Sushi Katsu-Ya

(818) 985-6976

11680 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604 34.1409 -118.3872

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katsu-yagroup.com

Years in business

Established in 1998

Hours:

Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2:00pm

Mon - Thu: 5:30pm - 10:00pm

Fri - Sat: 5:30pm - 10:30pm

Sat: 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Sun: 5:00pm - 9:30pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Celeb Hangout, Lunch Spot, Business Dining, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar, Carry Out, Prix Fixe Menu

Cuisine:

Japanese, Asian, Sushi

What People Are Saying About Sushi Katsu-Ya

Featured Review

Martha Burr

Contributor

The Scene – Katsu-ya is always packed with its loyal following, but it's unquestionably worth the wait. The good-looking Valley crowd doesn't even mind putting up with Hollywood types gossiping about scripts and head shots--as long as they still get to swoon over the amazing sushi. – – The Food – Besides doling out top-rate slivers of fish, Sushi Katsu-ya is also known for its inventive specials. The spicy tuna plate looks like royal pop art, with slices of ruby and slivers of jade. The albacore sashimi plate tastes like a dream, especially when you rudely awaken to…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Ask for the sake in the green bamboo decanter, it's beautiful--and delicious.
ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. people it is fun to sit at the bar.
  2. best location, i love the one in studio city much better than the one in hollywood.
  3. The ambiance is clean and simple.
  4. We find a way to visit Katsu-Ya every week - either location is excellent.
  5. There are so many good sushi spots in LA I find no reason to subject myself and my wife to this atmosphere and belittling treatment.
  6. my service was great here, if i have to go to one, ill try for the studio city location
  7. It is not the romantic place I had expected.
  8. feel the atmosphere is a little more inviting at the studio city one and the service is terrific!
  9. best location
  10. Not the encino location but the Studio City one is the best.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. Great pairing of green tea ice cream and warm chocolate flourless torte-like cake.
  2. The spicy tuna hand rolls are unreal, other favorites include tuna with crispy onions, spicy tuna on crispy rice with jalapeno, spinach salad with tuna and the chocolate cake.
  3. And if you have room, the green tea tempura ice cream is wonderful!
  4. The server actually managed a great meal for the four of us, stopping us when she thought we had ordered enough for our first round, and suggesting one last hand roll (the honey) when we were borderline full, but wanted one more dish - we even did dessert
  5. The spicy tuna on rice cake is rather scrumptious, but the sushi, sashimi and the few rolls we ordered were not anything mind blowing or crave worthy.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. wednesday. Take advantage of the time and order a grapefruit martini from the bar.
  2. The chefs are really friendly and helpful, so we recommend sitting at the sushi bar.
  3. people it is fun to sit at the bar.
  4. worked for a top entertainment executive - a guy who only ate at the best restaurants - and, without fail, his choice of sushi bar for a business lunch was always Katsu-ya.
  5. Great pairing of green tea ice cream and warm chocolate flourless torte-like cake.
  6. And if you have room, the green tea tempura ice cream is wonderful!
food quality
93.45000267028809% positive
  1. sushi here is mediocre quality at best, and the variety leaves something lacking.
  2. have taken several of my friends here, and they all agree that it is the best sushi they have had.
  3. The once nice slices of Seared Tuna in Mustard sauce are little tiny pieces now no larger than half your thumb.
  4. The food was beyond good- probably the best eel avocado roll I have ever had.
  5. The best sushi of the valley and the city.
  6. eaten sushi all over the USA and this is the best place i've been.
  7. But the food is fresh and the best tasting Japanese I've ever had.
  8. Especially the spicy tuna with crispy fried onions and jalapeno slivers on top.
  9. recommend: crispy sesame tuna, spicy tuna on crispy rice, the honey handrolls, tuna sashimi with japanese salsa, and many more.
  10. Sure the service isn't the best, but I soooo would put up with lousy service for fresh and delicious sushi!
  11. couple of great sushi chefs, fish is always fresh even the Uni.
  12. The sushi is quite good but the service just ruined everything.
  13. The Tuna sticky rice was not all that great.
  14. This is the best sushi I've had.
  15. Everything is tasty if you're not expecting traditional sashimi.
  16. great sushi rude staff male host is more than unprofessional
  17. think with really good sushi, you are supposed to come out the restaurant feeling better than you went in, but this certainly wasn't the case.
