Sama Handroll
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Sama Handroll in the Arts District is definitely worth checking out! We tried a mix of their happy hour deals + regular menu, and everything was seriously so fresh, vibrant and beautifully presented. What we ordered: 3 Hand Roll Set -- spicy tuna, salmon & yellowtail $14 HH Don Flight -- spicy tuna, salmon & toro $19 HH Hamachi Serrano $18 HH Sama Salad with Octopus Bluefin Burrata Lobster Dashi Pasta Unagi Curry Chahan Lobster Pasta and Unagi curry fried rice were so good and def my favorites !!
We stopped by Sama early evening on a Tuesday during happy hour and had a wonderful time! The place was pretty much empty when we arrived and we were greeted by a really friendly hostess. She was very attentive, gave good recommendations and worked really hard! We ordered some edamame, the 3 handroll set, black cod handroll, spicy tuna on crispy rice and soft shell crab cut roll. The food came out really fresh and was all pretty tasty, with the spicy tuna items as the highlights of the meal. It's great value if you come during happy hour, otherwise it's a bit pricey for what you get.
Great happy hour. I especially appreciate that it runs until 6:30 p.m., while many other restaurants end theirs around 5 p.m. The $14 three-hand-roll set and $6 blue crab roll are both great values, making this a perfect introduction if you've been curious to try the restaurant. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed. I recommend sitting at the bar for the hand rolls - the chef serves each one as soon as it's made, so you get to enjoy them at their freshest.
Was searching for a place to eat when we found Sama. It's a small walk away from Little Tokyo. We were seated pretty immediately, and our waitress was really helpful and overall an enjoyable person during our time. She helped us a lot with menu questions. The lunch menu had a solid range of bowls and items. I tried the don trio (salmon, tuna, spicy tuna), negi toro handroll, and shisito peppers. All items were really tasty and worth getting. My personal favorite was the middle tuna don with yellow pickled radish. The crunch and acidity really brightened the don and balanced the fattiness of the tuna. At $21, I think this is the best lunch option, very filling. Surprise favorite was the yuzu mayo from the shisito peppers! We ended up asking for a separate plate of this and used some to eat our dons! Definitely down to come back another time I'm in the area.
Hello eaters!! I came here for the Dine LA menu and sadly it did not meet my expectations. I'm a kazu nori fan and I was hoping to get if not better quality for the paid price I paid ($65 p/person) . I took my boyfriend here for a second birthday celebration and the dinner fell short due to many factors... Service 5/5!: amazing service. The two ladies that helped us were phenomenal, so kind ,so welcoming, so amazing!! Thank you for your warmth and kindness ladies !!!! Handrolls 2/5: the blue crab had a strong pepper flavor and the texture felt more like canned tuna to me. I'm a spicy tuna girl so I was excited for this dish but sadly the quality was a miss. Tasted like supermarket spicy tuna. The salmon hr was pretty decent tho, nothing special. Skewers 2/5: the miso cod flavoring was off and it just tasted like teriyaki sauce. The chicken skewers were solid. Js chicken you can't really mess that up but nothing special. Entres 3/5: we enjoyed the wagyu- juicy and perfectly cooked. The pasta was a miss for us. The sauce was light but it felt like there was a missing flavor. The cheese on top was not doing anything for the dish imo. Anyways.... Thank you for the amazing service, but sadly I don't think we will be coming back :(
Chill vibes and pretty good food. Went for a weekend dinner - place is at a quieter part of the Arts District, so some street parking can be had. Was seated immediately in the middle of the restaurant. The vibes definitely felt different than what I gathered from the Yelp pictures. Definitely more casual vibes vs date-y. Not bad though. They have shochu and sake cocktails, as well as a variety of beers. Ended up grabbing a couple beers while someone else had their Melon bar cocktail. Did have a taste of the cocktail, which was very watermelon-y (in a good way). Looked at the menu - shared appetizers were anywhere between $18-$28~ and seemed to feed 4 people fine - while handrolls were about $9~ on average. Ordered the tuna crispy rice, a yellowtaail serrano dish, as well as 5 handrolls (salmon, blue crab, albacore, spicy tuna, and yellowtail). The appetizers were spot on - has good flavor and the yellowtail weren't sad strips of fish. The roll fillings were all really good, but the nori was a bit chewy - which was a bit of a downer for me. Overall, was a fun, chill spot - particularly for the appetizers, with the handrolls needing crispier nori (either quality or how the nori is served).
