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The Best Affordable Sushi Restaurants In LA

Because great sushi doesn't have to cost an entire paycheck.

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Audrey Myers
March 22 2024

Los Angeles is a glimmering sushi paradise. And it should be–the ocean is right over there. We pride ourselves on having tons of sushi restaurants that know exactly what they’re doing. Matsuhisa, Nozawa, Shunji. These are some of the biggest names in sushi and they call Los Angeles home.

But you might not be in the market to spend an entire paycheck on two hours’ worth of omakase tonight—or any night, really. And that doesn’t mean your only resort is a sad roll from Ralph's. Los Angeles is filled with fantastic affordable sushi spots—you just have to know where to find them. This guide is here to help.

Toshi Sushi

Toshi Sushi

Sushi

Gardena

$$

Years ago, Toshi Sushi was one of Little Tokyo's best dollar-for-dollar sushi spots. Then it closed. Now the same owner has opened a casual sushi bar in Gardena and the sushi (and the deals) are just as good. If you’re a fan of Sushi Gen’s iconic sashimi special, Toshi’s sashimi combo is the South Bay equivalent. The $30 plate includes fatty cuts of tuna, scallops, salmon, ikura, and a little dish of whatever the kindly chef-owner comes up with that day (raw octopus with wasabi, on our visit). There are also chirashi bowl and sushi specials, too, if you want to mix up your standard lunchtime hand roll order.

Sushi Tsujita

Sushi Tsujita

Sushi

Sawtelle Japantown

$$$

Sushi Tsujita is a great option if you want an omakase on the cheaper side without sacrificing quality. This Sawtelle spot offers three price tiers to choose from—a $49, $69, and $89 option—all of which include three appetizers and a little scoop of sake ice cream for dessert (a nice touch). We recommend the priciest tier (the Tokyo) that includes premium items like a toro hand roll and buttery wagyu nigiri.

Ichijiku

Ichijiku

Sushi

Highland Park

$$

This funky little slice shop in Cypress Park comes from the Found Oyster and Barra Santos people, which explains the pendant lights and deep green tiles. But it’s much more than a loiter zone for people who occasionally text a Haim sister. The crisp, well-browned NY-style slices here fold in half like there’s a perforated edge down the middle. It’s the updated, often Asian-influenced, toppings that set Shins apart, though. Their take on a meat lover’s pie—with sweet Chinese sausage, smoky speck, and a dollop of spicy sambal—deserves a dedicated takeout window, but we also love the controversial mortadella-topped take on white pie, which tastes like a gooey makeout session between creamy ricotta and salty-sweet lunch meat.

Sushi Tama

Sushi Tama

Sushi

Beverly Hills

$$

The phrase “affordable sushi omakase in Beverly Hills” may seem like an oxymoron, but Sushi Tama isn’t here to mess around. Nigiri hovers within the $4-7 range, and for $60, you can order their 10-piece omakase sashimi set. It’s a heavenly mix of fish, including ikura that bursts in your mouth, silky scallop hotate, buttery otoro, and uni so creamy, we thought we might need to bust out a Lactaid.

Hama Sushi

Hama Sushi

Sushi

Little Tokyo

$

When you get to Hama, you’ll notice signs warning, “No teriyaki, No tempura, No noodle, No rice alone,” so don’t bring your non-fish-eating friend who orders four rounds of gyoza. Both a la carte and set menus are available at this quiet Little Tokyo bar—the latter including various sashimi, miso soup, and half a California roll for $30. The a la carte offers more wiggle room for sampling, including buttery uni nigiri, some excellent toro, and seared albacore sashimi platter with citrusy ponzu, with prices ranging between $10-14 each. It’s a small space, so get here when they open to avoid long wait times.

Sushi Hon

Sushi Hon

Sushi

Koreatown

$$

There is no shortage of great restaurants in Koreatown, but finding sushi that won’t cost you a half-month’s rent can still be difficult. That’s why you should know about Sushi Hon on Olympic Blvd, a dark sushi bar with a long menu and lots of paper lanterns for some extra moodiness. The most expensive thing on the sushi bar’s menu is s $60, 14-piece sashimi platter, with most entrees and rolls falling comfortably under $20. We usually come for the lunch deals, but you can’t go wrong with the sashimi plate, sushi roll combo platter, or a giant donburi bowl.

