Freshest Sushi in the West at Sasabune
Wednesday, August 3, 2005 22:48
The other night, I relived my newfound appreciation for the city when I had a most fabulous, eye-rolling in the back of my head sushi dinner.
When my dinner companion mentioned he’d be in town and wanted to have dinner, I knew that I would take him to one of my most favorite sushi restaurants: Sushi Sasabune.
Having experienced Chef Nobi Kusuhara’s set omakase sushi menu once before, I knew we would be in for a real treat! I called ahead to make reservations to sit at the small u-shaped bar. After calling 2x to move our reservation back because of a delayed flight and LA traffic, we were graciously accommodated and seated at the end of the bar where we had a great view to absorb the well oiled machine that is Sushi Sasabune.
We arrived a little past 8 - prime time for sushi and sake - and the place was packed on a Tuesday evening! The restaurant itself sits almost hidden on the corner of Sawtelle and Nebraska. As you walk or drive by, you may see a neon sign that conspicuously reads “Sushi.” You would never know that you’d find a real gem inside just by the looks of the restaurant’s exterior.
We started with a plate of albacore sashimi with diced green onions in a light, citrus based soy sauce. Then had a series of sushi…fresh salmon with a slice of light seaweed kelp and sesame seeds, sweet cooked butterfish in a nigiri roll, melt in your mouth yellowtail…and ended the night with a warm blue crab hand roll that left your palate satisfied. The only sushi that didn’t wow my mouth was the scallop. I think I was looking for more taste or pizzazz with that one. Instead, it melted with a rather bland flavor, even after I had it with a bit of wasabi and soy sauce.
Not your trendy foo foo sushi restaurant, the walls hang signs that read Kusuhara’s manifesto: “Trust me” and “Absolutely no spicy tuna rolls, california rolls.” I love it. Simple, raw, and unadulterated. Absolutely one of the best. For anyone who loves sushi - Sushi Sasabune is a must! Omakase and sake for two with a 20% tip came out to about $130. Not an everyday meal out, but definitely a worthwhile treat!
Sushi Sasabune in West LA
Street: 11300 Nebraska St. (corner of Sawtelle) (they moved)
12400 Wilshire Blvd Suite 150 Brentwood, CA 90025
T: 310.268.8380
Hrs: Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm; Closed Sat-Sun
Street Parking only
By Kristy (see more of her posts). A native of the city, kristy loves to discover new sites, new eateries, new things to do in her online journal of finding the best of la.
Dylan says:
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:43 pm
oh crap $130! looks like i might have to tap into the savings account in order to dine here. i’ve seen this place many times and was like “god, that restaurant looks so shady. ugly building with a blue neon sign that sticks out like a sore thumb.”
Jim says:
August 4th, 2005 at 7:22 am
“light, citrus based soy sauce” is called ponzu. I have always left Sasabune a bit hungry, the fish is great but it’s just not enough for the price.
Jeff says:
August 4th, 2005 at 8:43 am
I totally agree with the eye-roll in the back of the head. I’ve only had Sasabune once, but it was enough to want me to keep coming back. Unfortunately, I’ll need a much higher paying job if I want to be like some of the regulars who go there ONCE a WEEK!!!
BestofLA says:
August 4th, 2005 at 8:55 am
Out of habit, I would automatically write things in Japanese …(e.g., “sake” for salmon, “shoyu” for soy sauce, oishikatta for “it was delicious”)…but I thought twice about doing so. I forget that most foodies would know what ponzu sauce is. *wink
Yes, the app. $50 dollar omakase + any extras you may get can break the bank. I usually spend about that much when I go to other sushi bars and order my special sushi dishes that include amaebi sweet shrimp and fatty tuna toro. Eek! I am such the sushi fiend!!! Gochisou-sama! (translated: Thank you for the delicious food!)
Jonah says:
August 4th, 2005 at 8:59 am
I haven’t been to Sasabune, but I did have a similar reaction to Mori down the street, that place almost ruined me for my usual sushi stops it was so good.
BestofLA says:
August 4th, 2005 at 9:14 am
Yes…I think I may need a second job to support my sushi addiction.
Mike says:
August 20th, 2005 at 9:47 pm
Honestly, Sasbune is a little too over hyped. The sushi served has a different style than more traditional sushi. The rice is served very warm and litterally almost falls apart when you eat it. They say you can also tell good sushi if the rice is good (obviously the quality of the fish as well). But for the price and hype…if you really want, I’d suggest you try Echigo on Santa Monica and go for the lunch special (12-2pm). It’s run by a former “apprentice” of Chef Nobi Kusuhara. At $11 it’s a steal and is the same style as Sasbune.