Dine LA has a way of getting me to go out a tad bit more than usual. And seeing this menu, the location, and the price made it a lock for me. Arts District is a great location, and the fact that the parking is slightly less hard to find than in Downtown proper is a bonus. After a few passes, I was able to park right outside for a lunch bite. I saddled up to the bar to eat as there was a huge party sitting at the tables and I just wanted a quick stop. Service was good as I was able to see the staff making the food and they were attentive and checked in while they worked. First up was the spicy tuna on crispy rice. Solid. Next was the trio of handrolls. I really liked these and enjoyed the presentation. Because there was a bit of a delay (huge party, remember?) I was given a complimentary bite. The Seared and Salted was great and a nice way to hold me over while the staff got out of the weeds. Finally I had the mochi cake. I was not expecting much as I'm not a fan of mochi, but wow this was amazing. The highlight of a nice meal. This is a great spot and the layout is cool. I'm glad DineLA beckoned me to try as I will keep it on my rotation.
Came here for a dinner reservation to catch up with some old friends and was shocked to see that the place had so much seating available. We ordered a few items off the happy hour menu: brussel sprouts, crispy rice tuna, spicy edamame and pork belly. We also ordered the lobster dashi pasta and a few handrolls each. The flavors were definitely there and it was overall a good meal. I still think that its hard for anyone to compete with Kazunori when it comes to handrolls but the other dishes were tasty. I'm not sure if any one dish stood out, it would definitely be one of the appetizers as the pasta was a little too salty for my liking. They validate parking for 2 hours at the Aliso parking lot. Don't make the same mistake I did and pull into the "$5 parking". It's $5/30minutes. Service is friendly and very attentive. Food came out at a good pace as well.
Super chill, but still kind of classy/nice dimly light vibe. I was grabbing a snack with an old friend and the sushi chefs were kind but professional. And busy! But a really nice, calm setting. The food is fresh and delicioussssss! We had the pork belly, the handroll flight on the happy hour and the bowl flight. I think it was called the Don or something??? 10/10 recommend!!! I want to try everything on the menu
Celebrated my sis' bday here and honestly couldn't have picked a better spot. Sama Handroll offers way more than just hand rolls, and it definitely shows. From the second we walked in, the place felt clean, modern, and inviting, with warm, genuinely hospitable service. We ordered a variety of dishes to try and no dish disappointed. Everything was fresh, high quality, beautifully presented, and came out impressively faaaaast. The crispy rice tuna was a favorite for me --tons of fresh tuna with the perfect crunch. The short ribs and green bean tempura also delivered and then some. Truly one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a while--from the hospitality, to the food, to the attentive service. Everything felt easy, comfortable & well thought out...even the validated parking was a win. Would absolutely come back. IYKYK.
NOTE: Dined in on 8/5/25 during happy hour. They validate parking, or if you're lucky, you can find parking around that area of the Arts District. It's at the end of the main area of where restaurants are, next to Malbec. Was pretty quiet and chill when we arrived around 6. Service was lovely. It's funny... for a place that has handroll in its name, handrolls are probably the weakest part of the menu here. That being said, everything else we had was great! I'll go straight into a breakdown: Handroll flight (spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail negi) - Tremendous value on the happy hour menu, but the biggest letdown was the nori (seaweed) and the rice. The fish itself was serviceable - probably on par with KazuNori or Yunomi or any of those other handrolls spots. But the rice texture was just so-so. It wasn't too dry or undercooked or anything like that, but it didn't have a satisfying bite to it. The nori was a bigger issue... it wasn't crispy and it did not tear easily. Both of which are critically important in a handroll, in my opinion. I would pass on this next time, but perhaps I would try the don flight instead! I'd like to see if the rice is any different there. Crispy Rice Tuna - I know this is a super basic item, but this can actually be really tasty if done well (see Kettner Exchange's version down in SD). This is actually a pretty good rendition! The rice worked better here than in the handrolls (not still not GREAT), and the layer of crispiness was noticeable, but not too hard or chewy. Tuna had a small kick and there's an avocado with a splash of eel sauce on top. Simple, but good and it's discounted during happy hour. Pork Belly - Honestly, not really worth it even with the happy hour discount. Small portions, not super melt-in-your-mouth or anything like that. It's decent, but nothing special and your money and stomach space is better spent elsewhere. It looks much better than it tastes. Beef tongue skewer - Not on the happy hour menu, but this is probably the best thing we had here. Super tender, melts in your mouth... I'd order a bunch of these next time, honestly. Or at least two haha. Subtle sweet glaze, but definitely doesn't take away from the flavor of the tongue itself. Little bit of yuzu kosho on top and a side of shichimi togarashi. Something that is best enjoyed when it is kept simple! Lobster dashi pasta - Could have done with a bit more tomato-y flavor and acidity, but generous lobster chunks in there, the noodles have a satisfying chew to them (much more like thick ramen noodles rather than pasta). It's got mostly a sweet and savory flavor profile, which might be a bit overwhelming for some people after a few bites. It's good to share, but I do not recommend ordering this for yourself as you might get tired of it partway through. Still worth trying, though! Overall, Sama is a great addition to the Arts District and I'm eager to return to try more items. It's just a shame that their handrolls are not that great! But don't let that deter you! You should still come to try all of their other delicious food.
