Always in search to try something new. Was a bit skeptical as the lunch menu was completely different from their dinner menu. They made an exception being that we arrived at 1:00 p.m. The owner is extremely friendly and he diligently told us what he was able to offer from the dinner menu. They surprised both my boyfriend and I! Amazing sushi! I suggest do dinner and you MUST try their sweet shrimp, it's to die for!
(5)
Eugene P.
Had a very good dinner with friends at this sushi place. The chef is very knowledgeable and a great artist with his sushi creations. The fish is very fresh and their selection is extensive. We will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Liza H.
F.A.S.T. Review Food: had the spicy tuna hand roll ( one of the best I've ever had very fresh and loved the sesame seeds on it) yellow tail cut roll (again yummy and fresh), spicy tuna with jalapeño cut roll (good take on spicy tuna and it wasn't even that spicy). Rainbow roll ( it was okay), albacore roll sprinkle with fried onions ( bomb! They even has a paste in it which I liked but no clue as to what it was) miso soup which was typical. Ambiance: use to come here when it was kaiten. I love how they remodeled the place. It's obvious they expanded so a quarter of the restaurant looks different but it still works. They have different types of wood in the place that was made it work. I like the paintings they have surrounding the walls, the music is peaceful and there's a certain serenity to the place. Service: EXCELLENT!!!!!!! Very attentive, never got annoyed even if the waiter was there a lot haha, kept refilling the water just excellent service! Tips: parking in the back where the rite aid lot is.
(4)
Casper R.
The variety of their special is a plus. The parking isn't bad either. Service is excellent and the ambience is good. The only thing that kind of bothers me is how they make their sushi so thin and small. It's probably my first and my last time eating here i have been to a sushi place in Santa Monica that serves grade A quality of fish, thick pieces not thin and is worth of what you pay for. The kind of sushi place where you are actually happy and satisfied leaving the restaurant. Look it up the joint is called "King Sushi".
(3)
Helen D.
Yum.... Fresh and delicious fish. A great variety and presentation. Haven't had any rolls, so I can't judge that because I always pick the omakase. Have been eating sushi for the last two decades and can safely say this place is up there in the rankings and would highly recommend.
(5)
Chris K.
I have been here so many times and the sushi gets better every time. The sushi just melts in your mouth, the handrolls have that perfect crunch from the seaweed and the alcohol keeps flowing. Cheers!!
(5)
Kristin K.
Sushi was clean, flavorful and plates were presented well. The lobster roll was not something I would order again. Service was not presumptuous, good not great. I would return but I can't recommend the booths with the bench seating, there is no cushion or support in the lumbar area and my lower back was screaming after 20 minutes and the part of the bench where you actually sit ended just past my buttocks. I would sit in the few actual chairs if you have any lower back issues.
(3)
Shana S.
Good food, good service. The waiters were very attentive, helping each other out with refilling drinks and what not. I ordered the blue crab handroll special, which was a little small and could have used more crab but delicious nonetheless. I also got the halibut sushi special which tasted extremely fresh. My friend ordered the crispy albacore onion roll which was great as well. There were about 8 cut rolls for $12, not a bad deal at all!
(4)
Julie S.
This is a good sushi place. Solid. Thank God the "sushi" place that was in this spot long before (called Kaiten) is no longer. That's another story altogether. But I digress. Back to the sushi joint at hand. Clean, tasteful atmosphere, friendly and attentive service. Sushi is consistently good (not amazing like say, Kiwami, but fresh, and never fishy) and they have a great lunch menu! Recommend the hand roll trio which comes with miso soup, salad and a spicy tuna, cali roll and salmon avo. Tasty and cheap! $9! The menu is fairly sparse but everything they have on there, they do right. A great date spot for dinner, or casual lunch spot.
(4)
Sara E.
This place is just divine. I almost didn't want to review it because it is already hard to get a table but I can't let their amazingness go without applaud. The quality of fish that they use is superb. Their tuna, yellowtail, salmon... everything. Just smooth and tender and perfect. They don't have a ridiculous list of rolls with strange ingredients. They do simple, flavorful rolls. The sashimi is amazing. Another thing that I love is their use of actual chopsticks. Not the wood ones that you have to break in half to use. I don't know why but it makes such a difference. The servers and hostess are friendly and accommodating. The ambience is peaceful (no TVs!! haha) and very clean. I will go back here again and again. Thank you for saving me from the Encino sushi doldrums.
(5)
Maureen G.
Really great! The fish tasted fresh and they have a great lunch special - three hand rolls with (spicy tuna, salmon avocado, and CA roll) miso soup and a salad for $9. I was surprised since this location has been a number of sushi places over the years. However, this seems like the tastiest and most tasteful version yet. Great service as well.
(5)
Amanda B.
My new favorite sushi spot and luckily it's right across the street from my office. Now to start with I'm a vegetarian so my idea of sushi is different from most. But for me to find a place that can accommodate me is huge!!! I love crispy rice, so the chef creates a delicious vegetable crispy rice thing for me. I also highly suggest their little side salad & miso soup. Everyone is very friendly, service is good. Food is great. Very clean & I recommend!!!!
(5)
Keeyana L.
Crispy rice with spicy tuna was so ono! Great service, comfy atmosphere, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Got in early and no crowd. Staff is pleasant with smiles; enjoyable.
(5)
Jesse Y.
Best Sushi on the boulevard... Maybe the valley! Best compliment I can give is that whenever we end up having sushi at another place, I always compare to Oku... And others rarely compare. Chef Okumura San and his wife are the best; just like their food.
(5)
Manny F.
Love the fish and their services here. Sit by the bar & ask for Chef Ramos. He knows exactly what he's doing but you gotta show him you you mean business with quality food & taste. Def coming back for more!!
(5)
J F.
The food is fresh and taste pretty good...Would recommend crab roll and baked lobster roll. Service was average nothing special but I came here at lunch time so it might be different when it's dinner time. The reason why I subtract one star because the restroom compared with dining area was pretty filthy it should have been nicer consider the atmosphere of the restaurant. I came in from the front door so didn't notice that much but had I came in from the backdoor I might not even dine here. Anyways if you like good sushi and sashimi this place is good but I'm uncertain if I'll be back for now.
(4)
Arlene G.
Senbei is the best! The blue crab is delicious. The sushi rice is awesome. A hidden gem! Friendly and efficient staff
(4)
Natasha D.
I was excited to learn a little while back that the subpar revolving sushi was replaced with a much better sushi place: Okumura. I tried it tonight and I'm pleased it was mostly up to my picky standards. I began with spicy tuna, my usual go-to when swimming in new sushi restaurant waters (the more advanced dishes like uni and ankimo will only be ordered by me if a restaurant passes my inevitable spicy tuna test - it's pretty telling when a sushi place messes up a spicy tuna roll). It was fresh enough, but didn't have smelt egg or mayonnaise (boo). It definitely wasn't fishy, but I was underwhelmed. Still, I trusted the freshness enough to order uni. It was very good. I didn't try anything else because I wasn't particularly hungry, but I plan to go back very soon and try more of their exotic options and nigiri, which seems to be their specialty.
(4)
Liz M.
An upgrade from Kaiten the revolving sushi place that used to take up this spot. It's been a couple of year that I've been in this area so I didn't even know that Kaiten had been replaced. The space is bigger than what it used to be so seems like they bought the shop next door. You can choose to sit at the sushi bar but there are also tables available. We were celebrating for my dad's birthday so we did order a good amount of food. Edamame Assorted Tempura Blue Crab Roll Uni Big Eye Tuna Yellowtail Spanish Mackerel Shrimp Tempura Soft Shell Crab Crunchy Roll Crispy Albacore Onion Salmon skin is one of my favs even though its cooked, but alas they were out of it so I couldn't get any. My favorite order taste wise was the crispy albacore onion roll, I believe it was the combination of the albacore, spicy tuna and the ponzu that put a flavor explosion in your month. Everything else was pretty good nothing out of the ordinary or nothing to be displeased about. There are so many sushi spots down Ventura Blvd., I'm just glad I get to check another off my list.
(4)
Cana D.
Okumura Restaurant is the best sushi restaurant in Los Angeles!!! Food quality is absolutely amazing. Main chef Mr Okumura has an excellent skill and dishes are always beautiful/delicious. Noriko (manager?) is very friendly and out going person! You'll love her :) Okumura restaurant is literally the best sushi restaurant in LA!!! People, you need trust me, Okumura restaurant serves the best and an authentic sushi in LA!!
(5)
Lynette S.
I am impressed with how fresh their sashimi was. I liked the "live abalone" and scallops. Too bad they didn't have Uni available as that's what I would always order at every sushi restaurant. Their sushi rolls were soft and it melts in your mouth- I think it's the rice ! They know how to cook it right - very authentic. One thing I would comment though is that the waiters should smile more. It's kind of intimidating to order from the waiters because they don't seem very friendly. You know how some people don't seem like they want to work there? On the contrary these servers was not smiling because they are overly serious, focusing on their work (they should still learn to smile nevertheless). They were very hardworking, observant, super fast, efficient and how they removed plates from the table was so fast and subtle - I didn't even realize they did it! It like ninja style - like hidden leave village ( if you watch ever watch naruto-kun.com/hidden-le… ) you will know what I mean.... But I will be back.
(5)
Vadym B.
Don't understand hype and positive reviews of this place. Menu is very limited, service was below adequate, low prices are fine but their waiters should learn to smile once in a while, not deliberately ignore customers and not hide from them. Big disappointment.
(2)
Greg W.
Came here with the family and some friends on a Monday. Restaurant is barely full (maybe 1/4 full if that) and we got orders in fairly soon after we arrived. The order contained a negi toro hand roll. Normally hand rolls take time. I get it. But when the restaurant has about 5-8 people including our party, it shouldn't take 40-45 minutes to make. We told the wait staff at least 4 or 5 times then I went to the sushi bar myself and then they say their printer wasn't working. What a lame excuse. Really lame. You can't make a hand roll without the stupid printed piece of paper?! Trust the wait staff for goodness sake! The food we did receive had issues, too. My wife and I both ordered udon. It was simple and good. However, my wife's order had a small jar that was supposed to have red pepper. It was empty. I didn't have one at all. We also ordered the teriyaki chicken for my son. It was bone dry. I ordered the crispy rice and shishito peppers. Those were good. Probably the only reason this place received a second star from this highly disappointed customer.
(2)
Ara O.
I've been here many times before. In fact, it was our regular Wednesday date night dinner place. The food is great, fresh, and they have a good selection. I look forward to coming back here again many more times.
(5)
Bo C.
If you are into fancy rolls with stupid names, this is not the place for you. If you are serious about fresh Sushi, this is the place to be. The owner/chef works hard and it shows with the quality and freshness of the products. Fresh and quality sushi every time without the price tag like some of the high end sushi places in LA. Yellow collar is awesome. The daily specials are always mouth watering. The only thing that's missing on the menu is agadoshi tofu, but I've managed to look passed that.
(4)
Bum Soo K.
I went to Okumura again on Sunday evening with my wife, and still outstanding quality! We tried sashimi salad, lobster cut roll, yellowtail, squid, aji, and scallop sushi, and all of them are excellent. I like their fish quality better than other places because it is aged perfectly and it brings some sweetness. I am really glad there is a good sushi restaurant near me to go on Sunday night
(5)
Wendy D.
We've been coming here for close to a year now. And a lot of the time order take out as well. The food is always on point and delicious! The service is always great. Just an overall great place. We made a reservation for 5 people and they warned us it would be a bit tight. Most of our party arrived late, and when they did, it was a bigger party than we expected. The servers totally accommodated the extra people by offering us the adjacent table. They were very nice and didn't make us feel bad at all. Overall had a fantastic experience yet again.
(5)
Angelina T.
It was just okay for me. Fish was fresh, but not as fresh as Sugarfish. Too much rice on their sushi rolls. Service wasn't too welcoming. I wouldn't come back. It was just nothing special.
(3)
Derek G.
Didn't know what to expect but they were awesome. Food is amazing. For what you think is a hole in the wall sushi place this one really shines
(5)
Rich G.
Okumura! Wow what an amazing place to experience some great sushi without all of the hype and the ridiculous rolls. Let the fish shine through with quality in an intimate and inviting setting. Lot's to get excited about at Okumura. They take reservations for the sushi bar which is rare and oh so welcome so make sure to plan ahead as the word is out and their popularity is growing quickly. The large parking lot in the back serves duty for multiple tenants so that can test your patience but other than that, no stumbling blocks to a great dining experience. The small bar has seating for about 20 and then there are 5 to 7 booths for table dining. I always enjoy sitting at the sushi bar when given that option, something about watching the food being prepped. You do order with the server and not the sushi bar but the orders were filled very quickly. Awesome, attentive and friendly wait staff too. So onto the food, they offer daily specials and the variety is to be saluted. Nothing like getting some new and unique choices. The variety of snapper, 4 types, the night we were there were all incredible. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Ditto the wild copper salmon. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… There is uni and then there is uni, takes a good chef to know the difference and get and pay for the quality.Some of the best uni I can remember, worthy of a re-order. Make sure to ask for it without the light topping of shoyu ( soy sauce) it stands best on it's own. With Shoyu yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Without Shoyu yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Surprisingly the only two top I didn't care for was the first order of tuna, it just didn't hit the spot and it raised an eyebrow but all smooth sailing and incredible fish from that point forward. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… And they oysters....the name of the variety escapes me at the moment, Washington though. Pure perfection and reasonable too. Fresh, briny, sweet and oh so addicting and prepped with attention to detail. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… The Blue fin tuna was amazing and the blue crab cut roll was also a winner. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Not much else to trumpet about this is my hands down new favorite in the valley and maybe all of L.A. I hate to admit it as I am afraid this place is going to be overrun by it's own popularity. Amazing.
(5)
Nao K.
AMAZING sushi, appetizers, chawanmushi, dishes, and service. The chef is so good with everything. They always have a great variety of fresh fish. I've had fish here that you usually can't get outside of Japan....and each piece is prepared so well! I've never had anything less than THE BEST dining experience here. I just wish I lived a little closer!
(5)
Susan C.
This place doesn't even deserve 1 star. Horrible service horrible just cause a restaurant has good food doesn't mean they should lack on service. I was raising my hand and we actually started a timer cause it took so long. Yuck.
(1)
Mark T.
Fantastic sushi and great service, need I say more. Smallish menu with a daily menu,too! Can't wait to return.
(5)
Ashley H.
Pretty good sushi restaurant. Sushi is fresh and tasty. If you're looking for rolls that are drenched in sauces, this place isn't for you. They don't add that many things to the rolls besides rice and fish.
(4)
Max M.
There are a lot of sushi places in the San Fernando Valley, each with their own specialty: creative rolls, sauces, crazy portions, etc. For quality sushi without breaking the bank, this is definitely a top pick.
(5)
Raffi Alan M.
Wow is the word. WOW. This place is a hidden gem. From start to finish my tastes buds were on a trip through the heavenly clouds of Mt. Olympus. Toro with gold, black snapper (with shiso and yuzokosho) albacore, yellowtail, spicy tuna crispy rice and the spicy tuna hand roll. I ordered my usuals. Each one was so soft, so fresh, so beautiful. Like butter, melting ever so smoothly. This place is amazing and i cant wait to come back!
(5)
Mario F.
Best of the best. The chef and his wife are fantastic. Nobody has his craft. The fish is always fresh. We have been going there from the start and never disappointed.
(5)
Ana R.
There are very few GREAT sushi places in the valley- I can count them in one hand- OKUMURA is one of them. This place has delicious sushi to say the least. Their fish is perfectly tender every time. I love that they always use very simple sauces too, as to enhance the flavor, not hide it. Okumura is as consistent with their prices and their service, both great!
(5)
Mrs. K.
This is my first NEGATIVE review I've ever done. EVER! I should've read far enough to see all the 1 star reviews before coming to this place. I definitely agree with all the negative reviews... Service was beyond HORRIFIC! Do I have to be Japanese to actually be treated with respect at this restaurant? The servers have absolutely NO MANNERS whatsoever. I had to force myself to give them a 10% tip because even though they never smiled, never stopped to check up on how we are doing, never said sorry for MESSING up our orders, and never said thank you until we asked for the bill, they did put food on our table. Mind you, the restaurant was only 1/3 full at the time of our visit. I cannot believe management thinks this service is acceptable. If I could give this place NEGATIVE STARS I WOULD, in a freaking heart beat. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. There are plenty of sushi restaurants in Encino and Tarzana that offer fresh, catch of the day served with service excellence!
(1)
Jewel L.
Love this place. Great sushi. And I am a big fan of the lunch special, teriyaki chicken bowl. The sushi chefs will customize or alter any roll to your liking.
(5)
Isabelle H.
A hidden gem in encino~~ the owner is the sushiman and he takes it so serious! Every sushi we had was so fresh!!! Im so glad i found this place~ i dont have to drive to la for good sushi anymore.. Def coming back!!! Very satisfied!!!
(5)
Noel V.
The fish quality is quite high. There are daily and weekly specials. Their prices are average but not expensive. The restaurant itself is nicely minimalist in Japanese fashion. The only inconveniences here are probably parking on weekends and busy days, which is not really the restaurants fault (though parking can be difficult sometimes), and the wait staff sometimes takes longer than usual when they are busy. But overall, I highly recommend this place for sushi. I have held about a dozen business meetings here and never a complaint, only praise.
(4)
Thao N.
Good sushi is hard to find, and excellent sushi can be found at Okumura. Everything was spectacular: from service to the food. Unagi was just down right delicious. Flaky, crispy and just right. Albacore roll with the fried onion was ohmygoshwhatisthisheaven. Salmon was so delicious All of their rolls! Just perfect!
(5)
Simon M.
Absolutely amazing. Some of the best tuna ivd had including some great places in Tokyo. The toro, negitoro, and blue fin were absolutely amazing. The head chef is amazing to watch and has some of the best preparation and presentation I've ever experienced. I cant wait to go back.
(5)
Luba L.
DELICIOUS!!! My favorite thing about this place is the fatty toro, albacore belly, and yellowtail belly sushi. THICK and FRESH!!! And the appetizer dishes are great!
(4)
So Yum O.
When it comes to sushi, Quality is Number one. The quality here: A Ambience = relaxed, clean, modern, nice decor, cool ceramic dishes, Small but not claustrophobic and intimate. Customer Service= A+ (chef was attentive, manager on her A game, employees ready to serve and work as a team) call me arrogant but I like it when the staff acknowledges us. They all said "thank you" as we exited. Thank me? No, thank you for this awesome experience! Loved this place and I decided all the others in this area don't come close. So happy. I ate a ton and don't regret a single bite. delectable!!!! Overpriced? No! You get what you pay for with Sushi.
(5)
Grace C.
Overall nice experience. The service was great, and presentation was great as well. As for the food... -crispy albacore roll: 5/5 -toro sushi: 5/5 -basic rolls: 5/5 -oysters: 5/5 Now for so-so... -The Spanish mackerel 2/5 ... It was disappointing .. :( -live scallop: 3/5.. Nothing special
(4)
Ian R.
Very good service. Very friendly staff. Tried quite a lot of food including: Salmon Sushi, Tuna Jalapeno HR, Yellowtail Green Onion HR, Veggie Tempura, and Edamame. All the sushi was very subpar. Not really the fish itself but the rolls were a bit bland. The portions were all very small. The sushi was very thin cut. Not bad but not good. I've seen some splendid reviews so perhaps it was just not to my liking. If you have been to Ahi Sushi in Studio City you will be very disappointed coming here. Nice atmosphere and friendly attentive staff, though. Good loose leaf green tea that they let you steep yourself.
(3)
Sonia P.
Fresh fish, great service, great place! Highly recommend!!
(5)
Nicole C.
Okumura is consistently delicious! I have eaten there several times and I'm always happy. My family and I had dinner there tonight. Okumura is our "sushi spot". We love it there. The food is amazing, always fresh always satisfying. And the kwaba beer is a bonus. We have our favorites (yellowtail sushi, crispy albacore onion, crunchy roll) but we always ask for recommendations. Tonight we tried the scallop sushi and the sea perch. Both were so good!!! Chef Okumura made us an order of his top 5 sushi selection. It was amazing! The service is great! Everyone is so kind. Tonight we had a chance to speak with chef Okumura's wife. What a lovely woman!! You have to check out Okumura restaurant. I look forward to going back soon.
(5)
Sil D.
Oy shi!!! Delicioso!!! Delishhhh... no matter how you put it, this place has earned EVERY one of these five stars! Not one complaint! To start off, the place was small and intimate, sheek but simple, priced well for the portions, and the service was nothing short of being fabulous. We ordered sunomono, oysters, miso soup and two rolls- rainbow and avocado eel, with some green tea ALL for $4o.
(5)
Alex K.
There are 4-5 sushi joints on this stretch of Ventura Blvd so we just took a random stab. I was a little concerned at first because it's in the middle of a drab strip mall... But then isn't everything in LA?? We sat down at the sushi bar and ordered the omakase-- which I guess isn't something people do often here because they were very appreciative. Who cares about being "authentic"-- our boy Roberto made really good choices - started with oysters in ponzu, which were amazing. There was a tuna dish with gold flakes that was really good-- and literally the best jalapeño yellowtail I've ever had (take that, Nobu)!! Served some beautiful pieces of nigiri with buttery rice, and a progression of three levels of tuna fatness. Plus he was so appreciative his face lit up when I poured him some of our sake. Turns out they don't actually have an omakase offering. We just got charged by the piece, which if I knew I would have made more requests of my own! It wasn't cheap- two peeps with one large bottle of sake ($42) and our tab was $224 before tip. I feel like that's on the expensive side for the Valley, but we did stuff our fat faces, and it was among the best sushi I've had in LA. Only knocking one star for not having an omakase, and the server never poured our sake even once... I hate to be a stickler but it is really poor custom to not at least poor the first glass.
(4)
Leisha P.
My new fav sushi place in the valley. Great service, excellent food. The shigoku oysters and live scallop were my favorites. We also ordered yellow stripe jack(?), blue crab, soft shell crab, yellowtail, crispy albacore and they were all fresh and melted in your mouth. Prices are fair for the quality. Will definitely come back! Tip: make a reservation as this place is small.
(5)
David S.
Sushi was fresh which is a plus. Food was good. In my opinion not worth the high prices. I enjoyed the fish cuts. Would I go back? Probably not.
(3)
alex P.
Traditional sushi made great! No fancy rolls but I enjoy watching the chef create his masterpiece sushi with a finesse that can only come from experience almost as much as I enjoy eating it. Ryota has skills. It's always a treat to go here, makes for A great date night with the wife. The service here is always above par . The only bad thing is his popularity seems to be growing and you can occasionally walk in to a pretty full restaurant making it difficult to seat groups larger than 4. But you'll be back! Often!!
(5)
Nicole R.
My favorite place in the entire world...my home away from home. I would eat here every day if I could, and I eat here at least twice a week with my boyfriend. Every time we eat here it's always amazing. Ryota, Berto, and Ramon really know what they are doing! We come so regularly they always know how to prepare our roll special to our liking and never disappoints. The staff is friendly and attentive, especially Ryota's wife! We love coming here and sampling all of the sushi. The Blue Fin Toro is worth every penny and we always crave it. Ryota's quality of fish is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It beats expensive names in the area like Katsuya or Midori by a long shot. Also, the lunch time special is amazing if you are in the area between 11 and 2:30. During the week I come on my lunch break because it is across the street and it is such a good deal for a perfect lunch. I will never go to another sushi bar again because this place is just too amazing to be compared to. If I could give this place 10 stars it still would not be enough. Thanks Ryota, you the bossman!!
(5)
Eeda G.
Have been coming here for over 2 years now and I always have a 5 star experience. Best sushi restaurant in Encino hands down. Great friendly service, fair price, always fresh!, good vibes.
(5)
Agnes K.
Dragon roll is a must! So delicious! And the service was wonderful, the staff is very friendly!
(5)
Margo I.
Worst sushi we had in life. We went for dinner and had few rolls from the menu. It wasn't even okey.... We just couldn't eat it. It just had bad taste... On top of that, service was horrible. The waitress was rude. Stay away from this place!!!
(1)
Drew S.
Awesome sushi spot, one of the better in LA without a doubt (I can think of 4 or so in this group). No need to get into specifics on what to try; look at what's fresh that day and trust the chef. The day I was in the bluefin, uni, and albacore were on point. Let them tell you what's best that day, and if you're a true sushi lover, go with it.
(4)
August L.
Fantastic! Had some things I hadn't tried before. The savory custard with uni and roe was extraordinary. Also liked the shishito peppers with dancing bonito flakes. Our sushi chef was great. Most folks can be divided into two camps - roll eaters or sashimi eaters. I think this place was geared to sashimi eaters. Don't go here and order a California roll. Go to the sushi place at the Topanga mall if you like rolls.
(5)
Paul B.
Great sushi, great price, great service. My wife and I have been here a handful of times and it's been consistently good.
(5)
Richard O.
I can't give this place 5 stars for many reasons. 1) The selection of nigiri during the day is very limited. 2) This place costs 40% more than ojiya, and ojiya is still better. (Ojiya is a sushi bar in Chino). 3) The sushi making is awfully slow, even slower than places like Ojiya, Sasabune, Sushi Gen, and even Sushi zo. The meal was delicious, but I don't think I will be coming back to this spot. I'm sure there are better sushi bars for the price that I paid for this place. I'm a reluctant fan.
(4)
Michael F.
Love this place , all the time fresh fish there, we going there 2 times a week, before we was stock with katsuya not any more this place is better! Recomend for everybody!
(5)
Theresa N.
I found a reason not to leave the Valley anymore for sushi! Granted, there's a ton of sushi restaurants on Ventura Blvd., but several of them are quite pricy. We normally go to Sushi-Gen when we want to splurge on sushi. I had seen an article about Okumura on LA Magazine a few months ago, and finally decided to try it last night. This is not a place for fancy rolls doused with spicy mayo or unagi sauce. It's the place to go if you want traditional sushi and you trust your sushi chef to serve you the best he has to offer. We were unsure about this place when we first sat down as Ryota said he was out of a lot of the seafood we normally order, but it ended up being a really good thing as we ended up trying daily specials that we had never tried before! IThe first thing we tried was the yellow striped jack, which was fantastic. After that we let Ryota do his thing and serve us whatever he felt like. Every piece of fish tasted so fresh. At one point he served us black snapper sushi with triggerfish liver on top and it was f'in amazing! Melt in your mouth like foie gras. We ended up only spending $80 for two people, which is a lot less than when we typically go all out at our other fave sushi restaurant. The restaurant is minimalist but still nice for fun date. Easy parking in the back. Thank you Ryota for an amazing meal! We couldn't stop talking about how good it was afterwards. We will be back :)
(5)
Agnes K.
Okay...so how do I say this? FISH WAS FRESH. NO DOUBT. Wife of the owner is super sweet ( acts like a hostess) even though its hard to understand her ( from japan ...????I assume). . So why not 5 stars? Because everything we had was good but not to a point where it would melt in your mouth, where you feel like you having an " O" after each bite, because I can not even remember what we ate because everything tasted the same, even though it was fresh. If you read my reviews, you will see that another place on Ventura, ( starts with an M ends with an N....) has blown my mind and this place is....well. Try it yourself. Another interesting new experience: I NEVER went to a sushi place where they bring you a selection of tea's and hot water. Usually green tea is made prior..in restaurant. Some of you favor this and some don't. I will post pictures but please forgive me if I don't explain what it was, because I dont remember and nothing stands out.
(4)
Michael E.
Still the best sushi in LA! Recently went to a high end sushi place on the westside and This place puts them to shame. This place is great because they pick really great fish for their specials. You won't be disappointed. Great date place for a date or celebration.
(5)
Rose A.
Good sushi but not worth an hour wait. If you are holding 4 tables for people who are late for their reservation....and turning others away who are there waiting. You're losing money.
(3)
Steve T.
Very good sushi one of my favorites, try this place out you will not be disappointed. Good service, fresh fish, nice people.thanks for the good sushi guys!
(5)
Yanochka D.
Thanks to LADWP for cutting off hot water in our household for the whole Saturday last month, we had to cancel our big going out plans and settle for something local and preferably resorted. As we were driving down Ventura we saw that little sushi place and decided that it's probably empty and our dirty hair and sweatpants would fly. We entered through the back door and found ourselves standing in the middle of a packed and quite fancy place (first-date-dinner-movie type of a crowd) in our sweats. Without reservations. But the staff was very quick to find seats for us. The Chef was cooking right in front of us and we enjoyed watching him work and asking stupid questions (sorry, chef and thanks for your excellent recommendations). Everything we ordered was very good: fresh and delicate. Clean flavors. My recommendation: don't forget to make reservations on weekends, the place is small and happening.
(4)
Tuanh D.
Fish is really fresh and the place is super clean. Happy that I didn't leave smelling like fish. We ordered the blue crab, lobster hand roll, salmon and yellowtail hand rolls and a few other dishes. Decent pricing as well!
(4)
Joanne B.
Best sushi around!! I found this place on Yelp! I have been here 3 times since in 3 weeks. The Assorted Sashimi Salad with light ginger soy dressing is the best I have had anywhere !!
(5)
Rosiey B.
I took my husband here for his birthday, we loved it! I haven't had any sushi for years since I'm allergic to shrimp. So I decided to take my husband here as an excuse to eat sushi. It was delicious and definitely would go back.
(5)
Victoria D.
Tasty, well-priced, chill and excellent service! What more can I ask for - amazing lunch!!!!
(5)
Francis G.
love this place... I've never been disappointed by the food or the service I've received here... chef ryota always hooks up the the best cuts of fish and his wife nariko and her staff always makes sure my family/guest are comfortable. all my favorites come from the small "today's special" menu which is a little more expensive but definitely worth the price... standouts for me include the live shrimp, live octopus, lobster, yellowtail, oysters, tuna and toro. they also carry one of my favorite beers kigen kawaba snow weizen. eat here... NOW!
(5)
Ronit Z.
What's not to love about this place? They have amazing artwork, a cute and stylish atmosphere, and a beyond pleasant staff! I went here today with my mother and had an incredible experience. The albacore was fresh and the ponzu perfect, I also really appreciated that the sushi chef asked us if we preferred green onions or fried onions. I also asked the chef what their specials were today which included an amazing black snapper with yuzu kosho, amberjack with truffle salt, and super fresh Spanish toro all of which were perfect in terms of freshness and seasoning. Each one had a perfect texture. I asked for a recommendation for one more sushi order and was served a beautiful seared sea perch. I'm not usually a fan of seared fish but this was one of the better ones I've ever had. The chef also checked in with us constantly and was super attentive. To finish I ordered a lobster hand roll and it easily ended up being the best I've ever tasted complete with real lobster, minimal mayo, and the perfect blend of veggies. I am already dying to come back here and have the chef recommend some more goodies.
(5)
Talyn E.
Okumura was one of the best sushi restaurants at which I have eaten in or around Los Angeles. The presentation was gorgeous. The staff was attentive and friendly, although not overly so. The sushi tasted so fresh! All of the seafood was fantastic. I've never been so pleased. Everything about this restaurant was comfortable and my waitress even made me origami chopstick holders. I will definitely be back to Okumura next time I am in the area.
