's a bit unavoidable in most LA places and especially this strip during busy evenings. The unagi was amazing, with some good tempura shrimp on the side. Rice was only alright. Very clean interior with quick staff service. We were able to walk in without a reservation. read more

ikigai - Unadon (unagi don) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My boyfriend and I celebrated a milestone anniversary here. We went in on a Saturday and there was surprisingly no line!! Bless! We sat at the sushi bar since we were doing omakase and it was an unforgettable experience. We got water with no ice and an extra pitcher to refill ourselves. They were on top of filling up the pitcher too! Something that I appreciated was getting a small bowl of pickled ginger after my boyfriend finished his. We didn't ask for it, it was just noticed and given. It was the sweetest gesture and made us feel so heard. After omakase, we wanted to order the snow crab nigiri and the chef overheard so he called our server over. SO attentive! We were talking to this other couple about the Uni they bought and my bf has never had Uni so they OFFERED theirs to him. We refused and the chef brought us both spoons to try it. Gosh! Talk about princess treatment! Omakase: Bluefin tuna fatty otoro - wasabi top Room temp fatty good way melty wasabi level good G9.3 L8.1 Salmon - big ass. Chunk refreshing melty good salmon flavor. Didn't taste too salmony G9.1 L8.4 Hamachi- can feel layers not fishy good texture can squish with just your tongue a little sour? G8.2 L8.6 Kampachi- mild fishy harder structure but smooth and melty. YUZU KOSHU YUM SPICY salty and citrus the fish is melty G8.6 L8.6 Scallop- fricken awesome. Buttery would prefer no yuzu though G9 L 9.5 Sea brim - feels cooked? Like steamed fish but half raw great flavor complex for raw fish i get some citrus? G9.6 L9 Golden eye snapper - crunchy slight seared flavor very fishy compared to rest G 8.7 L7.9 Black throat snapper- very SMOOOOOTH buttery yummy smooth G9.5 L9.8 Halibut - crunchy and chewy taste leaf kinda minty? The spicy daikon yuzu garnish is so yum G8.8 L 8.8 Barracuda - salt on top. Torched and cooked. Good torches flavor. The salt adds so much G9.3 L8.7 Negitoro hand roll- seaweed is toughhhh flavor of weed is great. It's strong in strength. Sweet. Fish is not very fishy but feels partially cooked. Less rice more fish!!!! Snow crab nigiri - butter flavor. Crab isn't too fishy and it is lots of crab butter flavor great little sweet denser crab G9.8 L9.9 Torched salmon belly - fatty so much it melts completely. Salty too. Great seared flavor buttery yum G10 L8.5 Albacore- torched skin. Fish tastes bamboo sweet refreshing great soft texture citrusy turns into mush in your mouth bc it's so soft like sea bream but softer. Garnishes were complex and very fun G9.5 L9.65 Uni- like an oyster but softer and creamier and slightly sweet very good uni and super creamy. Ive never had it on its own before! G10 L 10 read more

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A truly worthy sushi spot in the Eagle Rock/Glendale area. The menu is solid, offering high-quality, fresh fish you can instantly taste with every bite. We've been here more times than we can count, and it never disappoints. The restaurant is always spotless and welcoming, though it can get busy on weekends and weekday evenings--which only shows how loved it is. It feels very much like a family-run restaurant, where every piece of sushi is made with care and precision. Their attention to detail is unmatched. The menu is simple, yet it has everything you could want when it comes to sushi. We also love their great selection of Japanese beers on tap--it really adds to the experience. I highly recommend sitting at the bar and trying the classic omakase (10 or 12 pieces)--each piece is perfection. The rainbow roll is also incredible, especially when paired with an Orion or Asahi. A special shoutout to Chris, the sushi chef, who always makes our visits so memorable. Even though he's constantly on the move, balancing the front and back of the house, he never fails to make every experience special. read more

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Great food, okay service. I was able to walk in and nab a table on a Friday evening after reservation at a restaurant down the block fell through. The waiter was great, but it was clear that they were severely understaffed. Imagine a 3/4 full dining room with countless parties waiting to be seated. Not to mention it took about 30m to get our order taken.... As a non-sushi/sashimi eater, I was happy with the selection. The Unadon with the Teishoku (set meal) was quite good. While it was definitely pricey, you got a decent amount of food. The unagi was cooked perfectly-- tender, smoky eel with a slightly sweet sauce. The chicken teriyaki was average. The chicken was a little overcooked. I will say that the other people in my group did comment about the generous portions of fish on their rolls. They were thick pieces on top of the roll, comparable to sashimi. The parking situation is tricky, as is either any restaurant on this part of Colorado. And yes, they do have high chairs available in case you were searching. read more

