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Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: PalmsMon-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mon-Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
"ben g. is a pimp. for his collective birthday celebration at bigfoot west, (http://www.yelp.com/biz/ bigfoot-west-los-angeles- 2), he talked…" read more »
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Fresh fish on top of warm sushi rice, oh my!
I've died and gone to sushi heaven!
It's delicious!
*drool*
Be forewarned Sushi Zo is "omakase only!"
The place isn't fancy looking but it does turn out quality sushi.
Not a cheap place mind you but keep in mind that the portions are on the small side... expect to spend over $100 on 2 people.
The omakase was awesome!
Very different from the other sushi restaurants!
Delicate yet flavorful!
It…
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You've got to be kidding me! What about this place is 5 star worthy? I was very excited to read about a place that might be unassuming, with kick ass food and does only omakase. Imagine my surprise when we were met with anything but!
First off, the food was really no better than mediocre! Warm rice sushi is a trend and no matter how you feel about it one thing still should ring true - the f**king rice should not fall apart when picked up about 2 secs after being served. So WTF people? And the pieces were too small to be enjoyed. I've had midget gherkins bigger than the fish pieces served here! Now add to that poor service, rude waiters and a really hefty price and you have disaster written all over it! Even the serving dishes were of poor quality - a few were cracked too! Not to mention the Latino guy making and serving us the sushi speaking a frightening combination of Spanish, English and Japanese!
So here's the tally:
Food: zero
Ambiance: zero
Value: zero
Service: zero
Decor: zero
Overall experience: zero
At least they were consistent!
If you care about food quality, presentation, cost and service I'd suggest you avoid this place at all costs!!
I should admit that my expectations for Sushi Zo were high. It's currently the #2 sushi place (and #5 overall restaurant) in LA on Yelp. Nearly all of the 240+ reviews give Zo 5 stars. Are they right to think it's good? Yes. Is it over rated? I think so, especially in comparison to a number of top-notch sushi restaurants in LA (which are also often noticeably less expensive).
Food:
Sushi Zo admittedly serves very high quality cuts. However, the pieces are small. Bordering on very small. I sat at the sushi bar and had everything offered. The omakase ran maybe 18 dishes. All the standards were in it, as well as a few less usual selections, like monk fish liver. Everything was good but nothing blew me away, and for a place known for variety, they didn't have 25% the array that Zushi Puzzle does. The meal, with drinks, tax, and tip, ran about $120 per person. 4 stars.
Service:
I got there just as a rush was subsiding, I think, because I had to wait about 10 minutes for my (then empty) seats at the sushi bar and another 10 for my drinks. Bad start, made up for (?) with too-quick food service. They are nice enough and quick with refills of tea and water. It was a weekend and I had a reservation, but I'm not sure one was necessary. 2.5 stars.
Decor:
Typical sushi restaurant set up: wooden tables or seats at the sushi bar. 2.5 stars.
Summary:
Food (60% weight for Overall): 4 stars.
Service (20% weight for Overall): 2.5 stars.
Decor (20% weight for Overall): 2.5 stars.
Overall: 3.4 stars.
Expensive, small bites of good fish. #2 in LA? We can do better.
"omakase only!" what a treat a new experience in my book and a very cool one I might add. So if you dont know what you like sushi wise no problem they pick for you!! but mind you this does not come cheap by any means expect to spend over $80 per person but well worth it. It's delicious! and I like they keep it simple no crazyness where your asking what am I eating
Hit this place up last night.
Omakase only. No menus. No cell phones.
And bitch, don't even think about asking for teriyaki.
So this place got a Michelin star.
If you don't know what that is,
just know that it makes a Zagat rating look like a yelp.
Kind of an odd location by taco plus though.
They said it was about $80 per person, ours came out to a little over $100.
This spot specializes in sushi (roll with rice),
not really creative, experimental type of stuff,
They keep it simple.
High quality, fresh and they know what they're doing.
Highlights for me was
uni with noodle squid,
skip jack,
baby tuna,
monk fish liver,
toro,
blue crab hand roll,
unagi,
cod sperm (first sperm i've ever had. honest. "cod fish male" they call it)
Service was excellent and I was stuffed at the end.
Not as orgasmic as Asanebo,
but pretty damn good.
I still have no clue what people are referring to when they talk about the Nazi sushi chef at Zo. I have eaten here well over a dozen times.
