(310) 473-7688

11275 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064 34.0265 -118.4311

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Mar Vista, West LA

Years in business

Established in 2003

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 6.04.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Quiet, Prix Fixe Menu

Cuisine:

Japanese, Sushi

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Hiko Sushi

Featured Review

Tara Lis

Contributor

The Scene – Incorporating standard elements of many traditional Japanese hole-in-the-wall sushi joints--assorted Eastern trinkets, leafy plants and track lighting above the bar--more personality is injected via modish art and an old postcard shrine. A mix of Palms dwellers and off-work studio types are greeted by pleasant hostesses, who dutifully recite the restaurant's many restrictions, especially for newbie foodies with omakase intentions. Waitstaff service is pleasantly paced, but counter-seated customers may strain to understand the mumbled descriptions of chef-presented dishes.…

Editor's Tips

Look Good:
Do not place or accept calls on your cell phone, and make sure it's turned off. They have been know to kick people out who violate this policy. Make sure everyone in your party is present before requesting a table.
Parking:
Enter the lot off Sawtelle for free parking behind the restaurant.
Know Before You Go:
It's omakase-only at the sushi bar, and you must be willing to eat everything, including all rice. Anyone with allergies is told to sit at a table instead. There's no California rolls or cooked dishes. Everyone at the sushi bar must order at least six dishes; four at the tables.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Where else can you get fresh wasabi, super fresh toro, uni (I was never a fan until Hiko turned me into one), blue crab, monkfish liver, anago, homey family ambience and relaxed and attentive service from the myriad children of the owners?”
drinks
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “When she offered to buy some green tea and saki while she waited, the hostess told her she should wait outside in the cold rain.”
  2. “After hitting up nearly every sushi bar in Los Angeles, from uber expensive,to shack, I have found Hiko to be the absolute freshest and most delicious.”
  3. “We sat at the Sushi bar and hoping we'd get to have great meal, but the sushi chef stuffed us up with crab rolls and ugly looking sushi with rice sticking out from the sides.”
food quality
83.05999755859375% positive
  1. “wanted to take my friend who supposedly HATED sushi to an establishment I really liked.”
  2. “This place is not delicious, nor is any of the presentation so intrinsic in Japanese cusine apparent here.”
  3. “previously wrote a recommendation for this restaurant because of it's excellent quality of sushi.”
  4. “Great sushi but terrible customer treatment”
  5. “Where else can you get fresh wasabi, super fresh toro, uni (I was never a fan until Hiko turned me into one), blue crab, monkfish liver, anago, homey family ambience and relaxed and attentive service from the myriad children of the owners?”
  6. “GREAT sushi.”
  7. “Yes, it should have been a compliment but regardless of the bad 2nd experience my friend had, he's so sad he can't ever go back to experience such great sushi ever again.”
  8. “love the Organic food!”
  9. “best sushi in LA”
  10. “I've been to Hiko Sushi several times and the sushi is always fresh and is among the best I've found in LA.”
  11. “He's not the first to invent warm sushi nor the last.”
  12. “Hiko is the best sushi you can get in LA.”
  13. “From the more than reasonable prices, to the warm welcome of the Chef and his family, to the fresher than imaginable sushi -- HIKO is perfect.”
  14. “Fresh fish, strict rules, overall good.”
  15. “but they still admit that the fish was fresh and tasty!”
  16. “We love sushi and have eaten at numerous sushi restaurants in the Los Angeles area.”
  17. “Its funny how some of the most amazing sushi spots are in the smallest places in the most normal strip malls.”
