Great happy hour (4-7 daily) with discounted rolls, sashimi, beer and sake. Staff is friendly and atmosphere is family friendly.
(4)
Michael A.
I've been here four times and they have the best happy hour deals and the tastiest sushi rolls! Love the hot sake, esp at $1 a caraff! Great atmosphere, tasty rainbow roll, Jenny the waitress rocks!
(5)
Mac S.
Usually pretty busy because it is popular, but you should still try to catch it during happy hour if you can. The prices are a little on the higher side outside of happy hour, but still a very decent meal (the place is a little upscale in general). If it was on Sawtelle down the street it would probably be one of the biggest/nicest ones there. Great place to unwind after work or a long day with friends and enjoy happy hour sushi with some cold beers or sake.
(4)
Ariana F.
Went here on a first date last week. Sushi was yummy!! We had some steamed edamame and the crispy onion albacore jalapeno roll (soo much crispy onions are piled on that roll, but they were so yummy!) Loved the kick and texture of that roll. We also had the fresh water eel and avocado, which was probably my favorite. Delightful. Loved the ambiance, the service was pleasant and attentive, but in no way annoying. The lighting wasn't too dark that I couldn't see my date, but it was flattering. The tables are kind of close together - you could easily eavesdrop if you wanted. We ended up having a short conversation with our neighbors after watching a woman take a nose dive (maybe too much sake? maybe she's just clumsy?) Not five stars because it wasn't *amazing* sushi in my opinion (although it was very good). I would definitely come back!
(4)
Jennifer M.
This sushi place is not the best. If you want good sushi for there are much better places with the same or cheaper prices. The rolls were mediocre. The volcano roll was the only one I really enjoyed. The spicy tuna tempura was whatever. It did not make me want more. The service was good though and it was conveniently opened until 11 pm on a Wednesday night so if you want late night sushi it's good for that.
(3)
Maria P.
I live near here and am so glad I finally went! Was en route to see a show at the Nuart and had some happy hour snacks and cocktails. I had the shishito peppers and a few sushi rolls and one sashimi. Everything was fresh and delicious. Had a pomegranate and lychee martini both tasty and cheap. Kristin the bartender was friendly chill and attentive. The bar was dead but I bet she'd be the same awesome bartender if it was swarmed with people. Will definitely go back and hopefully next time a creepy woman won't be sitting at the bar raving at every commercial and trying to make friends. Hello bubble invader I don't know you and am not interested in mindless chit chat. Thank you. I felt bad for Kristin because who knows how long or how drunk this woman stayed. She seemed on something of Charlie Sheen proportions. WINNING.
(4)
Sandee T.
Dish (& its star ratings): - Salmon platter (3.5) - Seaweed salad (4) - 4 different rolls (3.5) When: - Late 2010 Crowd: - Mixed. Businessmen grabbing drinks at the bar. Dates. Families. Interiors: - Dark tables, flat screen tv near bar. Service: - 4 stars. Overall: - Not a bad sushi place, just really really standard. Nothing to sing about.
(3)
Aaron H.
The food is usually good but the service is really bad. Last time I was here the restaurant was pretty busy. They seated me and my wife after about 5 minutes but were not very nice to us. After 5 minutes they came to our table and said that the table had actually been reserved and that we needed to get up. They weren't even very nice about it.
(2)
Karolina S.
Unfortunately the owner changed and it is a whole different place now. Not so good on the fish, portions and stuff anymore. Sad.
(3)
Bonnie C.
For some reason I forgot about this place, and recently re-discovered it! They have really reasonable lunch choices. Tough decision between the hot udon/cold soba noodles, and a 2 entree (of your choice) bento box, with all the normal sides for $8.50. Coming back soon to re-visit their daily happy hour!
(4)
Gino E.
Had been a hot minute since I had such terrible food. We were kind of forced to go here, since we were running late for a show at UCLA, needed to grab a quick bite, and happen to be driving by. We saw it was happy hour during the weekend, and said, "what the hell." Bad idea... I was obvious to me that this place did not have any real sushi, just the rolls with the "fun and kooky" names. I ordered a few, which I can't even remember what they were off the top of my head, and I could not eat them. Not being able to recognize what flavors I tasted and what it was, that I was eating, made me uncomfortable. The only thing that was edible was their yakitori. Their miso soup also tasted like they heated up tap water and threw a few tofu cubes in there. NO JOKE. On top of the wonderful food, our server looked depressed. I'm going to assume she was having boy-trouble. Keep your head up, kid. The place is "pretty" though. And that's pretty much it.
(1)
James F.
We go here at least once a week. The happy hour is great, food is amazing and the service is really top notch. The wait staff is so nice I would just hang out here all day if I could.
(5)
Katie C.
I don't know why there are so many bad reviews, because it was a great experience. Happy hour has amazing deals on drinks and rolls, and every single one was delicious. We were sitting at the bar, so I don't know if all tables do, but we got an orange cut up as dessert for free. The staff were pretty nice, and overall it was a very nice, affordable dinner.
(5)
Natalie M.
4 stars for the atmosphere...I liked the ambiance and decor of the joint 3 stars for presentation...artistic and aesthetically pleasing 5 stars for the super fresh, thick cut albacore sashimi...probably best I've ever had anywhere! 3 stars for the spicy tuna...had a bit too much mayo in the mixture, which was overwhelming in flavor. This mayo overload was also visibly apparent since their spicy tuna was whiter than I'd ever seen a spicy tuna....it had lost that dark red color and was now a very light pink! 3 stars for the garden salad with the garlic ponzu sauce...a bit boring for a $7 salad....tomatoes, lettuce and shaved carrots? 2 stars for the salmon sashimi....a tad fishy :-/ 2 stars for the service...the waiter literally delivered the food and disappeared...it took me several minutes to finally flag down a busboy to get a refill on my diet coke! Will I ever say "Hey gang, I'm craving some En Sushi tonight!!"...hmm...probably not....BUUUT if I happen to be in the neighborhood and be in the unfortunate situation I'm in more often than I'd like...where my iPhone battery is dead and I can't access my Yelp app to find another sushi joint nearby..I'd definitely come in for a couple servings of the albacore sashimi!
(3)
Kenna C.
Solid sushi spot. The bar area is awesome because the bartenders are fantastic. Also love that they have TV's.
(4)
Analis B.
I luckily strolled into En Sushi one night, and was astounded at the interior, the staff and the food. With my group I was able to try Crispy tuna roll, shishido peppers, vegas roll, seaweed salad, miso soup. The shishido peppers were just like Spanish pimientos de padron, some with a kick and some without. My favorite thing there by far however was the crispy rice tuna roll. Amazing. I would return in a heartbeat.
(5)
Lindsay J.
GREAT service! There was always somebody there to r.efill our water or take plates away. Not crowded on a Thursday night. They play top 40 music pretty loud which I found to be entertaining on a random Thursday night in a sushi spot. Above average sushi - I really liked the app with Spicy Tuna and Shishito peppers. Albacore sushi was also really good. Red Snapper, Yellow tail and Halibut were great. Baked crab handroll sans mayo was decent. A slight fishy taste. Not as good as Katsuya, but for only $5, was great. Make sure to check in for 10% off!
(4)
Michelle L.
My husband and I started coming here years ago, the place has a tried and true feel about it - especially Damion who greets guests as they enter from the behind the bar as he has done for years. His warmth welcomes you in, sit at the bar or in a table - love the Green Tea and Spider Roll! Parking can be a challenge, perhaps be ready to walk off a little of the sushi you just devoured.
(4)
David J.
Awesome. Happy Hour.. great Bento Box lunch special is a ton of food. Staff is great. Try the Vegas roll.
(5)
Limzer L.
First to arrive during lunch with my colleagues but not first to leave with my colleagues... came here during a welcome lunch from my co-workers and had a fantastic meal!!! 3 sushi specials with soup and salad - brown rice instead of white - awesome! Spider Roll - Artfully crafted and tasted bad ass! Albacore Tataki Appetizer - So delicious and everyone loved it! Age Dashi Tofu - Loved it and even loved the peppers in it! 1 order of Hamachi Sushi - Fresh and easy, loved it! 1 order of Albacore Sushi - Just like the appetizer - Bomb! Crunch CA Roll - Crunchy and pleasing! Philadelphia Roll - Delicious and nothing wrong to say about this one. 1 Small Hot Sake - Piping Hot and fantastic! 4 Iced Green Teas - Pleasant and refreshing! I'd come back!!!
(4)
Mr. L.
Great Happy Hour food & drink deals. Enough said.
(4)
Kevin A.
One of the best Sushi places I've been to!! Everything was great especially our Waitress I believe her name was Cartoon or something like that.. I think it's out new Sushi Spot here in SM!
(4)
Esther C.
My boyfriend and I went here on a whim while looking for a place to eat (there are a ton of places near my apartment to walk to) and we stopped into En Sushi. The hostesses and wait-staff were all incredibly friendly~ and sat us at a cozy table immediately. The entire night we had really great service as were well taken care of. The food was delicious, cocktails were tasty, and service was excellent. En Sushi is a great date place and can also be great for large groups. Park on the street for free parking (meters are free after 8) and take advantage of their happy hour menu!
(4)
Kelly J.
I've been coming here for years and don't believe I've ever been disappointed. Twice now I've gone for the omakase and it's just positively insanely delicious. My bf and I ordered two dinners thinking we'd be able to try a little bit of everything, it turned out to be a whole lot of food! Being ambitious eaters, we actually did okay until we got close to the end and had to call it quits. Everything was very fresh and excellent quality, beautifully plated and came out in a timely manner. The scallops, yellowtail and albacore really stood out, but the thick cuts of ahi were really out of this world. Alex, our server, really knew a lot about the food and he was really attentive to our table. I love how it's always consistent here with the amazing food and excellent service.
(5)
Benjamin L.
Great food, amazing happy hour, the waitresses are kind and courteous. Saki for a dollar, cheap beers and extensive specials menu. My only turnoff was when the bar manager came in and before he told me that's who he was said he'd rather be somewhere else. So I guess just don't go there when the bar manager decides to come in and drink before his shift.
(3)
J P.
This has become my regular sushi spot! The food is great and they have a diverse selection of sushi and rolls. Also, the waitstaff has always been amazing. They're friendly, fun, and take great care of you. This is one of my favorite restaurants for sure!
(5)
Tori P.
Good sushi, great prices at happy hour. Spicy yellowtail and jalapeño heart attack are delicious!
(4)
Tamar F.
Despite being sushi lovers, J and I haven't gone out for a sushi dinner since our trip to Hawaii four months ago. We just didn't think our places in LA could stack up to Morio's so we just went cold turkey. But now we were craving the raw fish and decided to try a new place in our 'hood. En Sushi is shrouded in mystery from the outside with its dark tinted doors and is clean and somewhat swanky inside. The menu was quite large and they also have a 4-page specials menu. Included in the menu was $40 omakase. J & I decided to split the tuna tataki sashimi, have a miso soup each, and then I got the spicy tuna and spicy tuna tempura and J got the rock shrimp tempura, crab roll, and albacore jalapeno roll. All of the pricing was on-par with the other sushi places in the area (i.e. $6 cut rolls). The tuna tataki was super-fresh and extremely flavorful with its garlic-ginger sauce. The miso soup was tasty and the tofu was really silky. The spicy tuna rolls were both very good, and J scarfed down his food rather quickly. We finished off with some tempura ice cream which was plated really nice and really yummy. Service was quiet but good and the food came out really quickly. Houston, i think we found our new sushi place in LA.
(4)
Eric N.
I've always liked this place, and I've been coming here for several years. It's kind of an old-school joint in terms of the ambiance. The service is excellent. I wouldn't call the sushi the best I've ever had, and it depends on which chef you get, but it's usually pretty darn good. It's a much bigger-than-average building for a sushi restaurant, so you can get seated pretty quickly even on the weekends. Also, the Los Feliz location is a bit better in my opinion, if you're ever on that side of town.
(4)
Ace S.
Cozy place with friendly staff. Food was A-. Will try them again soon since I have the sushi fever these days.
(4)
Luciana B.
The decor is pretty nice, very different from the sushi joints in the same area. The sushi was ok. Not terrible, but not amazing either. The menu has a lot of fried stuff which is kind of off-putting to me. The seared salmon sushi was good. The baked salmon roll was really dry and not tasty, the blue crab roll didn't feel super fresh, the eel with cucumber roll was good, but the cherry on top was the toro-scallion roll, It was crunchy at first and then I realized it was frozen. They made a roll with frozen toro! It was happy hour time so maybe they were not fully ready, but, I think I will keep trying other places before I return.
(2)
Janet M.
Not crowded for happy hour. One can't sit at the sushi bar if you're ordering happy hour. What was bad was even with my stuffy nose, this place reeked of fish. They need some serious ventilation. It did not smell good. Even if it was cooking fish, one can't tell the difference and you'd think it was rotten sushi!!
(2)
Renata A.
Very good food we went there on happy hour and it was great.
(4)
Fernando L.
The first time I came here I wasn't totally blown away by the food my GF and I ordered. But then we started coming here more so for happy hour and it indeed was a happy hour. At happy hour prices the food just seemed to taste better and it felt like we were getting out moneys worth. The beer, Kirin at $9 a pitcher is a pretty good bang for your buck. So, not to say that I wouldnt come here for a normal meal, but I feel that its just more enjoyable during happy hour. It's ballin on a budget approved. The gist... High point: Its an overall good restaurant where the service is great and you can count on your food to be prepared well. Its a nice place to so its not like youre eating youre food in a dingy room. Its got that trendiness without the crazy hype and the over priced food. Low points: Happy hour isnt long enough. Then again, is it ever?
(4)
squirrel w.
So Traffic is stopped on santa monica blvd is at a stanstill for 3 hours a day and the happy hour sign screamed my name. $1 small sake, cheap foods, very few peeps ok for a quiet (very quiet) appy hour on a weekday...plus full bar
(3)
Rick M.
Good sushi at a good price
(3)
Quan D.
Feeling the Sushi cravings this last weekend, we decided to try one of the many sushi places just down the block from me, that I had yet to go to. En Sushi looked like a great place to go so we ended up here. We walked in on a Friday night without reservations, but were still seated immediately, which was nice. The restaurant - by the way - was quite full. We were quickly greeted by the staff and happily on our way to our meal. We had a few rolls, I believe the fried oyster, Z... something or other (bad memory) and a spicy roll with some fried onion strips. (ack more bad memory). Overall they were good rolls, the fish was definitely fresh and of good quality. I found they weren't particularly original, but that's harder these days with so many sushi places around. I still enjoyed it. I topped the evening with a lycheemartini, which I found to be very tasty and not overly sweet or dominating with the lychee flavor, just right. Overall it was a very good experience. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, it made you feel like you were going out on a date night, though we just went out to grab dinner. The waitstaff was very quick and quite friendly, and the food tasty. I'd definitely recommend stopping on by.
(4)
Sue F.
Best happy hour sushi value in area. $6 for tall beer and sake. Good selection of sushi and rolls- always great quality. Add a half house salad for 2.50. Say hi to Damien.
(5)
Maxwell P.
If not for Daniel and Christy, this place would be cut. The sushi is A-ok, but if you want to sit at the bar, 2 star macho man Damien, bar no longer a cool place. Damien is the new full time bartender, and we are new to the neighborhood and have not had the opportunity to be old times friend of his, so the attention lacks. He is always moody, macho and lame. I have seen him on many occasions drinking and acting very lame behind the bar, not to mention that he comes in during his off time and drinks at the bar. Lame.
(3)
Paul K.
I live right down the street from En Sushi and really have fallen in love with the place. I have only been during happy hour and really have stuck to the happy hour menu because... well it's awesome pricing and some solid bites and drinks! The place has a really cool vibe to it with a really clean set up. The staff there is very helpful especially Kristy (she is the best!) she is the bartender on Sunday and Thursday nights I believe so definitely go and say hi and grab a drink from her. I really enjoy this place... give it a shot!
(5)
Stephanie J.
Great happy hour, but it ends at 7 -- that's okay with us because it allows us to get an early dinner with our baby. Fish is always pretty good - not the best in West LA - but the prices are great. The garlic tuna sashimi is a must have. It's on the happy hour menu and it's DELICIOUS!
(3)
Dinh T.
Get En Sushi in my belly! I always drive past this place in my travels to LA and I thought I would give it a shot. Coming in, it seems like another trendy sushi restaurant with a full bar. However, you are not blared by super loud music and an overactive staff. Quite the opposite, actually. We were greeted by our server Mari and took a seat at the bar with our sushi chef Furu. Plus one for an actual Japanese sushi joint with a real sushi chef. We ordered a good amount of sushi and we were not disappointed. We started out with kobe beef sushi and it melted in our mouths with the fatty and savory goodness that kobe beef is known for. Then we devoured our order of sushi. Tuna, halibut, albacore, octopus, salt water eel and the fried giant clam. Each morsel of sushi was consistently good and the texture kept the taste buds in a sushi euphoria for quite some time. The cut of the fish was perfectly sliced and our chef was a perfectionist on how he caressed the fish and masterfully controlled his blade to each piece of fish. True, there are other sushi places with higher quality sushi, but En Sushi holds its own because of the staff that stands behind the food that they serve. With great specials and a cool ambiance, En Sushi is a great place to go to if you have friends who are from out of town and want good sushi and a sleek LA feel, of if you want to feel hip but not be overcharged for some pretty decent cuts of fish.
(4)
Elizabeth A.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is very cool and the food is great. A little pricey, and sometimes if it is busy the service can be a little slow, but other than that I really like it! Check it out as long as you like dark, semi-romantic atmospheres. It would be good for a first date.
(4)
Jim M.
I'd rate my experience a 3.5. We went for Happy Hour last night [Thursday] and left stuffed and buzzed. We tried a few rolls and a couple of the fried appetizers... The best part of En Sushi, apparently, is this sparkly Sake that they have. My gf suggested this place strictly because of this magic potion. (I had a sip and it really is good) I liked everything we ordered except the Jalepeno Albecore roll... something was wrong with this and I could barely stomach it. Kinda fishy, which I don't mind, but not in a roll and not with albacore tuna. It seems they have a regular crowd for their Happy Hour and everyone was cool. Just no "wow" factor anywhere here that I could find. I'll give it another shot in the future and report back!
(3)
Lucy Y.
The last time I was here, all I remember was that the sushi was mediocre. Well, after dinner last night, I'd have to say that first impressions are usually spot on. We made a reservation using Open Table (1,000 points, CG!) and were seated immediately when we walked in. The place has a nice vibe and we had a great table from where we could see (and partially hear) the goings-on of the rest of the place. Menus were brought to us, alog with a sushi list and a pen to mark down what we wanted. As we chose what we were going to eat, a martini-drinking lady at the bar thoroughly entertained us with her audible conversation with a waiter about her old eggs. And we're not talking the grocery store kind, heehee - I just love dinner entertainment! A couple different servers helped us, and both were very Japanese-polite. But one stood out totally. I've spent enough time with super-high-standards Ciara G to know what great service is, and this one server gave us just that. He was polite and warm, cleared our sushi plates without a beat, brought bf another steaming hot cup of green tea instead of just refilling his cup, and even asked if I wanted no ice and replaced my lemon slice when he refilled my water. Service-wise, this server rated En Sushi 5 stars in my book! Our receipt said his name was Minoru. Food wise however......... We ordered a bunch of sashimi (salmon, albacore, tuna and yellowtail) and sushi. Everything was plated beautifully, the slices of sashimi were thick, and the fish was fresh, but the sashimi was way colder than it should have been - to the point that a couple pieces of the salmon were actually crispy with ice. Ok, so it makes me feel better to know that the sashimi isn't going to give us parasites because it's been properly frozen, but seriously - let it thaw and come to room temperature. The rolls we got looked pretty good, but maybe we've been spoiled by California Roll Factory a few doors down because these rolls didn't excite us the way that theirs do: Hurricane Roll - pretty good Spider Roll - less good, not very flavorful Gulliver Roll - the eel sauce on top was saltier than others I've had, so it put it over the top in the salt department The sushi and regular bar looked like it was somewhat popular, but at 8:30 on a Friday night, the place was less than half filled. I'd have to say that now I can see why. On the plus side, we took advantage of the Yelp check-in perk of 10% off the total bill, and we got those 1,000 Open Table points. We also were served really quickly when we arrived very hungry, and I have to commend Minoru on his attentiveness - so I guess it wasn't a total loss. But I don't know if I'll be rushing to come back anytime soon.
(3)
Bhavna P.
I was hungry and had time to kill while my car was getting an oil change, so I came in for lunch based on the decent reviews for yelp. Plus, it was nearby. I paid $9 for a baked salmon roll and $2 for a side salad which were good and the portions were appropriate. However, I don't know if I would go out of my way to come to this place unless I was already in the area and hungry. Customer Service wise, everyone was nice and accommodating. If you need a sushi fix and are nearby, I would definitely eat here for lunch. I can't comment on Dinner Service or Food, well cause I haven't had any here.
(3)
Jordan L.
This place had pretty decent sushi, and contrary to other reviews, they do indeed have nigiri and sashimi, not just "kooky rolls". The main downside, IMO, is the price. It's not really that much better than a conveyor belt sushi place, but its 2-3x more expensive. The food is not the issue with this place, just the price.
(3)
Susie K.
I was struggling between 1 and 2 stars. I decided to be fair and base it on the past few trips, and not just our most recent one. My husband and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night around 7PM. We both got the sushi omakase for $40, a beer and a soda. The food: green beans - i love green beans, this dish was good, but a tad too sweet for me calamari - okay, but i find it odd they serve it with pico de gallo beef rib meat - meh, don't order this. overly seasoned/salted, tasted like poor quality defrosted meat drowned in kalbi sauce garnished with weird potatoes and a really mushy eggplant cod - worth ordering. it was very good, but again, drowning in its sauce miso soup - too salty, not a fan of the giant shrimp head inside it sushi - gawd, where to start. out of the 8 pieces, only 2 tasted above average. everything else was a total disappointment (toro, clam, sweet shrimp in particular) the sushi does not taste fresh, it's almost on the dry side, some were crunchy and stringy. yuck ice cream finish - almost didn't get it. it was decent, see details below Other than the below average meal, we were really really upset with the service, or lack thereof. Our waiter whizzed by us without checking on how we were doing for the main portion of our meal. We needed our drinks refilled and it took way too long to refill them. The gap between certain courses were extremely long, and it was VERY apparent we were done eating. We tried flagging down 3 different servers/hostess, until one finally decided not to run past me and ignore me and ask what we needed. I asked for our last course (ice cream) and check. Our check came out with lightening speed. I set my card down, and that was swiped equally as fast. Our waiter finally comes around and asks how everything was and aren't we glad we didn't order extra dishes. He was trying to scoot us out the door without giving us our last course. So my husband kindly reminds him we're still waiting on our ice cream. He then remembers, and it comes out much later. I was tempted to just leave, but I wanted every course I paid for considering I didn't think any of them were worth the cost. We finally get it, and I don't sign my receipt until I'm done eating. I see our waiter walk about a few times eying the check. He's suddenly very available. En is decent if you want to eat lunch and are more into rolls than sushi/sashimi. I've had much better quality + better prices at Yen. If you are willing to pay a bit more, go to SugarFISH or Sasabune.