He is not the most personable person in the world, that's for sure, but you know what? Neither is my doctor. Or my dentist. And I don't expect them to be. I expect them to provide me with high quality service and attention, to be treated fairly and with respect, and to know they are there when I want or need them.
Want the best, freshest tasting fish in the land? Go to Zo. Want smiles and deference? Go to Skin the Gentleman's Club not far away.
The variety and quality of fish is phenomenal. Oyster, skipjack, spanish mackerel, uni, yellowtail, tuna, big eye tuna, albacore, amberjack, scallop, salmon, premium mackeral, monkfish liver, pompano, butterfish, toro, whitefish, yellow striped jack, eel, shrimp, barracuda, you name it, if it is in season he will have it.
The one slack off I have noticed of late, is that some of my pieces have had the rice falling apart as I pick it up. I think this is the fault of Keizo's assistant chef. If you can, sit in front of Keizo at the sushi bar. To the left as you enter.
One of the best sushi I've ever had in my life.
Loved everything they served, including the home-made soy sauce.
I've been there twice, and the second time was on Valentine's day.
The service was a bit slow then, but I don't think it's fair to take a star for that one single reason.
So there it is, five stars.
Will go back anytime.
Great nazi atmosphere. :p
Awesome quality of fish - no complaints
Service was OK.. but i had a hard time understanding our waiter's introduction to each dish without having him repeat like 3 times!
we had more than 20 different types of dishes here.... but i can only name a few now cus not a lot stood out. I am not usually a big fan of uni, but I have to say that the noodles was a great compliment to the uni, it was very smooth and buttery. Monk fish Liver was magnificent... best i have ever had!! It was great choice pairing it with their really fresh and crisp lightly-salted seaweed. The abalone was good, different from what i am use to, but wasn't great; without the green chili paste, it would of be too plain. I was a little disappointed with the salmon...
I enjoyed sushi zo...liked it alot, would definitely recommend a friend here.... BUT it's not a $100 kind-of-good (per person). I'd prefer sasabune, matsuhisa or the hump in that same price range.
Mad props. Haven't had such a sublime food experience in a long time.
Every cut of fish was really fresh and prepared with attention to detail that is sorely missing in most places. It was a veritable line-up of flavour explosions, some more intense than others but always different and good. A week later and I'm craving the uni with squid noodles and the toro that melts in your mouth.
Like many of the other reviewers have noted, you should only go if you like sushi prepared the traditional way with uncompromising perfection.
Thanks to yelp, this hidden sushi restaurant, set in a not so nice neighborhood, right next to a mexican restaurant is attracting customers far and near. I think i'm a pretty sensible, unbiased critic. I think it's important to review a restaurant based on it's food and it's cost. So let me start by saying that i really did enjoy the sushi here. There is no doubt that the sushi is the freshest of the fresh! Each bite, i was ooing and awwing, marveling at each fish. By the 11th fish, the fishes started tasting similar, it was another white fish. Don't get me wrong, it was still very good at this point. I also started to notice that the nigiris were quite small. Perhaps, this was their way of getting you to spend more. One sushi that stood out and was my favorite was by far the squid noodles and uni. I wish they had more of this style of "dish". The bill came out to $280 after tax and i really expected much more for this price. I expected that we got our own sushi chef giving us his undivided attention. For that price, a chef shouldn't multi task , hand it to the apprentice guy to finish up our nigiri and serve it to us. Not to mention, at the end , there was no dessert! No dessert menu...what?? That alone costs them a star. ;) Kidding aside, i feel that my review here needed to touch upon all aspects so that for those who are feeling a bit more money conscious these days like i am, then i would say there are a lot of good sushi restaurants out there that you will still love and pay less.
So you ask, would i go again? Probably not.
Congratulations Sushi Zo on your Michelin Star!!!!
I deleted my previous Zo review in favor of reporting on my first ever Omakase experience.
First up,…
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An excellent omakase-only joint in an unassuming location (Palms). The fish is super-fresh and the rice is both tasty (sweet and not too vinegary) and very fluffy. Additionally, the shari (rice ball) is very very small, and so you can enjoy many more pieces of sushi without getting too full. Definitely one of the top sushi restaurants in LA!
4.5 stars.
As has been said many times, definitely an unassuming looking sushi spot in a strip mall. I could totally see locals or tourists walking around for a casual bite to eat and wandering in here. Tony Hawk was here the night we went.
So there's no menu, and the food will start arriving and keep going until, basically, you tell them to stop. There is a per-piece price sheet for sushi, but you don't see that until the end of the meal.