My friends and I ordered the hand rolls: yellowtail, Toro, blue crab and salmon. The tuna crispy rice was crunchy and delicious. Service was great and ambience is relaxed.
Happy hour (5-6:30pm) deals are AMAZING! Three handrolls for $12, crab handroll for $6, and a don flight for $18. Sushi was sooo fresh and light and flavorful. The don flight + extra handroll was filling and perfect portion. Order a side of Brussels sprouts to share! Happy there's another handroll spot in Arts District! Will come back for drinks and to try their lobster pasta!
Located in the heart of LA's Arts District, Sama Handroll serves a wide selection of Japanese-inspired dishes with a modern twist. We stopped by for their Dine LA lunch special, which was $25 per person and included a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The space has a sleek, contemporary aesthetic, with light wood furnishings and ample seating. Service was outstanding as well--our server was friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout our visit. **Chicken Skin: 5/5** Ordered separately from the Dine LA menu, the chicken skin was light yet incredibly crunchy. An accompanying tobanjan mint dipping sauce added a refreshing, herbaceous heat that cut through the richness of the fried skin. **Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna: 5/5** The crispy rice was perfectly executed, with a golden, crunchy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Topped with spicy tuna, each piece had a creamy, savory flavor with a mild, tangy kick. A slice of serrano pepper provided an extra touch of spice, while the unagi sauce rounded out the dish with a subtle sweetness. **Salmon Carpaccio: 5/5** Exceptionally fresh slices of salmon had a delicate, smooth quality that paired beautifully with the briny bursts of ikura. Dressed with a yuzu vinaigrette, the carpaccio had a bright, citrusy acidity that lingered pleasantly on the palate. **3 Handroll Set: 5/5** Featuring spicy tuna, yellowtail, and salmon, each handroll came with generous chunks of fish that had a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The quality and freshness of the fish were undoubtedly the highlight, making it clear why handrolls are the restaurant's specialty. **Pork Belly Don: 5/5** Tender, fatty slices of pork belly were glazed with a robust, umami-forward sauce that seeped into the rice underneath. Finely chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds topped the bowl, adding a nutty, aromatic finish. **Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream: 3/5** While enjoyable, the strawberry mochi ice cream was fairly standard and reminiscent of the store-bought varieties commonly found at Asian markets. This dessert came across as more of an afterthought and lacked the same elevated quality as the other dishes. **Matcha Mochi Cake: 5/5** By comparison, the matcha mochi cake was easily the standout, with a crisp, caramelized crust that gave way to the dense, pleasantly bouncy consistency of butter mochi. Slightly bitter, earthy matcha notes were prominent in every bite, with the ice cream amplifying the matcha flavor and the strawberries adding a sweet, juicy fruitiness. Overall, Sama Handroll completely exceeded our expectations. Between the excellent food and warm hospitality, nearly everything we tried was a hit. With such an enjoyable experience from start to finish, I'd happily return to check out more of their menu. read more
1 month ago
We were a party of 3 who had a 6:30 reservation. Another party came after us and got seated before us, so we were already off to a bad start. Service was fine, nothing over the top. We did DineLA menu. We got crispy rice w/ tuna and the salmon carpaccio as our starters, very good. We then did the spicy tuna roll, salmon roll, and blue crab roll. It was delicious and probably the main star of the show. We then got pork belly and miso cod, a little salty and burnt so not the best. We got the lobster pasta and short ribs, again short ribs were salty, pasta was good. We ended with matcha mochi cake which took forever to get to us. We were there for a total of 2.5 hours and it just felt so slow and I can understand to an extent because other parties getting seated 30mins - 1 hr after us got to leave before us. We paid and asked for validation to find out there was no validation given to us so that really was the cherry on top! Overall, would probably not come back. Gave them 3 stars because the rolls and apps were really good. read more
Sama Handroll is a modern handroll spot in the Arts District that is definitely worth checking out! To get here, street parking will be your best bet. They take reservations and also have a Yelp waitlist too. Inside, they have a modern interior with a solid amount of seating. The fam and I stopped by for their DineLA lunch set which was $25 per person. I ended up getting the Crispy Rice Tuna, Pork Belly Don, and the Matcha Mochi Cake for my choices. We also got the Unagi Tempura and Vegetable Tempura to share. Everything that we had was delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience! read more