(5)
Shane S.
This place is the real deal when it comes to specials from Nippon. Chef Okamura has a passion for his craft.... plus he is actually friendly !! He chooses exotic fish for his menu , and it seems like his customers appreciate it. I am tired of the places that serve California rolls smothered in teriyaki and mayo claiming to be authentic !! If you really want to experience true sushi on Ventura blvd check this place out . I was very impressed of the quality and the presentation of his unique seafood dishes. Let these chefs guide you through your meal..... It will be amazing! 4.5 stars as the experience really needs to be with Chef Okamura.... the rest of the restaurant seems a bit average.
(4)
Ben L.
Amazing. Freshness, service, atmosphere and background music. Hey, and it's not at all on the pricy side. Totally affordable. Great value.
(5)
Paul R.
Nice sushi place in the Valley (Encino Commons). This place would be no more than 3* in Seattle but in LA it gets 4*. The nigiri could use larger slices of fish and they don't have wild salmon. The amberjack carpacio was nice and the wild flowers were a pleasant touch. All in all if you must eat sushi and you happen to be in the valley go for it.
(4)
Margaret C.
The food here is amazing. This is not your typical sushi joint featuring tons of rolls. Come here if you want to eat sushi as in raw fish. Fantastic. This is one of the best sushi places I have been to. Their fish was so fresh and tasty. Every piece just melts in your mouth. Even their rolls were top notch. Even though they are relatively simple compared to many other places with exotic combinations, their execution is flawless. We ordered an eel avocado roll. I was impressed by how the eel was the perfect warmth, which made the avocado taste even creamier. We also ordered poke and a number of nigiri. Everything was amazing. Probably what surprised me the most was that we were eating here for V-day so we went all out and just ordered whatever we wanted without too much attention to the price. Fully indulging ourselves, our check came out to about $30/person, which is totally worth it. Don't be fooled by their entrance which is a little door off a strip mall, the inside of the restaurant is very beautifully done with a modern, sleek feel. I was a bit worried when I showed up that this place, but I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in. The small entrance leads to a cramped hallway that opens up into a nicely sized space with a sushi bar in the middle with a few booths around the perimeter. I loved this place and will totally be coming back.
(5)
Wenxi Z.
my favorite sushi place in the valley love to come here .
(5)
Jeff T.
Best sushi in LA, hands down. I know that's bold statement, but it's true. This place has the freshest, best cut sushi I've ever had. Their chefs are super nice, and their wait staff even nicer. This place is the best, and that's that.
(5)
Mary N.
This has been our favorite sushi in the Valley for the past two years. The fish is very fresh, the dishes are authentic and very tasty. Not a single roll with cream cheese! Reasonably priced.
(5)
Sara D.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. My fiance and I found this little sushi gem about a month after they opened over a year ago and honestly we have made it our spot to go to. Every time we try and go to another sushi place we regret it almost immediately because we know every time we come here we will get exactly what we expect. Excellent food, service, atmosphere, etc. We have had birthday dinners, romantic dinners, quick lunches and even our engagement night dinner here! Always a wonderful place to be regardless of the situation. I definitely recommend going here! :)
(5)
Sam S.
One of the best spots in the valley. Nice space, good food, good service, and not too pricey. The fish is fresh and the portions are big.
(5)
Josh R.
Americanized popularized delicious roll style sushi stands out on this menu. It's not a slam - it's just all the popular rolls are on this menu and they do them really well. A little saucy at times, but no less delicious. I wouldn't say I eat here all the time, but occasionally we pop in here. It's a great value I'll tell you that. And the servers and chefs are very polite. This is no sushi nazi or Katsuya, but it's worth visiting from time to time especially if you have friends that aren't big into sushi as they will enjoy it - there's something on the menu for everyone.
(4)
Kate M.
Great sushi and pretty great service. The ambiance was also very nice. The boyfriend and I had a wonderful evening and okumura makes A lovely date spot !
(5)
Sanaz V.
This place is extremely cozy! Great Service! Good food! & Good Drinks! The music is calm and relaxing which gives the overall mood a sweet feel. Try the Takara Plum wine it's delicious :-D
(5)
Nancy K.
Best place for sushi in the valley, hands down. Better than Go's Mart, Asanebo, etc., especially for the price (a full omakase course was about $75). I didn't expect much initially but after the first few dishes I was taken aback and started asking the head chef some questions.... and what do you know, he used to work at Sushi Zo, one of the best sushi restaurants in LA.
(5)
Mike S.
I finally checked Okumura out after seeing such great reviews and it was very good. Although there isn't a huge selection of rolls (which many sushi traditionalists appreciate), the menu is solid and the fish tastes very fresh. The albacore crunch roll was great and whatever sauce they used was fantastic. It was not drowned in sauce and the presentation was nice. They also have great lunch specials and the hand rolls were very reasonably priced. If you're looking for a tasty casual but traditional sushi selection that isn't cheap and isn't expensive, then try Okumura. Note: I usually refrain from using the word "tasty," but it just felt right and fits.
(4)
Nori S.
I am from Tokyo Japan there fore my tung is so used to Japanese sushi. I lived in valley for 6 years now an I am extremely happy to found Okumura on Ventura blvd because finally sound sushi place to satisfy my tung and Tammy and great place to hung out! This is so far my best on Ventura and No. Two in the valley. Because great atmosphere, casual, business as well as dating with my wife. Ryota San (Owner) is Young but know great taste of sushi which is great combination of real Japanese taste (I mean real real) and American sushi( which is also great. Price range is Medium but Price and Value ratio is the top notch!! I come here almost every month!! All sushi chef are willing to make you happy!!
(5)
Sharon S.
Had a great dinner here again! We really do enjoy this place! The food is great and the fish always tastes fresh. The prices are totally reasonable and the service is great. We've eaten in the restaurant a few times but normally do take out but. Will have to come out here more often. Only thing I wish they had was tamago sushi.
(5)
Beverly H.
Amazing amazing amazing quality sushi. All fishes indicate where they were caught from. The sashimi is delicious and I love the salmon avocado roll and tuna avocado roll. I also love their vegetable tempura, they have some amazing variety of mushrooms!
(5)
Anna S.
Our friends introduced us to this place and I'm glad they did! It's really close to where we live, nice to be able to not go far for great sushi. The quality of the fish is great and everything we've ordered has been really good. They're always very welcoming and remember who we are. The service can be a bit slow at times, that would be my only complaint. They just expanded so it's great coming in a bigger group and sitting together comfortably.
(5)
Nushie N.
The most beautiful and delicious sushi I've had. Seriously so fresh and high quality!!! Oh and the crispy rice was so crunchy it reminded me of French fries mmmmm. We went there for Valentine's Day and we were not disappointed. If your going on fri or sat night get a reservation the place is small, but it's comfortable inviting and a fun atmosphere. The staff is very attentive and helpful. They seem to take a team approach and take care of all the guests together. The chefs had no problem making adjustments for my boyfriend who is gluten free (they have gluten free soy sauce btw just ask) and when they made a mistake on one order they had no attitude about taking it back. It was really a wonderful meal I can't say enough good things about this place. If you wanna see something magical order the big eye tuna. OMG the color!!!
(5)
Brigette R.
The service was excellent. The quality of the food was great. Took my friends from Rome and they really enjoyed the restaurant. Our hostess was nice and we waited maybe 2 minutes for them to find a table for 4. We ordered maybe 3-4 rolls to share , vegetable tempura, pot of green tea, and large beer. This was our second time visiting this restaurant. The parking was easy. The food was served fast. The food tasted great. Our friends were happy and our bellies were full. Mission accomplished. I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)
Roxy B.
I honestly dont know how so many people gave this place so many stars. i came here based on yelpers review. I ordered the lunch sushi special for like $22 a plate i think. Anyways thats not why im giving it one star. The raw fish was so tough. it had no flavor, therefore NOT worth the price. the server wouldnt come & pick up unfinished plates in a timely manner so my plates kept piling up. I was out of water for waaay too long of time. When she finally did come over she kept crossing her arm right in front of my face and over my plate. Very unprofessional. So my reason for my one star is quality of the food & the way the server went about it all. Sushi bar chef however very kind. Friendly. but i would not return.
(1)
T M.
Fresh sushi. Great service. I ordered the trio handroll on their lunch special. Although the portions are small, the fish was fresh and delicious. Some guy on my right kept ordering sushi pieces and they looked to die for. I'll be back for sure!
(5)
Chew B.
We asked for omakase (chef's choice) and had the freshest fish of that day. Had 16 dishes (9 dishes were a piece of nigiri but also had arame sunomono, 2 types of carpaccio, chawan mushi, baby abalone, a toro hand roll and ended with a pannacotta) for $80 each. Chef Okumura, the sushi chef and owner, is an artist working with sushi. His wife handles running the rest of the restaurant with his input. We found them to be welcoming and passionate about their work. Although no sushi restaurant gets a fish delivery on Sundays (fishermen need a day off too), the fish was still very fresh. They expanded the restaurant in August '14 so there are more tables. Plenty of parking available in the back.
(5)
Dztfairy Z.
I like Sushi and our family appreciates good fresh fish, but their crispy onion yellowtail has spoiled me for life! If you like garlic and onion, this is A dish you must try!!!!!
(4)
Brent W.
Chef was very attentive and was fun to watch from the bar. All good was top notch. There's not a lot of roll choices but that's not a bad thing. The spicy tuna tasty but could be spicier. The toro was amazing. This has become a new favorite.
(4)
M W.
Excellent sushi here. I was a little disappointed by the Chirashi, not impressed with the fish selection. My main gripe with this place is they only offer special fish for dinner service. Very hard for me to get here for dinner so I am missing out.
(4)
Brittany S.
Great spot! The food is fresh and tasty. We had a mixture of rolls and sashimi, I enjoyed everything. I especially love the baked crab hand roll - it has a nice twist with some spicy mayo added, it is a must try! The staff is super friendly and the service is great. There is a large sushi bar and a few tables. This place is small so there is usually a wait. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Julie G.
I love this superb Sushi restaurant! Fish is ALWAYS fresh, service is ALWAYS 5 stars. Me and my husband go here every week (sometimes 2x a week) & the food is ALWAYS consistent. The Japanese scallop, salmon, and tuna poke are a must! Enjoy folks!
(5)
Heather H.
my new favorite sushi place in the neighborhood. (and there are a ton of sushi joints in encino/tarzana) great cuts and not over the top pricey. great staff. and great food. only suggestion, get regular iced tea on the menu.
(4)
Pauline N.
Parking - Easy street parking on a weekday evening, my friend said they also have a lot at the back. Seats - Standard Service - Nice, not over not under Food - Everything was either avg or above avg. Ordered a lot of appetizers - all were pretty good Rainbow roll - Nice Spider roll - Nice Sushi - I didn't have any, friend said they were good. Given the low price, this place definitely delivered above average quality! Will come back.
(4)
Pete T.
Wow, this place was so bad in regards to customer service I really don't know where to start. We were highly referred to this place by some friends because it's supposably authentic Japanese high quality sushi, which is definitely far from it. So last Friday my wife & I, along with our guest went in to try the place at 8:40 PM & we really wanted to sit at the bar & have Chef Okumura serve us our sushi, but upon arrival we were told that the open seating at the sushi bar was reserved for someone else, so we had to sit at a table, which was ok. The problem for me was that the people that they reserved it for did not show up until 9:15 & we were told their reservation was for 8:30 so we should have gotten their seats, but instead we settled for the table. This was not that big of a deal so we went on to ordering some sushi & sashimi. My wife & I typically eat the fish only, no rolls, no fried stuff etc. so were expecting a high level of fish quality from this place, but let me tell you that was not the case. The fish was average at best. We tried the salmon & albacore sushi, premium blue fin toro sashimi, yellowtail belly sashimi & were not impressed at all, especially with the prices they were charging. I normally do not deviate from my regular sushi bar that I go to for this reason. I don't know how people on Yelp who eat real sushi can rate this place 5 stars & call it the best sushi they ever had, I'm baffled. However with all this being said, this is still not the reasoning for my 1 star rating. We had ordered a large bottle of cold saki & were sitting around waiting for our server to come back & when he did we asked for some more food & his response to us is that they had last call 10 minutes ago & cannot serve us any longer. Wow is all I could say to him & then I asked why we were not told that it's last call & his response was "I'm so sorry" to which I replied "I'm so sorry doesn't really cut it, were still hungry" & again he just says sorry & leaves. Ok fine, we'll just finish up our $85.00 bottle of saki & leave at this point. It's almost 10:20 PM & when another group walked out we were the last ones there & Chef Okumura (the owner & head chef) walks up to us & says "It's 10:30 & were closed, please leave now......thank you!".................how the hell do you respond to that after I just paid a $230.00 sushi bill that included a $30.00 tip?????? I didn't even feel like they deserved a response from me, but I had to get it off my chest I told the Chef that you are officially my first 1 star Yelp review & I have never been asked to leave a restaurant in my life except for tonight. Your customer service is beyond terrible & not only will I never come back here again, I will make it a point to make sure everyone I know not to come here, especially my friends who referred me here. This sushi bar seems like they only cater to their regulars & if your new, I say good luck to you, but there is so many better/friendlier sushi bars to go to in the area. BUYER BEWARE, DON'T WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY IN THIS PLACE!
(1)
Jon B.
Okumura-san is preparing some of the best sushi in LA, at a reasonable price and in a comfortable environment. He caters the the masses too, but dont let that fool you into thinking its nothing special... he and his wife are doing amazing things here.
(5)
Mercedes G.
Came here on a Friday night after hearing so much good buzz on this place and man was it a good choice! Hands down one of my top 3 favorite sushi joints. It's small and cozy but everything on the menu is packed with flavor!! Got the crispy albacore onion and baked crab rolls, SO good!!!
(5)
Isis L.
I haven't been here to rate any restaurants in a while... but this place deserves the review! We found this place when looking for sushi in the valley.... I know, that's a hard task since there is a sushi place in every corner of Ventura blvd. Anyway, we yelped this place and after reading the amazing reviews we decided to give it a shot... and we do not regret it! It was AMAZING!!! If you have never been there, you HAVE TO GO! The sushi and sashimi selections are top notch! It's wonderful! It's delicious! It's simple! It's fresh! I could go on.... The difference between this place and the other thousand valley sushi places? Its menu has only two pages of wonderfulness while all the other places have 50 pages of mediocrity... I am not kidding when I say wonderfulness, here is what we had: Uni, Toro, Blu Fin Tuna, Salmon Roe, Soft Shell Crab roll, tuna, spicy tuna, eel. Yeah, we tried a lot in the menu, and you know what? I am happy to have eaten the freshest melt in your mouth sushi prepared simply and deliciously.... no gimmicks, no cream cheese, no crap... just yuuumminesss.... so yeah, GO TO OKUMURA, but only go if you are not the kind of person that orders a california roll and thinks they are so worldly.... go if you are willing to try and experiment... so you can have a wholesome experience.
(5)
jonathan s.
Everyone on yelp is crazy. Terrible meal here. Left mid way through meal to go get food somewhere else. I will say that there was one chef who was extremely nice (owner?). Unfortunately this wasnt enough to make up for a poor selection of sushi, painfully slow service, and just an overall bad experience. - sauteed vegetables came out like they were missing a sauce. Very plain. - incredible small quantity of fish in hand roll. - they lost our order. Had to ask 20 mins in if the rest was coming out. They were also having issues with charging other parties incorrect bills. It was a shit show to watch. It looked like a restaurant would look if all of the sudden someone asked me to run a restaurant for a night. - chef apologized for the wait and said that he put "extra" fish in our next roll. Since they were light on the fish everywhere else this roll came out looking like a normal roll should look. Good prices. Poor selection. I know this is a cheap sushi place but i was expecting a lot more based on yelp reviews. 5 star reviews are insane.Theres no way. All you moron 5 star reviewers owe me $60.
(1)
Cynthia U.
Simply amazing. They have daily specials, but You must try the live scallop and trigger fish. Reasonable prices for the top quality. The chef is very friendly and I suggest trying all his recommendations. New favorite spot in the valley!
(5)
Alex R.
I feel like there are four kinds of sushi spots in the Valley... 1) Sushi places that you wouldn't go to even if they were in your town. 2) Sushi places that you'd go to but only if they were in your town. 3) Sushi places for which you'd travel to other parts of the Valley. 4) Sushi places for which you'd travel to the Valley were you living 30-45 minutes away in, say, Santa Monica. Okumura falls into the fourth category. The reviews aren't lying, this place is the real deal.
(5)
Kristen P.
We went to Okumura for the first time based on solely on Yelp reviews. We were pretty unpleasantly surprised to find this place was nothing like the reviews. Perhaps it was because we were seated with Chef Okumura who was quite arrogant and dismissive. Although we were seated at the bar, we had to order sushi from a waiter, not our sushi chef which we couldn't understand. Then the chef had someone else make all but one of our dishes. I guess he couldn't be bothered? If I sit at the bar, I want to order from our sushi chef. That's the point right? Otherwise I'd have asked for a table. We waited an exorbitant amount of time between each order of sushi (about 10-12 minutes or so and he had no other customers but us seated and no table orders during this time) and paid an even more exorbitant price. This place is every bit of $$$, not $$ by the way so Yelp should update that. The chef kept inexplicably walking away for 5 minutes or so on three or more separate times to the back room when we were trying to order. I felt we were extremely patient and courteous to him, but he definitely was not to us. The other two sushi chefs kept looking at us nervously when our chef left probably because we were literally the only people at the entire sushi bar waiting to order, but couldn't because he just kept leaving. I literally told my husband, "are we getting hazed or something?" We were still starving, but ended up just getting the check and leaving after 5 small dishes, which with beer and a hot sake came to over $80 not including a tip. I'd NEVER go back. I've eaten sushi all my life and never had such an unpleasant experience. And for the record, the only reason he's getting two stars is because they fish was good quality. Too bad the experience was not.
(2)
Carina O.
Katsuya USED to be our favorite sushi spot...not anymore! Okumura is delicious and very reasonably priced. Small space but they just expanded. Try the tuna with crispy onions and truffle oil.
(5)
Diane L.
What a fine - coming from Calabasas we have been looking for a local sushi restaurant. This place has great sushi and service. I cannot wait to come back :)
(5)
Rain K.
Best Sushi in the Valley, period. Masterfully prepared on all levels. They are conscious of Fukushima, buy only tested, safe food. Amazing service. Easy location and reasonable :)
(5)
Sarah D.
Went here last night for my birthday and it was amazing!! If you're looking for fancy rolls I wouldn't suggest this place, but if you want VERY affordable fresh fish this is where you should go. Toro was insane. The salmon was amazing! I don't even really like salmon and the salmon avocado roll might have been my favorite thing. Unagi was fantastic as well. Also had the yellow tail and the albacore and I would get it all again! Had this Japanese import beer too - Kawaba Sunrise - AMAZING. I don't even drink beer and I had a few of those. The place itself is really cute, big parking lot and the staff and sushi chefs are SO friendly. It was a really great experience and I would drive up north for it anytime!
(5)
Amber Rose P.
I found this new-ish sushi restaurant through Yelp and took my boyfriend for his birthday. We were so impressed and happy with our dinner and the service. This is a must for sushi lovers. -Food first (Most important): we ordered albacore sashimi, live scallop, uni, albacore, yellowtail, isaki, inmedai (golden eye snapper) and toro sushi. Everything was perfect and fresh with outstanding flavor. They have a daily specials list and Chef Ryota Okumura personally made suggestions. We ordered beer for our sushi chefs because we were so content. We did not order any rolls but I'm sure they are also delicious. Finally, I told them ahead of time it was my boyfriend's birthday and I wanted to pre-order dessert. They brought us three types of mochi, panna cotta and blueberries and strawberries with a candle. And everyone clapped. So lovely. -Service: the service was impeccable. Chef Ryota's wife greeted and chatted with us and she was so sweet and helpful with the menu, too. Our server was fantastic (promptly cleared dishes and brought new ones right away, including beer and water) and Chef Ryota brought us some of our dishes, too. -Ambiance: Okumura is small so make a reservation. But it doesn't feel small and it has more taste and ambiance than many of our sushi hot spots. It is arranged so you can sit in a booth and the chefs can still serve you from the sushi bar. Love that, Okumura. -Parking: It's the valley; parking is not an issue. Tip: If you sit at the bar Chef Ryota will 'sauce' your sushi for you. So, Sushi Lovers, here is a terrific new spot that is completely worth your time and taste buds. Go.
(5)
Ariel W.
Amazing old school sushi. The freshest and most delicious nigiri in the city. I'd go every day... if I could afford it.
(5)
Yaron E.
The manager was very rude and unrespectfull , he charge extra for ginger and any other stuff .make sure you check the bill before you pay . I don't recommend on this place.
(1)
Beebee s.
I found this place by accident. But now I've been twice in the last 2weeks! Great fresh sushi...even though one of the chefs is definitely not Japanese, the food was still yummy! I ordered snapper, hamachi, mackerel and of course the spicy tuna crispy rice, then ordered more snapper and more hamachi! Can't get enough it was so fresh! (Skip the teriyaki chicken...its a bit dry). The decor is neat, modern, newer looking. Maybe its new and that's why I never noticed it! Or recently remodeled? Whatever the reason I never noticed it before, I definitely will be back for more...maybe even again this week! (But parking was a pain cuz the lot us shared with several other busy establishments... Market, coffee shop...)
(5)
Frank A.
Service is great, we had two waitresses and one waiter. Efficient service but they have small portions. I got the albacore sushi and it was small and thin, taste was average. Not much of a roll selection. By far the best tasting roll was the lobster roll, great presentation. The price for my wife and two kids was $95 plus tip. I can't say it was worth it.
(3)
Donna S.
Great fresh sushi. Front of house is welcoming and knowledgable about the menu. Chef is very friendly and makes you feel like a special customer. Every item we have tried on his menu has been exceptional!!
(5)
Daniel R.
Was here last year for a date night. Going back for our wedding anniversary. Nice little place with great fresh sushi!
(4)
Hannah R.
The Spanish mackerel sushi was the best I have ever had! A very hard fish to get just right. All the sashimi dishes were outstanding- thick pieces, flavorful, and fresh. Service and chef were refreshingly friendly. Ambiance was modern and uplifting. Great date place. A must for real serious sushi lovers. We never go to the same restaurant twice but we will have to make an exception.
(5)
Food S.
Not sure how I missed this place before but it is my favorite sushi place in LA now. Menu isn't very expansive but the fish is super fresh and the staff is very meticulous. The managers even watch over the sushi preparation to make sure it is done right. Price is decent considering the high quality.
(5)
Cari C.
The services was really bad they charge us more than we ate and when we show it to them they said it's not true which was a lie !!! I ate there once and will never come back !! The worst service I ever got the manger was so rod and unrespectful !!! I don't recommend !
(1)
Chris C.
My new Sushi hangout.... Really Fresh Sushi. They were all really nice there and attentive. When you get the green tea in the can...see if you can squeeze the can...I dont know why but it really tripped me out... Great Sushi in ENCINO FINALLY.... (will add photos later on)
(5)
Shani B.
I went to Okumura based on Yelp reviews. The sushi was OK. I think I'm use to a larger menu selection. I had the spicy tuna and a spicy rainbow roll. The spicy tuna was good. The rainbow roll was just OK.
(2)
Linda B.
Highly recommend this place--great service, great atmosphere, great good!
(5)
Natalie K.
Had to get this place on my fav sushi list, but then I realized I haven't reviewed it yet. That's hard to believe considering how AWESOME I think this place is. What to come here for: REASONABLE PRICES. FRESH FISH. GREAT QUALITY SUSHI. KNOWLEDGEABLE SUSHI CHEFS. Don't come here if you are looking for fancy rolls with so much sauce poured on top of them so you can't tell the fish isn't that great, you won't find that here.... (although they do say they will make you a roll however you want it)
(5)
Rose A.
This is our little hideout. My husband and I go often. The Chef's passion radiates thru all the flavorful dishes. Fresh fish, super clean and zen environment. We love how authentic this place is. Very happy to have discovered this sushi spot. And... they also have gluten free soy sauce.
(5)
Ingrid S.
Went here last night for dinner. The sushi was really good. I enjoyed the spicy tuna roll and it was delicious as well as the shrimp tempura was really good. The udon however was really salty. We had a bad server though, I felt like she forgot about us. After seeing that everyone else that came after us was getting their food, I called her over and told her we were missing our rolls. 10 mins later our rolls came out. Then the manager came to greet us and apologized for what just happened and so she said we weren't getting charge for our drinks. Great service from the manager. But then our server didn't even bother to come around, had to wave down the other servers to get the check and also waited forever until I got someone's attention for them to take the check back. Really bad service last night.
(3)
David C.
the reason for my 2 star is quality of the food & the way the server went about it all. Sushi bar chef however very kind. Friendly. but i would not return
(2)
Kristy R.
Awesome Sushi awesome service. Jen was our waitress for the night and she was superb! Everything about that place was great. The chef, I think his name Izik really did a great job making our sushi and it was so fresh. Every bite was truly a melt in your mouth bite. I can't wait to go back here again.
(5)
Mallory F.
Sub-par food, awful service, weak air-conditioning, high prices. A fatal dining combination.
(1)
Dre M.
I thought this was my very own secret sushi place but the secret is out!!!! It's amazing!!!
(5)
Ron A.
Ok, this review is long overdue after having been to this Sushi restaurant for numerous times. Sooo, Ventura Blvd has been almost synonymous with Sushi restaurants lining the Boulevard from Calabasas to Hollywood. Nevertheless, indulgent fans of traditional sushi cannot overlook that Chef Ryota Okumura has brought amazing Sushi that has some Hollywood/Beverly Hills flair but with reasonable prices! Once you walk in the door, you are greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. Upon entering the main dining area, you can almost get confused seeing as the bar looks like it should belong somewhere in Hollywood or Beverly Hills and that the cost of the sushi would break your bank. NOPE!!! You're in Encino....in the San Fernando Valley, and all that stands between you is the bar with nice ambient lighting, a decorative setup for your chopsticks, fancy and awesome tasting sushi, and the magic of the chefs working behind the bar. The chefs take great care into making your food and to add to that, an artistic presentation in the food as well! I just recently tried a seared blue fin toro with just a pinch of yuzu pepper and a small brush of soy sauce. The exploding flavor of all that made me buy 3 of them (That's a pair of sushi in each dish so that's 6 altogether)!! Yes it was that good. I've also had the tuna carpaccio, with a fair serving of tuna sashimi glazed with a few greens and seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and some edible gold flakes for a nice touch! One item on the special menu that was added recently was the Tuna Poke. It may not be how they traditionally make it in Hawaii, but regardless, it was UMAMI!! (look up the definition if you don't know what it means and do the research)! The poke was flavorful and garnished with brown and green seaweed, and yes, they're edible too! For those that like the accompaniment of tea with their sushi as a healthy alternative to beer or sake, they provide the options of tea bags or provide a small teapot of green tea. The tea bags used are not the ones you would normally see in any other Japanese restaurant, but they look very authentic enough. I'm a tea drinker and would recognize whether or not it would be some good quality, and yes, they provide some good quality tea. They do provide some more of the casual Americanized rolls as well for those who are comfortable with that type and they can either be made into hand or cut rolls offering more flexibility with varying customer preferences whereas most sushi restaurants I've been to offer just a few selections of sushi specifically for hand rolls. Oh, I almost forgot, their specialty menu can change often and seasonally. I confirmed this with Chef Ryota who goes by the traditional Japanese approach when serving sushi....to go by the seasons. Be aware though that some of the special items especially on busy days and nights (Thurs-Sat) can run out! Finally, service is just awesome! Once you become a regular they treat you like a friend and family member. Overall, I have no complaints about this place, and have not tried one single dish that I didn't like. Due to the growing popularity of this restaurant, they have also expanded their space!
(5)
Arthur N.
Very fresh, love is put into the food here, you can taste it. The owner is usually behind the board, and you'd never be able to tell which of the chefs he is. Simple selection done well. Lunch specials, maybe weekday only I'm not sure. Only a few table and spots at the bar. There isn't really a place to stand when waiting, but it hasn't been a problem in the two times I've been.
(5)
Paul L.
Awesome service and one of the best sushi place in the valley!!!
(5)
Jeff H.
We stumbled across this restaurant about a month ago and have been there 3 times since. Having been one of Nazawa's original customers in the "EDO" days, I can honestly say this restaurant matches the quality found at EDO in days long past. What a refreshing place whrer the quality of the food and service taken together is quite hard to find in the San Fernando Valley. Simply the best around. My wife and son took me back for my birthday and they treated me like a true birthday boy!!! I hope they stay around.....Fantastic......!!!
(5)
Marcy T.
Hallelujah! We finally have a new sushi place that has fresh, melt in your mouth sushi at reasonable prices! The owner/chef is attentive and it is obvious he cares about the quality of fish he serves. He sources some of the fish from Japan. Sushi purists will love this place. We also enjoyed sitting in a booth that was attached perpendicular to the sushi bar. The best of both worlds and very unique.
(5)
Laurie B.
I think I just found my new neighborhood sushi restaurant. Great quality and delicious sushi that won't break the bank. Nice atmosphere and none of the hassle of Katsuya and Kushiyu. Great service too. The chef and owner were super helpful in guiding us to what was particularly good and fresh that day. The salmon belly, kanpachi and live scallop sushi were pieces of heaven on rice. Everything was artfully presented and you can tell that they care about the quality and presentation of their food. Another table was eating Omakase and each dish looked better than the next. I can't wait to go back and try it next time. If you want large, sauce filled rolls that hide crappy fish, this is not your go-to place. But if you want simple and well executed sushi and sashimi, then you too might have just found your new neighborhood sushi place.
(5)
Gaston B.
Excellent food and service!
(5)
H T.
This review is just for the customer service alone. Ryota tried to get us in on Valentine's day after juggling around and calling back and forth he got us a spot at 7PM unfortunately I had already made other plans. Will definitely be back to try the food!
(5)
David M.
I had the pleasure of dining at this little jewel of a restaurant last Friday night ... The atmosphere is wonderful, the decor minimalist yet inviting, the staff professional and attentive without being intrusive ... and the food is spectacular! Every dish showcased Chef Okumura's skills with, and knowledge of, food ... the quality of the ingredients was top-notch ... every course held a surprise - whether it was a textural or flavor contrast, every nuance was well conceived and very well executed. I will not hesitate to return to Okumura, and have already recommended it to several friends. This restaurant is not to be missed!
(5)
Sara D.
One of my co-workers has been raving about this place for the past couple of months and today I finally had the pleasure of experiencing it for myself. First of all, the customer service/atmosphere was outstanding. I was greeted with a smile by every single person working in the restaurant. I was short on time and placed an order to go, which took them about 10 minutes to complete. The sashimi salad was to die for. The fish was fresh and flavorful and the vinaigrette they use was just as delicious. $11 for a pretty hefty portion--you can't beat that! Looks like I found myself a new favorite lunch spot!
(5)
Adam J.