Andy says:
October 16th, 2005 at 6:13 am
I took my sweetheart to dinner Sasabune. She recommended it. I used to live down the street and never ate there in the five years I’ve lived here because the appearance turned me away. Hirozen (on Beverly) should have taught me not to judge a book by it’s cover. Sasabune was a rare find. We ate what the sushi chef offered us. It was amazing, and worth every penny. But, please, please, answer me this: is Sasabune still open? I googled the number and have had no answer. I need my fix! I saw your post and decided to comment. Please e-mail me if you know the fate of my special-special sushi spot. I want to take my lady there again soon…
Kristy says:
October 17th, 2005 at 4:23 pm
Mike: I’ll have to try Echigo which is on my very long excel spreadsheet list of places to dine. I do love warm rice that just melts in your mouth, but that’s just me..reminds me of my grandma’s cooking.
Andy: Yes, they are still on Sawtelle. Check the hours/number above and make sure you call for a reservation! Ooo…I enjoyed my dinner at Hirozen too! =)
nealgardner says:
October 18th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
Echigo is the best sushi place on the west side, hands down.
The decor is plain, the menu small, but the sushi is incredible. Most importantly, dinner for two will not break the bank.
elanakin says:
October 18th, 2005 at 4:32 pm
I have never been to Sasabune (cause I can’t afford a $100 meal), but there is a gem of a sushi bar down in Little Tokyo. I’m almost afraid to give away the secret, but I need to honor the freshness and consistancy… Hama Sushi is located on 2nd Street in Little Tokyo, and it’s probably the most affordable high grade Sushi in town. Don’t expect to order tempura, terriyaki or even a bowl of rice. It’s only for true Sushi lovers!
Jonah says:
October 18th, 2005 at 7:39 pm
Is Hama different than Hamakawa? Hamakawa is one of my favorites.
nealgardner says:
October 19th, 2005 at 8:51 pm
good to know hama is a secret; it’s a good thing jonathan gold doesn’t know about it. :P
gulpie says:
October 24th, 2005 at 11:06 pm
i love sasabune - been going there for a few years now. just wanted to let you know that it’s moving to santa monica and centinela on nov. 1, taking over what was todai. cheers!
MaxMillion says:
October 26th, 2005 at 6:37 pm
Some sort of off-shoot to Sasbune is Sushi Don in Studio City. North-west corner of Laurel Canyon and Riverside Drive in a tiny strip mall (next door to a jack in the box)
You could eat there, but with the cafeteria environment, it’s more a place for food to go, I think.
The hand rolls are incredible. $4.50 (I asked for mamenori/soybean paper = 50c extra) for rolls such as yellowtail, salmonskin, blue crab just brimming with goodness.
A really good find.
MaxMillion says:
October 26th, 2005 at 6:38 pm
Forgot to mention, they do a lot of rice bowls, hence the name ‘don’.
SDFoodie says:
October 30th, 2005 at 11:06 pm
I ate at Sushi Sasabune for the first time this weekend. I had heard great things, and i’ve eaten a lot of sushi over the years. I went with high expectations and they were met and exceeded 5x over. The quality of the fish at Sasabune is something like i’ve never experienced. I know understand what people mean when they say the fish “melts” in your mouth. I also enjoyed the warm rice which is different from what i’ve ever experienced. We had a birthday dinner there and spent about $400 for 6 people with beer and sake. I think this was a great place for a special occasion and everyone in our group thought the sushi was worth every penny.
Kristy says:
October 31st, 2005 at 10:15 am
Hama Sushi is a stomping ground for me in J-town. :) That and I also like Hide Sushi on Sawtelle. Both places I frequent with family and friends.
Ooo…will have to check out the new location on Centinela. I hardly ever find myself in Studio City, but may have to check it out for a weekend lunch-don.
Glad to hear that you had a great birthday dinner at Sasabune this past weekend! Happy Birthday to a fellow Scorpion! Kampai!
larry the big man says:
November 5th, 2005 at 12:41 am
Sushi Don in North Hollywood rocks. Went for the first time today and will be going back shortly, perhaps even tomorrow. I nearly passed out the sushi was so good, with that little nut of warm rice. I haven’t been to Sasabune. It can’t be much better. And for the price, Sushi Don is a must-go.
