I got the 4 hand roll for lunch and chose: - salmon…read more- spicy tuna - albacore - bluefin tuna It was pretty good, lunch menu is a pretty solid deal. I can't remember exactly how it compares to Kazunori but I want to say comparable if not better since it has minimal wait. Seaweed was crispy, rice was good. Ambiance was nice and much larger than Kazu so you don't feel as cramped. Of all the hand roll spots, would probably come back here as a go to

saijo is the best spot for a good lunch deal, which they offer everyday, including weekends! they…read moreoffer 3-5 hand rolls + a miso soup for $16-24. i've only been here for lunch, and i've never had to wait long for a seat. it's only bar seating, so it's not the best spot for a large group. parking is relatively easy, with a bunch of street parking nearby. food is served very quickly! they also offer a good selection of kushiyaki. - miso soup (5/5): so yummy! it was salty and light. i enjoyed the small bits of tofu and seaweed, and there were no green onions, which i actually liked - salmon hand roll (4.5/5): this was one of my favorites! the salmon was so soft and melted in my mouth. i thought the salmon had the most flavor compared to the other hand rolls with just plain fish - albacore hand roll (4/5): the albacore was also really soft but had a little less flavor than the salmon. i thought it was relatively plain - bluefin toro hand roll (3/5): the actual toro was good and so soft, but i was actually a little bit disappointed because i thought it was bland. i had to use soy sauce with this - spicy tuna hand roll (5/5): i thought this was very good and definitely had a kick! it was spicier than other spicy tuna mixes i've tried. i'm not usually the biggest fan of spicy tuna, but i liked this one because it had a lot of flavor - bay scallop hand roll (4/5): i tried this multiple on visits, and sometimes the mayo flavor was perfect, but other times it was just too subtle. the scallops were very soft, but i preferred other scallop hand rolls because of the consistency in flavor. the savory and creamy flavor really blended well when the seasoning was perfect. the small bits of green onion contributed to the flavor too - blue crab hand roll (4/5): it was supposed to be served cold, but i thought it was colder than usual. i liked that the crab was mixed in with mayo because it was one of the most flavorful rolls. the crab itself had a strong flavor - signature hand roll (4.5/5): this came with blue crab, shrimp, and salmon belly. i thought this one was tasty, even without a lot of seasoning, which was probably due to the variety in seafood. the blue crab definitely overpowered the other two, but they did add good textures. i also liked the addition of cucumber, which added some freshness. this one was bigger than the other hand rolls - chicken gizzard kushiyaki (4/5): the gizzard was just salted, so i wanted more depth of flavor. i loved the texture though! it wasn't too tough and crunchy for gizzards - pork chashu kushiyaki (4.5/5): minus points for consistency. the first time i tried this, i thought it could've been more tender, especially because it was thicker cut. it was a little dry. the second time i tried it, the pork was literally melting in my mouth. it would be a 5/5 if it could taste like that all the time! the marinade had some wasabi flavor mixed in with a sweet glaze, which was just delicious - a5 miyazaki wagyu kushiyaki (3/5): good savory flavor, but the beef was pretty chewy, even though it was cooked well. there was a pea-sized amount of a wasabi-based sauce on top, but it wasn't too strong. i was pretty disappointed by the texture, especially because this skewer was so expensive compared to the others the hand rolls at saijo are relatively big compared to other hand roll bars, so i can order less to feel full. the rice is good and moist, although i think that there's slightly too much rice compared to fish. i love that the nori stays crispy for most of the rolls, instead of getting chewy after the first bite. this really makes saijo stand out! although i enjoyed my experiences, i don't think that this is the best hand roll bar i've tried in terms of flavor, but i would definitely come back for the lunch deals.

