Road Trip: Sushi Gen - Little Tokyo(LA)

I'm going to make this a short post, because the photos speak for themselves, and I'm quite "bushed". We took a drive to Los Angeles last night for the Missus's "sushi-fix". Though San Diego has quite good sushi, the Missus will only eat sushi in LA. So we drove to Little Tokyo and quickly headed to our usual sushi destination in Little Tokyo; Sushi Komasa. Sushi Komasa gets very little publicity because it's really just a good old fashioned sushi bar. But today, as we stood waiting for the 530pm opening, a Young Man came out and told us that there was a water pipe problem within the restaurant, so we had to head elsewhere to eat. Since I've heard some really good things about the prices and quality of fish at Sushi Gen, we took the short walk over to Honda Plaza and walked into Sushi Gen.

It was 535pm and the place was almost full, we were able to get one of the few remaining tables. The scene was controlled chaos, there seemed to be as many Employees as customers! In fact, I've never seen as many Itamae(Sushi Chefs), at least 8 of them! We quickly scanned the menu and the Missus ordered Her Nigiri and Makezushi by indicating amounts on the "order sheet." I had my sights on something else.

The Missus and I watched the Servers flying back and forth delivering good looking food, and making remarks like, "Hey, maybe I shoulda' ordered some tempura." And soon enough the Missus sushi arrived:

The Missus loves Albacore Nigiri, I've even seen her eat 6 orders of it in one sitting. She bit into the first one and.....not even a change in expression. So I had a piece of the Hamachi, and though the fish was good, the rice was very, very dry, and not even a taste of any "awase-zu" or vinegar flavoring. Also, there was much too much wasabi, taking away from the wonderful silkiness of the Hamachi. You must realize that I use no Wasabi, and just a drop of Shoyu with my Sushi, and it still overpowered the Nigiri. That said, all of the fish was of excellent quality.

Still, good quality fish, though not my favorite preparation.

When my dish arrived, my heart skipped a beat:

I had ordered the Deluxe Sashimi that cost $30, and worth every cent. The fish was so fresh, and of good quality. Not a loser in the bunch, and the Missus loved the little piece of Mirugai! The two items that really ranked the lowest were the "spicy tuna" and "negi-hama", I couldn't help but compare them to poke, which to my tastes they could never measure up to. I could go on ad nauseum, about the melt in your mouth toro, and the rich and smooth hamachi, but I think the photo speaks for itself.

I'd say, that this was the best sashimi I've had in a while, and even the Missus(we shared everything) who doesn't care for Toro was amazed at how good it was. Perhaps not a decadent as my Live-Uni Meal nor as interesting as our Maguro Yamakake - Aji - Shiokara meal at Izakaya Sakura, this was still a very delici-yoso!!!

Our total bill came out to a very reasonable $70, and I was sooooooo very happy! I think we'll go to Komasa for our sushi and a more laid-back vibe, and stick with the sashimi, and other items at Sushi Gen. The atmosphere at Sushi Gen on this night was a bit rushed, and there was a line out the door of people waiting for tables, I guess they know a good thing......

Sushi Gen
422 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

We took our time strolling back to our car, and wandered through various shops, and the "new" Nijiya Market which replaced Enbun Market. We always walk through Yamazaki Bakery, and sometimes grab something small.

And though the Young Lady serving us was rather rude (she looked like she had a long day, and couldn't wait to close up), I pointed out something to the Missus that she just had to get:

It's a fruit tart ($1.10). But you know why she had to get it, right?

Yamazaki Bakery
123 Japanese Village Plaza Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Comments

[Scott]

Oh, those last two pictures are priceless!

And great restaurant review - as always!

[tommy]

that looks great!!! i'm a fan of maguro and otoro myself!

[Kathy]

oooh! Now I know where to take my parents for sashimi when they come in next week :)
I would feel so bad eating that fruit tart after seeing the last picture! lol

[santos.]

i've eaten twice at komasa, kinda late (10pm), and both times have been a little freaked out at the other diners in there. burly, surly, suited with impressive bulges...right about where a gun holster would go. good guys? bad guys? i haven't returned.

[dietchilicheesefries]

kirk,

i've heard nothing but good things about sushi gen... never heard of komasa, i'll check it out next time.

yamazaki pan, i like that place.. very underrated..

did you eat the dog pastry?

[Beth - Zen Foodism]

My husband and I ate at Sushi Gen last summer and loved it! We felt almost like we were back in Japan because we were the only non-Asians around and the chefs there don't do any of the Americanized rolls that you find so common at most places.

Glad you enjoyed your meal, Kirk!

[thess]

i looked at the last 2 photos the longest ha ha!
i wonder if they can whip up a pug's face? (^-^)

[Kirk]

Hi Scott - Thanks! That tart is kawaii, no???

