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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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
23 days ago
29 days ago
Sushi Gen has been on our list for a couple of years now, but we don't really go to Downtown and honestly don't love going Downtown, so as much as I've wanted to try this place, it was never really a priority. I recently had a serious urge to branch out from our usual sushi spots, and I'm so happy we finally did. They have their own parking lot in the plaza, which was super convenient. We found parking right away. Parking was about $20, but the restaurant validates, so it ended up being only $8. We came early on a Saturday and put our name down around 4:50 PM. They told us it would be about a 30 minute wait for two people. We walked around Little Tokyo and explored for a bit, and by the time we got back, our table was ready. They were really quick at flipping tables, with people constantly getting up and the host continuously seating guests. We ended up sitting at the bar, which I actually preferred. The service was so nice and friendly, which made the whole experience even better. Now for the sushi. The quality of the fish was superb and easily some of the best we've had in all of LA. It genuinely reminded us quite a bit of Japan. We ordered: * Tuna flight - MUST order. The quality of their tuna is incomparable. * Spicy scallop hand roll * Spicy tuna cut roll * Negitoro cut roll - another must order * Yellowtail belly - I thought it was just okay, while my husband thought it was one of the best bites of the night * Albacore - my husband thought it was just okay, while I thought it was one of the best bites of the night. The quality of the albacore was excellent. * Japanese golden eye snapper * Sea bream - definitely recommend ordering this. We liked it even more than the golden eye. * Chutoro - we ordered an extra one, and this was hands down the best chutoro I've ever had in America. Overall, this experience was even better than I anticipated. Sushi Gen is definitely in our top 3 sushi spots in LA when it comes to the quality of the fish. We will 100% be back and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves high quality sushi. read more
12 days ago
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. read more
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. read more
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 read more
1 month ago
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! read more
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 read more
2 months ago
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!! read more
23 days ago
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. read more
5 months ago
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. read more
4 months ago
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. read more
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. read more
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 read more
4 months ago
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. read more
4 months ago
Hands down my favorite Japanese restaurant in LA! You'll always find a line at this spot but don't give up too easily bc the food is worth it. Their dinner sets come with so many choices of proteins; we got the sashimi, chicken teriyaki, and beef teriyaki. We also got Spanish mackerel and a California roll on the side. All were so flavorful and fresh! Portions of the dinner sets are pretty large here so I'd suggest sharing! We definitely couldn't finish everything ourselves. This place has the best quality fish and a super authentic atmosphere inside. Service is always quick and servers are super attentive. Can't wait to keep taking everyone here as this is a great spot to bring people from out of town!! read more
5 months ago
March 25, 2026 | Downtown LA | After my adventures of shopping & meeting up with friends to see a movie, we were hungry! We decided on Sushi Gen for dinner, as we wanted to try someplace new! What a delicious surprise! Sharing is Caring | We all ordered a number of items, each being absolutely delicious! I loved the presentation of each dish, so colorful, vibrant & neatly plated! Each item also tasted so fresh, which I enjoyed! We shared everything, and it was the best way to dine! The sashimi was amazing!!! Inside | We all decided on a table instead of the sushi bar in front of the chefs, though it does seem like a fun experience! We'll definitely have to return and sit at the bar! Customer Service | Polite, kind, attentive, and friendly! Everyone who appeared our table who is an absolute delight to interact with! Our main server was surprised at how I stacked everything neatly at the end of our table at the end of the evening! I didn't want her to have to reach across the table to get every single plate! Busy Bee| The place was packed, very busy! Overall | Yes, please! Each dish I tried was mouthwatering delicious, and some items were new flavors to my palate, which I enjoyed! I'm definitely looking forward to returning, as it was a wonderful and delicious experience! read more
There's always a long line whenever I pass by sushi gen but never got the chance to try it. This time, I bit the bullet and waited around 30 min on a weekend for dinner and it was so worth it!! I ordered the beef teriyaki and it was so tender. The flavors were perfect and everything paired perfectly together. Pricing was a little expensive but honestly I think it's so worth. Will def be back! Parking is a bit difficult in the lot but plenty of street parking if you're willing to walk. Also their hot water is VERY hot LOL read more
