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    Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City

    4.4 (140 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

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    SAIJO - LOS ANGELES - CULVER CITY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Signature hand roll
    Celina S.

    Agree with an earlier review that overall the food is fine but nothing special, and that the pace of the meal is rushed. They would serve the next course while I had 2 courses still being worked on. The couple good bites I had were the smoked toro roll and signature but would rather have just had it untouched. Maybe this is just me but I also thought it was gross that the chefs would hand you the sushi directly while also handing other customers sushi directly without glove changes. There's a chance that other customers touch the chef's hands on accident and those gloves go on to make and serve so much other sushi. They already are in the practice of placing the hand rolls on the counter for you to grab, but not the "one bite" ones despite having the specific serving dishes for those to keep them together.

    Eleni A.

    We loved Saijo and would absolutely return! The wait was a bit longer than the 25 minutes we were told but it was worth the wait (plus, they let you order wine or sake while you wait)! Service was very friendly, attentive, and the space was meticulously cleaned with a relaxed vibe. Staff were consultative on the menu and had great recommendations as well! For the food: Miso was great, a little smoky, I could've drank 5 of them. Cucumber salad was light, savory, and delicious, highly recommend. Edamame was the right amount of salt, tasted fresh, really great. Lobster & blue crab hand rolls were absolutely delicious, I don't always order hand rolls and these changed my mind, can't wait to try these again! Kushiyaki - chicken wings, beef were fabulous but the A5 Wagyu was the winner, cooked perfectly, melts in your mouth! The potato left a little to be desired, it tasted pretty plain. Overall a great experience, would love to try the rest of the menu!

    One Bite Uni and Scallop
    Michelle T.

    Came in on a Friday night and waiting around 20 minutes for a spot for 2. It was our first time there and the service was great!! They walked us through their menu and told us what was popular. The ambiance was lively for a Friday night as it seemed like a great place to catch up with friends or a late date night spot. The food was fantastic!! The one bites were a unique addition. I also tried the Tsukune, which was a chicken meatball skewer, and it was so delicious!! I would definitely come back to try more skewers.

    Andy C.

    I really wanted to like this place, but I feel like I'm missing something. It's rare that the food I receive looks A+ but actually tastes like a C. I placed a to-go order and upon opening it, everything was nicely packed and looked pristine. Unfortunately, the good experience ends right there. First of all, it's absolutely a sin to serve sushi rice that hard/tough. I mean, this was literally some of the worst sushi rice we've tried; it tasted just like regular supermarket sushi straight out of the fridge. On top of that, the sashimi was sliced so thinly that it felt like a joke for such a highly-rated place. I had high hopes given the reviews and the branding, but this was a letdown. Maybe the quality is better if you dine in, but I wouldn't recommend the takeout.

    Signature roll
    Dojo A.

    This is definitely in my top 3 handroll places that I love in LA. Plus they serve some yakitori/izakaya dishes. They have a variety of menu choices from 2x2, 3x3 and also an omakase menu. If this is your first time here, I highly suggest you start with the 4x4 menu. It's the right amount of food for 1 person and if you're still hungry, you can add maybe 1-2 other dishes or hand rolls. The 4x4 set comes with 4 hand rolls and 4 Yakitori/izakaya dish plus a bowl of miso and edamame. It's only a counter bar seating so may not be good for large groups but you can definitely bring a couple of friends or a good spot for a date night as well!! Service is quick and the front of the house lady is very accommodating. Also, Tatiana is my favorite server. She's very pleasant and treats her customers very well. Loves how she knows how to interact with people and not just take your order. She's just a lovely person!! If you happen to be in the LA/Culver City area, this should be part of your dining experience. Also a good spot to either have a quick lunch or dinner before heading to LAX as it's only about 15 mins from the airport.

    Bonnie S.

    Perfect Solo Date Spot in LA... Saijo Handroll in Culver City is the perfect spot for solo dating with delicious bites and atmosphere where I find calm and relaxation. The one bite uni was my absolute favorite along with the salmon and tuna handrolls. The grilled sausage on the stick caught me by surprise because it was so juicy and flavorful. There are many surprises at Saijo and I wish my stomach was a lot bigger to enjoy more of the menu. The service was fantastic and enjoyed eating solo because the environment made me feel relaxed. I can't wait to come back when I am in the Westside.

    Kevin S.

