Very fresh, authentic fish and a highly skilled chef. It honestly felt like eating sushi in Tokyo. We went with the omakase and it was so much food. Definitely came out very full. read more

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I live on the Westside and I rarely venture into downtown to eat (think Bestia) but after reading reviews on Yelp, The Infatuation and a site devoted only to sushi and sashimi restaurants I was convince I had to try Sushi Gen. I waited for forty-five minutes for a good seat at the bar and I ordered in Japanese. In many sushi bars in LA, a lot of chefs don't understand when you ask for something very classical like you would in Tokyo. My sushi chef didn't miss a beat and I enjoyed the best sishi and sashimi I've ever had outside of Japan. I highly recommend you go here, you won't be disappointed. 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

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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

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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

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Always love the freshness of the food. The steamed tofu served hot is so good. The portions can be huge. I definitely recommend. read more

Sushi Gen - $22 Sashimi lunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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

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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

Sushi Gen - Starters - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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

Sushi Gen - Sushi Deluxe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place has been popular for decades, and with good reason. It offers a traditional menu of mostly seafood dishes, sushi, and rolls, in a simple but elegant Japanese environment of raw wood. Indeed, simple but elegant befits everything about this place, including the food and service. There were some fish plates I haven't seen before, including several varieties served with light as a feather tempura, of course, but also with salt ( we didn't try-- we're low-sodium folks ) and light butter ( delicious ). Loved my order of very fresh sashimi. My friends have never tried Japanese pickles before and became instant fans. Not surprising, as they're among the best I've ever had. Even the miso soup seemed kicked up a notch. Go. I doubt you'll be disappointed. No reservations, alas. They open at 5:00. When I got there at 4:50, there was already a sizable line, but the woman in front of me, a regular, said the place was big enough that we were insured a seat. True, but we got one of the last three tables. The sushi bar's huge. We counted well over 20 seats. 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

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Sushi bar is the way to go! Even for lunch! We had unagi, mirugai (giant clam/geoduck), ikura, uni sushi. So fresh! Fast and efficient. Wish we had time to eat more. I'll definitely be back for more! read more

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From 1 to 5 stars, this gem is always a six star. Very comfortable, very clean, enjoyable ambience, excellent service, and really delicious food. You can see all the different portions of sashimi plate. If we live too closer, we would come here at least once every 2 weeks. Had never fails to satisfy and always. read more

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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

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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

Sushi Gen - Hamachi kama lunch special - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

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Sushi Gen is a Little Tokyo staple--no frills, nothing fancy, just consistently fresh seafood. ENJOY! PS: There's parking lot. On weekends you'll need to pay. read more

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

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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

Sushi Gen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

Sushi Gen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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

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some of the best sushi i've had in la outside of japan. there was about a 45 min wait for friday dinner. there's limited parking in the lot that charges $8. the prices are also so reasonable and the service is so good, seemed like a lot of the people here were returning customers. i would love to go back and try more! read more

Sushi Gen - tempura - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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One of the best sushi spots in little Tokyo. They open at 11 and so you will want to get there earlier because seating begins right at 11. The will seat parties until the dining area is at capacity and then they stop the line and you will have to wait. Once seated you open up the menu and decide whether you want one of their lunch sets. For example they have chirashi bowls, sushi sets, and sashimi sets. You really can't go wrong with any of the choices. read more

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Came here on a Saturday night around 6pm and waited about 90 minutes for a table. The kicker? You have to pay $10 to get in the lot before you even get the pleasure of waiting. Food was good but not worth a 90 minute wait read more

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Hmm... this little restaurant was good. I think that's about most I can say. The food was fresh but I think I had so much high expectations that I just wasn't fully satisfied. The interior is cute? There's a little sushi bar area and the a section for booth/table seating. Kind of felt a little old school. My friends and I were nervous we weren't going to be seated right away, but luckily we were able to seat 8 without making reservations and it was a blessing. I want this day while the food was good, the hospitality and service of the team was amazing. Maybe we came in on a bad day. I'll give it another shot when I'm in town in February because I see the potential. read more