  18. The sushi is good but not good enough to warrant being with people who are too full of themselves to know who the customer is.
  19. The chefs are really friendly and helpful, so we recommend sitting at the sushi bar.
  20. Spicy tuna on crispy rice, definitely.
  21. The items on their menu are unique and mouthwatering, the spicy tuna on crispy rice is savory, the crispy onion on seared albacore is fantastic.
  22. Sashimi is excellent, always fresh and tasty.
  23. So if you're looking for your average expensive dining experience with Vegas-friendly attentive waitstaff and sculpturesque food and a quiet little booth to keep "all that noise" out (like the other reviewers seem to be), the this place is not for you.
  24. The best sushi in the valley!
  25. The crispy rice tuna, the baked crab roll, the crispy albacore.
  26. You've probably heard that so many sushi restaurants are "the best in LA
  27. It is the food that is terrific.
  28. High prices, rude staff, good food but not worth what you have to put up with to get it and pay top
  29. This USED to be our #1 Favorite sushi place in LA... and the food is STILL divine.
  30. katsu-ya has to be the best sushi restaurant in los angeles.
  31. Overall this is a great inexpensive sushi restaurant.
  32. Fresh food, nice people.
  33. had the creamy salmon roll as waitress recommended, and i'm now hooked.
  34. This ridiculously good sushi restaurant sets it miles apart from anything else in LA...let alone from all the spots on ventura.
  35. The spicy tuna hand rolls are unreal, other favorites include tuna with crispy onions, spicy tuna on crispy rice with jalapeno, spinach salad with tuna and the chocolate cake.
  36. personally did not like their rock shrimp tempura!
  37. The fish is fresh, clean and just melts in your mouth.
  38. the sushi and sashimi is extremely fresh and the specials and sushi rolls are mouth watering.
  39. omg the best sushi!
  40. Other must haves are the spicy tuna on crispy rice, spicy albacore sashimi w/crispy onions, spicy shrimp roll w/soy paper, scallops w/foie gras, robert roll (similar to honey), and the tuna sashimi with warm spinach.
  41. The new Brentwood restaurant is beautiful and tasty, but still doesn't compare to the small Studio City joint.
  42. admit it, I'm not the most adventurous sushi eater, but as far as jazzing up sushi for the less adventurous, this place is outstanding.
  43. The spicy tuna on rice cake is rather scrumptious, but the sushi, sashimi and the few rolls we ordered were not anything mind blowing or crave worthy.
  44. If you like inventive, fresh, delicious sushi, this is the place for you.
  45. Katsu-ya is a great, small sushi joint that you'll love!
  46. had set foot out of my cold apartment intendning to eat a big all you can eat meal at Midori only to find that it was closed - luckily on ventura you can bet that a sushi store will turn up in less than a five minute walk, and Katsu-ya did.
  47. There are enough restaurants with great sushi in LA so I won't be going back to this one.
  48. I typically like servers to recommend more popular but also risky dishes - i let the waitress go to town and homegirl was ON POINT.
  49. You'll get rocking service, interact with the sushi masters, and have a good noisy shoulder to shoulder dining heck of a time.
  50. The server actually managed a great meal for the four of us, stopping us when she thought we had ordered enough for our first round, and suggesting one last hand roll (the honey) when we were borderline full, but wanted one more dish - we even did dessert
  51. worked for a top entertainment executive - a guy who only ate at the best restaurants - and, without fail, his choice of sushi bar for a business lunch was always Katsu-ya.
  52. sushi is mediocre.
  53. Everything there is delicious.
  54. staff is unprofessional and inconsiderate food good
  55. Non-sushi items are good, too; chicken teriyaki and all the tempuras are delicious.
  56. love this place the rolls are very yummy and so is everything else.
  57. Prices are reasonable, sushi is fresh, and service is good.
  58. It's consistently the best sushi in town and the Super Toro is the single best sushi I've had on the west coast.
  59. best sushi in LA
  60. Consistently good sushi.
  61. also higly recommentd the Robert Roll(spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, avocado and other goodies I can't recall) and the rock shrimp tempura is a unique and tasty favorite.
  62. The fish seemed of good quality - although I find it more difficult to review when eating in rolls and such.
  63. Sushi Katsu-ya is by far--by far--the best sushi restaurant I have been to.
  64. The fish is so fresh, it practically melts in your mouth.
  65. love the crispy rice with spicy tuna.
  66. Even if you have your favorite tried-and-true rolls or sushi, you must try at least one of the specials here.
  67. had albacore topped with crunchy, almost burnt, onions in terrific sauce (but not too overbearing so as to enjoy the fish, unlike i find the too thick and too sweet ponzu to be), the crispy rice special, shitake mushroom clams, mozarella crab (i know it