As sushi should be, this place emphasizes freshness. You will get the most out of this place when you ask the server or chef for the specials of the day and their recommendations. This is a good way to ensure you pick the freshest sushi available on that day. If you simply choose on your own from the menu, you are rolling the dice to a certain degree. Case and point: I chose the toro on my own accord and, while there was nothing objectionable, its flavor had obviously dulled with time. All in all, the place has reasonable prices and has done sushi justice by adhering to the essence of sushi - freshness unadulterated.
(4)
B A.
The sushi is the freshest I've tasted in awhile. The sushi chef is great, the selection isn't the best but they have the basics which is all you need if you love sushi.
(4)
M. Y.
One of my son's classmates from the School hosted a birthday party at Okumura. My son kept asking if we could go to Okumura....he is only 10 years old. We came by the night before Father's Day, and it was packed. So, we had to leave because there were no more spots. That was a good sign... We came back about two days later, for our first meal. It is such a great restaurant because the sushi chef is a skilled master. The fish was fresh and prepared perfectly that you do not need any soy sauce at all. In fact, why would anyone use soy sauce? The temperature of the fish was perfect, and the sushi just melted in our mouth. The restaurant is family owned. The owner is the brilliant and skilled sushi chef. His wife is out-going, friendly, and attentive. She looks like an adorable Japanese Doll. The staff are all professional and attentive to our needs. The decor is perfect because it is clean and Zen-like. I am so grateful they are in Encino... Before we found Okumura, I felt like the selection of restaurants in Encino were not that many. But, Okumura has just fullfilled a much needed Japanese restaurant position in Encino. There has to be about 10 different Japanese restaurants in the Encino area, but, many are not as authentic tasting as Okumura. I feel that the chef has brought the art of true Japanese sushi to fruition. The prices at Okumura are reasonable and the food is excellent.... We will be letting friends and family know about Okumura.
(5)
Gina M.
Best sushi I have had in a long time. Albacore was like butter. Saki was super yummy and the owner took pride in his work. Highly recommend
(5)
Yoko F.
This restaurant is still brand new but you will love his sushi (Owner Chef; Ryota) if you know what you want to eat. He always has fresh fishes in season from Japan or east coast. The price are not so expensive. You can afford it once a week. I have a couple of favorite sushi restaurants in Studio City, but Okumura is the best place for allover even have to drive 20 more minutes.
(5)
Nabil A.
Service is horrible. Rice is mediocre. Ambiance is unique and relaxing. Fish is great. A three star that should be a four.
(3)
Lauren C.
I wanted to like this place, really - I did! I was so excited based on Yelp reviews. But unfortunately it was a disappointment :( The sushi chef was extremely polite, as were the two servers, and the prices were actually a little too good to be true, but the food quality suffered. And that's what we're primarily there for, right? The fish pieces on the sushi were thin and bland. The spicy tuna on crispy rice was way over-cooked (almost inedible). The baked crab handroll used fake crab - and they did a good job with it - but they should let you know up front that it's not really crab (unlike Katsu-ya). On the positive side, the unagi and spanish mackerel were good. The service got a little squirrely at the end when we couldn't get our bill because the sushi chef and servers were too busy chatting. I waited ten minutes before finally interrupting .... so, feels like we went to a completely different restaurant than most of the other raters, but this is definitely not like other quality sushi restaurants in the Valley. I would rather go less often and pay more to get decent sushi.
(2)
Collin K.
So I saw the rave reviews here on Yelp, and since I am a local here in Encino decided to give this place a try since they just opened recently... First off, the sushi came without wasabi or ginger, I needed to ask, second, the fish was very bland and just came out plain (I am used to having white fish served with some ponzu sauce, maybe lemon salt or some yuzu pepper sauce), also, the salmon did not taste the freshest. Service was akward, the nice young guy that served us seemed a little unsure of what to do, I needed to ask him to clear the plates from the table. Anyway, for what I paid I would have expected a lot more, hence the low rating I gave this place. For the same price, I will stick to my local place in Encino which has served me well for 10 delicious years now, where I always get the finest fish, superbly prepared!
(2)
Daniel L.
I saw this new sushi place so I gave it a try at lunch. Sushi was ok but not exceptional. Service was slow and pricing was expensive for what was delivered. If you are looking for outstanding sushi and service at reasonable prices this is not it. The chef used to work in Beverly hill, w Hollywood fancy restaurant. He thinks he can get the same prices in the valley. Well he will soon find out otherwise.
(3)
Jessica R.
Ate dinner here last night as a late VDay dinner with my boyfriend. I chose it based on the yelp reviews and I was very happy with it. Because it was a special occasion I wanted a sushi place that had both a nice interior and delicious sushi. I've found that for the most part, sushi restaurants that have a nice ambiance have average food, and places that have great food are lacking as far as atmosphere. The restaurant is a little small but is lovely inside and the sushi was amazing. I've never had such fresh and tasty sushi and sashimi in the valley. My boyfriend ordered yellowtail sashimi that I will dream about for days. Even the miso soup was incredibly flavorful. And the staff was so friendly and helpful. Ryota Okumura is the head chef/owner I believe and he took our reservation himself. We also had every server in the restaurant checking up on us and making sure we were happy. We ended up spending $68 for two people, which is really good considering it was one of those nights where we just ordered whatever we wanted without holding back--multiple plates of rolls, sushi, and sashimi, as well as sides, beer, wine, and dessert. I can't wait to come back :3
(5)
Rachel S.
I work across the street from this place; stop in for lunch whenever I'm in the mood for sushi. Fish is fresh, service is great. The owners are so sweet. This is a great local business you should support!
(5)
Jonathan G.
It doesn't get much better than this in LA. Ryota buys the best, freshest, fish at the LA fish market and his effort is shown in his restaurant. His sushi preparation is outstanding and is on par with the best in LA, and I challenge anyone to find a better sushi restaurant in LA. And I have eaten at them all...
(5)
Joanie M.
Delicious sushi! Their lunch specials are wonderful. Courteous staff. Nice ambiance.
(5)
Kohji K.
the fish quality is top notch and unbeatable and the chef is very knowledgeable, always a fun atmosphere
(5)
Donna A.
Best Sushi in the Valley, period. The quality of the sushi is so fresh, and delicious, it really feels like a 'clean eating' experience. Wonderful hospitality from the wait staff, and the owner, who is one of the chefs. Low key, and very well priced. Can't beat it.
(5)
yelp M.
I visited here with a few friends and was extremely pleased with the sushi. All the sushi I ordered was extremely fresh, thought out and we'll executed/prepared. I tried a mixture of nigiri and rolls. My favorites were the black snapper special and Toro. The decor is modern yet simple with plenty of parking in the shopping center. Prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you get. The staff and sushi chefs were also very friendly and kind. I definitely will be going back!
(5)
Bob T.
This restaurant is very close to my office in Encino. I took my attorney and my work associate there to have some sushi. It was a memorable experience. We sat at the bar and ordered nigiri sushi. Chef Okumura suggested live scallop and spanish mackerel. We had big eye tuna, uni, tuna and avocado, salmon skin hand rolls, yellowtail, and we tried the live scallop. Chef Okumura took the live scallop and expertly opened it and dissected the edible part. I have never had live scallop, but it was wonderful. I have had spanish mackerel before, and I almost hated it. He told me that his was very fresh and "not fishy." We all tried the mackerel. It was out of this world. Every dish we had was very, very good. My attorney, who has eaten at several sushi bars in Japan, said that this restaurant rivals the bars in Japan. I have never been to Japan, but I know that this is the best sushi I have ever had in Los Angeles. This is a young man running a great restaurant. I wish him all the luck in the world.
(5)
Melanie G.
Came back here today with my family and we asked the chef to feed us and give us his favorites and it was absolutely amazing!!!!!!!! Every dish was better than the one before and the fish here just melts in your mouth. Definitely going to become a regular here!!
(5)
Cynthia B.
This place never disappoints. Best quality sushi in the valley. Beautiful plating of food. They also have an option of gluten free soy sauce if its an issue for you.
(5)
Vero O.
So good! so fresh! and super welcoming service!
(5)
Kristy L.
Food quality, nothing spectacular. We ordered 10 pieces of sushi between the two of us, I ate 2, tasteless. Shishito peppers were good, yellowtail collar, boring. Service was good. There is absolutely no ventilation in this restaurant. Will we be back. ..no. I would go down the street, tons of sushi restaurants. Price wise, you will pay the same, but much better quality.
(2)
Andrew F.
Excellent food. The fish is ridiculously fresh and delicious. The service could have been a little better, though. I highly recommend trying the specials, especially the Negi Toro handroll.
(4)
Gary I.
Okumura has an interesting set up where almost half the bar has tables butting up to the counter which makes direct ordering to the Sushi chef possible in a style similar to some Kaiten/revolving Sushi restaurants such as Blue C Sushi in Hollywood. The other two sides of the bar have more traditional chair seating. The interior design is clean w/ one side of the restaurant featuring more traditional monochromatic Japanese Sumie (soo mee eh) based black ink drawings & caligraphy while the other wall entertains more modern, contemporary artwork on commission so that these pieces can be bought for a price. I had toured the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Lake Balboa & Suiho- En/Garden of Water & Fragrance, a formal Japanese garden. So I wanted to continue the Japanese based theme by Yelping & finding the highly rated Okumura which is only 4 miles away from Suiho- En. I arrived around 1pm so it was closer to winding down which was good since I could interact w/ the Sushi chef and let him know the level of Sushi expertise that I could appreciate. 1) Special customer request: Temaki/handroll of Hokkaido- scallops, Yuzu Kosho-/Japanese citrus & chile paste, Kaiware Daikon sprouts, Shiso leaf/"Japanese basil", Sushi rice, Nori. The scallops were soft, velvety, pillowy w/ a sweet ocean minerality. The greens added a spicy, sharp green herbal scent. The Yuzu Kosho- added a smoky, piquant, citrus zest & zing to enliven the scallops while the Nori/sea weed paper added stronger sea based earthy scent & Umami. 2) Off the menu suggested by the chef/owner: Lightly cured Hirame/halibut from Korean waters dressed w/ olive oil, & a light Ponzu/soy sauce, Japanese rice vinegar, citrus that was topped with Mexican Pico de Gallo which is a finely chopped mixture of tomato, onions, touch of Jalapeno chile. A garnish of red seaweed & Wakame/Japanese green sea weed could be placed on top of each slice of halibut for added Umami filled sea flavours. 3) Special customer request: I asked for more of the cuts closer to the belly of the Shiro Maguro/albacore along w/ the standard Okumura treatment of a special Ponzu sauce that is infused with the Dashi/broth taken from Smoked Katsuo Bushi/dried bonito flakes & sprinkled with finely sliced fried onions. I ordered this dish since there are mounds of this finely fried onions on large trays placed around the Sushi bar. I asked how they could fry such fine strands of white bulb onion. "We finely slice & dry the onion prior to frying to get fried onions to crisp & to concentrate the delicate onion flavour." Needless to say, the fatty, soft, Shiro Maguro was made meatier by the smoked bonito broth based Ponzu, and the pleasant, refined strong onion flavour added a smokey, sufurous funk & its crispness added a texture contrast to all the softness. 4) Lobster Roll: Not Your Standard Lobster Roll with tons of mayonnaise. This lobster is high quality, parts of which are taken directly from a steamed lobster tail. It seems dressed in Japanese sea salt and their secret Umami packed flavoured oil, and then baked ever so lightly. Kaiware Daikon adds an aromatic spiciness w/ touch of aguacate/avocado for unctuous rich fattiness instead of the more cloying cholesterol filled mayonnaise. Tobiko eggs sprinkled on top more for color & bit of ocean sweetness. A small spear of crunchy asparagus adds texture, but also adds a wild, green, sulphur based freshness & contrast to the more buttery, mellower seabased sweetness of the lobster. Eating this lobster roll is a subtle exercise in discerning countervailing tastes from each of the ingredients. 1-4a) To do justice to all this Sushi & Sashimi/Crudo, I chose Jo-zen Mizu no Gotoshi (joh zehn mee zoo noh goh toh shee) which is a mouthful, but pairs well since the fragrance is delicate w/ scents of grass, sweet hay, unripe strawberries, kiwi. The flavours are light strawberry, grapefruit citrus zest. The finish is a light refreshing bitterness that clears the palate for more nuanced seafood. Well worth the $22 for 300ml. The owner suggested that I try the Asa Tsuyu/Morning Dew Sauvignon Blanc by Kenzo Estate the next time I visit when sampling more of the olive oil drizzled Sashimi/Crudo for an exquisite pairing. Nice unobtrusive thoughtful service. Japanese Sushi/Sashimi cuisine that flirts with non-Japanese influences to enhance the traditional flavour profile, not to overwhelm it. They use the word "fusion" here but it is done with the utmost discretion unlike many Sushi restaurants in Southern California that proclaim "fusion" just by putting oily, unctuous mayonnaise & cloyingly sweet "eel sauce" on everything destroying the very nature of the fresh seafood. Definitely 4++ Yelp stars for a sophisticated understated cuisine that emphasizes fresh high quality seafood with respect & reverence.
(4)
Doug C.
Food seemed pretty tasteless not good value for the money Not good for vegans - much of the food has seafood broth such as soup and even the cucumber salad. Shame
(2)
Erik And Tanesa B.
We love sushi, including our daughter who is 5 years old. She loves eating ikura and unagi nigiri. The fish was tasty but the service was horrible. The waitress(hopefully not the owner) was rude, laughing about how we where anxious to maybe receive our first plate after 45 mins. I ate my whole sashimi salad and then another 20 mins after that my husband received his chirashi bowl. Our poor daughter waited another 10 mins after that for her unagi and ikura. She was starving. This was for lunch. They were not busy. And the worst was we could not talk to the sushi chefs. 3 other groups that arrived after us; sat down, ordered from chefs, eat and paid even before we got our last dish. Super sad because the fish was good. Maybe caught them on a bad day. Probably one of the worst services in the last 20 years. What a SHAME!!!
(1)
Steph C.
My parents live in Encino, and a few weeks ago, they decided to check out Okumura. By the time I went with them for Sunday dinner last week, they'd already been three times. This is a wonderful development in my life, as it turns out--I go home to eat with my family pretty often, and I'm happy to have Okumura on our short list of options. It's already one of my favorite sushi bars in the city. I love sushi, but I rarely go out for it because the top tier is so expensive and the mid-range spots tend to be mediocre and still not particularly price-friendly. Okumura is one of the few sushi restaurants I've come across with excellent fish at a reasonable price point, giving it tons of repeat value. It's not cheap by any means, but it doesn't require a special occasion to visit, and the sushi is mouthwateringly good. Matt B. and I went with my parents and brother, and the five of us sat in a row at the sushi bar. The restaurant was pretty and comfortable, with a calm, attractive, artful decor. It was quiet enough that we were able to have a pleasant, sociable family dinner even sitting five deep at the bar. Service was wonderful. The chefs were friendly and skillful, and the pacing was just right. My brother and I decided to go omakase while my parents and husband ordered a la carte, paying special attention to the menu of daily specials (most of which came in our omakase selection as well). I'd recommend either road, as they both lead to deliciousness. The omakase menu obviously changes depending on the day, but I'll go ahead and note the sequence of my first Okumura meal, just to have it on the record. (Incidentally, there is no logic to whether I call a fish by its English or Japanese name.) It started with a trio of Shigoku oysters, small and meaty and flavored with ponzu. The next three plates brought three carpaccios--first tuna, then albacore, then kanpachi. The carpaccios were thin, silky slices of sashimi, beautifully plated and dressed. The tuna came with a soy vinaigrette and some mixed greens and crispy onion on the side. There were also gold flakes in there, I'm pretty sure. The albacore came with a similar vinaigrette (either ponzu or soy), with some crispy onion on top. The kanpachi omitted the crispy onion in favor of a mince of pickly pink onion relish. The kanpachi was especially good, with a lovely firmness, but I liked all three. From here, we dove right into nigiri, which made up the meat of the meal. Every single piece was superb, the fish fresh, the rice on point. Most came brushed with soy sauce or other flavorings as needed, so extra soy sauce was unnecessary. First came red snapper, then kanpachi, then black snapper sprinkled with truffle salt, each one good enough to eat by the dozen. The bluefin toro melted in my mouth. Halibut came next with a little salt and lemon, then a plate of amaebi, the glorious raw shrimp body served side by side with its tempura-fried head. Shimaaji came dabbed with zesty yuzu kosho, then there was salmon and yellowtail, two sushi bar staples that tasted anything but basic. A brief break in the nigiri parade came in the form of a blue crab hand roll, made with crisp nori, some fried onion, avocado, and a whole heap of creamy blue crab. After that, I had live Japanese octopus, which was fantastically chewy without being rubbery, its flavor brightened with a pinch of salt. Dinner wound down with bluefin tuna and albacore, and finally, a beautiful piece of ikura sushi, briny and brimming with bursting pearls of roe. I can't wait to go back to Okumura. I'd be happy to have this exact meal again, but am sure there will be a different spread of sushi on offer every time I visit. I'm thrilled to have such a quality go-to sushi spot in Encino, and expect that this meal was the first in a long and delicious relationship.
(5)
Kyle C.
Came in this sushi bar at around 8:30 on a weekday night. Lets start off with the parking.. It was a bit difficult to find parking because it is located off a busy street and you would have to go to a back lot in order to find a spot. As i entered the restaurant i noticed a few things. First off they had about 5 sushi chefs working which i believed to be a good sign. Second, the seating arrangement was different than that of normal sushi bars. The seating arrangement was booth-style next to the actual bar which seemed along with the traditional bar seats. So in regards to atmosphere, i'll give it 1/1 Now lets talk about the service.. My party was seated at a private booth.. Service was decent. I feel like a good indicator of service is how frequently your water is refilled. 1/1 here Last, lets talk about the food. The cool thing about eating with a big party is that you get to try a little bit of alot of different dishes. I ordered tuna poke and shared rolls with my friends. A few rolls stood out to me for different reasons. Lets start with the good.. The lobster roll - there was lobster inside and outside of the roll, i definitely got my money's worth of lobster here. Albacore onion roll - this roll is very unique and ive never had it before. It had deep fried onion on the top with albacore/spicy tuna in the inside. It was delicious and i recommend trying it. Presentation on these two rolls were creative and nice. Rainbow roll - heres where things got a little bad. The outside was mediocre but the inside had a 90/10 ratio of crabmeat/vege which threw me off. Way too much crab meat and too little avocado/cucumber and the rest of that good stuff. Presentation on this roll was not that good. Another thing i noticed was that the chicken in their teriyaki chicken was slightly overcooked and a little dry. 2/3 in this category. Overall it was a good experience there was just some flaws in the food that could have been prevented. 4/5
(4)
Kevin P.
I have been to Okumura more than an hand full of times now. I have to say this is my favorite sushi place in the Valley. The sushi is always fresh and consistent. Never once had a bad experience. Chef Okumura does an excellent job serving up fresh and authentic sushi and sashimi dishes. Recommend: Dinner: Omakase: Definitely won't go wrong in the hand of Chef Okumura. Daily Special Menu: Like I said in my last review. You won't be disappointed ordering from this menu. Lunch: Chirashi Bowl Nigiri Sampler Salmon Skin Salad This is definitely my place to go for some excellent sushi!
(5)
Stelle S.
We came here 3 or 4 times without knowing the name of this place (and liking it that way) but I had to look it up just to write this review. For the last year it's just been "Our favorite sushi place." It's just perfect every time. Favorite roll - Crispy Albacore Onion. The Austrich dressing is light and garlicky and beautiful. - $12 Like oysters? Shigoku are amazing - $3 Something fresh but not a salad? Their poke is great - $9 The crispy rice (with tuna and japaleno) is one of the crispiest versions I've had. We always order it and are always like "Wow this is crispy." Don't ignore the daily specials - if the chef makes something special, listen to the chef. I always get one or two.
(5)
Jason B.
Phenomenal nigiri. Some of the best uni I've ever had. Price was pretty good especially considering the quality. Perfect rice, attentive service, easy parking. Pretty quiet on a Monday for lunch and I don't understand why. The sushi is really high quality. Check this place out, you won't be mad you did.
(5)
Ginger D.
We wanted to try someplace different. Not a good idea. Tasteless hamachi and soft shell crab roll. Shishito was very delicious. Sushi chef had zero personality. Extremely small sushi pieces. Rather than waste more money, we left and went to So Sushi for guaranteed delicious food.
(1)
Gina E.
Amazing Sushi!!! It melts in your mouth! Delicious, fresh, amazing presentation! I highly recommend it! Found this place through Yelp! We loved it!
(5)
Grant B.
My girlfriend and I came here on a whim and were pleasantly surprised. The quality of the sushi is great, and the craft Japanese beer was a real treat, albeit slightly expensive. Overall, a great experience. Friendly staff. Hi 5's
(5)
Sarina J.
Sat by the sushi bar and got to watch the expert chefs work! I tried a little bit of everything but my favorite was the trigger fish! All the fish were really fresh. I normally can't stand wasabi, but it was the perfect amount to go with the fish! My only issue was that they used a little more soy sauce than I would've liked, as well as the price. Definitely an indulgence, but very yummy sushi! The presentation of the baked lobster roll was spectacular!
(4)
Brendan B.
Honestly, I am very picky when it comes to my sushi, and living in Encino I have plenty of choices. Okumura is constantly my go-to sushi spot with friends or family. It's very reasonably priced, and all of the food is delicious. Unlike some other restaurants, I never leave disappointed with my meal. The atmosphere is very cool and comfortable, and it has a very modern vibe that doesn't feel fake or forced. Service is quick, and the staff is very nice. All in all, this is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for quality, fresh, tasty sushi.
(5)
Jessica H.
Came in based on great reviews and beautiful photos on yelp. Just moved to the area and we've found our new spot. My boyfriend and I asked the chef for omakasae and received some of the most unique and delicious dishes with the freshest fish. He started us off with a snapper ceviche, which in itself made me want to come back. There were gold flakes and micro greens among other wonders, I got lost in the flavors. Followed by a tuna tartare, an octopus and scallop salad, 6 pieces of nigiri and 2 pieces of sushi. The salmon eggs were light and perfect. All of that for only $70 a person! We added a blue crap hand roll because we just needed more. The avocado and crispy onion inside really set it off. Great service, cute decor, and plenty of bar seating. So happy we found our new go to. We will be back with friends!
(5)
Anne A.
Yes, I'm a fan. My co-workers who dined here when they had their grand opening told me this place was expensive so I have hesitated dining here. Today, I visited with some colleagues from work and was surprised -- pleasantly surprised. The previous restaurant, Kaiten, served really bad quality sushi that forcibly I ate a few times when my co-workers would invite me out to lunch with them. So with this new place, I didn't expect much based on Kaiten being a horrible place to eat and with my co-workers comments of it being expensive. I went with the CEOs pick (who has dined here before), the nigiri sushi lunch combo special for $17. What I got was miso soup, salad and large plate of fresh, clean tasting fish. The fish was so fresh, I did not need to mask the flavor with soy sauce. I highly recommended and feel very lucky to have another choice on the Boulevard of the many high quality sushi places in the Encino and Tarzana area. I read that Chef Ryota Okumura has worked at some of the best sushi restaurants in LA: Sushi Zo, Koi, and Katana. For more about the restaurant and the chef, click here to read the Eater LA article -- la.eater.com/archives/20… For you "That 70's Show" fans, I saw Wilmer Valderamma eat here.
(5)
Shane R.
I liked the house special, it's crab wrapped in salmon and baked with spicy mayo on top of it. I wasn't crazy about the smell of the place when I walked in. I would suggest the premium saki the house hot saki didn't taste good at all
(3)
Janet T.
Okumura was a pretty solid sushi joint and I was craving some at a later-ish (after 9PM) hour. So it's got that going for it. It also has a dedicated and artistic chef and pretty good and traditionally prepared fish. I just want to point out that it is far more EXPENSIVE than I thought from reviews. For two people who dropped in for a late night snack, not a full out dinner we dropped 115. Let me be clear, I have no problem dropping that much for myself if I get great fish that is high quality and I am not starving... I am happy to spend at Sushi Spot where I get a heaping plate of assorted, exquisite and exotic sashimi and a few gorgeous rolls. When I asked the Chef to make a mixed Sashimi I got four kinds of sashimi - Albacore, Red Snapper, Shima Aji and Kurodai. With the exception of the Kurodai all these cuts are pretty standard. The Kurodai was good but the Chef at Kanda (Westlake Village) or Asakura (Camarillo) do a better job. Good but I just feel that on Ventura Blvd...I can do better.
(3)
Jaime B.
So great!! Glad we stopped by for a quick dinner. Fish was awesome. Staff was really great. We will definitely come again.
(5)
David S.
the absolute best! must go! best sushi in valley!
(5)
Afrojen S.
One of the newest sushi spot in Encino on the famous Ventura Blvd! My bf took me here the first time and boy I'm glad he did! Just by entering inside, the restaurant delivered a comfy vibe and every staff were so welcoming. The chef/owner Ryota Okumura introduced us his special omakase meal which serves many delicate dishes by chef's choice. This course is usually served only for regulars, but since he knew we were a sushi fanatic and savvy, he gave us a taste of the special meals! Every dish was unbelievably delicious!!! My mouth kept watering everytime I looked at it and devoured it instantly without leaving a single speck on each plate. The sushi and sashimi selection was literally awesome; high quality and delicate. New York steak was juicy. The dressing on the sushi rolls were so good you don't even need soy sauce! Had Panna cotta for dessert which can't be missed! Perfectly sweetened. I loved every dish that came out. You could feel the love and positive energy coming out from all chefs and staff. We had such a good time chatting with them while enjoying our plates. And surprisingly the price is just right! Wallet-friendly. Most definitely coming back again!
(5)
Laura O.
So I really like this place. Yelp you didn't let me down ! This place was also featured in the Los Angeles magazine as one of the 10 best sushi spots in LA. Fish was super fresh and you can see the different in quality to other places. Oyster was the best I've had in my life. A tad heavy on the wasabi on my nigiris for my liking but nothing a little ginger doesn't fix. Service was friendly and quick- ambiance was fantastic. Definitely a small place with big promise. All in all less than 50 bux for high quality sushi with the boy. Loved every bite.
(5)
Lori T.
The pricing was alright the food was good. Salmon was ok not the best I've had but it was still good. The service was very slow. Either have more waitresses or have them speed it up. The chefs were nice and. Polite. I would go there again
(3)
Sunny T.
Bomb dot com. Go here early because they will run low on the good stuff. My recommendation: try a few daily specials, crispy tuna roll appetizer, big eye tuna and any of there special rolls.
(5)
Christy H.
The best sushi in the valley for sure. If the owners read yelp reviews, here's a note: Please think about increasing the price of your lunch Nigiri Sampler, I'm worried you guys are losing money on this dish!!!! And I'd hate for you guys to go out of business because of it. WOW - it was incredible! I'd also like to add that this is the first time I have ever recommended a restaurant to increase their prices... Great staff, the chiefs are centered in the middle of the restaurant so you don't have to just sit at the bar to witness their culinary mastery. I can't wait to go back.!
(5)
Ben G.
Medium toro, yellowtail belly, big eye toro, golden eye snapper belly!? Redic!! Love coming here when I'm in the area!
(5)
Andie G.
Best rainbows rolls I've ever had. Everything is fresh and service is great. It would be nice if they had a little more options but everything I've tried has been delicious. It has become my favorite sushi spot. UPDATE: I had to take a star off. We've been coming to this place and still feel its the best quality sushi in town but due to their growing popularity, we feel the service has suffered greatly. We went in last night for dinner and we grew impatient having to wait so long to order, our waiter never came around to ask how we were doing and we had to ask for drinks a couple of times because they kept forgetting. I felt like we have to waive them down every time we needed help. We've been noticing the service slowly decreasing with each visit.
(4)
Aleksandr R.
My friend and I love Japanese food of all the available restaurants, we picked this one out based on reviews. What a DISAPPOINTMENT! We did not even finish what we ordered since they were not good at all. This is an honest and most accurate review. We tried 5.different things out of a very limited menu. Not worth checking out!
(1)
Natalie K.
Hamachi, albacore, salmon, black snapper, big eye tuna sashimi off the chain. If you have the pleasure of meeting the owner Reyota at the sushi bar, he's a great conversationalist. He recommends great fish depending on your taste.
(5)
sara y.
Fresh fish so good you do not need to chew well you found your place. The menu is simple great taste served by a sushi chef that takes pride in his good food he truly cares about every item. A man walked in wanting to order take out and the chef was honest and polite and said it will be 20 the place was packed and people have been waiting before him. The chef asked what the man wanted and it was a simple role with a lot of care and live the chef looked around to make sure we all had food and made
(5)
Rockit O.
I only order nigiri style sushi and I found Okumura to be excellent. Traditional and solid sushi. Only been in business 6 months , I predict great success! A few things though, the sushi bar is not typical, you know the glass fridge along bar to see fish and chef, well his bar doesn't have it. I like to see the fish and the chef at work. The other pet peeve of mine, if you say "Live" scallop, I want to see you cut the scallop out of the shell. I've noticed lately that many sushi bars are calling there scallops live, when in fact they are not. Go San (Go's Mart) would never do this, if he says live, they are live. Great addition to encino, I will soon be a semi regular. 4 on 6 is close by, but i do get bored of the same places.
(5)
Ruby A.
Finally a sushi place in the valley hubby and I can agree on :-) We loved the modern and warm decor, the friendly staff, the reasonable prices, and, of course, the delicious dishes. We have already gone a bunch of times and each time we walk out with a smile on our face and a fully belly (and wallet.) The fish is super fresh and well prepared. I loved their albacore sashimi with crispy onions. Their spicy tuna on crispy rice was delicious and hubby loved his salmon hand rolls and rainbow rolls. I even enjoyed the simple yet fresh and yummy garden salad and avocado cut roll which was bursting with avocado (instead of a little dab of it.) Recommended!
(5)
Kari W.
Wow. Just had a fabulous lunch here. Lovely ambiance, a warm welcome and a fantastic lunch special. Included salad, miso soup, California and spicy tuna rolls and two pieces of crispy rice for $12! Sushi incredibly fresh and I left full. Look forward to coming back soon.
(5)
Rosana C.
It was one of the most perfect dinner experiences-- great sushi quality, attentive staff, and pleasant decor. After trying several sushi joints in the Encino area including 4 on 6, I was not impressed. This, however, makes me a believer that there are real sushi chefs out here. My boyfriend and I have found THE sushi restaurant. Can't wait to go back! That black snapper was sooo bomb. I honestly could not stop thinking about it after!
(5)
Amy H.
