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Sushi Hanada
Category: Restaurants Sushi Bars Sushi Bars [Edit]
457 W Channel Islands BlvdPort Hueneme, CA 93041
(805) 984-7978
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11:30 am - 9 pm
Fri 10:30 am - 9:30 pm
Sat 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Sun 5 pm - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Sushi Hanada
Review Highlights
"The marinated tuna has different layers of flavor and is..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Sweet shrimp (Santa Barbara."
(in 4 reviews)
"Hands down the best sushi I have had."
(in 4 reviews)
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Archie A.
Coronado, CA
12/12/2011
After completing a six-month deployment to Iraq this was the first place I wanted my family to take me out to eat.
Their sushi is fresh and everything they serve is down right amazing. I Love their oyster shooters with sake then any other place that serves it on their menu and any combo bento special on their lunch menu grantees a deal you can't get anywhere else.
The cost is worth every penny, but it does cost some bucks once you start reading all the fantastic and mouth-watering items on their menu!
One of the Chefs on board is from Okinawa and hooks it up with the most creative and authentic sushi rolls and sashimi cuts I have ever had the privilege of consuming.
Parking is a pain on weekends and the facility needs some upgrading but can all be over looked with the costumer service always being on point and the food always being fantastic. -
Review from Chandra M.
Port Hueneme, CA
2/6/2012
I'm surprised this place got so many great reviews.
I walked in and it stunk like fish! The lady was rude and kept trying to tell me what my kids could & could not have... She took chop sticks away from my 8 yr old saying he couldn't have them!
The lady kept hovering over me and it was uncomfortable. My kids disliked the food and do did I. Never again would I go there or ever recommend this stink hole! -
Review from Ria V.
San Jose, CA
5/20/2011
The sushi WAS NOT fresh. I should have known when the guy sitting next to our table was demanding more.
I asked for a combo plate with chicken teriyaki and tempura vegetables. I have a shellfish allergy and I asked NOT to have shrimp. I asked the server not to give me shrimp. She even reiterated my order and said "no shrimp." What do I get? SHRIMP! Sorry, but the restaurant did not meet my standards for freshness and allergy friendliness. -
Review from Brittany W.
Port Hueneme, CA
4/2/2011 10 Check-ins Here
Wow can I say tradition Tokyo sushi that was amazing!! The sushi was beyond fresh.
For a small little strip center in Port Hueneme across the base this place takes the best sushi of Ventura County hands down. I have been to sushi in almost every city in VC and this small little traditional place was as good as promised. The sushi chef is skilled and knows his fish and sauce well.
Now let me just say one more time traditional Tokyo style!! Its not a bunch of wowed out fancy rolls with crap and sauce all in them. It is simple sushi/sashimi you eat it how the chef gives it to you. Don't drench it in soy sauce and insult the chef.
I opted for the sushi bar and had albacore, sweet shrimp (killed in front of me!), tako (octopus), mackerel, and the defried heads of the shrimp. Everything was amazing the one thing that for me that was a bit negative was that at this place you order no wasabi, normal, or a lot. Well normal was a lot and my nose was cleaned out!! It took a bit of flavor away from the fish. Since they don't serve it on the side next time I'll be doing the no wasabi.
Prices are about average but don't break the wallet. You can also choose from 3 different sushi dinners that don't break the bank but serve great fish. 1. Sushi dinner (7 different kinds of nigiri + tuna or cali roll) $17. 4. Sashimi Dinner (sliced raw fish, served with steamed rice) $15 or what i really want to try 5. Sushi & Sashimi (seafood of the day, chef picked) $28. -
Review from Pristine C.
Port Hueneme, CA
10/8/2011
Smalller quiet place in the shopping centerin by pizza hut. Ordered the yellow tail, eel, toro, dynamite, sea urchin and a one other who's name I forgot. The yellow tail was the best the toro second best eel the third place. Didn't care for dynamite roll or sea urchin. Dynamite was better at anabas but this gets much respect for freshness and no frills sushi. Not a lot of rolls on the menu. No pictures. Price isn't that bad spent 40 for all that and split with one other person. Don't you dare ask for wasabi or soy sauce. Lol. This is a true sushi place where they want you enjoy the flavor and quality of the fish. Basically sushi straight up. Will go back though. Good stuff.