Grabbed dinner here with a friend and we arrived right at 5pm so we were the first ones seated. The staff were attentive and I ordered 2 of the hand cut rolls. The toro and hamachi were both really good quality fish and I think their sushi rice is well seasoned. We shared the yuzu police cake with vanilla bean ice cream which was really good too. -1 star because I felt a little rushed. The moment I finished my sushi, the staff immediately handed us the check and we had to ask for the dessert menu and a new check with the yuzu cake. Parking: street parking read more

fuckinn place.The employees were rude, and the service was extremely slow. It felt like everything took forever

I love me some sushi, and have been wanting to check this place off my list for a while now. I came here with my partner on a Friday around 7:30 pm. We had to wait about 15 mins to be seated. Upon entering the restaurant, I was confused where to check in as no one greeted when we walked through the front door, the register is located at the back of the restaurant so I wasn't sure if I was supposed to walk to the back to put myself on a list. Come to find, there was a list hidden off to the side when entering. Maybe establish a clearer way to check in or have employees acknowledge when customers are coming in and let them know they'll be right with them. Besides that little rant, I'd say that our server was really attentive and helpful. The restaurant itself is spacious and there is also seating at the counter. Their menu offers a lot of different appetizers, sushi, rolls. Omakase is also offered. I definitely appreciated the variety. What we ordered: Karrage Chicken (5/5) Super crispy, tender, and juicy chicken. The sauce that accompanied the chicken was really good. Highly recommend. Crunch Roll (5/5) Spicy Blossom (4/5) Overall the food felt very high quality, portion size is just enough, and price seem fair. Enjoy read more

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Love this place! Everything I ever order is delicious, the fish is beyond perfect quality, and Peter brings his passion for perfection every time. There has never been an off day. The family and entire staff are very kind and thoughtful. And, there is handmade desserts! Seriously eat here. Brian and Seth should be your go to as servers. They are attentive and literally remember what we want every time. Couldn't recommend a better sushi spot. read more

Sushi was good. Service was amazing! They were on top of it!!! Appreciate that. Would come here again.

Great vibes . I recommend for dinner . The tempura udon is absolutely amazing , and the soft shell crabs . Tim was so nice, helpful and kind I will come back soon :) read more

ikigai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We both got the Omakase 12 piece..they forgot one of our orders so the chef hurried to make the second plate but it came out quickly. We added on a bunch of other items and left super full! read more

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I have no idea how this place isnt 5 stars. The quality of fish is better than any other sushi on the east side. We order 2-4 times a month for delivery. Negihama and Blue Crab Hand Rolls and Torched Salmon Belly and Chutoro Sushi never miss. And Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is obviously a must read more

Delicious and beautifully plated sushi served in a casually refined atmosphere by a friendly and attentive waitstaff. As a neighborhood sushi restaurant, ikigai gets everything right. We'll be back soon. read more

Recommended and definitely will come again. We arrived at 8pm last night, not too many ppl there. Most of the seats are sofas, looks great and comfortable. They are 3 waiters plus one Japanese woman such a boss and 2 Suchi Chef standing in Sushi bar. One of the waiter served us with Cantonese, felt so warm and very nice, politely, proactive. For food, we ordered Chief Sushi's, hot sake, California rolls, some signature rolls. Also ordered Tempura, sushi to go for my honey. Cost 50 per head read more

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Didn't have to wait very long, friendly waiter, love the menu, amazingly fresh and delicious food. Highly recommend. Thanks Ikigai

Worst sushi I have ever had in my life. Sushi rice was terrible but then when we also ordered Sashimi, we were 100% convinced, this place is the worst. Sushi Stop is much better I assume. lol read more

After our 3rd or 4th visit, each time spending around $80 per person, you'd think we'd at least have a decent experience. They completely forgot about us until I tried to cancel our order after waiting 30 minutes for a salad and miso soup to come with our chirashi. Meanwhile the table next to us, which came 20 minutes later, already were served their order, including a chirashi order. Can you hear our stomachs growling? My wife spoke harshly in the king's Korean to one of the employees. Food was fine but I am not leaving a tip. Nor a nice review. Not coming back either. Too bad because I am in Eagle Rock twice a week. read more