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Such a memorable and delicious meal! The restaurant was absolutely packed on a weekend evening, so there was a bit of a wait. The interior of the restaurant was beautifully decorated and perfectly on theme. There was a fair amount of seating. The service was standard, nothing too remarkable. If you're looking for a great deal, this is the perfect store. I was super impressed with how fresh the sashimi was, and the sashimi dinner featured so many different types of fish. And what's more, the sashimi dinner was a very reasonable price for so much fresh fish. The eel dinner was solid as well, but the star of the show was definitely the buttery sashimi. The restaurant has great deals for lunch, and I intend to visit again soon! read more

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Great sushi for a very reasonable price. I love the interior as well, it has a vintage but elegant charm. This place is always packed for good reason so I definitely recommend lining up before they open to secure a table! read more

Sushi Gen - Sashimi Deluxe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

super busy for lunch but goes by fast since the restaurant is a good size. ordered a bunch of nigiri and everything came out super fast but overall was okay. i think the cuts were not the best for my liking i think the restaurant is def tailored for those who enjoy sashimi more. read more

Sushi Gen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Gen Sushi is a solid choice if you're looking for value. We arrived around 7:30 PM on a Friday and the plaza lot was full, so we ended up paying $20 to park next to Dave's Hot Chicken. A better move is the Aiso lot, which is only a few dollars. The wait was about 30 minutes, but grabbing a matcha at Tea Master across the street is a good way to kill time. Service was good and the waitress was attentive. The sushi deluxe was fresh for the price, and the large tempura set was crispy, light and not oily. The medium fat tuna toro was fatty and melts in your mouth goooood. I would come back more often if it isn't for the wait. read more

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Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Let's start with parking. It's $4 to park inside the lot but you have option for street parking. I got here on Friday right when they open and had to wait around 40 minutes to get the table. The inside of the restaurant is cozy and old school. Ordered sashimi lunch $26 and unagi lunch. Also order salmon skin hand roll for $7. Sashimi was fresh and delicious. It didn't get me full but I believe it's good value for the quality. Unagi was textbook and a bit over priced for my opinion. Unagi with sashimi would be better choice. I would come back again next time maybe before they open. It's not worth it to wait in line for over 40 minutes. read more

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This is hands down one of the best sushi/sashimi spots I've ever been too in terms of quality and price. This is a place I've always return too and have become a regular almost visting bi-weekly for the past year or so. The sashimi's quality is always consistent and deliciously fresh. I either always go for the Sashimi Lunch or Dinner but both are a wonderful price for the food. I also appreciate that the sashimi specials do have different fish present such as rotating crab/white fish/squid depending on their selections. Food has never taken more than 15 mins to arrive and the service is lovely. Only downside is the wait time to enter as queues can go up to an hour so I recommend planning ahead if you want to eat especially on the weekends. Aside from that I would highly recommend Sushi Gen and I will definitely be back again as I always return! read more

Sushi Gen - Sashimi Dinner and Sashimi Deluxe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Food- I ordered from their lunch menu Fresh Water eel. It comes with rice, soup, pickle. Eel was soft, sweet, but there are some bones inside that I had to fish them out before eating. Eel was baked to perfection with right amount given for that price as listed on their menu. I also ordered salmon skin hand roll and it was fresh and delicious. I recommend their lunch menu. Service- I got there a little bit late after they opened but there were already people waiting outside the restaurant. So I had to wait for 45-50mins just to get a table on Friday during lunch time. But the foods came out fast. Ambiance- this place is clean and nicely decorated inside. Utensils and tables and floor are clean and well maintained. read more

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Been coming to sushi Gen for years. No matter it's dinner or lunch, they never disappointed me. Parking could a pain and the line could be a pain, but totally worth it! Sitting at sushi bar is always a vibe, many times I get to meet nice people sitting next me and was able to stroke a conversation or even share sushi orders! read more