(2)
Jacob M.
I had the salmon entree and the fish as well as the potatoes were excellent. The place itself is very attractive and that coupled with the great service and the aforementioned food nets it 5 stars.
(5)
Ayaka H.
AMAZING!!!!! Too wonderful. One of the best restaurants in LA..This review comes from a Japanese person. I can easily give this restaurant five stars! This is the kind of place I want to go eat every week :) My favorite dishes are the fried crab, oyster, seafood sampler, uni sushi, and salmon teriyaki set.... The menu is very exciting if you like Japanese food! A reallyy nice,,upscale yet casual place. spent $200 for 3 people but it's so worth it I didn't mind :) Great contemporary Japanese food!!!!! And on top of that I like the ambiance which is a PLUS!! Definitely coming back :)
(5)
Denis S.
Happy Hour: Everyday 5:30-7:00pm, and then sometime in the evening sometimes. Great sushi place, though to get happy hour you have to sit in a segregated area to the left. The happy hour options are comprehensive, though not all-inclusive. To participate in happy hour you need to order a drink (but it need not be alcoholic). Service was top notch. There when you want her, not there when you don't. The food was great. Not the best sushi I've ever had, but very quality for the price. The atmosphere was fairly posh, especially considering the surrounding neighborhood.
(4)
Issen A.
This is my new spot for local sushi. It's a great price for the value and it's easy to find parking. if you live in the neighborhood..walk. It is kind of lacking for a scene, but rather than wait 20 mins and be hurried off at Hara this does the trick. The prices are extremely good for sushi about 7 or 8 bucks for standard rolls and 13 bucks for the specialty ones. They charge for miso soup which is kind of annoying , but it's cheap so I don't mind. They have a variety of different sakes and they serve hard liquor. The staff was super friendly and diverse. It has a nice big bar area if you just want to have cocktails and chat and there is pretty cool artwork on the walls. If the VIP experience is your thing there is a VIP table upstairs. I have been twice in the past 2 weeks and will definitely bring others back to this place.
(4)
Vivian Z.
First off, it's difficult to find parking for this place. There is street parking but it may take a while to find some. The atmosphere of this place is nice. It's dimly lit and the decor is comfortable and easy on the eyes. However, the service is terrible. While the servers were friendly, everything was slow, from ordering, to refilling water, to getting the food (and we weren't even served the correct entree at first-- we ordered chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura, and only the teriyaki came. It took another 5 minutes to flag down a server and then another 20-30 minutes to get the tempura), to getting the check, to the server picking up the check.. Everything about this place was just slow. The food is great, but maybe not worth the price. It's expensive when it's not happy hour; you might as well go to Sushi Stop for cheaper prices and the same waiting time. The only reason I gave En Sushi a 3-star rating rather than a 2-star rating was because I checked in on Yelp and got a 8% discount.
(3)
Nathan B.
Good happy-hour...but that's about it. Service is not that great, atmosphere is ok...nothing really that great about this place other than the HH.
(3)
Daniel L.
I've lived in Santa Monica for over 10 years and pretty much defaulted to Hide on Sawtelle whenever I was in the mood for good sushi without breaking the bank. So I decided to check out En Sushi on a Sunday night because they were offering 1000 points on Opentable. We both ordered the sashimi omakase for $50 and it was plenty of food for the both of us. You can get away with sharing one actually. It included toro, clams, shrimp, conch, uni, yellowtail, tuna, whitefish -- really a diverse selection that was over and beyond our expectations for the price range. My fiance and I were wondering why this place wasn't busier.... Then again it was a Sunday. Our omakase also included a choice of appetizers, and the calamari, shisito peppers, agedashi tofu were all very good... the cold string beans not so much. Finally, we each got a yellowtail/scallion hand roll to wrap up the main course which was also very good. This is now my go-to spot for sushi here on the Westside and highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar and ordering from Yoshi. Make sure you ask for the tempura uni as well - also something very unique I've never actually had before.
(5)
Lawrence A.
LUNCH HOUR FRIENDLY: YES FIRST IMPRESSIONS: What an amazing lunch menu. Sushi bowl for about $10 you can't beat that. The place looks trendy. I went to En Sushi during the week for lunch and it was pretty empty. There were only a few tables occupied. AFTER THE FIRST: *** Chirashi Bowl=*** A lot of fish for the price. The cuts weren't that bad either. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The Chirashi bowl for sure as it provides enough variety at a great price. SERVING SIZE: I was still a little hungry after the meal but then again I am a pig. Regretfully, I stopped by McDonalds for some spicy chicken bites. CONCLUSION: If you have that sushi craving at lunch, then En Sushi is the spot to check out. Just make sure you aren't starving before heading there unless you plan on ordering more than one dish at the restaurant.
(4)
Barndi K.
Great service, free iced teas! They have great lunch specials that go beyond chicken terriyaki (though they have that too). GREAT decor, great menu with the price of one of those hole-in-the-wall sushi places.
(4)
Helen J.
Sweet sushi. It seemed to me a more homey (yet still shishi) version of Sushi Roku. Reasonable prices for fantastically fresh sushi. The sea bass appetizer is pleasantly spicy and unique. And, though it's hard to mess up edamame, the app tasted particularly good here. Note: There's valet, but I didn't have a problem finding free street parking nearby.
(4)
Bob D.
Been here a few times and enjoyed it pretty much every time. It's never too crowded and has a good bar. The sushi is very good.
(4)
Cristina D.
My husband and I used to eat here when he used to live in West LA...it was walking distance from his apartment. Good sushi...in their menu they have fish from Japan...this restaurant was actually recommended to me by this one Japanese exchange student that I know. The ambience is very LA...trendy looking bar and decor. Expensive.
(4)
Tu D.
THE freshest sushi I have ever tasted. I love this place. I enjoyed their Uni (Sea urchin), Ama Ebi (raw shrimp), Torro (fatty tuna), giant clams...etc. Everything I tasted has been great. The decor is really trendy and neat. Lunch time is also a treat here because their lunch menu is very fulfilling and delicious. Overall price is not too bad. If you enjoy high quality sushi and an great atmosphere, I think the price is suitable.
(5)
Megan L.
Great happy hour, but bartender has a bad attitude during this time.
(5)
Lara G.
This place has good sushi but it can be a hit or miss on service. Def. a place to check out as the prices are good, and the sushi rice is just right!
(4)
Randi B.
En Sushi has quickly become one of my favorities. The sushi is really good and so are the "non-sushi" entrees. I'm always impressed with the presentation of everything. Who knew a Chinese Chicken Salad could be beautiful?. The staff is friendly, I've never waited for more than 20 minutes for a table, they have a great happy hour and friendly, attentive bartenders. It's near a handful of other sushi restaurants, but we've never tried them because we keep going back to En.
(5)
Laurie A.
En Sushi is our favorite sushi spot near Westwood. We love the rolls -- like the rainbow roll and albacore jalapeno. The service and ambiance are great too. Most of all, we love that it's on opentable and we just pop in a reservation as we're driving there.
(5)
K L.
Really, really average. The sushi pieces were small and thin, a bit wilted looking. The udon tasted like it was from a package which is fine but I expect a little more pizazz if I'm out. Philadelphia roll tasted gross w/ some un-fresh disgusting taste along with cream cheese. Fairly popular, decent 'modern' decor atmosphere, good service. Granted, a decent place for the area. But if you want good sushi, I'd definitely try some other place. I definitely don't think it deserved more than 2-3 stars.
(2)
Jenni C.
i've been here thrice. first time, i made the reservation based on a recommendation of a coworker for my friend's bday. we wrote that it's his bday on our opentable reservation, and they put us in that booth near the back when we walked in. i got a lot of sashimi including some that were on the front inside page of the menu (the more premium expensive stuff). it was good, and the "premium" stuff was REALLY good. got this really yummy rich chocolate cake thing for the bday boy. nice. the second time, we sat at the sushi bar and just had 2 rolls. they were HUGE. we got full quickly. it was also the first time with the current bf going to en sushi, and he used to go there a lot, so the chefs knew him the third time, we went on NYE because the bf was kinda sick and we were staying in that night, but we still wanted to have dinner. that is when i chose the chef's choice, even though i sat at a table. i got this miso-ish soup with a huge shrimp head in it. it was really good and rich. dan had regular miso soup, and there was definitely a huge difference between the two. the first three things they brought me was ankimo (decent), something else (i forgot, this was so long ago), and these chewy little round things. i kept eating them, not knowing what they were, but getting curious-er by the moment. i finally waved a waitress over to ask her what it was, it turned out to be sea cucmber! i never had it like that before, it was quite interesting. after that's done, they brought out this tray of like 8 diff fish sushis. it's pretty basic, but the fish was decent despite it being monday and new years eve. i got pretty full off the soup and the fish, and it was only $40. decent. they have this nice sake sampler for like $15 or $18 with 3 shot glasses of sake and a note card with descriptions of each of the sakes and its notes. it's pretty cool and educational. i love it when alcohol is educational.
(4)
Diana T.
Awesome place to go for happy hour--tons of metered parking on the street after 6 pm. The rolls weren't anything special but traditional rolls full of fish were only $4. Martinis (quite strong btw) were only $5. Definitely a place to go after work to relax or even to get full of some quite surprisingly well-made items. The calamari was goood as well. Ooh and jalapeno yellowtail was SPICY.
(4)
darren s.
I have been to En a few times now and am overall impressed. The sushi is not the best, but it is good. My favorite part is the happy hour. It is usually a fun atmosphere to bring friends and get great deals on drinks and apps. There is a guy who is the bartender there that is always quick on the drinks and keeps the place fun. It seems like everytime I am there, the bar is full and the restaurant is empty....I think the happy hour is 5-7pm. Try it out!
(5)
Christie X.
Great happy hour FOOD menu. Since they got into trouble for not having a special liquor license to sell alcohol during happy hour, their drinks are full price. But, the food was good. I mean, for $ 3.50, what can you expect? Two small spoonfuls of sauteed mushrooms, mediocre fried sesame chicken, but the sushi was good. Hopefully, they will get their license back soon. Friendly staff, nice decor. And a really helpful, friendly bartender, Damion. Thank you for your delightful recommendation. I know my friend enjoyed her cocktail, too.
(3)
Carole G.
My friend and I have been regulars here for their happy hour but never again after Feb. 4! The En hostess rudely asked us to eat our happy hour at the bar or else buy a full meal to sit in the general restaurant area. The thing was that there were two tables of four that were completely empty in the happy hour section--yet she refused to seat us there because we were only a party of two. Adding to our frustration was that two other women had just beaten us to the restaurant by about 30 seconds--and they had been seated at the only two-person happy hour table. When my friend said she had often been seated at the four person table with just two people, the woman still said no, so we started discussing going to another restaurant in front of this hostess (in an almost completely empty restaurant around 5 p.m., no less). Did potential business walking out the door change her attitude? It did not. Rules is rules at En, even if your customers wind up having dinner down the street at Bad Sushi instead, where you ARE allowed to sit ANYWHERE to have your happy hour. That's the way it should be!
(1)
Renee I.
The place has changed. I've been going there since it opened. A friend and I went there last night - 5:30 on a Friday night and the place was empty, maybe a few people at the bar. Two girls came in just ahead of us and took the 2-person table in the bar area, which is the only area where you can have happy hour prices. We were told that in order to enjoy the happy hour menu, which we have done for years, we would have to sit at the bar because the 4-seating tables in this empty restaurant were reserved for any larger group which might come in at that early hour. Otherwise, we could sit in the empty restaurant and order full meals, no discounts. But we have always sat at the 4-seat tables with no 4-person minimum if they were available, first come first serve and in an empty restaurant at an early hour, there was nobody to serve.. So, we went up the street to Bad Sushi where happy hour is at any table in the restaurant and the food was much, much better, the prices were nicer and the people were charming. We saw that en was still empty when we walked by at the end of our Bad Sushi meal. Goodbye hostess with an attitude! Sorry En, but your hostess shouldn't turn away business. You've lost a long-time customer.
(1)
Andrew W.
The owner of this restaurant is a family friend... so I happened down to its doors... I was not disapointed. In fact, that was a great night. After all, what's better than free sushi and drinks? i can't think of anything but ifyou can then get back to me.
(4)
Pamela R.
I love this swanky sushi restaurant. I think the atmosphere is trendy and elegant. The sushi is delicious as well. It's often crowded, but I've always been lucky and scored a table without a reservation with minimal wait time.
(4)
lucky q.
Sushi is amazing...kura is an awesome chef as well as his colleagues....the bar only rocks when Damion is bartending...he's SO on the ball & serves it up w/a healthy dose of sarcasm & charm...great dining/drinking experience...need my fix @ least 4x per week!!!
(5)
Marc P.
I stumbled on this place one night when I was heading to one of my favorite lil Japanese Comfort food spots Terried Sake House. Terried was closed so I walked down to En. I typically try to avoid the atmosphere heavy places because they tend to be all style and little substance. I'm somewhat of a sushi purist and none of the fancy garnishes or rolls with 6 kinds of fish do much for me. So I wasn't expecting much. I have to say I was pretty impressed. I got a sashimi combo along with some toro sushi and japanese red snapper. The red snapper was some of the best I've ever had and the toro wasn't bad. Overall I'd say i've been to better places but this spot is definitely more than just atmosphere.
(4)
James K.
Fresh sushi and cooked entrees but only ordinary. Nice decor and vibe with an upstairs area good for large groups.
(3)
sarah e.
This place is GREAT! I went once at 11pm and everything was fresh, reasonably priced and the service was good, too~! I recommend it to anyone in the area. The decor is extremely pleasin, as well!
(4)
Caitlin G.
This is my neighborhood (walking distance) sushi joint, and I'm a fan. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it as good as other, slightly further away options (Hide, Sakura, Bar Hayama)? No. But it's a solid option when I'm feeling some quick, affordable sushi without too much effort. The main selling point of this place is the happyy hour, which is 3-7 every day. This is hands down the best sushi place happy hour I've come across, because the menu has a wide variety of options that are actually very reasonably priced. Delicious rolls and sashimi for 6-7 bucks? Ok, yes, put it in my mouth. I don't take advantage of the drink specials too often, but they have always been good when I've tried. Specific items that I have tried here that I love: yuzu sauce yellowtail sashimi (SO good), rainbow roll, spicy tuna on crispy rice, and some of the more basic rolls - salmon w/ cucumber, etc. There are a lot of solid options on SM for sushi, but this one has never failed me. Heads up: service can be a little slow during HH if they are busy, but I'm willing to wait for cheap and delicious.
(4)
James W.
Great ambience and the wait staff are super friendly! We had the Blue Fin Tuna sashimi, the Rock En roll, and the "Spring" roll. The Spring roll had a cucumber wrapping instead of seaweed, which was kind of near. But overall we weren't that impressed with the taste of the roll. The Rock En roll was great! We'll definitely be ordering that again when we return. Along with the blue fin tuna sashimi which was soooo good. We also really enjoyed the Spicy Tuna Tempura roll.
(4)
Phoenicia F.
Excellent food !! I had the spicy tuna roll. bomb.com . The ambiance is wonderful but loud still worth the wait.
(3)
Justin N.
If you enjoy screaming babies, children playing "drums" with chopsticks, slow service, and mediocre food, then this place is totally going to be your jam! Something is just "off" for lack of a better term. The decor is fine, but it's a ruse. I watched a man stand next to his table, rocking his crying baby, while reaching down to snag sushi. I straight up saw him dribble soy sauce on the baby's face. Yes, yes I did. I've never had soy sauce in my eyes but it probably burns. Two visits and it's safe to say I'm over it, they have a happy hour daily from 3pm-7pm which is what lured me in but really, it's not worth it. Don't even get me started on the music, a mix of The Beatles, Mumford and Sons, AC/DC, and a cover of "Stand by Me" is not something I should be subjected to at a Japanese restaurant. And when your restaurant is at about 20% capacity, food really shouldn't take nearly half an hour. Shit, it took almost 10 minutes for someone to take a drink order. One extra star for a few very friendly servers, but that's about it. The chefs are slow, but that's not the servers' fault. One server in particular is such a warm, friendly spirit, but unfortunately a good presence can't carry an entire restaurant. Really, move on. Tons of sushi spots in this neck of the woods. U-Zen obliterates this place and it's four blocks down. I'd put up with terrible parents and their demon children smashing chopsticks on the table and glassware if the food was worth it but trust me, it's not. Oh Jesus Christ, I'm writing this on my phone while here and ANOTHER couple just walked in with a toddler. And is that another AC/DC song I hear? Time to goooooooooooo....
(2)
Mister Y.
A forgettable and uninspiring meal that felt like it didn't happen. I can't say anything intelligent about this place because it didn't leave much of a mark but I will put forth one proposition for the staff to consider: SMILE! ;-)
(2)
Mahsa S.
I love sushi and my husband didn't like it and only company me to sushi places because I love it so much. I was looking for a new sushi place and found here which is very close to my house, on our first visit Richard was our waiter and gave us an outstanding service. He suggested a sushi and well boom it happened my husband start liking sushi, now he is the one who always suggest to go for sushi and only here. I don't want to go with any other waiters and waitress not because they are not good, all of them are great but Richard is sweet and so caring we are so happy with his service all the time Thank you Richard
Service was extremely amazing. But we were there at time they had only 3 tables. The sushi was average. Asked for easy rice and still brought out normal rice....
(3)
Andrew J.
A good friend of mine recommended me this sushi joint. I'm not really a big fan of sushi; however, I decided to give it a shot. I came here around lunch time, so it was slightly packed. Within a minute, I was greeted and seated to a nice cosy comfy spot. The best part of this place is the happy hour menu, as there are a variety of selection to choose from. The happy hour isn't some mediocre leftover fish, but it was rather scrumptious and fresh. The waiter who was serving us was really genuine and polite. Everyone was collectively working together to keep the customers satisfied. Food was above average. Service was great, and the environment was awesome. This is a perfect place to take someone on a date. The only problem I had was finding parking. Other then that, this restaurant deserves a solid 5 stars.
(5)
Ashley S.
Hard to find a place in west LA with specialty rolls, easy parking & ambience. This has it all. Has booths and tables along with a bar. Usually not overpacked and has great happy hour deals. All the rolls I've tried have been delicious!! I have brought many people here and everyone has enjoyed. Plus they allow spicy mayo & eel sauce - my favs! I am surprised they don't have more stars! I will be back again soon :)
(5)
Marina S.
We went there for happy hour... Prices seemed to be reasonable but as you can guess we got smaller portions of rolls and sashimi Also, the waiter was polite but he looked like he didn't care
(3)
Amy C.
Love this place! The sushi is fresh and the service is good. I've only been twice but was very pleased both times. Can't wait to go again and try a few different things on the menu.
(4)
Jason B.
Overall descent sushi place. I prefer crazy rolls to traditional sushi. This place had a good amount of that. Was there with my family and we ordered a lot of food. So I had a chance to try different things. I think j enjoyed the aloha rolls the best. There wasn't anything that blew me away. But nothing was bad either. It was a pretty good averaged price sushi restaurant.
(3)
Sue N.
My girlfriend and I went to this place. My girlfriend asked if her Japanese sushi chef friend works that night. Then the server answered that there are no Japanese working here. Are you kidding me? No Japanese sushi chefs at a Japanese restaurant? Well, we were already there so we ordered some sushi and chicken teriyaki. Sushi was mediocre but the chicken was so bad. People say the happy hour here is good but the sake they serve for a dollar is so small and the appetizers are mostly unhealthy deep fried dishes served at Japanese restaurants. Whoops! Maybe this is not a real Japanese restaurant. There is a better one down the street named U-Zen. We usually go there now.
(2)
Sasha B.
Fresh and delicious sushi. I've been here a number of times and have always had a great experience. Sushi chef Josh is very nice and friendly and always has good fish recommendations.
(5)
Dominique A.
I really like this place. Not sure why the reviews aren't higher for this place. Nice ambiance. Great service. Great happy hour. Great rolls.
(5)
Jen L.
Good service. Fast refills. Nice ambience and table layouts. A bit dark at dinner. Recommended rolls pokyman and spicy Rebecca. The chef was happy to make me a futomaki roll it was off menu and a good attempt on their part. Not many places even take the request. We will have to try happy hour next time
(4)
Dominique M.
I like the yellowtail salad, so filling! I also love that this place is open late so when I am craving sushi late night this generally my only option. It has grown on me I must say... Good average sushi, very affordable, open late, and usually has a yelp check in offer of some sort :)
(3)
HyeYoon Y.
One of the best Sushi places I've EVER tried! I grew up in Japan, so pretty picky with Sushi, but this place is highly recommended! The service is always great, and they always cook all their food with tons of love. I've been coming here for years, and I have to say they have yet to disappoint me!! The owner is ALWAYS pleasant and the sushi chef, Josh & bartender Damian are awesome! Jenny was my waitress and she was super nice! Try their TORO sushi and Tuna rolls! They are simply to die for~ If you are in Santa Monica, MUST GO!!!
(5)
Jordan F.
Everything was very good! From the service to the food. We were greeted when we walked in, were sat down promptly and our drink order was taken and we had our drinks within minutes of walking in. My girlfriend and I ordered 4 sushi rolls, the names of which I do not recall, but all of them were good. We also had the fried calamari salad to start with and it was delicious. Service was very good. My water cup was never empty. Overall it was good experience for us. I'm pretty tough on sushi places. My test is can the sushi stick together when I grab it with my chop sticks and if it does its usually a good sign, if it crumbles well you know how it goes. Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream is delicious as always! Presentation was good on all the dishes, very high end cuisine style sushi presentation. I gave it four stars because we went pretty late at night and it wasn't busy so I can't speak for their normal night rush service. I'm sure it is the same though.
(4)
Mashty S.
Usually the servers in these sushi places don't have any personality. But Reese is a super cool chick. She was sooo nice and friendly and funny. The service was soooo fast tonight. Everything came so fast. Thanks again Reese.
(5)
Juan M.
Great Happy Hour
(4)
Brooke D.
Yummy Delish! We are regulars there for a reason. Happy hour from 3-7 is our favorite. Everything there is yummy. Enjoy!!
(5)
Karen S.
This is our go to sushi spot! We love it. Their food is always fresh, yummy, decently priced and service is good too. We usually like sitting at the bar and they're so quick. We even have had take out lately and the orders have always been perfect. Try it out- fun bar atmosphere and a fun place to go with a group as well.
(5)
Joey M.
Came for their happy hour. Great food and prices and the server was sweet, adorable and polite. The decor has class and liquor prices were the best I've seen at any sushi happy hour. But avoid the Peruvian restaurant across the street. See my review on that mess of a restaurant.