  18. “have not written a food review before and don't have the elegant vocabulary to describe each dish, but I will simply say that we enjoyed the simple and clean presentations, and the high-quality freshness of the fish, and look forward to returning soon.”
  19. “If you really love sushi, and only want fresh, raw fish, then this is the place for you.”
  20. “Handpicked fish fresh from the fish market each morning.”
  21. “and after seeing all the fabulous reviews of this place, I decided I would take two friends FROM JAPAN to check it out for some authentic sushi.”
  22. “Every single course was delicious, particularly the sea bass.”
  23. “After hitting up nearly every sushi bar in Los Angeles, from uber expensive,to shack, I have found Hiko to be the absolute freshest and most delicious.”
  24. “We sat at the Sushi bar and hoping we'd get to have great meal, but the sushi chef stuffed us up with crab rolls and ugly looking sushi with rice sticking out from the sides.”
  25. “this is traditional sushi at it's best.”
  26. “"....it seems like everyone thinks that this place is about having an "authentic Japanese experience”
  27. “No cooked dishes like teriyaki, and no california rolls.”
  28. “Now, I only discovered Hiko out of luck - previously I had always gone to Sasabune or Nozawa to get my warm rice sushi fix.”
  29. “I thought I'd show my friend a nice meal and a new experience--take her mind of things.”
  30. “The Chef is absolutely awesome and the Fish is fresh and perfectly cut.”
  31. “We are sushi snobs and this place is far and away the best sushi either of us have had (barring Japan, perhaps).”
  32. “Bright pink and mealy- like some fish that had been mashed with food coloring.”
  33. “fantastic sushi, nice people”
  34. “"Must Have" specialties include Crab and Lobster hand rolls (the only "cooked" dishes besides the Miso and unagi), and an amazing Baby Tuna Sashimi.”
  35. “The service was really really slow too, takes about 10 minutes for the next dish to come.”
  36. “If you want good sushi and an accomodating staff, I recommend Sasabune, Sushi Zo, or Echigo.”
  37. “You can't go there and complain that the best sushi in Los Angeles is too expensive!”
  38. “will say, though, that the sushi was quite expensive, even compared with other top-quality sushi bars at, for example, Sushi Roku and K-Zo, both of which are outstanding (I have always thought Sasabune is highly overrated, btw).”
  39. “She was facing some bad news health wise and thought enjoying a nice sushi dinner would cheer her up.”
  40. “The food is wonderful, comparable to far more expensive places, but what really stands out to me is the way Hiko quietyly gets people to go beyond their sushi safety zones.”
  41. “Than a dear friend of mine who has strict dietary restrictions told me that their experience there was awful because he does not eat shell fish.”
  42. “had hoped for fresh Wasabi as I refuse to eat anything else.”
  43. “The Albacore, snapper and yellow tail are excellent, and the mackerel was fishy and not really fresh.”
  44. “However, if you like to enjoy the delicate tastes and unique differences when it comes to fish, please spend your hard earned cash elsewhere!”
  45. “We started to eat (great sushi I might add) BUT!”
  46. “Let me just say that it was the best sushi experience either of us ever had!”
  47. “This is NOT authentic Japanese cuisine.”
  48. “It's reflected in the awesome sushi and sashimi he prepares!”
  49. “If I were to choose between an authentic place, I'd have to choose the tried and tested Nozawa which has been excellent.”
  50. “With reasonable prices, a friendly staff, and some of the best, fresh fish -- you would be wise to give Hiko a chance.”
  51. “The fish is divine, the rice is amazing (the best sushi rice I have ever tasted).”
  52. “Awesome sushi.”
  53. “It is among the freshest sashimi I have ever had outside of Japan (and believe me I've had some pretty damn fresh sashim/sushi in Japan).”
  54. “Hiko is far and away the best sushi place in the LA basin.”
  55. “am lucky to have one of the best sushi restaurants in town in my neighborhood!”