Hi Tommy - Welcome and thanks for commenting. I thought the Sashimi was very good.

Hi Kathy - If you're going on the weekend, maye you should call and see if they take reso's - (213) 617-0552. There are many choices in Little Tokyo.

Hi santos - LOL! Probably "good guys" LAPD Headquarters is right around the corner - that's why we've always felt pretty safe in Little Tokyo.

Hi DCCF - No ,the Missus ate it! Komasa is only open from 530pm, and is like a neighborhood kind of place, very low keyed - though the last few times they've been really busy.

Hi Beth - The sashimi was very good - I didn't care for the Nigiri too much, but that could just be a one time glitch. We have always ended up at the same places in Little Tokyo, but because we weren't able to this time, it gave us a chance to spread out a little.

Hi thess - You'd be surprised at what you might come acorss in these bakeries!

[Rachel]

Hi Kirk!! The sight of your sashimi platter really got me drooling!! That looks amazing and great value too. Wish I could find that kind of sashimi paradise in Sydney :)

Awww that cake looked just like sammy!!! That was a great look-a-like pic too :D Even without sammy's pic below it I knew exactly who it was!

[RONW]

I'm with Thess....couldn't get over the two last photos. *Driving all the way to LA for dinner?? Did I read that right?

[ed]

Yum. Beautiful fish and nice presentations. I am in desparate need of a San Diego sushi trip soooooon.

[Pam]

OK, whats up with you & the missus being literally 2 minutes from my place & not arranging for a blogger meet-up??? LOL! NEXT TIME...

Mmm, haven't had Sushi Gen in awhile; your photos of the sashimi platter remind me I have to go back.

And those last two photos...priceless!!!

[Kirk]

Hi Rachel - LOL! Actually it's Frankie....but we know who you meant! :o)

Hi RONW - We did more thne just eat at Sushi Gen, we usually plan a few things around a road trip like this.

Hi Ed - Well you'll be able to scratch that itch next week, right?

Hi Pam - Really, you live that close? It was a mess in the area, we didn't know about the huge demonstration Downtown, kind of freaked us out! My apologies, it was kind of a last minute thing. Wow, if we lived that close, I'd be living at these places.......We do need to meet up, though!

[Rob]

Kirk,

You are killing me with those pictures. I have not had sushi for a long while, since Pan is expecting. As soon as she delivers, Pan has said that she wants sushi. Your live Uni post has been burned into my memory. Is it a special order form Sammy's? Something you call in?

[RONW]

Kirk....what's that green vegetable, that has the pickled ginger slices on top of it, in the middle of the plate in the photos?

[elmomonster]

My goodness...a sushi plate for you each? Looks awesome! But I would've busted at the seams.

Sushi Gen looks like the real deal...I guess all that Chowtalk in the LA board were right. (except for the nigiri)

[howie]

Your sashimi plate looked absolutely beautiful. The toro just looks so rich. It's giving me a major sushi craving!

[Kirk]

Hi Rob - LOL! By all appearances that could be any day now! The live Uni is special from Sammy's - he will order it if you make a reservation, or just drop by and ask.

Hi RONW - I think you're talking about the Wakame Seaweed?

Hi Elmo - Believe me when I say, I could've maybe done another plate! The sashimi is a great deal for the amount and quality.

Hi Howie - The sashimi was worth every cent.....

[noromdiam]

Oh my god, all of it looks so good despite the sushi rice being crappy. Is that abalone in the bottom left, the white translucent stuff with sauce?

[Kirk]

Hi noromdiam - No it's ika, but the little piece above it is mirugai which was really good.

[milgwimper]

I loved the last two posts, as I am sure everyone else has said. HUGZ :) Taht tart is too cute to eat! Well maybe not! LOL

[Kirk]

Hi Mills - Sorry I missed your comment. LOL!

[Carol]

Hey Kirk, the Mister and I had a great lunch at Sushi Gen last Thursday on our trip to LA. We ordered the deluxe sashimi plate and items were the same as the one you wrote about. The "negi-hama", was different however. It was all chopped up, not chunks, and I could only taste the green onions. The spicy tuna was a similar texture but had a nicer flavor. All the sashimi was delicious and I couldn't believe the price. I got the sunomono but it was just so-so. Not enough cucumbers. Our final bill was under $50!

We got there right at noon so there was about a 20 min wait. Our server was nice but they all did seem a bit hurried. Quick on the green tea refill.

BTW, did you get my reply to your reply? Thought I check in case the spam filter got it again.

[Kirk]

Hey Carol - The sashimi at Sushi Gen is a pretty good deal. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Hopefully, I've fixed my spam filter......