The sushi was of very high quality, as expected. Highlights included the toro, baby tuna, halibut fin, albacore, uni and salmon eggs, and the squid "noodle" with uni.
Some of the disappointments were the giant clam (dry, chewy and very fishy), salmon (didn't like the marinated seaweed topping), and the fact that a number of the sushi pieces fell apart when picked up.
In all, it was a very pleasant meal. The sushi comes out at a very good pace; however, there is not a lot of interaction with the chefs at the sushi bar.
Personally, I think Urasawa is clearly a step above, when considering the whole experience. However, considering this meal was about half as much - I have no complaint.
this MTF kicked me out on my bday because my brother didn't eat sushi.
what an ASS! dont' go here. if you want really good sushi, go to sushi Gen in downtown and sit at the bar. you won't be disappointed and you will be treated with respect. i promise!
I don't know why I bother anymore...Sushi Zo is good not great.
My first complaint is that I was served way too fast, granted there was only one other person in there besides me, but still. I need a few minutes between plates for two reasons. One, so I can enjoy and savor the flavor of what I just had, and two, when I eat sushi too fast I get bloated and do not enjoy the rest of the meal.
Selection and presentation was nice, fish tasted good, but for me there was no "wow" factor.
Omakase is served one piece at a time so you can try many more dishes.
I am a regular at Go's Mart in the valley, and honestly I think he has ruined every other sushi bar for me.
My sushi star rating-
1 star- Sushi Impostor
3 stars- good but I won't be coming back
4 stars- very good, but not my first choice
5 stars- I will be there once a week
The sushi here was A-MAZ-ING! It was THE freshest sushi I have ever had and totally melts in your mouth with first contact against your tongue!
It's Omakase style so the sushi chefs send you over whatever they feel like making and believe me, you should trust their judgment. I usually don't care for Uni but it was sooo good here. The one dish I probably could have done without was the Abalone. It wasn't bad, but of all the things that came out, that was my least favorite. I also don't like raw scallops, but that was pretty dang good too! If you have any fish dislikes, try it here and it'll change your mind!
It is $$$$ so it is QUITE pricey... worth an experience... not sure if I can afford to keep going back. :(
The location of this place didn't make me imagine that it has such authentic taste of delicious sushi...
The chef's choice of sushi are incredibly delicious.....everything is fresh and just makes me want to keep looking forward to what is the next plate.
It's a must try!!! it was $80 per person for me and my frens...it's worth a try if u r a sushi lover!!!
This place is waaaaaay overrated. Every single thing they served us with rice sucked because the rice was salty. The ambiance was just average as well, but went to terrible given the staff's desire to make you feel like a burden from the second you step in and orders of not putting soy sauce on anything. Hey i understand not smothering your sushi in soy sauce but if someone wants to do it, don't say they shouldn't every single time you put something in front of them. My boyfriend said the uni was really good, which I don't like in general, so I'll give them that.
Overall I didn't see what the hype was all about, it was an overpriced, not enjoyable meal. I'm gonna stick to sushi on the East side.
Sushi is really good. Omakase is the standard here, although you can make special requests at the end. If you don't like shellfish or something you can mention that when making the reservation. Don't talk on your cell phone because the servers will quickly shuffle their little feet over to your little table to tell in a little voice to politely to take your conversation outside. Don't be deceived... they yell in Japanese when a table is ready for its next order. Almost adds a 'dineresque' feel to the place.
There's no doubt that the pieces here are quite small but they are more bite size that way. I think we ended up spending about $220/person after tax/tip but we did order quite a bit extra. Note for the omakase they keep on bringing you dishes until you say "no more." So if you don't want your bill to be $200+/person, then make sure you say "no more" sooner than later.
I think overall the service was a bit disappointing for such an expensive restaurant but the food was excellent. The alcohol is a bit pricey, however, but it's a meal you can easily enjoy while sober.
Simply put: this is omakase at its finest. If you love sushi you owe it to yourself to check out Sushi Zo. In fact, let me rephrase that: It's a moral imperative.
S has been raving about this place a lot, and as I'm a bit of a sushi snob myself, I've been a bit cautious about the idea of relenting. I don't know how many times I've been told by friends and colleagues that I have to try some place they found because it's "just amazing" and "it's the best sushi place ever", only to acquiesce and experience yet another average sushi dinner.
Apparently, not at Sushi Zo. It's fair to say I was absolutely blown away.