(4)
Jordan B.
Great sushi! Great happy hour, great prices and great staff! I was very happy with En Sushi because I walked in off the street without even looking at Yelp. Whatever question we had about the rolls, our sever knew exactly what was in the rolls. It was impressive. This restaurant doesn't get enough love for being how good it is!
(5)
Zahra B.
I come to this place once a month. My favorite here is ALOHA and Caterpillar. Service use to be good but lately getting slow.
(4)
Shelly I.
Pretty good sushi joint in West LA. They have a sushi happy hour as well...They have a garlic albacore sashimi that is very good,,,my fav rolls are the Pokeymon, Baked Salmon and Baked Lobster....Very fresh and prices are decent...Service is good and pretty quick...Street parking only and Valet is $3.50.
(4)
Laurence F.
While the food was okay, the service was beyond horrible. When we first got there, having made a reservation, we found ourselves standing around for over 15 minutes waiting for a person to check in with - no one came. We asked the other six people standing around in the small space you need to stand when entering the restaurant, and they said they hadn't seen anyone either. I finally flagged down a waiter and asked where the hostess was, they informed us they didn't have one. Luckily however they sent someone over to figure it out. What they figured out is how they accidentally gave our reserved table for six to the wrong party five minutes before while we were standing in the restaurant looking for the hostess. Since we had two kids in our party and needed less room they offered to give us a larger booth, which was okay, but still annoying. Then, we ordered drinks. They brought my MIL the totally wrong drink twice. They never brought my saki until all the other drinks had been served for at least 15 minutes, and food had already arrived. We never got plates (I had to ask for them) and they did not bring my MIL a fork to eat her teriyaki chicken with, she had to ask for it. On top of that, they never even brought us two of the dishes we ordered and looked confused when we asked about them. The service was also very slow, so when they did get something wrong to change it took too long. We finally decided to cut our losses and get out after becoming seriously frustrated with the entire situation. When I went out to the valet to get my car, I discovered that he had not locked it so anyone could have rifled through my car while we were in the restaurant. Advice? Stay away until their management learns how to train their wait staff and if you do go there, make sure that the valet locks your car. The one thing I can say is that the waiters were polite and seemed to want to do the right thing, they were just completely and utterly useless.
(1)
Nadia M.
Let me break it down.... It was my fourth time here when that happened. There are few things that I liked about this place that made me come back. It's very spacious, friendly waitresses, daily happy hour 3-7. Food was ok. Last night experience turned my impression of this place 360. My boyfriend and I are always like to seat next to each other and not across the table. So when we walked in they didn't have any booth available which is understandable it's a Sunday night. So they offered for us to sit down at the table. No problem. We just decided to move the chair on the side of the table so we can feel more comfortable. We ordered drinks and the food. Everything was fine until young lady came to us IN THE MIDDLE our dinner and I asked my boyfriend to move back across from the table. Really?! Right now?! While we eating? Not a good timing. First strike. Why should we do that? She just said Could you please do it for us? ...what that supposed to mean?! ... Well we were so shocked about her request that we asked her to give us a few minutes... We turned around and asked the table that was next to us if we were on their way. And the ladies sad not at all, everything was fine. ... So we didn't see any reason for us to move the chair. Well that wasn't it. The guy who works behind the bar came to us and ask us again to move the chair back. We told him that we weren't done with our dinner yet. On Which he replied YOU WERE DONE 15 MINUTES AGO and Quickly left. Excuse me??!?!! He didn't just said that! Does he think that throwing a smart ass comments is acceptable in the service industry?! ?! So rude!!! We asked for a manager and shared our disappointment in their customer service... Thank you for giving us a discount from the total bill but we're definitely not coming back here....
(1)
Keesha F.
Stopped in for the reason most people do with a place they're not familiar with.. Because it was Hella traffic on the 405, and it was Happy Hour. Needless to say, I shoulda kept rolling right past this spot.. Sushi was horrible! Fish was room temp :-\ but worst of all, the Krab mixture that they used in their Cali rolls (and as a base for most of their rolls) tasted mostly like Straight up Miracle Whip.. I gave them 1 star for the atmosphere but other than that, I'll sum out up with 3 words- Nasty As Fucc!!
(1)
David S.
What a shame the the closest sushi joint to my place has to be so crappy. The rolls have way too much mayonnaise; the sauces are not very flavorful, mostly just sugary; the tables are too close together; the place feels kinda dirty. But I will say that the waitstaff and bartender seem very nice and efficient. The critical comments above are only an issue because it's so expensive for what it is. Were I knowingly going to go into a place for a mediocre sushi dinner, I wouldn't mind paying 20 bucks. But our dinner for two was 80. I ate there once by myself and the experience was similar (great service but below average sushi) and the bill was 35. That's way too much for that level of food quality. If you are considering sushi places, please do yourself a favor and go just one or two blocks away from here and spend your money where the food is worth the price.
(1)
Tyler S.
A little pricey, but the fish is fresh and delicious. The good: The Black Cod Miso Handroll was buttery, sweet, and sultry, as good black cod always is. Freshly grated wasabi. Ask for some, if it doesn't come standard on your dish. It's like trying wasabi for the first time again. Clears your sinuses naturally, without having the tasteless pasty consistency of the fake stuff. Albacore Tataki Sashimi: Good, but the fried onions were a bit too oily. Uni: Best uni I've ever had. Creamy, refreshing, and "ocean-y." I woke up the next morning craving it. Mirugai Sashimi: Delicate with a slight crunch. Very fresh, and very expensive. Try it here if you've never had it. The bad: Their treatment of scallops. Each piece of scallop sashimi was wedged in between two lemon slices. The lemon was overpowering, and insulting to extremely fresh and tender scallops. Scallop sushi was COVERED with black pepper, which was again overpowering. The scallops themselves were some of the most buttery I've had, and practically melted in your mouth, but the amount of black pepper made them tough to eat. I had to scrape most of it off to enjoy them. They would've gotten a fifth star if they let their scallops shine. I can't help but feel snobby here, but get it together, scallop guy!
(4)
Eye R.
HAPPY HOUR 4-7 $1 SAKE CHEAP ROLLS OPEN X-MAS & NEW YEARS A fun place. They have comfortable booths, including a big boss table elevated in the back. A nice place to kick it and have some sake and sushi in the afternoon. The happy hour menu has great prices on select sashimi and sushi, which were all tasty. I recommend the garlic albacore roll. Good service and ambience as well. A solid sushi happy hour option in West LA.
(4)
Marie W.
Damian the bar man is so great! Makes all the difference. Often when you go out for sushi drinks are limited but not here, they have a full bar, sushi bar and restaurant. I normally sit at the bar as its more fun!
(5)
Taylor W.
I'm pretty much the mayor of this joint, so I feel an updated review is necessary. EN recently changed management, and, as such, some of the menu items have changed. The happy hour menu is great as it is divided by price, $4, $5, $6, $7 and $8 options, as are the cocktails. You can actually get good food, sushi and sashimi, on the happy hour menu. Happy hour takes places between 4pm and 7pm. Check it out! Make sure you ask for all of the menus. This sounds strange, but there are often various menus, consisting of a real menu, happy hour menu and often a specials menu. The menu situation is a bit much, but I like to be fully informed when I order! If you sit at the bar you will most likely be surrounded by regulars, myself included. It is not my all time favorite spot for sushi, but the food is fresh and the happy hour prices are good. EN is my neighborhood hangout!
(4)
Christina B.
This restaurant looks really cool from the outside since it's dark black glass in a corner. They have valet for $3.50 in the back or street parking. I was able to score free street parking:) I walked in and while the servers all greeted me in Japanese, I stood at the hostess stand for a while. Another couple came in behind me and all three of us waited a bit. So much so that I turned to the couple and asked if we were supposed to seat ourselves and they replied it was a good question, but they didn't know. Waited a bit more and then was seated. When you walk in, it is a darker ambience and is quite large. There are tables to the left and a full beverage bar with a TV showing sports and then to the right is the main dining with booths and tables and sushi bar. The lighting was nice for a romantic date until you needed to read the menu, which was also dark. Sense a theme? I ordered an albacore roll, tofu udon noodle soup, cod hand roll, and hot tea. Everything was brought out at the same time. I asked for the fresh wasabi but never received it. They charged me $1 for it even though i never got it!:( I ate the hand roll first with some ginger and that was yummy. Next I had the noodle soup and it was surprisingly decent (not too salty or bland). I ate in this particular order with the hopes that I would get the fresh wasabi for the roll but that didn't happen. The roll was okay--nothing spectacular but not awful. Hot tea was good but I had to ask for a refill once my tea was done and when it was empty again, I wasn't asked if I wanted a refill and I didn't ask again. Thirsty anyone? Staff wise, there were two guys and a female. One guy was more of a busboy and didn't speak a lot of English and seemed to be struggling a bit but tried hard. The second guy was great. He asked if I needed anything and brought things out when asked and he cleaned up after people and asked if people had ordered their drinks with this really friendly easy going demeanor. If all servers were like that. Sigh. The female did her job but she was the one that I originally asked for the fresh wasabi and never got so I can't say she was that great. She never checked on me and not once did she remember that she forgot the fresh wasabi. However, she remembered to charge me $1 for it-lol. I even wrote On the receipt--asked for but did not receive with an arrow at the wasabi charge. I docked the $1 charge from the tip. I would come back again with low expectations on service but there are so many sushi places that I don't think I need to. Yelp had a check-in deal for 8% off so use it:)
(3)
Sammy S.
Visited this place after a recommendation from our friends- overall very nice atmosphere and decor. We didn't have to wait too long to be seated on a Saturday night which is always a plus! The food was very tasty and fresh but unfortunately the biggest downfall is the service. They could barely understand what we wanted to order, messed up on our drinks, and we had to request for refills and our check several times before someone attended to it. Overall if you don't mind slow and mediocre service then it's definitely worth a try since the food was delicious.
(4)
jon m.
Nice sushi restaurant. I went there with my daughter for early dinner. Full bar as you enter. I was seated Immediately. The scallop sushi and spanish mackeral from the happy hour menu was very good. My daughter was In love with their crunchy tempura roll. Also ordered a sashimi set off the regular menu that was good. Jenny, one of the servers, was SUPER! I will be back to try the rest of the menu. :)
(5)
Gail H.
Great happy hour! Sushi is great for the money during happpy hour. I think there are better places to go if you can't make it to there happy hour. Watch the parking before 7p.
(4)
Jack R.
always an awesome vibe. great happy hour prices
(4)
Abigail H.
Definitely my new go to spot! Gorgeous decor and service is great! I'm the type of gal that likes her alone time and last night, I spent a few hours at the sushi bar enjoying some melt in your mouth sushi, a hearty nabeyaki udon (see pic), and some ice cold sake. Mmmmm! :) I know most people don't like to dine alone but trust me, if you're a girl and eating alone at a sushi bar, the sushi chefs will take extra good care of you! It's actually very relaxing for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Oh, and they have a full bar..... looks like mostly regulars so next time I'm going to try that.
(5)
Mary N.
Generally a good experience every time I have dinner at En Sushi. Waitresses are all super friendly. Love to order halibut sushi, spicy tuna on crispy rice, baked crab handroll, soft shell crab appetizer, shishito peppers, sweet shrimp and the cucumber special. Generally hits the spot when I'm feeling sushi. Service can be slow when the restaurant is operating at full capacity. We can always get a reservation, which is a plus.
(4)
Stormie L.
the ambiance is great, and the food is good, but it's a very average sushi place with very average prices, and a very average menu. I'd definitely go back when I want some tasty sushi, but it's not a MUST GO place.
(3)
Corinna G.
Great atmosphere, friendly bar tender (with a roll-with-it attitude!), wonderful happy hour food menu, however the sushi here trumps it all. I nearly left my husband for the baked scallop roll!
(4)
Lauren R.
This place is great! The explosion roll is amazing! I also recommend the 911. I live around the corner and walk here all the time. There are plenty of sushi restaurants in the area but this one is the best!
(4)
Joey W.
Love this place! There's a secret party room upstairs for large parties. Great happy hour everyday from 3-7pm. Their calamari is bomb! Also, they usually have a good stock of bluefin tuna.
(5)
gregory g.
Love love love me some En Sushi--especially the HH! Great staff; great food; good bar and wonderful neighborhood chill zone!
(4)
Linh Z.
U would think thus place would be packed but it is dead in here. I found the waitress, yes only one, to be disagreeable. Like I was bothering her and wasting her time. And the sushi was made by a Mexican. Now don't get me wrong, I am not racist. I bone Mexicans as much as any other type of guy. But I just can't accept a Mexican sushi chef. All in all not what I expected from a place that looks so promising from the outside.
(1)
Joe K.
I had a great experience here, and I would chalk it up to two major factors: They were open on Christmas (jews gotta grub) And they had a great happy hour menu (cant beat $1 sake) I thought the sushi was not memorable, decent, but far from mind blowing. But hey, I did not go out with those expectations on Christmas day. Over all the drinks were cheap, the service was attentive, the decor was fairly upscale and the food was good and did not give me exotic stomach parasites (that I know of). 8/10: would drink until the food tastes amazing again.
(4)
F B.
The ambiance is great I love it . We try sushami salad and baked salmon . This is one of the best sushi restaurant in this area . Finally we check in here and we get the 8% off from here .:))
(5)
Tej S.
I give this place a total of 3.5 stars, but I would give this place 4 if the prices weren't so high. I can't knock them off based on price alone so they can get by with a close call four star rating. I came here for a friend's birthday dinner and ordered the eel avocado roll, while my friends ordered several rolls, appetizers, beer and sake. The food was good and the chefs, waiters, and staff were very friendly! I really like when service is top notch at a restaurant. After all, even though it's near impossible to replicate most restaurant dishes; in my opinion, it's the service that you pay for. When you check in on yelp and show the waitress, she takes off 8% of the bill. I guess that might make up for their pricey rolls. Oh well, I'll come back here again for the happy hour sometime :) Thanks for the friendly service and the good times En Sushi! -Tej
(4)
Robert M.
Great food,enjoyed the atmosphere and it was affordable. Totally recommend this place.
(5)
Sam G.
This place is horrible . I am telling you happy hour is a hoax. They serve frozen bad quality fish. Goto BAD sushi you will get more for your money. The waiters r rudr
(1)
Natisse N.
The sushi here is so bomb!! An old boss is mine took me here for the first time, he's Japanese and knows all the best places in LA. We still meet once a month for dinner and this is our go to place. The staff is friendly, the chefs know what they're doing and we always let them surprise us for dessert. Highly recommended, check it out you won't be disappointed
(5)
Jeff K.
En Sushi is a hip Japanese hangout for the middle aged Santa Monica commuter. There is no better place to stop by for a drink and a roll, especially during happy hour from 4pm-7pm. I especially enjoy how the theme of the restaurant is western wooden with a splash of Asian. Kind of like Elephant Bar in Japan. My experience with En Sushi: After a long day of urban planning antics, my frustrations with traffic congestion led me to pull over for some fish and beer. Parking is easy if you do street parking, but be very sure to pay the meter and set your alarm for 1 hour because literally 3 minutes passed on my meter and an enforcement guy came cruising over to my car. I got a Sapporo and a Crunch Roll (which is basically just shrimp tempura). Crunch rolls are a pretty safe bet, and as such it was not bad. The ginger was fresh (you can tell by the color, yellow = fresh, pink = don't eat it) and I always judge a sushi place but the quality of its ginger. So in that respect, this place deserves an A. I wouldn't come here outside of happy hour since everything on the menu seems overpriced. But service was fantastic if you sit at the bar: Damion, the bartender, is awesome. He gave me tips about avoiding traffic and also held onto my card because I left it behind. (oops) You'll know if he's working if you here some guy yell "Irashai!" as you walk in. Until next time En Sushi...
(4)
Chevy L.
Just as I was thinking this place could not be more average and forgettable, the owner /manager found a way to make me remember...that I'm not coming back. A friend and I checked this joint out for lunch and it was average Japanese fare at average prices. We ordered several entrees and appetizers to split and when asked how everything was by what I presume to be the owner, I answered honestly that the seaweed salad was really tough, and not that great. His response was incredible, he took the plate away and said loudly "everyone else likes it!". WRONG ANSWER. He left the salad on the bill (even though we only had one gross bite) and so i emptied his mint jar on the way out. An eye for an eye. Don't bother with this place. Bad food, no customer service.
(1)
Emily B.
I'm so surprised to see so many negative reviews! I tried En Sushi for the first time on Saturday night and thought it was really good! We actually tried to walk-in without a reservation at Uzen but the wait was really long (late night happy hour will do that!) so my husband and I walked down SM Blvd and decided on En Sushi. They weren't crowded so we were seated right away and our drinks came in just a few minutes after we sat down. All the rolls were really good, and the sushi was fresh. I really liked the steak teriyaki though, it was really flavorful and came out on one of those sizzling iron plates. And the tempura was crispy and light. The only thing I didn't care for was the seafood dynamite. I was expecting something similar to the dynamite at Hide (which is amazing btw) but it was more like a seafood stew or something. I was not a fan. But overall the service was good and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back! .
(5)
Mahogany J.
Love this place for happy hour 3-7, and late on Thurs. and Sunday (starts at 9pm). Can't beat ice cold Kirin on draft for $2!!! The fish is really good quality. I never used to like salmon until coming here. It's soo good! Really have not found a better happy hour sushi place with these happy hour prices and quality of fish.
(5)
Pauline N.
Why? Why!? WHY??! Why did I bring this to myself again. Ok.. I had really bad experience with this place (mainly the service, once the uni went bad, and once there were bone(s) in my sashimi and they ignored me), the taste used to be alright, my earlier review explained that. However, recently I read some of their reviews, Yelp's members said they just changed management and how good they are.. So I came here. OMG!!! I have to admit that their service has gotten better.. BUT their food was so so so so so bad.. I took one bite, my heart sank.. :( Teriyaki Chicken - Standard Spicy Tuna - Standard Scallop - It was like eating the scallop out of a can, oh wait no, out of a can and it was left out on the counter for days. Salmon - I have never had salmon that chewy before. There were a lot of tendons, it was simply nasty. I took two bites... Left it there and cried loudly. Eel - Standard Tempura - Standard, batter a bit thick. I can't remember what other sashimi, all I can remember was the food were either standard or REAL REAL nasty. No.. I will NOT come back.. *yikes*
(1)
Sarina G.
En Sushi has a great happy hour, from 4 to 7 there are several items and drinks priced at a significant discount! And the quality of fish is pretty good too. Restaurant also has a nice ambiance, so you actually feel like you've gotten out for the evening. Also, we've always experienced such great service, they are very accomodating to families and always give our son his own little bowl, drink and chopsticks without us even requesting it. Definitely recommend!
(4)
Stella K.
A little pricey for my taste, but have to agree the sushi was pretty mouth-meltingly good. Had seaweed salad (seaweed was decent, their cucumbers that came with it was amazing). Order of salmon & yellowtail sushi, both were really good (Price: $5 range for both, which is pretty high to me. I worked at a sushi place in a more expensive side of Long Beach and theirs is $3~$4 range). So I would probably explore some more sushi venues, but if I wanted to have a guaranteed good experience in LA again, I would definitely come back. Gf had a crunch roll, it was; well. A crunch roll. Haha pretty good.
(4)
Michelle O.
Great happy hour prices!! Can't beat under $40 for dinner for 2
(3)
Skyler L.
Not a fan, at all. The environment is the only nice thing there. I have been here 4 times (I don't know why I keep going back... there's a reason there isn't such thing as third-chances). Their happy hour is disappointing- the sake glasses are tiny and the sake is actually really gross and does not even get you buzzed (watered down?). Their sushi was probably one of the worst I have tasted out here. Blah. The service was awful. Will not be giving this place a 5th chance.
(1)
Justin B.
So this review for me is going to be pretty average as I'm kinda tired and there was nothing that really stood out for me. The food, service and atmosphere was really nice, but the best part for me was the company which doesnt really factor into a review haha. We got there on a Monday night around 8pm and were seated right away and had our drink orders taken prompty. We had a glass of water and a medium sized sake order. The sake was actually very nice and came out in this really cool little sphere pitcher. We ordered our food pretty soon afterwards and we got a Spicy Tuna Tempura Roll, a Philly Roll, and an Explosion Roll, which was off of their MLB specials roll (as the phillies won the division title that night!). The Spicy Tuna Tempura roll and the Philly roll were awesome as usual as they are two of my favorite rolls. The Explosion roll was nice but my company and I agreed that the description was better than the roll itself. The food came out within 10minutes of our order. The service was great and our waitress was friendly and checked up on us often. The atmosphere was nice and relaxing being dimly lit. The interior of the restaurant had a very nice contemporary design which matched its 'contemporary Asian fusion' title. Overall we had a nice dinner there and I would definitely go back again. Its not on the top of my list to go back to but it certainly is on the list.
(4)
Leslie M.
I can only speak for this place from a vegetarian point of view but YUM! vegetable tempura, fresh veggie rolls, baja roll, and GARLIC EDAMAME. all so delicious and beautifully presented. service was great - keiko was our server. so sweet and accommodating. nice vibe in the place. i will definitely be back. check it out!
(4)
John Carlo B.
I love this place. I try and try to look for another sushi place as always as this but no, nothing can compare. The service is always great here. Everyone comes and see how your doing. Even the bartender ask if you want more drinks. Wow, I'm amazed. But the reason I keep coming back here is because of the sushi chef Oki San. Everything he makes for me is to die for. I usually get Uni, Ami Ebi, and Yellowtail. But Oki San always ask if I want to try something else. OF COURSE!!! anything the chef makes will be good! Service is great, food is to die for, what more can you ask for? This is my sushi spot I will never go somewhere else~
(5)
Ralph G.
En Sushi is far from perfect but you CAN have a perfect meal here at a VERY reasonable price. Here are a few tips: 1. Friday night is better than Saturday. I don't know why but whenever I've come here on a Friday night EVERYTHING I've tasted has been extraordinarily fresh and delicious. Conversely, whenever I've come here on a Saturday, not so much. Maybe they get their fish in for the weekend on Friday afternoon. It's happened frequently enough to know it's no mere coincidence. 2. Happy Hour to get HAPPY about! 7 days a week, from 5:30 to 7PM, they have an awesome menu of drinks and food to thrill anyone in need of a quick fix of sushi. Or a pomegranate martini--or MANY other items. Be sure to try the spicy string beans and fried oysters. Spicy tuna (hand roll or cut) to die for. Albacore? You betcha. 3. While dining room service has been spotty at En Sushi over the years, the Happy Hour bartenders are AWESOME servers and deserve special mention. You guys rock and we'll be back!
(5)
Miguel A.
Great spot for a date! Full bar, great sushi, attentive servers. Overall a great experience!
(4)
Kate M.