WOW! This is the BEST sushi I have ever eaten in L.A., no joke! Maybe it has something to do with the atmosphere and decor, which is very modern while at the same time being very zen-like. But mostly it has to do with the skill of the chef and the high quality of the fish. The restaurant's namesake is actually the owner and head sushi chef. He has the qualifications to back it up too-- he graduated from Hattori Culinary Academy in Tokyo, worked at several high-end sushi restaurants in Los Angeles (Koi,Katana, Sushi Zo) and directed the opening of Sen Asian Kitchen in Century City (these qualifications can be found on the restaurant website). Before it became Okumura, the restaurant used to be a low quality rotating sushi place uncreatively called "Kaiten" (which just means "Rotating" in the phrase that describes this food genre, "Kaitenzushi", or "Rotating Sushi"). It was dark and not that exciting. I had to see what the newly named place was like so my fiance and I went there for my birthday. WOW! We were blown away! Even though the place is still the same size, obviously, it seems bigger now. Thanks to the use of mirrors, and a lot of smooth white surfaces, plus colorful lighting below the counter, this ambience makes for a pleasant sushi-enjoying atmosphere. We got extra special treatment that night because we told them it was my birthday, I speak some Japanese, and since it was mid-week later in the evening, there weren't many other diners. Three items that evening were complimentary and GORGEOUS-- a tuna carpaccio with gold leaf (delicate and flavorful), chawan-mushi (Japanese egg custard not on the menu but traditional and light), and the dessert which they brought me with a birthday candle in it while singing "Happy Birthday"-- a lightly flavored Panna Cotta with berries. I can't ignore the main event-- the sushi! Both my fiance and I agreed that all the fish was perfectly cut. Nothing tasted too "fishy", and every piece was just the perfect texture. Melt-in-your-mouth like it should be. Snapper only came as nigiri, but since I asked, they made it into a hand roll for me. Unagi- perfectly seared and sauced, Spicy Tuna- just the right balance of spice, plus the right balance of rice to fish ratio... we ate so much sushi that night, I can't remember it all. Everyone that works there is Japanese and the service you get from them is of the highest quality. They are so friendly, eager to share their knowledge of food, language, and culture, and very welcoming as well. Okumura only just opened in October 2012, so let's give them a great welcome. They really stand out among the numerous sushi restaurants along Ventura Blvd.
(5)
Catherine C.
This place was simply amazing! My boyfriend and I ordered the Toro sashimi. It had to have be the most delicious Toro I have ever tasted. Whom I assumed to be the head chef, personally came over and asked us how everything was and if we enjoyed the Toro. He personally selects which fish the restaurant will use. My boyfriend and I were stuffed to the brim, but were already thinking about what we would order on our next visit. Since we are both huge oyster fans we decided to ask the chef if he has them on the menu. He seemed very excited that we asked and quickly came back with 2 oysters on the half shell for us to try (which were on the house). The oysters were also fantastic. One more thing that I find very important to add is that the service was impeccable. Our water glasses stayed full, empty dishes removed promptly and the servers friendliness was outstanding! Two thumbs up all day for Okumura and their staff!!
(5)
Jacq L.
20+ 5 star reviews and only open for 2 months?! could it be real? we just had to try to find out. it's with mixed emotions that I give Okumura another 5 star review. on one hand, the restaurant is small and could easily become extremely crowded with all the stellar reviews popping up on yelp. on the other hand, they is a lot of competition in the area and they need some regulars to make sure I can get my sushi fix when i'm in town. so, down to the nitty gritty. the menu here is small and more 'traditional' japanese in that there's a handful of nigiri options and standard rolls, nothing too fancy. however, everything is extremely fresh and high quality. I was impressed by all the sushi that we had [salmon, aji, shima-aji, scallop, ankimo]. Make sure to ask what the specials are as they're not posted anywhere yet, but I hear you can find them on the facebook page. the service is also stellar. my water never got passed half full before it was refilled again. i also love that they use little origami cranes as chopstick holders. i look forward to coming back and trying more. yum.
(5)
Jon S.
I'm always in the hunt for those diamond in the rough type of sushi restaurants and Okumura might just be another one. Chef Ryota does an amazing job of selecting high quality fish and delivering with wonderful presentation. The taste is of just fresh fish that melts in your mouth. I can't wait to go back and try out new catches he brings in. If you're in the area and looking for true quality nigri or sashimi then definitely check them out. If you're looking for the variety of rolls that are loaded with sauces look elsewhere.
(5)
Carlos Z.
"Alcohol coming soon" killed the 5th star. The meal was great, staff was courteous and attentive. The remodel is minimal and less cluttered that the kaiten that used to be there. I'll be planning my return once the booze arrives. Edit: Sake and shochu have arrived. 5 stars!
(5)
Hope Y.
Decided to try a different sushi place a while back. Found Okumura and with lots of local reviews. Well the owners are very nice. The chef will modify rolls to your liking and if you are allergic to certain ingredients. Recommend making reservations. Some days are good for walk-ins, and some days are not - it depends. But it's a must try for everyone...
(5)
Rachael K.
My husband and I were in Encino and looking for a sushi place to eat kinda late one night- around 9:30 PM, when we found this place because of its great yelp reviews. We were very impressed. The food was excellent, and the service and presentation were out of this world. The chef (and owner?) was very good about letting us know how the food was sourced and prepared. The portions are a little small, but everything was top notch. We will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Aaron G.
Extremely minimalist decor kinda ikea white and small cramped booths Overall expensive but good. Our waiter made a number of mistakes hit the other staff fixed it and was very concerned and caring. One star off as booths were tiny and cramped. The backs of booths were too upright. 179 for two. With desert and drinks.
(3)
Shirley D.
I ordered a few roles and they came out in a timely manner and the fish was very fresh. The one thing I didn't like was the temperature of the fish. It was a little too warm for me.
(3)
Barbara B.
No this place does not deserve 5 stars... It's more like a 3.5. I have only 1 complaint and I didn't want to hurt their ratings.... So here is is: The sushi is pretty good. The spicy tuna roll was awesome and the fish seemed pretty damn fresh over all... BUT WHYYYyyyyyyyyy would you serve imitation crab in the baked crab roll? That is a major sushi foul. Please stop doing that. You have other dishes with real crab... Use the real crab... and if you use FAKE crab, please call is K-R-A-B, so people will know... Otherwise it's false advertising. Thank you :)
(5)
David M.
Outstanding. We've had two dinners here and they've both been nearly perfect. The salmon skin salad is easily the best I've ever had. Every piece of sushi has been top-notch, rich and flavorful but without any rotting "pier" taste. The people are really nice. Even the desert (a flan/custard thing) was clearly made with great care. This is now my second favorite sushi place in LA. My #1 (Kazu) is around 4x more expensive. And I can walk to Okumura! Woo-hoo!!! The sushi gods have blessed me.
(5)
Brandon W.
Good sushi, and I am a sushi snob haha... But listen, this place was really good.. great location, parking is the only reason why it received 4 stars.
Am I missing something?? I'm sorry to be the first to burst the 5 star bubble but this place is not even average. I LOVE sushi and eat it multiple times a week. After reading the reviews, I was super excited to try it out. I went here for lunch yesterday and was painfully underwhelmed. The restaurant: From the moment we walked in, we noticed a gross, fishy smell. That should have deterred us right then and there. We sit down in a booth. I love booths because they are so cozy and comfortable. Not here. The benches were super short and too close to the tables. I'm a very small person so for me to feel like the space is too snug is a BIG deal. The service: Sucked! I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 10 years and go out to eat multiple times a week. This was some of the worst service I've had in a while. The waitress was absent for almost the entire meal. We had to flag down the chef to place an order, part of which he had completely forgotten or disregarded. I can understand if they were busy but there were TWO other tables in the whole place. The food: I can forget and forgive anything else so long as the food is good. However, not the case here. I think I've had better sushi at cheap, hole-in-the-wall type of sushi places. Very bland, no creativity, some of it didn't taste too fresh and the wasabi was almost completely flavorless. As I said earlier, the chef forgot the remainder of our order because he was too busy bragging about himself to the couple in the booth next to ours. We did not remind him as we didn't want any more of their subpar sushi and just wanted to leave. I don't know if any one of these reviewers has tasted good (or even mediocre) sushi before, because this would not be it. Sorry, Okumura.
(2)
janina s.
Fast. Clean. & Delicious! I definitely recommend trying this place. The service was super friendly. I know I'll be back!
(5)
Lisa H.
Love that place, super delicious food, the best service and good location...
(5)
rusty r.
Great spot. Always a surprisingly different menu of very fresh fish, very friendly and knowledgeable chefs and by no means just a good sushi bar. 4 Excellent experiences thus far!
(5)
Spencer K.
Since Ventura Blvd is packed with places that serve sushi, it's nice for a place to serve great authentic sushi. Sitting at the bar is a must here for sure. I try to get a few items on the daily specials whenever I come here. It's nice to try something other than salmon and albacore.
(4)
Major H.
This charming sushi bar and restaurant took the place of the previous "boat sushi" place called Kaiten. What a refreshing change! I've eaten here several times since they opened in mid-October. The chef-owner, Ryota Okumura, is genuinely passionate about what he's doing, and it shows. The fish is about as fresh as any I've ever eaten, and Ryota sources some unexpected treasures from Japan and elsewhere, so be sure to ask what's new and interesting for the day. I've noticed quite a few locals becoming regulars here just over the past few weeks. A clean modern design by a Japanese builder incorporates reclaimed barn wood for a rustic-meets-modern look, and there's very sincere warmth in the service. They don't have a liquor license yet, but it should be in place soon.
(5)
Tatiana W.
(for some reason this went to "tip" this was not, it is a review, this is the last time I use my phone app) If you are looking for a place for good sushi and not looking for trendy, this is the place. I love the fact that the fresh fish menu changes, I always make it a point to try a new fish every time I eat at a place like this. Check with the the chef for recommendations, you will not be disappointed., *sidebar* This does not take away from the quality of the sushi, however I feel I must say something. Last night was the first time in history for me at a sushi restaurant to where I was overlooked. Normally I can understand this happening because one of their chef decided not to make an appearance, but when you are sitting at the counter to where the chef can see you and should notice that there is no food in front of me, there is no excuse. My husband received his order of course but little old me was overlooked, It would not have been so bad, except my husband just came back from a week long business trip, he left on our anniversary so we decided to meet here for a make-up anniversary dinner. Not the way I imagine spending the evening with my hubby waiting for almost an hour for a few pieces of fish. I am still giving this place 4 stars because our past experiences here, it would have been more if i was not over-looked.
(4)
Nathreen W.
We were driving across Ventura Blvd last night looking for some place to stop and have dinner, I've been in the mood for some good sushi and since Kaiten closed, and although we have tried a couple of places...we haven't found one yet. I know Kaiten wasn't the best sushi ever, but the rotating boats, selection, and of course price, kept me going back for years...about 8 1/2 years to be exact. So when we drove by our "old place" for sushi and saw a new name and "Grand Opening" sign already in place, we thought we would stop in and see what's on the menu. We walked in the "back" door, which has always been the easiest door to access the restaurant from the parking lot, and right away noticed the difference. They removed the oval sushi bar/boat set up and rect-angled it out and put a sushi bar on one side and 4 booths on the other. The people were very warm and inviting and acknowledged you immediately as you walk in. They all also spoke Japanese fluently and were most likely all Japanese, but I am not one to assume since I didn't ask. The decor was a very minimal and modern Asian theme, which created a very calm, inviting atmosphere. It was an odd feeling being in the new decor at first considering it was pretty much the same decor for so many years...but felt like it had created its own identity after I had adjusted to it. Also, for a Saturday night, it was fairly quiet...light music in the background and conversations between the new regulars and the staff. The menu was very simple and not overcrowded with tons of dishes from the kitchen with a million rolls and nigiri choices...which was very refreshing. The chef offered to explain what was on and off the menu for us in detail; however, the young server was confused about what he was serving and still needs some education on the dishes. I would advise him to start asking questions and pay a little more attention to the chef. The service he gave us was good, however, and was very attentive on the water filling. We ordered the edemame and udon soup to start. The edmame came out first still warm from the pot...which I am not used to since most places don't make it to order and just have them ready to go. It was a pleasant surprise and quite enjoyable eating them warm. The udon came a few minutes later and it was very good: simple noodle, seaweed, broth mix that had a little spicy kick in the broth. Again very enjoyable. We ordered a total of four rolls: Yellow Tale Negi (yellow tale tuna with scallions), Caterpillar, Dragon, and I ordered the House Roll (can't remember exactly the fish, but it had fried onion crunchy pieces with some kind of sauce all over it). All were amazing and very fresh. I haven't had sushi this fresh since I ate at Take Sushi on the Sunset Strip years ago (I have a Japanese friend that took me several times). We walked out paying $52.20 for our meal which also had an iced green tea...before the tip. We enjoyed our food and would love to come back again. In summary: fresh food, good service, inviting atmosphere and excellent pricing for the quality of food. P.S. The restroom is EXACTLY the same except for an added folded chair in the ladies room and a plant on a stand. Please frequent this place so that they can make it a little nicer...god knows they need so fix that toilet to the ground before it falls over. LOL
(5)
Melissa C.
This is an upscale sushi bar with excellent service. The staff is very friendly and attentive. All of the rolls are made right in front of you and everything is very tasty.
(5)
Ryan B.
So happy this little gem of a sushi place opened in Encino!! We used to frequent the sushi boat place that formerly occupied this space, but the quality of Okumura ups the ante! Great sushi from a top-quality ownership and set at a reasonable price.
(4)
Eliya S.
Very fresh sushi! People that work there are friendly. Their service is great! Had a very pleasant experience!
(5)
Brent C.
Best traditional sushi in the Valley by far! Oishii ! Everything is bought fresh and never frozen. Quality that dosent hurt your pocket...
(5)
Ahadin H.
Good quality sushi for lunch. Had some nigiri sushi and an order of chirashi. Also ordered a cucumber cut-roll. The fish cut sizes are in the small-ish side, but of decent freshness. Tastes just like any decent sushi-ya that won't gouge your dollars hard. The place is clean, and service was also decent. Won't be blown away with overall experience, but considering that this is the valley, one must be grateful. Caveat; you must now what to order somewhat....not sure about the NY strip steak and so on...but then again, why would you eat steak @ a sushi place.
(4)
Valarie P.
The sushi was amazing. Our new favorite place. Everything was fresh and well prepared. We couldn't have asked for a better meal. Prices were reasonable too.
(5)
Melissa H.
After stopping by two other sushi spots on ventura blvd that had a 30+ min wait (too long for 8:30pm on a weekday night for me), we drove by this place and since it had decent yelp reviews we decided to try it out. It was so good! Very fresh fish. Note: this is a "no-frills" sushi place, small selection of "speciality rolls". Will definetly be back!
(5)
John V.
Very solid place. Great quality. On the pricier side for the location but still reasonable.
(5)
joe s.
I work right by Okumura so I'm a lunch regular. The food here is amazing! Well priced, high quality and great service. If you live in the valley I highly recommend checking it out.
(5)
Elyon T.
This is my first visit. Menu is simple, fish are fresh. The only thing is no one checking on us asking how is the food or if theres anything we need. However will return and hopefully they will improve their customer service . By the way dont get me wrong the waiters are nice just need to improve.
(4)
Felix F.
I love this place. The owner/chef is extremely knowledgable about all his fish and picks them out himself by hand. I've been coming here since they re opened and would highly recommend this sushi bar to anyone looking for a great lunch/dinner. The fish is extremely fresh and tasty. It tastes better than some very expensive sushi bars I've been to. For the price I can't find a better place. I would strongly recommend any albacore or yellow tail they have.
(5)
Chris K.
Ryoto is not just a Japanese guy that makes sushi, but a REAL chef. He carefully goes over ingredients, picks out the freshest qualities, and REALLY contemplates how to infuse them together to make something beautiful. Everytime I go in, I order a few of the daily specials - usually fresh fish that they picked out for the day. But most of the time, I let Ryoto pick out items for me because I trust his taste palate. Though the restaurant is really small, its a great intimate environment in which a sushi lover can really understand the mind of a great sushi chef. Prices are slightly higher than the average mom's and pop's, but it's because of the premium quality. Don't be surprised when you see the bill though, because if you're anything like me, you're gonna hooked on his food and keep ordering until your bill has sky-rocketed!
(5)
Arash G.
Always good quality fish. Great Uni! The lunch specials are pretty good, soup and salad included. The owner is a young Japanese guy who is always there, so the food is consistent.
(4)
Evan M.
Wow. This place is killer. I've been looking for a good, authentic sushi place that isn't insanely expensive in the valley and Okumura is IT! No crazy big rolls covered in sweet sauce. Civilized sized nigiri sushi, and fresh daily specials that change according to what the find at the market that morning. I have yet to have a meal, let alone a dish, that has disappointed. The Chawan-Mushi is especially delish. It's pretty small, so be prepared to wait or make a reservation.
(5)
SixFour A.
Ventura Blvd has a lot of good options for sushi, and this is a great option if you are looking for fresh sushi that is presented well and tastes great. This is not a hip scene to be seen, the seating accommodations are just right, and from the staff up to the executive chef everyone is very friendly, professional and attentive. They are not gauging you with their prices. If you know your sushi, order whatever you fancy and you'll end up being delighted. I'm a regular and have been up and down the menu and will keep going back. If you are looking for a new place to try - this is worth your time.
Hands-down, best sushi I've had in Los Angeles. The atmosphere is very cool as well, because of how the seating is around the bar so that you can see the experts at work. The owner Hand selects his fish every morning and spares no expense when picking the best quality. The prices are ridiculously reasonable compared to the quality of fish, which is superb! Pieces lunch special - 10 pieces of thick sushi for $22 plus salad and miso soup . The fish is so good! I'm so happy that I went here!
(5)
Charles s.
Great neighborhood spot ! Number one thing in sushi Is freshness. You can actually taste how fresh it is. You taste the fish and it is not covered by mayo or some nasty sauce to fool your taste buds. Sushi is about fish duh ! My favorite, Charly role (yes named after me), Sashimi salad and scallops. Love this place and the owners, young chef and his wife are why I will support small business. They care anout their patrons. Once a week after work my favorite place to head to after a long day at work. Reasonable prices too. Tell them Charles and Jackie sent you ! lol
(5)
Honey O.
Love this place:) I always tell my friends that I think this is the best sushi in the area. The head chef is super gracious and detailed when explaining the daily specials. It's obvious that he cares so much about every piece of fish he serves. The decor is nice, service is great. If what you eat and love is REAL sushi, then come here:)
(5)
Cameo D.
I got take out and the staff was very polite. The sushi and rolls were yummy.
(4)
Tony T.
Awesome sushi and tempura. Black snapper was incredible. I didn't care for the squid but my friends from Japan said it was the best they ever had. The tempura was perfect. Service was excellent.
(5)
Hannah S.
Went to this place around when it opened. It was def 5 stars at that time. Went there this week and it was horrible. Sushi didn't taste fresh, service was atrocious. Maybe under different management? Sad to see such a great place become awful.
(1)
Alex M.
"Not there yet" was my uncomfortable first impression of Okumura. Had we ordered dishes individually, this would be a four-star review. Went here back in January when it was still new on the block, and we did an omakase (chef's selection) course. That was our primary mistake. I can only hope the menu has been improved by now. I wanted to see what the chef was offering, because the place was new and looked like it might be good. I had heard about his sushi credentials, and I had been looking for a new place to try. The table service and drink selections were great (wonderful import beer!), but we didn't get much attention from the chef even though the place was not crowded at all and we were right next to him. He spent most of the time talking in Japanese with some people sitting toward the front. I also speak fluent Japanese (I used to live in Japan), so I tried engaging the chef, but I didn't get very far and the table layout wasn't conducive to conversation. We didn't get much attention. The chef's assistant, however, was very friendly and fun, as was the waitress. The menu was rather uninspired, truthfully. We loved the first two courses and had high hopes getting to the main part of the meal. The fish was good, but after a great shellfish course and one good carpaccio dish with a great dressing came another carpaccio dish that was oddly almost identical to the first. Same dressing and garnishes, same plate, different fish. Confusing and disappointing. But the next dish was worse - after three seafood dishes came a plate of steak and mashed potatoes. What?? It felt insulting, as if we were assumed to need some filler. What is this guy thinking?? Besides which, the steak was dry and bland. Who serves steak and potatoes as part of a sushi omakase course?? Very disappointing. It didn't go with the rest of the meal at all, and it wasn't even very good. It killed the more delicate flavors of fish and rice. After what was otherwise a great experience, that left me feeling very uncomfortable. To make matters worse, sushi came out only AFTER the steak and potatoes. My palate had been defeated by the outrageous filler course, and the sushi added insult to injury. It didn't matter by that point whether the sushi was good or not. If you go, don't order the chef's selection. Order seafood, and you'll be very happy. I feel like this place has potential, but I won't be back anytime soon. The chef should stick to his specialty, what the hype advertises, and what he evidently knows -- seafood. If I want steak and potatoes I'll go to Ruth's Chris.
(2)
Chris S.
Mainstream right down to it, Good sushi Good fish and looks clean and delicious, a lot of sushi restaurants out there, This one would be one of the distinct and good ones to eat at, you would definitely enjoy this place.
(5)
Ernesto S.
The BEST SUSHI I've ever had!!! I work across the street from this Sushi Bar and couldn't be more enthusiastic with having this place so close to our office. I've been there now 6 times and every time has been amazing and fun. Ryota loves what he's doing and cares about his customers and the fish. I look forward to going there again soon. I'f your there for lunch I suggest the Sashimi Salad.
(5)
Pa Kou X.
I found this restaurant when it was late at night. Because of the 5 stars review, my friend and I came by to try it out since we live in the valley and would LOVE to find a new sushi place to frequent. I read a lot about how the customer service was pretty awesome. Sure enough, they were! When we went in, the host/waiter greeted us right away. Because it was late in the evening, no one was in there..all the sushi chefs, waiters greeted us and made us feel very welcome even though it felt awkward to be the only customers. We loved the prices for sushi! The sushi chef even happily custom made a sushi roll for me (which I love!!!). We ordered more than enough food and finished it right up. I think we may have eaten past their closing time, but did we know that? Nope! They never rushed us to leave and even asked if we wanted to order anything else. This was a restaurant that both of us noted we will be back for sure AND with friends. I can't wait till my next sushi craving! My friend did not read any of the reviews on here, but as we were walking out she mentioned that they had really good customer service. 5 stars!!
(5)
Harper C.
The fish is FRESH! I love the friendly atmosphere. Perfect selection on the menu. I come here if not once a week at least once every two weeks. Never had a issue except that now more people are starting to find out how wonderful this place is and now its more crowded! ;-)
(5)
daniel b.
First, I must start off by saying I really don't know how this restaurant has received so many 5-star reviews, it is seriously beyond me. I would rather it have stayed as Kaiten, at least I knew what I was getting for what I was paying. I will start off with the good, but there isn't much. Restaurant staff was very nice, that's it. - The quantity of fish in the rolls was paltry at best and the cuts of fish on the sushi was so thin, you could see the wasabi through it. Part of our order was lost and I would say they overlooked it, but that was not the case and we had to tell them again what the order was. - Appetizer vegetables were bland and tasteless. - Seems like there is no real cohesion amongst the sushi chefs and even with the waitstaff as well. Seemed as if there was a bit of confusion going on behind the bar, which resulted in some bickering amongst the chefs. Very noticeable in such a small restaurant. - Not sure if this is what they are going for, but the menu was very basic. Also, if the roll says Jalapeno Tuna Roll, that is all you are getting. No daikon, no cucumber, no sprouts, nothing... Just rice, tuna, and jalapeno wrapped in nori. Definitely not going back here and I am making sure none of my friends do too. I would rather have gone hungry that night and I didn't even pay. Apologies only go so far...
(1)
Bobby M.
My favorite place!!
(5)
Jason K.
I liked that we were able to get a seat at the sushi bar with no wait. When we sat down, the sushi chef gave us great suggestions. I also was especialy pleased that they made us something off their menu: the egg custard topped with Uni and mixed with other seafood. That topped the experience and makes this my favorite sushi place in the Valley.
(4)
Stephanie R.
This place is amazing! We were aimlessly driving, looking for sushi in our new neighborhood. This popped up on Yelp with great reviews. So glad we trusted everyone, this place rocks! Food is fresh, presentation amazing, prices you can't beat. Not a romantic or trendy place but the place for great sushi!
(5)
Joe C.
This neighborhood sushi restaurant has a cool contemporary vibe and pretty reasonable prices. Traditional sushi menu with quality fish at reasonable prices with good service. Def worth a try.
(4)
Jude M.
Taste: 4 Creativity/Authenticity: 3.5 Atmosphere: 3.5 Service: 4 Bang for your buck: 3 Before we start this review is for people who eat sushi not you "people" who love Cali rolls and bscr drenched in sauce; you can go eat someplace else. Went here because it was In the latest issue of LA magazine of best sushi so I had to try. First this place used to be a shitty revolving sushi spot with nasty sushi so don't mistake this place for that. Got the omakase, which is the only way to eat sushi unless you know what your doing. The black snapper was delicious, not as firm to my liking but still fresh and tasteful. The san diego uni was amazing! super tasteful and perfect texture. The chawanmushi OMG!! been awhile since ive had some cooked right just like i remember in japan.The live abalone wasn't to my liking but still good. Service here was on point, staff was friendly head chef was knowledgeable on his fish but his shipment from Japan didn't show up so the selection was small but still good. Now to the pricing, for this quality fish and selection you would expect this to be an expensive place nope very decent price. Overall i will be coming back when he gets more fish def on my top list of great sushi spots. Good Job!
(4)
Jeremy Y.
In a word: FANTASTIC. I walked tonight to Cho Cho San, my usual sushi haunt, and found it totally mobbed with people. I normally go there late and have no problem finding a table, so since I didn't feel like waiting, I turned back to go home, and that's when I discovered Okumura, a much smaller and more intimate sushi joint hiding in the little corner of Ventura and Louise. I'm not ordinarily one to try new sushi places on a whim, but since I heard good things from a friend of mine about this place that practically just opened (it's been around only 2 months as of writing this review), I figured I'd give it a try, and DAMN...I sure don't regret it. Not only is the food impeccable, but the service is positively gracious and warm. One item I thought about trying had something I never heard of before, and when I asked the waiter what it was, he didn't just try to explain it -- he went ahead and got me a sample! I don't think that's ever happened to me before when going out to eat anywhere, let alone at a sushi joint. I'm not sure why this restaurant is rated as $$ on Yelp! because most of the sushi rolls on the menu are $3-$6. What's great about the menu is that they say anything is customizable, so you can ask for your favorite roll or whatnot that you might normally get at another sushi joint and see if they'll make it for you. I love Philadelphia rolls, and they made them so well upon request that I told them they're crazy for not having it on the menu officially. They do charge extra for custom rolls (that ended up being $10), but let me tell you, it's SO worth it.
(5)
Jessica M.
Been here 3 times and each time was equally amazing! Definitely recommend!
(5)
Lindsay R.
Perfection is spelled O-K-U-M-U-R-A.... When it comes to sushi, Encino has something to brag about. Quality and Passion has come to the San Fernando Valley, and Ryota Okumura brought it. Chef Okumura with his knowledge, passion and pure artistry of the sushi dining, I haven't experience since the late 80's. Look over the menu. You won't find those 911, Heart Attack, Ventura Boulevard, Baked Alaska, your zip code with cream cheese rolls. You will find the fish in it's truest form, by itself. When I asked for scallop sushi, out came a complete scallop. We all watched as he removed it from the shell, cleaned it , and served it. The sweetest taste ever. My Spanish Mackerel was impeccably prepared and beautifully displayed, a true work of art. Chefs culinary skill speak for themselves. Homemade crispy onions are out of this world. Their prices are better than reasonable. My family and I spent better than two hours there. It was my birthday and I still had presents to open when I came home but I could have cared less, every bite was simply AMAZING. The staff was fun and very attentive. To think I took a shot on a newly opened sushi restaurant, (Oct. 2012), and a few yelp reviews for my BIRTHDAY, are you kidding. This was fate. I now will be using Okumuras as my sushi standard, if and when I dine elsewhere. Bless you both Ryota and Norika. We will be back real soon!
(5)
Naz B.
Since taken over by a new owner, the fare is still Japanese, but there has definitely been an upgrade in the quality of the food. No more revolving sushi, alas. Very nice service and the sushi makers looked meticulously clean. Would only recommend an upgrade in decor.
(4)
steph g.
My new favorite sushi place in the valley ever since little island closed. The setting is lovely for a sushi place, small, intimate with a sushi bar with booths too, which is rare. Friendly staff. The fish is the smoothest fish I've ever tasted. The menu isn't huge, which I happen to like so you don't get overwhelmed. Love the albacore crispy onion roll, the yellowtail green onion or jalapeño roll. Their mackerel is also to die for.
(4)
Justin K.
Full disclosure -- I know the owners of this restaurant through my son's school. When I was told "We just opened our new sushi bar in Encino" I thought ok, I'll get over there eventually and give it a try. Eventually turned out to be last week, when I found that I and two fellow diners were in the valley on Friday night looking for food. We set out for the restaurant with the attitude of "well, I'm sure it'll be decent". HOLY COW! We entered the restaurant with no plans other than to see our friends and show our support for their business (and grab a bite!). We were completely blown away with the meal -- we now have a new destination sushi bar that we will be willing to exceeded all of our expectations. What was so good? The quality of the food, the freshness of the fish, the inventiveness of the chef, and the service of the entire staff. We had requested omakase, but had no idea that the meal would be so wonderful! I'm looking for an excuse to go back to the valley, but at this point I think my excuse will be to go to Okumura!
(5)
Aleesa R.
Had some of the best sushi, and had so much fun talking with the chefs and waiters. The sushi was fresh, it was absolutely amazing here. Definitely an amazing place to eat sushi, great prices, friendly atmosphere, and wonderful set up. Everything on the menu is just WONDERFUL. Will be eating here again. Soon!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Zandra G.
Always in search to try something new. Was a bit skeptical as the lunch menu was completely different from their dinner menu. They made an exception being that we arrived at 1:00 p.m. The owner is extremely friendly and he diligently told us what he was able to offer from the dinner menu. They surprised both my boyfriend and I! Amazing sushi! I suggest do dinner and you MUST try their sweet shrimp, it's to die for!
(5)Eugene P.
Had a very good dinner with friends at this sushi place. The chef is very knowledgeable and a great artist with his sushi creations. The fish is very fresh and their selection is extensive. We will definitely be back for more!
(5)Liza H.
F.A.S.T. Review Food: had the spicy tuna hand roll ( one of the best I've ever had very fresh and loved the sesame seeds on it) yellow tail cut roll (again yummy and fresh), spicy tuna with jalapeño cut roll (good take on spicy tuna and it wasn't even that spicy). Rainbow roll ( it was okay), albacore roll sprinkle with fried onions ( bomb! They even has a paste in it which I liked but no clue as to what it was) miso soup which was typical. Ambiance: use to come here when it was kaiten. I love how they remodeled the place. It's obvious they expanded so a quarter of the restaurant looks different but it still works. They have different types of wood in the place that was made it work. I like the paintings they have surrounding the walls, the music is peaceful and there's a certain serenity to the place. Service: EXCELLENT!!!!!!! Very attentive, never got annoyed even if the waiter was there a lot haha, kept refilling the water just excellent service! Tips: parking in the back where the rite aid lot is.
(4)Casper R.
The variety of their special is a plus. The parking isn't bad either. Service is excellent and the ambience is good. The only thing that kind of bothers me is how they make their sushi so thin and small. It's probably my first and my last time eating here i have been to a sushi place in Santa Monica that serves grade A quality of fish, thick pieces not thin and is worth of what you pay for. The kind of sushi place where you are actually happy and satisfied leaving the restaurant. Look it up the joint is called "King Sushi".
(3)Helen D.
