Santa Monica Travel Forum

I love sushi and sashimi - not the overdone ones, I mean real ones. I often try sushi when I go to new places. That is, if one can expect it's good (I wouldn't go for it in Vienna or Venice). So far have I had the best in Dubai and in a small family run business in Stockholm (where the small Japanese colony are regular guests). Someone told me that there are some good sushi bars and restaurants in Santa Monica thanks to the strong Japanese culture still alive. Don't know about that, though if you have some sushi pearls to share, don't hesitate to post an answer. I'm going to S.M and love to test new places. I'll also appreciate if you can recommend where one can find good shellfish. Thanks.

LA's Japanese area is actually in Westwood along Sepulveda and Westwood Boulevards north of Pico (just east of the 405). There may be good places in Santa Monica, but this is where I've had some great Japanese food before (didn't try the sushi though).
You may also want to check the ratings sites like cityguide.aol.com and others, because there are plenty of sushi places in LA. I'm not a sushi expert, but I've had some of the best sushi of my life in LA, and one was a little hole in the wall on Sunset close to Hollywood.
Good luck.

I don't know about Santa Monica but there are a ton of sushi places on Ventura (Studio City). My all time favorite has to be Iroha Sushi (http://www.venturablvd.com/studio_city/SDC84992.html).

My daughter LOVES sushi and has eaten it all over the world. She once took us to one of her favorites in L.A. It's not far from Santa Monica and we loved it.

Asukuma Restaurant
11701 Wilshire blvd. LA, CA90025
(Corner of Wilshire & Barrington)
Phone (310) 826-0013

Business hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30am-10:00pm
Sun 12:00pm-9:30pm

Thanks. I remember once in Soho, London, a tiny hole in the wall, we had the Sakura beer directly from the can. When one opened the can it was like a glass made of tin. But the sushi was great. That's why it was crowded. Will check Westwood. And the web.

...sorry... not to mention Ventura and the place the sushi-loving daughter likes. Love all your nice recommendations. Thanks.

All along Wilshire Boulevard from the Beach heading East you will find very neat little sushi bars on both sides of this main thoroughfare.