  68. Some of the best sushi that I've ever had!
  69. My favorite - the seared ahi on a bed of crispy fried onions doused in soy sauce.
  70. There are so many good sushi spots in LA I find no reason to subject myself and my wife to this atmosphere and belittling treatment.
  71. The crowd usually consists of people who know of this place and know the line is worth waiting for the delicious food.
  72. When I first moved to Studio City, a friend told me, "the best sushi in Southern California is in Studio City!
  73. The sushi is excellent and while the prices are a bit high, you definitely get what
  74. Also, I loved the baked crab roll.
  75. All the specialty dishes; seared albacore with crispy onion, crispy sesame tuna, spicy tuna on crispy rice.
  76. Cramped and crowded-Parking sucks-But make it a point to find a seat at Katsu-ya where the food will never disappoint.
  77. My favorites ar ethe salmon caviar sushi, the tuna tartare (which came out more like tuna sashimi with an elegant french creamy mustard sauce), the tuna on crispy rice (order plenty, you will fight over them), and I think we had another item that invovled
  78. Among my favorites are the spicy tuna on crispy rice, the albacore sashimi appetizer with crispy onions, the robert roll (avocado, spicy tuna, lobster, shrimp), and the rock shrimp tempura.
  79. You can order strictly sushi or sashimi if you wish but they won't tell you this.
  80. have been to 90% of the sushi restaurants in Los Angeles, this is great sushi.
  81. If this is the best sushi place in all of Los Angeles.
  82. Wonderful, mouthwatering sushi
  83. The fish is always fresh.
  84. She adsolutely loves sushi so I thought this would be a real treat for her.
  85. best sushi in the valley
  86. expected that this would be the haven of heavenly sushi, being a sushi lover, but was sadly disappointed.
  87. My favorite sushi place by far.
  88. am a sushi fan, and I have to say that these are among the best sushis I ever had.
  89. Katsu Ya is my favorite sushi restaurant in the valley.
  90. Their spicy tuna crab roll was very good!
  91. Wonderful, fresh, quality sushi.
  92. The new Tarzana restaurant hasn't helped witht reservation frenzy here, or shorthened the mile-long line outside this place (since the food really is that good).
  93. Hands down, it ranks as everyone's favorite sushi spot, and with good reason.
  94. Fresh fish, simple menu, good stuff!
  95. It's my favorite sushi place I've ever been to!
  96. this is a good place to go with a group of people to just have a bunch of sake and some rolls, not when you're looking for a quality sushi dining experience.
  97. Anyone who knows what quality sushi tastes like will appreciate the excellence that is katsu-ya.
  98. We agree with the last reviewer, if this is indeed the BEST sushi place in Los Angeles, shot us now!
  99. But, all you need to know is that the service is great and the sushi.
  100. Parking can be a nightmare but once you're inside and you try some delicious rolls, it'll be worth it!
  101. Hands down the BEST sushi in LA.
  102. am very satisfied with a sushi restaurant if I am served a good spicy tuna roll and Katsu-ya certainly delivers.
  103. Many sushi places try to copy this restaurants specials, particularly the spicy tuna on crispy rice dish.
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. sushi here is mediocre quality at best, and the variety leaves something lacking.
  2. Fresh fish, simple menu, good stuff!
  3. Don't be fooled into thinking you must order from the rather expensive specials menu.
  4. Get the things on the menu that are unique to Katsu-ya.
  5. The items on their menu are unique and mouthwatering, the spicy tuna on crispy rice is savory, the crispy onion on seared albacore is fantastic.
  6. Make sure you order a honey hand roll, it's not on any of the menus and it is by far the best one.
overall
92.58999824523926% positive
  1. The service is good at best only due to mass amounts of people eating in one place.
  2. Overall this is a great inexpensive sushi restaurant.
  3. Sushi Katsu-ya is by far--by far--the best sushi restaurant I have been to.
  4. the service was so bad and they were rushing us to leave- there is nothing great about this overrated place -
  5. eaten sushi all over the USA and this is the best place i've been.
  6. Katsu Ya is my favorite sushi restaurant in the valley.
  7. If this is the best sushi place in all of Los Angeles.
  8. katsu-ya has to be the best sushi restaurant in los angeles.
  9. this is a good place to go with a group of people to just have a bunch of sake and some rolls, not when you're looking for a quality sushi dining experience.
service
74.48999881744385% positive
  1. staff is unprofessional and inconsiderate food good
  2. The server actually managed a great meal for the four of us, stopping us when she thought we had ordered enough for our first round, and suggesting one last hand roll (the honey) when we were borderline full, but wanted one more dish - we even did dessert
  3. Do yourself a favor and save yourself from a night of rude service and unfriendliness.