  56. “Handrolls were very good as well, accented by the warm rice.”
  57. “One of the best sushi places”
  58. “Hiko is not the only place in LA that buys the best fish, and the other places that do buy the SAME FISH AS HIKO will treat you like a guest for the same price.”
  59. “Quite unfortunate, as I thought I had such a great meal.”
  60. “As good as the food is, I think the rude chef and staff outweigh the pros.”
  61. “Everything was great until he started taking pictures of the food.”
  62. “He may be intimidating at first but if you love sushi, have good manners then it will be no problem.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Hiko is far and away the best sushi place in the LA basin.”
return potential
25.0% positive
  1. “Yes, it should have been a compliment but regardless of the bad 2nd experience my friend had, he's so sad he can't ever go back to experience such great sushi ever again.”
  2. “will never recommend this place to anyone and never go back.”
service
36.6700005531311% positive
  1. “If you want good sushi and an accomodating staff, I recommend Sasabune, Sushi Zo, or Echigo.”
  2. “As good as the food is, I think the rude chef and staff outweigh the pros.”
  3. “Wonderful waitress (perhaps the chef's wife?)”
  4. “fantastic sushi, nice people”
  5. “When she offered to buy some green tea and saki while she waited, the hostess told her she should wait outside in the cold rain.”
  6. “Terrible customer service.”
  7. “Not worth the rude treatment.”
  8. “friend of mine took his friend there after we tried to just because it was THAT great and had horrible service.”
  9. “used to love this place, but unfortunately, the manager has problems accomodating his customers.”
  10. “The food is wonderful, comparable to far more expensive places, but what really stands out to me is the way Hiko quietyly gets people to go beyond their sushi safety zones.”
  11. “have since stopped going to this restaurant as we've repeatedly had terrible service, which is surprising for being relatively frequent customers (used to come here at least once a month and spend over $100 each time).”
  12. “With reasonable prices, a friendly staff, and some of the best, fresh fish -- you would be wise to give Hiko a chance.”
  13. “Where else can you get fresh wasabi, super fresh toro, uni (I was never a fan until Hiko turned me into one), blue crab, monkfish liver, anago, homey family ambience and relaxed and attentive service from the myriad children of the owners?”
  14. “Talking during dinner is rude anwyay.”
  15. “The service was really really slow too, takes about 10 minutes for the next dish to come.”
value
53.69999885559082% positive
  1. “From the more than reasonable prices, to the warm welcome of the Chef and his family, to the fresher than imaginable sushi -- HIKO is perfect.”
  2. “The food is wonderful, comparable to far more expensive places, but what really stands out to me is the way Hiko quietyly gets people to go beyond their sushi safety zones.”
  3. “will say, though, that the sushi was quite expensive, even compared with other top-quality sushi bars at, for example, Sushi Roku and K-Zo, both of which are outstanding (I have always thought Sasabune is highly overrated, btw).”
  4. “You can't go there and complain that the best sushi in Los Angeles is too expensive!”
  5. “With reasonable prices, a friendly staff, and some of the best, fresh fish -- you would be wise to give Hiko a chance.”
  6. “Hiko is not the only place in LA that buys the best fish, and the other places that do buy the SAME FISH AS HIKO will treat you like a guest for the same price.”
  7. “Sushi is good, but very expensive.”
  8. “After hitting up nearly every sushi bar in Los Angeles, from uber expensive,to shack, I have found Hiko to be the absolute freshest and most delicious.”
  9. “Not worth the rude treatment.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “highly recommend this place as long as you understand the house rules.”
  2. “The service was really really slow too, takes about 10 minutes for the next dish to come.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/27/11