Yum.... Fresh and delicious fish. A great variety and presentation. Haven't had any rolls, so I can't judge that because I always pick the omakase. Have been eating sushi for the last two decades and can safely say this place is up there in the rankings and would highly recommend.
(5)Chris K.
I have been here so many times and the sushi gets better every time. The sushi just melts in your mouth, the handrolls have that perfect crunch from the seaweed and the alcohol keeps flowing. Cheers!!
(5)Kristin K.
Sushi was clean, flavorful and plates were presented well. The lobster roll was not something I would order again. Service was not presumptuous, good not great. I would return but I can't recommend the booths with the bench seating, there is no cushion or support in the lumbar area and my lower back was screaming after 20 minutes and the part of the bench where you actually sit ended just past my buttocks. I would sit in the few actual chairs if you have any lower back issues.
(3)Shana S.
Good food, good service. The waiters were very attentive, helping each other out with refilling drinks and what not. I ordered the blue crab handroll special, which was a little small and could have used more crab but delicious nonetheless. I also got the halibut sushi special which tasted extremely fresh. My friend ordered the crispy albacore onion roll which was great as well. There were about 8 cut rolls for $12, not a bad deal at all!
(4)Julie S.
This is a good sushi place. Solid. Thank God the "sushi" place that was in this spot long before (called Kaiten) is no longer. That's another story altogether. But I digress. Back to the sushi joint at hand. Clean, tasteful atmosphere, friendly and attentive service. Sushi is consistently good (not amazing like say, Kiwami, but fresh, and never fishy) and they have a great lunch menu! Recommend the hand roll trio which comes with miso soup, salad and a spicy tuna, cali roll and salmon avo. Tasty and cheap! $9! The menu is fairly sparse but everything they have on there, they do right. A great date spot for dinner, or casual lunch spot.
(4)Sara E.
This place is just divine. I almost didn't want to review it because it is already hard to get a table but I can't let their amazingness go without applaud. The quality of fish that they use is superb. Their tuna, yellowtail, salmon... everything. Just smooth and tender and perfect. They don't have a ridiculous list of rolls with strange ingredients. They do simple, flavorful rolls. The sashimi is amazing. Another thing that I love is their use of actual chopsticks. Not the wood ones that you have to break in half to use. I don't know why but it makes such a difference. The servers and hostess are friendly and accommodating. The ambience is peaceful (no TVs!! haha) and very clean. I will go back here again and again. Thank you for saving me from the Encino sushi doldrums.
(5)Maureen G.
Really great! The fish tasted fresh and they have a great lunch special - three hand rolls with (spicy tuna, salmon avocado, and CA roll) miso soup and a salad for $9. I was surprised since this location has been a number of sushi places over the years. However, this seems like the tastiest and most tasteful version yet. Great service as well.
(5)Amanda B.
My new favorite sushi spot and luckily it's right across the street from my office. Now to start with I'm a vegetarian so my idea of sushi is different from most. But for me to find a place that can accommodate me is huge!!! I love crispy rice, so the chef creates a delicious vegetable crispy rice thing for me. I also highly suggest their little side salad & miso soup. Everyone is very friendly, service is good. Food is great. Very clean & I recommend!!!!
(5)Keeyana L.
Crispy rice with spicy tuna was so ono! Great service, comfy atmosphere, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Got in early and no crowd. Staff is pleasant with smiles; enjoyable.
(5)Jesse Y.
Best Sushi on the boulevard... Maybe the valley! Best compliment I can give is that whenever we end up having sushi at another place, I always compare to Oku... And others rarely compare. Chef Okumura San and his wife are the best; just like their food.
(5)Manny F.
Love the fish and their services here. Sit by the bar & ask for Chef Ramos. He knows exactly what he's doing but you gotta show him you you mean business with quality food & taste. Def coming back for more!!
(5)J F.
The food is fresh and taste pretty good...Would recommend crab roll and baked lobster roll. Service was average nothing special but I came here at lunch time so it might be different when it's dinner time. The reason why I subtract one star because the restroom compared with dining area was pretty filthy it should have been nicer consider the atmosphere of the restaurant. I came in from the front door so didn't notice that much but had I came in from the backdoor I might not even dine here. Anyways if you like good sushi and sashimi this place is good but I'm uncertain if I'll be back for now.
(4)Arlene G.
Senbei is the best! The blue crab is delicious. The sushi rice is awesome. A hidden gem! Friendly and efficient staff
(4)Natasha D.
I was excited to learn a little while back that the subpar revolving sushi was replaced with a much better sushi place: Okumura. I tried it tonight and I'm pleased it was mostly up to my picky standards. I began with spicy tuna, my usual go-to when swimming in new sushi restaurant waters (the more advanced dishes like uni and ankimo will only be ordered by me if a restaurant passes my inevitable spicy tuna test - it's pretty telling when a sushi place messes up a spicy tuna roll). It was fresh enough, but didn't have smelt egg or mayonnaise (boo). It definitely wasn't fishy, but I was underwhelmed. Still, I trusted the freshness enough to order uni. It was very good. I didn't try anything else because I wasn't particularly hungry, but I plan to go back very soon and try more of their exotic options and nigiri, which seems to be their specialty.
(4)Liz M.
An upgrade from Kaiten the revolving sushi place that used to take up this spot. It's been a couple of year that I've been in this area so I didn't even know that Kaiten had been replaced. The space is bigger than what it used to be so seems like they bought the shop next door. You can choose to sit at the sushi bar but there are also tables available. We were celebrating for my dad's birthday so we did order a good amount of food. Edamame Assorted Tempura Blue Crab Roll Uni Big Eye Tuna Yellowtail Spanish Mackerel Shrimp Tempura Soft Shell Crab Crunchy Roll Crispy Albacore Onion Salmon skin is one of my favs even though its cooked, but alas they were out of it so I couldn't get any. My favorite order taste wise was the crispy albacore onion roll, I believe it was the combination of the albacore, spicy tuna and the ponzu that put a flavor explosion in your month. Everything else was pretty good nothing out of the ordinary or nothing to be displeased about. There are so many sushi spots down Ventura Blvd., I'm just glad I get to check another off my list.
(4)Cana D.
Okumura Restaurant is the best sushi restaurant in Los Angeles!!! Food quality is absolutely amazing. Main chef Mr Okumura has an excellent skill and dishes are always beautiful/delicious. Noriko (manager?) is very friendly and out going person! You'll love her :) Okumura restaurant is literally the best sushi restaurant in LA!!! People, you need trust me, Okumura restaurant serves the best and an authentic sushi in LA!!
(5)Lynette S.
I am impressed with how fresh their sashimi was. I liked the "live abalone" and scallops. Too bad they didn't have Uni available as that's what I would always order at every sushi restaurant. Their sushi rolls were soft and it melts in your mouth- I think it's the rice ! They know how to cook it right - very authentic. One thing I would comment though is that the waiters should smile more. It's kind of intimidating to order from the waiters because they don't seem very friendly. You know how some people don't seem like they want to work there? On the contrary these servers was not smiling because they are overly serious, focusing on their work (they should still learn to smile nevertheless). They were very hardworking, observant, super fast, efficient and how they removed plates from the table was so fast and subtle - I didn't even realize they did it! It like ninja style - like hidden leave village ( if you watch ever watch naruto-kun.com/hidden-le… ) you will know what I mean.... But I will be back.
(5)Vadym B.
Don't understand hype and positive reviews of this place. Menu is very limited, service was below adequate, low prices are fine but their waiters should learn to smile once in a while, not deliberately ignore customers and not hide from them. Big disappointment.
(2)Greg W.
Came here with the family and some friends on a Monday. Restaurant is barely full (maybe 1/4 full if that) and we got orders in fairly soon after we arrived. The order contained a negi toro hand roll. Normally hand rolls take time. I get it. But when the restaurant has about 5-8 people including our party, it shouldn't take 40-45 minutes to make. We told the wait staff at least 4 or 5 times then I went to the sushi bar myself and then they say their printer wasn't working. What a lame excuse. Really lame. You can't make a hand roll without the stupid printed piece of paper?! Trust the wait staff for goodness sake! The food we did receive had issues, too. My wife and I both ordered udon. It was simple and good. However, my wife's order had a small jar that was supposed to have red pepper. It was empty. I didn't have one at all. We also ordered the teriyaki chicken for my son. It was bone dry. I ordered the crispy rice and shishito peppers. Those were good. Probably the only reason this place received a second star from this highly disappointed customer.
(2)Ara O.
I've been here many times before. In fact, it was our regular Wednesday date night dinner place. The food is great, fresh, and they have a good selection. I look forward to coming back here again many more times.
(5)Bo C.
If you are into fancy rolls with stupid names, this is not the place for you. If you are serious about fresh Sushi, this is the place to be. The owner/chef works hard and it shows with the quality and freshness of the products. Fresh and quality sushi every time without the price tag like some of the high end sushi places in LA. Yellow collar is awesome. The daily specials are always mouth watering. The only thing that's missing on the menu is agadoshi tofu, but I've managed to look passed that.
(4)Bum Soo K.
I went to Okumura again on Sunday evening with my wife, and still outstanding quality! We tried sashimi salad, lobster cut roll, yellowtail, squid, aji, and scallop sushi, and all of them are excellent. I like their fish quality better than other places because it is aged perfectly and it brings some sweetness. I am really glad there is a good sushi restaurant near me to go on Sunday night
(5)Wendy D.
We've been coming here for close to a year now. And a lot of the time order take out as well. The food is always on point and delicious! The service is always great. Just an overall great place. We made a reservation for 5 people and they warned us it would be a bit tight. Most of our party arrived late, and when they did, it was a bigger party than we expected. The servers totally accommodated the extra people by offering us the adjacent table. They were very nice and didn't make us feel bad at all. Overall had a fantastic experience yet again.
(5)Angelina T.
It was just okay for me. Fish was fresh, but not as fresh as Sugarfish. Too much rice on their sushi rolls. Service wasn't too welcoming. I wouldn't come back. It was just nothing special.
(3)Derek G.
Didn't know what to expect but they were awesome. Food is amazing. For what you think is a hole in the wall sushi place this one really shines
(5)Rich G.
Okumura! Wow what an amazing place to experience some great sushi without all of the hype and the ridiculous rolls. Let the fish shine through with quality in an intimate and inviting setting. Lot's to get excited about at Okumura. They take reservations for the sushi bar which is rare and oh so welcome so make sure to plan ahead as the word is out and their popularity is growing quickly. The large parking lot in the back serves duty for multiple tenants so that can test your patience but other than that, no stumbling blocks to a great dining experience. The small bar has seating for about 20 and then there are 5 to 7 booths for table dining. I always enjoy sitting at the sushi bar when given that option, something about watching the food being prepped. You do order with the server and not the sushi bar but the orders were filled very quickly. Awesome, attentive and friendly wait staff too. So onto the food, they offer daily specials and the variety is to be saluted. Nothing like getting some new and unique choices. The variety of snapper, 4 types, the night we were there were all incredible. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Ditto the wild copper salmon. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… There is uni and then there is uni, takes a good chef to know the difference and get and pay for the quality.Some of the best uni I can remember, worthy of a re-order. Make sure to ask for it without the light topping of shoyu ( soy sauce) it stands best on it's own. With Shoyu yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Without Shoyu yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Surprisingly the only two top I didn't care for was the first order of tuna, it just didn't hit the spot and it raised an eyebrow but all smooth sailing and incredible fish from that point forward. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… And they oysters....the name of the variety escapes me at the moment, Washington though. Pure perfection and reasonable too. Fresh, briny, sweet and oh so addicting and prepped with attention to detail. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… The Blue fin tuna was amazing and the blue crab cut roll was also a winner. yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… yelp.com/biz_photos/okum… Not much else to trumpet about this is my hands down new favorite in the valley and maybe all of L.A. I hate to admit it as I am afraid this place is going to be overrun by it's own popularity. Amazing.
(5)Nao K.
AMAZING sushi, appetizers, chawanmushi, dishes, and service. The chef is so good with everything. They always have a great variety of fresh fish. I've had fish here that you usually can't get outside of Japan....and each piece is prepared so well! I've never had anything less than THE BEST dining experience here. I just wish I lived a little closer!
(5)Susan C.
This place doesn't even deserve 1 star. Horrible service horrible just cause a restaurant has good food doesn't mean they should lack on service. I was raising my hand and we actually started a timer cause it took so long. Yuck.
(1)Mark T.
Fantastic sushi and great service, need I say more. Smallish menu with a daily menu,too! Can't wait to return.
(5)Ashley H.
Pretty good sushi restaurant. Sushi is fresh and tasty. If you're looking for rolls that are drenched in sauces, this place isn't for you. They don't add that many things to the rolls besides rice and fish.
(4)Max M.
There are a lot of sushi places in the San Fernando Valley, each with their own specialty: creative rolls, sauces, crazy portions, etc. For quality sushi without breaking the bank, this is definitely a top pick.
(5)Raffi Alan M.
Wow is the word. WOW. This place is a hidden gem. From start to finish my tastes buds were on a trip through the heavenly clouds of Mt. Olympus. Toro with gold, black snapper (with shiso and yuzokosho) albacore, yellowtail, spicy tuna crispy rice and the spicy tuna hand roll. I ordered my usuals. Each one was so soft, so fresh, so beautiful. Like butter, melting ever so smoothly. This place is amazing and i cant wait to come back!
(5)Mario F.
Best of the best. The chef and his wife are fantastic. Nobody has his craft. The fish is always fresh. We have been going there from the start and never disappointed.
(5)Ana R.
There are very few GREAT sushi places in the valley- I can count them in one hand- OKUMURA is one of them. This place has delicious sushi to say the least. Their fish is perfectly tender every time. I love that they always use very simple sauces too, as to enhance the flavor, not hide it. Okumura is as consistent with their prices and their service, both great!
(5)Mrs. K.
This is my first NEGATIVE review I've ever done. EVER! I should've read far enough to see all the 1 star reviews before coming to this place. I definitely agree with all the negative reviews... Service was beyond HORRIFIC! Do I have to be Japanese to actually be treated with respect at this restaurant? The servers have absolutely NO MANNERS whatsoever. I had to force myself to give them a 10% tip because even though they never smiled, never stopped to check up on how we are doing, never said sorry for MESSING up our orders, and never said thank you until we asked for the bill, they did put food on our table. Mind you, the restaurant was only 1/3 full at the time of our visit. I cannot believe management thinks this service is acceptable. If I could give this place NEGATIVE STARS I WOULD, in a freaking heart beat. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. There are plenty of sushi restaurants in Encino and Tarzana that offer fresh, catch of the day served with service excellence!
(1)Jewel L.
Love this place. Great sushi. And I am a big fan of the lunch special, teriyaki chicken bowl. The sushi chefs will customize or alter any roll to your liking.
(5)Isabelle H.
A hidden gem in encino~~ the owner is the sushiman and he takes it so serious! Every sushi we had was so fresh!!! Im so glad i found this place~ i dont have to drive to la for good sushi anymore.. Def coming back!!! Very satisfied!!!
(5)Noel V.
The fish quality is quite high. There are daily and weekly specials. Their prices are average but not expensive. The restaurant itself is nicely minimalist in Japanese fashion. The only inconveniences here are probably parking on weekends and busy days, which is not really the restaurants fault (though parking can be difficult sometimes), and the wait staff sometimes takes longer than usual when they are busy. But overall, I highly recommend this place for sushi. I have held about a dozen business meetings here and never a complaint, only praise.
(4)Thao N.
Good sushi is hard to find, and excellent sushi can be found at Okumura. Everything was spectacular: from service to the food. Unagi was just down right delicious. Flaky, crispy and just right. Albacore roll with the fried onion was ohmygoshwhatisthisheaven. Salmon was so delicious All of their rolls! Just perfect!
(5)Simon M.
Absolutely amazing. Some of the best tuna ivd had including some great places in Tokyo. The toro, negitoro, and blue fin were absolutely amazing. The head chef is amazing to watch and has some of the best preparation and presentation I've ever experienced. I cant wait to go back.
(5)Luba L.
DELICIOUS!!! My favorite thing about this place is the fatty toro, albacore belly, and yellowtail belly sushi. THICK and FRESH!!! And the appetizer dishes are great!
(4)So Yum O.
When it comes to sushi, Quality is Number one. The quality here: A Ambience = relaxed, clean, modern, nice decor, cool ceramic dishes, Small but not claustrophobic and intimate. Customer Service= A+ (chef was attentive, manager on her A game, employees ready to serve and work as a team) call me arrogant but I like it when the staff acknowledges us. They all said "thank you" as we exited. Thank me? No, thank you for this awesome experience! Loved this place and I decided all the others in this area don't come close. So happy. I ate a ton and don't regret a single bite. delectable!!!! Overpriced? No! You get what you pay for with Sushi.
(5)Grace C.
Overall nice experience. The service was great, and presentation was great as well. As for the food... -crispy albacore roll: 5/5 -toro sushi: 5/5 -basic rolls: 5/5 -oysters: 5/5 Now for so-so... -The Spanish mackerel 2/5 ... It was disappointing .. :( -live scallop: 3/5.. Nothing special
(4)Ian R.
Very good service. Very friendly staff. Tried quite a lot of food including: Salmon Sushi, Tuna Jalapeno HR, Yellowtail Green Onion HR, Veggie Tempura, and Edamame. All the sushi was very subpar. Not really the fish itself but the rolls were a bit bland. The portions were all very small. The sushi was very thin cut. Not bad but not good. I've seen some splendid reviews so perhaps it was just not to my liking. If you have been to Ahi Sushi in Studio City you will be very disappointed coming here. Nice atmosphere and friendly attentive staff, though. Good loose leaf green tea that they let you steep yourself.
(3)Sonia P.
Fresh fish, great service, great place! Highly recommend!!
(5)Nicole C.
Okumura is consistently delicious! I have eaten there several times and I'm always happy. My family and I had dinner there tonight. Okumura is our "sushi spot". We love it there. The food is amazing, always fresh always satisfying. And the kwaba beer is a bonus. We have our favorites (yellowtail sushi, crispy albacore onion, crunchy roll) but we always ask for recommendations. Tonight we tried the scallop sushi and the sea perch. Both were so good!!! Chef Okumura made us an order of his top 5 sushi selection. It was amazing! The service is great! Everyone is so kind. Tonight we had a chance to speak with chef Okumura's wife. What a lovely woman!! You have to check out Okumura restaurant. I look forward to going back soon.
(5)Sil D.
Oy shi!!! Delicioso!!! Delishhhh... no matter how you put it, this place has earned EVERY one of these five stars! Not one complaint! To start off, the place was small and intimate, sheek but simple, priced well for the portions, and the service was nothing short of being fabulous. We ordered sunomono, oysters, miso soup and two rolls- rainbow and avocado eel, with some green tea ALL for $4o.
(5)Alex K.
There are 4-5 sushi joints on this stretch of Ventura Blvd so we just took a random stab. I was a little concerned at first because it's in the middle of a drab strip mall... But then isn't everything in LA?? We sat down at the sushi bar and ordered the omakase-- which I guess isn't something people do often here because they were very appreciative. Who cares about being "authentic"-- our boy Roberto made really good choices - started with oysters in ponzu, which were amazing. There was a tuna dish with gold flakes that was really good-- and literally the best jalapeño yellowtail I've ever had (take that, Nobu)!! Served some beautiful pieces of nigiri with buttery rice, and a progression of three levels of tuna fatness. Plus he was so appreciative his face lit up when I poured him some of our sake. Turns out they don't actually have an omakase offering. We just got charged by the piece, which if I knew I would have made more requests of my own! It wasn't cheap- two peeps with one large bottle of sake ($42) and our tab was $224 before tip. I feel like that's on the expensive side for the Valley, but we did stuff our fat faces, and it was among the best sushi I've had in LA. Only knocking one star for not having an omakase, and the server never poured our sake even once... I hate to be a stickler but it is really poor custom to not at least poor the first glass.
(4)Leisha P.
My new fav sushi place in the valley. Great service, excellent food. The shigoku oysters and live scallop were my favorites. We also ordered yellow stripe jack(?), blue crab, soft shell crab, yellowtail, crispy albacore and they were all fresh and melted in your mouth. Prices are fair for the quality. Will definitely come back! Tip: make a reservation as this place is small.
(5)David S.
Sushi was fresh which is a plus. Food was good. In my opinion not worth the high prices. I enjoyed the fish cuts. Would I go back? Probably not.
(3)alex P.
Traditional sushi made great! No fancy rolls but I enjoy watching the chef create his masterpiece sushi with a finesse that can only come from experience almost as much as I enjoy eating it. Ryota has skills. It's always a treat to go here, makes for A great date night with the wife. The service here is always above par . The only bad thing is his popularity seems to be growing and you can occasionally walk in to a pretty full restaurant making it difficult to seat groups larger than 4. But you'll be back! Often!!
(5)Nicole R.
My favorite place in the entire world...my home away from home. I would eat here every day if I could, and I eat here at least twice a week with my boyfriend. Every time we eat here it's always amazing. Ryota, Berto, and Ramon really know what they are doing! We come so regularly they always know how to prepare our roll special to our liking and never disappoints. The staff is friendly and attentive, especially Ryota's wife! We love coming here and sampling all of the sushi. The Blue Fin Toro is worth every penny and we always crave it. Ryota's quality of fish is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It beats expensive names in the area like Katsuya or Midori by a long shot. Also, the lunch time special is amazing if you are in the area between 11 and 2:30. During the week I come on my lunch break because it is across the street and it is such a good deal for a perfect lunch. I will never go to another sushi bar again because this place is just too amazing to be compared to. If I could give this place 10 stars it still would not be enough. Thanks Ryota, you the bossman!!
(5)Eeda G.
Have been coming here for over 2 years now and I always have a 5 star experience. Best sushi restaurant in Encino hands down. Great friendly service, fair price, always fresh!, good vibes.
(5)Agnes K.
Dragon roll is a must! So delicious! And the service was wonderful, the staff is very friendly!
(5)Margo I.
Worst sushi we had in life. We went for dinner and had few rolls from the menu. It wasn't even okey.... We just couldn't eat it. It just had bad taste... On top of that, service was horrible. The waitress was rude. Stay away from this place!!!
(1)Drew S.
Awesome sushi spot, one of the better in LA without a doubt (I can think of 4 or so in this group). No need to get into specifics on what to try; look at what's fresh that day and trust the chef. The day I was in the bluefin, uni, and albacore were on point. Let them tell you what's best that day, and if you're a true sushi lover, go with it.
(4)August L.
Fantastic! Had some things I hadn't tried before. The savory custard with uni and roe was extraordinary. Also liked the shishito peppers with dancing bonito flakes. Our sushi chef was great. Most folks can be divided into two camps - roll eaters or sashimi eaters. I think this place was geared to sashimi eaters. Don't go here and order a California roll. Go to the sushi place at the Topanga mall if you like rolls.
(5)Paul B.
Great sushi, great price, great service. My wife and I have been here a handful of times and it's been consistently good.
(5)Richard O.
I can't give this place 5 stars for many reasons. 1) The selection of nigiri during the day is very limited. 2) This place costs 40% more than ojiya, and ojiya is still better. (Ojiya is a sushi bar in Chino). 3) The sushi making is awfully slow, even slower than places like Ojiya, Sasabune, Sushi Gen, and even Sushi zo. The meal was delicious, but I don't think I will be coming back to this spot. I'm sure there are better sushi bars for the price that I paid for this place. I'm a reluctant fan.
(4)Michael F.
Love this place , all the time fresh fish there, we going there 2 times a week, before we was stock with katsuya not any more this place is better! Recomend for everybody!
(5)Theresa N.
I found a reason not to leave the Valley anymore for sushi! Granted, there's a ton of sushi restaurants on Ventura Blvd., but several of them are quite pricy. We normally go to Sushi-Gen when we want to splurge on sushi. I had seen an article about Okumura on LA Magazine a few months ago, and finally decided to try it last night. This is not a place for fancy rolls doused with spicy mayo or unagi sauce. It's the place to go if you want traditional sushi and you trust your sushi chef to serve you the best he has to offer. We were unsure about this place when we first sat down as Ryota said he was out of a lot of the seafood we normally order, but it ended up being a really good thing as we ended up trying daily specials that we had never tried before! IThe first thing we tried was the yellow striped jack, which was fantastic. After that we let Ryota do his thing and serve us whatever he felt like. Every piece of fish tasted so fresh. At one point he served us black snapper sushi with triggerfish liver on top and it was f'in amazing! Melt in your mouth like foie gras. We ended up only spending $80 for two people, which is a lot less than when we typically go all out at our other fave sushi restaurant. The restaurant is minimalist but still nice for fun date. Easy parking in the back. Thank you Ryota for an amazing meal! We couldn't stop talking about how good it was afterwards. We will be back :)
(5)Agnes K.
Okay...so how do I say this? FISH WAS FRESH. NO DOUBT. Wife of the owner is super sweet ( acts like a hostess) even though its hard to understand her ( from japan ...????I assume). . So why not 5 stars? Because everything we had was good but not to a point where it would melt in your mouth, where you feel like you having an " O" after each bite, because I can not even remember what we ate because everything tasted the same, even though it was fresh. If you read my reviews, you will see that another place on Ventura, ( starts with an M ends with an N....) has blown my mind and this place is....well. Try it yourself. Another interesting new experience: I NEVER went to a sushi place where they bring you a selection of tea's and hot water. Usually green tea is made prior..in restaurant. Some of you favor this and some don't. I will post pictures but please forgive me if I don't explain what it was, because I dont remember and nothing stands out.
(4)Michael E.
Still the best sushi in LA! Recently went to a high end sushi place on the westside and This place puts them to shame. This place is great because they pick really great fish for their specials. You won't be disappointed. Great date place for a date or celebration.
(5)Rose A.
Good sushi but not worth an hour wait. If you are holding 4 tables for people who are late for their reservation....and turning others away who are there waiting. You're losing money.
(3)Steve T.
Very good sushi one of my favorites, try this place out you will not be disappointed. Good service, fresh fish, nice people.thanks for the good sushi guys!
(5)Yanochka D.
Thanks to LADWP for cutting off hot water in our household for the whole Saturday last month, we had to cancel our big going out plans and settle for something local and preferably resorted. As we were driving down Ventura we saw that little sushi place and decided that it's probably empty and our dirty hair and sweatpants would fly. We entered through the back door and found ourselves standing in the middle of a packed and quite fancy place (first-date-dinner-movie type of a crowd) in our sweats. Without reservations. But the staff was very quick to find seats for us. The Chef was cooking right in front of us and we enjoyed watching him work and asking stupid questions (sorry, chef and thanks for your excellent recommendations). Everything we ordered was very good: fresh and delicate. Clean flavors. My recommendation: don't forget to make reservations on weekends, the place is small and happening.
(4)Tuanh D.
Fish is really fresh and the place is super clean. Happy that I didn't leave smelling like fish. We ordered the blue crab, lobster hand roll, salmon and yellowtail hand rolls and a few other dishes. Decent pricing as well!
(4)Joanne B.
Best sushi around!! I found this place on Yelp! I have been here 3 times since in 3 weeks. The Assorted Sashimi Salad with light ginger soy dressing is the best I have had anywhere !!
(5)Rosiey B.
I took my husband here for his birthday, we loved it! I haven't had any sushi for years since I'm allergic to shrimp. So I decided to take my husband here as an excuse to eat sushi. It was delicious and definitely would go back.
(5)Victoria D.
Tasty, well-priced, chill and excellent service! What more can I ask for - amazing lunch!!!!
(5)Francis G.
love this place... I've never been disappointed by the food or the service I've received here... chef ryota always hooks up the the best cuts of fish and his wife nariko and her staff always makes sure my family/guest are comfortable. all my favorites come from the small "today's special" menu which is a little more expensive but definitely worth the price... standouts for me include the live shrimp, live octopus, lobster, yellowtail, oysters, tuna and toro. they also carry one of my favorite beers kigen kawaba snow weizen. eat here... NOW!
(5)Ronit Z.
What's not to love about this place? They have amazing artwork, a cute and stylish atmosphere, and a beyond pleasant staff! I went here today with my mother and had an incredible experience. The albacore was fresh and the ponzu perfect, I also really appreciated that the sushi chef asked us if we preferred green onions or fried onions. I also asked the chef what their specials were today which included an amazing black snapper with yuzu kosho, amberjack with truffle salt, and super fresh Spanish toro all of which were perfect in terms of freshness and seasoning. Each one had a perfect texture. I asked for a recommendation for one more sushi order and was served a beautiful seared sea perch. I'm not usually a fan of seared fish but this was one of the better ones I've ever had. The chef also checked in with us constantly and was super attentive. To finish I ordered a lobster hand roll and it easily ended up being the best I've ever tasted complete with real lobster, minimal mayo, and the perfect blend of veggies. I am already dying to come back here and have the chef recommend some more goodies.
(5)Talyn E.
Okumura was one of the best sushi restaurants at which I have eaten in or around Los Angeles. The presentation was gorgeous. The staff was attentive and friendly, although not overly so. The sushi tasted so fresh! All of the seafood was fantastic. I've never been so pleased. Everything about this restaurant was comfortable and my waitress even made me origami chopstick holders. I will definitely be back to Okumura next time I am in the area.
(5)Shane S.
This place is the real deal when it comes to specials from Nippon. Chef Okamura has a passion for his craft.... plus he is actually friendly !! He chooses exotic fish for his menu , and it seems like his customers appreciate it. I am tired of the places that serve California rolls smothered in teriyaki and mayo claiming to be authentic !! If you really want to experience true sushi on Ventura blvd check this place out . I was very impressed of the quality and the presentation of his unique seafood dishes. Let these chefs guide you through your meal..... It will be amazing! 4.5 stars as the experience really needs to be with Chef Okamura.... the rest of the restaurant seems a bit average.
(4)Ben L.
Amazing. Freshness, service, atmosphere and background music. Hey, and it's not at all on the pricy side. Totally affordable. Great value.
(5)Paul R.
Nice sushi place in the Valley (Encino Commons). This place would be no more than 3* in Seattle but in LA it gets 4*. The nigiri could use larger slices of fish and they don't have wild salmon. The amberjack carpacio was nice and the wild flowers were a pleasant touch. All in all if you must eat sushi and you happen to be in the valley go for it.
(4)Margaret C.
The food here is amazing. This is not your typical sushi joint featuring tons of rolls. Come here if you want to eat sushi as in raw fish. Fantastic. This is one of the best sushi places I have been to. Their fish was so fresh and tasty. Every piece just melts in your mouth. Even their rolls were top notch. Even though they are relatively simple compared to many other places with exotic combinations, their execution is flawless. We ordered an eel avocado roll. I was impressed by how the eel was the perfect warmth, which made the avocado taste even creamier. We also ordered poke and a number of nigiri. Everything was amazing. Probably what surprised me the most was that we were eating here for V-day so we went all out and just ordered whatever we wanted without too much attention to the price. Fully indulging ourselves, our check came out to about $30/person, which is totally worth it. Don't be fooled by their entrance which is a little door off a strip mall, the inside of the restaurant is very beautifully done with a modern, sleek feel. I was a bit worried when I showed up that this place, but I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in. The small entrance leads to a cramped hallway that opens up into a nicely sized space with a sushi bar in the middle with a few booths around the perimeter. I loved this place and will totally be coming back.
