Sushi Gen
📍 422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Weighted rating from:
Google: 4.6 • TripAdvisor: 4.5
JetlyGo Score
Score calculated from online mentions, review sentiment, and dining indicators across Los Angeles. Trust this score to find where to eat, drink, and dine in Los Angeles.
Available amenities(7)
Based on verified guest experiences
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Located in the vibrant heart of Little Tokyo, Sushi Gen is a cherished gem in Los Angeles, offering a delightful sushi dining experience that locals rave about. This sushi restaurant is renowned for its incredibly fresh fish and authentic Japanese flavors, served at surprisingly reasonable prices. Whether you're seated at the bustling sushi bar or at one of the tightly packed tables, the atmosphere buzzes with energy, especially during lunchtime when the incredible sashimi lunch special draws in crowds. With an extensive menu that focuses on traditional sushi rather than trendy rolls, Sushi Gen remains a timeless favorite for sushi aficionados and newcomers alike. It's a place where each piece of sushi feels like a work of art, making it a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Japanese cuisine.
Signature Dishes
- •Sashimi Deluxe
- •Chirashi
- •Engawa (halibut fin)
- •Kanpachi
- •Amaebi (sweet shrimp)
- •Tuna and Crab Sushi
- •Unique offerings like gizzard shad and herring roe
Overall rating 4.6 / 5 (2,033 reviews)
Google: 4.6 (1542 reviews)
TripAdvisor: 4.5 (491 reviews)
Customer Reviews
It had been some time since I ate lunch at Sushi Gen primarily because of the challenge of getting downtown from the westside, and also due to the massive amount of people who go there for their incredible sashimi lunch special. But with the Dodgers championship parade today and the need to wait out the throngs of people before I could leave the area, I waited a very short time before getting the first available space, which was a seat at the sushi bar (no lunch special at the bar). Sushi Gen is a timeless classic. It is so reliable for a great variety of fresh, authentic sushi at what I consider throwback prices. You won't find any crazy rolls or sauces here, all the better to allow the chefs to focus on the essence of the fish which is best experienced unadorned in my opinion. I had eight orders, including varieties rarely found at other Japanese restaurants in LA (including engawa, kohada, sardine and shima aji). Feeling very satisfied and impressed by the consistency of the experience so many years apart, I was pleasantly surprised (there are no prices on the sushi menu at the bar) to see a pretax and tip bill of $66 which averages out to just over $8 per order - a steal for this quality, freshness and variety. The only drawback is that it is very crowded, which is not surprising given that the sushi is as good as it gets in LA. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, they really squeeze people in at the sushi bar and the tables in the relatively small dining room are also tightly packed. Service is almost too efficient as they are eager to accommodate the many people waiting outside. For me, the most accurate rating for Sushi Gen would be 4.5 if 1/2 stars were possible as these crowded conditions are less than ideal for what should be a more serene experience. But that won't deter me from finding a reason to be downtown so I can go back soon.
Couldn’t stop ordering sashimi it was so good! Wait is long but totally worth it. The fish is so fresh, service was impeccable, and price is very fair.
I was craving sushi the other day and our family decided to have dinner here. The sushi was so fresh and delicious. Each piece was like a little work of art! Even though it gets pretty busy, we never felt rushed, and the service was spot on! will definitely come back soon!
Our server made the experience perfect. She brought out the food all at the same time and brought us anything we asked for. Would definitely come back to this place!