En is an astonishingly good Japanese restaurant. The interior elegantly melds natural and manmade elements, like a stone mosaic backing a spacious booth, and a long, slender bar that evokes water, with fish specials written in glowing ink on a board above it. Service is laid back and enthusiastic, particularly when you order their beef tongue--the best I've ever had.
(5)
chloe s.
It's just another typical hoity-toity LA sushi restaurant. Nothing special. I would not come here for the freshest sushi. I do enjoy their rolls but it's hard to mess that up right. I like their interior, typical $2 valet.
(3)
Nick K.
En Sushi has an unmistakeable atmosphere... everytime I walk in there I feel like a Japanese businessman taking a client to a swanky Sushi meal. The place is so sleek and modern, and the whole atmosphere exudes class. The sushi is, of course, delicious, but a bit pricey... maybe chump change to that businessman, but a bit more than I'm used to paying. The sake selection is decent, and of course they have the big bottles of Japanese beer. Go here for a great dinner or night out... just don't forget your body guard with handcuffed briefcase in tow.
(3)
Milee S.
This place was a decent sushi joint. We had no wait on a Friday night, which was nice. I had the garden salad, which could have used more dressing. The salad was crisp and easy to handle with chopsticks, but wasn't tasty enough. The sesame fried chicken, on the other had, was FANTASTIC! We got the philadelphia maki, yellowtail and I had to special order the oshinko (pickled radish) maki. Everything came out quickly and as advertised. My oshinko was made half-heartedly as the roll was falling apart. Philly was delish and the yellowtail was pretty good. Nice and decent; would come back.
(3)
Chris C.
I've come here three or four times. The first time was on a Saturday night and it was busy but ironically I had the best service. The other times the service was pleasant but not as attentive. The sushi is tasty, fairly fresh, and pretty inexpensive. Their selection of Americanized "specialty" rolls is robust enough if thats your thing. The decor is pretty sweet for a sushi place, definitely not your typical drab bar and white walls, they've really got it goin on in there. Its on my list of sushi go-to's now. I'll def be back
(4)
Alexa B.
Not a bad spot! That's if you can brave the westbound traffic on SM Blvd. If, however, you are lucky enough to live half a block away... well, you've got it made, baby! The drinks here are fabulous. The sushi was pretty outstanding, although I have had one better experience. I won't share where, because it'd be downright embarrassing to do so. OK, it was in Portland, Maine... but believe me, Portland has some kick ass restaurants. But back to En Sushi... the food was so good (try the gyoza, especially) I even opted to tackle the spicy tuna rolls (which normally would make me gag like valley girl) and thoroughly enjoyed them, albeit, I had to freaking drown them in spicy, spicaaaay wasabi. The atmosphere is pitch perfect for a romantic night out, or... perhaps you just want to get wasted in a fancy want-to-be Geisha House place. And that's OK, too. Like I said, they have an excellent drink selection.
(4)
Oom W.
Just come back from a great dinner at En Sushi. Recommend yellowtail sushi and squid (+ mint) sushi :)...awesome. We sat at the counter and the orders were served very quickly and they were all really good. Our chef's name was Dillan, the new owner. He is a really nice guy. We were talking about beer and he recommended the $3 happy hour Kirin on tap. Unfortunately we just came from Superbowl party, and didn't want to have hangover at work...we were pretty full from the party but the sushi was so good that I still kept on eating. Told Dillan the truth that we went a few times to BAD sushi next door but it was closed so we went to his restaurant instead. Be back to try the bar.
(5)
Jeana P.
I was pleasantly surprised when my bf and I ate here for the first time. Why you might ask, well because a reasonably priced and delicious sushi restaurant on the west side does not really exist, until En Sushi. Its awesome because they have a full bar too, so if you arent into sake you can grab the alcoholic beverage of your choice. The ambiance was nice and relaxing. Quiet intimate setting that is perfect for date night or for a group of friends. The wait staff was friendly, quick and very helpful when asked their opinion. The food was awesome and tasted so fresh.
(5)
Ahmad A.
I understand being busy. But standing at the entrance without a host/employee coming by to seat us for over five minutes is not very professional. Food is not bad. Nothing to write home about. You will have had better sushi but also worse.
(3)
Tiana T.
Looks trendy and cool, staff was cold and not very friendly. Went for Valentines Day and ended up leaving. Sushi looks good but at around $12+/per roll it should! Ended up going a few blocks down to U-Zen for happy hour $3.50/rolls. Valet is $3.50 here as well.
(3)
Jean L.
We hopped over to En after finding out Nook was a 30 minute wait at 9 pm Friday night. I had ironically been to En just the night before for a late late night bite and drink. The place left a good impression, so I was willing to give it a dinner shot. The inside was surprisingly bustling with people at the bar, the sushi bar, and dining booths/tables. There was no wait though, and we were seated immediately at a table for two. Edamame to start was good. Sake came in a larger carafe that I remember at other sushi restaurants. The caterpillar roll and rainbow roll were standard, and pretty delicious. No complaints there! I loved the lobster roll - it was huge and just asking to bust out of the white rice/nori casing. Tuna, salmon and uni sushi - again, no complaints. Fresh and good. Salmon, tuna, and albacore sashimi - ohhh the albacore came with an extra light ponzu sauce. Meaty meat and just a tang of scallion and sweet. Our decisive favorite! Which makes me think, they do albacore well. I also tried the seared albacore appetizer with fried onions the night before. Those onions were simply like onion rings - addictive and fried - only smaller, thinner, and eaten with chopsticks. The albacore? Simply fresh, fresh and fresh. Finallllly.....dessert. I typically avoid dessert at Japanese restaurants because 1) they jack up the price of mochi when I can get a case of 6 for $4 down the street and 2) the only other option is fried tempura or plain green tea ice cream. At En? We opted for the "hot chocolate cake" with vanilla ice cream. I imagined one of those overplayed molten chocolate cakes. Instead, we were treated to this 4x6 rectangle of moist, fudgy chocolate topped with more fudge spilling next to a mound of creamy vanilla ice cream. Swooooon. Service was great. Prices were decent and reasonable by westside standards. It's never that loud you can't hear someone across the table speak, but you definitely won't be eavesdropping conversations either. Great place!
(4)
Summer L.
We had a great experience. I went with my boyfriend for his birthday and the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic evening. Low lighting, not too noisy, and the food was great too! Our overall experience was a memorable one, for good reasons :)
(5)
heather h.
The sushi is sooo fresh! The bartender Damien is the best server/bartender there is anywhere! I highly suggest here!
(5)
Jessica T.
Sadness, my first 2-star review :( I had always wanted to try this place after passing by it so many times. We randomly walked in hoping there would be a happy hour on a weekend. While the decor is nice, the service and menu presentation did not make for a pleasant experience. During happy hour, there were 3 different menus presented (HH, specials, and regular), with confusing deals listed in the HH menu that our waitress even pointed out it's confusing to a lot of people - order 10 rolls for $1 off each? Have to order 10 rolls? Get $10 off for ordering 10 rolls? Something to that extent... Plus, there's a one or two drink minimum listed in order to get HH food, which we also asked about and our waitress told us that some customers get angry at her for the drink minimum and then leave less tip for her, so she tells them it's ok to not order drinks for HH food but management does not like it when she does. It's kind of off-putting for your waitress to be talking about tips even before you order anything. Plus, she kept trying to take away our plates and condiments before we were finished once we did have food. We ended up just ordering from the regular menu since we mostly wanted food over drinks, but for the price ($14 roll - the same price as places like Geisha House but without the same hype surrounding the restaurant), it was nothing spectacular. At least street parking was easy!
(2)
Rob C.
dined here over the weekend; my first time even though i had driven by this joint 100s of times living on the westside. my fiancee had frequented the place many times w/ her friends before and she assured me it was tasty. started off w/ a bottle of cold sake for me, my fiancee and my little sister. i forget which one we had but it was refreshing and got the meal started in the right direction! we first ordered the tofu salad. now, i love tofu, cold and plain, agedashi, stir fried, etc. but this wasn't something i was "dying" to try. my fiancee assured me it was yummy. she did not steer me wrong! the salad is huge and comes w/ mixed greens, slivers of red onions, cold blocks of fresh tofu, about 4 inari aka 'footballs' stuffed w/ mixed greens and HOT agedashi tofu!! the dressing for the salad is a sweet, tangy concoction that's bursting w/ flavor. excellent! next was the yellowtail carpaccio w/ jalapenos. delish. perfect blend of spice, crunch and butteryness of the fish melts in your mouth. each piece of fish had a red, cracked peppercorn thingy that gave it a great added bite, too. next was the tuna w/ the fried onions, which come out warm and fried fresh. another perfectly executed dish. the sauce on it was bomb.com w/ grated, red daikon, i think. i was getting pretty buzzed by this point so my memory is a bit fuzzy. we also ordered some blue crab cut rolls so we could share. it was meh; kinda dry and not too exciting. i'd pass on this one. also had the yellowtail w/ jalapeno cut roll. my fiancee loves jalapenos so we gave this a try. the jalapeno chunks were huge and a bit overpowering for me; i had to take most of them out to finish the roll, which was kinda boring. all and all a superb meal. friendly service, good prices, no wait, fresh fish, yummy yummy. will return for sure.
(4)
Morgan R.
The service is not good and the sushi is nothing special for the price. Cool ambiance but eh I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Yiwen S.
ohh good sushi, the amount of money i throw away on you. the assortment of cold appetizers (sashimi, carpaccio or tartare) are to die for. the nigiri here is fantastic. the fatty tuna is soo fresh but soo pricey. is it a good trade-off if my stomach is happy but my wallet is sad? yessiree!! the restaurant is very fancy schmancy, like an expensive sushi restaurant should be i guess. but still, great ambience and excellent service. i've never come here for the hh because personally, i don't think it's that great of a deal. i LOVE raw fish, and their hh menu doesn't really offer anything good in that sense - only cooked rolls and cooked appetizers. if you love to drink though, $5 hot sake is great! it can be kinda difficult to find parking in this area around dinner time. it's doable because of all the small side streets nearby, but you might have to park a block or two away and walk. it's completely worth the time it takes to circle and find a spot! and this is west la people, so there's gonna be tight spots that your car can fit into, but it's gonna take a billion tries to get your car parallel parked into that spot. beware of shitty parkers and people who will dink your car when they try to move theirs.
(4)
John R.
Pretty good. Sushi was decent. Rolls were OK. Full physical bar, and sushi bar as well.
(3)
Ryan M.
Spectacular happy hour selection! I can stuff my face without busting the bank.
(4)
Midnight B.
Ok here's why I give this place only 1 star. The food is not that bad although one thing I tried, some sort of 3 roll combo came with the blandest assortment of rolls and I was really dissapointed. Other things I have tried here are good though, but let me share why I was so angered last night. Friend and I walk in at 1030pm to eat, i ask " are you still open?" ( b/c I do realize its a little late for a Tuesday night) why b/c there are a lot of times that when you walk to a place and they're about to close you have to rush and you feel terrible for holding up the people that work there and I HATE THAT FEELING. Host says "oh yes only 1030 sure". So my friend and I sit at the sushi bar, immediatley after we sit waiter is on top of us to get our order and literally 5 minutes later tells us that kitchen is going to close. So I went off, I told them its ridiculous to tell the customer that you're open and then have the kitchen close in 10 minutes, if that's the case, you should be honest and say "well kitchen is about to close in 10 minutes" he then goes to argue with me to tell me what normal closing time for a restaurant is, I didn't ask what normal time is, nor do i give a damn, if i ask a host an honest question, i expect an honest answer. I don't want you to prove that you were right in what you did, b/c you aren't and not only will i NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN, I WILL STOP RECOMMENDING THIS PLACE AS GOOD AFFORDABLE SUSHI TO EVERYONE I KNOW. I never complain and never say anything to waiters/host but this time I felt manipulated, b/c he really wanted the business, but didn't want to stay a minute past when he wanted to, and lied. bad business!!!!!
(1)
Adrienne H.
New happy hour from 4-7 everyday with a big selection. Nice change from U-zen down the street which is a favorite of mine. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, which always makes my experience way more enjoyable. We tried the half shell oysters (not on hh menu but still reasonable at $10 for 4) which were very fresh and delicious. We will be going back and this may become a new regular happy hour sushi place.
(5)
Jack Andrew C.
Giving it a four based solely on the bar. The food is just ok, but the 4-7 everyday happy hour make this place great.
(4)
Lauren B.
Ok, last night I re-tried En Sushi and had a very good experience. This time at the sushi bar. The sushi chef we had was super efficient and very smiley! Everything I tried was very fresh tasting, unlike my last experience... Even though this place is $$$ and I'm working with a $ budget, I will always come back for a quick bite in walking distance. Next time I will come for happy hour because I learned that when you eat at the bar bar (not the sushi bar) there are specials on drinks, appetizers and sushi too!
(5)
Danielle F.
I love coming here for a little wine and sushi action after work. Particularly because the happy hour is awesome and they have a TV if you want to catch any evening sports games. (great for basketball season) It's a small bar area so get there early so you have plenty of time to relax and try the great sushi.
(4)
Stephanie D.
Fresh, yummy, decent priced sushi with friendly employees to boot. I didn't eat sushi for months after a bad experience, but En brought me back into the game. We had some of the most delicious salmon I've ever had in addition to some other various types of sashimi. The whole experience was great and I would gladly go back anytime.
(4)
JC K.
"Oh wow. This place is way nicer than I remembered" Confession: I've been really drunk here. Really drunk apparently. Drunk to the point that it looked completely different in the daytime and this was just last month. The words, "calm down I still want to come back here" may have been told to me. I had no idea this was a classy establishment. Really. Wow. Just had lunch here last week with some friends and it's nice. High ceilings, sushi bar, posh booths. The lunch specials range from 7.95 (chicken teriyaki, etc) to 15.95 (sashimi platter, etc) Service is slow. I mean, it's a good thing right? We see the one sushi chef making the food. Slowly. But at least we know it's not sitting in the kitchen right? Ehh. One hour lunches just never seem long enough. I got the sashimi special with 6 pieces of nigiri and 3 pieces of spicy tun and 3 pieces of california roll. The food is very fresh. The cuts of fish were weighty. If I remember correctly - think they gave the usual - shrimp, tamago, yellowtail, salmon, albacore, and ikura. They were apologetic about the wait. Loved the spicy tuna roll and salmon they have there. All specials come with miso soup and salad. Good bang for your buck at lunch and there's a lot on the side street. It's hard to find a meter on that intersection. And take a cue from me don't decide walk in there sloshed and demand for water. and more drinks. Now I almost feel sorta embarrassed. Good thing I have no shame.
(4)
L E.
tasted okay but smelled like fishy inside. The smell of the restaurant should've caused me to turn around and leave but I trusted the reviews of my fellow yelpers and stayed. Like I said... tasted okay.... but I want my sushi to taste amazing, not just okay. I'll go two doors down to BAD sushi. They were much better in my opinion.
(2)
El P.
Haven't tried too many sushi joints in the area, but we're lovers of the raw fish and En Sushi has been satisfying and reliable enough to return over and over. We try a different special each time we come in, it's all really good and for the most part creative and original. From the regular menu we really like the Dax roll with salmon and shiso leaf and the yellowtail carpaccio with fresh red peppercorns and ponzu. The staff is really friendly and the service is excellent. However, there's always an extra plate at the table for each of us. Extra tableware bugs me. It's not necessary.
(4)
Andrea L.
I was a bit disappointed with what I ordered, because I thought a roll of sushi would be at least 4 or 5 but what I got was 2 large sushis for $15, which were delicious, but not what I wanted. My friend got a normal roll and hers was delicious. The place is dimly lit, which I'm not complaining about, and has a quiet and serene atmosphere. It's also got a TV and bar.
(3)
aggie f.
The atmosphere and the sushi here are pretty good but overall I'd say this is overpriced for what you get. The sushi is standard good, fine fish quality etc, but the specials never actually change and the service is minimal. Usually when I go here it's out of convenience if that says anything
(3)
Kristen H.
this is our go-to spot for a really fun happy hour. We keep going back for the sushi and because the bartender (Damion) made us feel so welcome. It's our new 'cheers' bar. He's a master with the martini's, a story and a smile. He remembered our names, what we liked to order and has become our friend. Good HH prices on toro and rolls...a wonderful find when we needed to find a new local hang.
(5)
Grace K.
Love this place! It has a really chill and classy but not snobby vibe to it. The happy hour deals are fantastic and they even have late night happy hour on Thursdays and Sundays I think. I've been coming here regularly for 2.5 years now and the quality of service and food has been great every time. The spicy tuna tempura rolls are amazing. My friends and I especially love the bartender Damien!!! Don't let any of the other reviewers deter you. He is the fastest, cleanest bartender I have ever met. Seriously, you could probably eat straight off his tables. He makes amazing custom drinks when asked (try the AK for a yummy fruity drink) and is really fun to talk to. My roommates and I used to come here every week for happy hour largely because of him, and we always made sure to stop in and see him when we had out of town visitors. Be nice to Damien and he will take good care of you.
(5)
Anastasia K.
The wait: We didn't make a reservation but were seated within five minutes. It was a Friday night (7pm ish?) and crowded but I was delighted to be seated right away. The ambiance: vaulted ceilings, dark and romantic, reminiscent of Celadon's vibe! The booths are more comfortable as the tables are too close together. I'm not particularly fond of smelling another patron's food, nor am I comfortable being able to hear their conversation about last night's mishap with the thing that needs more lube -- oops -- thing, next time around. "Can we talk about the thing later? I will put more of the thing on the thing later so I can put it in your thing." Uh, alright. Is this appropriate conversation to be had at a sushi restaurant? Wait, actually ... :) Our order: 1) Sea Food Sampler - Spicy Tuna, Scallops, Albacore, and Crab with avocado on chips. For around $8-9, can't beat this delicious quartet of majestic, culinary symphony. (Okay so I hyperbolize...) 2)Tempura shrimp, eggplant, carrot, squash - to errrm, feel healthy. HEY, you have to have your vegetables, even if they're covered in oil and fried to their core, alright?! $8-9 3) Dragon sea eel on california roll. At least that's what I think we had. I think it was either this or the Red Dragon roll, because I do remember it being slighly spicy. Oh wait, I think it had scallops? Ah, forget it. $14 4) Two pieces each of: Salmon, Shiro Maguro (Albacore), Hamachi (Yellowtail). Normally, the combination comes with Salmon, Yellowtail, and Tuna but I asked them to replace the Tuna with Albacore. The other combinations didn't pique my interest. May I say that the fish ... oh my. THEY WILL MELT IN YOUR MOUTH! I just wanted to savor it like a good, white chocolate truffle. Except, well, this tastes fishy and it doesn't have as many calories. $14 The service: Nice but not friendly. I don't really care so long as our waiter is NOT: pushy, aggressive, having a bad day, forgetting our orders, taking his/her sweet time, unkempt with dirty fingernails, but ... ARE incredibly good looking, considerate enough not to spit in our food even if I change my mind 3x, overattentive with the water, pouring 234732984 times throughout the meal -- I don't care. Is that asking for too much??? For $50-60, it was a cheap but satisfying meal for the two of us. Next time I go, I think I will order two combination Sashimi plates (same combo of Salmon, Albacore, and Yellowtail), the Quartet of heavenly bits, and a different roll. Maybe I'll just go crazy and order a non-spicy roll. I know I'm part Korean but I'll just be daring and get something bland!!! Parking: The first time, I just parked a couple of blocks away in a residential area (because I was meeting people there and I arrived alone). The second time around, since I had the charm-highness with me *nose up in the air*, I had to drive up to the restaurant. We valeted. It's $1.50 for valet but since he was nice (he had a kind smile?) I just gave him $5. Overall: I would've given this location a 5-star rating had it not been for the roll. It left something to be desired... hmm, maybe its NAME? What is the name of that darned thing!?
(4)
terra d.
was about to go to california roll and sushi to try something new but it was packed and looked uncomfortable. walked down the block to en because i remember having a good experience. was seated right away. quick service, delicious sushi and chic atmosphere. try: crunchy spicy tuna, baja roll (MUCH better than it looks and sounds), explosion roll. the standard california roll and avocado roll on soy paper were superb. plus, unlike most sushi places, free refills! about $55 for 2. im not a sushi snob/purist, but im a little disappointed that this place has an average of 3.5 stars :0/
(5)
Stephanie F.
En Sushi has the BEST sushi happy hour on the westside! My friends and I have been going there for a few years now and I have to say, I've always had a great experience there. The sushi is always super fresh, the atmosphere is great, it's never too crowded and the drinks are amazing! We always sit at the bar and the bartender remembers what our favorite drinks are! He's also pretty funny too! I HIGHLY recommend En Sushi!
(5)
Samir P.
Ok...so this place is really easy to find. It's on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd (if you can't find Santa Monica, you're hopeless), and Barry Rd. It's all about finding street parking in the residential areas up Barry, or other surrounding streets. They have valet for a fee, but I try to avoid spending $$ on parking if I can help it. It's a cool looking place. The building has a big EN SUSHI sign. It's basically a big room, with a high ceiling - I think there's a second floor room in the back part of the restaurant, but I'm not sure. It has a nice ambience, with plants, and waterfalls and stuff, but they don't go overboard with it - looks very Zen. The first thing I see when I enter is the bar. No, no...not coz I'm a lush, but coz it's right there, when you walk in the front door. It's pretty packed at the bar, with people having drinks before dinner, and some people snacking on some sushi there as well. Anyway, so we had made reservations that afternoon for a group of 12, and they were able to accomodate us. So, getting seated was a snap...they put together a few tables to make one long table for us. As we sit down, the waitress comes around for our drink order - I start the night with a Mojito (hey...our company was picking up the bill, so why not, right?). However, I'm pretty disappointed. I mean...it tastes good, but it seems like there's hardly any alcohol in it. After that, I switch to beer (Kirin), since the rest of the table had ordered a bunch of pitchers. The sushi menu is quite extensive. Each of us soon orders quite a bit of food each. I decide on some thinly sliced seared beef, spicy scallops, spicy tuna rolls, and snow crab nigiri. We basically share everyone's order, so we get a big variety of things to sample. Let me tell ya...it's delicious! The sushi tastes really fresh, and even the rice is really tasty. You can tell this is one of the better sushi places. My manager, tries the seared beef and loves it. He discovers it's actually beef, which he mistook for tuna. Apparenty, he doesn't eat red meat...oops! But he sure liked the taste of that one piece he tried! Anyway...we all have a good time eating different types of raw fish, drinking, socializing. It's a fun atmosphere. The best tasting dishes would have to be the spicy scallops, snow crab, seared beef, sweet shrimp, and spicy tuna rolls. The California rolls aren't bad either. We actually have ordered 2 orders of tuna rolls, but no one really touches any, coz they're just too boring. Hahaha. I guess we're all into the more exotic stuff. After a few more pitchers of beer and some more sushi, we're all stuffed. And it's a good feeling. Although the company picked up the tab, I glanced at the bill, and it wasn't too bad. The prices are not cheap, but not crazy expensive either. Each roll was between 3 and 6 dollars. So the total bill wasn't over the top. Final verdict: If you like sushi, you'll like this place. It is good for a big group, but there were plenty of couples there enjoying themselves. You can sit at the bar or at tables, and the wait staff is friendly. I prefered the Kirin on tap, rather than the mixed drinks - well, all I had was the Mojito. The food itself is delicious - fresh fish, and tasty dishes. Decent prices.