Sushi Zo is located at a strip mall, of all places, near a chain supermarket, next to a chain coffee house; a veritable culinary wolf in sheep's clothing. The exterior is nondescript, with a sign that I don't remember verbatim but in essence exclaimed "don't even think about using your cellphone once you step inside, you ungrateful gaijin bastards".
Awesome.
We were seated promptly at the bar, where we had reservations. The decor inside was minimalist: hard angles and lines in dark marbles starkly contrasted with sparcely decorated bright walls. Three sushi chefs stood behind the bar, with the head chef clearly making his presence known simply by the reverent demeanor of his two assistants. As we were being seated he was curtly scolding a table of four for trying to take his picture.
I liked this guy instantly.
We ordered our drinks and wiped our hands with the hot towel as one of the chefs asked us what dishes we did not like. Now, if you're new to omakase, this is an essential thing to know. You don't have to walk in knowing what you want, just walk in with a clear idea of what you don't want. From there, the chefs will expertly craft your dining experience according to your reactions to the dishes you are given and all you have to do is tell them when you're full.
The only no-no for us was tamago (egg sushi). Everything else is fair game.
From here on out I was in heaven. It only took 2 dishes for me to realize that this ranked in my top 5 best omakase experiences in my whole life, with every subsequent dish making a convincing argument to climb even further up the charts.
The process was simple:
- The chefs would labor over a small plate creating a dish by hand (sometimes a dish would take all 3 chefs to make).
- One of the chefs would hand it out to our setting, with a brief explanation of what it was we were about to eat, and whether or not we needed to add soy sauce to it or leave it well enough alone.
- Eat and enjoy.
- Back to step one.
I swear, every single thing I ate was in a whole other level of sublime, only to be surpassed by the dish that proceeded it. Highlights were the toro with their own special sauce, salmon with jalapeño glaze that simply melted in my mouth, the amberjack, possibly the best albacore I've ever had, and a blue crab hand roll that ended our journey.
The service was equally impeccable. Each dish arrived in its own small plate, and as you pick it up and eat it, someone would come and fetch the dish from you. Additionally, when I had about a quarter cup left of my drink, I was promptly asked if I wanted more.
Our bill came to about $250 plus tip, which is actually a pretty good value compared to other omakase sushi places you can eat at.
Bookmark it. Make a reservation. Go on time. Thank me later.
"Meh, I've experienced better" sums it up nicely. Is the sushi delectable? Yes. But the slices were *tiny*! Their grade of sushi/sashimi is the same as can be found at Hiko, Eshigo, and Nozawa, only you get a smaller portion and they charge you more. The staff was very attentive, but almost too much so - I'd barely get a chance to put a piece in my mouth and they were scooping up the plate. Maybe because we were one of only 2 couples in the place.
Note that the entire restaurant is Omakase/Chef's choice, unlike many places where the bar is Omakase but tables let you order. It was $110 per person, plus drinks plus tip. Dinner for 2 cost me $400!!! Really, for this kind of money, I expect a lot more fish.
When I walked in the door tonight I had no idea what Omakase style sushi was all about. The expression is used at sushi restaurants to leave the selection to the chef. This means there are no menus and no a la carte selection options, so there was no way for me to know what I was going to eat. I almost turned around, but decided to stick it out based on several of these reviews.
It was well worth it.
The staff was very friendly, helpful, prompt, and attentive. They made sure to tell me what plates I should use the soy sauce with and which ones I should eat as is. If it is your first time there, they will ask what foods you don't like so the chef can tailor what he gives you.
It is one piece at a time and you can eat so much because it is sooo good. All in I had 19 pieces finishing with fresh water eel.
Most I've spent on sushi by myself (over $100 w/ tip) ever, but well worth it. Definitely would recommend to friends and would return.
OK I'm someone who waits in line at 4:30 am at the Tsukiji market in Tokyo just to eat their fresh catch of the day, I've happily dropped 600 bucks on a meal for Blowfish, and I would fly to Japan twice a year just to eat sushi - so sushi's gotta be darn good to impress me.
And Sushi Zo is definitely outstanding! The procession of the omakase from more clean pure white fish to richer red fish was remarkable. We ate everything on their menu except for 3 items.
The Engawa, idiot fish, spanish mackeral were my top pics. The uni was really good as well but smaller and less flavorful than Sasabune but still great. And the cold Sake - heavenly! Overall - definitely 5 stars! But just remember you have to tell them to stop or else they'll keep serving you until you bust.
