Hama Sushi All Ages / Ambient / Asian / Asian Food / Asian Restaurant / Beer & Wine Only / Casual / Conversational / Couples / Date Place / Dinner / Eclectic / Foodies / International / Japanese Food / Japanese Restaurant / Jeans / Jeans and Heels / Locals / Moderate / Sake / Seafood / Small Plates / Specialty Beer / Street Parking / Sushi / Sushi Restaurant / Unpretentious

Went to this place once and love eel hand roll most! The sushi and the hand rolls are all delicious. The salmon is fresh and the eel has really really good favor! If you park in the Japanese plaza, you can get parking validation or you may spend $10 on parking...

My Take: Hama Sushi is by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. Not only does it provide divine sushi, ranging from sashimi to unique appetizers, but it also has a authentic Japanese vibe that is very hard to find. It’s a small quiet place, and one of my preferred spots to venture for a new date or catch up with a friend, grab a beer, and eat what is without a doubt, some of the best sushi in the city. The Scene: Hama is a tiny little hole in the wall located in the main center of Little Tokyo. As you walk in the restaurant you may be surprised that such great sushi could come from such a small place, but do not be discouraged! Almost all of the seating is traditional Japanese style sushi bar so it is not a venue for large groups. I personally loved this because you get to see your sushi being made as well as interact with the chefs, who are very funny and entertaining. You will mostly find couples on dates, or pairs of friends, venturing out for an authentic Japanese cuisine experience. Afterwards be sure to check out the other bars and shops in the center. Cocktails & Cuisine: Hama sushi is the most unique and authentic sushi bar I have ever visited, mostly focusing on sashimi. With that in mind there are several things that people who are not experienced in this cuisine should know. Firstly, they only serve seafood. If you are not a big fish person and hoping to just get teriyaki or rice you are out of luck. In fact, they state on a sign at the front of the restaurant there are no noodles, no teriyaki, and no rice on the side. Besides sashimi, Hama also has some great appetizers and some smaller rolls for those of you not brave enough to try the plain fish. I highly suggest the spicy tuna hand roll and the salmon teriyaki for those who have less adventurous tastes. For all the true sushi lovers out there, get the sashimi, I promise you will not be disappointed. As with most small sushi restaurants Hama has a limited drink selection. They have some great Japanese beers, including Sapporo, as well as some traditional American favorites such as Bud Light. Other alcohols include sake, and wine. For wines they only have a cheap chardonnay and plum wine. The plum wine is much too sweet for my tastes and comes off a bit syrupy. My advice is stick to the beer. Prices: For sushi many people are going to think that Hama is fairly expensive. It is crucial to know that you are not going to get a giant roll for $10. The sashimi, which comes with 2 pieces, can be anywhere from $5-$13 for each serving depending on the type of fish. There is also a $20 minimum for credit cards. Although it is more expensive it is the freshest fish I have had while dining out in Los Angeles. The excellence of the food and the authentic Japanese experience make it absolutely worth the cost. What to Wear: Because Hama is located in little Tokyo it has a very laid back vibe. You could walk in wearing jeans and an old t-shirt or a slightly more upscale outfit. In general I would recommend a nice pair of jeans and nice blouse. I wouldn’t endorse dressing up in anything too fancy, as your outfit may end up being the topic of some Japanese jokes from the hostesses. Insider Info/When to go: Although Hama doesn’t have any predefined entertainment be sure to talk to the chefs! They are very friendly and will offer great suggestions if you ask. Must haves on the menu include the red snapper and tuna toro sashimi, as well as the BBQ green muscles. They also always visit the fish market Sunday morning, so if you are looking for the freshest catch, Sundays are a great day to go. The venue is very small and only offers one little bar for seating. Because of this, the wait times can be very long (but they’re worth it!!). Be sure to go early or make sure you have enough time to wait for an hour or more. When waiting, it’s important to know that if you are not present when your name is called you will be scratched off the list and put at the end. I have gotten seated many times earlier than expected because parties are not present at the exact moment they are called. Its also a little known fact that they are open for lunch from 12-2pm so hit them up in the afternoon for a great sushi lunch and to avoid long wait times!