(5)
Niko L.
I don't know what happened, but En Sushi is not what it once was. The Lunch & Dinner Specials from before have been replaced with meh offerings & the quality has taken a slight dip. It's not terrible, but there are better options in the area.
(3)
Satine A.
This place sucks. Bad. I walked in because I was in the neighborhood waiting for a massage, hoping to have a few nice sushi rolls before my treatment. However, I was barely acknowledged as I walked in, the hostess shrugged me over to the bar. I was one of three customers in the establishment, so you would think they would have attention to spare. It was seven minutes before the bar tender even greeted me and I had to ask for the menu. Once I had ordered several rolls off the happy hour menu the bar tender asked me what I would like to drink. I said water please, and he rudely stated that I must buy at least one drink in order to receive my order. I stated that as I was about to receive a massage, I wasn't able to drink alcohol, and I don't drink soda, but I was happy to order another roll if they would like my order to be higher. I would have happily paid for another roll, but I saw it to be quite wasteful of me to order something which I don't even intend to consume. The bartender responded quite rudely and told me if I didn't like it I could get out. I was very offended, and in fact, I did. I took my business elsewhere to the wonderful little sushi place right next door that had many more customers (for obvious reasons) and happily made me an amazing custom roll within three minutes of my arrival. No jerks or drinks required with my meal. I am thankful I had them to uplift my dining experience.
(1)
Jade S.
Came here with my friends after work. It really was ok. We had the Ika steak which was ok and my fav of the night was the halibut poke that was served in a cocktail glass I really just liked it for the decoration, the food itself was rather tasteless. We sat at the bar and the bartender was nice but kind of shy. He didn't come around to check on us very often. Taste of food was mediocre compare to other sushi joints I've been to. I will save my $70 and spend it elsewhere next time.
(3)
Kelley B.
On the way to our crazy Sat night experience, we made reservations at En to gorge on great sushi. I hadn't been here before, which is crazy because I am always passing it, but a few of my friends are die-hard regulars. The atmosphere is dark, loungy, kinda 90's-ish though. The service was incredibly spot on, and we never waited for anything even though it was packed. The sushi/main dishes were I would say not as good as some of my favorites, like Kanpai, but very admirable. The Michelle roll (tuna, yellowtail, crunchy salmon skin, daikon, etc.), hamachi kama, and tuna tataki were outstanding. I would come back for these alone. There were, however, a balance of kind of letdown dishes including most of the sashimi. Not that it wasn't good, but just not as good as others. Favorites - Saki selection. Service. Michelle roll. Hamachi kama. Tuna Tataki. Diablo roll (scallop, shrimp tempura, asparagus, spicy). Black cod. Not the best - Parking/rude valet. Atmosphere is somewhat early 90's loungesque. Sashimi quality a bit sub par. Rainbow roll. Price for quality (have had better depending on what you get). So if I could, I would do a 3.5, because there were those few addictive rolls and excellent service I would come back for...but probably more on a weeknight or takeout. If you are a I'm only ordering sashimi person, I would probably pass on this one.
(3)
Jennifer L.
My go - to after work spot! Their sushi happy hour is the best in the city. Damion is such a great bartender!
(5)
London M.
I am not an En Sushi expert, but I know a great place, cool vibe, and great food at HAPPY HOUR PRICES when I see it! My friends took me here for the Thursday and Sunday late specials, and both nights were killer. The bartender was a friend of theirs so we were set up with Hot Sake all night, and an excellent assortment of rolls, modern and classic sushi dishes, and a couple of flat screens to watch Laker games on. Sashimi, Tempura, Dynamite, Spider Roll, it's all there! An enjoyable experience indeed, and I continue to go back with my friends and recommend en Sushi to others.
(4)
Rory A.
Service was great and the food was good, but not great. I've had better shrimp tempura rolls, which is my favorite kind of sushi. The other food was just good also. Nice atmosphere inside.
(3)
Larry L.
Having been to a number of places on the Westside, I can honestly say that En Sushi is a good sushi restaurant - not necessarily great, but still very good. The sushi is reasonably priced and relatively fresh, and the cooked food in some ways is even better, e.g., the nabeyaki udon or tonkatsu. Moreover, they have a "happy hour" menu between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. that brings everything within a budget, i.e., reduced prices on appetizers, beer and well-drinks. Further, it must be said that a major reason for going to En Sushi (as opposed to other sushi restaurants such as Sushi Sasabune or Bar Hayama) is the atmosphere, particularly at the bar. On Tuesday to Saturday, the bartender is Damion, who happens to mix a mean drink and has - to put it mildly - a lot of personality. In reading some of the prior reviews, I've noted that a minority of reviewers have found him to be somewhat difficult. I think those reviews have missed the mark, as in my opinion Damion tends to be one of the best bartenders around (and this from a certifiable barfly). In turn, on Sunday and Monday, the bartender is Jazmine, who also is a very good mixologist and can be a sweetheart. Definitely recommend En Sushi ... at a minimum for the bar and the atmosphere created by the bartenders.
(4)
Shellie H.
I ate here about 8 months ago and really enjoyed it, althought I thought it was a tad expensive. I just realized that this will be the PERFECT place to eat before I watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi at the Nuart Theater on March 16!!!!
(4)
Alida D.
I fell in love with this place. It might have been the company I was with, but all in all was a solid place. The decor is elegant. They have real tea lights, not those cheesy candle light bulbs that flicker. Our service was great, oh yah and the food was good too! I highly recommend the Malibu roll and the Michelle roll.
(5)
Wanugee N.
En Sushi is an elegant, authentic, and contemporary styled Japanese Sushi restaurant, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience! I have dined at over 40 different Japanese restaurants in the past 18 months, so you can choose to trust my judgement on this one. First of all, it is all Japanese. Yasu-san, the main sushi chef, is a pro and from Shikoku, Japan. He is a focused, polite and well trained. Kono-san, and the roll maker are Nihonjin, too. The waitresses are Japanese, and very attentive and service oriented, like the elegant and beautiful Akiko-san. This restaurant has both valet parking and a hostess to seat you. The restaurant decor is simple but elegant. A full service bar is in the front, which leads to the sushi bar half way down the left side. The tables and booths are comfy and can induce a romantic, sake influenced interlude or an elegant and memorable dinner with friends. The sushi bar has a large wooden Japanese fan that beams out like a canopy over the diners. There is one large, featured booth that mimics this fan motif in a high backed black fabric. When you sit at the sushi bar, you are greeted with the Japanese welcome clearly and with a smile. I highly recommend the $45 Omakase (chef's choice) menu option. This is not only a great deal, it is a great meal! And a lot of food! First you are served with a triple appetizer in a single 3-pod dish. This has what looks like a seaweed salad at first blush, but I really think it is baby negi (green onions) chopped into 2 inch pieces and pickled a bit. Nice! The second is a small tofu piece garnished with white raddish (daikon) and chopped negi, in a ponzu sauce, with a little bit of chili pepper sauce on it. The last was good to, but I ate it so fast I forgot what it was, but it was a bit spicy too, and delicious. You get a sushi serving plate with ginger, but since I went Omakase, it isn't necessary. You are then served with a nice pickled tsukemono, with cucumbers, and a touch of color with thin slices of soft but crunchy red and yellow bell peppers. Your first offering from Yasu-san the sushi chef is sashimi. 2 slices of pearly white ono that are like butter, and 5 slices of tender albacore, nicely plated atop shredded daikon. He offers you ponzu sauce, or you can use the wasabi and shoyu. Out of the kitchen comes piping hot Tempura next. A shrimp, and 3 veggies lightly battered and delicious, served with the correct dipping sauce from your attentive waitress. Yasu-san counters with your plate of sushi, which are 7 single pieces of nigiri, expertly cut and mouth watering, and orgasmically tasty. Saba, Ama-ebi, Maguro, Hamachi, and more, including Uni. Fantastic! The kitchen counters back with a gourmet's plating of black cod! A super tender, broiled piece, sitting on a mashed daikon and negi mix, an topped with crispy shoestrings of tempura battered nothingness that adds great textural contrast to the dish. Three thin pieces of Japanese egg plant chips add more crunch to balance the flaky morsels of cod. The kitchen also brings out a large bowl of white miso soup, which is absent of much tofu or negi, but instead has a full sized prawn hiding in its milkiness, with full regalia of head and legs, flash grilled and stuffed with what seems like chicken in the tail. I ate it all (head and feet)! My sake was extra dry, and served in an over-flowing flask inside a hako (red and black laquered box) which you sip the sake from one corner when the glass inside is emptied. Before the green tea was timely served, the signal that the end of the food offerings came in a traditional hand roll. This was great, too, with 3 pieces of eel wrapped with avacado slices, and served with the sweet teriyaki dressing for dipping. For $45, you can not beat this expertly prepared, well choreographed, and satisfying mixture of flavors, hot and cold, service, plating, and gastronomic delight, in my opinion. I was impressed! Go here for the food and service, and you might dine with a couple of the regulars, Harrison Ford or John Cusack.
(5)
Dieter M.
En Sushi is such a hidden gem... The Sushi is phenomenal here and the bar is always alive until late night..Damion is the usual bartender there during the week and make sure you hit the late night happy hour 9-1130... a great menu of sushi and drinks at a amazing price.... Try the calamari as an appetizer..... it comes with a tomato salsa... unusual but really tasty... trust me enjoy
(4)
Sagar J.
En Sushi is a regular hangout for my friends and I. We converge here for sushi once a year. The service is always very friendly and attentive, the atmosphere is muted and warm, and the food... just fantastic. I recommend the salmon & albacore sashimi, hurricane rolls, and Z rolls. If you're in doubt about how much to order (I typically over-order sushi), just ask the waitress. She will steer you in the right direction. My favorite is the salmon sashimi-- it really melts in your mouth. Note that you're going to pay for such good sushi-- three of us put away enough to end up with a $240 bill, but that's with a few drinks for each of us along the way. Worth it.
(4)
Beth F.
With the great many options for really good sushi in this city why would you go here? After the movie we decided to get a bite to eat, something light yet tasty and Japanese food was the the obvious answer after a French film. En was about 5 blocks away from the Nuart and I had eaten there once before. Somehow I must've had too much sake to make my memory fuzzy because I certainly don't remember it being like this. You walk in and are greeted by a loud bar/restaurant decorated in what can only be described as a Japanese ski lodge. The hostess who sat us was pleasant enough and so was our server but she didn't seem to understand how to make my BFs martini (simply Skky up, nothing fancy tonight but she didn't quite get it and had to ask him a few times) and a back-waiter at the very beginning of the meal basically threw our share plates at us. Um, ok. I was curious to try the sparkling sake by Geikkeikan but it fell way flat -- where are my bubbles?? It's an interesting idea but don't bother, just get the "still sake." We didn't get much - cucumber sunomono, sake sashimi, scallop nigiri and a specialty roll "tuna fever." Everything arrived very fast and all at once so we got right down to it. The only thing that tasted very fresh was the salmon, everything else had a stale and not-the-freshest taste to it, very mid-grade. A few bites in something was tasting off - was my soy sauce watered down???!??? Seriously??? A dip in with the finger and tasted on its own revealed exactly that. My handsome beau mentioned he noticed the wasabi didn't seem up to par either. Come on En! Watering down soy and weak wasabi is a serious fail. And to top it off for this sad to mid at best sushi they charge the same you would in much much better places. It may be close to Nuart but after your film just keep on driving to something better - En was very Menh.
(2)
Christina T.
I came here last night with my friend from Korea and my old roommate and her boyfriend. I really wanted sushi (as usual when I'm at a Japanese restaurant), so I ordered the Crunchy Spicy Tuna roll and the Freshwater Eel Avocado roll. The Crunchy Spicy Tuna roll was covered with crunchiness but it actually wasn't crunchy at all. The crunchies were actually more stale than crunchy. The Freshwater Avocado roll was definitely better. I loved it! The avocado gave the sushi a slight creamy texture, but not too creamy. The eel sauce was also great. The waitress was really friendly and fun too!
(3)
Lauren R.
I was very disappointed and let down by this restaurant. The sushi was actually ok and the restaurant is nice-looking, but the service and attitudes of the staff RUINED my experience here. I don't know if it makes a difference if you go at happy hour versus regular hours, but the happy hour waitress we had was AWFUL! She originally came up with a huge attitude. I understand that there was not a lot of staff at this particular time, but there weren't that many people there and you still have to be nice to your customers!! My table and even the table next to us were in shock from how long we had to wait. I had to ask other staff for everything including having my drink refilled because our waitress would take 25min at a time before we had to get up and walk over to her. It's too bad the service was so terrible because the sushi was fine and I especially liked the spicy tuna tempura roll. It wasn't over-battered and they were a good size.
(1)
Dan C.
Along with Roku, En is one of the better "fanciful" sushi places in LA that also includes that swanky pan-asian vibe. Both places have dark interiors that are probably designed to impress a date and their best sushi items are the larger rolls with at least one portion fried or cooked. Don't get me wrong, they use high quality fish here, but their best items are not their nigiri or straight up sashimi, at least at the current prices. I like a lot En, although what makes it worth going to is the whole package, not just the food.
(4)
Tina L.
I dedicate review number 200 to you, En. *lifts glass* cheers! The sushi is impressive. As in, it's deliriously deliche. It's been a long time since my taste buds tangled with sushi as yummy as En's - and it only makes me eager for one more go. And that my friends is saying something coming from me. The tuna was sweet, the Dragon was hot, and boom-boom-boom, I only wanted to sate myself more with sushi, sushi, SUSHI! Outside of the sushi factor, it's a pretty loud decidedly unromantic spot (just because it looks romantic and secluded, doesn't nescessarily make it true.) At the sushi bar you feel like the dorky kids the popular crowd ignores as sushi chefs carry on extravagant fun Japanese conversations with their customers. That was the only thing I didn't like was that our chef was attentive at bar minimum. But hey, who cares as long as the sushi is fab? As in FABuLOUS! P.S. Save your money, park your own car, and just deal with walking a few steps in those Prada pumps, honey.
(5)
jamie a.
Always good. More traditional. Not too many rolls, but a good choice instead of the factory etc.
(4)
Joseph W.
I've been here several times and have never had a bad experience. Like a lot of other people have said, it's not re-inventing the wheel and I don't think I spotted anything on the menu that I haven't seen before, but that's by no means a requisite for a solid restaurant, which this certainly is. Their Ponzo-Gingery salad dressing is delicious, as is their Vegetable Tempura Roll, and their beer/sake prices are very reasonable. They don't really have a wine selection, although they should carry lots of different sparkling wine options as they're usually VERY good with sushi/Japanese food in general. A very solid place - haven't hit their Los Feliz location (which is like 5 mins from my apartment), but after having yet another satisfactory (and reasonably inexpensive) experience here, I think I might very soon.
(4)
Scott W.
En Sushi is solid. It's no Nobu, but its great for a local sushi spot. Prices are reasonable for food quality and ambiance. Staff is friendly and the happy hour offers a decent selection of discounted food and booze. Albacore nigiri is my favorite.
(4)
Patrick K.
Dug the fixed menu sushi and sashimi meals. However, it's a LOT for two people. Best for two couples.
(4)
Diana K.
Bad to mediocre sushi at best. Horrific, arrogant service. Will not be going again.
(1)
Meredith D.
I have to admit that any place that combines my love of sushi with my love of a great dirty martini has got my vote in the bag. Hence, this EN Sushi write up. With a mysterious decor, dark and red lighting covering the entire place, high ceilings, a regular bar and sushi bar you'll have a feast for your eyes and your belly here. Sit at a booth, a table or either of the bars and enjoy a cold drink and fresh sushi. With a full menu, those who aren't interested in the raw scene can enjoy the standard Japanese delights like Chicken, Salmon or Beef Teriyaki, among other things of course. Their fish is fresh and enjoyable. Where they loose a star, however, is that their rolls aren't as exotic or different from many other sushi places. Where they make up for lack of experimentation in their food, however they certainly captivate me with a full bar (I know, I know, I've already mentioned it...twice). Go with a group or on a romantic date here as the ambiance will keep you close and the drinks will keep you talking. The staff isn't overly friendly but they are efficient so you'll get what you want, you'll get what you need, though maybe not in the speediest manner. Come here to hang out, enjoy some Japanese cuisine, quiet chatter and of course...well you know...the beverages galore.
(4)
Mat N.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots. They have a great mix-and-match lunch special for a measly $8.50. A small salad with tasty ginger-soy dressing, a bowl of miso soup, and a bowl of rice come standard. Then, 2 of my favorite combinations for main courses are as follows: Tuna AND Albacore Tataki or Oyaka Don Set which is chicken and egg with a special sauce over rice AND hot Udon noodles All that for $8.50!! The atmosphere is modern and sophisticated. I've also had dinner and sushi here on occasion and they are both good. Enjoy!
(4)
Katherine N.
First person to speak about is their optimistic CHEERFUL bartender Damian!!! If you are a regular here you know I am kidding about the cheerful part, put either way damian is a great guy who makes a decenttt drink. The happy hour here is great and I am a regular who when you become a regular, they remember your usual order. I reccomend all of their stuff, especially their Sauteed' Mushrooms which are great. There are a lot of characters you will meet here, but they will be entertaining nonetheless!
(4)
Amy L.
The problem with making friends is having more to lose. I Yelp-searched "salmon sushi" to find a location for a goodbye dinner and En Sushi seemed like a reasonable pick. I had walked by a couple times (I think I picked my apartment based on how much Japanese food surrounds it), but thought it looked too classy to be affordable for a young adult such as myself. But hey, special events call for special measures. FOOD // I am the Yelper amongst my friends, but I dropped them off first to get a table and order as I gassed up and parked. It was exciting and new to have a friend-based omakase since I usually scour all Yelp reviews for which dishes to get and avoid. I like being prepared and am paranoid about missing out on a must-try dish. I was happy with what came to me. eggplant :: Eggplant is one of those things that I hated as a kid and order often now. The Japanese make it my favorite way, a little sweet and chewy. Tasty dish. lobster tempura roll :: Nothing too special, though the lobster-ness of it is prevalent. pesto pescatarian roll :: Or something like that, didn't really catch the name. This Italio-Japanesque creation was a pleasant tug of war in my mouth. Started out with citrus flavors mingling with the rice and fish with a herbal ending. Very interesting. salmon sashimi :: Excellent enough that we put in another order after the first was gone. You should've heard my girlfriends groaning oh-my-god with their mouths full. That's right. ATMOSPHERE // Lounge setting with both liquor and sushi bars. We got the special lit table at the end of the room. Gave us a good view of the restaurant, but I also felt like we were on display. Our waiter was nice. A little shy and felt green, but he made good recommendations and was attentive. We were also impressed that he spoke fluent Japanese with the sushi chefs considering he looked pretty un-Japanese (turns out he's French-Armenian). Lovely, if teary, night. Good service with good food at reasonable prices. I will walking back over for the Happy Hour soon enough.
(4)
Nikhil B.
I was pleasantly surprised by the decor of this place and how quickly we were seated. It was a busy thursday night but we were very well taken care of. Ordered the Teriyaki Chicken dinner which came with soup, rice, vegetables, fried potatoes and ofcourse the teriyaki chicken. Everything was done very well and the flavors were absolutely delicious. En Sushi has a full bar and serve a large variety of sake, we ordered drinks both on the menu and off and they were all well prepared and actually on the strong-ish side. It did seem a little pricey but I think the food, service and location warrant the prices they charge.
(4)
Mark G.
Run of the mill food plus hip albeit slightly outdated decor. The sashimi was presented on a bed of garnish which was difficult to remove from the fish. The lobster roll was not very good. Service was nice and prompt.
(3)
Marco C.
This place is very close to my wife's business so we go here all the time. The food and ambiance are great after a long day. Cartoon, and the rest of the wait staff, are super friendly and fun. Definitely recomended!
(5)
Alyson L.
We went to En Sushi for the second times last night. The first time the sushi was great but service was slow and aloof. This time the service was spot on and the sushi continues to rock. My husband always gets cucumber sunomo and loves it here. It's filled with big chunks of imitation crab, cucumbers and seaweed. We ordered the caterpillar roll, crunchy spicy tuna (spicy tuna with a pile of tempura flakes on top), California roll and Philadelphia roll. All were great and that was certainly enough for two people. I thought $50 for 2 sodas, 4 rolls, miso soup and an order of sunomono was really reasonable. Plus, it's not in a strip mall like so many sushi spots in L.A. The restaurant shows a little wear and tear but has a great atmosphere, dark and cool but not trying to be a club. There is a valet for $3 but there is usually ample street parking in the area.
(4)
Radiance L.
Go for the rolls, that seems to be their speciality. I recommend the Albacore Jalapeno Roll with Crunchy Onion (+soy paper=+$1 (does soy paper really cost a dollar?!). the sushi is hit or miss. the monthly specials on the first page of the menu seem to be fresher than their standard fare (your ole salmon and tuna). There is a bar. They have Kirin on Draft (always a plus). Dark Datey atmosphere. Nice service.
(3)
Jeremy E.
This is probably a place to go for happy hour, not your anniversary. It is fancy, but it doesn't justify some of their costs. The sushi was quite expensive, but that is pretty normal for similar places. Although, there was nothing special about the sushi and if that is the name of your place, something is wrong. The service was fast, not speedy, but better than other places. I would go back, but only as a night in the town.
(3)
Arash G.
Good sushi at average prices.
(4)
Ashleigh Lynn B.
Actually it is a 1/2 star. Worst customer service I have ever had. The woman (long brown dark hair) was extremely rude and came to our table with extreme attitude. She walked away in the middle of taking our order to take another tables order, only to return 15 min later after I had already flagged another staff member. We had to keep getting up and finding staff members to attend to our table. Finally, enough was enough and I complained to the manager and he said, "I know, she is new." No one offered an apology. After seeking another staff member once again for our check, our original waitress walked over and said, "YOU SHOULD SMILE." I was shocked she had the nerve to say that after throwing nasty comments and dirty looks around. Everyone at our surrounding tables were complaining as well. NEVER EAT HERE EVER !!!
(1)
Bill T.
This is the only En Sushi I will eat at in Los Angeles. The staff is very good, from the warm welcome to the chefs, all make you feel like you're the most important person there. The food is also a good value. The omakase is such a great deal for the price. In fact, it's almost too much food. The sushi is always fresh and very well prepared. Valet parking is available and I cannot say enough about the man who runs the valet lot. He remembers which car you had, is very careful, and always a pleasure to chat with. That alone starts any meal off right.