5 stars... by yelp definition: Woohoo! As good as it gets!
it definitely applies to sushi zo.
I write this review after my second visit because I was in such a daze leaving sushi zo, I wasn't able to describe the experience other than 2 words.. "so good...so good... SO GOOD! (with the scrunched forehead look and all)"
So when you decide to go to sushi zo, get to the Vons parking and park as close to starbucks/papa johns. All I knew was that it was in the Rite Aid/Vons strip mall on National.. but a tip is that is around the corner from the starbucks passed the taco joint.. so not quite in the strip mall but on the outskirts right on National.
both times i've gone, it was a Thursday so hard to tell about the wait because I walked in the first time, and made reservations the second but didn't make a difference, never noticed a wait during the time i was there.
with omakase i'd expect your sushi chef to interact with you a little more so they can take you on a journey with the plates he prepares and so the first time, i just let them bring on the dishes. with no other words than identifying the dish and instructions whether or not to use soy.. kitty and i ended up just going on forever.. and finally we couldn't take it anymore.. and said... how much more is there.. and he told us. well you can stop whenever you want.
OH~
second visit: knowing pretty much what they had planned for the dinner, i questioned more about whether they had certain fish and even switched up the order as well. maybe my understanding of omakase is a bit different and at sushi zo you have a bit more control of what you get.. just as long as it's not a cut roll and its one of the preplanned dishes of the night.
but i suggest trying everything chef keizo has planned at least once through. the flavors he puts together and also the play with tempurature in some of the dishes create such a delightful experience to go along with some premium quality fish.
the memorable pieces were:
butterfish with miso sauce
warm ankimo with ponzu
toro with special soy
yellowstriped jack
squid noodle with uni
blue crab hand roll
it seemed like the food was coming out slow and you only get one piece but it works out because it paces you to savor each piece and anticipate the coming of the next thing.
the sushi rice is perfectly portioned, flavored, and at a good temperature. the only thing to note is when the sushi comes pre-sauced, it's definitely recommended to eat it fast before the formed rice falls apart..
the cut is another thing i noticed here, they really got the portion control part down. the long slender cuts vs the block cuts of fish change the texture and also the consuming experience. i never found myself cutting a piece of nigiri in half or eat some uni off the gunkan maki. everything was a perfect bite and the flavors and texture just lingers until u get the next piece.
to end the nite you get the yuzu juice, and it's ironic because they tell you it's yuzu juice but the entire nite they say their pepper paster is jalapeno when it's really yuzu pepper paste.
anyway.. it's truly a great sushi-ing spot.. it'll cost you $100- $150/person but it's damn worth it.. and you'll be planning your return the day after when u you have recovered from you sushi coma.
I went here last December '08 with a couple of friends (sorry this review isn't recent! but in my mind it's one of the best sushi joints I've been to). My friend who took us claims this to be the best sushi in the U.S. Apparently all the fish is imported from Tokyo and other parts of the world. And well, I must say, it was pretty freakin' delicious.
I'm very picky and I don't eat a lot of things. This restaurant is cool cuz' you don't actually order from a menu (OK, I just learned that this is called "omakase"). What they do is they go around and ask what you DON'T eat. My order kinda went something like this:
Me: I don't eat any shellfish...
SZ: Oh, so no oyster? Clam?
Me: No.
SZ: Octopus? Squid?
Me: No... and no sea urchin...
SZ: Scallop?
Me: No.
SZ: Salmon egg?
Me: No...
SZ: Is mackerel ok?
Me: Uh... OK...
SZ: Ok, so just swimming fish then?
Me: Haha, yah.
SZ: Sea eel?
Me: That's ok, too.
(probably would've been easier to just say what I would eat)
Anyway, after they took our "non-orders," we ordered some hot tea and sake to share. Then the waitress started bringing out single serving dishes one fish at a time.
Wow, fish is GOOD there. And if you like albacore... you will LOVE this place (I love albacore). This is the type of place that does NOT give you wasabi and they discourage you from using soy sauce (or they'll tell you if you should use it for certain dishes). I heard they've got a sushi nazi there, so if they even see you using soy sauce on something you're not supposed to, they'll kick you out (not sure if my friend was exaggerating).