Overall: tucked in an unassuming location in Eagle rock this spot scratches the itch at a fairly reasonable price. Food: the savory selections were very traditionally made. The Unagi rice bowl wasn't lathered with yaki sauce but allowed the fish tell the story. The miso black cod was melt in your mouth goodness with that rich umami miso flavor. The sushi/sashimi is the opposite of the flavor packed savoriness as it was incredibly light. Nothing stands out especially but overall solid. Ambience/Decor/Service: friendly rapid service and very clean modern decor. Definitely a good spot to hit if you're feeling sushi without feeling the $150 + that can come with it! read more

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my girl and i love to find new sushi restaurants in our area, found ikigai online and drove to it right away. im glad it was so close to Glendale. the nigiri, phenomenal. the staff, very attentive and knowledgeable. definitely coming here again, thanks for a great experience. read more

So happy to have another nice sushi option in the area! I've been living off of Ichijiku, which I love, but it's always nice to have a little variety and ikigai is here to offer it. Their Nigiri selection is large and excellent, while still being quality. And the Butter Saba is a definite must - it's the perfect balance of smoky and savory. The rolls are great and LARGE. The Yakimaki is so good (ask for light sauce), my expectations were low because I'm not usually a fan of a saucy roll, but the flavor was top notch. Service was fast and attentive - we had multiple servers coming to our table to check on us and they were more than happy to offer suggestions. And the restaurant is very clean with a lovely, neutral look reminiscent of Little Tokyo or Sawtelle sushi bars. A really great addition to the neighborhood! read more

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My experience was splendid. I was greeted by Tim with a huge smile. I mentioned to him that it was my first time here, and he stopped was he was doing and broke the menu down for me, and he let me know which were the house favorites. He answered all of my questions and didn't make me feel rushed at, specifically because I got there 30min before closing. He even let me know when last call was. The food is outstanding, very well proportioned, looks and tastes delicious. Thank you for the wonderful experience. read more

Ikigai is a gem of a restaurant in the Eagle Rock neighborhood!. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. The sushi (nigiri) is delicious! Here are my favorites: Otoro (blue fin fatty tuna) Saba (mackerel) Butter saba Torched sake/salmon belly (extra salt) Engawa (torched hirame/halibut fin muscle) Blue crab handroll My family enjoys other items on the menu like: Agedashi tofu Karaage Tempura platter Miso black cod read more

They don't honor shellfish allergies and the chef refused to prepare food because he would have to change his gloves. Also, the lighting is pretty hideous. Don't recommend eating here. read more

Stopped in for lunch and truly it's dangerous how good & close this is to me. Will be back many many times I'm sure! This time I tried to the pork cutlet lunch & my husband got the garlic salmon plate. Super tasty & we got a couple pieces of toro to go along with it. Friendly & speedy service + nice chill & quiet lunch atmosphere. read more

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On our way to a event in Eagle Rock, my date and I stumbled upon ikigai a few moments before they opened for dinner. We walked in as the first guests that evening and sat ourselves down in a comfortable booth for two. This sushi-ya shokudo is quite modern, clean, well-lit and with only about a dozen tables seating around 30 guests total at a time. The menu is quite extensive, ranging from omakase and à la carte sushi to traditional Japanese comfort foods, alongside a full beer, wine, and saké list. We decided to start with a large sparkling water, an order of the gyoza, along with a "chilled edamame." Our waiter came back with the sparkling water, and guests began to arrive. The space is quite nice, totally open to see the sushi-ya preparation up front. First up, the Gyoza ($10). 7 pieces of delicious pan-fried pork dumplings with a chili oil / rice vinegar dipping sauce. The dumplings were cooked to perfection, which a soft exterior and wonderfully tasty filling. A few moments later, our waiter returned with the pan-fried edamame, with "chili," and garlic. I explained to him that we didn't order this version, but instead the other edamame. For a brief moment he attempted to argue with me, citing that I ordered this version. I pointed out to him that I ordered it exactly how it was written on the menu, "edamame, chilled with sea salt." He didn't apologize, but told us that he would bring out the other edamame version. Apparently he was confused with "chilled" and "chili." The correct version was delivered a few minutes later with our server mentioning that he would take the other edamame off the bill. No apology. We then decided to order a few Signature Rolls. Rainbow #1 ($19): 8 California Roll pieces, topped with Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Avocado. These were artistically prepared and presented. The depth of flavors and freshness of each of the fish was absolutely top-level. Great options with this roll and delicious no matter which California Roll you opt for. Triple Delight ($19): 5 Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon and Avocado Cucumber Roll pieces, wrapped with Soy Paper. These rolls were also artistically laid out and incredibly delicious. The fish here is amazingly fresh, full of flavor and tasty. The prices are quite reasonable given the quality, and you can't go wrong with a few Speciality Rolls, or even the omakase (ranging from $55 for a Chef's Choice of 8 pieces to $120 for 16 pieces of chef's favorites). I wanted to give this place five stars, as I think the food is clearly the star here (and you won't be disappointed with the quality) but the customer service from our server on our maiden visit wasn't the best, especially since we were the first ones in for dinner that evening. By the time we were finishing up (around 6pm), the restaurant was 90% full. You definitely notice the noise level creeping up a bit as the restaurant was at full capacity, including the occasional screaming of young children at a few family tables. Walk-ins only at ikigai. No reservations accepted. Street parking on Colorado if you are lucky, but also a metered lot directly behind the restaurant off Caspar Avenue ($2 All Day, 7am-9pm). read more