Sushi You Will Crave

by ZinaM at Citysearch

This place is all about the delicious food and ingredients. I can't part from the chef's choice which include bites that I crave and keep me coming back. Examples include the tuna appetizer and crab roll. Fish melts in your mouth, clearly as fresh as it gets. It's not cheap, but I now eat sushi less often so I can splurge here. The flavors and presentation seem authentic and unique to me, so this would not be my choice for someone to try sushi for the first time (no California rolls here, for example). But for someone who have fallen in love with sushi, you will fall even harder when you hit Hiko. Pleasant service, simple atmosphere, small place.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/08/11

Best food in town

by Sara ashken at Citysearch

Food is amazing. Every time I come here, I feel like I never want to leave. Very chic atmosphere with a relaxing mood.

The service is great and the staff really does a terrific job at taking care of you.

The appetizers are delicious.

Theres plenty of places to park: theres a parking lot across the street and a parkin garage up the street within walking distance.

Most of the time I find myself looking at my watch waiting for the food to come, but here I was so entertained with the fun atmosphere that I was pleasantly surprised when my food arrived

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/29/09

My favorite in LA

by dafatha00 at Citysearch

Some of the freshest fish you'll ever find in Los Angeles. And their blue crab roll is to die for.

  • Pros: Super fresh fish
  • Cons: Sushi Nazi
1 Star Rating: Poor

04/15/09

I can't believe others' ratings!

by MissNoma at Citysearch

Don't believe the hype! Never have I been so horrified to depart with $70 for overrated fare!

Where to begin? I was not in any way upset by the fact that they only serve sushi- if it is fantastic sushi then one needs nothing else.

We began with the tuna almost-drowned in some sort of ponzu-type concoction. You would be hard pressed to know that this was tuna, the sauce was so overpowering and FAR too sour. Avoid.

Then came the red snapper. 'Do not add soy', the waitress said, 'it has a dressing of lemon and a little salt'. I popped it in my mouth and my eyes almost clamped shut as my salivary ducts went into overdrive attempting to wash away the tartness. Again, no semblance of fish taste. Just lemon. Just sour. Avoid.

Secondly appeared some rolls- one crab, one lobster. The presentation was terrible. They were uneven, unsightly sausages- and the lobster was questionably not lobster at all. Bright pink and mealy- like some fish that had been mashed with food coloring. The crab: pale and mealy again. In terms of flavour I wondered for a moment if I were coming down with a cold. Nothing. NOTHING. Truly the blandest rolls ever to have passed these lips. Avoid also.

Then the Uni. This was possibly the highlight of the repast. Light and delicately flavoured- fresh, I will give them that. However, teeny tiny amuse-bouche size pieces, and once again poor presentation. Definitely passable by taste.

Then the Salmon Skin roll. Hideous again. Wobbly, hot salmon. Zero flavour but for the soy and wasabi added. Avoid.

Finally the eel. Guess what? No taste. Don't bother.

We were so disheartened that we ordered nothing more. My other half, still hungry, had to stop for a burger on the way back- and no, we are not unsophisticated. I have eaten Japanese food 2 or 3 times per week for the past 20 years in spectacular places around the globe. This place is not delicious, nor is any of the presentation so intrinsic in Japanese cusine apparent here.

So basically there are two gears in this restaurant- painfully sour or entirely bland. If that's for you then you will love it. However, if you like to enjoy the delicate tastes and unique differences when it comes to fish, please spend your hard earned cash elsewhere!

  • Pros: Nice enough waitress.
  • Cons: Sushi.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/04/08

Great Sushi!!!

by bigpapa92705 at Citysearch

My gf and I went there on 12/3 after reading about it on LA weekly. It's a pretty small place. When we entered, the hostess told us that if we wanted to sit at the sushi bar, we don't get to choose our own dishes! The chef will prepare dishes for us and he'll continue to do so until we say "stop". We were somewhat prepared for something like this after reading the LA Weekly review... so we decided to give it a try. Let me just say that it was the best sushi experience either of us ever had! He served, among other things, yellowtail, seabass, scallops, and toro hand rolls. I don't know what it is... but he does a great job!!!! I highly recommend this place as long as you understand the house rules. Oh... but keep in mind that it's a little pricey. I think it was close to twice as much as we'd normally pay.

  • Pros: The Sushi!!!!
  • Cons: The Bill!!!!

The Details on Hiko Sushi

Place Categories:

  • best hiko sushi
  • fresh handpicked fish
  • love hiko
  • far more expensive place
  • too expensive best sushi
  • terrible customer service
  • bad 2nd experience
  • warm sushi rice
  • great meal
  • authentic sushi place
  • fresh wasabi
  • enjoy unique differences
  • good accomodating staff
  • rude chef
  • reasonable prices
  • wonderful organic food
  • recommend old sasabune
  • amazing baby tuna sashimi
  • nice new experience
  • rude customer treatment
  • worst restaurant
  • enjoy delicate tastes
  • outstanding sushi roku
  • rude staff
  • very unpleasant taste
Advertisement

Lists In Los Angeles

Recent Reviews In Los Angeles

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

California Wings Cafe

1649 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Weiland Brewery Restaurant

400 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Urban Masala

6554 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Advertisement