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Review from Elissa F.
Santa Barbara, CA
5/24/2011
This is hands down my all time favorite sushi restaurant, which means a lot coming from me since sushi is one of my favorite foods and I'm very, very picky. I've had sushi at many places all over, but nothing has ever been as good as Hanada.
It's doesn't look like much from the outside as it's in kind of an odd spot in a random, small strip mall on Channel Islands Blvd. in Port Hueneme. My dad and I ran across it years ago when he first moved to the area. I must say I was a little nervous at first since it's in such a weird spot, but I've been hooked since the first time and never had anything but amazingly fresh fish.
The owner of the restaurant is also the sushi chef (Chef Hanada). It's my understanding that he goes to the fish market in LA every day for fresh fish. If he can't get it fresh, he's not serving it. So everything is always at it's peak of freshness, which does mean at times certain things are out or not available. I will eat things at this sushi restaurant that I would never in a million years try anywhere else, but because I can trust the freshness and quality of ingredients I'm willing to try anything and have literally never had anything I didn't like.
The sushi is very traditional style sushi. Not a lot of fancy sauces or rolls, but just really good, fresh fish that lets the quality and flavor of the fish and ingredients shine through. Chef Hanada serves his sushi with the wasabi inside the sushi and not on the side, so be sure to indicate the level of spiciness you'd like.
The miso soup is to die for. It has a very nice flavor and isn't all watered down like most sushi restaurants. Real ingredients and not instant junk. The crab roll appetizer is really, really yummy and also a lot of fun to watch him make. It's rolled in thinly sliced cucumber, which is neat to see the chef cut. It's a must have (and a must watch make). I also really enjoy the Zuke, which is a marinated tuna that has an amazing flavor.
My dad's wife doesn't eat sushi, so she usually orders off the cooked food menu. She's always been very happy with what she orders, which is usually salmon shoyaki or chicken teriyaki.
The sushi dinners are a fabulous deal, but if you're feeling daring and have a little money to spend I recommend sitting at the sushi bar, ordering the crab roll and miso soup to start, then just tell the chef to "go." He'll keep making his choice of fresh, special, and delicious sushi until you indicate you've had enough. This is what my dad and I often do when it's just the two of us.
I saw someone posted a negative review saying the sushi was not fresh. I'm guessing they're not aware what fresh food is, and in fact went on in their review to say they had chicken teriyaki, which I'm guessing they're not aware isn't sushi at all. All I can say is that I've been coming here for a minimum of 7 or so years and I've never had anything but the freshest of sushi and food, and as anyone that knows me can tell you I'm one picky little b*#$%. Chef Hanada prides himself on the freshness of his fish and ingredients, which as I mentioned is why things are sometimes out or not available. I've been to Sushi Hanada many times with people who don't order sushi and have all had wonderful food. It's unfortunate this person had a bad experience, and I can definitely identify with having food allergies (since I am allergic to A LOT of stuff) and getting served something you asked not to have on your plate, but people do make mistakes and Sushi Hanada does get very, very busy since it's so good and has become so popular. My best suggestion for that person would be not to visit a sushi or fish restaurant if you're really that allergic to shrimp. I'm not sure what the level of allergy is, but most people who are super allergic to shellfish usually avoid restaurants that prepare it all together. I'm just sayin', if you have food allergies get smart about them and don't blame someone else if a shrimp is on your plate and you can't just move it aside and not eat it. -
Review from Katherine W.
Los Angeles, CA
6/11/2010 12 photos
I planned my business trip around lunch at Sushi Hanada. I asked Chef Hanada to serve me whatever he wished, and I got it all, baby!
Chef Hanada drives down to the L.A. fish market for his fish. The uni, of course, is local, because that is the best uni anywhere, and the shrimp is local to Santa Barbara.
Btw, Chef Hanada knows everybody in L.A., every big name sushi chef you can think of. And he has known them from back in the day.