Lovely dining experience. The staff was incredibly nice and balanced the line between attentiveness and giving privacy really well. The food was so fresh and delicious, overall really enjoyed our meal! read more

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Seriously the best. One of the best oysters I have ever had! Wonderful, kind staff and the food is top notch. Always looking forward to the next time. read more

10/10 they separate the seaweed for the hand rolls. Quality is better than most places I've gotten togo from read more

ikigai - Love that they separate the seaweed so the handrolls stay crispy - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came once in Feb and once today (July). In Feb we came during Superbowl Sunday so we were the only ones there and the service was good. The food was good for Eagle Rock, where a good sushi place is not so easy to find. We usually make the drive to Little Tokyo, Pasadena, Glendale, etc. I thought it was good enough that we would return. Fast forward to tonight. We came back on a Thursday night and the place was maybe 30% full at 6:30pm. That's not usually a good sign but I figured it was the weekday crowd and the price is a bit higher than eating elsewhere since it is sushi after all. When we sat to order, I asked a few questions about allergies because my son is severely allergic to dairy, and allergic to eggs and nuts. I asked if the tempura in the kids bento had any dairy and eggs and the waiter said he would ask and let us know. We ordered the rest of our food. Then, the food started coming and the kids bento came. I asked the person who brought it if he knew if there was any dairy and eggs in it since the waiter never came back to let us know about the allergies. He said he would go ask the kitchen. He came back saying it was only flour. I thanked him. Towards the end of the meal, I went to our waiter to ask him if they do anything for birthdays since it was my friend's birthday. They said they can put a candle in the ice creams. I thanked them and gave them my card so they can charge the entire meal on my card. When the ice cream came, we asked if any of the ice cream was sorbet, to which the waiter said the mango and the lychee were sorbets. Great. As far as I ever knew, the difference between a sorbet and an ice cream is that sorbet does not contain any dairy or egg. Ask google. Ask anyone who knows anything about frozen desserts. Sherbert has some dairy but not sorbet. RIGHT??? Well, no, not in this case. My son reacted right away. His lips puffed up and he had to barf. We went to the bathroom so my son could throw up. I texted my husband to tell him to tell the waiter what happened. When I came out, I told the waiter and the cashier/owner (?) what happened. The waiter looks at me and says all ice cream has milk. I'm like yeah, but you said it was sorbet. He apologizes and says that he will ask the manager. The manager (or owner?) comes out and says that the container that contains the ice cream says sorbet but it says it contains milk. Another waitress comes out and repeats that it says sorbet on the container and that it contains milk. Okay... so are you saying that because the container that is labeled as sorbet and that it contains milk that I am wrong for thinking that sorbet does not contain milk? Was it not enough that I asked if there was milk/eggs in other foods prior to this interaction? How inattentive do you have to be with customers who have food allergies? At this point my son's lips were very puffy and his throat was closing up so my priority was to pay and get the hell out of there since we left our epi pen at home. They apologized saying they didn't know. I just told them to take allergies seriously because I now have to take care of my son and monitor him to see if I have to take him to the hospital. There are many people with severe allergies and things need to be properly labeled. On the menu it says "Ice Cream/Sorbet" and it lists the flavors. My suggestion is that they include an asterisk and type out "contains milk" or get rid of the word "sorbet" from the menu. Most people with dairy allergies or vegans would be appalled to find out there is dairy in sorbet. TRUST ME. I've been doing this for 10 years. Take allergies seriously. The other suggestion I have is to train the waitstaff about ingredients or to pay more attention to customers who are asking about specific ingredients. They're doing that because they're allergic or cannot eat that ingredient. The first waiter never came back to us to let us know if the tempura batter contained egg or dairy. Very inattentive, There was not a lot of customers at the restaurant. Another point, which I doubt they can do much about it, but there were SO MANY FLIES around our table, which was close to the entrance. It was literally disgusting to have to swat flies indoors every three seconds. I haven't written a negative review in a while. I usually spare my energy. Tonight though, I couldn't help it because it's my son's health. I hope this helps anyone with food allergies or vegans who thought the ice cream was safe to eat. The only reason I'm not giving them one star and I'm rounding it up to two stars is that the first time I went was fine, and good enough for me to want to return. However, I will say the quality of the rest of the food has diminished from when we visited in Feb. Pics of food are from Feb. read more