    Great new sushi spot on the west side. I like the concept of including kushiyaki to sushi as it gives more variety. The absolute stand outs of the menu though are the one bite hand rolls which are more like 2 of fish on standard amount of sushi rice presented to you in a half rolled piece of seaweed. I think getting several of those is the best way to go. I'm also a big fan of salted chicken wings so was quite happy to be able to add that for some extra cooked protein. Definitely worth a try! Seating is all countertop so definitely more of a casual spot similar to kazu nori

    Sushi Albacore and Chicken Kushiyaki Skewer
    RoseMary F.

    My friend attended dinner with a prix fixe menu, I was fortunate to be her Plus 1. The food was delicious, freshly made. The service was outstanding from beginning to end. We were seated at the Sushi Bar where we had a clear view of each handroll made individually and placed on a mini plate our place setting. MENU HIGHLIGHTS: Starter - Edamame Soup - Miso soup Cucumber Salad in a tangy sauce Entree - 1 Salmon Handroll and 1 Bluefin Toro Sushi - 1 Bluefin Tuna and 1 Albacore Kushiyaki - Grilled Chicken Skewer and Chicken Meatballs I highly recommend this classy restaurant. There was 6 of us in our section and we all loved the service and high quality of each dish. Sincerely, Rosemary

    Yellowtail with truffle sauce
    Roshni M.

    It's a small place with bar seats by only so get there early to grab a seat quick or you might be waiting a bit. Love the semi open kitchen concept. The rolls are being made fresh to order and handed directly to you. The tasting menu is always good and fills you up. By the end I was so full. Love the combination of fresh seafood and hand rolls with cooked skewers. There's something for even your non sushi/seafood loving person. They have smaller tasting menus available and it's well priced.

    Rickey M.

    5 stars for the west sideeee, and some of the best handrolls and yakitori in LA. You wont often find me on the west side of 405, but for one of the best lunch specials in the city you might from time to time. Saijo has some handrolls that exceed the likes of Kazu with the freshness of the fish, but even more the size is about double the protein than that of Kazu. My favorite here is the specialty with the blue crab, seared salmon, and shrimp. Its a flavor bomb for sure . Also love the scallop handroll! The lowkey thing about this place is they offer Yakitori, and its shockingly and possibly the best on the west side. Everything is grilled proper and their Tare sauce is the king here. Service is always on point and quick, and the vibes are definitely neighborhood vibes. Check this place out, come for the handrolls, but also stay for the yakitori. This is my top spot on the west side for both handrolls and yakitori.

    Yellowtail Sashimi, Salmon Sashimi
    Alexandra R.

    My current favorite Japanese restaurant. I've never been to a place that serves both meat skewers and sushi. If you come here for lunch, it's cheaper, but they're only open from 12:00-2:30 and then again for dinner from 5:10 (closed on Mondays) . The yellowtail sashimi is insanely good, and so are the beef skewers. Not only is everything I've tried delicious, but even the things I wouldn't usually order have been good. I like the sushi chefs a lot, and all the food comes out very quickly. It's a nice place to eat by yourself or with a friend. When I first saw a specialty tuna on ice in the middle of the room, I was impressed!

    Sharon T.

    Saijo specializes in handrolls and kushiyaki, and both are delicious! I came for a special tasting night with the Franki Social App, so the meal we had was a preset one. The sushi bites and handrolls were so delicious and flavorful! The fish was literally melt-in-your-mouth! My personal favorite was the ahi tuna sushi bite, but everything was so good! The kushiyaki is also very good - I tried the chicken thigh and the chicken meatball and both were great. The chicken thigh was my favorite of the two since it was so flavorful and so juicy and tender! The cucumber salad was nice and fresh as well, but in my opinion it was just a bit too salty for my taste. Service was really efficient all night and they were all so nice! Parking is also available on the second floor of the building. Otherwise parking in the neighborhood can be a little tricky.

    Pinhwa S.

    Tried the 2x2 set and addrd couple other things. * 2x2 Set: * Edamame + Miso Soup * Handrolls: Bluefin Toro*, Salmon* * Kushiyaki: Negima (chicken thigh with green onion), Tsukune (chicken meatballs) * Appetizer: Salmon Sashimi * Signature One Bite Hand Roll: Blue Crab, Shrimp, Salmon Belly * One Bite Uni Handroll (Saijo Special) The sashimi was fresh, the handrolls were tightly made and flavorful, and everything came out super fast. The quality-to-price ratio was great, especially for how premium the ingredients were. Also loved how clean and calm the space was, great for casual dates or a quick lunch/ dinner. Service was fast and friendly! Definitely coming back

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    Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City

    Do they offer their lunch specials on the weekend?