The omakase:
Toro (Hawaii)
Marinated tuna
Halibut (east coast)
Scallop (Japan)
Spanish makerel (Japan)
Skip jack (Japan)
Giant clam (Seattle)
Sweet shrimp (Santa Barbara)
the shrimp head.
A fish I can't remember the name of, but the Chef prepared it kobujime style (marinated with seaweed)
Kohada (must be Japan)
Yellowtail (Japan)
Squid
Unagi
Octopus
Uni handroll
more Uni please!
more Hamachi, sashimi.
Finally, I was full.
le Uni: this was some of the best uni I've had, and I only like the top quality stuff. Uni from these local waters are the very best. So fresh, so sweet.
The chef shaved some fresh yuzu zest onto some of the fish--heaven!!! I didn't realize the fruit is so small. He told me that someone grows it locally. Very nice.
The shrimp head could have been much crispier, but someone else did the frying.
He uses a special vinegar for the rice.
Everything was so fresh, and Chef Hanada clearly knows his stuff.
Plus the price is right. I wish he was in L.A.
Chef Hanada is so friendly and down to earth, and so skilled. It's such a pleasure and bonus, on top of the great fish.
Btw, I was watching him thinly slice cucumber, horizontally. He did it so fast, I didn't even have time to turn on my camera to film it. Now that was some crazy knife skills. -
Review from Alex R.
Fresno, CA
8/22/2011
The best sushi I've ever had!!!! Friendly staff and great service. I can't wait to go back. Definitely a must when in the Oxnard/Port Hueneme area.
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Review from Paula M.
Minot, ND
1/15/2011
Hands down the best sushi I have had! Get there early (cause it gets packed) and sit at the sushi bar, watching Mr. Hanada work is almost as fun as eating what he has made for you. I love the fact that you fill out a sheet (at the sushi bar, tables order from a menu) of what you want and he makes the first item, lets you eat that then makes you some more. I wish more sushi restaurants did this. The fish is always fresh because Mr. Hanada travels down to the L.A. fish market several times a week to select and buy fish.
The service is great. The restaurant is small but that, for me, makes it more of a personal experience. Some people complain about the decor, if you want a fancy building feel free to go somewhere else. I prefer good food over pretty pictures. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Stevenson Ranch, CA
7/11/2011
Excellent meal and a definite 'do-again' for our family.
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Review from Dee L.
Temecula, CA
How do I love thee, Sushi Hanada? Let me count the ways.
I love thee consistently with a full belly of fresh, good quality fish, the very best salad dressing, light golden shiitake mushroom tempura, tako in ponzu sauce, and again, the no-frills sushi that isn't masked by sriracha hot sauce or dressed with mayonnaise.
I love thee atmospherically, with your cool jazz theme setting the perfect tone, and your simple decorative details like adding fresh flowers at each table and chopstick holders and elegant dishes.
I love thee loyally because the service is always so wonderful, and the owners pay great attention to satisfying new and regular patrons alike. -
Review from Tom G.
Los Angeles, CA
6/18/2011
Total convert. Exactly like my best sushi experiences in Japan. One guy making everything. No matter how stressed, he's happy to point out what is the best in the case, and quick to let you know what is coming. I sat at the sushi bar and, like my favorite places, the next wave of what i ordered was delivered just as i finished the last. The whole process felt labored over but also really light. I'm from LA and will want to come up here and taste this again. Living in a city full of fast-food sushi joints, I'm happy to drive the hour to eat something that feels fueled with passion.
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Review from John K.
Camarillo, CA
12/25/2008
Persnickety! And I mean that in a good way. Sushi Hanada proclaims "Tokyo-style sushi" on his outdoor sign. The first clue of what that might mean is found on the little hand-lettered notes on each table inviting the customer NOT to ask for wasabi.
The reason for this request is that the sushi is seen by the chef as a work of culinary art. The seasonings and the sauces used to make the Tokyo-style nigiri sushi are delicately blended to create a palate-pleasing experience.
