Sushi Masu

In Short – After 16 years in Little Tokyo, chef Mashiko moved into this narrow Westside slot. Hidden in plain sight on a busy commercial strip with an unremarkable exterior, it's sought out by sushi die-hards. The sashimi is arranged with flourish, and the nigiri presentations are technically precise--the chef will provide background on the finite details of shaping rice and draping the fish for interested parties. For non-sushi eaters, there's teriyaki, fried chicken, and salads.

Editor's Tips

Parking:: Take advantage of the complimentary onsite parking lot.

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User Reviews (18)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“The service is terrific but more importantly, Chef Masu is so much fun to hang out with!” “Masu-san and his staff are incredibly friendly, the service is prompt, the food delicious, and it's so much fun to sit up at the bar and joke and laugh with Masu-san and the other sushi chefs while they are creating wonderful masterpieces.” “There isn't a snobby atmosphere about the place although you'd think the food is good enough to have one.”
drinks	75.0% positive	“Masu-san and his staff are incredibly friendly, the service is prompt, the food delicious, and it's so much fun to sit up at the bar and joke and laugh with Masu-san and the other sushi chefs while they are creating wonderful masterpieces.” “The service was great, constantly checking on us and keeping drinks full.”
food quality	100.0% positive	“love their califonia roll and sushi!” “We had great service and food.” “There are several dishes that you don't find in many Japanese restaurants anymore, especially the clear Dobin soup which is wonderful during these winter months.” “Great food, no attitude!” “This place by far is my most favorite sushi joint out of all the places I've been to in Japan, LA, and NY.” “The salads (albacore and seafood over half avacado) were amazing.” “I've tried just about every sushi place in town and Sushi Masu by far is the best.” “If you want great sushi, a great chef, and reasonable prices, this is definately the local place to go in West L.A. I highly recommend Sushi Masu!” “It's not like Matsuhisa or Ginza Sushiko in it's specialties, but it's what I look for in a restaurant I want to frequent, excellent food, very fresh sushi, good service, and a fair price.” “My FAVORITE local sushi place.” “There isn't a snobby atmosphere about the place although you'd think the food is good enough to have one.” “Get yourself over to this great sushi place as fast as you can--you won't regret it.” “Reasonable prices, friendly service, and the freshest fish this side of the Pacific.” “Sushi bars nowadays have become so trendy and sushi chefs such prima donnas, that its refreshing to find this quiet unassuming restaurant that focuses simply on delivering a great meal.” “I've been eating sushi for over 20 years and this is probably my favorite restaurant.” “One of the best sushi dining experiences I've had in a long, long time.” “There are plenty of other great omakase places like Sasabune and Katsu-ya that will provide better service for better sushi.” “Incredible sushi, excellent chef” “Masu-san and his staff are incredibly friendly, the service is prompt, the food delicious, and it's so much fun to sit up at the bar and joke and laugh with Masu-san and the other sushi chefs while they are creating wonderful masterpieces.” “wonderful small restaurant I used to walk to for dinner, when I lived in West L.A. Very fresh sushi.” “While their strength is the artistic and fresh sushi, everything else on the menu is very creative and very delicious.” “But not everyone likes sake as much as we do with our sushi, so would still highly recommend this restaurant.” “There are also cheaper places that sell great sushi rolls.” “I've been going to Sushi Masu since back around 2001 and the quality of the sushi has never disappointed.” “Friendly service, reasonable prices (especially for sushi on the Westside) and wonderful sushi.”
menu variety	62.5% positive	“Sushi Masu unfortunately has really awful (2 types of poor quality) sake selection.” “The selection is good and the freshness is excellent.” “Anyone can order rolls off the menu; I didn't need to pay the special omakase price for simple rolls that weren't even that great.” “While their strength is the artistic and fresh sushi, everything else on the menu is very creative and very delicious.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Get yourself over to this great sushi place as fast as you can--you won't regret it.” “If you want great sushi, a great chef, and reasonable prices, this is definately the local place to go in West L.A. I highly recommend Sushi Masu!” “I've been eating sushi for over 20 years and this is probably my favorite restaurant.”
service	94.44000244140625% positive	“The service is terrific but more importantly, Chef Masu is so much fun to hang out with!” “There are plenty of other great omakase places like Sasabune and Katsu-ya that will provide better service for better sushi.” “Friendly service, reasonable prices (especially for sushi on the Westside) and wonderful sushi.” “The staff is especially friendly.” “Masu-san and his staff are incredibly friendly, the service is prompt, the food delicious, and it's so much fun to sit up at the bar and joke and laugh with Masu-san and the other sushi chefs while they are creating wonderful masterpieces.” “The service was great, constantly checking on us and keeping drinks full.” “It's not like Matsuhisa or Ginza Sushiko in it's specialties, but it's what I look for in a restaurant I want to frequent, excellent food, very fresh sushi, good service, and a fair price.” “Reasonable prices, friendly service, and the freshest fish this side of the Pacific.” “We had great service and food.”
value	90.0% positive	“It's not like Matsuhisa or Ginza Sushiko in it's specialties, but it's what I look for in a restaurant I want to frequent, excellent food, very fresh sushi, good service, and a fair price.” “Reasonable prices, friendly service, and the freshest fish this side of the Pacific.” “If you want great sushi, a great chef, and reasonable prices, this is definately the local place to go in West L.A. I highly recommend Sushi Masu!” “Friendly service, reasonable prices (especially for sushi on the Westside) and wonderful sushi.” “Anyone can order rolls off the menu; I didn't need to pay the special omakase price for simple rolls that weren't even that great.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“One of the best sushi dining experiences I've had in a long, long time.”