All the fish I had was of high quality... extremely tender and not fishy. I gotta say though, I think I've had better toro (at Echigo)... but everything was consistently good. Albacore=YUM, Salmon=YUM, a buncha other fish I don't know what they were=YUM (I think one of them was a Spanish Mackerel), Eel=YUM, Butterfish was just ok (I personally think the butterfish carpaccio at Saketini is the best!). And for all you peeps who eat all the stuff I don't eat, I heard the scallop is really good there. Also, sipping on sake and having a bit of ginger in between the different dishes complements the fish well.
This place is def for special occasions as it is expensive (or if you're a baller, I guess it's all good). I say try it at least once! Oh, and btw, my friend was super paranoid about us being late for our reservation... so I'd recommend making a reservation and getting there on time!
Oh my goodness... My parents decided that since it was my birthday we would splurge at this highly rated omakase only sushi place... and splurge we did! We were the first group to arrive at this wonderfully simple but heavenly spot. We were quickly seated and then the train of delectable goodies started rolling out. I can't believe that I've been missing out on such awesome sushi up until now. As we started Keizo-san asked us if we didn't eat anything, and normally I'm not a big fan of mollusks but decided I'd give anything a shot this night, so everything he wanted to make it was. The presentation of each bite-sized morsel was impeccable. Everything that was placed in front of me was almost to the point where I didn't want to eat it because it looked so nicely prepared, but once I got over that feeling I got to experience some great melt in your mouth sushi. Every time something was placed in front of us we were told either "No soy sauce please" or "Little bit soy sauce please." Now you don't have to listen to them about the soy sauce BUT there is a reason they are telling you how to eat it, and that reason is because it is the way the Keizo-san believes will bring out the best flavor in the sushi placed in front of you. I say trust him, he IS the one that has spent his life perfecting his art, but that is on you. We ended up trying about 27 different items each a surprising blend of simple and complex flavors. The bill came out to be about $420 after drinks, tax and tip. Not too bad considering how much to drink my father and I had and the best sushi experience I've ever had. Would I come here again? The answer a resounding YES!!! and might I add that when coming here next time I think I'll be acting much like Homer Simpson would when visiting a doughnut factory... belly hanging out over my unbuckled belt, leaning back in my chair with the only things coming out of my mouth being my tounge and the phrase, "arrrrggggggggggggggg"
sushi and quality of fish, 5 stars. Whenever i call to make reservations they always act like they are SUPER busy and make me fit into THEIR timing. and when i went there, there was NO ONE!! wtf. i asked for 6 and she said "can you come 6:30" i had about 13 dishes there until i couldn't eat any more and it kinda got annoying that every single time they brought out a dish, they said "eat with soy sauce please" or "no soy sauce please". it got funny every time they said it. and i don't appreciate that they have a sign that says "no cell phone usage" wtf. i just hated it that. sushi was really good. yeahhh....
A perfect place for the sushi aficianado, intimate, low-key, high grade fish served by an old school taskmaster. Master chef and owner Kenzo is not above scolding you for waiting too long to imbibe pieces he serves. No complaints, when it comes to raw seafood you want your chef looking out for you. There's no rush, as long as you keep eating, and have enough coin, they'll keep serving.
This is by far the best sushi I've had in the States, and that includes SF, LA, NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle. To me, good sushi is almost better than sex...and I am now definitely craving seconds.
My 2 coworkers (both sushi snobs) and I came here for a small celebratory lunch....but who knew that a casual celebration would run us up a $120 tab EACH. We didn't know that Omakase doesn't stop until you tell Chef Zo to stop....so we kept chatting, eating...eating...chatting..oooh-ing..ahhh-ing...a nd almost cried when we saw the bill.
This place is strictly fish: no frilly rolls, fried stuff, bento boxes. Chef Zo (who honestly, is not personable at all and I've heard has become cocky over the years), prides himself on the freshness, cut, and presentation of his delicate fish, so don't mess with him and go dippin shit in soy sauce or texting someone on your cell. It's a big slap in the face to him.
We had so many unique fish: baby squid, super fresh albacore, amazing toro, wild salmon (deep orange, almost no fat), jackfish, butterfish, aji, saba, uni (amaaaaazing. always one of my favorites), thinly sliced tuna fanned out on a plate (it was alright), oyster, tai, ika, bonito...so many varities of fish so carefully plated. The amount of ponzu or yuzu that went on each fish was not overwhelming - it perfectly complemented each dish.
Definitely come here for a special occasion. You will NOT be disappointed. Savor every piece. The way Chef cuts the fish is by far the most beautiful I've experienced, and truly brings out the flavor of each bite.
Omakase = Best. Fish. In. LA.