And yes, Hanada does use wasabi in his sushi. But the signs are for those diners who are accustomed to drowning their sushi in their own brownish concoction of shoyu and wasabi which essentially kills the flavor and misses the experience intended by the sushi chef. Hence the "no wasabi" request by the staff.
Hanada Sushi doesn't do fifteen different rolls with salmon, cream cheese or spicy anything as far as I could tell. But there are plenty of other places around the county who will do those creative, adventurous rolls for you.
The cost is a little higher than most, but the quality is also remarkable and worth the little extra you pay. -
Review from Jay T.
Los Angeles, CA
4/6/2010 2 photos
One of the best places for sushi that I've been outside of Japan. The chef uses the very best local ingredients possible, the sweet shrimp and sea urchin is unbelievable. The marinated tuna has different layers of flavor and is one of my favorite. I had a baby squid appetizer and was very tender with a flavorful sauce.
They do not do a lot of crazy rolls there, so you won't find them on the menu. As many other yelpers have stated, you'll find some of the best fish around at Sushi Hanada. It's not just that they use the freshest fish available, but not many chefs know how to prepare seafood to be enjoyed on so many different levels.
It's a true Port Hueneme hidden gem... -
Review from MARK B.
11/11/2009
A true traditional sushi bar.
You won't find soy paper or fancy rolls or even wasabi.
What you will find is very fresh fish bursting with flavor.
Tuna. albacore, salmon and yellow tail was some of the best I EVER had.
Great service
If you love sushi this is the place for you.Listed in: Sushi from Loa Angeles to…
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Review from Philip H.
Ventura, CA
9/30/2009
Simply the best, great people and great service
The owner is really nice
I had a great experience last night, thank you -
Review from E L.
San Jose, CA
6/2/2010
Sushi dinner - 5 stars
Shrimp tempura - 5 stars
Sashimi dinner - 5 stars
Service - 5 stars
This is the best Sushi restaurant in Port Hueneme. -
Review from Rockit O.
Thousand Oaks, CA
2/15/2009
I have been wanting to try Hanada for a long time and I will have to say that I was disappointed.
I asked for Omakse style and here is what I was served.
Hotaru Ika- Baby whole squid, this was probably the best thing I had...5 STARS for this dish.
Nigiri came next, i had Yellow Tail, Spanish Mackerel, Toro, Halibut, and a few others. The Toro was excellent and everything else was pretty average.
I thought the presentation was sloppy, WAY TOO much rice with the nigiri, and the place did not seem very clean. I think the rice issue was the biggest problem for me, I couldn't taste the fish with all that rice, and I got full so fast that I could not sample more dishes.
This place received lots of 5 star reviews, but it only gets 3 in my book. -
Review from Colleen L.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2008
I personally am not a big fan of sushi -or seafood - so this review is based more so on my hubby's tastes, who by the way, is Japanese and is a former Japanese restaurant/sushi bar owner (read: very finicky eater particularly when it comes to Japanese food). A quick sum of Sushi Hanada is that it is definitely a place to go if you are craving Tokyo-style sushi, which as the reviewer below pointed out, sushi with the wasabi already inside (you can choose from a lot of wasabi, a little or none in case this scares you). Tokyo-style sushi definitely runs on the traditional side as there aren't any fancy or crazy-named rolls. It's basically fresh seafood with minimal garnish, although many of the items had freshly grated yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit - expensive in the US - tastes like lemon lime orange).
While all the sushi that we ordered was definitely fresh (according to the menu, Hanada-san goes to the LA fish market himself every day to purchase the seafood), a few items were more memorable than others and a couple were just mediocre. They use Santa Barbara spotted shrimp for their sweet shrimp sushi, which was perfect (heads were fried well too). Their tamago (sweet egg omelet) sushi was also very tasty and it was obvious that it was prepared in-house (many other restaurants buy the tamago already pre-cooked). The toro (fatty tuna) was inexpensive ($9 I think?) but my hubby said the quality was just fair (fresh, but not the best). My hubby did not like the uni (sea urchin) at all. He said while it was fresh, it was not of good quality. He also ordered hamachi (yellow tail) which he said was decent.