    Yes they do! I went on a Saturday :)

    Can they accommodate a gluten allergy?

    yes, but we don't have an exclusive gluten free kitchen so cross contamination is possible.

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    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles - Sushi Enya Pasadena & Los Angeles Downtown

    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    11.5 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$

    This has been on my bookmarks forever! My wife and I walked in, no reservations and they seated us…read morepretty quickly. Excited as I was, I'm glad we came here, Michelin star says it all. One of the best sushi spots I've had a in a while actually. We didn't really do any appetizers and went straight in for the fish. Started off with a couple of hand rolls, we did the crab hand roll and O toro hand roll. Crab hand roll wasn't as impressive, I've had better to be honest. I didn't let that experience ruin it for me because the toro hand roll was delicious. I think they add a piece of mint and it complimented the hand roll. Very crunchy nori wrapper and good rice to fish ratio. For our sushi we started with chu toro tuna, salmon belly, and halibut. Super fresh melt in your mouth quality. Halibut was interesting with the truffle, first time definitely won't be the last. We ended it with red snapper and black snapper. Absolutely amazing, I think the black snapper or the red snapper was slightly charred. It was so good. To say the least, this restaurant was worth it!

    I recently visited Sushi Enya with my husband- though I liked the experience and food I think there…read morecould be slight improvements there. When I made reservations on the phone I asked about the latest reservation and confirmed 10 pm - however I asked if I could sit at the bar and they said not at that time since they closed at 11. When we arrived, there was a couple coming in at 10 and sat at bar...maybe just miscommunication but tha could have prevented us from consuming our food quick and skipping on alcohol since the table we got was not the best. Sushi felt very fresh and there's something about the way they make the rolls that feels different about other places (not sure if in a good way) Great staff and sushi chefs- they were super fast moving from one course to the next one.

    Photos
    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles - Chef Jeff adding the truffle on our special handroll. Stop by Sushi Enya in Los Angeles for the freshest best tasting sushi!!

    Chef Jeff adding the truffle on our special handroll. Stop by Sushi Enya in Los Angeles for the freshest best tasting sushi!!

    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles - Sushi Enya Pasadena & Los Angeles Downtown

    Sushi Enya Pasadena & Los Angeles Downtown

    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles - Sushi Enya

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    Sushi Enya

    Bar Sawa - Aji

    Bar Sawa

    4.6(125 reviews)
    11.4 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown

    A modern take on omakase that is Sushi Kaneyoshi's fun nightlife counterpart. Hosted in the same…read morebuilding (the same fishy smell permeates the space) at an intimate counter for about 10 guests, the decor of the space is less sterile and clean and more jazzy Tokyo hipster. While the fish quality here is great, you will get more bites that seem a lot more experimental with flavors and garnishes. I didn't like every single bite but I expected that. A lot more focus on creative cocktails and drink pairings instead of just sake or wine. This is a great place to try Japanese whiskey, they even have little lockers where regular patrons can store their expensive bottles they've bought for when they return, and you are welcome to grab an additional drink and chill in the space afterwards if you'd like. The chefs here were a lot more personable and fun with more of a bar vibe than a traditional omakase. Service was great, dedicated bartender was great, and though it's not the best sushi I've ever tasted, I would still bring someone back here for a unique experience. Brought my friend here for her bday and we left full and happy and a little drunk so I'd say it was a successful night!

    Great food! Great crew!…read more However, they allowed 2 obnoxious couples to just make it for an uncomfortably loud dinner. Thai is not how an omakase experience should unfold. Such a shame because otherwise it would have been a great experience. But I cannot excuse them for allowing these other guys to just behave so rudely, like Neanderthal, and not say a thing.

    Photos
    Bar Sawa - The beautifully lit alcohol selection

    The beautifully lit alcohol selection

    Bar Sawa - Blue Crystal Shrimp

    Blue Crystal Shrimp

    Bar Sawa - Sawa Highball

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    Sawa Highball

    Izakaya Gazen - Otoro special

    Izakaya Gazen

    4.0(601 reviews)
    11.5 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$

    Amazing homemade tofu, Tempura is lightly breaded and fresh and just flavorful!…read more Sukiyaki was also good. Attentive service.