  4. My most recent (and certainly last) visit there, I waited for nearly an hour for my cramped little table, then waited ten minutes for the waitress, then another thirty to get my order, which was mediocre.
  5. And the poor waiters look like they're running a marathon, there's no way they can get your order right.
  6. High prices, rude staff, good food but not worth what you have to put up with to get it and pay top
  7. The sushi is good but not good enough to warrant being with people who are too full of themselves to know who the customer is.
  8. The honey roll is also quite divine and the service is always prompt and correct.
  9. great sushi rude staff male host is more than unprofessional
  10. people it is fun to sit at the bar.
  11. Fresh food, nice people.
  12. The sushi is quite good but the service just ruined everything.
  13. The service is bad though.
  14. love trying new things and the wait staff always offers fantastic suggestions!
  15. You'll get rocking service, interact with the sushi masters, and have a good noisy shoulder to shoulder dining heck of a time.
  16. my service was great here, if i have to go to one, ill try for the studio city location
  17. the service was so bad and they were rushing us to leave- there is nothing great about this overrated place -
  18. Prices are reasonable, sushi is fresh, and service is good.
  19. So if you're looking for your average expensive dining experience with Vegas-friendly attentive waitstaff and sculpturesque food and a quiet little booth to keep "all that noise" out (like the other reviewers seem to be), the this place is not for you.
  20. feel the atmosphere is a little more inviting at the studio city one and the service is terrific!
  21. Waitress was very very friendly and gave suggestions.
  22. Sure the service isn't the best, but I soooo would put up with lousy service for fresh and delicious sushi!
  23. this is a good place to go with a group of people to just have a bunch of sake and some rolls, not when you're looking for a quality sushi dining experience.
  24. The chefs are really friendly and helpful, so we recommend sitting at the sushi bar.
  25. was hoping to order the Omasake but the waitress talked us out of it.
  26. They welcomed me uber-nicely when I gave them my nice convertible to park, but have been extremely rude to my friend who came in a less-shiny and pretentious car.
  27. but the wait staff is still nice and helpful.
  28. But, all you need to know is that the service is great and the sushi.
  29. had the creamy salmon roll as waitress recommended, and i'm now hooked.
  30. The crowd usually consists of people who know of this place and know the line is worth waiting for the delicious food.
  31. I typically like servers to recommend more popular but also risky dishes - i let the waitress go to town and homegirl was ON POINT.
  32. terrible service and attitude - not worth it
  33. The service is good at best only due to mass amounts of people eating in one place.
value
54.16999816894531% positive
  1. High prices, rude staff, good food but not worth what you have to put up with to get it and pay top
  2. So if you're looking for your average expensive dining experience with Vegas-friendly attentive waitstaff and sculpturesque food and a quiet little booth to keep "all that noise" out (like the other reviewers seem to be), the this place is not for you.
  3. The sushi is excellent and while the prices are a bit high, you definitely get what
  4. You cannot afford to give "the look" at a customer because his car is less expensive than a jag!
  5. Don't be fooled into thinking you must order from the rather expensive specials menu.
  6. Overall this is a great inexpensive sushi restaurant.
  7. When I heard that Nobu was located in a strip mall in Malibu, it was a huge drawback, but once you're inside KatsuYa in Studio City - and see the line outside it at the valet - it's a different story.
  8. The crowd usually consists of people who know of this place and know the line is worth waiting for the delicious food.
  9. terrible service and attitude - not worth it
  10. this place is just average but at least the cost is affordable.
  11. Parking can be a nightmare but once you're inside and you try some delicious rolls, it'll be worth it!
  12. Another thing: even if some review consider the place incredibly expensive, let me disagree.
wait time
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. had set foot out of my cold apartment intendning to eat a big all you can eat meal at Midori only to find that it was closed - luckily on ventura you can bet that a sushi store will turn up in less than a five minute walk, and Katsu-ya did.
  2. My most recent (and certainly last) visit there, I waited for nearly an hour for my cramped little table, then waited ten minutes for the waitress, then another thirty to get my order, which was mediocre.
  3. The new Tarzana restaurant hasn't helped witht reservation frenzy here, or shorthened the mile-long line outside this place (since the food really is that good).
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/13/12

