Sushi Near Me U.S. - MASAKAZU, Los Angeles, CA

Thomas Lin  1

I dined here for the Valentine’s Day omakase with my girlfriend. This fell well below expectations. Having been to numerous omakase establishments, we can both confidently say that both the service and food quality do not justify the $200+ per person price tag. - Lack of Attention to Detail: In intimate omakase settings with fewer than ten seats, it is customary for the staff to pull out chairs for guests—a small but thoughtful gesture that enhances the overall experience. This was noticeably absent here. - Premature Upselling: Just three courses into the meal, our waitress asked if we would like to order additional nigiri. At a high-end omakase, this is highly unusual, if not inappropriate, as the experience should be about enjoying the curated menu, not being pressured into add-ons before the meal is even complete. My girlfriend, who has dined at over 20 omakase restaurants ranging from $150 to $500 per person, has never encountered this practice. It came across as a blatant attempt to nickel-and-dime guests. - Inconsistent Service: While I was served dessert, my girlfriend was not. I was then served the check BEFORE my gilrfriend got her dessert. This level of oversight is unacceptable at this price point! - Use of lower-Quality ingredients: A well-curated omakase experience highlights premium cuts of fish. However, this restaurant included sake nigiri (salmon) as part of the set menu—something commonly found in sushi restaurants at a fraction of the price. High-end omakase establishments typically focus on more exclusive selections. - Budget choices for white fish: Most reputable omakase venues serve red or golden snapper, but this restaurant opted for black snapper, the least premium of the three. This further reinforced the impression that ingredient costs were being cut. - Lack of Engagement from the Chef: Part of the omakase experience is the interaction with the chef, who provides insight into each course and enhances the meal with their presence. Here, the chef was notably disengaged and did not converse with guests, creating a cold and uninviting atmosphere. The sushi counter also had a divider which was blocking the "view" of sushi making, very odd considering most omakase places don't have this. Final Thoughts: This restaurant charges a premium price but does not deliver a premium experience. Between the lower-quality ingredients, the aggressive upselling, and the lack of attention to detail in service, it simply does not compare to other omakase establishments in the same price range. If you’re looking for an authentic, high-end omakase experience, I would recommend looking elsewhere!!

Elizabeth Torman  1

I wish I had read more bad reviews on this place, so I did not choose this restaurant. I am a foodie I've tried restaurants worldwide, high-end and low-end, the spectrum. Particularly Japanese restaurants, so I have a lot of comparisons making my review. Walking into the place itself felt very cold and empty, the lights were way too bright, and it hurt both my and my company's eyes. The service of the chef was so slow, and it was only five people in the restaurant, including ourselves. When it is slow, it messes up the temperature of the fish; it was warm and a bit off-putting. The waitress was fine in her service. The bill came, and regardless of the money being overpriced, it was not worth going already. We were all super upset.

Steve Reilly  5

I cannot express how amazing this meal was. Shin is an amazing chef. His humble, funny, and kind chat made our dinner. Not a single piece of sushi wasn’t perfect. Many changed how I thought of sushi. Highlights were the black snapper (cured with kelp), ebi, bluefin, and sea breem. Japanese mackerel was perfect. It’s wonderfully chill and homey inside. Well worth twice the price. Couldn’t imagine another trip to LA without visiting. Would give 6 stars if possible.

Michelle Lee  2

The experience wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t go back. When I pay a certain amount for an omakase, I expect exceptional experience but my experience was meh to mediocre. The sushi was small with thin slices, minced cucumber placed on top of the fish didn’t pair well with some and most importantly, some fish didn’t taste fresh. Now that I’m thinking back on the details of my experience, I’m more disappointed. Oh, they charge you for hot tap water.

James Leung (jobias)  5

Excellent value and quality. It's a hidden gem on Westwood and requires reservations. They serve the entire room at once and are very strict on punctuality. It's so worth it though.