    The last time I was in Little Tokyo in L.A. was 1996 - just before a six-week trip to Japan. So I…read morewas eager to return and wanted to find the most authentic Japanese restaurant in the busy, crowded, and somewhat commercialized tight walkways of Little Tokyo. I turned to Yelp for help and that - as always - was the right move! Izakaya Gazen is a chain, originating out of Tokyo with locations also in Honolulu and Little Tokyo, L.A. It's got the true feel of an izakaya (Japanese pub or if you read the Japanese characters, Stay-Drink-Place). The name Gazen refers to the chain and the "Gazen style food - approachable and shareable. Izakaya Gazen is known for its house made creamy tofu, often eaten with soy sauce and wasabi - and it was very delicious. Unlike the izakayas I visited in Japan, I didn't have to remove my shoes here - kind of nice, but I miss the true Japanese tradition. One tradition I appreciated was the large format Japanese beers (we chose Asahi) and the small, chilled glasses to pour into. I haven't found this Japanese touch on the glasses anywhere else in the USA. Usually, I have to ask for an old-fashioned glass or a juice glass and the servers just don't understand that this is how you drink from a large bottle in Japan. As with all Japanese dining establishments in Japan, you're warmly greeted the moment you enter, by the sushi chefs and the servers alike with "Konnichiwa!". It's a cultural thing in Japan and one I wish was more prevalent in the USA. Our server was delightful and seated us at a window table. We examined the excellent menu and went with two offerings - the Chirashi Sashimi Bowl and the Tempura Bowl - both served with a small sample of their creamy tofu, a tray of appetizers, miso soup, and a salad. A really good value ($32 and $25, respectively). I rated both of them five-star for presentation, taste, and the very fresh nature of the food. It was an outstanding hirugohan (lunch)! There are lots of great places to eat in DTLA, but we're seriously considering another visit to Izakaya Gazen this evening!

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    Izakaya Gazen
    Izakaya Gazen - Beef Tongue 9/10 super good with crunchy side and salty from soy sauce

    Beef Tongue 9/10 super good with crunchy side and salty from soy sauce

    Izakaya Gazen - Salmon Chasuke  10/10 no need to say this is just, phenomenal. You need to try this!!!!

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    Salmon Chasuke 10/10 no need to say this is just, phenomenal. You need to try this!!!!

    Hama Sushi - Assorted Sashimi (salmon, tuna, albacore, yellowtail)

    Hama Sushi

    4.1(1.8k reviews)
    11.5 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$$

    came here on a wednesday night with my bf for a date and... lowkey obsessed…read more first of all -- they don't take reservations. like at all. we got lucky because we went kinda late and there was no wait, but i can 100% see this place getting packed the space is TINY tiny. like true hole-in-the-wall vibes. but in a way that actually feels authentic, not curated. genuinely felt like we were in japan for a second -- nothing flashy, just simple, cozy, and real also pls know before you go -- this is NOT your california roll / teriyaki / noodles type of spot. it's straight sushi. very no-frills, very traditional they literally make each piece right in front of you, one by one, which makes the whole experience feel super intentional and fresh and that's exactly why it hits. the fish quality is so good, everything tasted super clean and fresh without trying too hard. no gimmicks, just really solid sushi it's also super lowkey which i loved for date night. not loud, not chaotic, just chill and intimate def one of those places you almost don't want to post about... go try it!!!

    Spent a lovely, relaxed evening at this sushi spot…read more The ambiance stood out right away--clean, calm, and just the right amount of atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can slow down, enjoy your meal, and have a good conversation. The food was consistently good. Fresh ingredients, well-balanced flavors, and a few signature rolls that felt thoughtfully done without trying too hard. Service was another highlight--easygoing, attentive in a subtle way, and never intrusive. If I had to point out one thing, it would be that a few dishes didn't quite have that "wow" factor. But sometimes, I appreciate a place that simply gets everything right without overcomplicating it. Definitely somewhere I'd return to--and perhaps bring the right company next time.

    Photos
    Hama Sushi - Interior

    Interior

    Hama Sushi - Combination B

    Combination B

    Hama Sushi - Spicy tuna hand roll

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    Spicy tuna hand roll

    Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City - japanese - Updated May 2026

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