(4)
Mike C.
My favorite sushi place on the Westside. Ok maybe I'm biased as it's walking distance for me and also frequently attend their Late Happy Hours on Thursday (9:30-11:30). There's also regular happy hour everyday 5:30-7pm. All of this is in the bar area of course but good deal. En sushi is great if you like good fresh fish at decent prices. My favorites Hamachi Sashimi, Uni is almost always good, Crunchy Spicy Tuna, Seasame Fried Chicken (Chicken Karage), and the Crispy Spicy Tuna (similar to Katsuya but not quite as good). The Oka cold sake is great too! Don't forget my favorite Tofu Salad too! So why not 5 stars? Cause it's not the BEST sushi I've ever tasted. Usually the best places are Arm + leg = you + poor Update 8/19/08: Finally tried the omakase and it was GOOD. I almost feel like when you order Omakase too you get fresher fish, since it's chef's choice. Its actually too much food but great to share except that there's only one nigiri each so if you both like one you are SOL. When I say share they can have try some of your appetizer or tempura not 2 full grown people spliting one omakase. The only thing I'm going to try next time is request the Ama ebi head is fried as it doesn't taste good to eat when it's been cooked in miso soup instead of Fried.
(4)
M N.
We love our neighborhood sushi bar! En Sushi has the best staff - Dylan, Brian, Damien, Kristin, and Cartoon all rock!!! - and the best food!! Everything is consistently fresh and yummy - salmon, albacore and yellowtail sashimi, baked crab roll, sesame chicken, japanese scallop sushi, grilled yellowtail collar, vegetable tempura, and sweet shrimp to name a few... And happy hour specials for food and drink (Sapporo, martinis and sake) makes it even better. We're there practically every week!!!
(4)
Elaine S.
One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants - I dine here several times a month. En Sushi always pleases with consistently fresh and delicious food, warm ambiance and good service. And you can't beat the happy hour prices!
(4)
Jaime C.
I've been here quite a few times for lunch and dinner, and taken different friends and they all love it! Fresh fish that's not fishy smelling or tasting and big, thick pieces. I always order the sashimi combo and tataki and it never disappoints. Friendly staff too! Only thing holding me back from five stars? A bit pricey for the neighborhood. I hear Happy Hour is great so I'll try that next.
Good sushi. Decent prices. Really yummy spicy garlic edamame. Valet is only $3.50. Good, no fuss sushi on the west side
(4)
Hikaru N.
en sushi is a very VERy good place for fresh, sushi. i sat at the sushi bar with my friend and talked to a a chef name MR. SHIO. he was very nice and made great selections... actually he made it OMAKASE meaning chefs choice. i loved it and definetly i go there once a month
(5)
Jimmy S.
Great Sushi...Until I ate at En Sushi...I found west side sushi to be overpriced and overrated (compared to San Fran and NY)....En Sushi is now definitely my fav on the west side...Especially loved the Lobster Roll...Also, I sat at the bar...which was a bit entertaining...the bartender provides great service, but is a bit rough around the edges...the banter btw him and the Japanese staff can be entertaining but might be a bit too much for some.
(4)
Lollie C.
Mmm delicious lunch specials- great prices and quick service! I especially love sneaking out of work during lunch time for their $10 spicy tuna bowls. Fabulous!
(4)
Sarah T.
love this place! sashimi peppers are the best in town as well as their house salad! tad pricey but very good! love the ambiance in there too, very relaxing
(5)
Sherley Z.
Not coming back here again. The sushi is made as if a kindergartner was behind the bar. My rolls fell apart and either were too thinly sliced or too thick or patches of rice were missing. Should have said something but my husband and I are not the complaining types at restaurants. The flavor was ok but definitely not worth the money or the drive--yeah its cheap but you get what you pay for. L.A. has such amazing sushi establishments that this is just a mental note not to come by again.
(1)
lara a.
If I could describe En Sushi in one word the word I would choose is bland. I don't know the quality of sushi the rest of the previous reviewers have had prior to En Sushi but in my opinion the fish is not fresh. Yes, it has a nice ambiance especially for a restaurant located on Santa Monica but there really isn't much else to it except the atmosphere. I'd far rather go to a shady run down sushi joint than this place. They lured us in with the happy hour menu which hardly had any selection of anything worth eating and there was an one drink minimum. Each specialty role was like 15 dollars and pretty much tasted like nothing so we marinated our food in wasabi and soy sauce. Basically, if you have no respect for your taste buds go right ahead to en sushi but aside from that you'll have better luck at any low class $ sushi spot. I guarantee.
(1)
Jennifer H.
OK, so my last trip here was less than friendly. Went there last night with a friend for my beloved happy hour. I'd made a reservation on Open Table to sit at a table in the bar area and was told once we arrived that they didn't accept reservations for happy hour. Ok, understandable. But I looked around and saw a "reserved" sign on one of the tables, which didn't make sense - didn't they just tell me they didn't take reservations? They had a couple of people sitting at a table that was pushed next to an empty table that could seat another two people. I asked the hostess if we could sit there, and she played the "ask the bartender" game. Ok, so I asked the bartender if we could, and he said that it was a four-top and it was already taken. Even though it was two people sitting at a two-person table, which was pushed next to an empty table that could seat another two people (um, us), in his mind it was unavailable. I'm guessing this was "Damian" that's been mentioned on here before. Yeah, he's the charmer that everyone says. After asking him a couple of times to explain the logic behind this, two spots at the bar opened up, so we just decided to sit there. Fine, we'll play his game. He wasted no time being completely gruff with us, throwing napkins and menus in our general direction. He's one of the rudest people I've ever encountered at a restaurant. Thank goodness we were served by a new girl the rest of the night. The three stars are for the still-awesome happy hour. The service gets nothing. If you want to enjoy yourself, don't sit at the bar.
(3)
Zach B.
Great Plum Wine and vodka heavy martinis. The environment makes this place what it is, but the without it, it would have been easily lost in the plethora of sushi in Los Angeles. Also... nori shouldn't feel warm.
(4)
Ivy S.
This review is just for the happy hour. Their food: two stars.. Rolls are mediocre, teriyaki dishes are over fried and drenched, their calamari, on the other hand, is wondiferous Their drinks: 4 stars. Pitcher for 9 bucks??? YAY! Decent Mixed drinks menu and very cheap well drinks.... BUT BEST OF ALL... DAMIEN, the bartender. He knows a good drink! Nice and strong! He may seem like an ass, but he's really a sweetheart and gets your orders out fast. He's also hot!
(3)
Paul K.
I have been going to EN sushi for over 9 years. I have had sushi in many restaurants but EN sushi is a must try. They are trendy and do offer great service and good quality of fish. You will have to spend some money here if you like to be completely satisfied (around a $100 or so for 2 people) but well worth it. I know some of the sushi Chefs personally from over the years (Kura, Yasu, Yohei, and others- apologize for spelling error). They are nice and do a professional job. Taken from the seafood dynamite, the baked oysters, yellow tail collar, some steaks they have and other food from the kitchen to their sushi it's all tasty. Albacore, Tuna, Shrimp, Monk fish liver, yellow tail, sea urchin, and and and. I can say with confidence that I have not had a dish which I did not like at this place. If you do not know what to get simply ask them to surprise you or make you something special and it will be good. You can also enjoy this place during happy hour and sit around the bar area and catch a game. They do have a full bar! EN offers better prices during happy hour and they have a late one as well, around 9 or 10 at night. This is a great place to bring a date and either sit at the sushi bar if you like to interact with the chefs and see them work while you order or sit at one of the tables for more of an intimate and close environment. I have seen some celebrities here as well over the years (ex: Larry David, Tyra Banks). Parking is valet but there is street parking right across the street and on Santa Monica blvd. Enjoy
(5)
Akiko T.
I've driven past this place a hundred times and it even looks like pseudo Japanese from the outside. I give them 3 stars for the good company I had last night with a group of us hitting the place for their late night happy hour. However, I got bitched out for the first time in my life by a mean bartender. Wow! It was certainly that time of month for him. He spazed out on us for being quite overwhelmed... It was awesome. I had a bite of their calamari and chicken karaage... tasted better than my moms. I suspected even from years ago that this place would be the mecca of Jive Ass Rolls! We walked passed a table with a Jive Ass Roll sitting on it and pondered WTH was inside it! We even approached them and asked what was in it out of drunken curiosity. It looked like ketchup masking mediocre quality fish.
(3)
P S.
I'm surprised by the good reviews. I have been here 3 times now, and hope not to be back. The sushi just isn't fresh. Not even the edamame is fresh. Plus, the rolls are not good and fall apart. We told our waiter last night that we did not like the roll he recommended at all - we each tried a piece and left the rest of the $14 roll because it was not good enough to eat (and I was really hungry). He didn't care at all, and was like "Uh." Additionally, it's just as expensive as places that serve good sushi. It was about $90 (inc. tip and tax) for sushi yellowtail (1 order), sushi salmon (1 order), a handroll, the gross roll, edamame, miso soup, sake and a small beer. This place is a "must miss" if you ask me. Notably, nobody that I've gone there with has liked their meals either. Last night we ended up there by mistake (my friend confused the name with the name of the restaurant I had really said), I really hope it doesn't happen again.
(2)
Risa A.
good food, good atmosphere, good location. When the staff speak the actual language, you know it's pretty authentic! Must say better than food is their alcohol list. Their cocktails are definitely a must try.
(4)
Spencer D.
Good sushi and fresh rolls. They reserved my table for ten fairly quickly, and the service was excellent. Valet parking was only $3.50, which was a bonus on a Saturday night. Hot sake was reheated, waters were always filled, and the food was brought out quickly after we ordered. All of my friends enjoyed the experience and I could see myself coming back here again. My only complaint would be that of the price, but I was expecting to spend a good amount to begin with so it was nothing surprising.
(4)
Debba D.
Came here twice in one week for birthday celebrations. Great place for a small gathering to enjoy delicious sushi. Great fresh fish choices. But the Crispy Tuna Tartar is heavenly - forget sharing this one (to each his own, literally!) Also, birthday or not, the warm choc. cake is mouth watering divine!! oh, don't forget the unfiltered Sake!! yum.
(4)
cheng k.
I used to love this place, years ago. After a few years hiatus, I returned here and found my self presented with lackluster sushi. Decent quality but nothing to make you say "wow" But they were pretty busy so, hats off to you En Sushi!
(3)
S. T. V.
Came here for happy hours on a Tuesday, the place wasn't too busy at 6:30pm. I liked that we were able to sit at a table and still get the HH prices. The HH food menu is pretty big, which I loved. I got the cosmo and it was a strong one. My friend's martini was also yummy and strong. We ended up paying $20 each, including tax & tip and we were full and happy. There's valet but we both found street parking pretty easily (metered).
(4)
Ewa M.
Quick lunch with coworkers-long wait for the food to arrive. Overall, 3.5 stars (see fellow yelper Julie E.) We had variety of lunch specials, which came on one plate with lots of other smaller plates. I prefer bento box idea. The food was fine, but as fine as other Japanese places I've tried all over the town. It was definitely a cool lunch spot, for a salad, california roll, and few pieces of sushi, but that's about it. Their crunchy spicy tuna roll was full of flakes and sweet sauce. A perfect combination of sweet, crunchy and spicy.
(3)
Anj C.
3.5 stars. Both times I've come here, it was because another restaurant(s) was closed or too disappointing to stick around. The food is good and I love that they always have hamachi toro.
(4)
Erika S.
I used to live walking distance (about 5 blocks) to En Sushi and would frequently visit the restaurant specifically for its sushi and not its other menu items. The ambience is open, dark, with a modern Japanese feel. From the inside you would never know you were right along a busy street. I felt the sushi was always consistent and was impressed by its simple and delicate presentation. The sashimi/sushi menu included daily specials in addition to the typical expected sushi. They frequently had Tuna from Japan as well as Toro (belly of the Tuna--my favorite) also from Japan which looks and tastes different from the Albacore Tuna. Most days they would also have Aji (Spanish Mackerel--my 2nd favorite) that can be served tataki (chopped with grated ginger and thinly sliced green onions). The waitstaff and sushi chefs all spoke Japanese. This is important since many of its customers are also Japanese. My husband had his law school graduation party here this past May and my dad was thrilled to speak in his native language with more than his own family. He was also amazed that the restaurant served daiginjo sake--his favorite--which is the best grade of sake you can order. Not all sushi bars serve this particular type of sake (just a tip). Living in west L.A. I've tried every Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in the area. When I compare the restaurants in the immediate area (walking distance there is one cheap/fast food sushi place and a few izakaya spots along with a Japanese American restaurant long the same street) this is one of the best in service, presentation, quality of food, and ambience.
(4)
Phoenix F.
Nice happy hour spot, with tasty sake, fresh sushi, and sweet prices!
(3)
Tiffany W.
I love EN SUSHI! Great food, great drinks, great staff! I love the atmosphere they've created and now that I've discovered this neighborhood gem, it's my go to happy hour spot. :)
(5)
Tiffany W.
Okay, so I have an addiction. It's called HAPPY HOUR. And EN helps me when I need a fix! There are a few disclaimers before you enjoy your 5-7 pm debauchery- 1. Get there before 6:30 (like, 5:30) as the bar space is small and the only place Happy Hour is served. Otherwise your happy hour becomes a crappy hour of standing and not getting served. 2.Don't bring your friend from AA like I did. Happy Hour participants must order alcohol to enjoy happy hour food prices. I had to order 2 sakes so my non-alcohol consuming friend could rock his green tea. (not complaining, just wasted ;-) 3. Don't be rubbed wrong by the fabulous "attitude" of the bartender. Sometimes he's cool, sometimes he's ignorant, but I think it's because he gets slammed by all the "happy hour revelers." 4. Ordered 6 rolls, calamari, wings, 3 small sakes, a small cold sake and a green tea for $55 bucks!!!! wait a second.....maybe I should keep it to myself....the last thing you want is your dealer running out of tables when you need a fix.
(4)
Dth S.
can't believe i haven't reviewed this place yet! anyway, it's OK for what it is...NOT the better sushi places in town (by any means) but this EN Sushi actually has a nice bar area&looks a little bit like a jazz bar on the inside cuz it's so dark&tries to look all 'trendy'..but surprisingly, it has pretty consistent, run-of-the-mill selection of 'white people sushi'. this place is A LOT LIKE cafe sushi (NOT the interior tho- just the food).
(3)
Lauren K.
Came here on a Saturday night - made a reservation- and when we got there, the place was pretty empty. The interior is really nice but honestly, it was more impressive than the food. The food wasn't bad or anything, because bad sushi is really bad. But, the rolls lacked flavor and the energy tofu dish we got was pretty weird (what was natto?). Anyway, not the best food experience, but I might come back to try more of the appetizers, and take advantage of their happy hour prices.
(2)
Dennis C.
same as the next sushi spot in the westside... totally forgettable, not really that cheap, lacking in quality.. but has good ambience.... i guess thats what seperates this place from the rest of the pack.
(2)
Mary F.
This place has great sushi and yummy appetizers. One warning, though, for those of you allergic to seafood like me - I did break out in hives after eating here*. I guess the sushi chef used a fishy knife on my vegetarian sushi or something. I want to say for the record that I eat Japanese food on a regular basis and I've only broken out in hives from 'contact' seafood like this like five times in twelve years - I became allergic to seafood on my eighteenth birthday.
(3)
Yoshiko M.
A short drive from UCLA, En Sushi hit on five burners: (1) fresh, well-prepared sashimi and sushi; (2) reasonably priced; (3) open late (until 11:30 p.m.); (4) friendly and attentive service; (5) a plethora of menu choices. Our party of three chose seared tuna in a garlic ponzu sauce for an appetizer, and three different entrees (sukiyaki, salmon teriyaki and tempura and beef teriyaki). Dinners came with a nicely done green salad and miso soup. We were envious as boards of well-presented rolls were carried to other tables. If our seared tuna and the expression on our fellow diners were any indication, the fish met our yum-yum expectations. I am finicky. I don't like to settle on how I want my fish. I want it ultra fresh, pleasing to the eye, and not hidden in an overdose of some mayo concoction. Both raw and cooked, En Sushi passed my test. Valet sort of compensates for a lack of parking. Good selection of sake and other alcoholic beverages. If En Sushi were in Sacramento, I would have given it a 5.
(4)
Jen T.
I came here with my friend after having a real craptastic week. The sushi was good, but I felt Sushi Roku was better. Maybe it was what we ordered. I ordered the Rainbow Roll and tuna roll... fish was fresh... but for that price I guess I was expecting to be blown away. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great. I give it 4 stars though because the sake was awesome. We had this interesting fruity sake that had hints of melon I believe. Nice vibe, nice decor, hip atmosphere... comes with a high price tag though.
(4)
C L.
Great crunchy spicy tuna roll!
(5)
Tommy K.
A little pricey, but well worth it. Next time I will stick to the fish only. It was so fresh and tasted amazing. Usually I order maki in case the fish at sushi places isn't all that wonderful, but after having a rainbow roll here, I will have to come back and try the fish on its own. As others have said, the real crab in the rainbow roll made it even better. The vegetable tempura and tofu steak were nothing special and those portions were average to small. I'll definitely come back.
(5)
Augjer C.
Great late-night sushi + sake specials! Can get expensive but its worthy.
(4)
Brianna R.
Meh. Food is okay but way overpriced. Service is not so good. I have not been back there since last year when I had an issue with the host and one of the waitresses. I did give it three stars because the banana spring roll is one of the best desserts I've ever had.
(3)
Lisa Z.
Superb sushi, great staff, excellent bar & cocktails. Man, it's a good thing I don't live near this place, because I would be BROKE!! This was some of the most fantastic sushi I have had in a long while. I really enjoyed the spicy tuna tempura roll, and every single buttery slice of sashimi that I had... No really! I went twice during my two day trip to Los Angeles! It was that good!! I'm still dreaming about it... Plus the happy hour prices are really quite nice, and run late on Thursday and Sunday! Check it out, and make sure you say hi to Damion, the bar manager -- he's awesome.
(5)
Jeff A.
My favorite sushi place in Brentwood/West LA (and there are a lot of them). In my opinion, it has the best combination of good food, good service, great ambiance and decent prices. I eat here with my girlfriend at least once a month.
(4)
Greg B.
LOVE love love this place! Their unique rolls are delicious and the staff is always helpful and friendly. One of our favorite sushi spots in town!
(5)
Savannah M.
Love it! Omakase (chef's choice) all the way, but with a blackboard menu to choose from. Delicious "specials." Regular menu, too. Lots of variety! Should be more crowded for the quality served. Great place to take a client.
(4)
Frances Z.
The first time I came here there was steamed carrots and broccoli with my bento box. I was a little confused as to whether or not I was in my school cafeteria. But when I ordered actual sushi to go I was surprised at the great quality of it. It was delicious and fresh. A bit overpriced but not as bad as some places. I recommend the sushi.
(4)
Jared W.
I've been here several times and I'm not going to lie- it's not my favorite. The food is good, but if you're looking for great you'll have to go elsewhere. The happy hour sushi rolls are decently priced but leave you longing for flavor however the specialty rolls do get a little better. Service was good, prices fair, and chefs were nice but I keep going back to the food and it leaves me wanting. The decor is oddly contemporary and a bit cheesy (what's up with the rock wall?) but the steel front door is pretty sweet. If you've been there you know. When it comes down to it, with so many great westside sushi spots En Sushi just doesn't make it to the top of the list. Next.
(3)
Karney V.
Consistently good food - have only been here for late lunches. Maybe dinner is a different story.
(4)
Char B.
Every time I go here, I get so annoyed. The sushi is shameful. The service is never that great, and it is sooo overpriced. Awful.
(1)
Brad F.
Driving in the sushi district of Los Angeles i was allured by the entrance of En Sushi which sits on a corner-mad j-status. I could tell just from the design it was going to be two things that I really value: adorned and authentic. When I walked in on Fri. night the place was poppin and I thought one thing: this might be one of the first Japanese places i have been to that i could actually picture in Japan having a lot of success. Japan is my measuring stick for sushi places that most establishments fall well beneath. I later found out this is a Japanese Chain! En Sushi is the first US set up. So far so good, on to the food... OK you know what I despise? Everyone has their favorite sushi place and all the say is.."oh my god they have the best sushi!" But what does that mean? I guess that is why we have yelp right- for details and content. Anyway, En Sushi has the "best sushi." Well, the best I have had that I can remember in a long time. The salmon, made love to my taste buds on its way down and the rolls were customized with precision and balance. No flavor stymied the other. It was an edible lesson on grace. Everything I ordered was praiseworthy. The drinks were toxic potent. I had three Chopin and Crans (Cho-Crans) and the drink was so strong it was a pinkish hue rather than dark red. You know what that means right? I had an absolute marvelous time there. I cannot imagine how they can improve on this place. It was so good I actually took my father, who lives in the Orange Coast, up here. We came here for lunch where I was delighted to find a lunch menu that let's you custom a few items and all for a great price. I will come here again for lunch, dinner, drinks, or to watch a game at the bar on the plasma. This is by far one of my favorite sushi places in LA.
(5)
Gene C.
I tend to think this place is closer to $$$. My gf and I ate here and we dropped about $120 on sushi, sashimi and rolls. They were all excellent and the fish was as fresh as it gets. Service was top notch and decor was very modern. Very comfortable place to dine. Only downside--as with any place in LA--is parking. Though valet was a very reasonable $3.50.
(5)
Amy L.
I made reservations at En Sushi a half hour before their closing time, and they were polite, efficient, and very friendly. I had food to fill my starving belly within 10 minutes of being seated. I thoroughly enjoyed my soft shell crab, the black cod in saikyo miso was so well marinated and served in a yummy oniony garlicky chutney, but the potato crisps all around the plate got in my way, and their baked herb butter oysters were divine! I ordered a couple of their specialty rolls, but they weren't that interesting, so they remained on the plate virtually untouched. All in all, not a bad meal on the run!!!
(4)
Helen C.
Make reservations! Excepting the times I've been here for lunch, this place has always been packed. They won't seat you until the entire party arrives, but you can hang out at the bar & drink some hot sake or cocktail while you wait. The food is good but nothing to rave about, but the setting and decor take the dining experience up a notch. The ambiance is swanky but not pretentious. And no worries if you show up in sneakers on a Saturday night -- no one will care. Though as the night progresses, the crowd gets decidedly more "scene-y." My recommendations: The spicy crunchy tuna and salmon nigiri. Surprisingly, the hamachi was disappointing. But I would definitely recommend this place to others.
(4)
Ashley W.
The first time I came here I liked the sushi, but I have been back twice now and both times have been really underwhelmed. The ebi sushi was rubbery, the edamame was under cooked almost not cooked. The tuna tartar wasn't bad but that was the only thing decent. I will not go back.