I've been going to SunnyBlue since their first location opened in Santa Monica on Main Street!…read more I'm seeing people get confused between the locations and the CULVER CITY LOCATION HAS SEATING with a community table inside and several smaller tables outside. The Santa Monica one is more grab and go as it's their smaller flagship location. This business has been carried by the owner Keiko who has brought a slice of Japan outside of the designated communities of West LA's Sawtelle and DTLA's Japan Town! Here (at either location) you will find unique delicious flavors of omusubi but also called onigiri rice balls! That you won't find anywhere else! Rice balls are actually shaped into triangles and stuffed or mixed with simple ingredients like a salted plum called ume (it tastes salty, and tangy with a touch of sweetness) To more engaging offerings like the lucky cat with japanese pickles with fresh wasabi, ginger, and bonito(dried fish that is sliced paper thin) These finger foods can be enjoyed as a snack or grab a few to make a meal. The Culver City Location has a decor that immerses you in Japan. They have a small market section with alcohol such as saki, handmade dishware from Japan, cute claw machines for kids, and expanded meal offerings! Besides Keiko being absolutely amazing, the food is as well! From curry stuffed to fresh shisho leaves and pickled wasabi!!! There's lots to choose from and the best part.,,.they have always had an expansive vegan menu! Yes they are very Vegan Friendly! I love the Eggplant Chili Miso and Wasabi Tsukudani. I highly suggest checking out the Culver City location so you can sit down and enjoy a drink and the ambiance and expanded offerings. After going to this place for nearly 16 years there are rare days where things like the rice may be off due to a mistake, but I've only experienced that a total of 2 times in 16 years so it's pretty rare!

Ask anyone who's ever eaten Chinese food or Indian with me will tell you: I love rice…read more So I was excited to try this place, which makes omusubi, which is basically a hockey puck of rice stuffed with meat or fish or veggies. I had it once before, when I was Tokyo, but don't remember it. I won't soon forget this place. I tried 3 omusubi: the Sunny Blue Curry ("tender chicken and scallions simmered in wafu curry), the Miso Beef ("tender beef and caramelized onions cooked with homemade miso sauce"), and the Tokyo Tori ("chicken with sweet and sour sauce"). hard to pick a favorite; they were all really tasty. Though I kind of think the sushi-like nature of omusubi might work even better with fish, which they also offer; specifically the Kara Tuna ("albacore tuna with diced cucumbers and onions with spicy mayo sauce") and Spicy Salmon ("cured salmon with chili seasoning"). Maybe next time. As for the place itself, it was clean and neat, and while there was only one table inside, they had a nice outside area on the side. They also have a staff who were friendly and helpful. As for parking, I easily found a spot on a side street on a Wednesday around noon. There's also some metered parking on Washington. Just watch the signs. If I had a complaint -- and I don't, really -- it would be that I wish they had some coffee drinks. But that kind of wouldn't fit the vibe (and, to be honest, there were tons of coffee places on Washington on my way home). Instead, their beverages were fittingly rather Japanese. Like Ramune.

Fantastic high quality sushi in an intimate setting. Don't…read morelet the location in a shopping center fool you, this is an amazing experience. Highly recommend.

Unique and good spot for sushi!…read more Reserved on a Sunday at 12 through Resy and they were able to accommodate early. Unique place that reminded me of my 7 years in Japan. Remove shoes before entering, sunken dining, and loaner slippers for the bathroom. Food was good, sashimi slices were thick, shrimp and vegetable tempura had a variety of vegetables, crispy rice tuna appetizer was good, and garlic edamame was delicious. Again, good sushi and doesn't break the bank. Highly recommend!!!

I really enjoyed KazuNori. I had never been but had driven past a many of times. My friend and I…read morewent for a weekday dinner. We waited in line for about 30-40mins before we were sat. Once we were sat, the service was amazing. Overall the food was delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the options here. I believe I picked the 5 handroll options and it was the perfect amount.

Been coming here for years, even when it was the long counter…read more You don't get any better than KazuNori, especially this location. Sure, the parking lot is like playing chess with a grandmaster, but it's worth it.