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This is one of my friend's favorite places for sushi and we were surprised we could get a table so easily at lunchtime. I had the deluxe sushi combo which comes with a nice salad. Others had the premium sushi and the chirashi. Everything was very good but my friend says that the quality has dropped off a bit from the hey day and insisted that I can give only 4 stars max. read more

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If you're in Little Tokyo, Sushi Gen is an absolute must for lunch. The quality of the sushi is incredible, especially at the price point--it honestly feels like you're getting fine dining for a casual lunch tab. Everything was super fresh, beautifully prepared, and just hit the spot. The only catch? It gets busy. If you don't get there right at opening, be prepared to wait. The line moves, but it's clear this spot is no secret. That said, it's 100% worth the planning--great food, great value, and an overall fantastic experience. Definitely one of the best sushi lunches in LA. read more

Sushi Gen - Sashimi Lunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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To me, the lunch deal is the GOAT. That's the $26 Sashimi lunch, combo. When I started coming it was somewhere between $16-18. Ifs still a phenomenal deal. Such great portion and quality for the amount. This is the only 4.3 star Yelp review I've even seen and thought that the rating is too low... read more

I swear, I haven't been gatekeeping ... been here for lunch a few times. Finally stopped in for dinner earlier this week. And noticed I hadn't shared my thoughts. Almost feel like I don't need to as so many know about Sushi Gen's prices and quality and service. But here goes anyway ... Left work and made a beeline because I was worried that the lines for dinner would be like they are for lunch. I was half right. I arrived at 4:50 and there were around 20 or so people already lined up. So, what I'm saying is get their early for dinner too. One of the perks of solo dining is that seating usually isn't a problem. I had a choice of the or a table. I usually sit at the bar but this time, I chose a table. Service was just as great as when I was seated at the bar. I wouldn't go so far as to say friendly as my server was masked and she was busy - but she was attentive and efficient. Checked up on my even when visiting nearby guests. As or the food - see pics. Went with the Deluxe Sashimi, Mushroom Miso Soup and Fried Calamari. Way too much food. I was fat & happy & bordering uncomfortable. I enjoyed everything so much I wasn't going to leave myself leftovers. Who leaves Sashimi for leftovers??? Anyway, the Sashimi Deluxe is more of a meal with a wide variety of fish types. I don't remember all the names and I'm not going to count the types so check out the pics or ask/order one if/when you visit. Parking in the lot was $6. I didn't ask about validation because I paid when I entered the lot. You'll have to ask if there's validation and I guess how it's refunded. I know there's parking all around Little Tokyo but if you get to Sushi Gen early enough, there should be more than enough spaces. read more

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Great dood the shushi melts in your mouth. Is a little busy but it goes fast.is very testing

Tuna lacks depth, salmon clearly farmed, sashimi overall bland, and the service was sloppy. Not worth your time. * Farmed fish, weak tuna, artificial salmon, and inattentive service make this a miss for anyone who knows real sashimi. * Sashimi without quality: tuna is dull, salmon tastes manufactured, and service leaves a lot to be desired. Skip it. * If you care about real fish, this place is a disappointment. Tuna is flat, salmon is fake, and the service adds nothing. read more

* The Fatty Tuna sushi was practically melting with how soft it was - the temperature it was served at allowed the flavor to be ideally savored; the Egg sushi was fairly creamy with a hint of sweetness * The Fried Ponpona was crispy, flaky, and refreshing with a splash of citrus * The Premium Chirashi was a harmony of various flavors all coming together to make an amazing dish, ranging from the salty, ocean-like uni to the fragile bits of smoked fish towards the back of the bowl * Overall, an incredible restaurant that serves some of the freshest ingredients and tastiest plates in the area (as such, its popularity usually warrants lining up prior to opening for an immediate table) read more

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