Don't let the name throw you. I did originally before my friend brought me here over 20 years ago. As an OG born and raised LA native, this sushi restaurant is probably one of the top quality places in LA. I have friends that own different sushi happening type restaurants which are great for socializing and bar setting etc etc. Sushi King blows everyone away when it comes to their quality of food. This is what you get here. If you're looking for a bar scene, go to my buddy's restaurants. This is an intimate awesome spot! I could keep going, but you all get the point.

Love this place. Feels like you’re in a movie. We thought the sushi was great. They are fast too. Not sure if it’s wild caught or not

Nice sushi place. Proper Japanese sushi chefs. Pricey, but then again it's Santa Monica... I would recommend and I will be back. Big portions for a Japanese restaurant.

The rainbow roll was great! We came late at night close to closing but the staff was nice and efficient. I'm sad I haven't tried this place sooner, I will be back (they really need to update their sign on the front... I didn't realize how good the food quality because the sign is old and outdated).

Classic and traditional sushi spot with great quality fish and ambiance. Small space with an intimate feel. Local vibe that for not feel commercialized and has been there for a long time.

I almost do not want to Yelp about this spot. It's the only authentic sushi spot I know in Santa Monica. They are a little hole in the wall shop that is family run and delicious. Yes, there are plenty of sushi spots in Santa Monica, including Sugarfish. But if you're looking for an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant with the sushi counter, great food, service, etc. This is really the only spot. I'm aware there are other sushi restaurants and I've been to them. They are not as good. I've had the sashimi, the sushi, the chirashi bowl and other items. What I did notice is that I believe they put a smaller portion of rice in the sushi than normal. Is it because Angelinos don't like carbs? I think it is but I've not usually seen this at other sushi spots or it is not as noticeable. If you want an excellent sushi experience come here and make a reservation. Don't believe me that's fine. Will be better for me to get a table here.

When I travel I always like to go to local non chain places. I can say that I have been to a fare share of sushi places in my lifetime but this definitely makes it into the top 3 for me. Place is a hike in the wall with nice chefs. They make delicious sushi rolls in front of you within minutes. It's reasonably priced and their tempura roll is a must.

One of the best sushi restaurants in town, taking into account quality and value. I could eat here every week and often I do! The sushi chefs actually go downtown almost every morning to buy the fish fresh themselves! Sato San is a master and his knifework is impeccable. Do yourself a favor and sit at the sushi bar and order all your favorites. It would be hard to find a place that could beat it in terms of freshness, taste and price.

Classic sushi in Santa Monica that won’t break the bank. Be sure to try the crab hand roll and the sea bass miso yaki.

Delicious fish, great portions, fast service. Cozy ambience at the bar. Totally worth the price point! My favorites are the scallop and deep fried soft shell crab.

Yvonne Choi

Sushi King is hands down the best sushi on the West Side. Everything is incredibly fresh, consistently delicious, and prepared fast without sacrificing quality. The fish tastes clean and high-quality, the rolls are well balanced, and service is always efficient. If you want reliable, great-tasting sushi done right, this is the go-to spot. Highly recommended.

Merve E.

A small cozy place to hangout for dinner. We started with three different rolls: california, alaska and spicy tuna! All were delicious. In addition, seabass was soo yummy, but the portion is smaller for the standards of the us. I could not stop eating and ordered shrimp tempura. It was also good. A bit expensive but worth it! But service can be a bit slower, I felt like “I need to eat and leave immediately”

Gregory Kuhn

Sushi King is cool. Great little place. Casual feel. Excellent service. Great sushi. Definitely coming back next time I am in town.

Scissorhands Barbershop

Amazing sushi 🍣 simple and friendly place love it all thanks guys

CHATCHA V

Incredible quality! The sushi is fresh, Highly recommend Seabass Misoyaki. Great customer service and Great price !🥰

Bethany Longfellow

Surprised to find authentic sushi right in Santa Monica! Definitely need a reservation since it’s a small space. The sushi chefs are Japanese and everyone is very attentive just like in Japan. I lived in Northern Japan for many years so can’t beat that sushi but for America this is great quality for a typical price. It was nearly $200 for two of us eating a substantial amount with no alcohol. Limited selection but fresh and a relaxed atmosphere. The boss lady was scolding the workers a lot which was a little weird especially because I understand Japanese. You can tell they strive for the best. Don’t forget the Toro!

BIGBANG0523

The best sushi ever!!! You should try salmon and sea urchin. Also, Chef was so nice. Definitely moved with their service.

Vlad Sobol

Amazing sushi and great atmosphere. Bring friends, a date or come alone, either way you'll enjoy it.

