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    Sushi by Scratch

    4.4 (305 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Sushi by Scratch Photos

    SUSHI BY SCRATCH ATMOSPHERE

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    Fiona b.

    Service was fantastic it! Felt so personal and playful the chefs gave excellent explanations and great banter with a fire playlist as well! Each course was so great my husband took me here for my birthday and honestly it's my favorite gift ever! The bone marrow sashimi I think about often and how the wagyu melted in my mouth! Each fish was a new unique bite!

    Stephanie Z.

    I came here for my husbands birthday and I'm so glad I did! This place is for special occasions or for when you want to splurge on amazing sushi, but not leave too full. The 10 person bar really makes for an intimate feel where you get to know your sushi men, the bartender, and the people around you. We all sat and drank and talked to each other like nobody was a stranger. That atmosphere, paired with the amazing food and quality, in unmatched.

    Kenny W.

    My girl took me here for my birthday on a Tuesday night. They seat you in a waiting room before your reservation time and give you appetizers and a wet towel as you wait. There's a full bar in the waiting area as well. Once it's your reservation time, they seat you promptly. The whole set was amazing and there are 3 chefs and a server. They're very attentive. The food was great and flavored well. Definitely worth the price for omakase.

    Lisa K.

    This place is an incredible omakase experience. The food had very nice details and the fish tasted amazing. We came here for a special occasion and it was totally the perfect atmosphere for that. Cons: high price tag and we were still hungry when we left even after getting a few repeat dishes.

    Shoutout to Devanté and the bartender Ope for giving me the best birthday dinner I've ever had. They were very well informed on what they were serving and also approachable and friendly. I will be back!

    Andrew M.

    This place is an absolute must (if you like seafood/sushi) Took the lady for her birthday. It was even better than I was hoping! Show up 20-30 min early and you chill in a cute bar area. They tell us about the place and bring out a complimentary bite and cocktail .. both were delicious. Already very pleased. Then you go in a room where it's just seats at a sushi bar. Looks like it's only 6 at a time. The other 2 couples were cool and we chatted a little. Food was amazing. You sacrifice cool/beautiful plating but the experience is basically perfect otherwise. Since each course is nigiri the plating doesn't matter anyway. Everything is delicious and it's so intimate. The chef and 2 assistants (1 in front of each couple) send out course after course. Nice explanations for everything and just so much fun. A pro and con .. they do sake pairings which I'm never a fan of pairings but I do like fun cocktails. No menu so asked the bartender, who is off to the side. for whatever and he made us 2 incredible drinks. I forget what mine was but remember loving it. The other was a clarified espresso martini that blew our minds. My only frown is that the drinks were a bit expensive at $30 (which I didn't find out til later since didn't want to seem cheap (even tho I am) asking how much they were. We ended up getting 4 drinks and extra $155 after tax and tip just was a bummer buuuuuuut .. At $175 for the basic food price, it's basically the best food/experience for your money out of the Michelin experiences I've had. Providence still probably my favorite but much more expensive. I'd go back here again for sure .. and it's in the valley .. amazing. Can't recommend enough

    Orientation with sushi and saki before dinner
    Jack O.

    We rang the gold door bell and were welcomed into what felt like a speakeasy. The best Omakase experience you'll ever have with the freshest cuts of amazing fish my favorite being the bone marrow. The chefs had the process down to a tee, explaining every piece of sushi they made in front of us like it was art. They serve only ten people at a time so it was very relaxing in a cozy atmosphere. Pricey yes but worth every penny for the return in the experience you receive. A must try at least once. Thank you guys for making it a great night!

    Steph P.

    Always an awesome experience. The omakase is really good and the ambiance can't be beat. 10-seat sushi bar, 17 courses, 3 chefs, and however much sake you decide ;) My favorite pieces were the botan ebi (shrimp), masu (salmon), and bone marrow.

    Welcome bite
    Heather S.

    We went to Sushi by Scratch to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and everyone there made it as special as can be. When you make your reservation that is an option for a pre dinner experience. Seriously, why would anyone not??? You walk in to a small bar area and then are provided two welcome cocktails and two small bites to start your night. Absolutely delicious. Once the dining room is ready, you enter a very intimate sushi bar. There's about 10 people per seating. They've already prepared for your arrival and there is a chalk plate with your name and any special occasion you might be celebrating written on it. Once the sommelier guides your drink order, you are off on a culinary omakase adventure. There's chefs provide a show while they take care to make every bite better than the last. There were so many exciting fusion flavors that you never lost interest and when they asked if you wanted to add anything else at the end, it was hard to pick just two bites to have again. It gets pricey, so we'll save this as a special occasion treat, but it really was an unforgettable night. They even will take little Polaroid pictures for you to take home! I'm a fish fanatic, but that wagyu was like pure butter.

    Nicole B.

    Sushi by scratch is an incredible, intimate, and one of a kind experience. We went for my husband's birthday and the sushi did not disappoint. Every single item on the menu was delicious, but the wagyu but probably the most memorable. The chefs are essentially creating one piece of sushi for everyone at a time so don't expect a lot of food at once. With that being said though, you can request additional pieces at the end at an additional cost, although the entire meal from start to finish will definitely leave you feeling satisfied and not overly full. Another thing to note is that this experience can become very pricey very quickly depending on the drinks you order or any additional items. Sushi by scratch is definitely best for special occasions, when you want to splurge a bit, and when you want to have an intimate experience with unique sushi.

    Yvonne F.

