Sushi Roku

Sushi Roku

Owner

Sushi Roku is located steps away from the Santa Monica Pier, 3rd Street Promenade and walking distance to the beach.

Our chefs prepare innovative small dishes out of succulent, sliced hunks of raw fish. The scallop dynamite is tender and sweet--one of the best in town--and the rich black cod is a perfect counterbalance to the more delicate sashimi dishes. Try any sashimi appetizer, such as salmon or bonito, with tangy garlic ponzu sauce and jalapeno tempura. We have daily sushi specials that usually include rarer and more expensive Japanese imports such as ishi-tai (black tail snapper), sayori (half beak) and kohada (gizzard shad).

Contributor

Citysearch

In Short
The Santa Monica branch of this ultra-hip sushi chain offers the same urban-meets-Zen design, but surpasses other outposts with an ocean view from the enclosed patio. Most nights, the bar area buzzes with singles, while the dining area is left to sushi-sharing dates. But raw fish is only half the story here. Appetizers--hot and cold from the garden, sea and farm--demonstrate what this kitchen can do. The list includes tuna spring roll cigars with Asian beurre blanc, soft-shell crab in champagne butter, fresh salmon rolled with daikon, ponzu and caviar, and filet-wrapped asparagus with soy sake. The sushi needs little else than the fresh and expert cut. Delicately mixed spicy tuna served in a hand roll is a must, as is the specials menu, which has introduced such wonders as tempura ahi and avocado-and-tuna sashimi over wonton crisps with creamy mustard.