(2)
Mehmet A.
Oh those oyster shots were amazing. The fish was very fresh and garlic edamame is a nice twist.
(5)
Allyson K.
En Sushi was pretty good. Their En roll was very tasty, with little bits of crispy tempura sprinkled on top. We also had the crunchy spicy tuna roll that had a similar topping but the roll size was smaller (easier to eat in on bite). I liked those to two rolls but the yellowtail with scallion roll left something to be desired. It was very, very small, and not much flavor. The seaweed was actually hard to chew through. I would probably go back to try their happy hour which is every day from 5-7pm to try some of their other offerings.
(3)
Christina W.
I just remember En being very dim and red. Maybe that's why I thought the sushi texture was silky. Maybe I just didn't see the tuna tendons. Or maybe this is just a damn good sushi restaurant. It's very romantic too for all the folks who have fallen in love by the forces of nature or ... by coercion. I had a few martinis before being seated and was already toasty. But that was a perfect prelude to my elegant meal. The rolls and sashimi were delicate, the way sushi is supposed to be. Probably one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to in my lifetime.
(5)
Alina O.
Love, love, love En on Santa Monica Blvd. My boyfriend and I go for lunch about once a week and it never disappoints. The lunch specials are huge and inexpensive. The sushi is quality (I've been to Zo, Sasabune, etc.), the udon is mighty tasty, and there's something for everyone. It's not a hole in the wall, it's actually kinda cool and spacious inside. Good for groups! I've taken tons of people there and they all want to come back.
(4)
t k.
The sushi here is pretty good. I like the ambiance of this place and if you know your bill will be $300 or more you can reserve a party upstairs on their loft. The space is pretty tight there so I'd say max 12-15 people. But with that number of people, you'll easily rack up that amount.
(4)
Mike B.
I love this place. I have gone several times and sat at the bar. Im a sishi beginner so i dont really venture too far from the rolls. I usually end up here for some beer and a little bit of food. The bartender is GREAT. Damien is a really nice guy who loves talking to the people at his bar. I always meet someone new there as well. Always a good time and good food. Always a fun time! Thanks Damien!
(5)
Benjamin B.
My favorite sushi place! They have the best Spicy Tuna in town, but also make sure to try the Spicy Albacore, Blue Crab, and my personal favorite...the New Z Roll! En Sushi has a great happy hour (bar only) and the bartender Damien is the best!!! There is also a really cool "loft" area which is great for parties...I had a birthday party there and it was great! There are lots of good sushi places on the Westside, but this is definitely my favorite!
(5)
Paige R.
This is an average sushi restaurant. The food is okay but I've definetely had better. Not a bad west LA sushi restaurant...I usually go here and just order take out.
(3)
Janet T.
The Fish's fresh, the staff's friendly, the atmosphere is nice so what more could you ask for? It's a bit pricey but what sushi joint in Santa Monica isn't? I'd definitely come back again..
(4)
Bob G.
I think this place is great. You can fall in for happy hour at 5:30, and eat right at the bar. It is fresh and delicious, and the servers are friendly and helpful offering opinions and sugestions. The decor is dark and swanky and it has a good vibe to it. I like everything about this place, and continue to return often. I recommend this place, as I have always enjoyed the food, and it's offer of a great dining experience.
(4)
Anne C.
En sushi is a great restaurant. One of the best things about it is the bartender Damion. He is very entertaining and quick with a drink. His bar is filled with regulars and first timers alike. I would definitely go to En for happy hour or to enjoy a bite and drink during a game. They also have a blue crab hand roll that is delicious! If you go, you should definitely sit at the bar. Damion is great!
(5)
A E.
I had been here a couple times for the happy hour, (which is a great deal), so the other night we came in for dinner. Everything was pretty average - not bad, not orgasmic - except my caterpillar roll, which was drenched in sauce. I would recommend stopping by for HH, but if you want some for realz sushi there are plenty of other places in LA.
(3)
Julie E.
En Sushi has an upscale but casual atmosphere, which is very nice. The food is pretty good - they have a huge menu, so you are certainly not limited to sushi - though I didn't try anything other than fish/sushi items. I just wasn't overly impressed - I thought there was too much stuff on the rolls (too much sauce, too much tempura flakes) that it overwhelmed the flavor of the fish. We tried this Seafood Dynamite appetizer, which was just really weird - seafood covered in some kind of cheese - I didn't get it. I did really enjoy the atmosphere and would go back again, though I would certainly try some different things.
(3)
caroline l.
I came here with some girl friends. nice atmosphere. good sushi. also good combination meals for those who dont eat sushi. and reasonable price! i had the shrimp tempura roll it was good. and the salad was really good too.
(4)
Lei S.
Came here last night for happy hour with friends - this place is amazing! The sushi was delicious and there's so much variety, as are the gyoza and the lychee martinis. The people, however, make the place and are so friendly!!!! The hostess Liz and the bartender Damien were awesome and made it such an enjoyable time - we'll definitely be coming back! :)
(5)
J. H.
Overall a good atmosphere and decent sushi. Reasonable prices and a nice bar. It's a good place to go with a group of people and/or meet up for drinks.
(3)
Josh R.
This place has Toro from Japan, and the service is good. They attend to your needs better than Matsuhisa, but not at Matsuhisa pricing. Dinner for 2 shouldn't cost more than $100 (unless you order only toro sashimi). I would stay away from the more exotic appetizers, as they are not worth the cost, and just plain suck. For dessert, they have this sauteed banana pastry dish that is amazing. And again, they have good quality Toro, imported from Japan. I need not say more.
(4)
Robin W.
Used to make the trek here when I lived in Irvine and now that I work a few blocks away from En, it's awesome! Always good sushi and their crunchy spicy tuna roll is the best! Ask for extra unagi sauce, you won't regret it.
(4)
Susie H.
i can't have tofu salad anymore unless it's like En's. a trilogy of tofu - raw tofu, tofu in inari pouch, and deep fried tofu. it's my fave dish there.
(4)
Dottie D.
i love sushi but i don't feel like i'm the greatest judge of sushi. somehow, a lot of it tastes the same to me and honestly, i'm often very happy with supermarket sushi. i may have just disqualified my review for anyone reading this. i'm all for full disclosure. so, i think the sushi is really good. i've been here for dinner and i've been thrilled with everything. i like pretty basic rolls, not the fancy, complicated stuff. it's all been really delicious. i've also been for lunch and their combo box lunch deals are really good, too. parking is simple in this area and i've never had a problem getting a table.
(4)
Debbie M.
This visit I sat at the sushi bar and it was well worth it. No wait no fuss. Sushi was excellent. The cold Saki was going down easy as I filled my belly with a second round of hand rolls and cut rolls. Tuna and eel were tasty but I really loved the scallop hand roll. $80 dollars later I rolled outta there to my next destination. Sushi adds up quick in here but its so yummy you just have to keep going.
(4)
Julie S.
I always wanted to try this place because it was on Curb your Enthusiasm and because it's close to my place. My expectations must have been too high. I think the sushi is average at best. I took my family here for dinner and we had a hard time hearing each other talk. I didn't think they had as many original rolls as other nearby Sushi places (California Roll for example) either. I don't think I'm going back.......
(2)
Trent N.
Happy Hour EVERY DAY 3-7pm! Also late night happy hour Thursday 9:30-11pm & Sunday 9:30-10:30pm! $1 hot sake $2.50 Kirin beer!!! There are lots of food items to pick from on the happy hour menu. I went with chicken wings for $4.75. Wings were much better than I expected. I don't really like sushi so I didn't order any. I mainly came here for the awesome happy hour!
(5)
Melanie H.
I came here after work one day for happy hour. My friends and I noticed this place because En Sushi advertises $1 hot sake during happy hour. How could we pass that up? The 5 of us were quickly seated at a booth and given menus. We each ordered a hot sake ($1) and a liter bottle of Sapparo ($2.50). Both were easily able to make 3-4 sake bombs. We also ordered some of their food specials offered during Happy Hour. I don't remember which rolls we ordered, but I remember them being just okay. I've definitely had better sushi. However the combination of alcohol and food made our time here very enjoyable.
(3)
Dan B.
I'm a bit surprised at some of the lower star reviews. I've been to the west side En Sushi location a good 10 times and I've enjoyed my experience all 10. I'm not a particularly adventurous eater, so I can't speak to selection of rare rolls, but in terms of taste, my food has been stellar. I suppose it's a little out of the ordinary, but they have these tiny potato bites that come with teriyaki dinners, and those are pretty special. Parking is easy on the street - don't waste money using the valet lot. Consider some gyoza to start, too.
(4)
Keila N.
En Sushi takes up large piece of real estate on Santa Monica Boulevard. Bf and I stopped here on a Saturday afternoon for Happy Hour. We noticed a customer with a dog dining INSIDE right next to our table. I know that dog lovers would disagree, but I really think it's a violation of a health code. We ordered the special cucumber for $13+. It had 4 or 5 pieces. It was over-priced.
(2)
Clarice W.
We ended up coming to En Sushi after finding out that other sushi places in the area were closed on Mondays. They offer what looks like a good HH menu, but in reality the best deal is the $1 hot sake. They have California rolls for about $3.75, other rolls for about $4.75-7.75, basic 2-pc nigiri for $3.75. I found the rolls to be really disappointing and pretty low-quality. The albacore in my albacore jalapeno roll was cut up into tiny pieces, more like a paste (like spicy tuna often is) - what a waste of albacore! The salmon in the salmon cucumber roll was kept in large pieces, but the fish was tough, chewy, and there were parts that were discolored - incredibly unappetizing to look at and unpleasant to eat. And even the California roll was filled with a paste of imitation crab rather than the whole piece itself. I will say they give you better quality meat on the nigiri; my salmon and yellowtail nigiri were much more pleasant in texture, though I still felt like the yellowtail wasn't the freshest. Finally, their wasabi is definitely on the weak end - I had to add tons to my soy sauce to get just enough spiciness! The HH deals at En Sushi are okay, but I expect much better quality out of a restaurant that tries to sell itself as a legit sushi joint. I'd opt for New Japan by SushiStop down the street for even cheaper - and frankly, maybe better quality - sushi next time.
(2)
Kari O.
HAPPY HOUR! We just stumbled on this place while riding our bikes to Santa Monica and saw my two favorite words - happy hour. Sake for a dollar, beers for $2.50 and they even had a food happy hour. The food wasn't a huge discount from your typical sushi restaurant but I'm sure this spot pays a pretty penny for their rent. They have a full bar too! Servers were really nice and helpful and came by to check on us often. What we ordered : California Roll Tsunemono (cucumber salad) Shrimp Tempura Hand Roll Garlic Albacore Sashimi Hot Sake Kirin Light All of this was about $20 bucks! I didn't order enough food to make a solid review on this place so I will definitely come back!
(4)
Valerie Q.
Totally hit the spot!! The employees were super friendly and they have GREAT happy hour specials. We will be back :)
(5)
Nahid D.
Rounded up to that 4th star for their oyster appetizer - damn that was good! But for the most part they were massive pieces of overpriced specialty sushi rolls that are all sauce and spicy tuna - which were still very yummy. Unfortunately my friend doesn't do sashimi, so we ordered two of the specialty rolls. It was our fault for ordering two of the most similar dishes on the menu (911 and King Crab), but they both turned out to be delicious, so we forgave ourselves. The 911 roll was good but difficult to eat cause of the sheer size of each piece. Not excessive heat or deathly fire breathing after affects. I liked the flavor of the King Crab more - but it was a bit too saucy for me. So the best way to describe this place is a combination sports bar/music lounge/sushi restaurant. I'd come back here for a casual or date night. If there isn't a game going on this place can be kind of romantic. The dinning area is separated from the bar area pretty well to serve different clientele. I'd come back again for a splurge on a normal day or even let the Mr. bring me out for a nice night.
(4)
Rita N.
Great food! I always drive by and decided to try this place and i love it. The service is great! Will definitely go back
(5)
Harry T.
On west side and had to drop in to one of my favorite sushi spots. It was packed but luckily there were few tables open so we were seated right away. The ambience here is amazing, the restaurant has a nice modern contemporary feel and touch to it with some zen. They have a good separate bar for drinks with flat screens playing live games. Happy Hour everyday 3-7pm, sweeeet, great HH menu, must try's, 1.) Beach Salmon cut roll - its fresh light and just melts into your mouth 2.) Spicy Yellowtail hand roll - tasty tasty tasty, the spice doesn't overwhelm and take u away from the great fresh yellowtail diced sashimi fish 3.) Garlic Albacore and Ponzu Yellowtail Sashimi dishes - perfectly sliced with perfectly seasoned sauce dressings 4.) Viva Las Vegas cut roll - now I know we in LA but this roll was flying out of kitchen in crazy numbers, this alone would fill you up. If you feel like a good happy hour spot, if you wanna catch a quick bite and drink while watching a game, planning a nice date weekday or weekend, it works for all ;)
(5)
Jeffrey P.
The sushi here was pretty good, not the best but definitely above par. There's a lot of things on the menu. I started off with the spicy tuna rolls and i thought that the sauce they had put in it was pretty good and had a good amount of kick to it. I also had the eel rolls and those were pretty good too and the uni was pretty fresh. Overall the food was pretty good here and 2.50 kirin was great. My server was named Chloe and her customer service was on point. Overall the experience was great thanks to the food and the sweet server.
(5)
Darius R.
Great food and excellent service. The happy hour prices/menu items are incredible. Stumbled on this place when the sushi place next door I was headed to turned out to be closed on Tuesdays. So happy I did!
(5)
D. Ardi R.
Came here for happy hour. Great prices for beer and sushi. Quality of food.is good. The wait staff is attentive and available.
(4)
E. V.
Great happy hour deals. Sushi and rolls were a bit sloppy, but can't complain when there's great prices for delicious sushi!
(4)
Ady B.
Walked in to check out the happy hour. We were very pleased with the options on the menu. I didn't expect much but when the food came it was very delicious and great portions. I was very impressed and will be coming back very soon. Food was yummy
Sushi was fresh however the service was a bit slow. Cute atmosphere. More Americanized sushi.
(4)
Jody H.
I am a regular here and I figured it was time to write a review. I love this place!!! The ambiance and staff are excellent, the food is great and the prices are fantastic. As much as I love sushi I am not a fan of rice. Their sashimi portions are generous plus they have a ton of great rice less rolls. Try the OMG and lollipop rolls, they're heaven.
(5)
Shila B.
Avocado is cheap, however, for some reason this place isn't. At least from someone who is from Vancouver expects something a little different but same. Very popular joint, good customer service.
(4)
Shazeen N.
My husband and I was driving by this place and happen to stop as it was their happy hour. I must say it was an amazing surprise. We ordered shashito peppers, yellowtail, crunchy tempura, jalapeño heart attack (holyyyy so tasty) and the best one was crispy rice spicy tuna... It's definitely a great spot to go for fun happy hour.
(5)
Golden B.
***This review is for happy hour*** as my friends and I were devouring our 6th sushi roll that was only 5.75 we began discussing my forthcoming yelp review for this place and how many stars I would give it. I immediately ran through the list of food, price, service, atmosphere, and said I thought it was four stars. It's nothing fancy but the happy hour prices were bomb (there were four of us and we ordered 9 rolls and 7 drinks and walked out at 25 bucks a person) and the sushi was really enjoyable. So now as I'm writing this I figure, why not 5 stars? The place fit the bill for four hungry people needing a solid sushi happy hour at 3 o clock on a Tuesday. I have no complaints. Five stars.
(5)
Sebastien B.
I am very sad to update my review and give to this sushi place a lower rating. It was really my favorite sushi place in the neighborhood but they are now under a new management and things seem to have gone awry. First, there are fewer Japanese sushi chefs. It was a real strength of the former restaurant to have only Japanese sushi chefs. Second, the overall quality of the fish has decreased. And third, I had salad with a dead fly in it at two occasion. I understand that it can accidentally happen once but not twice. For all of these reasons I downgrade my rating to a 3* but I already found a great sushi place 10 min drive from there.
(3)
Melissa W.
We went here last night for my sisters birthday. The service was great (it seemed like we had 3 servers attending to us the whole time!!), and the happy hour for food and drinks was good too! We got the jalapeño heart attack, fried chicken wings, and the fried spicy tuna roll on happy hour prices, it was all really yummy and came out really fast!!! The bathroom was nice and clean too, hehe. I'll be back here!!!
(5)
Steve L.
Came with some friends who have been here a good amount, so we got to taste a great mix of items. Food was great, tables were easy to get and helpful employees. A short drive away, but this may be our new Japanese spot.
(5)
Brooke D.
This is my go-to sushi spot on the Westside. It's reasonably priced and has great sushi, a cozy atmosphere, and (usually) no crowds. I'm pretty picky about my sushi and am never disappointed by this place (although if you're REALLY looking for something more authentic, go to King Sushi on Wilshire). Plus, with $1 hot sake and $2.50 beers, the happy hour prices here are just unbeatable! I usually order the Crunchy Roll and the Happy Roll (deep-fried shishito peppers inside = WOAH!!). Both are excellent! The guy sitting next to me last night was eating the Ginger Ribeye--it looked and smelled amaaaaazing, so I will definitely have to try that next time!
(5)
Kevin M.
This is one of the best Happy Hours that I've found in Los Angeles. Their HH menu has a variety of traditional rolls, house creations, and fresh sashimi. I usually enjoy simple sashimi, but one of the best over-the-top ridiculous rolls they have on happy hour is the Viva Vegas Roll. Each cut is served with a chip that we use to make crab nachos before eating the roll itself.
(4)
Danny T.
There are so many sushi spots around LA that these places really need to stick out to me. They need to have a trademark-- They have a decent happy hour menu, but the first half of the happy hour menu is not on the restaurant menu so be ready to ask your server a bunch of questions. I had the lychee martini and I will say it's one of the best martinis I've ever had. My boyfriend ordered the Love Bite. So fresh so tasty. The server did not provide us with waters-- I understand we are experiencing a drought-- I work at a restaurant too and we serve water upon request. But at my restaurant we let the guests know that instead of thinking they forgot to give us glasses of water.
(3)
M L.
Their sushi happy hour is my favorite! It's delicious,diverse and fresh! Damien, the bartender's sparkling personality adds to the already chic,yet cool ambiance.
(4)
Andrew C.
This place is dank! Shoutout to my boy Noah L and cappuccino man for requesting this splendid visit to en sushi. Solid sushi place yadidamean. Came here on a Wednesday (Hump Dayyyy) and it had a decent amount of people! I of course the G that I am prepared for that and got a reservation super eazy but we wasily would've been seated right away if I didn't. En sushi hooked us up with some dank service from Richard choi my boi!! Dudes got game! Suggested the king cobra and I was not disappointed. We also got some that sesame chicken appetizer to pregame ten main bidness and woohoo tasty with that chipotle aoili sauce which was the boss. We decided to be a lil daring if I must say so myself so we went with the happy roll despite the unpopularity from the Los Angeles crowd that my boy richy rich got from it. But Yee lil ray ray wud the fan of that shish(ito) pepper filled goodness. Next came my choice .. The volcano dankness. It was hot like a volcano and it erupted my taste buds into the sky!!! Dankness! Also yelp hooked ya boy up with that 8% discount. Say what!? Yeah that's right. It was not too expensive at all.. Got in and out super fast and was happy with the dank service of Richard and crew. Yall gotta try it was good when we goin out on a Wednesday.
(5)
Abby C.
So, I'd say that I've been around the block or two when it comes to knowing sushi. I've had terrible and I've had the best of the best. Nigiri-wise, they're decent; the fish tastes fresh and that's all that I really look for. The two rolls (Rock'EN & volcano) were good enough, except that they were a little heavy. I preferred the Rock'EN over the volcano because do the fried eel on the top :) that was great! The tuna over crispy rice was a different texture to get used to, but overall, awesome! My absolute favorite thing to order was their Baked oysters. What a great combination with the herbed butter! The hospitality of Damian (bartender) was an extra plus. I would love to come back again!
(5)
April K.
Favorite sushi place in Santa Monica! Great happy hot prices. Fantastic cocktails. Even better sushi. The servers are always friendly and knowledgeable. The decor is nice and simple and clean. The parking can be challenging but there is limited free parking for customers behind the building. This is my favorite happy hour sushi place by far. Check them out!
(4)
Yoojin K.
One of our local Happy Hour spots! Everyday HH: 3-7pm Late HH: Thurs & Sundays from 9:30pm - 11:30pm $1 sakes, $2.50+ beers, $3.75+ rolls TV's showing sports, open layout Love the tables by the window. Service was friendly and excellent. Whether you're hungry or thirsty, perfect when the traffic on Santa Monica isn't moving.
(5)
James W.
I remember coming here on a friend date just to try out because it had great reviews. It's pretty dark inside, nice ambience. Now I know that sushi in LA can be expensive. Sometimes ridiculously expensive. This is not one of those places, but it is a little pricy, especially compared to some of the surrounding sushi places in this area. It's supposed to be a little higher quality, which it is. It has fresher fish than BAD sushi, but there is nothing really unique about this place. If you want sashimi for about the same price $30-50/person, you might as well go to Sugarfish. If you want specialty rolls, go next door to California Roll Factory. Anyways, for me, this place is a solid 3 stars based on value-quality trade-off.
(3)
Michael E.
Come and sit at the bar, order some sushi and drinks! The sushi is tasty and the bartender, Damion, is awesome. If you want to have a good time drinking, eating and shooting the shit, this is the place for you.
(5)
Senesa R.
Love the crispy rice spicy tuna with jalapeño slices! Every time my hubby and I come here we are not disappointed. Great lunch special deals as well!!! Clean and service is always friendly and attentive.
(5)
Angela W.
Decided to come here with some friends die happy hour last minute. The restaurant was pretty empty which is understandable for happy hours sometimes. We get seated and then this frail asian guy that's super soft spoken takes our orders. That's when we had a hunch everything wasn't gonna go well. He wanted to repeat what we ordered for confirmation and we ordered 6 items. He said two and then paused. I had to help him out with one and he said two others and I had to help him on the last one since he was struggling. Fine. So we get our food and I get my hand roll and I'm waiting on my roll. Everyone finishes their food and I'm still waiting on my roll. I flag him down and he goes oh I'm sorry I'll go see what happened. Mind you. There's about 3 ppl at the bar and two tables, that's including ours, so it was NOT busy. Then maybe about 5-10 minutes later my roll decides to roll on over to our table ( pun intended). The ice tea however were promptly filled when emptied so I salute them for that. Here comes the fun part. We decided it was time to leave since our meter was coming up and getting something else might take forever. We flagged someone down for our check he says ok. 3 minutes later still nothing. We flag another person down, ask for the check. Few minutes went by, nothing. Flagged another person down and miraculously we got our check this time. We handed it back to a waiter walking by and he walks off with it. Few minutes goes by we are wondering what's going on and flagged our server down and he runs in the opposite direction of where our check was taken to. Somehow after another 3 minutes or so it finally came. While we were signing the checks we got asked if we wanted refills on the ice teas. So if you want prompt refills please stop by but service/food wise the waiters still needs training. One of my friends used to work as a waiter and she also says this is not ok.