One highlight on the menu was the tempura, cooked traditional style in bran oil which made it very light tasting. Another plus for us was that they hade one of my hubby's favorite sake (Hakkaisan junmai ginjo) which isn't that common to find in restaurants, as well as having imported dark Asahi beer.
Overall prices were reasonable, food was fresh, and thus the kind of place you could eat at every week. The service was also friendly and prompt, and they had jazz music playing in the background which was a nice touch for a family-run type of restaurant. Although we don't give it 5 stars because we- rather he- is so picky about his sushi, we definitely can say this is one of the better sushi places in Ventura County. If we had to rate this place based on comparing it to other local sushi joints, then we would give it 5 stars but alas, we are former city-dwellers jaded by great restaurants so this place only gets 4 stars. The food is fresh and it's one of the last few Japanese-owned sushi places (especially in this neck of the woods) so it's definitely worth trying out just for the traditional-style alone. -
Review from Scott D.
Bronxville, NY
Not too many options for sushi in Port Hueneme, so I am glad that Hanada does a good job. Just ask the sushi chef for some recommendations and let him go to town
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Review from A. Y.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/6/2009
I wasn't that impressed. We went after reading the great reviews but the sushi was just okay and didn't compare to metropolitan sushi houses. One look at the interior (which desperately needs a remodel) and I wanted to take out the food. But we decided to stay since we were staying at a nearby hotel and the thought of eating sushi in a small hotel room was not appealing.
Service was okay but we felt a little ignored because we were sitting at the table and not the bar. They were out of Uni that night to my disappointment. The best supposedly come from Santa Barbara and I couldn't even try it, ha!
I also ordered deep fried soft shell crab appetizer. It was two, tiny pieces of crab to share that I had to give each of my kids one leg for a taste.
To me this place was very old fashioned, decent food but nothing to wow me. It seemed like a family operated business therefore, must have some loyalty from locals. I probably would not go back. -
Review from Stella H.
Oak View, CA
2/4/2011
Excellent sushi. Had hirami (halibut with rock salt & yuzu zest) sushi & uni sashimi tonight that were out of this world. Well worth the drive down from Ojai.
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Review from Kristi N.
Oxnard, CA
8/22/2010
This is hands down our favorite-of -our - favorite sushi places. Yuki Hanada gives a traditional Japanese sushi experience.
You can order "omakase" if you are ready for a real treat. Yuki prepares many dishes that you MAY NOT dip in soy sauce, or you will miss the unique preparation. he spends a great deal of time and energy buying and selecting the fish, so you can expect only the finest and freshest available. We may go elsewhere for the California style fusion rolls but for the best, clean fresh sushi, we have been coming to Hanada for years..
Some of the cooked appetizers are insane, so don't miss the Agadshi, the tempura, the B-B Soul...I could go on.
Yuki's nickname of the sushi Nazi is well earned ( He will shake his head and snicker if you dip the sushi not intended for soy) but the service is cordial and not rushed. They will not bring the check until you ask for it and you are finished with everything. ,
Finish with the fresh uni. Harvested locally, one order is usually not enough for us. so sweet, so fresh, This is making me hungry!Listed in: Sushi!
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Review from Rod C.
Camarillo, CA
12/29/2008
Too bad this location is not seen from the main drag. The sushi here is good quality as fish stock is fresh everytime we go here. It seems to be a combination of a Japanese/Korean type sushi, but the prices are very reasonable and worth a try. They have everything from nigiri, maki, shirashi, chirashi, oshi, inari and sashimi to bento boxes and teriyaki. Nice place for lunch especially during warmer weather.
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Review from Timmy G.
Redondo Beach, CA
2/11/2009
Delicious! Be careful asking for wasabi. It seems to offend the sushi chef. They serve sushi in the traditional Japanese style where they prefer you don't smother the flavor of the sushi with additional wasabi. Also hold your miso with your left hand and chopsticks with your right. If you ask for a spoon they'll tell you that's the Korean style. I learned this mistake at the expense of the people sitting next to me.
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Review from Jack F.