Ordered $200 worth of take out and got

by RandeeD

Ordered $200 worth of take out and got $50 worth of someone elses lame order

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/29/12

great food, wonderful service

by pupilove

I am a regular here! I eat here every week and I love it! The fish is very fresh and they have good service.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/24/12

yuuum!

by LaurenBl

love this place. fresh fish, amazing rolls good ambiance. this is a go-to for me!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

12/13/10

I would never go back to Katsu-Ya

by Zena DelVecchio

My husband and I took our son and wife to dinner to celebrate his birthday Saturday evening. We had a reservation at 5:30 p.m. We all arrived promptly. By the time we ordered our drinks and food, it was 5:55. We spent $264 including tip. Our check arrived and we paid it but were still talking and finishing our drinks. My tea was hot and I had 3/4 of a cup left. A waitress tapped my son on the back and said "we need the table". I looked around and there were other empty tables available. We were all stunned so we got up and left without addressing this matter with the manager. We were in the parking lot handing over the ticket to the valet (another $4.00) at 6:58 p.m. I have traveled to many countries around the world and have never had this happen to me.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/09/10

Not Your Average Chain

by Kika Davis 2

If you only order one thing, please let it be the albacore with crispy onions. Between the seared tuna, crispy shallots and vinaigrette, you might just die and you would be completely OK with it. The tuna's sliced so beautifully that it simply melts in your mouth and leaves the faintest of tongue-teasing vinaigrette. Word to the wise: seating is on the limited side, so reservations are pretty much mandatory. But it’s worth it.

The Details on Sushi Katsu-Ya

Place Categories:

  • best quality sushi
  • fresh food
  • best sushi place
  • crispy rice
  • fresh fish
  • extremely fresh albacore sashimi
  • crispy onion
  • best inexpensive sushi restaurant
  • favorite triedandtrue rolls
  • great sushi chefs
  • incredibly expensive place
  • loved baked crab roll
  • crispy sesame tuna
  • delicious everything
  • helpful wait staff
  • best location
  • order honey hand roll
  • not like rock shrimp tempura
  • very friendly waitress
  • great prices
  • favorite sushi spot
  • mediocre sushi
  • good service
  • crispy spicy tuna
  • too full people
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