    We had a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a hot towel, a refreshing drink, and two canapés before being seated. Afterwards, we were escorted to a cozy room at the back where the omakase experience took place. I especially appreciated the thoughtful touch of "Happy Birthday" written on my boyfriend's name plaque, it made the evening feel extra special. As expected with omakase, no utensils were provided, not even for the small plate of cucumbers, which were replenished throughout the meal. This added to the authenticity of the experience. This isn't your traditional omakase. There's a modern, LA-inspired twist to the nigiri, but it was still a delicious and memorable experience. Some of the nigiri were topped with bold flavors like habanero and Thai chilis, which added a unique flair. The omakase space is very intimate, seating only 10 guests. The seats are close together, so you'll likely get to know your neighbors. We enjoyed chatting with ours, as well as with the chefs, who kept the atmosphere lively with jokes and conversations. Their relaxed approach made the evening even more enjoyable. I'll definitely return to celebrate milestones next time I'm in town!

    Zean C.

    This time, we tried Scratch in Encino. My first experience was inside the Bev Hill Wilshire hotel. Encino was ok. It was too small and stuffy for me. Sushi quality is great. We also had the Sake pairing . Our bill came out to $750+ for 2 people. The head sushi Chef was nice but needs polishing. Too rough on the edges Parking is underground of the shopping mall.

    Take your seat
    Angela D.

    Wow, what an experience! I love the set-up and attention to detail throughout my entire meal. The welcome drink (alcohol or mocktail) and 2 starters kicked off the evening and set the tone for the main event. We also were offered our choice of water at the bar and when we entered the dining area, I never had to repeat what I was drinking as my water was replenished with sparkling water whenever it got low. Every transition was smooth and the chefs had their process down so it was seamless - we were always eating or doing something engaging that made time fly by for our 17 piece omasake meal. Each piece of fish was meticulously made in front of you. It was fun to watch how they garnished and served up their unique flavor with their various accessories, sauces, and the notorious bone marrow to switch up the traditional way of eating. The pictures from past yelpers and the IG clips give you a glimpse of what you can expect without ruining the surprise or experience. That being said, this place does cost a pretty penny and seating is limited to 10 people only. If you're a sushi lover, you wouldn't enjoy eating fish like this all the time, traditional is the way to go BUT it is worth doing it once in your life or to celebrate special occasions. Every bite was tasty albeit on the small size and I was not stuffed at the end but content.

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    Amazing culinary experience! Every single bite of the Omakase was amazing! The sushi chefs explain every bite, highly recommend!

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    Ask the Community - Sushi by Scratch

    Is the only difference from July 2025 DINELA $185 for 17 pc omakase + dessert and goodbye tea? Does…

    I think the typical omakase is 12 pieces and the dessert is included. I can't remember if goodbye tea was included.… Read more

    How much is Omakase?

    Hi! The current price of our Sushi by Scratch Restaurants omakase in Encino is $185 per person. Our… Read more

    Can you just order drinks or do you have to do a paring in order to drink?

    We offer a full menu of a la carte beverages to order.

    What is the cost for the sake/cocktail pairing?

    Hi, Our beverage pairings start around $100+ per person.

    Hi, is the restaurant able to accommodate gluten allergy/sensitivity?

    Yes, we are able to accommodate your Gluten-Free request at Sushi by Scratch Restaurants. We offer a gluten-free omakase.… Read more

    Are you able to accomodate those with dietary restrictions such as beef/pork/chicken (essentially a pescatarian only menu)?

    Hi, thank you for your inquiry into our dietary accommodations. All Sushi by Scratch Restaurants locations are easily able to prepare Pescatarian Omakase menus, either with or without shellfish. This is a common request for us and we are happy to… Read more

    Is it exclusively Omakase or can we order a la carte?

    Omakase only. But after the entire 16 course omakase has been served, if there's time left you can order more of any of the 16 items again. Typically time left for may be 3-4 more.

    Is there a corkage fee for the Omakase?

    All LA locations provide corkage service with a $35 fee per 750ml standard bottle. We have a 2 bottle limit.

    Was there a name change recently?

    Hi! We have not had a name change. However, we have opened up numerous locations throughout the country and have updated our reservations website to be more clear. Our LA location is Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Sushi|Bar Los Angeles.

    Is there a no shellfish option?

    It's omakase so chefs choice but they do ask about allergies when you make your reservation. Also when you are there you can tell them if you don't want shellfish

    Trying to call for a reservation but the phone seems to not work? How do we make a reservation?

    Hi Tony! Thank you so much for inquiring about a reservation with us. Currently we have our Sushi by Scratch Sushi|Bar open in Encino (www.sushibarla.com). All reservations must be made online, through our website, listed above. If you would prefer… Read more

    Approximately how long does the dinner last?

    Depending on how quickly you eat, dinner should take between 1.5-2 hours.

    Are you guys able to accommodate for gluten free omakase?

    Absolutely! Given a bit of advance notice, we can easily accommodate gluten free. While the facility is the same that makes bread and other non-gluten free items, so we cannot 100% promise no cross contamination, we do our best, and have gluten free… Read more

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

    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    15.8 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

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    Bar Sawa - Aji

    Bar Sawa

    4.6(125 reviews)
    15.7 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.

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    Bar Sawa - The beautifully lit alcohol selection

    The beautifully lit alcohol selection

    Bar Sawa - Blue Crystal Shrimp

    Blue Crystal Shrimp

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    Izakaya Gazen - Otoro special

    Izakaya Gazen

    4.0(599 reviews)
    15.9 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)
    15.8 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

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    Spicy tuna hand roll

    Sushi by Scratch - sushi - Updated May 2026

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