Emiko Kawashima

I had to go back to Sushi King even during the pandemic! I ordered ahead of time, and it was ready in a reasonable timeframe. They put enough wasabi, gari (picked ginger), soy sauce and utensils. Their hospitality level is very Japanese. I cannot wait for the pandemic to be settled so that I can enjoy sushi at the counter soon. Oh, I am so happy that they are now open for lunch (to go only)!

Jeannie Rios

Felt like in japan! One of the best sushi spots in LA! No words

I had to go back to Sushi King even during the pandemic! I ordered ahead of time, and it was ready in a reasonable timeframe. They put enough wasabi, gari (picked ginger), soy sauce and utensils. Their hospitality level is very Japanese. I cannot wait for the pandemic to be settled so that I can enjoy sushi at the counter soon. Oh, I am so happy that they are now open for lunch (to go only)!

Amazing sushi and great atmosphere. Bring friends, a date or come alone, either way you'll enjoy it.

+2

The best sushi ever!!! You should try salmon and sea urchin. Also, Chef was so nice. Definitely moved with their service.

Surprised to find authentic sushi right in Santa Monica! Definitely need a reservation since it’s a small space. The sushi chefs are Japanese and everyone is very attentive just like in Japan. I lived in Northern Japan for many years so can’t beat that sushi but for America this is great quality for a typical price. It was nearly $200 for two of us eating a substantial amount with no alcohol. Limited selection but fresh and a relaxed atmosphere. The boss lady was scolding the workers a lot which was a little weird especially because I understand Japanese. You can tell they strive for the best. Don’t forget the Toro!

Incredible quality! The sushi is fresh, Highly recommend Seabass Misoyaki. Great customer service and Great price !🥰

+3

Amazing sushi 🍣 simple and friendly place love it all thanks guys

Sushi King is cool. Great little place. Casual feel. Excellent service. Great sushi. Definitely coming back next time I am in town.

+6

A small cozy place to hangout for dinner. We started with three different rolls: california, alaska and spicy tuna! All were delicious. In addition, seabass was soo yummy, but the portion is smaller for the standards of the us. I could not stop eating and ordered shrimp tempura. It was also good. A bit expensive but worth it! But service can be a bit slower, I felt like “I need to eat and leave immediately”

The best sushi in SM! Highly recommend! The staff here are truly so kind!!

+2

Sushi King is hands down the best sushi on the West Side. Everything is incredibly fresh, consistently delicious, and prepared fast without sacrificing quality. The fish tastes clean and high-quality, the rolls are well balanced, and service is always efficient. If you want reliable, great-tasting sushi done right, this is the go-to spot. Highly recommended.

I hesitated to try this place just because of the name (silly) but a lot of people recommend it. We enjoyed everything, sushi tasted fresh and the rice portion is perfect! Staff is friendly, I'll definitely come back.

We ordered many different dishes.....all turned out really 😋! High quality fish. The oyster shooter is one incredible drink that's a must to experience!!!

This was the best sushi I have ever had in my life. No joke. The vibes: 10/10 the food: 10/10 and the staff was 10/10. You know it's going to be good when you walk in and the men behind the sushi counter should have been retired 20 years. They are the real deal. All authentic Japanese. This was the first time going and will be the first of many. This is my new go-to spot. They also have gluten free soy sauce!!

Excellent food and amazing service! Fish was high quality, fresh melt in your mouth. A total hidden gem, I can’t believe I just discovered this place! Small and cozy restaurant with sushi bar.

Sushi King has become my second home. I’ve been coming here every week, and every visit feels special. The sushi is beyond excellent always fresh, delicate, and prepared with artistry. What makes it even more remarkable is the service. Saitou-san provides the most thoughtful hospitality, ensuring each guest feels cared for. It’s rare to find a place where both the food and the experience are consistently this exceptional. Truly the best sushi in LA! 🍣✨

If you’re looking for one of the best hidden gems for neighborhood, Sushi, this is your spot. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly and it’s always fairly easy to get a seat but still busy and engaging. The Omakase is always a great choice and super flexible.

Alena Cohen

Excellent food and amazing service! Fish was high quality, fresh melt in your mouth. A total hidden gem, I can’t believe I just discovered this place! Small and cozy restaurant with sushi bar.

Law Hsu

If you’re looking for one of the best hidden gems for neighborhood, Sushi, this is your spot. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly and it’s always fairly easy to get a seat but still busy and engaging. The Omakase is always a great choice and super flexible.