Sushi Gen

Sushi Gen

Sushi

Little Tokyo

$$

Sushi Gen is an institution. This Little Tokyo strip mall joint has top-notch sushi, a relatively lively atmosphere, and reasonable prices. You’ll probably encounter a wait at most points in the day, but it’s worth it for the legendary sashimi deluxe platter ($42 at lunch, $48 at dinner). Watching one get delivered to your table is a very necessary LA experience, but you also can’t go wrong with the bar’s a la carte menu.

Sea Butter

Sea Butter

Sushi

Beverly Hills

$$

Seabutter is a modern, subway-tiled sushi bar with a menu offering two distinct sushi experiences. On one hand, you can get some pretty busy-sounding things, like sashimi covered in truffle soy sauce or wagyu sushi topped with uni, or you can take the purist route with simple, lightly dressed nigiri. Order the $40 seven-piece omakase to experience a little bit of both those worlds, including a perfectly torched tuna nigiri and creamy minced yellowtail belly that might’ve been even better. The sashimi platters do tend to come with lots of toppings and sauce, but we don’t mind: the kanpachi yuzu plate with kosho and lime zest was arguably the best thing we tried.

Kanpachi Sushi & Sake

Kanpachi Sushi & Sake

Sushi

Gardena

$$$

Located in that busy intersection of Sunset Blvd., between the 76 station and Mohawk Bend, Cosa Buona is a casual neighborhood hangout that serves puffy-crusted pizza designed by the chef who also runs Silver Lake star Alimento. Each pie is properly blistered and chewy, with topping combinations that aren’t trying to do backflips or steal the spotlight (but are nevertheless excellent, ranging from a classic margherita to a sausage pie with mustard greens and slightly spicy chilis). Order a side of smoked mozzarella sticks along with your pie if you know what’s good for you.

King's Burgers/Got Sushi

King's Burgers/Got Sushi

Burgers

Northridge

$$

As a general rule, sushi joints attached to fast food burger chains should probably be avoided. Unless that place is Got Sushi? in Northridge. Located across from the CSUN campus, this magic little place has been a secret among students for a while, but the sushi and the overall experience here make it worth a visit. Order the salmon belly with caviar, the rice-less Alex Roll with snow crab and roe, and anything the chef tells you to get off the daily sushi menu.

Sugarfish La Brea

Sugarfish La Brea

Sushi

Fairfax

$$

If you’re tired of hearing about how great Sugarfish is, sorry, we have nothing in common. But if you see where we’re coming from, we ranked every Sugarfish location for you because why not? Our love for Sugarfish really stems from the fact that it’s hard to find consistent, higher-quality sushi at these prices anywhere else in Los Angeles. You’re looking at an eight-course sushi/sashimi experience for around $30, and there’s probably a location within a 15-minute drive of your house.

Pisces Sushi

Pisces Sushi

Sushi

Manhattan Beach

$$

If you want sushi and a scene in Manhattan Beach, head to Katsuya. If you just want great sushi, period, head to Pisces Sushi. This small mom-and-pop restaurant along Highland Ave. doesn’t offer seating, but for excellent takeout sushi at a great price, locals swear by it. You’ll find a tight menu of the usual sushi bar staples here, but if you want to know what makes Pisces a gem, get their popular chirashi bowls for under $30. This rice bowl comes decorated with fanned-out slices of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, and scallop, making it very difficult not to eat in the car before driving home.

Sakae Sushi

Sakae Sushi

Japanese

Gardena

$

Come to Sakae Sushi in Gardena any day of the week (except Mondays when they’re closed) and you’ll find a sizable line of parents, hip Gen-Zers, and grandmas running errands waiting outside this local gem. It’s a cash-only, family-run shop hidden behind an office building that’s been open since the ’60s and serves an old-school style of simple pressed sushi made by hand and filled with cooked or cured items (no raw fish here). Get a box of seven pieces for about $10, wrapped up in beautiful white parchment paper and a green bow, so you can try each type of nigiri on the menu.

Little Izaka-ya By Katsu-ya

Little Izaka-ya By Katsu-ya

Japanese

Sherman Oaks

$$

This tiny spot in Sherman Oaks couldn’t be less similar to Katsu-ya, or as we like to call it: clubs pretending to be restaurants. Instead of people in bodycon dresses eating $20 rolls, you’ll find couples on casual dates having a quick meal at the sushi bar before catching a movie. The sushi here is not only better than what you’d get at the Hollywood Katsuya, but about a third of the price, too. It’s a great spot to get a mix of things:a few nigiri, some crispy rice with spicy tuna, and a roll or two.