I love this marketplace for so many reasons... local, fresh and delicious options. Yesterday, I…read moremixed it up a bit. Squid salad, spicy cucumbers, spicy tuna and yellowtail cut rolls... Came home and mixed 1/2 an avocado into the cucumber/squid salad and ate my rolls on the side. What a fabulous combination!!! Every person I meet here is super friendly and the people who work here are helpful and gracious! A true neighborhood gem and for good reason... everything I've ever eaten here is ALWAYS fresh, unbelievably tasteful and soooo good. I highly recommend and remember, parking lot gets super crowded... be patient and look for parking on Barrington.

Yama sushi has the freshest sashimi that is affordable and easy to grab and go :). Clean little…read morestore inside with great options! PARKING Small plaza but they do have free parking available although limited during busy hours. SERVICE Always very kind workers and cashier. Constantly restocking the fresh seafood options! FOOD Loveee their California rolls (huge and creamy). Their fresh salmon sashimi is delicious along with my fav bite sized 18 pc mixed hosomaki with spicy tuna, eel, and salmon avocado. The kaisen roll is another one of my favs! They even have a hot food section with salmon, eel bowls, and chicken karaage. You can also order spam musubi combos with them. ORDER Feel free to grab a ticket at the fish counter and order slices of sashimi pay per weight! OVERALL 10/10 place for your fresh sushi fix. Fast and easy to grab and go and perfect for catering and parties with large tray options available. Thanks Yama!

GREAT SUSHI & Service. Very nice staff and it wasn't too busy at 6:00 p.m. on a Thursday. And happy…read morehour runs until 6:30 so it worked out. I'd recommend the spicy tuna crispy rice!

Food - I like their rolls but $10 for edamame is crazy their Obama care roll is rly good…read more Service - good service , food came out quickly ! Ambiance - chic modern feel

If you know, you know -- Santouka inside the Mitsuwa Market in the Mar Vista area is a low-key gem…read morewhen you want legit ramen without the whole sit-down restaurant vibe. I actually like that it's inside a Japanese market because I can walk around after and grab some groceries or check out their really good quality beef, but this review is strictly for the ramen. I always go with the Spicy Shio Ramen and it never misses. It's perfect for when I'm on the clock and don't have time for a full dine-in spot but still want something that actually feels like a real meal and not just fast food. The broth has a nice kick without being overwhelming, and the noodles are always on point. I usually add the extra pork just because... why not? And it's super fire every time. If you're in the area and want something quick, warm, and legit, this spot definitely hits.

Finally got to get me some ramen from Hokkaido Ramen and they are still one of the best. Got 'the…read moreusual' combo B with salmon rice bowl. To my surprise, they now offer 'to go' containers as I recall how they used to not pre-Covid. I still recall seeing people bring their own Tupperware and pouring ramen into them in order to take it to go.

Bruh! We brought our family specifically for the yuzu scallop soba, and they friggin got rid of…read moreit!!! PLEASE BRING IT BACK! THE LUNCH SPECIALS are why ppl love it here. We keep telling the waiter, who's so kind and hope this reaches the owners or chef!! Love the vibes, chill music, volume level is appropriate for having good conversations but not at all too silent. We're always relaxed coming here, especially with our newborn and toddler!