Only place I've had better fish was Sushi Yasuda in NYC.
Do not go here for spicy tuna rolls. Or a California roll. They won't make them for you. Oh, and don't go thinking you'll find something else to eat besides sushi: there's no kitchen.
As others have rightfully pointed out, Sushi Zo can get ridonkulously expensive (Omakase lunch usually runs upwards of $100pp), so take that into consideration when gauging whether a Sushi Zo experience is an appropriate one.
Also, do not be frightened by the strip mall location and completely unassuming exterior. You're in Los Angeles, after all.
Note: Hallmarks of an expensive restaurant.
There is no menu.
The chef tells you what to eat and how to eat it.
No cell phones are allowed.
If you find yourself in a restaurant with one or more of the previous mentioned qualities, you will pay... a lot.
The blue crab hand roll - as enjoyable as eating an ice cream cone. But it wasn't an ice cream cone, yet so creamy and delicious. So unexpected.
Now I am not a sushi girl at all but for some reason I was really craving sushi today. I knew of the location because I had been to the Mexican restaurant next door on a few occasions. But I did not know the kind of sushi restaurant this was. Lucky for me I had not looked up Sushi Zo on yelp or else I would have never given it a chance because of the prices.
My companion and I also did not know that we have to tell the chef when to stop. Lol we ate until we were full! And then the bill came. Ouch! But when we saw that triple digit number we knew it was worth every single penny.
My taste buds have reached a new level of sophistication. I barely remember what I ate, I just know it was freakin good and I long for more. I will never ever settle regular sushi ever again. Once you had this stuff everything else will taste gross.
At the end of the meal my companion and I both came to the same conclusion - So this is what people go to college for - to be able to afford places like Sushi Zo on a regular basis.
Is it strange to have sushi fuel ambition instead of things like making the world a better place? Maybe a little bit sad, but if that's what gets us through school so be it.
i seriously heart this place...
I recommend sitting at the booth and ordering omakase.
i have nothing more to say.
I went to Sushi zo for my first time.
They have only $60 Omakase for a person at lunch and dinner, and 4 or 5 kinds Sake and Kirin beer.
We sat on the bar and a chef served us. He gave us over 10 pc sushi, which were all different kinds.
Yes, very fresh and tasty. All of plates were even great. But when he put each plate on the counter, I felt it was a little bit rough and it could be their arrogance.
Anyway their food was good and service was OK. I'd give them 4 stars.
looking at some of these reviews, i think some people aren't doing their Yelp homework of Read Before You Go. so let's get some things out of the way:
1. Sushi Zo is omakase only. this means "chef's choice." for you, this means "only what is the freshest, most delicious fish that i, Keizo-san, bought for you this morning when your sleepy butt was still in bed."
2. let's talk about this "soysauce please/no soysauce please" thing. if you want to drown your sushi in the (homebrewed, by the way) soysauce, just DO IT. you're shelling out the bucks anyway. but don't be offended that the waitress has just told you the optimum way to experience the carefully constructed little packet of flavour that was just placed in front of you. the girls (i've never seen a waiter) have all been trained on what they're serving you, and it's their job to tell you what you are about to eat and suggest how to enjoy it the most WITH EVERY PIECE. if this annoys you, go elsewhere.
3. price: yes, you will pay more than you did at Sushi Mac last week (don't get me wrong, there is a time & place for Sushi Mac and i do love me some two-fiddy plates). Sushi Zo is a special occasion place, unless you're that trust fund kid i've always wanted as a sushi benefactor. if you're concerned about overeating your budget, just tell the waitress your dollar limit in the beginning. she's keeping tabs and will tell you when you're approaching your $50/$60/whatever dollar limit per person you stated. there is no shame in this; it's normal practice for omakase. bottom line: you will get every dollar's worth in quality, taste, experience, and service.