Sitting at the bar at Sushi Gen is pure magic. This was our favorite meal in LA and we can't wait to come back on our next visit. This felt like a private omakase experience and we were blown away when our bill came back at only just over $100. For such incredible service, fresh sushi, and the over ambiance - it felt like a steal. Our favorite bites were the fatty tuna, scallop, and the unagi, but everything was perfection. Will be thinking about this meal for a long time! read more
15 days ago
If you sit at the sushi bar, beware that prices are not listed for any of the items. None of the patrons were given anything to write with, the sushi chef took verbal orders and wrote on his copy of the order list. Our chef continued to take verbal orders from our corner of 10 guests and his memory was impressive! I checked that everything we ordered, we received. The sushi bill is not itemized so you should keep track of what you order on your phone and double check that you received everything you ordered. If you are familiar with certain items that typically cost more, be prepared to receive an exceptionally high quality piece. However, we had to pay whatever the sum they gave us at the end, it was a bit surprising.... on the high end...... We've been to Japan several times and not having prices on sushi menus is NOT a typical cultural practice. Omakase style restaurants have a set price. You will know how much your meal will cost. This place took the spirit of Omakase in that you give up control on how much you might be paying (they decide what things cost and you don't know in advance). Don't sit at the bar if you don't want to be surprised by the bill at the end of your meal. read more
6 months ago
Came here for a friend's birthday. There is no Yelp list or reservations available here so you gotta be very patient. For a party of 4 on a busy Saturday evening, we waited an hour which was not too bad. Restaurant is pretty cozy inside, your typical Japanese decor, a little dated but we came here for the sushi. Sushi was fresh but nothing too spectacular. Is it worth all the hype, I would say not really. read more
When restaurants become "viral" because of social media, some can't handle the newfound fame. Sushi Gen is one of them. We came here because of just that, Tik Tok. The wait was more than expected, literally an hour and 15 minutes. With that, I thought this place must be good! Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The restaurant was crowded, but I was expecting a more exciting vibe. They sat us, gave us some towels to clean our hands and a menu. Immediately asked for drink orders. After about 2 minutes, she asked for our order. Not asking if we had any questions or if it was our first time. We had questions and she did answer them, but in a tone like we should have known the answers. They serve the food as it is made. But what was unusual was that we received 2 of the sushi orders and then waited another 10 minutes for the next two. It waned the table uncomfortable as we had to wait that long for everyone to eat. The food was on par with a Japanese restaurant but really nothing special. Ambiance 5/10 Food 7/10 Cleanliness 8/10 Service 8/10 Bathrooms 9/10 Value 7/10 Will I Return? Probably not read more
Came here for lunch on a Wednesday. Got here early so we were on the first seating. We always get the sashimi lunch, and we did so again. This is just a great meal, great service, great food, so clean, a real pleasure. The next table ordered the sashimi deluxe, which feeds two people come all the way does not come with rice or miso soup. However, it cost $46 as opposed to two of the sashimi lunch at $26 each, and it included some additional items. We are going to split this one next time, and try it out. If this store we're closer to us we'd go at least twice a month. read more
7 months ago
Sushi Gen The line starts early here, but the spot is actually pretty big so it moves along well. I went with the sashimi dinner which comes with a full spread: soup, rice, salad, tempura, and a really good plate of sashimi. The fish was super fresh and high quality, and the service was great throughout the meal. Honestly, the bang for buck is pretty crazy for what you get in that set. It's easily one of the best values I've found for sushi, and I will definitely be back when I find myself in LA again. If you're looking for a solid meal that doesn't break the bank but still delivers on quality, this is the place. Crazy bang for buck and fresh sashimi read more
Last night (January 29th, Wednesday), we had a family dinner at Sushi Gen Little Tokyo. We ordered three Sushi Deluxe sets, one Sushi Deluxe Combination, and beef teriyaki, and everything was delicious. This is my mom's favorite sushi restaurant, so we came here again because she really loves this place. To be honest, I'm not that into sushi these days, but since my mom enjoys it so much, I joined her once again. Sushi Gen is usually a place where you have to wait a very long time, and I've been here dozens of times. But surprisingly, yesterday was the first time ever that we didn't have to wait at all. Maybe it was because we arrived early. My mom thinks this restaurant has the best sushi, and she absolutely loves it. I also think the sushi here is pretty good. (However, after watching a video on Instagram recently showing sushi under a microscope, I've felt a bit hesitant about eating sushi. I used to enjoy omakase quite often, but these days, sushi just doesn't appeal to me as much as it used to.) read more
