Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sushi Gen

    4.3 (4.7k reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed • Closed

    Sushi Gen Photos

    Business Info

    SUSHI GEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Gen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Daniel S.

    I've been coming here for the past 20 years--sometimes as often as twice a week. Like any restaurant, they've had a few small ups and downs over the years, but the quality has remained consistently impressive. Without a doubt, this is one of the best--if not the best--sushi experiences you can have in Los Angeles. After 20 years, I'm still coming back, and that says it all.

    Toro
    Cody P.

    Sushi Gen is located in a plaza in Little Tokyo, a little off to the side from the main hub. I've heard my friends rave about Sushi Gen for years, and I'm surprised that I haven't given them a try until now. The plaza itself is unassuming, and at 7pm on a Thursday, most other businesses in the plaza had closed. The lot was full, so we paid $12 for valet parking across the street.  We waited for about 10 minutes for our seats at the bar, and honestly, the bar was so much fun! We sat right in front of our sushi chef and orated our orders directly to him, piece by piece. He was such a jovial soul and made our experience so warm and enjoyable. I was very impressed not only with his ability to make sushi but the attention and care he paid to his customers. For example, he noticed that I especially enjoyed the fattier cuts of fish such as ootoro and salmon toro, so when I ordered yellowtail, he recommended that I try the kanpachi toro instead. It was a great recommendation, and in that moment, I felt so seen. The chefs here are truly masters of their craft, both in sushi making and hospitality. In total, I had the toro, salmon, unagi, scallops, kanpachi, salmon toro, and kanpachi toro. Every piece of nigiri I had was very fresh and delicious. My favorite pieces of sushi had to be the toro. You actually get two different cuts of toro with one order, chuutoro and ootoro which are medium fatty and full fatty respectively. Each piece was so delicious and indulgent, I don't know if I can choose a favorite.  I had a wonderful experience at Sushi Gen, and I think that sitting at the bar was way more fun than what sitting at a table would've been. I loved getting to interact with our sushi chef and felt very well taken care of. The sushi was amazing. I'm already plotting an excuse for my next visit.

    Sashimi
    Peter H.

    I have been going to Sushi Gen for 20+ years. I don't bother trying anything else as this restaurant satisfies me completely. The quality is very good. The service is excellent. The wait can sometimes be long but I come alone, many times to get seated more quickly. If I do bring friends, you will hang out across the lot and get some matcha or next-door at the bar, get a drink at the bar

    Sashimi Dinner
    Candyce P.

    We came here on a Friday evening and the wait was around 20 minutes, it was a lot shorter than we expected. The restaurant itself is a decent size with both bar seating and tables. The fish here is super fresh and for the price, you literally can't beat it. The sashimi dinner, which came w a ton of sashimi, tempura, rice, and miso soup, was only $35! We also got some nigiri on the side and our favorites were the tuna and the salmon belly. Would 100% recommend this place and I will def be coming back!

    Jolene X.

    It's a small restaurant but had great food. The servers are really nice as well. My server had great recommendations for us. Food was really good. One of my best sushi experiences ever here.

    Tofu (TikTok: @justandyvu)
    Andy V.

    1. The sashimi lunch set was filling and had good quality fish! I loved that it also came with miso soup and a rice bowl! 2. The spot has chill casual vibes! The interior definitely feels cozy! 3. The staff was friendly and timely with my order! It was all ready after 10 mins! 4. There is only indoor seatings! There are a lot of tables as well as counter seating! 5. There are street parking, lots, and garages nearby! Note: For a Friday, there was a line at 30 mins before lunch opening! Getting in line before opening will give you the best chance to get an actual table seating! At opening, you still have a chance to be seated at the counter! Photo: Sashimi Lunch

    Queue at 11:45 on a Wednesday
    Charlene C.

    Holy Moly! Best lunch I've had in a while! Came here on a Wednesday, 15 minutes before opening only to find a long queue of people already waiting! Had no idea it was going to be this busy on a random Wednesday. But this place is truly a gem! People come here for the Sashimi Lunch ($26) which is an absolute steal considering the quality and amount of food you get! Note: to get the sashimi lunch, you must sit at a table (not the counter). It comes with miso soup, side of pickled veggies, tofu side dish and the pièce de résistance the sashimi platter. They run a tight ship here and understandably so; they want to take care of all their customers waiting. Needless to say, everything was fresh, delicious and most importantly filling. I tend to eat a lot and I left feeling full and satisfied! The Gen Z kids sitting next to me couldn't stop talking about "how low key everything was fire, like seriously, bro" haha I can't.. but I have no doubt I will be back. I'm just mad it took me this long to come. Well worth the wait!!