4. location: yes, it's in a strip mall by a Starbucks & a Vons. people, this is a plus. you will only be paying for sushi, not for a) the posh location, b) a posh valet, or c) being surrounded by posh people. it's comfortable, clean, and classy inside.
look, i've been eating at Sushi Zo since it opened & i found it by accident. i've learned that Keizo-san used to be a chef at Hide Sushi and decided to give doing sushi his way a shot. he's a traditionally trained Japanese sushi chef -- in Tokyo, which means doing nothing but learning how to make sushi rice properly for a year, and then learning how to clean and cut fish for maximum taste & texture for another year...before ever making a piece of sushi. when he opened Sushi Zo he knew that he'd lose a lot of customers who were expecting California rolls or chicken teriyaki, but he would gain a loyal following who know that trusting the itamae-san (chef) to take care of them is a good move. he was right. and about the waitress' training: they know their stuff too; when they ask you what you don't eat, they'll make sure if you're talking about a specific fish or the entire family of fish it belongs too. all that instruction about soysauce, or eating your sushi piece immediately, etc. isn't being bossy, it's about giving you -- the valued customer -- the best eating experience possible. and if your pieces are coming out too fast, just ask the waitress to slow it down! no sweat!
so. if you want total American-style freedom to be your own sushi boss and Have It Your Way, and get your knickers in a bunch when someone tells you about your food -- then may i politely suggest you take your business elsewhere? you will only be wasting your money on the Sushi Zo experience, and clogging up a table someone else could have. however, if you want to have some of the best sushi possible at fairly reasonable prices, given the quality of ingredients & preparation -- this is your place.
Ah Sushi Zo. You are the jewel of my Nile, the apple of my eye, and the LAD of my heart.
Before I tasted your *Monkfish liver*, I knew not what sushi was. All previous sushi flavors are nothing in comparison to your stellar *Toro* and *Snapper*. Your **Blue Crab roll** made me believe all previous rolls are trash and your house-made *Umani juice* forced me to question reality.
If I could marry you, I would. We could grow old while sitting on rickety rocking chairs atop a veranda, sipping mint juleps and cuddling... But Alas! I live in Boston, a city that seems banal without your presence.
+'s: Everything.
-'s: Nothing.
Ok. Fine. I've been back three times since my last review and I have come to accept the 'tude as part of the experience. The sushi is just too damn good. On one particular visit a woman was kicked out and banned from coming back. That was fun to watch - like dinner theater.
In January I went to Japan and ate at a restaurant which is regarded to have the best sushi in the world; 3 Michelin stars, and Zo was better (and a looot cheaper). So, in the spirit of the 'tude: Here's your F@#$in' 5 stars!
The grub is five star good. We almost ate the entire menu, three items away (the ladies woosed out).… Read more »
Read Omowale O.'s review before going-- basically tells it all.
This was the BEST omakase I've ever had! This is what all omakase's should be like. New York's Sushi of Gari (I want my $400 back), Blue Ribbon and Ushiwakamaru have NOTHING on Sushi Zo.
There were new flavors and surprises to everything Chef Zo prepared for me. It's seriously the best Ive ever had to date.
I had 17 pieces: oyster, baby squid (cool), abalone (like cartilage), sea urchin squid noodle (ORGASMIC), sea salt halibut, albacore, spanish mackerel, scallops (always a winner), toro, golden snapper (least of my favs), octopus, amberjack, clam, skip jack (5 stars), needle fish (tiny sliver), eel (so much meat!), and ended with the blue crab roll. I will never forget this experience.
Went to Sushi Zo while visiting friends in LA. This place is 'Omakase' style sushi only (chef's choice the whole way through).
After you are seated, the waiter asks you if there is anything you don't want/like to eat. Once he makes a note of that, you just sit back and relax while endless courses of sushi keep coming until you tell them to stop. Each course is a single serving of highest grade fish/seafood that literally melts in your mouth . The sushi rice used here is perfect. With each course the waiter tells you whether or not you should add soy sauce or wasabi to it. The green tea here is top class and they have Kirin beer on draft. The restaurant itself looks like a take out chinese place. That is the beauty of this place. It is not pretentious yet is top class with its food and service. You don't need to wear dressy clothes here either. The restaurant is all about the food as it should be.
This was fantastic place to eat. What a treat! I got to try a lot of things you won't normally eat at any sushi restaurant. There is no menu except for sake. Which by the way was amazing.
I really enjoy rolls which they don't have. I didn't really mind that they don't let you use soy sauce. It was a good change, because normally I used ponzu with jalapenos and green onions.
All in all a very good place, but very very pricey. It cost 2 of us $300. I enjoyed the experience, but probably won't come back because of the price and its far from my house, however, I would recommend going!
The omakase menu (the only way they serve) is best. Only 1 item had an overbearing aspect. Everything else cohesive and succulent. It's sad its soo good. But its good its sooo worth your wallet. We got there at 7 and this small, quaint place filled up by 8. I was a little late but they didn't seem to mind.
Oh, the blue crab hand roll is finest. and no shells...
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