7 months ago
Yum! Came here early to get parking and stand in line about 15 min before opening on a Thursday and the line was already about 15 deep. Got seated quickly once they opened and ordered the sashimi lunch special, which comes with tofu, a small dish of pickled veg, and miso soup for starters, which were fine, but the sashimi is the true star! read more
My wife and I come to Sushi Gen pretty regularly, about once every month or two. It's our go-to spot whenever we're craving fresh nigiri sushi. We usually order the Sushi Deluxe (we ask for no squid or octopus), which also comes with miso soup. The sushi quality is top notch and honestly some of the closest nigiri you'll get to what you'd find in Japan, especially for the price. The fish is always fresh and the portions are solid. They're also known for their sashimi sets, which I still need to try one of these days. The ambience feels very authentically Japanese, with a full sushi bar along with regular table seating. With that said, be prepared to wait, since it's a really popular spot. Expect 30 minutes or more, unless you get there right before they open. Parking is $5 in the lot, or you can usually find metered street parking nearby. read more
2 months ago
There's always a debate about who has the best sushi in the area, but after eating at Sushi Gen, I honestly think this place deserves to be at the top of that conversation. From the very first bite, you could tell the quality was on another level. Every piece of fish tasted unbelievably fresh--like it had just come off the boat a couple of hours earlier. It's rare to find sushi that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate how clean, buttery, and flavorful it is. The salmon sashimi absolutely melted in my mouth and was one of the best I've had in a long time. The tuna was just as impressive, rich with incredible texture and freshness. Every roll and every piece of nigiri was prepared with so much care that it reminded me why I love sushi in the first place. You can really tell they take pride in the quality of their ingredients, and it shows in every bite. The experience went beyond just the food. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and had the perfect sushi spot vibe. I wish I could remember our server's name because they were fantastic--giving great recommendations, making us feel genuinely welcomed, and showing us so much hospitality throughout the meal. Service like that makes an already amazing meal even more memorable. Sushi Gen absolutely lived up to the hype, and I already know I'll be back to work my way through the rest of the menu. If you're looking for sushi that truly stands out, this is a place you have to experience. read more
Had a very delicious and filling sashimi lunch that I think offered great value for the price. Staff were nice and accommodating for dietary restrictions. The restaurant was busy even for a Wednesday. We waited 20 min for lunch for 2. Parking costs $5 in the lot for lunch. read more
This is my friend's favorite spot for sushi. Located in a strip mall on the outskirts of Little Tokyo, Sushi Gen is legit! If you want fresh, quality sushi at a reasonable price - you'll find it here. They keep it traditional, so you won't see any elaborate, fancy rolls on the menu, but you will find several mouthwatering selections. We arrived around 5:30 pm and were seated right away at a cozy little table for two. The sushi bar was already packed and the vibe was lively. Our server was polite and attentive. I like that they give you handwipes to clean your hands before eating. My friend & I shared a plate of delectable sushi that consisted of Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, & Albacore. Each piece was like butter. The edamame was also good. Perfectly steamed and lightly salted. The person next to me ordered the Premium Chirashi, which we were thinking about getting. It is a bargain at $47. I can see why this place is so popular. $4 Parking. Free after 6 pm read more
We went on a Friday night so the parking was packed, we had to wait and pay $8. There also was a wait but it wasn't too bad. The service was quick and the servers were very accommodating. The place was really nice despite being crowded. We got the salmon skin salad, mixed ochazuke and the sashimi deluxe platter. The ochazuke was really comforting and warm. The sashimi platter had really quality fish, with a special mention to the otoro and the salmon. I'd say it's great if you're looking to get authentic sashimi/sushi. read more
8 months ago
TLDR: excellent quality sushi even during peak lunch hours. Fresh sashimi, standout hamachi kama, and solid sides make this one of the best sushi spots in Little Tokyo Sushi Gen is easily one of the best sushi spots in Little Tokyo. I visit during the busiest lunch hour and order takeout, half-expecting the lunch specials to feel like leftovers from the night before, but the quality is pleasantly surprising. Everything tastes fresh and thoughtfully prepared, proving they don't cut corners even when they're slammed. Service is nice and kind throughout, though parking can be a pain since the lot is shared with nearby restaurants and bakeries. The food more than makes up for it. The sashimi is on point, especially the tuna and yellowtail, with clean flavors and great texture. The soup is comforting, but the standout is the hamachi kama (my first time trying it), it's superb. The fish is rich, tender, and perfectly cooked, and the house-made ponzu-style dipping sauce pairs beautifully. The space itself is small, quaint, and very much a classic sushi restaurant, adding to its charm. I'd absolutely come back and order the hamachi kama again. read more