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First sushi restaurant I've ever been to that said they cannot accommodate a shellfish allergy. They said I couldn't eat anything on the menu. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh and succulent the food was. I tried the tuna sashimi and spicy tuna rolls, and they exceeded my expectations. The tuna was served in generous, flavorful chunks, and everything was light and delicious. The spicy tuna rolls were equally impressive. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff was friendly and accommodating. Our meal, which included my dinner, my daughter's California rolls, my wife's dinner plus two miso soup, extra rice, and sake, came to $106, including a 22% tip. It was well worth it, and I'll definitely be returning! read more

ikigai - Tuna sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went to ikigai for the first time last weekend. Loved omakase, oysters, and miso soup. My spouse also enjoyed their chawanmushi, which is a Japanese steamed egg custard with crab on top. That dish is hard to find at less authentic Japanese restaurants. Wait staff was friendly. Service was a little slow but we were not in a rush. Ambience was fairly chill and nearby street parking was easy. We will be back for sure! read more

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The food was outstanding, the lighting and interior were perfect, the sashimi and sushi were incredibly fresh, and after 40+ years of eating Japanese food, you still found it to be on another level--that's huge praise. Every dish felt like a work of art, the prices were reasonable (not overpriced compared to other spots), and you wouldn't feel ripped off at all. If someone criticizes it, they'd have to be clueless about real Japanese cuisine. No flaws whatsoever, and the owner's kindness plus that unique level of service you can't find elsewhere really sealed the deal. read more

Ikigai is the friendly neighborhood sushi place I've always longed for. It's clean, modern, and simple. My go-to's are the raw oysters, sashimi, chirashi, and omakase. Their omakase cuts are premium and taste way better than what you expect (especially what you pay for)! It's a great deal considering the quality of sashimi you get. I'd come every day if I could! :) read more

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This is one of those places that you want to keep a secret so when you go last minute you can still sit in your favorite spot. The owner and his team are professional and take serving excellent food VERY seriously! Everything is fresh and if you want an education about where the best fish should be purchased ask the owner; he knows his business well. Details are paid attention to in service and quality; water tastes crisp and filtered, the shishito peppers with bonita flakes are quite the show, beer is served ice cold in a beautiful frosted glass. Our favorite rolls seem to evolve and grow in exotic flavor surprises and beauty every time we visit. It is a small quaint place, very clean and we love to sit far left side of the sushi bar; so go and enjoy, just don't sit in our spot! read more

ikigai - One of our favorite rolls! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The food is really good quality not too expensive and it's a great place to eat and drink

Just finished a tasty unique meal and wanted to share the joy. We had 3 dishes and are now very full. The ambiance is smooth and clean, service is excellent, and you can hear each other when you converse. You can bring a friend, be alone or have the family there. I had something I had not had before, soy paper. It's used like seaweed wrap, but easier to bite. We had already enjoyed eating there 3 times before but a positive review is warranted. read more

Just not good sushi. Rice is terrible and food not great. Sad because location is perfect for us.

By far, my favorite sushi place in LA. I ordered the premium omakase which comes with 16 pc chef's choice, hand roll, oyster, and dessert (crème brûlée cheesecake). 1000/10 would recommend. Fish is so fresh and delicious. Some fish just melted like butter in my mouth! Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Environment was so chic and simplistic. Owner seems genuine and down to earth. My experience was great. Looking forward to my next visit! read more