2 months ago
Sama Handroll in the Arts District is definitely worth checking out! We tried a mix of their happy hour deals + regular menu, and everything was seriously so fresh, vibrant and beautifully presented. What we ordered: 3 Hand Roll Set -- spicy tuna, salmon & yellowtail $14 HH Don Flight -- spicy tuna, salmon & toro $19 HH Hamachi Serrano $18 HH Sama Salad with Octopus Bluefin Burrata Lobster Dashi Pasta Unagi Curry Chahan Lobster Pasta and Unagi curry fried rice were so good and def my favorites !! read more
We stopped by Sama early evening on a Tuesday during happy hour and had a wonderful time! The place was pretty much empty when we arrived and we were greeted by a really friendly hostess. She was very attentive, gave good recommendations and worked really hard! We ordered some edamame, the 3 handroll set, black cod handroll, spicy tuna on crispy rice and soft shell crab cut roll. The food came out really fresh and was all pretty tasty, with the spicy tuna items as the highlights of the meal. It's great value if you come during happy hour, otherwise it's a bit pricey for what you get. read more
Great happy hour. I especially appreciate that it runs until 6:30 p.m., while many other restaurants end theirs around 5 p.m. The $14 three-hand-roll set and $6 blue crab roll are both great values, making this a perfect introduction if you've been curious to try the restaurant. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed. I recommend sitting at the bar for the hand rolls - the chef serves each one as soon as it's made, so you get to enjoy them at their freshest. read more
3 months ago
Was searching for a place to eat when we found Sama. It's a small walk away from Little Tokyo. We were seated pretty immediately, and our waitress was really helpful and overall an enjoyable person during our time. She helped us a lot with menu questions. The lunch menu had a solid range of bowls and items. I tried the don trio (salmon, tuna, spicy tuna), negi toro handroll, and shisito peppers. All items were really tasty and worth getting. My personal favorite was the middle tuna don with yellow pickled radish. The crunch and acidity really brightened the don and balanced the fattiness of the tuna. At $21, I think this is the best lunch option, very filling. Surprise favorite was the yuzu mayo from the shisito peppers! We ended up asking for a separate plate of this and used some to eat our dons! Definitely down to come back another time I'm in the area. read more
2 months ago
Hello eaters!! I came here for the Dine LA menu and sadly it did not meet my expectations. I'm a kazu nori fan and I was hoping to get if not better quality for the paid price I paid ($65 p/person) . I took my boyfriend here for a second birthday celebration and the dinner fell short due to many factors... Service 5/5!: amazing service. The two ladies that helped us were phenomenal, so kind ,so welcoming, so amazing!! Thank you for your warmth and kindness ladies !!!! Handrolls 2/5: the blue crab had a strong pepper flavor and the texture felt more like canned tuna to me. I'm a spicy tuna girl so I was excited for this dish but sadly the quality was a miss. Tasted like supermarket spicy tuna. The salmon hr was pretty decent tho, nothing special. Skewers 2/5: the miso cod flavoring was off and it just tasted like teriyaki sauce. The chicken skewers were solid. Js chicken you can't really mess that up but nothing special. Entres 3/5: we enjoyed the wagyu- juicy and perfectly cooked. The pasta was a miss for us. The sauce was light but it felt like there was a missing flavor. The cheese on top was not doing anything for the dish imo. Anyways.... Thank you for the amazing service, but sadly I don't think we will be coming back :( read more
Chill vibes and pretty good food. Went for a weekend dinner - place is at a quieter part of the Arts District, so some street parking can be had. Was seated immediately in the middle of the restaurant. The vibes definitely felt different than what I gathered from the Yelp pictures. Definitely more casual vibes vs date-y. Not bad though. They have shochu and sake cocktails, as well as a variety of beers. Ended up grabbing a couple beers while someone else had their Melon bar cocktail. Did have a taste of the cocktail, which was very watermelon-y (in a good way). Looked at the menu - shared appetizers were anywhere between $18-$28~ and seemed to feed 4 people fine - while handrolls were about $9~ on average. Ordered the tuna crispy rice, a yellowtaail serrano dish, as well as 5 handrolls (salmon, blue crab, albacore, spicy tuna, and yellowtail). The appetizers were spot on - has good flavor and the yellowtail weren't sad strips of fish. The roll fillings were all really good, but the nori was a bit chewy - which was a bit of a downer for me. Overall, was a fun, chill spot - particularly for the appetizers, with the handrolls needing crispier nori (either quality or how the nori is served). read more