Came here for my birthday lunch! First thing I noticed was how cute and also minimalist the…read morerestaurant is. It really felt like you were in a cozy little family restaurant in Japan, with a counter on the side with seating, a few small tables, and a middle u-shaped bar area. Overall, simply laid out but beautiful. We learned about the place from Groupon, and I really appreciate that they are offering excellent quality food with a discount - much appreciated in these times! This is kind of a small bites place, where you get a couple of smaller portions of meat and other sides as well as a main portion of stuff like cold or warm soba noodles. Since it was my bday, we did it up a little big and ordered many things... We tried the signature sobar lunch, which came with several courses (I got the traditional tsuyu with brisket, the cabbage, seared sashimi and grilled duck - delishhhh, and a handroll, along with a spiked lemonade drink, which was a delight). The vibe and ambiance were cool and the service was helpful and warm to us. Overall, the food was fresh and the flavors were mostly very good (particularly the duck and sashimi). I think maybe I'm not the biggest fan of cold noodle dishes, and the house broth was good, but didn't quite knock my socks off. I also felt like it was on the lighter side portion-wise, so I feel like I did leave the place still a little hungry. Given the average price on the menu, that part was a little disappointing. I would return, but I think next time I'd need to levelset my expectations on the portions and order a warmer noodle dish.

RVR is a modern Japanese izakaya with California style. RVR is having a moment on Abbot-Kinney,…read morewhere the vibe never ends. At an izakaya, you expect small dishes so you can linger while you enjoy your drinks. Here, these include charcoal-grilled meat skewers, dumplings, ramen, and sandos. I visited during brunch and had a large bowl of ramen with a Banner Dark cold brew. I was seated at the bar where the stools have low backs, so you get a little core workout. Before the meal, they bring a warm towel. Manila Clam Ramen: The broth is subtly briny and sweet from the clams and dashi, so don't expect a typical rich pork soup. The Manila clams are sweet and tasty. While I'm not normally a high fan of the texture of clams, these are plump, springy, and juicy. In fact, with their huge size and orange color, they resemble mussels in flavor and shape. Slivers of the preserved lemon give a zesty, aromatic, and fermented flavor. This complements the scallions and sweet citrus zing of the red Fresno chilies. The mitsuba leaves are like a mild parsley. Today I had some interesting interactions with water. In the morning, while I was surfing, I was spitting out the aggressively salty water. My first sip of RVR's tap was noticeably sweet, cold, clean, and refreshing. When the clam broth arrived, the level of savoriness was just right! Parking: You can usually find street parking a few blocks away.

Overall I think the restaurant was cool. My friend and I went on a weekday and it was packed. The…read moredownstairs bar and seating area was really loud and we were thankful that we got sat upstairs. The upstairs was much more mellow. Our waiter made our experience. He really cares about the food and how it's served. He gave us back story on every dish. He was very helpful in helping us decide between items. Everything we ate was good but overall I do think the price and the amount of what was served was a little overrated. The stars of the show were the tuna hand rolls, the lamb and the gyoza. We ordered much more but I cannot remember what. If you're looking for vibes and nice ones on Abbott Kinney this is a good place for that.

Tiffany is the best server!! I've been coming here since the place opened up and it's only gotten…read morebetter! The sushi is fresh and so is everything else They have a good happy hour and if you order the teriyaki, you probably have food for a second meal Everything is freshly made here and the place is very clean Alex is a great chef

-- Amazing Sushi & A Dining Experience Like No Other! We…read moretook our 2-year-old and had the most incredible family dinner at Mikomi Sushi in Santa Monica. From the moment we sat down, everything was just perfect. The sushi was absolutely outstanding -- fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The sauces were on another level, perfectly complementing every single bite. Everything we ordered was delicious, and you can tell real care goes into every dish coming out of that kitchen. The ambiance was really lovely too -- warm, comfortable, and inviting. The kind of place where you just settle in and feel good being there. It made the whole evening that much more enjoyable for the whole family. Now here's what made this visit truly special -- there was a robot server delivering sushi right to the table! My 2-year-old was completely glued to it -- wide eyes, the biggest smile, entertained the entire meal. As any parent knows, keeping a toddler happy at a restaurant is half the battle, and Mikomi made that effortless and fun. The human staff were also incredibly warm and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcomed the whole time. If you want top-tier sushi and a dining experience that's fun for the whole family, Mikomi Sushi is an absolute must. We will definitely be back! P.S. -- My wife loved it so much that she visited twice on her own while I was at work. I think that says everything you need to know. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​