(5)Wenxi Z.
my favorite sushi place in the valley love to come here .
(5)Jeff T.
Best sushi in LA, hands down. I know that's bold statement, but it's true. This place has the freshest, best cut sushi I've ever had. Their chefs are super nice, and their wait staff even nicer. This place is the best, and that's that.
(5)Mary N.
This has been our favorite sushi in the Valley for the past two years. The fish is very fresh, the dishes are authentic and very tasty. Not a single roll with cream cheese! Reasonably priced.
(5)Sara D.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. My fiance and I found this little sushi gem about a month after they opened over a year ago and honestly we have made it our spot to go to. Every time we try and go to another sushi place we regret it almost immediately because we know every time we come here we will get exactly what we expect. Excellent food, service, atmosphere, etc. We have had birthday dinners, romantic dinners, quick lunches and even our engagement night dinner here! Always a wonderful place to be regardless of the situation. I definitely recommend going here! :)
(5)Sam S.
One of the best spots in the valley. Nice space, good food, good service, and not too pricey. The fish is fresh and the portions are big.
(5)Josh R.
Americanized popularized delicious roll style sushi stands out on this menu. It's not a slam - it's just all the popular rolls are on this menu and they do them really well. A little saucy at times, but no less delicious. I wouldn't say I eat here all the time, but occasionally we pop in here. It's a great value I'll tell you that. And the servers and chefs are very polite. This is no sushi nazi or Katsuya, but it's worth visiting from time to time especially if you have friends that aren't big into sushi as they will enjoy it - there's something on the menu for everyone.
(4)Kate M.
Great sushi and pretty great service. The ambiance was also very nice. The boyfriend and I had a wonderful evening and okumura makes A lovely date spot !
(5)Sanaz V.
This place is extremely cozy! Great Service! Good food! & Good Drinks! The music is calm and relaxing which gives the overall mood a sweet feel. Try the Takara Plum wine it's delicious :-D
(5)Nancy K.
Best place for sushi in the valley, hands down. Better than Go's Mart, Asanebo, etc., especially for the price (a full omakase course was about $75). I didn't expect much initially but after the first few dishes I was taken aback and started asking the head chef some questions.... and what do you know, he used to work at Sushi Zo, one of the best sushi restaurants in LA.
(5)Mike S.
I finally checked Okumura out after seeing such great reviews and it was very good. Although there isn't a huge selection of rolls (which many sushi traditionalists appreciate), the menu is solid and the fish tastes very fresh. The albacore crunch roll was great and whatever sauce they used was fantastic. It was not drowned in sauce and the presentation was nice. They also have great lunch specials and the hand rolls were very reasonably priced. If you're looking for a tasty casual but traditional sushi selection that isn't cheap and isn't expensive, then try Okumura. Note: I usually refrain from using the word "tasty," but it just felt right and fits.
(4)Nori S.
I am from Tokyo Japan there fore my tung is so used to Japanese sushi. I lived in valley for 6 years now an I am extremely happy to found Okumura on Ventura blvd because finally sound sushi place to satisfy my tung and Tammy and great place to hung out! This is so far my best on Ventura and No. Two in the valley. Because great atmosphere, casual, business as well as dating with my wife. Ryota San (Owner) is Young but know great taste of sushi which is great combination of real Japanese taste (I mean real real) and American sushi( which is also great. Price range is Medium but Price and Value ratio is the top notch!! I come here almost every month!! All sushi chef are willing to make you happy!!
(5)Sharon S.
Had a great dinner here again! We really do enjoy this place! The food is great and the fish always tastes fresh. The prices are totally reasonable and the service is great. We've eaten in the restaurant a few times but normally do take out but. Will have to come out here more often. Only thing I wish they had was tamago sushi.
(5)Beverly H.
Amazing amazing amazing quality sushi. All fishes indicate where they were caught from. The sashimi is delicious and I love the salmon avocado roll and tuna avocado roll. I also love their vegetable tempura, they have some amazing variety of mushrooms!
(5)Anna S.
Our friends introduced us to this place and I'm glad they did! It's really close to where we live, nice to be able to not go far for great sushi. The quality of the fish is great and everything we've ordered has been really good. They're always very welcoming and remember who we are. The service can be a bit slow at times, that would be my only complaint. They just expanded so it's great coming in a bigger group and sitting together comfortably.
(5)Nushie N.
The most beautiful and delicious sushi I've had. Seriously so fresh and high quality!!! Oh and the crispy rice was so crunchy it reminded me of French fries mmmmm. We went there for Valentine's Day and we were not disappointed. If your going on fri or sat night get a reservation the place is small, but it's comfortable inviting and a fun atmosphere. The staff is very attentive and helpful. They seem to take a team approach and take care of all the guests together. The chefs had no problem making adjustments for my boyfriend who is gluten free (they have gluten free soy sauce btw just ask) and when they made a mistake on one order they had no attitude about taking it back. It was really a wonderful meal I can't say enough good things about this place. If you wanna see something magical order the big eye tuna. OMG the color!!!
(5)Brigette R.
The service was excellent. The quality of the food was great. Took my friends from Rome and they really enjoyed the restaurant. Our hostess was nice and we waited maybe 2 minutes for them to find a table for 4. We ordered maybe 3-4 rolls to share , vegetable tempura, pot of green tea, and large beer. This was our second time visiting this restaurant. The parking was easy. The food was served fast. The food tasted great. Our friends were happy and our bellies were full. Mission accomplished. I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)Roxy B.
I honestly dont know how so many people gave this place so many stars. i came here based on yelpers review. I ordered the lunch sushi special for like $22 a plate i think. Anyways thats not why im giving it one star. The raw fish was so tough. it had no flavor, therefore NOT worth the price. the server wouldnt come & pick up unfinished plates in a timely manner so my plates kept piling up. I was out of water for waaay too long of time. When she finally did come over she kept crossing her arm right in front of my face and over my plate. Very unprofessional. So my reason for my one star is quality of the food & the way the server went about it all. Sushi bar chef however very kind. Friendly. but i would not return.
(1)T M.
Fresh sushi. Great service. I ordered the trio handroll on their lunch special. Although the portions are small, the fish was fresh and delicious. Some guy on my right kept ordering sushi pieces and they looked to die for. I'll be back for sure!
(5)Chew B.
We asked for omakase (chef's choice) and had the freshest fish of that day. Had 16 dishes (9 dishes were a piece of nigiri but also had arame sunomono, 2 types of carpaccio, chawan mushi, baby abalone, a toro hand roll and ended with a pannacotta) for $80 each. Chef Okumura, the sushi chef and owner, is an artist working with sushi. His wife handles running the rest of the restaurant with his input. We found them to be welcoming and passionate about their work. Although no sushi restaurant gets a fish delivery on Sundays (fishermen need a day off too), the fish was still very fresh. They expanded the restaurant in August '14 so there are more tables. Plenty of parking available in the back.
(5)Dztfairy Z.
I like Sushi and our family appreciates good fresh fish, but their crispy onion yellowtail has spoiled me for life! If you like garlic and onion, this is A dish you must try!!!!!
(4)Brent W.
Chef was very attentive and was fun to watch from the bar. All good was top notch. There's not a lot of roll choices but that's not a bad thing. The spicy tuna tasty but could be spicier. The toro was amazing. This has become a new favorite.
(4)M W.
Excellent sushi here. I was a little disappointed by the Chirashi, not impressed with the fish selection. My main gripe with this place is they only offer special fish for dinner service. Very hard for me to get here for dinner so I am missing out.
(4)Brittany S.
Great spot! The food is fresh and tasty. We had a mixture of rolls and sashimi, I enjoyed everything. I especially love the baked crab hand roll - it has a nice twist with some spicy mayo added, it is a must try! The staff is super friendly and the service is great. There is a large sushi bar and a few tables. This place is small so there is usually a wait. I will definitely be back!
(4)Julie G.
I love this superb Sushi restaurant! Fish is ALWAYS fresh, service is ALWAYS 5 stars. Me and my husband go here every week (sometimes 2x a week) & the food is ALWAYS consistent. The Japanese scallop, salmon, and tuna poke are a must! Enjoy folks!
(5)Heather H.
my new favorite sushi place in the neighborhood. (and there are a ton of sushi joints in encino/tarzana) great cuts and not over the top pricey. great staff. and great food. only suggestion, get regular iced tea on the menu.
(4)Pauline N.
Parking - Easy street parking on a weekday evening, my friend said they also have a lot at the back. Seats - Standard Service - Nice, not over not under Food - Everything was either avg or above avg. Ordered a lot of appetizers - all were pretty good Rainbow roll - Nice Spider roll - Nice Sushi - I didn't have any, friend said they were good. Given the low price, this place definitely delivered above average quality! Will come back.
(4)Pete T.
Wow, this place was so bad in regards to customer service I really don't know where to start. We were highly referred to this place by some friends because it's supposably authentic Japanese high quality sushi, which is definitely far from it. So last Friday my wife & I, along with our guest went in to try the place at 8:40 PM & we really wanted to sit at the bar & have Chef Okumura serve us our sushi, but upon arrival we were told that the open seating at the sushi bar was reserved for someone else, so we had to sit at a table, which was ok. The problem for me was that the people that they reserved it for did not show up until 9:15 & we were told their reservation was for 8:30 so we should have gotten their seats, but instead we settled for the table. This was not that big of a deal so we went on to ordering some sushi & sashimi. My wife & I typically eat the fish only, no rolls, no fried stuff etc. so were expecting a high level of fish quality from this place, but let me tell you that was not the case. The fish was average at best. We tried the salmon & albacore sushi, premium blue fin toro sashimi, yellowtail belly sashimi & were not impressed at all, especially with the prices they were charging. I normally do not deviate from my regular sushi bar that I go to for this reason. I don't know how people on Yelp who eat real sushi can rate this place 5 stars & call it the best sushi they ever had, I'm baffled. However with all this being said, this is still not the reasoning for my 1 star rating. We had ordered a large bottle of cold saki & were sitting around waiting for our server to come back & when he did we asked for some more food & his response to us is that they had last call 10 minutes ago & cannot serve us any longer. Wow is all I could say to him & then I asked why we were not told that it's last call & his response was "I'm so sorry" to which I replied "I'm so sorry doesn't really cut it, were still hungry" & again he just says sorry & leaves. Ok fine, we'll just finish up our $85.00 bottle of saki & leave at this point. It's almost 10:20 PM & when another group walked out we were the last ones there & Chef Okumura (the owner & head chef) walks up to us & says "It's 10:30 & were closed, please leave now......thank you!".................how the hell do you respond to that after I just paid a $230.00 sushi bill that included a $30.00 tip?????? I didn't even feel like they deserved a response from me, but I had to get it off my chest I told the Chef that you are officially my first 1 star Yelp review & I have never been asked to leave a restaurant in my life except for tonight. Your customer service is beyond terrible & not only will I never come back here again, I will make it a point to make sure everyone I know not to come here, especially my friends who referred me here. This sushi bar seems like they only cater to their regulars & if your new, I say good luck to you, but there is so many better/friendlier sushi bars to go to in the area. BUYER BEWARE, DON'T WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY IN THIS PLACE!
(1)Jon B.
Okumura-san is preparing some of the best sushi in LA, at a reasonable price and in a comfortable environment. He caters the the masses too, but dont let that fool you into thinking its nothing special... he and his wife are doing amazing things here.
(5)Mercedes G.
Came here on a Friday night after hearing so much good buzz on this place and man was it a good choice! Hands down one of my top 3 favorite sushi joints. It's small and cozy but everything on the menu is packed with flavor!! Got the crispy albacore onion and baked crab rolls, SO good!!!
(5)Isis L.
I haven't been here to rate any restaurants in a while... but this place deserves the review! We found this place when looking for sushi in the valley.... I know, that's a hard task since there is a sushi place in every corner of Ventura blvd. Anyway, we yelped this place and after reading the amazing reviews we decided to give it a shot... and we do not regret it! It was AMAZING!!! If you have never been there, you HAVE TO GO! The sushi and sashimi selections are top notch! It's wonderful! It's delicious! It's simple! It's fresh! I could go on.... The difference between this place and the other thousand valley sushi places? Its menu has only two pages of wonderfulness while all the other places have 50 pages of mediocrity... I am not kidding when I say wonderfulness, here is what we had: Uni, Toro, Blu Fin Tuna, Salmon Roe, Soft Shell Crab roll, tuna, spicy tuna, eel. Yeah, we tried a lot in the menu, and you know what? I am happy to have eaten the freshest melt in your mouth sushi prepared simply and deliciously.... no gimmicks, no cream cheese, no crap... just yuuumminesss.... so yeah, GO TO OKUMURA, but only go if you are not the kind of person that orders a california roll and thinks they are so worldly.... go if you are willing to try and experiment... so you can have a wholesome experience.
(5)jonathan s.
Everyone on yelp is crazy. Terrible meal here. Left mid way through meal to go get food somewhere else. I will say that there was one chef who was extremely nice (owner?). Unfortunately this wasnt enough to make up for a poor selection of sushi, painfully slow service, and just an overall bad experience. - sauteed vegetables came out like they were missing a sauce. Very plain. - incredible small quantity of fish in hand roll. - they lost our order. Had to ask 20 mins in if the rest was coming out. They were also having issues with charging other parties incorrect bills. It was a shit show to watch. It looked like a restaurant would look if all of the sudden someone asked me to run a restaurant for a night. - chef apologized for the wait and said that he put "extra" fish in our next roll. Since they were light on the fish everywhere else this roll came out looking like a normal roll should look. Good prices. Poor selection. I know this is a cheap sushi place but i was expecting a lot more based on yelp reviews. 5 star reviews are insane.Theres no way. All you moron 5 star reviewers owe me $60.
(1)Cynthia U.
Simply amazing. They have daily specials, but You must try the live scallop and trigger fish. Reasonable prices for the top quality. The chef is very friendly and I suggest trying all his recommendations. New favorite spot in the valley!
(5)Alex R.
I feel like there are four kinds of sushi spots in the Valley... 1) Sushi places that you wouldn't go to even if they were in your town. 2) Sushi places that you'd go to but only if they were in your town. 3) Sushi places for which you'd travel to other parts of the Valley. 4) Sushi places for which you'd travel to the Valley were you living 30-45 minutes away in, say, Santa Monica. Okumura falls into the fourth category. The reviews aren't lying, this place is the real deal.
(5)Kristen P.
We went to Okumura for the first time based on solely on Yelp reviews. We were pretty unpleasantly surprised to find this place was nothing like the reviews. Perhaps it was because we were seated with Chef Okumura who was quite arrogant and dismissive. Although we were seated at the bar, we had to order sushi from a waiter, not our sushi chef which we couldn't understand. Then the chef had someone else make all but one of our dishes. I guess he couldn't be bothered? If I sit at the bar, I want to order from our sushi chef. That's the point right? Otherwise I'd have asked for a table. We waited an exorbitant amount of time between each order of sushi (about 10-12 minutes or so and he had no other customers but us seated and no table orders during this time) and paid an even more exorbitant price. This place is every bit of $$$, not $$ by the way so Yelp should update that. The chef kept inexplicably walking away for 5 minutes or so on three or more separate times to the back room when we were trying to order. I felt we were extremely patient and courteous to him, but he definitely was not to us. The other two sushi chefs kept looking at us nervously when our chef left probably because we were literally the only people at the entire sushi bar waiting to order, but couldn't because he just kept leaving. I literally told my husband, "are we getting hazed or something?" We were still starving, but ended up just getting the check and leaving after 5 small dishes, which with beer and a hot sake came to over $80 not including a tip. I'd NEVER go back. I've eaten sushi all my life and never had such an unpleasant experience. And for the record, the only reason he's getting two stars is because they fish was good quality. Too bad the experience was not.
(2)Carina O.
Katsuya USED to be our favorite sushi spot...not anymore! Okumura is delicious and very reasonably priced. Small space but they just expanded. Try the tuna with crispy onions and truffle oil.
(5)Diane L.
What a fine - coming from Calabasas we have been looking for a local sushi restaurant. This place has great sushi and service. I cannot wait to come back :)
(5)Rain K.
Best Sushi in the Valley, period. Masterfully prepared on all levels. They are conscious of Fukushima, buy only tested, safe food. Amazing service. Easy location and reasonable :)
(5)Sarah D.
Went here last night for my birthday and it was amazing!! If you're looking for fancy rolls I wouldn't suggest this place, but if you want VERY affordable fresh fish this is where you should go. Toro was insane. The salmon was amazing! I don't even really like salmon and the salmon avocado roll might have been my favorite thing. Unagi was fantastic as well. Also had the yellow tail and the albacore and I would get it all again! Had this Japanese import beer too - Kawaba Sunrise - AMAZING. I don't even drink beer and I had a few of those. The place itself is really cute, big parking lot and the staff and sushi chefs are SO friendly. It was a really great experience and I would drive up north for it anytime!
(5)Amber Rose P.
I found this new-ish sushi restaurant through Yelp and took my boyfriend for his birthday. We were so impressed and happy with our dinner and the service. This is a must for sushi lovers. -Food first (Most important): we ordered albacore sashimi, live scallop, uni, albacore, yellowtail, isaki, inmedai (golden eye snapper) and toro sushi. Everything was perfect and fresh with outstanding flavor. They have a daily specials list and Chef Ryota Okumura personally made suggestions. We ordered beer for our sushi chefs because we were so content. We did not order any rolls but I'm sure they are also delicious. Finally, I told them ahead of time it was my boyfriend's birthday and I wanted to pre-order dessert. They brought us three types of mochi, panna cotta and blueberries and strawberries with a candle. And everyone clapped. So lovely. -Service: the service was impeccable. Chef Ryota's wife greeted and chatted with us and she was so sweet and helpful with the menu, too. Our server was fantastic (promptly cleared dishes and brought new ones right away, including beer and water) and Chef Ryota brought us some of our dishes, too. -Ambiance: Okumura is small so make a reservation. But it doesn't feel small and it has more taste and ambiance than many of our sushi hot spots. It is arranged so you can sit in a booth and the chefs can still serve you from the sushi bar. Love that, Okumura. -Parking: It's the valley; parking is not an issue. Tip: If you sit at the bar Chef Ryota will 'sauce' your sushi for you. So, Sushi Lovers, here is a terrific new spot that is completely worth your time and taste buds. Go.
(5)Ariel W.
Amazing old school sushi. The freshest and most delicious nigiri in the city. I'd go every day... if I could afford it.
(5)Yaron E.
The manager was very rude and unrespectfull , he charge extra for ginger and any other stuff .make sure you check the bill before you pay . I don't recommend on this place.
(1)Beebee s.
I found this place by accident. But now I've been twice in the last 2weeks! Great fresh sushi...even though one of the chefs is definitely not Japanese, the food was still yummy! I ordered snapper, hamachi, mackerel and of course the spicy tuna crispy rice, then ordered more snapper and more hamachi! Can't get enough it was so fresh! (Skip the teriyaki chicken...its a bit dry). The decor is neat, modern, newer looking. Maybe its new and that's why I never noticed it! Or recently remodeled? Whatever the reason I never noticed it before, I definitely will be back for more...maybe even again this week! (But parking was a pain cuz the lot us shared with several other busy establishments... Market, coffee shop...)
(5)Frank A.
Service is great, we had two waitresses and one waiter. Efficient service but they have small portions. I got the albacore sushi and it was small and thin, taste was average. Not much of a roll selection. By far the best tasting roll was the lobster roll, great presentation. The price for my wife and two kids was $95 plus tip. I can't say it was worth it.
(3)Donna S.
Great fresh sushi. Front of house is welcoming and knowledgable about the menu. Chef is very friendly and makes you feel like a special customer. Every item we have tried on his menu has been exceptional!!
(5)Daniel R.
Was here last year for a date night. Going back for our wedding anniversary. Nice little place with great fresh sushi!
(4)Hannah R.
The Spanish mackerel sushi was the best I have ever had! A very hard fish to get just right. All the sashimi dishes were outstanding- thick pieces, flavorful, and fresh. Service and chef were refreshingly friendly. Ambiance was modern and uplifting. Great date place. A must for real serious sushi lovers. We never go to the same restaurant twice but we will have to make an exception.
(5)Food S.
Not sure how I missed this place before but it is my favorite sushi place in LA now. Menu isn't very expansive but the fish is super fresh and the staff is very meticulous. The managers even watch over the sushi preparation to make sure it is done right. Price is decent considering the high quality.
(5)Cari C.
The services was really bad they charge us more than we ate and when we show it to them they said it's not true which was a lie !!! I ate there once and will never come back !! The worst service I ever got the manger was so rod and unrespectful !!! I don't recommend !
(1)Chris C.
My new Sushi hangout.... Really Fresh Sushi. They were all really nice there and attentive. When you get the green tea in the can...see if you can squeeze the can...I dont know why but it really tripped me out... Great Sushi in ENCINO FINALLY.... (will add photos later on)
(5)Shani B.
I went to Okumura based on Yelp reviews. The sushi was OK. I think I'm use to a larger menu selection. I had the spicy tuna and a spicy rainbow roll. The spicy tuna was good. The rainbow roll was just OK.
(2)Linda B.
Highly recommend this place--great service, great atmosphere, great good!
(5)Natalie K.
Had to get this place on my fav sushi list, but then I realized I haven't reviewed it yet. That's hard to believe considering how AWESOME I think this place is. What to come here for: REASONABLE PRICES. FRESH FISH. GREAT QUALITY SUSHI. KNOWLEDGEABLE SUSHI CHEFS. Don't come here if you are looking for fancy rolls with so much sauce poured on top of them so you can't tell the fish isn't that great, you won't find that here.... (although they do say they will make you a roll however you want it)
(5)Rose A.
This is our little hideout. My husband and I go often. The Chef's passion radiates thru all the flavorful dishes. Fresh fish, super clean and zen environment. We love how authentic this place is. Very happy to have discovered this sushi spot. And... they also have gluten free soy sauce.
(5)Ingrid S.
Went here last night for dinner. The sushi was really good. I enjoyed the spicy tuna roll and it was delicious as well as the shrimp tempura was really good. The udon however was really salty. We had a bad server though, I felt like she forgot about us. After seeing that everyone else that came after us was getting their food, I called her over and told her we were missing our rolls. 10 mins later our rolls came out. Then the manager came to greet us and apologized for what just happened and so she said we weren't getting charge for our drinks. Great service from the manager. But then our server didn't even bother to come around, had to wave down the other servers to get the check and also waited forever until I got someone's attention for them to take the check back. Really bad service last night.
(3)David C.
the reason for my 2 star is quality of the food & the way the server went about it all. Sushi bar chef however very kind. Friendly. but i would not return
(2)Kristy R.
Awesome Sushi awesome service. Jen was our waitress for the night and she was superb! Everything about that place was great. The chef, I think his name Izik really did a great job making our sushi and it was so fresh. Every bite was truly a melt in your mouth bite. I can't wait to go back here again.
(5)Mallory F.
Sub-par food, awful service, weak air-conditioning, high prices. A fatal dining combination.
(1)Dre M.
I thought this was my very own secret sushi place but the secret is out!!!! It's amazing!!!
(5)Ron A.
Ok, this review is long overdue after having been to this Sushi restaurant for numerous times. Sooo, Ventura Blvd has been almost synonymous with Sushi restaurants lining the Boulevard from Calabasas to Hollywood. Nevertheless, indulgent fans of traditional sushi cannot overlook that Chef Ryota Okumura has brought amazing Sushi that has some Hollywood/Beverly Hills flair but with reasonable prices! Once you walk in the door, you are greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. Upon entering the main dining area, you can almost get confused seeing as the bar looks like it should belong somewhere in Hollywood or Beverly Hills and that the cost of the sushi would break your bank. NOPE!!! You're in Encino....in the San Fernando Valley, and all that stands between you is the bar with nice ambient lighting, a decorative setup for your chopsticks, fancy and awesome tasting sushi, and the magic of the chefs working behind the bar. The chefs take great care into making your food and to add to that, an artistic presentation in the food as well! I just recently tried a seared blue fin toro with just a pinch of yuzu pepper and a small brush of soy sauce. The exploding flavor of all that made me buy 3 of them (That's a pair of sushi in each dish so that's 6 altogether)!! Yes it was that good. I've also had the tuna carpaccio, with a fair serving of tuna sashimi glazed with a few greens and seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and some edible gold flakes for a nice touch! One item on the special menu that was added recently was the Tuna Poke. It may not be how they traditionally make it in Hawaii, but regardless, it was UMAMI!! (look up the definition if you don't know what it means and do the research)! The poke was flavorful and garnished with brown and green seaweed, and yes, they're edible too! For those that like the accompaniment of tea with their sushi as a healthy alternative to beer or sake, they provide the options of tea bags or provide a small teapot of green tea. The tea bags used are not the ones you would normally see in any other Japanese restaurant, but they look very authentic enough. I'm a tea drinker and would recognize whether or not it would be some good quality, and yes, they provide some good quality tea. They do provide some more of the casual Americanized rolls as well for those who are comfortable with that type and they can either be made into hand or cut rolls offering more flexibility with varying customer preferences whereas most sushi restaurants I've been to offer just a few selections of sushi specifically for hand rolls. Oh, I almost forgot, their specialty menu can change often and seasonally. I confirmed this with Chef Ryota who goes by the traditional Japanese approach when serving sushi....to go by the seasons. Be aware though that some of the special items especially on busy days and nights (Thurs-Sat) can run out! Finally, service is just awesome! Once you become a regular they treat you like a friend and family member. Overall, I have no complaints about this place, and have not tried one single dish that I didn't like. Due to the growing popularity of this restaurant, they have also expanded their space!
(5)Arthur N.
Very fresh, love is put into the food here, you can taste it. The owner is usually behind the board, and you'd never be able to tell which of the chefs he is. Simple selection done well. Lunch specials, maybe weekday only I'm not sure. Only a few table and spots at the bar. There isn't really a place to stand when waiting, but it hasn't been a problem in the two times I've been.
(5)Paul L.
Awesome service and one of the best sushi place in the valley!!!
(5)Jeff H.
We stumbled across this restaurant about a month ago and have been there 3 times since. Having been one of Nazawa's original customers in the "EDO" days, I can honestly say this restaurant matches the quality found at EDO in days long past. What a refreshing place whrer the quality of the food and service taken together is quite hard to find in the San Fernando Valley. Simply the best around. My wife and son took me back for my birthday and they treated me like a true birthday boy!!! I hope they stay around.....Fantastic......!!!
(5)Marcy T.
Hallelujah! We finally have a new sushi place that has fresh, melt in your mouth sushi at reasonable prices! The owner/chef is attentive and it is obvious he cares about the quality of fish he serves. He sources some of the fish from Japan. Sushi purists will love this place. We also enjoyed sitting in a booth that was attached perpendicular to the sushi bar. The best of both worlds and very unique.
(5)Laurie B.
I think I just found my new neighborhood sushi restaurant. Great quality and delicious sushi that won't break the bank. Nice atmosphere and none of the hassle of Katsuya and Kushiyu. Great service too. The chef and owner were super helpful in guiding us to what was particularly good and fresh that day. The salmon belly, kanpachi and live scallop sushi were pieces of heaven on rice. Everything was artfully presented and you can tell that they care about the quality and presentation of their food. Another table was eating Omakase and each dish looked better than the next. I can't wait to go back and try it next time. If you want large, sauce filled rolls that hide crappy fish, this is not your go-to place. But if you want simple and well executed sushi and sashimi, then you too might have just found your new neighborhood sushi place.
(5)Gaston B.
Excellent food and service!
(5)H T.
This review is just for the customer service alone. Ryota tried to get us in on Valentine's day after juggling around and calling back and forth he got us a spot at 7PM unfortunately I had already made other plans. Will definitely be back to try the food!
(5)David M.
I had the pleasure of dining at this little jewel of a restaurant last Friday night ... The atmosphere is wonderful, the decor minimalist yet inviting, the staff professional and attentive without being intrusive ... and the food is spectacular! Every dish showcased Chef Okumura's skills with, and knowledge of, food ... the quality of the ingredients was top-notch ... every course held a surprise - whether it was a textural or flavor contrast, every nuance was well conceived and very well executed. I will not hesitate to return to Okumura, and have already recommended it to several friends. This restaurant is not to be missed!
(5)Sara D.
One of my co-workers has been raving about this place for the past couple of months and today I finally had the pleasure of experiencing it for myself. First of all, the customer service/atmosphere was outstanding. I was greeted with a smile by every single person working in the restaurant. I was short on time and placed an order to go, which took them about 10 minutes to complete. The sashimi salad was to die for. The fish was fresh and flavorful and the vinaigrette they use was just as delicious. $11 for a pretty hefty portion--you can't beat that! Looks like I found myself a new favorite lunch spot!
(5)Adam J.
As sushi should be, this place emphasizes freshness. You will get the most out of this place when you ask the server or chef for the specials of the day and their recommendations. This is a good way to ensure you pick the freshest sushi available on that day. If you simply choose on your own from the menu, you are rolling the dice to a certain degree. Case and point: I chose the toro on my own accord and, while there was nothing objectionable, its flavor had obviously dulled with time. All in all, the place has reasonable prices and has done sushi justice by adhering to the essence of sushi - freshness unadulterated.
(4)B A.
The sushi is the freshest I've tasted in awhile. The sushi chef is great, the selection isn't the best but they have the basics which is all you need if you love sushi.
(4)M. Y.
One of my son's classmates from the School hosted a birthday party at Okumura. My son kept asking if we could go to Okumura....he is only 10 years old. We came by the night before Father's Day, and it was packed. So, we had to leave because there were no more spots. That was a good sign... We came back about two days later, for our first meal. It is such a great restaurant because the sushi chef is a skilled master. The fish was fresh and prepared perfectly that you do not need any soy sauce at all. In fact, why would anyone use soy sauce? The temperature of the fish was perfect, and the sushi just melted in our mouth. The restaurant is family owned. The owner is the brilliant and skilled sushi chef. His wife is out-going, friendly, and attentive. She looks like an adorable Japanese Doll. The staff are all professional and attentive to our needs. The decor is perfect because it is clean and Zen-like. I am so grateful they are in Encino... Before we found Okumura, I felt like the selection of restaurants in Encino were not that many. But, Okumura has just fullfilled a much needed Japanese restaurant position in Encino. There has to be about 10 different Japanese restaurants in the Encino area, but, many are not as authentic tasting as Okumura. I feel that the chef has brought the art of true Japanese sushi to fruition. The prices at Okumura are reasonable and the food is excellent.... We will be letting friends and family know about Okumura.
(5)Gina M.
Best sushi I have had in a long time. Albacore was like butter. Saki was super yummy and the owner took pride in his work. Highly recommend
(5)Yoko F.
This restaurant is still brand new but you will love his sushi (Owner Chef; Ryota) if you know what you want to eat. He always has fresh fishes in season from Japan or east coast. The price are not so expensive. You can afford it once a week. I have a couple of favorite sushi restaurants in Studio City, but Okumura is the best place for allover even have to drive 20 more minutes.
(5)Nabil A.
Service is horrible. Rice is mediocre. Ambiance is unique and relaxing. Fish is great. A three star that should be a four.
(3)Lauren C.