MICHAEL RYOO says:
November 15th, 2005 at 5:28 pm
sushi sasabune moved to 12400 wilshire blvd.
gulpie says:
November 15th, 2005 at 7:29 pm
a follow up report - i went to sasabune after it’s moved to the corner of wilshire and centinela (the old todai space) and am oh-so-glad that the sushi is still the same. the vibe is def different now that it’s so spacious. and they’re serving more hot dishes as well with the expanded kitchen. i had the best miso soup i’ve ever had in my life. =)
SoCalorie says:
November 15th, 2005 at 7:41 pm
that does it, gulpie. i’m checking out the new digs asap.
Brian says:
November 21st, 2005 at 12:06 pm
Sasabune has moved locations. It used to be on the corner of Sawtelle & Nebraska. Now it is on Wilshire where Todai used to be, at the bottom of an office building. I haven’t been to the new Sasbune yet. It’s bound to be “nicer” than the old location, which was obviously a converted Mexican restaurant, but it probably will lose a little of the appeal of feeling like you found a hidden treasure. It looks very corporate now.
Sasabune used to be my favortie sushi place, and it still is my favorite “high-end” sushi place. But Sushi Don in the valley is owned by Nobi, the same guy who owns Sasbune. Sushi Don has less variety in its menu, but it has the basics: tuna, salmon, yellowtail, albacore, and real blue crab. The sushi at Sushi Don is almost as good as Sasabune, and you can fill up at Sushi Don for less than $20, as opposed to spending at least $50 at Sasabune.
gulpie says:
November 22nd, 2005 at 1:22 am
indeed it’s lost that cozy feeling, but for the quality of the sushi it’s still worth it, imo. and their policy hasn’t changed - still omakase if you sit at the sushi bar (without elbow ‘resslin). i went again tonite (big splurge for me to go again so soon) and i was served chawan mushi, the classic japanese steamed egg, yum! and they also have the teapot seafood soup as well. so they’re def branching out of the set course that a lot of ppl seem to be turned off from. socalorie - you might be able to request the miso soup, nobi san has mellowed over the years, i think, lol, not as ‘nazi’ like.
AdamZ says:
February 5th, 2006 at 3:59 am
Been a fan of Sasabune since they opened 13 years ago (?). Still haven’t found any place that serves fresher or better quality fish. I love the new cooked dishes, which change daily. Watch out for the matsutake mushroom soup, which is very very good, but will surprise you with a $14 price tag. Sit at the bar for the very best omakase sushi. I eat a lot and haven’t left with less than a $70 bill. But hey, you gotta spend money on something good, right?
Kristy says:
February 7th, 2006 at 8:50 am
Yes, the new location has definitely lost it’s cozy feel to it, and because there are more tables and more space at the sushi bar, I found that the service is a bit slower. Quality and price are still quite high, but I didn’t like to wait for my next pieces of sushi. But then again, the new dishes you start off with are a nice touch!
scott says:
March 18th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Sasabune does have really nice sushi. As others have noted, it’s different from your standard shop, serving rice that’s still warm and falls apart.
But it is overpriced — you can easily leave a bit hungry. Morimoto’s in Philadelphia was actually less expensive for sushi.
I was also disappointed, given the price, that the service is so cafeteria-style. The runners drop off a dish, say what fish it is, instruct, “Soy sauce,” or “No soy sauce,” and walk away.
I don’t need hand-and-foot service. But the human conveyor belt approach is a little low rent. Perhaps a mention of what the fish might taste like, where it was caught, any regional Japanese element to the selection, what kind of sauce is served on the pieces that don’t take soy sauce.
Worth at least one visit though.
Dave says:
March 25th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Sasabune is still the gold standard for any Sushi I have ever eaten.
The only place I have ever had Amber Jack that qualifies as genius. A combination of Uni and Ikaru (or large salmon eggs) that complimented each other wonderfully when served in tandem.
I paid 90 with tip.
I’d gladly do it again.
PC says:
April 17th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
I hate associating Sasabune with the old Todai location.
Ez says:
May 11th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Comparing the traditional Edo style sushi that Sasabune serves to other sushi restaurants is like comparing a dry aged rib eye to a steak at black angus. Echigo comes close and is well worth the $12 lunch price. The sushi doesn’t quiet melt in your mouth as well as Sasabune but there it’s close. And I actually like Echigo’s blue crab roll better than Sasabune’s. Echigo has the fresh wasabe that some sushi novices call soupy, a tell-tale sign that it’s high quality sushi. Sushi Don is well worth the price. I was pretty full and I’m a svelt 6′3″, so most people should be ok. But Sushi Don does not compare to Sasabune. I would say the quality is a little bit better than Hide, but certainly not as good as Echigo. I definately eat there again, and often, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here.