    Chirashi Deluxe
    Isabella S.

    Oh man, this was delicious. There's a reason Sushi Gen is heralded as an LA classic. Yes, the wait times are long--longer than the 45 minutes they'll tell you. But it's well, well worth it. The inside is cozy, and I loved having a corner booth. I got the chirashi, and it was a lot of fun to try each type of fish. Everything is so fresh.

    Clam miso
    Therese G.

    We found sushi Gen only because it had a line at 4:30 on a weeknight. It was directly across from a delicious matcha shop. It was definitely authentic Japanese food in a traditional setting. I have been to many Japanese restaurants and enjoyed my meal at Sushi Gen. The sushi was fresh and unadulterated. It's a solid spot in Little Tokyo.

    part of sashimi lunch (drink is extra)
    Stewart L.

    This was my first time trying this iconic sushi place. I visit Little Tokyo fairly often, and have seen first hand the lines that form here pre-opening. My visit was pretty much during the lunch rush. There were seats available at the sushi bar, but you can only order a la carte sushi here, not the specials or combo meals, so I put my name down for a table. The wait was quoted as 10-20 minutes. They come out and call your name; no texting. While waiting, dozens of people came in and out. After 30 minutes, I checked again and they said they had called me, but I did not see or hear them even though I was right outside. Eventually I was seated. The sushi bar is quite large with diners literally touching shoulders. There are 2 dining areas with tables. Service was quick and efficient. Diners include Japanese-speaking Japanese and English-speaking Japanese ( a good sign), plus every other nationality. It was either Infatuation or Eater that recommended ordering the Sashimi Lunch, so that's what I did. It was $26 and included miso soup, tofu, tsukemono (pickled veggies) and rice. The plate had 9 different fish presentations: a spicy tuna poke, a non-spicy poke, cooked tuna, cooked salmon, 3 types of sliced tuna and 2 sliced whitefish. Everything was very fresh and tasty. It seems there may be less waiting if you arrive later into their lunch hours, like around 1:30 pm I would definitely return if the wait wasn't too long for a table. I'm not enough of a sushi afficionado to sit at the bar.

    Grace C.

    The food is delicious. It's just the customer service needs improvement. Hence deducting two stars. I've been to this restaurant before but the dining experience never felt this way. Long story short, our dining experience felt rushed. We waited about 45 min- an hour for a table. Once we were seated, we were pushed to order right away. I had come here before but it was my husband's first time dining. He needed more time to decide and look over the menu. Well he didn't get much of a chance to look at what he wanted to eat because the server was standing there waiting. Literally staring. What would you like to order? I explained to her that it was his first time here and he needed time to look over the menu and asked her if she can come back later. She proceeded to say it will take longer to get our orders in and delay the kitchen staff. That didn't end there. Right after our food was served, one of the servers came by to ask if everything was ok and if we needed anything. We said no. Shortly after, the server dropped the bill at our desk. Mind you, we were not even close to finishing our meal. I understand there are other customers waiting for a table but you shouldn't be rushing the customers currently eating. They clearly prioritize turning tables faster to make profit. It was not a pleasant or enjoyable dining experience. I would choose another sushi spot.

    Golden red snapper sushi
    Chris W.

    This is the iconic sushi restaurant in LA. We headed over there around 4:55pm on Thursday and it was a long line already. It opened around 5pm and it took only few minutes and we got inside sitting at the bar The fish is really authentic and fresh The golden snapper sushi is really good and my mvp of the night is Aji sushi because I ordered two rounds The ambience is really good there and we had a great time Note: it is located in Honda Plaza and parking is easy there or street parking is available as well

    Assorted sushi
    Katherine B.

    I loved our dinner here! The sushi is SO good. Amazing quality of ingredients. We tried some new flavors and even ordered more sushi based on the ones we liked the best. Hands down my favorite was the scallop nigiri. Absolutely delicious. They will ask you if you want to add wasabi or yuzu and pepper to some rolls and I would undoubtedly say yes. The additions really elevated the flavors. We also loved the sea bream and the fatty tuna (we got very fatty). The toro was also next level. And I loved the eel. We had fun with the surf clam as well. And the salmon nigiri were both delicious. We lucked out and were seated right away but when we left there were several parties outside. Service was excellent and I love the interior. It's a casual restaurant but a really lovely experience. I definitely want to eat at the sushi bar next time.

    See all

    22 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 6
    Love this 11
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Helen Z.
    34
    76
    41

    15 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 5
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marc A.
    322
    393
    2663

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 51
    Thanks 16
    Love this 47
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ali A.
    899
    12
    0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 117

    Sushi Gen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sushi Gen

    What's the difference between Chirashi and Premium Chirashi?