I wanted to like this place, really - I did! I was so excited based on Yelp reviews. But unfortunately it was a disappointment :( The sushi chef was extremely polite, as were the two servers, and the prices were actually a little too good to be true, but the food quality suffered. And that's what we're primarily there for, right? The fish pieces on the sushi were thin and bland. The spicy tuna on crispy rice was way over-cooked (almost inedible). The baked crab handroll used fake crab - and they did a good job with it - but they should let you know up front that it's not really crab (unlike Katsu-ya). On the positive side, the unagi and spanish mackerel were good. The service got a little squirrely at the end when we couldn't get our bill because the sushi chef and servers were too busy chatting. I waited ten minutes before finally interrupting .... so, feels like we went to a completely different restaurant than most of the other raters, but this is definitely not like other quality sushi restaurants in the Valley. I would rather go less often and pay more to get decent sushi.
(2)Collin K.
So I saw the rave reviews here on Yelp, and since I am a local here in Encino decided to give this place a try since they just opened recently... First off, the sushi came without wasabi or ginger, I needed to ask, second, the fish was very bland and just came out plain (I am used to having white fish served with some ponzu sauce, maybe lemon salt or some yuzu pepper sauce), also, the salmon did not taste the freshest. Service was akward, the nice young guy that served us seemed a little unsure of what to do, I needed to ask him to clear the plates from the table. Anyway, for what I paid I would have expected a lot more, hence the low rating I gave this place. For the same price, I will stick to my local place in Encino which has served me well for 10 delicious years now, where I always get the finest fish, superbly prepared!
(2)Daniel L.
I saw this new sushi place so I gave it a try at lunch. Sushi was ok but not exceptional. Service was slow and pricing was expensive for what was delivered. If you are looking for outstanding sushi and service at reasonable prices this is not it. The chef used to work in Beverly hill, w Hollywood fancy restaurant. He thinks he can get the same prices in the valley. Well he will soon find out otherwise.
(3)Jessica R.
Ate dinner here last night as a late VDay dinner with my boyfriend. I chose it based on the yelp reviews and I was very happy with it. Because it was a special occasion I wanted a sushi place that had both a nice interior and delicious sushi. I've found that for the most part, sushi restaurants that have a nice ambiance have average food, and places that have great food are lacking as far as atmosphere. The restaurant is a little small but is lovely inside and the sushi was amazing. I've never had such fresh and tasty sushi and sashimi in the valley. My boyfriend ordered yellowtail sashimi that I will dream about for days. Even the miso soup was incredibly flavorful. And the staff was so friendly and helpful. Ryota Okumura is the head chef/owner I believe and he took our reservation himself. We also had every server in the restaurant checking up on us and making sure we were happy. We ended up spending $68 for two people, which is really good considering it was one of those nights where we just ordered whatever we wanted without holding back--multiple plates of rolls, sushi, and sashimi, as well as sides, beer, wine, and dessert. I can't wait to come back :3
(5)Rachel S.
I work across the street from this place; stop in for lunch whenever I'm in the mood for sushi. Fish is fresh, service is great. The owners are so sweet. This is a great local business you should support!
(5)Jonathan G.
It doesn't get much better than this in LA. Ryota buys the best, freshest, fish at the LA fish market and his effort is shown in his restaurant. His sushi preparation is outstanding and is on par with the best in LA, and I challenge anyone to find a better sushi restaurant in LA. And I have eaten at them all...
(5)Joanie M.
Delicious sushi! Their lunch specials are wonderful. Courteous staff. Nice ambiance.
(5)Kohji K.
the fish quality is top notch and unbeatable and the chef is very knowledgeable, always a fun atmosphere
(5)Donna A.
Best Sushi in the Valley, period. The quality of the sushi is so fresh, and delicious, it really feels like a 'clean eating' experience. Wonderful hospitality from the wait staff, and the owner, who is one of the chefs. Low key, and very well priced. Can't beat it.
(5)yelp M.
I visited here with a few friends and was extremely pleased with the sushi. All the sushi I ordered was extremely fresh, thought out and we'll executed/prepared. I tried a mixture of nigiri and rolls. My favorites were the black snapper special and Toro. The decor is modern yet simple with plenty of parking in the shopping center. Prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you get. The staff and sushi chefs were also very friendly and kind. I definitely will be going back!
(5)Bob T.
This restaurant is very close to my office in Encino. I took my attorney and my work associate there to have some sushi. It was a memorable experience. We sat at the bar and ordered nigiri sushi. Chef Okumura suggested live scallop and spanish mackerel. We had big eye tuna, uni, tuna and avocado, salmon skin hand rolls, yellowtail, and we tried the live scallop. Chef Okumura took the live scallop and expertly opened it and dissected the edible part. I have never had live scallop, but it was wonderful. I have had spanish mackerel before, and I almost hated it. He told me that his was very fresh and "not fishy." We all tried the mackerel. It was out of this world. Every dish we had was very, very good. My attorney, who has eaten at several sushi bars in Japan, said that this restaurant rivals the bars in Japan. I have never been to Japan, but I know that this is the best sushi I have ever had in Los Angeles. This is a young man running a great restaurant. I wish him all the luck in the world.
(5)Melanie G.
Came back here today with my family and we asked the chef to feed us and give us his favorites and it was absolutely amazing!!!!!!!! Every dish was better than the one before and the fish here just melts in your mouth. Definitely going to become a regular here!!
(5)Cynthia B.
This place never disappoints. Best quality sushi in the valley. Beautiful plating of food. They also have an option of gluten free soy sauce if its an issue for you.
(5)Vero O.
So good! so fresh! and super welcoming service!
(5)Kristy L.
Food quality, nothing spectacular. We ordered 10 pieces of sushi between the two of us, I ate 2, tasteless. Shishito peppers were good, yellowtail collar, boring. Service was good. There is absolutely no ventilation in this restaurant. Will we be back. ..no. I would go down the street, tons of sushi restaurants. Price wise, you will pay the same, but much better quality.
(2)Andrew F.
Excellent food. The fish is ridiculously fresh and delicious. The service could have been a little better, though. I highly recommend trying the specials, especially the Negi Toro handroll.
(4)Gary I.
Okumura has an interesting set up where almost half the bar has tables butting up to the counter which makes direct ordering to the Sushi chef possible in a style similar to some Kaiten/revolving Sushi restaurants such as Blue C Sushi in Hollywood. The other two sides of the bar have more traditional chair seating. The interior design is clean w/ one side of the restaurant featuring more traditional monochromatic Japanese Sumie (soo mee eh) based black ink drawings & caligraphy while the other wall entertains more modern, contemporary artwork on commission so that these pieces can be bought for a price. I had toured the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Lake Balboa & Suiho- En/Garden of Water & Fragrance, a formal Japanese garden. So I wanted to continue the Japanese based theme by Yelping & finding the highly rated Okumura which is only 4 miles away from Suiho- En. I arrived around 1pm so it was closer to winding down which was good since I could interact w/ the Sushi chef and let him know the level of Sushi expertise that I could appreciate. 1) Special customer request: Temaki/handroll of Hokkaido- scallops, Yuzu Kosho-/Japanese citrus & chile paste, Kaiware Daikon sprouts, Shiso leaf/"Japanese basil", Sushi rice, Nori. The scallops were soft, velvety, pillowy w/ a sweet ocean minerality. The greens added a spicy, sharp green herbal scent. The Yuzu Kosho- added a smoky, piquant, citrus zest & zing to enliven the scallops while the Nori/sea weed paper added stronger sea based earthy scent & Umami. 2) Off the menu suggested by the chef/owner: Lightly cured Hirame/halibut from Korean waters dressed w/ olive oil, & a light Ponzu/soy sauce, Japanese rice vinegar, citrus that was topped with Mexican Pico de Gallo which is a finely chopped mixture of tomato, onions, touch of Jalapeno chile. A garnish of red seaweed & Wakame/Japanese green sea weed could be placed on top of each slice of halibut for added Umami filled sea flavours. 3) Special customer request: I asked for more of the cuts closer to the belly of the Shiro Maguro/albacore along w/ the standard Okumura treatment of a special Ponzu sauce that is infused with the Dashi/broth taken from Smoked Katsuo Bushi/dried bonito flakes & sprinkled with finely sliced fried onions. I ordered this dish since there are mounds of this finely fried onions on large trays placed around the Sushi bar. I asked how they could fry such fine strands of white bulb onion. "We finely slice & dry the onion prior to frying to get fried onions to crisp & to concentrate the delicate onion flavour." Needless to say, the fatty, soft, Shiro Maguro was made meatier by the smoked bonito broth based Ponzu, and the pleasant, refined strong onion flavour added a smokey, sufurous funk & its crispness added a texture contrast to all the softness. 4) Lobster Roll: Not Your Standard Lobster Roll with tons of mayonnaise. This lobster is high quality, parts of which are taken directly from a steamed lobster tail. It seems dressed in Japanese sea salt and their secret Umami packed flavoured oil, and then baked ever so lightly. Kaiware Daikon adds an aromatic spiciness w/ touch of aguacate/avocado for unctuous rich fattiness instead of the more cloying cholesterol filled mayonnaise. Tobiko eggs sprinkled on top more for color & bit of ocean sweetness. A small spear of crunchy asparagus adds texture, but also adds a wild, green, sulphur based freshness & contrast to the more buttery, mellower seabased sweetness of the lobster. Eating this lobster roll is a subtle exercise in discerning countervailing tastes from each of the ingredients. 1-4a) To do justice to all this Sushi & Sashimi/Crudo, I chose Jo-zen Mizu no Gotoshi (joh zehn mee zoo noh goh toh shee) which is a mouthful, but pairs well since the fragrance is delicate w/ scents of grass, sweet hay, unripe strawberries, kiwi. The flavours are light strawberry, grapefruit citrus zest. The finish is a light refreshing bitterness that clears the palate for more nuanced seafood. Well worth the $22 for 300ml. The owner suggested that I try the Asa Tsuyu/Morning Dew Sauvignon Blanc by Kenzo Estate the next time I visit when sampling more of the olive oil drizzled Sashimi/Crudo for an exquisite pairing. Nice unobtrusive thoughtful service. Japanese Sushi/Sashimi cuisine that flirts with non-Japanese influences to enhance the traditional flavour profile, not to overwhelm it. They use the word "fusion" here but it is done with the utmost discretion unlike many Sushi restaurants in Southern California that proclaim "fusion" just by putting oily, unctuous mayonnaise & cloyingly sweet "eel sauce" on everything destroying the very nature of the fresh seafood. Definitely 4++ Yelp stars for a sophisticated understated cuisine that emphasizes fresh high quality seafood with respect & reverence.
(4)Doug C.
Food seemed pretty tasteless not good value for the money Not good for vegans - much of the food has seafood broth such as soup and even the cucumber salad. Shame
(2)Erik And Tanesa B.
We love sushi, including our daughter who is 5 years old. She loves eating ikura and unagi nigiri. The fish was tasty but the service was horrible. The waitress(hopefully not the owner) was rude, laughing about how we where anxious to maybe receive our first plate after 45 mins. I ate my whole sashimi salad and then another 20 mins after that my husband received his chirashi bowl. Our poor daughter waited another 10 mins after that for her unagi and ikura. She was starving. This was for lunch. They were not busy. And the worst was we could not talk to the sushi chefs. 3 other groups that arrived after us; sat down, ordered from chefs, eat and paid even before we got our last dish. Super sad because the fish was good. Maybe caught them on a bad day. Probably one of the worst services in the last 20 years. What a SHAME!!!
(1)Steph C.
My parents live in Encino, and a few weeks ago, they decided to check out Okumura. By the time I went with them for Sunday dinner last week, they'd already been three times. This is a wonderful development in my life, as it turns out--I go home to eat with my family pretty often, and I'm happy to have Okumura on our short list of options. It's already one of my favorite sushi bars in the city. I love sushi, but I rarely go out for it because the top tier is so expensive and the mid-range spots tend to be mediocre and still not particularly price-friendly. Okumura is one of the few sushi restaurants I've come across with excellent fish at a reasonable price point, giving it tons of repeat value. It's not cheap by any means, but it doesn't require a special occasion to visit, and the sushi is mouthwateringly good. Matt B. and I went with my parents and brother, and the five of us sat in a row at the sushi bar. The restaurant was pretty and comfortable, with a calm, attractive, artful decor. It was quiet enough that we were able to have a pleasant, sociable family dinner even sitting five deep at the bar. Service was wonderful. The chefs were friendly and skillful, and the pacing was just right. My brother and I decided to go omakase while my parents and husband ordered a la carte, paying special attention to the menu of daily specials (most of which came in our omakase selection as well). I'd recommend either road, as they both lead to deliciousness. The omakase menu obviously changes depending on the day, but I'll go ahead and note the sequence of my first Okumura meal, just to have it on the record. (Incidentally, there is no logic to whether I call a fish by its English or Japanese name.) It started with a trio of Shigoku oysters, small and meaty and flavored with ponzu. The next three plates brought three carpaccios--first tuna, then albacore, then kanpachi. The carpaccios were thin, silky slices of sashimi, beautifully plated and dressed. The tuna came with a soy vinaigrette and some mixed greens and crispy onion on the side. There were also gold flakes in there, I'm pretty sure. The albacore came with a similar vinaigrette (either ponzu or soy), with some crispy onion on top. The kanpachi omitted the crispy onion in favor of a mince of pickly pink onion relish. The kanpachi was especially good, with a lovely firmness, but I liked all three. From here, we dove right into nigiri, which made up the meat of the meal. Every single piece was superb, the fish fresh, the rice on point. Most came brushed with soy sauce or other flavorings as needed, so extra soy sauce was unnecessary. First came red snapper, then kanpachi, then black snapper sprinkled with truffle salt, each one good enough to eat by the dozen. The bluefin toro melted in my mouth. Halibut came next with a little salt and lemon, then a plate of amaebi, the glorious raw shrimp body served side by side with its tempura-fried head. Shimaaji came dabbed with zesty yuzu kosho, then there was salmon and yellowtail, two sushi bar staples that tasted anything but basic. A brief break in the nigiri parade came in the form of a blue crab hand roll, made with crisp nori, some fried onion, avocado, and a whole heap of creamy blue crab. After that, I had live Japanese octopus, which was fantastically chewy without being rubbery, its flavor brightened with a pinch of salt. Dinner wound down with bluefin tuna and albacore, and finally, a beautiful piece of ikura sushi, briny and brimming with bursting pearls of roe. I can't wait to go back to Okumura. I'd be happy to have this exact meal again, but am sure there will be a different spread of sushi on offer every time I visit. I'm thrilled to have such a quality go-to sushi spot in Encino, and expect that this meal was the first in a long and delicious relationship.
(5)Kyle C.
Came in this sushi bar at around 8:30 on a weekday night. Lets start off with the parking.. It was a bit difficult to find parking because it is located off a busy street and you would have to go to a back lot in order to find a spot. As i entered the restaurant i noticed a few things. First off they had about 5 sushi chefs working which i believed to be a good sign. Second, the seating arrangement was different than that of normal sushi bars. The seating arrangement was booth-style next to the actual bar which seemed along with the traditional bar seats. So in regards to atmosphere, i'll give it 1/1 Now lets talk about the service.. My party was seated at a private booth.. Service was decent. I feel like a good indicator of service is how frequently your water is refilled. 1/1 here Last, lets talk about the food. The cool thing about eating with a big party is that you get to try a little bit of alot of different dishes. I ordered tuna poke and shared rolls with my friends. A few rolls stood out to me for different reasons. Lets start with the good.. The lobster roll - there was lobster inside and outside of the roll, i definitely got my money's worth of lobster here. Albacore onion roll - this roll is very unique and ive never had it before. It had deep fried onion on the top with albacore/spicy tuna in the inside. It was delicious and i recommend trying it. Presentation on these two rolls were creative and nice. Rainbow roll - heres where things got a little bad. The outside was mediocre but the inside had a 90/10 ratio of crabmeat/vege which threw me off. Way too much crab meat and too little avocado/cucumber and the rest of that good stuff. Presentation on this roll was not that good. Another thing i noticed was that the chicken in their teriyaki chicken was slightly overcooked and a little dry. 2/3 in this category. Overall it was a good experience there was just some flaws in the food that could have been prevented. 4/5
(4)Kevin P.
I have been to Okumura more than an hand full of times now. I have to say this is my favorite sushi place in the Valley. The sushi is always fresh and consistent. Never once had a bad experience. Chef Okumura does an excellent job serving up fresh and authentic sushi and sashimi dishes. Recommend: Dinner: Omakase: Definitely won't go wrong in the hand of Chef Okumura. Daily Special Menu: Like I said in my last review. You won't be disappointed ordering from this menu. Lunch: Chirashi Bowl Nigiri Sampler Salmon Skin Salad This is definitely my place to go for some excellent sushi!
(5)Stelle S.
We came here 3 or 4 times without knowing the name of this place (and liking it that way) but I had to look it up just to write this review. For the last year it's just been "Our favorite sushi place." It's just perfect every time. Favorite roll - Crispy Albacore Onion. The Austrich dressing is light and garlicky and beautiful. - $12 Like oysters? Shigoku are amazing - $3 Something fresh but not a salad? Their poke is great - $9 The crispy rice (with tuna and japaleno) is one of the crispiest versions I've had. We always order it and are always like "Wow this is crispy." Don't ignore the daily specials - if the chef makes something special, listen to the chef. I always get one or two.
(5)Jason B.
Phenomenal nigiri. Some of the best uni I've ever had. Price was pretty good especially considering the quality. Perfect rice, attentive service, easy parking. Pretty quiet on a Monday for lunch and I don't understand why. The sushi is really high quality. Check this place out, you won't be mad you did.
(5)Ginger D.
We wanted to try someplace different. Not a good idea. Tasteless hamachi and soft shell crab roll. Shishito was very delicious. Sushi chef had zero personality. Extremely small sushi pieces. Rather than waste more money, we left and went to So Sushi for guaranteed delicious food.
(1)Gina E.
Amazing Sushi!!! It melts in your mouth! Delicious, fresh, amazing presentation! I highly recommend it! Found this place through Yelp! We loved it!
(5)Grant B.
My girlfriend and I came here on a whim and were pleasantly surprised. The quality of the sushi is great, and the craft Japanese beer was a real treat, albeit slightly expensive. Overall, a great experience. Friendly staff. Hi 5's
(5)Sarina J.
Sat by the sushi bar and got to watch the expert chefs work! I tried a little bit of everything but my favorite was the trigger fish! All the fish were really fresh. I normally can't stand wasabi, but it was the perfect amount to go with the fish! My only issue was that they used a little more soy sauce than I would've liked, as well as the price. Definitely an indulgence, but very yummy sushi! The presentation of the baked lobster roll was spectacular!
(4)Brendan B.
Honestly, I am very picky when it comes to my sushi, and living in Encino I have plenty of choices. Okumura is constantly my go-to sushi spot with friends or family. It's very reasonably priced, and all of the food is delicious. Unlike some other restaurants, I never leave disappointed with my meal. The atmosphere is very cool and comfortable, and it has a very modern vibe that doesn't feel fake or forced. Service is quick, and the staff is very nice. All in all, this is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for quality, fresh, tasty sushi.
(5)Jessica H.
Came in based on great reviews and beautiful photos on yelp. Just moved to the area and we've found our new spot. My boyfriend and I asked the chef for omakasae and received some of the most unique and delicious dishes with the freshest fish. He started us off with a snapper ceviche, which in itself made me want to come back. There were gold flakes and micro greens among other wonders, I got lost in the flavors. Followed by a tuna tartare, an octopus and scallop salad, 6 pieces of nigiri and 2 pieces of sushi. The salmon eggs were light and perfect. All of that for only $70 a person! We added a blue crap hand roll because we just needed more. The avocado and crispy onion inside really set it off. Great service, cute decor, and plenty of bar seating. So happy we found our new go to. We will be back with friends!
(5)Anne A.
Yes, I'm a fan. My co-workers who dined here when they had their grand opening told me this place was expensive so I have hesitated dining here. Today, I visited with some colleagues from work and was surprised -- pleasantly surprised. The previous restaurant, Kaiten, served really bad quality sushi that forcibly I ate a few times when my co-workers would invite me out to lunch with them. So with this new place, I didn't expect much based on Kaiten being a horrible place to eat and with my co-workers comments of it being expensive. I went with the CEOs pick (who has dined here before), the nigiri sushi lunch combo special for $17. What I got was miso soup, salad and large plate of fresh, clean tasting fish. The fish was so fresh, I did not need to mask the flavor with soy sauce. I highly recommended and feel very lucky to have another choice on the Boulevard of the many high quality sushi places in the Encino and Tarzana area. I read that Chef Ryota Okumura has worked at some of the best sushi restaurants in LA: Sushi Zo, Koi, and Katana. For more about the restaurant and the chef, click here to read the Eater LA article -- la.eater.com/archives/20… For you "That 70's Show" fans, I saw Wilmer Valderamma eat here.
(5)Shane R.
I liked the house special, it's crab wrapped in salmon and baked with spicy mayo on top of it. I wasn't crazy about the smell of the place when I walked in. I would suggest the premium saki the house hot saki didn't taste good at all
(3)Janet T.
Okumura was a pretty solid sushi joint and I was craving some at a later-ish (after 9PM) hour. So it's got that going for it. It also has a dedicated and artistic chef and pretty good and traditionally prepared fish. I just want to point out that it is far more EXPENSIVE than I thought from reviews. For two people who dropped in for a late night snack, not a full out dinner we dropped 115. Let me be clear, I have no problem dropping that much for myself if I get great fish that is high quality and I am not starving... I am happy to spend at Sushi Spot where I get a heaping plate of assorted, exquisite and exotic sashimi and a few gorgeous rolls. When I asked the Chef to make a mixed Sashimi I got four kinds of sashimi - Albacore, Red Snapper, Shima Aji and Kurodai. With the exception of the Kurodai all these cuts are pretty standard. The Kurodai was good but the Chef at Kanda (Westlake Village) or Asakura (Camarillo) do a better job. Good but I just feel that on Ventura Blvd...I can do better.
(3)Jaime B.
So great!! Glad we stopped by for a quick dinner. Fish was awesome. Staff was really great. We will definitely come again.
(5)David S.
the absolute best! must go! best sushi in valley!
(5)Afrojen S.
One of the newest sushi spot in Encino on the famous Ventura Blvd! My bf took me here the first time and boy I'm glad he did! Just by entering inside, the restaurant delivered a comfy vibe and every staff were so welcoming. The chef/owner Ryota Okumura introduced us his special omakase meal which serves many delicate dishes by chef's choice. This course is usually served only for regulars, but since he knew we were a sushi fanatic and savvy, he gave us a taste of the special meals! Every dish was unbelievably delicious!!! My mouth kept watering everytime I looked at it and devoured it instantly without leaving a single speck on each plate. The sushi and sashimi selection was literally awesome; high quality and delicate. New York steak was juicy. The dressing on the sushi rolls were so good you don't even need soy sauce! Had Panna cotta for dessert which can't be missed! Perfectly sweetened. I loved every dish that came out. You could feel the love and positive energy coming out from all chefs and staff. We had such a good time chatting with them while enjoying our plates. And surprisingly the price is just right! Wallet-friendly. Most definitely coming back again!
(5)Laura O.
So I really like this place. Yelp you didn't let me down ! This place was also featured in the Los Angeles magazine as one of the 10 best sushi spots in LA. Fish was super fresh and you can see the different in quality to other places. Oyster was the best I've had in my life. A tad heavy on the wasabi on my nigiris for my liking but nothing a little ginger doesn't fix. Service was friendly and quick- ambiance was fantastic. Definitely a small place with big promise. All in all less than 50 bux for high quality sushi with the boy. Loved every bite.
(5)Lori T.
The pricing was alright the food was good. Salmon was ok not the best I've had but it was still good. The service was very slow. Either have more waitresses or have them speed it up. The chefs were nice and. Polite. I would go there again
(3)Sunny T.
Bomb dot com. Go here early because they will run low on the good stuff. My recommendation: try a few daily specials, crispy tuna roll appetizer, big eye tuna and any of there special rolls.
(5)Christy H.
The best sushi in the valley for sure. If the owners read yelp reviews, here's a note: Please think about increasing the price of your lunch Nigiri Sampler, I'm worried you guys are losing money on this dish!!!! And I'd hate for you guys to go out of business because of it. WOW - it was incredible! I'd also like to add that this is the first time I have ever recommended a restaurant to increase their prices... Great staff, the chiefs are centered in the middle of the restaurant so you don't have to just sit at the bar to witness their culinary mastery. I can't wait to go back.!
(5)Ben G.
Medium toro, yellowtail belly, big eye toro, golden eye snapper belly!? Redic!! Love coming here when I'm in the area!
(5)Andie G.
Best rainbows rolls I've ever had. Everything is fresh and service is great. It would be nice if they had a little more options but everything I've tried has been delicious. It has become my favorite sushi spot. UPDATE: I had to take a star off. We've been coming to this place and still feel its the best quality sushi in town but due to their growing popularity, we feel the service has suffered greatly. We went in last night for dinner and we grew impatient having to wait so long to order, our waiter never came around to ask how we were doing and we had to ask for drinks a couple of times because they kept forgetting. I felt like we have to waive them down every time we needed help. We've been noticing the service slowly decreasing with each visit.
(4)Aleksandr R.
My friend and I love Japanese food of all the available restaurants, we picked this one out based on reviews. What a DISAPPOINTMENT! We did not even finish what we ordered since they were not good at all. This is an honest and most accurate review. We tried 5.different things out of a very limited menu. Not worth checking out!
(1)Natalie K.
Hamachi, albacore, salmon, black snapper, big eye tuna sashimi off the chain. If you have the pleasure of meeting the owner Reyota at the sushi bar, he's a great conversationalist. He recommends great fish depending on your taste.
(5)sara y.
Fresh fish so good you do not need to chew well you found your place. The menu is simple great taste served by a sushi chef that takes pride in his good food he truly cares about every item. A man walked in wanting to order take out and the chef was honest and polite and said it will be 20 the place was packed and people have been waiting before him. The chef asked what the man wanted and it was a simple role with a lot of care and live the chef looked around to make sure we all had food and made
(5)Rockit O.
I only order nigiri style sushi and I found Okumura to be excellent. Traditional and solid sushi. Only been in business 6 months , I predict great success! A few things though, the sushi bar is not typical, you know the glass fridge along bar to see fish and chef, well his bar doesn't have it. I like to see the fish and the chef at work. The other pet peeve of mine, if you say "Live" scallop, I want to see you cut the scallop out of the shell. I've noticed lately that many sushi bars are calling there scallops live, when in fact they are not. Go San (Go's Mart) would never do this, if he says live, they are live. Great addition to encino, I will soon be a semi regular. 4 on 6 is close by, but i do get bored of the same places.
(5)Ruby A.
Finally a sushi place in the valley hubby and I can agree on :-) We loved the modern and warm decor, the friendly staff, the reasonable prices, and, of course, the delicious dishes. We have already gone a bunch of times and each time we walk out with a smile on our face and a fully belly (and wallet.) The fish is super fresh and well prepared. I loved their albacore sashimi with crispy onions. Their spicy tuna on crispy rice was delicious and hubby loved his salmon hand rolls and rainbow rolls. I even enjoyed the simple yet fresh and yummy garden salad and avocado cut roll which was bursting with avocado (instead of a little dab of it.) Recommended!
(5)Kari W.
Wow. Just had a fabulous lunch here. Lovely ambiance, a warm welcome and a fantastic lunch special. Included salad, miso soup, California and spicy tuna rolls and two pieces of crispy rice for $12! Sushi incredibly fresh and I left full. Look forward to coming back soon.
(5)Rosana C.
It was one of the most perfect dinner experiences-- great sushi quality, attentive staff, and pleasant decor. After trying several sushi joints in the Encino area including 4 on 6, I was not impressed. This, however, makes me a believer that there are real sushi chefs out here. My boyfriend and I have found THE sushi restaurant. Can't wait to go back! That black snapper was sooo bomb. I honestly could not stop thinking about it after!
(5)Amy H.
WOW! This is the BEST sushi I have ever eaten in L.A., no joke! Maybe it has something to do with the atmosphere and decor, which is very modern while at the same time being very zen-like. But mostly it has to do with the skill of the chef and the high quality of the fish. The restaurant's namesake is actually the owner and head sushi chef. He has the qualifications to back it up too-- he graduated from Hattori Culinary Academy in Tokyo, worked at several high-end sushi restaurants in Los Angeles (Koi,Katana, Sushi Zo) and directed the opening of Sen Asian Kitchen in Century City (these qualifications can be found on the restaurant website). Before it became Okumura, the restaurant used to be a low quality rotating sushi place uncreatively called "Kaiten" (which just means "Rotating" in the phrase that describes this food genre, "Kaitenzushi", or "Rotating Sushi"). It was dark and not that exciting. I had to see what the newly named place was like so my fiance and I went there for my birthday. WOW! We were blown away! Even though the place is still the same size, obviously, it seems bigger now. Thanks to the use of mirrors, and a lot of smooth white surfaces, plus colorful lighting below the counter, this ambience makes for a pleasant sushi-enjoying atmosphere. We got extra special treatment that night because we told them it was my birthday, I speak some Japanese, and since it was mid-week later in the evening, there weren't many other diners. Three items that evening were complimentary and GORGEOUS-- a tuna carpaccio with gold leaf (delicate and flavorful), chawan-mushi (Japanese egg custard not on the menu but traditional and light), and the dessert which they brought me with a birthday candle in it while singing "Happy Birthday"-- a lightly flavored Panna Cotta with berries. I can't ignore the main event-- the sushi! Both my fiance and I agreed that all the fish was perfectly cut. Nothing tasted too "fishy", and every piece was just the perfect texture. Melt-in-your-mouth like it should be. Snapper only came as nigiri, but since I asked, they made it into a hand roll for me. Unagi- perfectly seared and sauced, Spicy Tuna- just the right balance of spice, plus the right balance of rice to fish ratio... we ate so much sushi that night, I can't remember it all. Everyone that works there is Japanese and the service you get from them is of the highest quality. They are so friendly, eager to share their knowledge of food, language, and culture, and very welcoming as well. Okumura only just opened in October 2012, so let's give them a great welcome. They really stand out among the numerous sushi restaurants along Ventura Blvd.
(5)Catherine C.
This place was simply amazing! My boyfriend and I ordered the Toro sashimi. It had to have be the most delicious Toro I have ever tasted. Whom I assumed to be the head chef, personally came over and asked us how everything was and if we enjoyed the Toro. He personally selects which fish the restaurant will use. My boyfriend and I were stuffed to the brim, but were already thinking about what we would order on our next visit. Since we are both huge oyster fans we decided to ask the chef if he has them on the menu. He seemed very excited that we asked and quickly came back with 2 oysters on the half shell for us to try (which were on the house). The oysters were also fantastic. One more thing that I find very important to add is that the service was impeccable. Our water glasses stayed full, empty dishes removed promptly and the servers friendliness was outstanding! Two thumbs up all day for Okumura and their staff!!
(5)Jacq L.