Hannah Ouassil

This was the best sushi I have ever had in my life. No joke. The vibes: 10/10 the food: 10/10 and the staff was 10/10. You know it's going to be good when you walk in and the men behind the sushi counter should have been retired 20 years. They are the real deal. All authentic Japanese. This was the first time going and will be the first of many. This is my new go-to spot. They also have gluten free soy sauce!!

Manasa Okamoto

Sushi King has become my second home. I’ve been coming here every week, and every visit feels special. The sushi is beyond excellent always fresh, delicate, and prepared with artistry. What makes it even more remarkable is the service. Saitou-san provides the most thoughtful hospitality, ensuring each guest feels cared for. It’s rare to find a place where both the food and the experience are consistently this exceptional. Truly the best sushi in LA! 🍣✨

Bob Moss

During my visit to the town, I happened to be in the vicinity and noticed the outstanding reviews, which prompted me to pay a visit. I was unaware that reservations are strongly advised, as they tend to be quite crowded. Fortunately, I was able to be seated promptly, but within five minutes of my arrival, there was not a single seat available. It was undoubtedly one of the finest sushi experiences I have ever had.

Excellent sushi made and served by Japanese chefs and staff, who were very friendly and attentive. No pretension here at all. Food was fresh and delicious. Prices were on the medium to high side, but in line with value. Atmosphere was good, we sat at the bar and there seemed to be a lot of regulars who knew the chefs. We live in Japan so this like being in Japan only friendlier.

I was referred to Sushi King by a coworker, it was our first time dining here. The nigiri and sushi pieces are comparatively larger than other sushi spots so that was a plus. This is a very traditional sushi spot so don't expect a bunch of fancy sushi rolls although they do have a good selection of appetizers and nigiri. They also have a decent selection of beers and sake. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a shot.

I have been going to Sushi King for years. Love the fish and the sushi chefs! That is why my experience last Sunday was so disappointing when I walked in at 5:30 and the hostess was no where to be found. All the seats at the bar were empty except for two. She finally showed up after 15 minutes and told me the seats are all reserved for 6:00 PM. Had she been at the door at 5:30 to sit me down, I would have been done by 6 o’clock. I was actually turned away!!! Very disappointing. Need to do better with service!!!

azita azad

I have been going to Sushi King for years. Love the fish and the sushi chefs! That is why my experience last Sunday was so disappointing when I walked in at 5:30 and the hostess was no where to be found. All the seats at the bar were empty except for two. She finally showed up after 15 minutes and told me the seats are all reserved for 6:00 PM. Had she been at the door at 5:30 to sit me down, I would have been done by 6 o’clock. I was actually turned away!!! Very disappointing. Need to do better with service!!!

Not nearly as bad as the generic name suggests, nonetheless I was not overwhelmed by Sushi King. Their miso sea bass was delicious, but the green beans with it were cold and undercooked. The yellowtail salad had an odd texture and pickled flavor profile and the fish was not well sliced. Vegetable sushi roll was good. Maybe I ordered the wrong things or didn’t order enough other things to try, but it seemed to be a good middle of the road Japanese restaurant that doesn’t pay much attention to food presentation, fine slices, well styled plates, not the refined elements of Japanese design in general.

Victoria

Downgraded from 4 star in 2022. Edited: have come back a few more times and the quality has declined. The fish is definitely not as fresh, too cold, slimy. The rice is mushy and feels old. And it’s insanely expensive. It’s a shame, the service is good and it appears to be really authentic. But with the increase in price with decrease in quality, not worth a Return visit. For good quality fish, I would recommend Hide in Sawtelle. For value, I would recommend Hara.

Downgraded from 4 star in 2022. Edited: have come back a few more times and the quality has declined. The fish is definitely not as fresh, too cold, slimy. The rice is mushy and feels old. And it’s insanely expensive. It’s a shame, the service is good and it appears to be really authentic. But with the increase in price with decrease in quality, not worth a Return visit. For good quality fish, I would recommend Hide in Sawtelle. For value, I would recommend Hara.

Unfortunately, we were disappointed with our second visit to Sushi King. We are Japanese and had such a lovely experience our first visit almost a year ago. This time, the rice was bland (could not taste the rice vinegar at all), the fish texture felt off and the wasabi was quite heavy on the nigiri. It was not fishy luckily, but the quality had gone down significantly since the time before. The service was not bad but felt a bit rushed with lots of running around. I can’t say that I would recommend this sadly, I hope they are able to improve

Elisa Watanabe

Unfortunately, we were disappointed with our second visit to Sushi King. We are Japanese and had such a lovely experience our first visit almost a year ago. This time, the rice was bland (could not taste the rice vinegar at all), the fish texture felt off and the wasabi was quite heavy on the nigiri. It was not fishy luckily, but the quality had gone down significantly since the time before. The service was not bad but felt a bit rushed with lots of running around. I can’t say that I would recommend this sadly, I hope they are able to improve

Can someone tell me why there is such an intense inside? There is a solid & BAD smell of fish, and it feels like they need to do a better job ventilating the tiny restaurant. You'll find minimal menu options if you are not a shrimp fan like me. The sushi was alright but pricey, and I've experienced much better. Not worth the price. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, and even if you live close by, there are much better sushi restaurants in the area.