Dine LA has a way of getting me to go out a tad bit more than usual. And seeing this menu, the location, and the price made it a lock for me. Arts District is a great location, and the fact that the parking is slightly less hard to find than in Downtown proper is a bonus. After a few passes, I was able to park right outside for a lunch bite. I saddled up to the bar to eat as there was a huge party sitting at the tables and I just wanted a quick stop. Service was good as I was able to see the staff making the food and they were attentive and checked in while they worked. First up was the spicy tuna on crispy rice. Solid. Next was the trio of handrolls. I really liked these and enjoyed the presentation. Because there was a bit of a delay (huge party, remember?) I was given a complimentary bite. The Seared and Salted was great and a nice way to hold me over while the staff got out of the weeds. Finally I had the mochi cake. I was not expecting much as I'm not a fan of mochi, but wow this was amazing. The highlight of a nice meal. This is a great spot and the layout is cool. I'm glad DineLA beckoned me to try as I will keep it on my rotation. read more
Came here for a dinner reservation to catch up with some old friends and was shocked to see that the place had so much seating available. We ordered a few items off the happy hour menu: brussel sprouts, crispy rice tuna, spicy edamame and pork belly. We also ordered the lobster dashi pasta and a few handrolls each. The flavors were definitely there and it was overall a good meal. I still think that its hard for anyone to compete with Kazunori when it comes to handrolls but the other dishes were tasty. I'm not sure if any one dish stood out, it would definitely be one of the appetizers as the pasta was a little too salty for my liking. They validate parking for 2 hours at the Aliso parking lot. Don't make the same mistake I did and pull into the "$5 parking". It's $5/30minutes. Service is friendly and very attentive. Food came out at a good pace as well. read more
1 month ago
Super chill, but still kind of classy/nice dimly light vibe. I was grabbing a snack with an old friend and the sushi chefs were kind but professional. And busy! But a really nice, calm setting. The food is fresh and delicioussssss! We had the pork belly, the handroll flight on the happy hour and the bowl flight. I think it was called the Don or something??? 10/10 recommend!!! I want to try everything on the menu read more
Celebrated my sis' bday here and honestly couldn't have picked a better spot. Sama Handroll offers way more than just hand rolls, and it definitely shows. From the second we walked in, the place felt clean, modern, and inviting, with warm, genuinely hospitable service. We ordered a variety of dishes to try and no dish disappointed. Everything was fresh, high quality, beautifully presented, and came out impressively faaaaast. The crispy rice tuna was a favorite for me --tons of fresh tuna with the perfect crunch. The short ribs and green bean tempura also delivered and then some. Truly one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a while--from the hospitality, to the food, to the attentive service. Everything felt easy, comfortable & well thought out...even the validated parking was a win. Would absolutely come back. IYKYK. read more
NOTE: Dined in on 8/5/25 during happy hour. They validate parking, or if you're lucky, you can find parking around that area of the Arts District. It's at the end of the main area of where restaurants are, next to Malbec. Was pretty quiet and chill when we arrived around 6. Service was lovely. It's funny... for a place that has handroll in its name, handrolls are probably the weakest part of the menu here. That being said, everything else we had was great! I'll go straight into a breakdown: Handroll flight (spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail negi) - Tremendous value on the happy hour menu, but the biggest letdown was the nori (seaweed) and the rice. The fish itself was serviceable - probably on par with KazuNori or Yunomi or any of those other handrolls spots. But the rice texture was just so-so. It wasn't too dry or undercooked or anything like that, but it didn't have a satisfying bite to it. The nori was a bigger issue... it wasn't crispy and it did not tear easily. Both of which are critically important in a handroll, in my opinion. I would pass on this next time, but perhaps I would try the don flight instead! I'd like to see if the rice is any different there. Crispy Rice Tuna - I know this is a super basic item, but this can actually be really tasty if done well (see Kettner Exchange's version down in SD). This is actually a pretty good rendition! The rice worked better here than