20+ 5 star reviews and only open for 2 months?! could it be real? we just had to try to find out. it's with mixed emotions that I give Okumura another 5 star review. on one hand, the restaurant is small and could easily become extremely crowded with all the stellar reviews popping up on yelp. on the other hand, they is a lot of competition in the area and they need some regulars to make sure I can get my sushi fix when i'm in town. so, down to the nitty gritty. the menu here is small and more 'traditional' japanese in that there's a handful of nigiri options and standard rolls, nothing too fancy. however, everything is extremely fresh and high quality. I was impressed by all the sushi that we had [salmon, aji, shima-aji, scallop, ankimo]. Make sure to ask what the specials are as they're not posted anywhere yet, but I hear you can find them on the facebook page. the service is also stellar. my water never got passed half full before it was refilled again. i also love that they use little origami cranes as chopstick holders. i look forward to coming back and trying more. yum.
(5)Jon S.
I'm always in the hunt for those diamond in the rough type of sushi restaurants and Okumura might just be another one. Chef Ryota does an amazing job of selecting high quality fish and delivering with wonderful presentation. The taste is of just fresh fish that melts in your mouth. I can't wait to go back and try out new catches he brings in. If you're in the area and looking for true quality nigri or sashimi then definitely check them out. If you're looking for the variety of rolls that are loaded with sauces look elsewhere.
(5)Carlos Z.
"Alcohol coming soon" killed the 5th star. The meal was great, staff was courteous and attentive. The remodel is minimal and less cluttered that the kaiten that used to be there. I'll be planning my return once the booze arrives. Edit: Sake and shochu have arrived. 5 stars!
(5)Hope Y.
Decided to try a different sushi place a while back. Found Okumura and with lots of local reviews. Well the owners are very nice. The chef will modify rolls to your liking and if you are allergic to certain ingredients. Recommend making reservations. Some days are good for walk-ins, and some days are not - it depends. But it's a must try for everyone...
(5)Rachael K.
My husband and I were in Encino and looking for a sushi place to eat kinda late one night- around 9:30 PM, when we found this place because of its great yelp reviews. We were very impressed. The food was excellent, and the service and presentation were out of this world. The chef (and owner?) was very good about letting us know how the food was sourced and prepared. The portions are a little small, but everything was top notch. We will definitely be coming back.
(4)Aaron G.
Extremely minimalist decor kinda ikea white and small cramped booths Overall expensive but good. Our waiter made a number of mistakes hit the other staff fixed it and was very concerned and caring. One star off as booths were tiny and cramped. The backs of booths were too upright. 179 for two. With desert and drinks.
(3)Shirley D.
I ordered a few roles and they came out in a timely manner and the fish was very fresh. The one thing I didn't like was the temperature of the fish. It was a little too warm for me.
(3)Barbara B.
No this place does not deserve 5 stars... It's more like a 3.5. I have only 1 complaint and I didn't want to hurt their ratings.... So here is is: The sushi is pretty good. The spicy tuna roll was awesome and the fish seemed pretty damn fresh over all... BUT WHYYYyyyyyyyyy would you serve imitation crab in the baked crab roll? That is a major sushi foul. Please stop doing that. You have other dishes with real crab... Use the real crab... and if you use FAKE crab, please call is K-R-A-B, so people will know... Otherwise it's false advertising. Thank you :)
(5)David M.
Outstanding. We've had two dinners here and they've both been nearly perfect. The salmon skin salad is easily the best I've ever had. Every piece of sushi has been top-notch, rich and flavorful but without any rotting "pier" taste. The people are really nice. Even the desert (a flan/custard thing) was clearly made with great care. This is now my second favorite sushi place in LA. My #1 (Kazu) is around 4x more expensive. And I can walk to Okumura! Woo-hoo!!! The sushi gods have blessed me.
(5)Brandon W.
Good sushi, and I am a sushi snob haha... But listen, this place was really good.. great location, parking is the only reason why it received 4 stars.
(4)Richard F.
The first time I visited Okumura was shortly after their grand opening. The place is Zen like in décor -- sparse decorations, clean lines and immaculate. I sampled four different kinds of sushi - Snapper, Yellow Tail, Salmon, and Albacore. All were unbelievably fresh, tasty and each melted in my mouth. Since I eat my sushi without any soy sauce, or any sauce whatsoever (except for when the Sushi chef adds to the sushi) I believe this is high praise indeed! I had two more orders of the yellow tail and was again, blown away with how it ranked with some of the best Yellow Tail I've ever had. Word of warning, the slabs of the fish are not necessarily "generous." But in the case of this restaurant, it's because you really are getting top notch sushi at affordable prices. On my first visit I also had two Spicy Tuna hand rolls which were wonderful! I like the seaweed to be dry, and the mixture of tuna not to be too spicy... and to be a 50/50 combo of tuna mixture and rice. Both hand rolls were exactly the way I love it! I also had the soft shell crab roll and the Baked Crab roll. The spider roll was perfectly prepared and had a beautiful crunch factor and burst with flavor. The baked crab roll was a disappointment, but only because I will compare this kind of roll forever with a similar roll, the lobster roll, that I've had dozens of time at "Ahi Sushi" in Studio City. And to this day, the lobster roll at "Ahi Sushi" has never been beat. I left my first visit, more than impressed, actually thrilled that Okumura seemed like a top notch sushi restaurant replacing the previous establishment where they served sushi on floating boats! In the next two weeks, I went back two more times. And each time the sushi was not only as good as the first visit... but even better. Like before, the high light of both visits was the Yellow Tail. The sushi was incredibly flavorful with great texture and had a freshness that's best appreciated when comparing it to lesser versions in other sushi restaurants. Frankly, it was tough to simply not just order more Yellow Tail sushi! But on both of these visits I began speaking with the head chef and he did what a head sushi chef is supposed to do - recommend the fish that he's bought from the market and believes is the best to eat that day. He steered me toward the Snapper and Mackerel on my second visit, both great calls. He also suggested I sample "medium grade Toro" on my third visit. Well, the "medium grade Toro" with its smooth texture and flavor would have ranked as top grade Toro in other restaurants! Like any sushi restaurant with serious ambitions, it all starts at the top. Ryota Okumura, the top chef at the restaurant has a great pedigree having worked at such places as "Koi," "Katana," and "Sushi Zom," all top resturants. Mr. Okumura is clearly attempting to treat Encino Sushi lovers seriously with everything he serves behind the bar. So after three visits, I'm ready to declare that if you want to hit the best "affordable" (not "cheap") Sushi restaurants on Ventura Blvd. serving the best and freshest fish -- you would start in Studio City at "Ahi Sushi," then end up at "Kushiyu" in Tarzana. But I'm excited to announce that in the middle of your sushi crawl is now a place in Encino, "Okumra," that clearly joins the other two at this point in 2012 as my three favorite sushi restaurants. And I believe this might be just the beginning. I see "Okumura" making a lasting mark as a sushi lovers' paradise in Encino. I feel like I'm the luckiest man in the world because now I take a nice walk from my home to Ventura Blvd. for lunch every week and enjoy some of the finest sushi the Valley has to offer!!!!
(5)Linka M.
Am I missing something?? I'm sorry to be the first to burst the 5 star bubble but this place is not even average. I LOVE sushi and eat it multiple times a week. After reading the reviews, I was super excited to try it out. I went here for lunch yesterday and was painfully underwhelmed. The restaurant: From the moment we walked in, we noticed a gross, fishy smell. That should have deterred us right then and there. We sit down in a booth. I love booths because they are so cozy and comfortable. Not here. The benches were super short and too close to the tables. I'm a very small person so for me to feel like the space is too snug is a BIG deal. The service: Sucked! I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 10 years and go out to eat multiple times a week. This was some of the worst service I've had in a while. The waitress was absent for almost the entire meal. We had to flag down the chef to place an order, part of which he had completely forgotten or disregarded. I can understand if they were busy but there were TWO other tables in the whole place. The food: I can forget and forgive anything else so long as the food is good. However, not the case here. I think I've had better sushi at cheap, hole-in-the-wall type of sushi places. Very bland, no creativity, some of it didn't taste too fresh and the wasabi was almost completely flavorless. As I said earlier, the chef forgot the remainder of our order because he was too busy bragging about himself to the couple in the booth next to ours. We did not remind him as we didn't want any more of their subpar sushi and just wanted to leave. I don't know if any one of these reviewers has tasted good (or even mediocre) sushi before, because this would not be it. Sorry, Okumura.
(2)janina s.
Fast. Clean. & Delicious! I definitely recommend trying this place. The service was super friendly. I know I'll be back!
(5)Lisa H.
Love that place, super delicious food, the best service and good location...
(5)rusty r.
Great spot. Always a surprisingly different menu of very fresh fish, very friendly and knowledgeable chefs and by no means just a good sushi bar. 4 Excellent experiences thus far!
(5)Spencer K.
Since Ventura Blvd is packed with places that serve sushi, it's nice for a place to serve great authentic sushi. Sitting at the bar is a must here for sure. I try to get a few items on the daily specials whenever I come here. It's nice to try something other than salmon and albacore.
(4)Major H.
This charming sushi bar and restaurant took the place of the previous "boat sushi" place called Kaiten. What a refreshing change! I've eaten here several times since they opened in mid-October. The chef-owner, Ryota Okumura, is genuinely passionate about what he's doing, and it shows. The fish is about as fresh as any I've ever eaten, and Ryota sources some unexpected treasures from Japan and elsewhere, so be sure to ask what's new and interesting for the day. I've noticed quite a few locals becoming regulars here just over the past few weeks. A clean modern design by a Japanese builder incorporates reclaimed barn wood for a rustic-meets-modern look, and there's very sincere warmth in the service. They don't have a liquor license yet, but it should be in place soon.
(5)Tatiana W.
(for some reason this went to "tip" this was not, it is a review, this is the last time I use my phone app) If you are looking for a place for good sushi and not looking for trendy, this is the place. I love the fact that the fresh fish menu changes, I always make it a point to try a new fish every time I eat at a place like this. Check with the the chef for recommendations, you will not be disappointed., *sidebar* This does not take away from the quality of the sushi, however I feel I must say something. Last night was the first time in history for me at a sushi restaurant to where I was overlooked. Normally I can understand this happening because one of their chef decided not to make an appearance, but when you are sitting at the counter to where the chef can see you and should notice that there is no food in front of me, there is no excuse. My husband received his order of course but little old me was overlooked, It would not have been so bad, except my husband just came back from a week long business trip, he left on our anniversary so we decided to meet here for a make-up anniversary dinner. Not the way I imagine spending the evening with my hubby waiting for almost an hour for a few pieces of fish. I am still giving this place 4 stars because our past experiences here, it would have been more if i was not over-looked.
(4)Nathreen W.
We were driving across Ventura Blvd last night looking for some place to stop and have dinner, I've been in the mood for some good sushi and since Kaiten closed, and although we have tried a couple of places...we haven't found one yet. I know Kaiten wasn't the best sushi ever, but the rotating boats, selection, and of course price, kept me going back for years...about 8 1/2 years to be exact. So when we drove by our "old place" for sushi and saw a new name and "Grand Opening" sign already in place, we thought we would stop in and see what's on the menu. We walked in the "back" door, which has always been the easiest door to access the restaurant from the parking lot, and right away noticed the difference. They removed the oval sushi bar/boat set up and rect-angled it out and put a sushi bar on one side and 4 booths on the other. The people were very warm and inviting and acknowledged you immediately as you walk in. They all also spoke Japanese fluently and were most likely all Japanese, but I am not one to assume since I didn't ask. The decor was a very minimal and modern Asian theme, which created a very calm, inviting atmosphere. It was an odd feeling being in the new decor at first considering it was pretty much the same decor for so many years...but felt like it had created its own identity after I had adjusted to it. Also, for a Saturday night, it was fairly quiet...light music in the background and conversations between the new regulars and the staff. The menu was very simple and not overcrowded with tons of dishes from the kitchen with a million rolls and nigiri choices...which was very refreshing. The chef offered to explain what was on and off the menu for us in detail; however, the young server was confused about what he was serving and still needs some education on the dishes. I would advise him to start asking questions and pay a little more attention to the chef. The service he gave us was good, however, and was very attentive on the water filling. We ordered the edemame and udon soup to start. The edmame came out first still warm from the pot...which I am not used to since most places don't make it to order and just have them ready to go. It was a pleasant surprise and quite enjoyable eating them warm. The udon came a few minutes later and it was very good: simple noodle, seaweed, broth mix that had a little spicy kick in the broth. Again very enjoyable. We ordered a total of four rolls: Yellow Tale Negi (yellow tale tuna with scallions), Caterpillar, Dragon, and I ordered the House Roll (can't remember exactly the fish, but it had fried onion crunchy pieces with some kind of sauce all over it). All were amazing and very fresh. I haven't had sushi this fresh since I ate at Take Sushi on the Sunset Strip years ago (I have a Japanese friend that took me several times). We walked out paying $52.20 for our meal which also had an iced green tea...before the tip. We enjoyed our food and would love to come back again. In summary: fresh food, good service, inviting atmosphere and excellent pricing for the quality of food. P.S. The restroom is EXACTLY the same except for an added folded chair in the ladies room and a plant on a stand. Please frequent this place so that they can make it a little nicer...god knows they need so fix that toilet to the ground before it falls over. LOL
(5)Melissa C.
This is an upscale sushi bar with excellent service. The staff is very friendly and attentive. All of the rolls are made right in front of you and everything is very tasty.
(5)Ryan B.
So happy this little gem of a sushi place opened in Encino!! We used to frequent the sushi boat place that formerly occupied this space, but the quality of Okumura ups the ante! Great sushi from a top-quality ownership and set at a reasonable price.
(4)Eliya S.
Very fresh sushi! People that work there are friendly. Their service is great! Had a very pleasant experience!
(5)Brent C.
Best traditional sushi in the Valley by far! Oishii ! Everything is bought fresh and never frozen. Quality that dosent hurt your pocket...
(5)Ahadin H.
Good quality sushi for lunch. Had some nigiri sushi and an order of chirashi. Also ordered a cucumber cut-roll. The fish cut sizes are in the small-ish side, but of decent freshness. Tastes just like any decent sushi-ya that won't gouge your dollars hard. The place is clean, and service was also decent. Won't be blown away with overall experience, but considering that this is the valley, one must be grateful. Caveat; you must now what to order somewhat....not sure about the NY strip steak and so on...but then again, why would you eat steak @ a sushi place.
(4)Valarie P.
The sushi was amazing. Our new favorite place. Everything was fresh and well prepared. We couldn't have asked for a better meal. Prices were reasonable too.
(5)Melissa H.
After stopping by two other sushi spots on ventura blvd that had a 30+ min wait (too long for 8:30pm on a weekday night for me), we drove by this place and since it had decent yelp reviews we decided to try it out. It was so good! Very fresh fish. Note: this is a "no-frills" sushi place, small selection of "speciality rolls". Will definetly be back!
(5)John V.
Very solid place. Great quality. On the pricier side for the location but still reasonable.
(5)joe s.
I work right by Okumura so I'm a lunch regular. The food here is amazing! Well priced, high quality and great service. If you live in the valley I highly recommend checking it out.
(5)Elyon T.
This is my first visit. Menu is simple, fish are fresh. The only thing is no one checking on us asking how is the food or if theres anything we need. However will return and hopefully they will improve their customer service . By the way dont get me wrong the waiters are nice just need to improve.
(4)Felix F.
I love this place. The owner/chef is extremely knowledgable about all his fish and picks them out himself by hand. I've been coming here since they re opened and would highly recommend this sushi bar to anyone looking for a great lunch/dinner. The fish is extremely fresh and tasty. It tastes better than some very expensive sushi bars I've been to. For the price I can't find a better place. I would strongly recommend any albacore or yellow tail they have.
(5)Chris K.
Ryoto is not just a Japanese guy that makes sushi, but a REAL chef. He carefully goes over ingredients, picks out the freshest qualities, and REALLY contemplates how to infuse them together to make something beautiful. Everytime I go in, I order a few of the daily specials - usually fresh fish that they picked out for the day. But most of the time, I let Ryoto pick out items for me because I trust his taste palate. Though the restaurant is really small, its a great intimate environment in which a sushi lover can really understand the mind of a great sushi chef. Prices are slightly higher than the average mom's and pop's, but it's because of the premium quality. Don't be surprised when you see the bill though, because if you're anything like me, you're gonna hooked on his food and keep ordering until your bill has sky-rocketed!
(5)Arash G.
Always good quality fish. Great Uni! The lunch specials are pretty good, soup and salad included. The owner is a young Japanese guy who is always there, so the food is consistent.
(4)Evan M.
Wow. This place is killer. I've been looking for a good, authentic sushi place that isn't insanely expensive in the valley and Okumura is IT! No crazy big rolls covered in sweet sauce. Civilized sized nigiri sushi, and fresh daily specials that change according to what the find at the market that morning. I have yet to have a meal, let alone a dish, that has disappointed. The Chawan-Mushi is especially delish. It's pretty small, so be prepared to wait or make a reservation.
(5)SixFour A.
Ventura Blvd has a lot of good options for sushi, and this is a great option if you are looking for fresh sushi that is presented well and tastes great. This is not a hip scene to be seen, the seating accommodations are just right, and from the staff up to the executive chef everyone is very friendly, professional and attentive. They are not gauging you with their prices. If you know your sushi, order whatever you fancy and you'll end up being delighted. I'm a regular and have been up and down the menu and will keep going back. If you are looking for a new place to try - this is worth your time.
(5)Jun K.
As Japanese it is extremely hard to find a restaurant that has the perfect blend of traditional and fusion without crashing into kitsch façade or deep-fried, mayonnaise everything on third-rate seafood. Even in California it is impossible to throw a rock and not hit a Japanese restaurant where concession to authenticity is only in serving rice (any kind of rice) and where everything else is nonsense. Okumura, I thought, would be one of those restaurants at first where I went to entertain a friend and business associate. The modernist décor and extremely polite and professional staff had me thinking whether it could be different in a more positive direction. The sparse but very well laid out menu items and Chef Okumura's air of confidence in his ingredients was evident. I half a dozen items off the menu with warm premium sake. While I could write a 20-paragraph review gushing about this restaurant, I can say with absolute certainty if you are contemplating this restaurant for tonight, "GO HERE." This restaurant is worth it. The money is extremely well spent. I will become a regular without question. I cannot believe I missed this place on opening. And to be a regular in my case means driving 100+ miles round trip. Yes, it is that worth it. Or you can go to the Benihana knock-off up the street and their garbage cuisine, but if you have any sense of mercy towards your palate, unless you are sitting on a plane ticket to Tokyo and have time to hit up Akasaka, Tsukiji, etc, go to Okumura.
(5)Melanie F.
Hands-down, best sushi I've had in Los Angeles. The atmosphere is very cool as well, because of how the seating is around the bar so that you can see the experts at work. The owner Hand selects his fish every morning and spares no expense when picking the best quality. The prices are ridiculously reasonable compared to the quality of fish, which is superb! Pieces lunch special - 10 pieces of thick sushi for $22 plus salad and miso soup . The fish is so good! I'm so happy that I went here!
(5)Charles s.
Great neighborhood spot ! Number one thing in sushi Is freshness. You can actually taste how fresh it is. You taste the fish and it is not covered by mayo or some nasty sauce to fool your taste buds. Sushi is about fish duh ! My favorite, Charly role (yes named after me), Sashimi salad and scallops. Love this place and the owners, young chef and his wife are why I will support small business. They care anout their patrons. Once a week after work my favorite place to head to after a long day at work. Reasonable prices too. Tell them Charles and Jackie sent you ! lol
(5)Honey O.
Love this place:) I always tell my friends that I think this is the best sushi in the area. The head chef is super gracious and detailed when explaining the daily specials. It's obvious that he cares so much about every piece of fish he serves. The decor is nice, service is great. If what you eat and love is REAL sushi, then come here:)
(5)Cameo D.
I got take out and the staff was very polite. The sushi and rolls were yummy.
(4)Tony T.
Awesome sushi and tempura. Black snapper was incredible. I didn't care for the squid but my friends from Japan said it was the best they ever had. The tempura was perfect. Service was excellent.
(5)Hannah S.
Went to this place around when it opened. It was def 5 stars at that time. Went there this week and it was horrible. Sushi didn't taste fresh, service was atrocious. Maybe under different management? Sad to see such a great place become awful.
(1)Alex M.
"Not there yet" was my uncomfortable first impression of Okumura. Had we ordered dishes individually, this would be a four-star review. Went here back in January when it was still new on the block, and we did an omakase (chef's selection) course. That was our primary mistake. I can only hope the menu has been improved by now. I wanted to see what the chef was offering, because the place was new and looked like it might be good. I had heard about his sushi credentials, and I had been looking for a new place to try. The table service and drink selections were great (wonderful import beer!), but we didn't get much attention from the chef even though the place was not crowded at all and we were right next to him. He spent most of the time talking in Japanese with some people sitting toward the front. I also speak fluent Japanese (I used to live in Japan), so I tried engaging the chef, but I didn't get very far and the table layout wasn't conducive to conversation. We didn't get much attention. The chef's assistant, however, was very friendly and fun, as was the waitress. The menu was rather uninspired, truthfully. We loved the first two courses and had high hopes getting to the main part of the meal. The fish was good, but after a great shellfish course and one good carpaccio dish with a great dressing came another carpaccio dish that was oddly almost identical to the first. Same dressing and garnishes, same plate, different fish. Confusing and disappointing. But the next dish was worse - after three seafood dishes came a plate of steak and mashed potatoes. What?? It felt insulting, as if we were assumed to need some filler. What is this guy thinking?? Besides which, the steak was dry and bland. Who serves steak and potatoes as part of a sushi omakase course?? Very disappointing. It didn't go with the rest of the meal at all, and it wasn't even very good. It killed the more delicate flavors of fish and rice. After what was otherwise a great experience, that left me feeling very uncomfortable. To make matters worse, sushi came out only AFTER the steak and potatoes. My palate had been defeated by the outrageous filler course, and the sushi added insult to injury. It didn't matter by that point whether the sushi was good or not. If you go, don't order the chef's selection. Order seafood, and you'll be very happy. I feel like this place has potential, but I won't be back anytime soon. The chef should stick to his specialty, what the hype advertises, and what he evidently knows -- seafood. If I want steak and potatoes I'll go to Ruth's Chris.
(2)Chris S.
Mainstream right down to it, Good sushi Good fish and looks clean and delicious, a lot of sushi restaurants out there, This one would be one of the distinct and good ones to eat at, you would definitely enjoy this place.
(5)Ernesto S.
The BEST SUSHI I've ever had!!! I work across the street from this Sushi Bar and couldn't be more enthusiastic with having this place so close to our office. I've been there now 6 times and every time has been amazing and fun. Ryota loves what he's doing and cares about his customers and the fish. I look forward to going there again soon. I'f your there for lunch I suggest the Sashimi Salad.
(5)Pa Kou X.
I found this restaurant when it was late at night. Because of the 5 stars review, my friend and I came by to try it out since we live in the valley and would LOVE to find a new sushi place to frequent. I read a lot about how the customer service was pretty awesome. Sure enough, they were! When we went in, the host/waiter greeted us right away. Because it was late in the evening, no one was in there..all the sushi chefs, waiters greeted us and made us feel very welcome even though it felt awkward to be the only customers. We loved the prices for sushi! The sushi chef even happily custom made a sushi roll for me (which I love!!!). We ordered more than enough food and finished it right up. I think we may have eaten past their closing time, but did we know that? Nope! They never rushed us to leave and even asked if we wanted to order anything else. This was a restaurant that both of us noted we will be back for sure AND with friends. I can't wait till my next sushi craving! My friend did not read any of the reviews on here, but as we were walking out she mentioned that they had really good customer service. 5 stars!!
(5)Harper C.
The fish is FRESH! I love the friendly atmosphere. Perfect selection on the menu. I come here if not once a week at least once every two weeks. Never had a issue except that now more people are starting to find out how wonderful this place is and now its more crowded! ;-)
(5)daniel b.
First, I must start off by saying I really don't know how this restaurant has received so many 5-star reviews, it is seriously beyond me. I would rather it have stayed as Kaiten, at least I knew what I was getting for what I was paying. I will start off with the good, but there isn't much. Restaurant staff was very nice, that's it. - The quantity of fish in the rolls was paltry at best and the cuts of fish on the sushi was so thin, you could see the wasabi through it. Part of our order was lost and I would say they overlooked it, but that was not the case and we had to tell them again what the order was. - Appetizer vegetables were bland and tasteless. - Seems like there is no real cohesion amongst the sushi chefs and even with the waitstaff as well. Seemed as if there was a bit of confusion going on behind the bar, which resulted in some bickering amongst the chefs. Very noticeable in such a small restaurant. - Not sure if this is what they are going for, but the menu was very basic. Also, if the roll says Jalapeno Tuna Roll, that is all you are getting. No daikon, no cucumber, no sprouts, nothing... Just rice, tuna, and jalapeno wrapped in nori. Definitely not going back here and I am making sure none of my friends do too. I would rather have gone hungry that night and I didn't even pay. Apologies only go so far...
(1)Bobby M.
My favorite place!!
(5)Jason K.
I liked that we were able to get a seat at the sushi bar with no wait. When we sat down, the sushi chef gave us great suggestions. I also was especialy pleased that they made us something off their menu: the egg custard topped with Uni and mixed with other seafood. That topped the experience and makes this my favorite sushi place in the Valley.
(4)Stephanie R.
This place is amazing! We were aimlessly driving, looking for sushi in our new neighborhood. This popped up on Yelp with great reviews. So glad we trusted everyone, this place rocks! Food is fresh, presentation amazing, prices you can't beat. Not a romantic or trendy place but the place for great sushi!
(5)Joe C.
This neighborhood sushi restaurant has a cool contemporary vibe and pretty reasonable prices. Traditional sushi menu with quality fish at reasonable prices with good service. Def worth a try.
(4)Jude M.
Taste: 4 Creativity/Authenticity: 3.5 Atmosphere: 3.5 Service: 4 Bang for your buck: 3 Before we start this review is for people who eat sushi not you "people" who love Cali rolls and bscr drenched in sauce; you can go eat someplace else. Went here because it was In the latest issue of LA magazine of best sushi so I had to try. First this place used to be a shitty revolving sushi spot with nasty sushi so don't mistake this place for that. Got the omakase, which is the only way to eat sushi unless you know what your doing. The black snapper was delicious, not as firm to my liking but still fresh and tasteful. The san diego uni was amazing! super tasteful and perfect texture. The chawanmushi OMG!! been awhile since ive had some cooked right just like i remember in japan.The live abalone wasn't to my liking but still good. Service here was on point, staff was friendly head chef was knowledgeable on his fish but his shipment from Japan didn't show up so the selection was small but still good. Now to the pricing, for this quality fish and selection you would expect this to be an expensive place nope very decent price. Overall i will be coming back when he gets more fish def on my top list of great sushi spots. Good Job!
(4)Jeremy Y.
In a word: FANTASTIC. I walked tonight to Cho Cho San, my usual sushi haunt, and found it totally mobbed with people. I normally go there late and have no problem finding a table, so since I didn't feel like waiting, I turned back to go home, and that's when I discovered Okumura, a much smaller and more intimate sushi joint hiding in the little corner of Ventura and Louise. I'm not ordinarily one to try new sushi places on a whim, but since I heard good things from a friend of mine about this place that practically just opened (it's been around only 2 months as of writing this review), I figured I'd give it a try, and DAMN...I sure don't regret it. Not only is the food impeccable, but the service is positively gracious and warm. One item I thought about trying had something I never heard of before, and when I asked the waiter what it was, he didn't just try to explain it -- he went ahead and got me a sample! I don't think that's ever happened to me before when going out to eat anywhere, let alone at a sushi joint. I'm not sure why this restaurant is rated as $$ on Yelp! because most of the sushi rolls on the menu are $3-$6. What's great about the menu is that they say anything is customizable, so you can ask for your favorite roll or whatnot that you might normally get at another sushi joint and see if they'll make it for you. I love Philadelphia rolls, and they made them so well upon request that I told them they're crazy for not having it on the menu officially. They do charge extra for custom rolls (that ended up being $10), but let me tell you, it's SO worth it.
(5)Jessica M.
Been here 3 times and each time was equally amazing! Definitely recommend!
(5)Lindsay R.
Perfection is spelled O-K-U-M-U-R-A.... When it comes to sushi, Encino has something to brag about. Quality and Passion has come to the San Fernando Valley, and Ryota Okumura brought it. Chef Okumura with his knowledge, passion and pure artistry of the sushi dining, I haven't experience since the late 80's. Look over the menu. You won't find those 911, Heart Attack, Ventura Boulevard, Baked Alaska, your zip code with cream cheese rolls. You will find the fish in it's truest form, by itself. When I asked for scallop sushi, out came a complete scallop. We all watched as he removed it from the shell, cleaned it , and served it. The sweetest taste ever. My Spanish Mackerel was impeccably prepared and beautifully displayed, a true work of art. Chefs culinary skill speak for themselves. Homemade crispy onions are out of this world. Their prices are better than reasonable. My family and I spent better than two hours there. It was my birthday and I still had presents to open when I came home but I could have cared less, every bite was simply AMAZING. The staff was fun and very attentive. To think I took a shot on a newly opened sushi restaurant, (Oct. 2012), and a few yelp reviews for my BIRTHDAY, are you kidding. This was fate. I now will be using Okumuras as my sushi standard, if and when I dine elsewhere. Bless you both Ryota and Norika. We will be back real soon!
(5)Naz B.
Since taken over by a new owner, the fare is still Japanese, but there has definitely been an upgrade in the quality of the food. No more revolving sushi, alas. Very nice service and the sushi makers looked meticulously clean. Would only recommend an upgrade in decor.
(4)steph g.
My new favorite sushi place in the valley ever since little island closed. The setting is lovely for a sushi place, small, intimate with a sushi bar with booths too, which is rare. Friendly staff. The fish is the smoothest fish I've ever tasted. The menu isn't huge, which I happen to like so you don't get overwhelmed. Love the albacore crispy onion roll, the yellowtail green onion or jalapeño roll. Their mackerel is also to die for.
(4)Justin K.
Full disclosure -- I know the owners of this restaurant through my son's school. When I was told "We just opened our new sushi bar in Encino" I thought ok, I'll get over there eventually and give it a try. Eventually turned out to be last week, when I found that I and two fellow diners were in the valley on Friday night looking for food. We set out for the restaurant with the attitude of "well, I'm sure it'll be decent". HOLY COW! We entered the restaurant with no plans other than to see our friends and show our support for their business (and grab a bite!). We were completely blown away with the meal -- we now have a new destination sushi bar that we will be willing to exceeded all of our expectations. What was so good? The quality of the food, the freshness of the fish, the inventiveness of the chef, and the service of the entire staff. We had requested omakase, but had no idea that the meal would be so wonderful! I'm looking for an excuse to go back to the valley, but at this point I think my excuse will be to go to Okumura!
(5)Aleesa R.
Had some of the best sushi, and had so much fun talking with the chefs and waiters. The sushi was fresh, it was absolutely amazing here. Definitely an amazing place to eat sushi, great prices, friendly atmosphere, and wonderful set up. Everything on the menu is just WONDERFUL. Will be eating here again. Soon!
(5)