Hide Sushi

Hide Sushi

Sushi

Sawtelle Japantown

$$

Side Pie started as a pandemic-era pop-up operating out of someone’s backyard in Altadena. These days, it’s moved down the street to a restaurant space with a huge back patio complete with string lights, a stage for live music, and a wood-fired pizza oven. Unlike similar shops around town, Side Pie’s pizzas come with a thin, crispy crust and slices are cut so large we advise you to tilt your head while you eat. The pepperoni, ricotta, and basil-topped “Altadena” is our favorite option, but we also love the “Kevin Lyman.” It’s essentially their version of a white pie and comes with a light cream base and topped with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and garlic.

KazuNori DTLA

KazuNori DTLA

Sushi

Downtown LA

$$

This handroll spot from Sugarfish brings in the crowds, but the quality of fish makes the wait worth it. And once you’re seated, it’s an efficient, cheap, and delicious experience full of warm rice, crispy nori, and delicious seafood (whatever you do, get the bay scallop). Sit at the bar and for $24 you’ll be taken on a five-piece handroll expedition all within 30 minutes before leaving very content and full until dinnertime.

Sushi Spot

Sushi Spot

Sushi

Tarzana

$$

Sushi Spot is a classic Valley strip mall restaurant with a fluorescent fish-shaped sign glowing in the parking lot. Apart from the whiteboard instructions telling you not to use your phone, the space is bare bones with a standard sushi bar and a few tables scattered around. The sushi, however, happens to be great and pretty inexpensive. Nigiri and classic rolls are all under $10 and there’s a chef’s omakase option if you’re hungry for $60 that includes 13 pieces of nigiri, plus a blue crab handroll.

En Sushi

En Sushi

Sushi

West LA

$$

This Santa Monica spot has the same modern/vaguely Japanese look as a Benihana, and a giant combination dinner involving ten different cuts of sashimi, rice, salad, and soup for $30. There’s also an amazing daily Happy Hour from 3-7pm that involves everything from basic sushi to specialty rolls.

Uzumaki

Uzumaki

Sushi

Culver City

$$

Once upon a time, Culver City was a sushi desert but then Uzumaki came along. The calm, wood-filled space and its $28 set lunch menu feel Sugarfish-ish in all the right ways, and the fish is great quality for the price. Expect a few pieces of nigiri, a cut roll, and a Japanese spin on ceviche with your set menu. But if you're not in the mood for omakase, you can also order a la carte without your check getting out of control. Use it for a small team lunch or casual midweek dinner that doesn’t involve an hour-and-a-half wait.

Noshi Sushi

Noshi Sushi

Sushi

Koreatown

$$

If your taste in sushi involves lots of sauces and crunchy bits, keep on moving. But for those that appreciate straight-up nigiri, sashimi, and classic rolls, Noshi is one of the best options on the Eastside for an outrageously affordable, well-executed feast. We always order three times the amount of food we actually need, and it ends up costing only a third of what you’d pay elsewhere. An example: the spicy tuna roll (one of the best things here) is $5. Just know that this place is no longer a secret—expect to wait.

Chiba

Chiba

Japanese

North Hollywood

$$

Walking into Chiba, the massive sushi restaurant in North Hollywood, is like walking into a sushi social club. This multi-roomed restaurant is often filled with birthday parties dining on specialty rolls and solo lunchers making their way through the omakase. But Chiba is more than just a scene—they serve some of the freshest fish north of Ventura Blvd., including a chirashi and eight-piece nigiri menus that come to $28 each. And if you arrive particularly hungry, upgrade to the deluxe versions for $10 more and get even more fishy goodness, including some cuts of toro and uni.

Sushi Chitose

Sushi Chitose

Japanese

Redondo Beach

$$

LA’s South Bay has a number of great, affordable sushi places, but one of the best bang for your buck is at Sushi Chitose, an omakase spot in Redondo Beach. It’s $75 for the 15-piece omakase, which includes high-quality cuts of fish, a piece of toro, and a great miso soup appetizer. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation—this place fills up quickly.

Yume Sushi

Yume Sushi

Sushi

Studio City

$$

Yume proves there's always more room for quality sushi in Studio City. This bright, wood-paneled spot is a great place for a quick lunch with a coworker, but we mostly prefer to use Yume for takeout. The name of the game is the Yume Box, which gets you six pieces of nigiri, truffle edamame, and a Yume Roll for $32—all in a nicely divided white box. It’s an excellent value, considering both the amount of food you get and the fact that the Yume Roll (spicy tuna and mushrooms, topped with avocado and more tuna) is $21 a la carte.