Before the pandemic this place was one of the best sushi restaurants in LA. I recently went there on a Saturday (9:30PM) with my family and ordered Uni, Unagi, Maguro, Sake, Sweet Shrimp, Tataki, and Halibut. The first bite I had was the uni, which is my favorite sushi, and when I took a bite of the uni, I tasted a slimy old fishy and trashy taste which made me gag, it was impossible to swallow. It was an over powering fishy taste. I took many swigs of beer and a few shots of sake to get rid of the foul rotten fish taste. I had $3 uni in low-end revolving sushi places that tasted better than this $20 uni. Further tasting revealed the Maguro also lacked freshness, evident in both taste and appearance, deviating from its characteristic deep red color. The sake (salmon) was ok and the halibut was pretty bland. The only items that managed to meet expectations were the tataki, unagi and the sweet shrimp. I conveyed my concerns about the uni to our waitress, hoping for a constructive response, but it was unfortunately disregarded. This, coupled with a rush to clear our table before we had finished our evening, including removing my son's drink, significantly impacted our overall satisfaction. The evening concluded with a bill of over $240, which did not reflect the value or service expected based on prior visits. For those seeking a superior sushi experience in Santa Monica, I now find myself recommending Yabu on Pico, where the quality of fish and customer service more closely align with my expectations for fine dining.

Makoto

I came in on a Saturday night around 9:30pm. I was glad they were still open as a lot of places in Santa Monica close so early. The service was fine. No complaints there. Very to the point and robotic. The food however was not good. I didn't enjoy eating it. They had a lot of wasabi on every piece of sushi. Even the cucumber had a lot. We got various nigiri sushi off of their menu. None of it was that good. Too much wasabi and a few fish tasted a little fishy/old.

Kristina Nokes

My takeout order last Friday was disappointing. Bad value for $50, mediocre food, rude service (but Sushi King automatically charged me $6 for a tip), and they forgot to add soy sauce and chopsticks. I regret ordering from here and don't recommend it.

My takeout order last Friday was disappointing. Bad value for $50, mediocre food, rude service (but Sushi King automatically charged me $6 for a tip), and they forgot to add soy sauce and chopsticks. I regret ordering from here and don't recommend it.

I came in on a Saturday night around 9:30pm. I was glad they were still open as a lot of places in Santa Monica close so early. The service was fine. No complaints there. Very to the point and robotic. The food however was not good. I didn't enjoy eating it. They had a lot of wasabi on every piece of sushi. Even the cucumber had a lot. We got various nigiri sushi off of their menu. None of it was that good. Too much wasabi and a few fish tasted a little fishy/old.

Review is just for take out. I do give the fact that sushi is just better at the restaurant, but this was the worst sushi we've had in a while. I actually spit out a piece of scallop. Definitely not worth the price. Ive had higher quality fish for less cost. I'm a little surprised since this place seems to have decent reviews.

I tried it because I live in the area and I thought the reviews were OK, but I got very disappointed. Worst selection of sushi rolls ever, there are no “special”. I ordered a California roll and there was more cucumber than crab, every roll has 6 super small pieces. Also way overpriced. So: 1) poor selection, 2) poor quality, 3) high prices = horrible combination. Do NOT recommend sorry.

Do not go here. Lady was very rude. Over charged tf out of me. I ordered two rolls and the total was almost $30 when the menu says $8.40 each which was ridiculous. When we asked her about it she laughed in our face and said nothing is free. We paid the total but would not ever go back and wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy. Sushi chef was sweet though I feel bad for him he was so sweet and kind. Love him but he needs to find somewhere else to work.

Terrible. Actually the worst sushi I've had in LA. The waitresses took literally 15 minutes to get our appetizer/drink orders. They forgot 3 things from our order. No one checked up on us during the meal so we had to stop multiple random waitresses to get our missing food/ask for ginger/refill water... which led to people forgetting because we should only have had one waitress. The sushi rolls constantly fell apart. The menu was SUPER underwhelming Idk if it was the experience or what, but the food itself wasn't even that good. All in all 0/10. Wasted and super disappointing experience