Must eat? You got me there! Premium Sushi: I am surprised, for the first time in my life, there is no salmon but all tuna. The rice is proportional and not filling...melt in the mouth goodness. Wasabi is only in fish nigiri. Wasabi isn't the freshest. Pickled ginger is a different color than store bought as if it's homemade. Hamachi Kama dinner: Person who was mainly consuming this is a frequent fish eater so they know their fishes. They stated this wasn't very fresh. Tempura was delightful. Lots of pickled and varied sides. Surprised there's no raw salad with dressing included ordinarily seen at other Japanese restaurants. À la carte: Omg, now I know why there aren't pricing anywhere. They literally run $20 for EACH order. I ordered this (toro taka) because I haven't heard of this elsewhere. SERVICE: I mean they were attentive and friendly but they just completely shrugged feedback off and didn't care that the person didn't like the kama. Separate staff (males) who solely immediately clears plates and the table. Never refilled the water / drinks for us. AMBIENCE: A line out the door before it even opened. Casual meets fine dining. Lots of different races dining together. Restrooms available. ***ALL IN THE PARTY MUST BE PRESENT OR ELSE THEY ARE NOT SITTING YOU*** Service fee is not automatically included. Located in the Honda Plaza near Little Tokyo. Required to pay $5 for lunch and $8 for dinner before even entering the parking lot (there's a parking attendant). The parking attendant was hecka pissed when we parked curbside first (street metered parking) because we were uncertain of where exactly this restaurant is. Would I come back? Definitely. Delicious. But only for their dishes with stated price amounts. read more
2 days ago
9 months ago
Stopped by here for lunch on a weekday thinking there wouldn't be much of a wait, but it was packed with customers. Luckily if you sit at the counter bar there's usually not a wait but they only serve sushi. I had Sushi Gen bookmarked for over 5 years but never had the opportunity to try it knowing it was always busy, so I was extremely excited that I waited no longer than 5 minutes. Upon walking in you can see how busy the place really is on a weekday lunch, and it spoke high volumes for how well this establishment is ran after all these years. Definitely was a very loud environment compared to a traditional Omakase restaurant. Every single counter has a dedicated sushi chef making your sushi for you which was such an awesome experience. When I sat down the server took my drink order and the older Japanese chef handed me their menu for the day. He mentioned that he will go at my pace and there's no rush, how awesome is that? When I placed my first order of Kanpachi it came with 2 sushi as that's the default per order. I asked the chef if I can just do 1 piece per order and he was very accommodating. Every single piece of sushi I had was amazing and the fish to rice ratio was perfect. After I was stuffed, the chef tallied up the order and presented the check. I don't think there's a lot of good sushi restaurants that can serve the quality of fish at such an amazing price value. Would definitely recommend! read more
Stopped by sushi gen with a friend for their lunch special and the quality really impressed me. The presentation alone gets you excited. Every piece looked pristine and tasted incredibly fresh. You can tell the dish is high quality and handled with care. Service was great and friendly, especially considering how busy the lunch crowd gets here. Def some of the best sushi I've had in LA and a spot I'll keep coming back to. read more
9 months ago
Wow just wow. My favorite sushi spot in LA. Went for dinner and it got super packed right after 5pm. I think we went at 430 on a Saturday and they still told us 30 minute wait. We got an assortment of things and the fish was so fresh and flavorful. Best sushi I've had outside of Japan. Total was $162 before tax and tip so definitely not cheap. I want to go back for their famous lunch specials! Will be going back but for special occasions only. Very traditional Japanese ambiance as well. Had bar or table options. Would be fun to go alone and sit at the bar. read more
15 days ago
3 days ago
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More info about Sushi Gen
422 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Little Tokyo, Downtown
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(213) 617-0552
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http://www.sushigen-dtla.com/
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Ask the Community - Sushi Gen
What's the difference between Chirashi and Premium Chirashi?
Premium Chirashi has more expensive items like Uni.
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 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
Is the sushi bar open for sit down dining?
Yes I believe so.... last time I was there (~3 weeks ago) they were open.
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.
Does anyone know if Sushi Gen is doing take out or pick up during COVID19?
we had take out from sushi gen. very pretty.
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Sushi Gen - sushi - Updated October 2026
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