    Premium Chirashi has more expensive items like Uni.

    When is last call?

    15 minutes before closing

    All you can eat?

    No. It is not

    Hi, I am going to go for the first time and get lunch. How would you recommend to order? Lunch combo special? Or are there any items that are MUST try? I would not want to miss anything awesome just by sticking to the combo menu. Thanks!

    Must tries: Salmon Collar Yellowtail Collar… 

    Do they have Omakase? I don't see it in the menu.

    No, but love the sushi bar!!!

    Do they take reservations?

    They no longer take reservations anymore. First come first serve now.

    What time do you usually go on a weekday so you don't have to wait?

    I went around 5pm and I didn't wait long. Maybe 10 minutes. I feel like it depends on the day. We also asked for Bar seating and it was a lot quicker..BUT you can not have rolls at the bar.

    Should I expect long wait time during weekday lunch time?

    Yes, depending on the time you get there expect at least 30 minutes of wait

    Are they still doing take out orders for lunch?

    Yes

    Do you accept in dining?

    Yes with proof of vaccination

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Rice is also gluten free

    Is the sushi bar open for sit down dining?

    Yes I believe so.... last time I was there (~3 weeks ago) they were open.

    Do they take resetvations?

    Not at the moment

    Can someone please advice if they're open for dine in?

    yup. dine in including lunch.

    When are you guys going to open in door dining?

    Indoor dining is open now! No reservations as usual so you have to walk in. There is usually a wait during prime hours though so try and come early

    How's the sushi?

    Sushi is good, rice is perfect, fish, high quality BUT I usually order the sashimi lunch special...available only on weekdays. It comes with rice so you can make your own sushi.

    Do they wear masks and gloves while making sushi and sashimi?

    Yes, they are awesome!

    What are their to-go containers made out of as of now?

    They used more standard looking cardboard takeout boxes and soup bowls last visit. See my other photo recent photo.

    Can you call in advance to order for pick up?

    Yes you can.

    Does anyone know if Sushi Gen is doing take out or pick up during COVID19?

    we had take out from sushi gen. very pretty.

    View All 52 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Sushi Bars 261,223 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

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

    Sushi Enya - Los Angeles

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    0.2 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
    •$$

    Visiting LA! Amazing Uri and Blue Fin Tuna! Service was quick! Quiet location! I will definitely be…read moreback there!

    I adore this quaint spot in Little Tokyo! The interior is modest and cozy with very friendly and…read moreattentive service, some of the best service I've ever had. The Assorted Sashimi was fun for the two of us to each try 6 premium pieces. Everything tasted fresh and high quality with a different garnish accompanying each piece! The cucumber salad was refreshing and crunchy to munch on in between sushi bites. Their Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice surprised me with an arrangement of flavors and textures that went together magically. I would have gotten a second order if stomach space wasn't a concern. Next we had the Yellowtail Sashimi, which of course had sliced jalapeño on top. I don't care how many restaurants put that out, it's always fantastic. The only roll we got was the Cherry Blossom roll, I was intrigued by the menus indication that it didn't have rice. A large roll with 11 pieces came out that was 95% fish, the remaining 5% being bits of avocado and two sauces that paired exquisitely. It tasted excellent. Our server recommended their Kid Season sake which was exactly what I was looking for: filtered and semi sweet. Highly recommend!

    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

    See all

    Sushi Enya

    Oomasa Restaurant - Chicken teriyaki and tempura

    Oomasa Restaurant

    3.8(1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
    •$$

    Absolutely delicious! First time trying this place and the service and quality of food was…read morepleasantly surprising. When we entered, we got seated right away with a very personable waitress who shared stories with us and made the experience enjoyable. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. We ordered the Sashimi Combo C, Gyoza, and White Fish Sashimi plate, all of which were a 5/5. Thank you so much!

    Saw many good reviews on yelp so figured I decided take my family here to try for the first time…read more As soon as I walked in, first thing I immediately noticed was a stench inside the restaurant. It was definitely not what I've expected or ever experienced in a Japanese restaurant. We were quickly greeted by the staff and be seated by the wall. The upholstery of our seats were torn. The area where we were sitting was a bit too dark and could definitely add more lights for customers to see their menus. After giving a look at the menu, our server asked if we were ready. I said it's our first time so we need some time to look through the menu. She replied ok and left. We mainly ordered sushi items. Servers brought over each item one at a time. When I almost finished mine, my family is still waiting for theirs. You do see the staff walk by the tables constantly. However, I would hope the servers would ask how is everything and if we need anything else. Overall, sushi tastes fine. I probably won't be back given the experience that we had.