in the handrolls (not still not GREAT), and the layer of crispiness was noticeable, but not too hard or chewy. Tuna had a small kick and there's an avocado with a splash of eel sauce on top. Simple, but good and it's discounted during happy hour. Pork Belly - Honestly, not really worth it even with the happy hour discount. Small portions, not super melt-in-your-mouth or anything like that. It's decent, but nothing special and your money and stomach space is better spent elsewhere. It looks much better than it tastes. Beef tongue skewer - Not on the happy hour menu, but this is probably the best thing we had here. Super tender, melts in your mouth... I'd order a bunch of these next time, honestly. Or at least two haha. Subtle sweet glaze, but definitely doesn't take away from the flavor of the tongue itself. Little bit of yuzu kosho on top and a side of shichimi togarashi. Something that is best enjoyed when it is kept simple! Lobster dashi pasta - Could have done with a bit more tomato-y flavor and acidity, but generous lobster chunks in there, the noodles have a satisfying chew to them (much more like thick ramen noodles rather than pasta). It's got mostly a sweet and savory flavor profile, which might be a bit overwhelming for some people after a few bites. It's good to share, but I do not recommend ordering this for yourself as you might get tired of it partway through. Still worth trying, though! Overall, Sama is a great addition to the Arts District and I'm eager to return to try more items. It's just a shame that their handrolls are not that great! But don't let that deter you! You should still come to try all of their other delicious food. read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
Thank you for the photos & your review!
Happy hour (5-6:30pm) deals are AMAZING! Three handrolls for $12, crab handroll for $6, and a don flight for $18. Sushi was sooo fresh and light and flavorful. The don flight + extra handroll was filling and perfect portion. Order a side of Brussels sprouts to share! Happy there's another handroll spot in Arts District! Will come back for drinks and to try their lobster pasta! read more
3 months ago
The best Japanese downtown for SURE. Loved it all. We actually stumbled in after going to another spot down here and it was too loud. So happy we found this great restaurant. read more
6 months ago
We dropped in for a quick bite & made it just in time for happy hour. Ordered two rounds of the 3-handroll set (Spicy tuna, salmon, spicy yellowtail) all soo flavorful, but fell in love with the spicy tuna! We found ourselves reordering the spicy tuna handroll a number of times, as well as the crispy rice tuna appetizer. I was craving it even after we left! So good. We already plan on our next visit for family to try. Eyeing the menu I definitely want to explore the lobster dashi pasta, wagyu shortrib, and bluefin burrata! We were blown away with the happy hour pricing and the quality of a menu staple done right. The yuzu lemonade is also a must try. Our server Stephanie was so kind & accommodating! Dining with two toddlers could feel chaotic, but she made our experience smooth and welcoming. This spot is a definite gem in the arts district. Will be revisiting soon! read more
Great little sushi place. I was surprised they had very few customers, even for a Saturday night. The food was pretty good, but a bit expensive. Servers were attentive and plentiful. I do think you could find similar food quality for cheaper elsewhere, but I was satisfied with my meal. read more
Things I loved. Tuna crispy rice, salmon carpaccio, beef tongue, chocolate ice cream maki. The crispy rice was perfectly cooked. It wasn't super hard where it'd get stuck to your teeth. Salmon was really good with the yuzu dressing they had. The beef tongue was interesting, I was a little skeptical because it was super thick but it was soft. The chocolate ice cream making was amazing. I would get this again but I'm a fan of chocolate cake with ice cream. You have to eat it fast so the ice cream doesn't melt. Be careful cause your teeth might hurt. For the handrolls, I liked how the seaweed was still crispy. The rice was a little too cold though so I prefer another handroll spot. Lobster dashi and the wagyu yakimeshi was too plain for me. It felt like it needed salt. It would be perfect for my mother since it was a little bland. But I guess that's preference. Service was good, I drank maybe 5 cups of water because it kept getting refilled. They also kept taking away the dishes when they noticed it was empty. Our food also came out at a decent rate. We'd finish one thing and another dish would come out. There is free street parking and also pay parking. Just note that its $5 every 30 minutes. Don't be tricked by the large $5 sign and ignore the little words on the bottom. read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
Amazing review & photos thank you so much for your support!