08/01/10

Loved it!

by VL57

Awesome sushi experience at Sushi Masu!

The place is quite small, not good for groups over 4. It was not busy when my husband and I went and we were able to sit at the bar but I would recommend making reservations ahead of time.

I absolutely loved everything I tried: toro sushi, delicious melted in my mouth, fresh and tasty halibut, tuna, salmon, amazingly good spicy tuna on crispy rice (a must get!), daily specials cooked scallops with eggplant...

The service was perfect, staff is friendly. Prices are decent ($90 for 2); I will definitively go back.

Pros: Fresh, high quality fish

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07/25/10

Simply good

by pyram

the place is small, 6 tables and the bar. lots of specials. today white tuna, salmon toro, spicy tuna on crispy rice, sauteed scallops rolled in eggplant with tiger shrimps. and more.

very friendly chefs too.

a place to go back, definitively

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01/04/09

Huge disappointment!

by lyen

I've been to many other sushi omakase places, and had a good initial first impression of Sushi Masu when I went on a weekday night. It wasn't busy. We had great service and food. Everyone ordered omakase, and they even made a special "cooked" omakase for me that included delicious pieces of cooked fish (since I'm pregnant). However, on my second time going there, I had the omakase again. After everyone else completed their regular omakase dishes, the server finally realized that Masu has forgotten my order. Also, the server (who remembered me) had PROMISED that I would not simply get cooked rolls; but when I finally received my order (when everyone else was done eating), all I received were 3 cooked rolls! The "omakase" consisted of 2 eel rolls and one shrimp tempura roll for $25! Masu's excuse afterwards was "it's busy tonite". All he had to do was explain that before hand that I wouldn't be able to get pieces of sushi, and I would have chosen something else. Anyone can order rolls off the menu; I didn't need to pay the special omakase price for simple rolls that weren't even that great. Neither Masu nor the server apologized for their lack of communication. All I can say is that we're never going back there. There are plenty of other great omakase places like Sasabune and Katsu-ya that will provide better service for better sushi. There are also cheaper places that sell great sushi rolls. This place cannot accomodate people easily on weekends or if there are any special needs. Don't go there to just be disappointed!

Pros: better on a weekday
Cons: don't go on a weekend

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03/08/08

Would definitely recommend.

by foodieinlosangeles

We go out eat sushi ALOT. Wow - this is an excellent find. To try a new sushi place, we usually ask for the "omakase" at the sushi bar. This is when the sushi chief chooses for you based on what is the best available for the day and based on his expertise. Some places like at Sushi Roku have a set Omakase menu which has nothing to do with what is fresh for the day -- yuk. But at Sushi Masu, we thoroughly enjoyed our first time there, that we have been back 3 more times since. Only major drawback for us is that we also like to enjoy good sake. Sushi Masu unfortunately has really awful (2 types of poor quality) sake selection. We would go more often if it wasn't for that. We even thought if it wasn't too tacky to bring our own, but were too chicken to ask. But not everyone likes sake as much as we do with our sushi, so would still highly recommend this restaurant.

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03/20/07

Best Sushi in Town

by phillyeric

I have been going to Sushi Masu for about a year now, several times a week. If you want great sushi, a great chef, and reasonable prices, this is definately the local place to go in West L.A. I highly recommend Sushi Masu!!!!!

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Editor's Tips

08/01/10

Loved it!

by VL57

07/25/10

Simply good

by pyram

01/04/09

Huge disappointment!

by lyen

03/08/08

Would definitely recommend.

by foodieinlosangeles

03/20/07

Best Sushi in Town

by phillyeric

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