What with rush hour traffic, reservation books filled months in advance, no parking, and having to sign countless autographs (this annoyance pertains to celebrities only), dining out for dinner in L.A. can be a hassle. So why not treat yourself to an excellent lunch at Sushi Gen, where midday offerings are an absolute bargain. The business crowd packs this simple, white-linen dining room in Little Tokyo for the fresh sushi and friendly service. While there isn’t a list of architecturally complex, over-sauced sushi rolls, and you may not find a rare, potentially lethal fish from the Pacific, Sushi Gen specializes in very traditional but reliably fresh sushi. Locals swear by the lunchtime sashimi sampler, which boasts a generous selection of artfully arranged slices of raw fish. Cuts include sea urchin, albacore tuna, yellowtail and toro, while a few tempura and teriyaki dishes are available as well.
Beer, wine and sake available. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.
Zagat 2011: 26 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
“Lunch is often a better deal than dinner at restaurants, but Sushi Gen's sashimi lunch special is in a league of its own.”
— Los Angeles Times
What with rush hour traffic, reservation books filled months in advance, no parking, and having to sign countless autographs (this annoyance pertains to celebrities only), dining out for dinner in L.A. can be a hassle. So why not treat yourself to an excellent lunch at Sushi Gen, where midday offerings are an absolute bargain. The business crowd packs this simple, white-linen dining room in Little Tokyo for the fresh sushi and friendly service. While there isn’t a list of architecturally complex, over-sauced sushi rolls, and you may not find a rare, potentially lethal fish from the Pacific, Sushi Gen specializes in very traditional but reliably fresh sushi. Locals swear by the lunchtime sashimi sampler, which boasts a generous selection of artfully arranged slices of raw fish. Cuts include sea urchin, albacore tuna, yellowtail and toro, while a few tempura and teriyaki dishes are available as well.
Beer, wine and sake available. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.
Zagat 2011: 26 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
“Lunch is often a better deal than dinner at restaurants, but Sushi Gen's sashimi lunch special is in a league of its own.”
— Los Angeles Times