I came here with my girlfriends and had a really great experience. First off the drinks were good. I got yuzu lemonade and also tried their mixed sake drinks, which were tasty as well. The food was amazing. Every item I ordered was delicious. Everything was seasoned perfectly and very enjoyable tastes. The ingredients tasted fresh. What stood out to me are the fish items - for example the hand rolls and the crispy tuna fish. The dishes do not taste basic and every flavor is unique. I've grown tired of other hand roll places because their flavors were lacking so I'm excited to find a new hand roll place with a good variety of items. Service was great and the manager was very attentive as well. Overall a great experience and will come back again~ read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
Thank you so much we appreciate you!
The best Happy Hour in L.A. Sama Sushi is known for fresh, creative, and delicious sushi, creative flavor combinations, and friendly service. The food is known for its beautiful presentation. Specific happy hour highlights include discounted handrolls, such as the crab handroll for around $6, and deals on appetizers like the spicy tuna crispy rice. The don flight is $18. I am recommending to pair the happy hour food with their $8 cocktails. The happy hour is generally from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
We are so happy you enjoyed happy hour, please enjoy and come back…
1 year ago
Happy to have another resturant in the Arts district. The prices weren't to bad. I ordered a few cut rolls, shrimp tempura and the brussel sprouts. I did enjoy watching the chefs prepare the sushi & grilled foods. They also have a bar area to make Japanese cocktails read more
1 year ago
Wonderful Sat evening dinner with my partner :) Sama is a newly opened Japanese restaurant located in the heart of the Arts District. We usually go to Yunomi, but stopped by here for a change. Reservations were easy to make and we came right before dinner rush. We were taken care of by the manager Faustine and she was da best. The rest of the staff are also really polite, so hospitality is on their A game here. We ordered brussel sprouts as our starters followed by a bunch of hand rolls. The quality was amazing and did not taste fishy. Service is quite fast and efficient! We tried it with the fresh wasabi a thanks to Faustine's recommendation, and it was the bees knees. Overall, it was a pleasant dinner and we're more than likely to return. Thank you Sama and your awesome staff for the good eats ^^ read more
4 months ago
Ordered: - 2x Happy Hour Don Flight (5/5): This was an amazing sampler which came with a salmon, spicy tuna, and toro don. My gf liked the spicy tuna the most (which is a big compliment from her as she is not the biggest tuna fan and doesn't always prefer spicy foods) and mine was the toro don because of how buttery the toro cubes were in addition to the tsukemono giving it a slightly sour tang. I would say the only drawback was that i did find a small bone in my salmon don. - Blue crab handroll (4/5): Pretty solid blue crab handroll for the price. I enjoyed how creamy it was. - Salmon handroll (4/5): again, just a very solid hand roll with flavorful salmon. Perfect portions and ratio of rice to fish. - Crispy Rice Tuna (5/5): Did not expect this to be a standout in a meal given that I ordered it on a whim. We found the rice crisp perfectly done and the spicy tuna and sauce truly blended together in harmony for a cohesive bite. The tuna was not fishy at all which is a plus one for us. Overall (5/5): We arrived here on a weekday right at opening to try out the happy hour menu. We were the first ones there and we were seated quickly and made to feel welcome by the service. Vibes were very quiet and private at the time which we enjoyed and the sushi exceeded my expectations. Overall a very good experience and I'd want to come back! read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
We are glad you’re loving our happy hour! The photos are great.…
SO HAPPY I chose to come here! I sat at the bar to watch the chefs work their magic and I'm so glad I did that. The chef/owner started chatting with me and I really appreciated his level of attentiveness and service. I then got to hang out and shoot the sh*t with all the other chefs and it felt like I was hanging out at a friend's house. Now let's get to the food. I really think the chicken thigh and green onion yakitori is the best in town. I also loved how Chef Lester was able to make me the toro, uni don and it totally reminded me of Tsujihan in Japan. Can't go wrong with the spicy tuna crispy rice and hamachi Serrano. This is a must visit when you're in the area! read more