10/29/2007 1 photo
Trust the chef! Tell him the types of fish that you love and he'll make it right. They have hot meals as well, but I can't give a review about that since I've been eating mass quantities of cold fish including albacore, red snapper, halibut, tuna, toro, eel, uni, spanish mackeral, and others.
Listed in: Sushi Joints
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Review from gee l.
Los Angeles, CA
8/5/2010
Forget all the fancy shmancy rolls, we're talking Tokyo-style traditional sushi bar with the freshest local ingredients and finest cuts. Don't disrespect the chef and drown your sushi in wasabi, you won't get to taste the exquisite work of an old-school sushi chef with years of knowledge.
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Review from Anna C.
Oxnard, CA
Don't let the exterior of this place deter you from one of the best sushi experiences around. This place has made me rethink what I thought was good sushi before. I used to go to places and get rolls that where tempura or stuffed with cream cheese and drowned in sauces. What I learned here is if the fish is the best quality and the freshest you don't need all the stuff disguising the flavor of the fish. That's why your eating sushi after all. This man goes to the Los Angeles fish market every morning and buys his fish for that day. That's dedication. He also came up with Nobu Matsuhisa. The desserts are specially purchased French pastries from a place in the valley. This is an eastern style sushi bar not western so let your guard down and follow the rules posted on the tables you will be transformed like me. It can be pricey especially if you order omakasa style. That means he chooses but you will be amazed. I'm not even going to break this place down by decor, food or drinks. It's in a category by its self.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Vira P.
11/9/2009 1 photo
Definitely not your typical sushi bar with all the themed rolls.. This neighborhood mom & pop shop features a small selection of sushi. However, the entrees are delicious. And the jazz music makes this restaurant one of a kind.
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Review from Christopher L.
San Francisco, CA
1/2/2007
Authentic Japanese sushi. It's so good! Try the octopus and the scallops.
Listed in: Top Restaurants Near My Mom's…
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Review from Benny E.
Oxnard, CA
9/5/2007
Have been going here for years. When they first opened up in this location it was called Mr. Sushi. It was great then too, with more of a focus on California Fusion. I believe a relative took over, but could be wrong, one day I stopped in and it had been changed to Sushi Hanada. It is very authentic and traditional. No Jalapeno/creme cheese deep fried rolls here. In fact Wasabi is not served on the side because the chef does not want patrons messing with the flavors he has created. While strict and simple, its always fresh and laid back. Just do not come expecting all the fancy rolls most joints offer.
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Review from Kathy J.
Los Angeles, CA
3/9/2010
If you want to have Japanese-style sushi (i.e. not gobs of processed crab meat and teriyaki sauce and garnish everywhere), try this unassuming joint. I lovingly refer to the chef here (not to his face, lord no) as a sushi nazi. They display a placard on the tables alerting you that it's not proper to season dishes at the table. So...you've been warned.
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Review from Jack W.
San Leandro, CA
10/18/2010
First of all, I sensed that this place likely doesn't give a rat's behind what we say here on Yelp. It's a very, very traditional place. They'll continue to prepare their sushi the way they believe is proper, good Yelp review or not!!! I've been eating sushi for over twenty years. I was there on a business trip from Nor Cal. My colleague and I wanted something casual and not too heavy. The moment I sat down at the bar, I realized it was a very traditional place. After a couple of faux pas's, mama-san handed me a laminated card explaining the proper way to eat sushi. How do you say "touche" in Japanese? The fish was most definitely fresh. The nigiri rice had just the right amount of vinegar. Bottom Line: If you want to find out what real sushi is like, or have done so and want more of it, this is definitely the place. If you prefer the American-style sushi and don't like to be dewa arimasen the heck out of you by an oba-san, don't go there.
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Review from Elygator V.
Ventura, CA
5/15/2009
Very poor service! The waitress got my boyfriends order wrong and argued with him about when he wanted just a simple change. He ordered mixed shrimp and veggie tempura, but only got veggies... How hard would it have been to quickly fry two pieces of shrimp? Very over priced and snobby
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Review from Tracy Lu G.
Camarillo, CA
11/8/2009
This place is growing on me...it keeps getting better and better. I highly recommend the ngiri lunch special.