    Photos
    Oomasa Restaurant - Inside of restaurant

    Inside of restaurant

    Oomasa Restaurant - Ika geso (fried squid legs) with spicy mayo.  Delicious!

    Ika geso (fried squid legs) with spicy mayo. Delicious!

    Oomasa Restaurant - Oomasa Sushi Counter

    See all

    Oomasa Sushi Counter

    Chubby Cattle

    Chubby Cattle

    4.9(3.9k reviews)
    0.1 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
    •$$$$
    Free WiFi
    Wheelchair accessible

    We came to Chubby Cattle to celebrate my husband's birthday, and we couldn't have asked for a…read morebetter experience! From the moment we arrived, our server, Kevin, was absolutely wonderful. He took the time to explain the menu to us, answered all of our questions, and gave us excellent recommendations on how to cook and enjoy our meats. His knowledge, attentiveness, and genuine care really stood out. Kevin even brought out a special cut of meat and personally cooked it for us, and it was absolutely delicious! The quality of the food, the cuts of meat, and the freshness were all top-notch. Every bite was amazing! What truly made our visit extra special was the level of service. Kevin went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, enjoying our meal, and having a memorable birthday celebration. His attention to detail and friendly personality made the entire experience even better. Thank you, Kevin, for making my husband's birthday so special and for giving us such an amazing dining experience! We truly appreciate you and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend Chubby Cattle, especially if you're looking for delicious food, high-quality meat, ambience and exceptional service! We came to Chubby Cattle to celebrate my husband's birthday, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience! From the moment we arrived, our server, Kevin, was absolutely wonderful. He took the time to explain the menu to us, answered all of our questions, and gave us excellent recommendations on how to cook and enjoy our meats. His knowledge, attentiveness, and genuine care really stood out. Kevin even brought out a special cut of meat and personally cooked it for us, and it was absolutely delicious! The quality of the food, the cuts of meat, and the freshness were all top-notch. Every bite was amazing! What truly made our visit extra special was the level of service. Kevin went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, enjoying our meal, and having a memorable birthday celebration. His attention to detail and friendly personality made the entire experience even better. Thank you, Kevin, for making my husband's birthday so special and for giving us such an amazing dining experience! We truly appreciate you and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend Chubby Cattle, especially if you're looking for delicious food, high-quality meat, ambience and exceptional service!

    Chubby cattle is back and here to stay. Our server ESTHER was awesome and provided great service. I…read morerecommend the Gold combo with my personal favorites being the Beef tongue platter and the A5 Brisket. Don't forget to get some Shitaki mushrooms and let those babies cook until they create a gentle oasis of deliciousness.

    Photos
    Chubby Cattle
    Chubby Cattle
    Chubby Cattle - A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Short Rib

    See all

    A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Short Rib

    Bar Sawa - Aji

    Bar Sawa

    4.6(128 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown

    Hidden away in the basement of a nondescript building in the streets of downtown LA, Bar Sawa feels…read morelike a comfy speakeasy vibe- the moment you walk in, the wall of Japanese whisky gives it a moody 8-seat vibe. The monkfish was luxuriously rich, while the uni paired with squid was deliciously fresh, with that perfect ocean sweetness and incredible texture. One of the most memorable bites was the sushi "taco"--a crisp shiso leaf wrapped around a vodka martini-inspired creation that somehow captured the essence of the cocktail in a single bite. The scallop nestled inside a squash blossom was another standout. The cocktails take it to a different level. One mention: the staff is essential and truly makes the experience more inspiring.

    3.5 stars. I've been here twice because I wanted to give it another try and see if my experience…read morewould be different the second time, but I walked away feeling pretty much the same, and my friend agreed. The atmosphere is great if you love intimate bar seating, the service is warm and cordial, and the drinks are very good. I also really liked the amount and variety of dishes served outside of the nigiri, so the meal felt substantial and well paced. The food itself was good and well executed, but for the price point, I was hoping for something more memorable or distinctive. A lot of the dishes and flavor profiles felt very familiar and similar to what I've had at many other more traditional omakase experiences. Nothing was bad by any means, but there wasn't a particular bite or flavor combination that surprised me or stayed with me afterward. The second time I came here, they had firefly squid (in season) which was a delight. If you're newer to sushi or omakase, I think this would be a great experience. But if you eat omakase frequently, there are other places around this price point that I think offer something a little more unique or memorable.

    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

    See all

    Sawa Highball

    Sushi Gen - sushi - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...