Came across this amazing NEW Japanese restaurant at the arts district! The chef gave us an off-the-menu Caviar Fish Sandwich which was unlike anything I'd ever had! It was so delicious!! We also had the spicy Hotate scallop roll, blue crab roll and their specialty Sama hand roll. The fish was really fresh and melted in your mouth! The service was fast and friendly. The space was very intimate and modern, which makes a great addition to the arts district! Overall, highly recommend trying this amazing new restaurant if you're in the mood for delicious and innovative Japanese cuisine! read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
IYKYK- you're ordering right. Photos are top notch!
5 months ago
Sama Handroll is such an amazing little spot in the prime of the arts district! The food and ambiance is top notch + chef Lester and his team give the best guest experience and sitting at the food bar overlooking the cooking magic is its own kind of fun! Whether you are coming in with a large group, for date night or popping in solo it's catered for all dining wants! Highly recommend!! read more
1 year ago
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1 year ago
First time here, small restaurant, paid parking lot next door, free street parking, paid street parking as well, in the arts district and walking distance from everything close by. Friendly staff, very clean. Good sized menu with lots of options. Good food, lot of saki options. Pricey, but full of flavor. Highly recommend, would return. read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
We offer free parking with validation the instructions are on our…
Better late than never. Back in AprilI had started a new job while I heard about this restaurant through a yelp email. I put myself in to partake in a tasting event. Only I showed up a day early. I still opted for a dinner to myself. Cool section of downtown Los Angeles I'd never visited. What seems like a small modern urban space can still host many seats between the main service bar and dining floor. Since the event would have been more of tasting menu portions I opted to try regular portions of items that stood out. I overheard a couple of orders of Broccolini being requested from a table and a take out guest. Like the bar I was sitting at, the standard here was set high. Chicken Skin was an instant knockout. I saved the sauce it came with to try with more. Though I wanted to try everything I stuck with the items that stood out most. The Sama Handroll was Superb. The Salted egg topping was generous and a good change from takuan pickled radish. Bluefin Burrata had a glorious savory natural flavor that paired well with the creamy fresh touch. Chef suggested I not miss the Wagyu Shortribs. Intensely good however my favorite was the Gyutan. It came thick cut like fat pieces of foie gras. Yuzu Kosho light enough it does not overpower but it melted into what tasted like a glaze. Soft and easy to chew, melts on tongue like Wagyu yet tasted like the fat from a belly cut. I had 1 or 2 more items I can't recall. Drinks selection was very tempting but I opted for beer this time around. An enjoyable meal all the way through with a nice view of the heart of downtown in the distance. Hope to be back there soon. read more
Went here for a weekday lunch. Super quiet - which was nice. Parking in a lot nearby - $10+. The food was good but flexed toward the fusion side of Japanese - for example cheese on the tempura. The yellow tuna crudo was delicious. The green beans were good too. Service was good. The prices are just much higher than I would have expected for what we ate and what you can get for lunch in DTLA. read more
Business owner information
Sama H.
Sorry about the confusion on parking, we have validation instructions…
5 months ago
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More info about Sama Handroll
897 Traction Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Arts District, Downtown
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(213) 660-2788
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https://samahandroll.la
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Does this place offer happy hour?
YES! Brand new happy hour menu from 5pm-6:30pm DAILY
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
22 reviews that are not currently recommended
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