(1)
Sepideh T.
This place never fails to deliver excellent service and food. Not only do they have a great happy hour, but there regular menu is reasonably priced with a heavy variety of choices. Whether you go with a large group or just for date night, En Sushi is sure to please! The entire staff is courteous and gracious and deliver fast service. Special shout out to Richard and Jason who are always on point with everything!
(5)
Kevin C.
Great happy hour selections fish was decent but ruined by certain sauces or toppings that were sub par great ambiance no fishy smell in restaurant quick service had 3 waitress going in circle helping every table so we never were ignored like some of the other reviews. ginger was 3 thumbs down which is really dissapointing one time try, i wont be back
(3)
Colin FX G.
Great happy hour specials. I eat here often. And I love the Las Vegas Roll. Very unique and you can get it without cream cheese. They also have a yelp discount but it doesn't work on Happy Hour specials.
(5)
Shakari G.
The sushi here is amazing. The staff is always friendly and the place is clean. I'd recommend to anyone! Also, they have a pretty good late happy hour!
(5)
Naz H.
Nice place, food is good and fair. Good date place.
(3)
evie l.
I used to love coming here. The albacore jalapeno rolls were my favorite. Jasmine was the BEST bartender ever. She knew every customer's preference, she knew that I wanted ponzu sauce and not soy sauce with my food. In fact, I would come there JUST to sit at the bar and see Jasmine. They lot a great employee!! Miss you Jaz!
(2)
Francis L.
Talk about pricey. I'm not too sensitive to price when it's really good but I am when the food is just mediocre. Tuna tartare was too typical and not that great. The tuna they used was slightly not as moist as most good tasting tuna. The uni was really good but costs $10, 2 more than most places. I wouldn't come here again when there are a gazillion other better places just down the street from here. The atmosphere is great and is really fancy looking with a really cute hostess so come here for atmosphere not food.
(3)
Sara L.
More than decent sushi joint. Had lunch here before leaving for the trip I'm currently on. Fish was very fresh, service was good, and they had a full abr, which I wasn't expecting. Definitely better than California Roll just up the street. The decor is nice, too, and the servers are pretty knowledageble. Especially memorable was the special ahi roll with crispy onions (don't make fun, my dining companion had sashimi, ok? I'm for real...). Would love to come back for the $45 omakase.
(4)
Christine Y.
I've been here like 3 or 4 times and I definitely like it. The atmosphere and decor are nice, definitely prettier than the hole-in-the-wall sushi places I tend to frequent. Made me feel a little under dressed in a sweatshirt though the first time hahaha I have always strolled in without making reservations which is fine for most weeknights, never had to wait. We've tried several of the entrees, like the teriyaki steak and chicken and salads. I really like the ponzu dressing that comes on their regular green side salad - I'd order that by itself if I wasn't all starry-eyed over the sushi. I really enjoy most of their rolls, it's a nice variety. Their fish tastes fresh and while it's on the pricier side if you like sushi dives like me, it's definitely reasonable compared to the "LA/Holllywood sushi" places (you know who you are!) so I don't mind it. I would like to mention that I actually enjoyed their scallop roll, which is rare because I find the scallop stuff at most places fishy and otherwise bland. Some of the rolls get too elaborate for me, like the Diablo. Their oysters tasted decent but were a bit overcooked, I'm a fan of really nice, soft, even raw oysters. Some of their desserts look good but I haven't tried much. One thing that bothers me is that you don't get ANY little freebies with your check. My favorite place ever is Takanawa, which closed, and you always got fresh sliced oranges or watermelon or something with your bill. Here, you can get half a sliced orange for a dollar... boo.
(4)
Vincent C.
En Sushi is a pretty decent sushi joint without being overly expensive. I've been here on several occasions with my girlfriend, and we've consistently had a good experience. What keeps bringing me back here is the ~$45 Omakase which is a great meal for a great price. I've had the omakase about 3 times, and it always includes a shrimp miso soup (with shrimp head), a miso paste cod, and a selection of sushi (about 8 pieces) chosen by the chef in addition to whatever small plates they decide to throw in. One particular sushi selection that really stood out was the combination amaebi (raw sweet shrimp) and uni sushi. I've only had this once, but it was really quite excellent. En Sushi is that place I go to when I want to feel like I'm eating at a fancy sushi restaurant without breaking the bank. Parking can be a hassle, but if you're willing to walk a little bit in exchange for free parking, I suggest looking around Ohio Avenue for an empty spot. I've never been here with a large party, but I've never had to make a reservation for 2 people. 4 stars!
(4)
Hurf D.
"Happy hour" is pretty damn lame. The check-in coupon is just the whatever they offer to everyone, so that's silly. The sushi portions are not generous at all, yet the prices are not cheep either. You can do much, much better in Santa Monica and I suggest doing so.
(2)
Chris L.
Yummy sushi here. Came because I can walk to it from my apartment and found the atmosphere and food fantastic. Great for a date or just a casual outing. Loved the albacore, and some of their specialty rolls. Haven't tried their hot dishes yet but look forward to trying them the next time.
(4)
Sam S.
This place is great. If you want good sushi for a decent price, this is your place. The staff is very friendly, the food is good, and it is a nice atmosphere. Way better than Yamato, I used to be a Yamato fan.
(4)
Jamie W.
kinda pricy, but worth the price tho. It has a wonderful atmosphere, sorta like a bar surrounded by tables, and good for a group of ppl to hang out.
(3)
Linda M.
The sushi is OK. For our last roll, we decided to go with something safe and ordered the shrimp tempura. How can a place mess up shrimp tempura? Well, just ask En Sushi because they did. Last roll, left a lasting impression because as we pass this place we always ask how can someone mess up a shrimp tempura roll? Not going back here.
(1)
Mike T.
En used to be a decent sushi spot, but has gone downhill. Although the service was good, the fish was mediocre at best--and I don't think it was very fresh. The one decent thing was the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. The Blue Fin, which is generally delicious anywhere, was awful. The prices are decent (not cheap) and definitely not worth the food. If you don't have a very sensitive palette and just like to smother your fish in spicy mayo or ponzu sauce, and this place is close by, then I guess it's ok. If you consider yourself a fan of good Sushi, definitely avoid En Sushi. MT
(1)
Cindy L.
I came here on a Saturday night with a friend who frequents this restaurant often. I thought it would be busy but it wasn't. We sat at the bar and ordered halibut, yellowtail, albacore and the crunchy spicy tuna roll. I've read that the crunchy spicy tuna roll was really good. I agree it was good but it didn't blow my mind. The other sushi nigiri were really good!! The cuts were generous and very fresh tasting. The service was good overall. Damon, the bartender was efficient and checked on us every so often. There are quite a bit of regulars that dine there nightly. The decor is dim, open with very high ceilings. You can dine at the bar or the sushi bar or the main dining room. I believe there was a private room on a loft area. Prices are reasonable. I think street parking is available but I valet that night. I will definitely try to come here for happy hour.
(4)
mimi m.
En has been THE sushi restaurant for us for years. Yes, we have occasionally cheated, in search of better sushi over the years, but we've always come back to this place. Sure, we've found a few places that were better than En but those places also cost us twice as much as En. What makes us keep coming back to En is the overall experience of great sushi, great service, great ambience, and reasonable prices. By reasonable, I don't mean cheap, but it is reasonalbe for the quality you get at En. So, thank you En. And see you again soon!
(4)
Char L.
Came here on a Friday night - it was a busy, but we were lucky to get a table immediately. The service sucked. I'll give the waiter some slack cuz he was busy, but still...we were ignored for the first 10 mins, no water, no nothing. Calamari was extremely disappointing. The breading was thick, flavorless, the rings were small and tough. Yellowtail scallion roll was good at least.
(2)
Ling Ling Z.
Decor and service were very nice, definitely a date place. The sushi was good, except the yellowtail. Some were tasted a lil weird. That was disapointing since I love yellowtail. The chicken yakitori was just alright. The prices were also reasonable.
(3)
Lia H.
I have had a lot of really, really good sushi. And this was no exception. My boyfriend and I decided not to make a big thing about NYE and just made a reservation a few hours ahead at En, because it's down the street and our previous lunch experience there was pleasant and I liked their decor. Surprisingly we actually got sat at the sushi bar way before a table was available for us. The strong drinks and sushi came quick, but better than that, the sushi was prepared with so much care and precision. I had not seen that in a while. Our sushi chef was jovial and asked us several times how our Diablo roll (Spicy baked scallops on top of a roll of tempura shrimp, asparagus and other yummies [by the way, this roll is actually TRULY spicy, which I find to be uncommon with most sushi places' "spicy" stuff]), Rainbow roll (with real crab, NOT "krab"), fresh salmon, yellowtail and raw scallop nigiri was. Everything was perfect; so utterly mouthwatering fresh. I was very happy. The prices are steeper than I'm used to, but it was completely worth it. I'll be back.
(5)
Marc M.
Stopped by for lunch to get a quick bite to eat. The place wasn't busy at all - we were sat right away. Word to the wise - make sure it isn't a late lunch, because they close at 2PM until they reopen for dinner. I ordered the Philly role.. It was great!
(3)
Robin H.
Started coming to En for happy hour a few months ago and love it!!!! Great prices for really good sushi - toro, yellowtail, special rolls and delicious japanese delicacies. Try the garlic string beans. The best part of En is the bartender (Damion), he makes everyone feel welcome and brings a fun vibe to the bar. It's easy to become a regular...good drinks, fresh sushi, friendly faces and a flat screen TV, living the dream!
(5)
Shirley K.
Overall rating is 3.5 stars (mainly due to the service). It seemed like there was only one waiter serving the customers. There's one guy that just stands by the sushi bar and waives for the one waiter whenever a customer waives for him to come by the table for something. Another reason is that t's pretty pricey here for dinner. Happy Hour is only at the bar. Tip: You can earn 100 points by making a reservation on Opentable.com . Had a 10% off coupon so decided to revisit. It wasn't very busy around 7pm on a week night. The June specials included the Japanese Scallop which was super delicious. Had 2 orders of it. Was a bit bummed that the Uni this time around wasn't as good. The Catalina roll which is topped with avacado, yellowtail, and tuna was so-so for $19. The eel and avocado roll was also so-so. This is something you can order at the bar for almost half the price than if you ordered it at a table. They do have a flat screen tv at one of the corners so that you can watch a game or boxing match, depending on the night. Parking: Valet is available along with meter parking.
(3)
Trish G.
came in for a late dinner. good amount of people there, nice ambiance. service was pretty good -- not overly attentive, but also not completely absent. asked to get tea/water refilled once, didn't have to ask again. wasn't told that happy hour prices were only applied to people sitting at the bar. kinda lame, but overall prices were okay. presentation of food was great. classy, not too overdone. food was good, and had a decent variety of food on menu. i think the smaller 'special rolls' section gave me the impression that probably anything i could've gotten on it would've been good, whereas other places boast tons of rolls, and most of them are a miss. it still took me a while to decide what to get tho. i think i tried sushi with jalapeno and crunchy rice. i liked it, the man friend was just lukewarm about it. fried banana a la mode for dessert was also good. yeah, i'd come here again.
(4)
Michael L.
It was a dark and stormy night and we rolled onto this street corner looking for some eats. Because it was dark and stormy, I'm willing to look over the fact that it was cold and dank, with a roof that leaked down onto our heads and table. They can't control the weather and people are rarely prepared for rain in Los Angeles... maybe the food would be good, right? I got really excited when I saw anago on the menu because I rarely find a place with sea eel - ordered it right off. My friend ordered some mackerel and we got some happy hour sake. The result? Overpriced, amazingly dry sushi. Good eel should melt into your mouth - this stuck to my tongue and lingered there. The flesh sort of flaked off in dry pieces as I chewed. At no moment did I get that beautiful savory sensation I associate with fresh, tender eel. It's like I ordered a steak and they gave me a Big Mac patty instead. The mackerel was equally mediocre. We declined to order any more food, polished off our drinks, and walked a block over to Terried Sake House - far more authentic, delicious Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price.
(2)
Diana M.
Great happy hour and good sushi and other food. Not stellar sushi, but the last stellar sushi dinner I had was $130 (per person!) so for the price it's A+. Really good service and it's generally quiet. A good place to meet business friends for lunch as it's centrally located. The dining room is really nice.
(4)
Mary L.
My favorite japanese food place on the westside is Musha in Santa Monica. So I do tend to compare every sushi/japanese food place to it. On first impression, the decor was very nice. Everything was clean and the booth was comfortable. We ordered three different rolls, one of which was sea urchin. It came and it looked a little frozen, the urchin roe that is. And it was frozen and had no flavor. It was disappointing. The spicy tuna wasn't spicy enough and the tuna didn't taste fresh at all. The last roll was the explosion roll which had crab in it, which is hard to mess up since it was imitation crab. So overall, not somewhere I'd go back to or recommend. Quality of food needs to be on par but then again LA eaters tend to not be as picky as East Coasters.
(2)
Katrina A.
Good place for a nice sit-down dinner. Prices are a little higher than the other sushi joints on this section of Santa Monica, but food quality and restaurant atmosphere are definitely higher as well. This is a good date place, but equally good for a group of friends looking for a nice meal. Sure, you'll end up paying about $30 a person with drinks, but good sushi isn't supposed to be cheap!
(4)
D H.
WOW!! What a great surprise!! I just moved up from OC and thought we had the best sushi.. then I pop into En Sushi for Happy Hour and BAM! Sorry OC, LA did ANOTHER thing better than you, again, haha. Sushi was FRESH! Service was FAST! Happy hour has really great prices on food and drinks. location is easy and parking is available all around it. I have been here four times and always a new item tried. Sashima - Bomb. Hand roll - Bomb. Sushi rolls - BOMB! Only four stars cause the service sucked. But in LA, the service sucks like half the time anywhere... amazing food makes it worth it!
(4)
Josie D.
Yum! Great price for happy hour. Good sushi. Loved it! Those pepper things were great too.... hmm... a bit on the pricey side if not happy hour. But I'll be back!
(4)
Genevieve M.
Most perfect rainbow roll of my life, good goddamn. I used to live on the West side and I absolutely miss nothing about it except for En. This place got me to like salmon and I used to haaaate salmon. I took my snobby fake wife here when she was visiting me from Denver and she fell in love with it. It was a regular date spot for me & my fiance and the only other place that can compete is Eyaki over in Culver (closer to our new apartment). Try the rainbow roll, for sure. Their unagi is amazing. Also check out their dragon roll, red dragon roll, and the spider roll.
(5)
Jensine R.
En Sushi is actually among the first few restaurants that I tried when I first moved to LA. It's just 2 blocks away from my apartment so it was convenient for me and my brother to try. The restaurant was dimly lit and had great decor. It actually had a romantic feel to it, so I was not feeling it especially since I was with my brother and I was not planning on staring deep into his eyes. The service wasn't bad, but it also wasn't great. My brother and I ordered 2 rolls and tried a special hand roll with kobe beef. The sushi wasn't anything to rave about unfortunately. The pricing wasn't reasonable at all. I spent almost $40 on 3 items and my poor brother was still hungry after. Hesitant to order more sushi that was "alright", my brother and I decided to hit up the taco truck around the corner. Wouldn't come back, but it would be great place to take a date... if you didn't like him or her. Just saying...
(3)
Derek R.
I live only a few blocks, but would still drive across town to come here. I LOVE EN SUSHI!! Everyone is super nice and accommodating, the chefs are authentic, kind and quality. Love the atmosphere. They have a bar and play all the sports games. Go see what I and everyone I know is raving about!
(4)
Sol L.
we go here often, but may have had an ownership change. portions smaller, fish maybe not as fresh. sushi chefs have changed. random crowd at the bar. may have to look elsewhere as the price may not be worth it. this is hard for me to say since we've coming here for years, very loyal. let's see what happens.
(3)
Lili L.
Pricey, but good. I have been here twice, and would come back again.
(4)
Derek Y.
Terribad. Extremely bland sushi, quality of fish isn't great. On one particular roll, on some pieces, the seaweed around the sushi rice didn't even connect and it completely fell apart when I tried to pick it up. The servers don't know how to garner a tip with some smiles.
(1)
Jr K.
Food alright,price ridiculously expensive without exaggerating,the 40 dollar sushi meal comes with 2 appetizers that combined barely make one,the green tea ice cream was so so,I ordered the black cod boy let me tell you its about the size of a Gerber baby food lid,the sushi was warm like it had been sitting for awhile,for 40 bucks I guarantee you there's better sushi elsewhere because I guarantee you there fish was not premium . But hey if you like a nice atmosphere a busboy that will treat you better than the waitress a decent green tea ice cream and got money to spend for a very tiny amount of food HEY this is the place for you BUT if your into good sushi and don't want to feel like you got reamed go elsewhere hell Applebees would of made my day compared here Never to return again. Thanx too bad there no negative stars or zero Oh yeah good luck finding parking
(1)
Michael L.
Specialty Roll combo- sauce, sauce sauce. Okay, the Diablo and some other crab/lobster roll were actually pretty decent. But this place must make bank using oodles of sauce on their 'specialty' rolls. Chirashi udon combo- Everything looked pretty nice on top of the rice, but the fish was just average...nothing awesome, nothing bad. The uni had a hint of fishiness...not good. some unique and tasty rolls....but it's just that- rolls. Hard to believe that we ended up spending $75 bucks splitting the check down the middle with another couple. Bah. Definitely not coming back when I'm in LA again...
(3)
Yi Z.
And the winner of the West LA Best Budget Lunch Award goes to... drum roll.... En Sushi! $8.50 for a great-tasting lunch at a sit-down restaurant is awesome! We were satisfied with both the quality and quantity of the food. I've paid more than $8.50 for not-so-good fast-food/takeout Japanese food before. If you're on a tight budget, skip the soda - at $3, it kind of ruins the thrill of a cheap lunch.
(5)
Ryan H.
i just broke my new years diet. damn. but if i was going to do it, it might as well be stuffing my face in sushi. ok i will not eat tomorrow. i promise. i swear. i think. i hope. delicious, fresh tasty, well done. baked scallops, mussels, rolls, tempura. i ate it all. then i ate some more. nice waiter -- sam. good food. this is a good reliable place i've been to many times. decor could use some fresh touches and updating. but definitely a good place to go.
(4)
Aryf H.
I like this place; been coming here steadily for years. As some of you old-time, West LA locals might remember, this was like a 'cursed spot' for restaurants; for a while, it seemed there was one restaurant failing and another opening at this location literally every six or seven months (anyone remember 'Italy's Little Kitchen' or 'Fragrant Harbor' at this location?). So Sushi En found its niche here. This is a good place for sushi and drinks. I think the sushi here is good; it's not jaw-droppingly amazing, it's not 'just embalm me in ponzu sauce and bury me here' type sushi -- it's decent. Their happy hour features certain items (sushi cut-rolls, edomae-zushi, appetizers). Among them, the Spicy Tuna is good. The chicken gyoza is good but the best part about that is the side salad. The sauteed mushrooms and also sauteed shishito are very nice. From the cloth napkins to the clean interior, it gives the place that feeling of class - even some high-end, super expensive places use cheap paper napkins and skimp on decor. The menu features some interesting choices, even two o-makase specials. I think the high-point of this place is the staff. Always professional, friendly and knowledgeable. I came here when Damien was bartending and after that Emma. Currently (March 2010) there is a great bartender named Angelica there. The wait-staff and chefs are very nice, too. Forward to 2011 and there's a super-bartender Jasmin here. She's really hip and also a singer and artist (I went to her art showing). And I also just met Kristie, who is friendly and does the place justice. Thank You, EN - you rock ! Good atmosphere, dimly lit, nice dark/black interior.
(5)
Victor K.
Good Sushi, easy place to have lunch. More on my next visit.
(4)
Ming Loong T.
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD. I thought I had amazing sushi at Hide Sushi, and given the price, I couldn't complain but OMFG this place is off the motherfuckin chain! My best friend took me here for a celebratory dinner after I survived yet another bout of final exams at UCLA. We ordered around 80 dollars of sushi and LET ME TELL YOU: EVERY FUCKING PENNY WAS WORTH IT. The fish is fresh, the cuts are perfect... everything just melts in your MOUTH!!! ANYTHING. ORDER ANYTHING. ...except the Diablo. The concept was nice, but it was just too mushy in the end. Poor presentation... even then so, great flavors. BUT THE CRISPY ONION ALBACORE JALAPENO ROLL - good. lord. I think I'm going to have to change my underwear after merely thinking about it. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Benny K.
Very sad. After years of going here, birthday dinners, dates, out of town friends, A YELP DUKEDOM(!!), its gone so downhill. Yohei & Daniel, the hosts who knew my name and preferences...long gone. Furu, the sushi chef who hooked me to this place, who surprised me when I asked for it, but mostly delivered the same great cuts in the same order night after night just left. The current group is unengaging and probably couldn't pick me out of a line up. Some of the other regular patrons I used to see at the bar have slowly disappeared. The only constant seems to be the I-am-god's-gift bartender. Breaks my heart to write this. I am a man without a go to sushi bar. Yes the food quality is still good (not great) and the ambience and valet still give it a notch over Sawtelle, but En has really lost that lovin feelin.
(2)
Lauren S.
I came in just about the time there were closing before dinner service, so the place was really quiet. The building is clean and visually very interesting. I had a small sushi lunch combo. It all came out delicious. And I split a Philadelphia Roll with my bf, and he's a fan of cream cheese and gave this roll the thumbs up. They're a little pricer than I want to pay but its a great place for a date or a relaxing afternoon lunch. The seaweed salad had huge portions and was one of the best I ever had. You need to try it here.
(3)
Sheree P.
Dear owner of En Sushi, May I have a frequent diner card? BF and I come here so often, we treat you like you are our own kitchen/sushi bar. Your servers pretty much knows our orders by heart and recognizes our faces the minute we walk in since we are here almost every other week. I always get the Ono sashimi and sashimi combo with albacore and jalapeno roll. And we also order the eel and avocado roll and spicy tuna with crispy rice. Occassionally I change my order to tempura udon when I crave something hot and soupy (I'm not sure if you remember that part). So maybe? Perhaps? Perchance? A frequent diner stampy card? :) Thanks, S. McSunny
(4)
Cori R.
En has long been a favorite local sushi spot for me but tonight was really disappointing. I ordered the black cod app for $16. When I got it home the piece much lighter marinaded than it used to be and was so small I decided to weigh it on my food scale. It was 2 3/8 ounces. Tiny and $16.00. I called them and they said they would make me another one for free. I picked that one up and it was 2 1/2 ounces. That was the apology piece. I will not order this again. Also, my friend who ordered the Albacore Tataki said it was definitely not as good as she remembered. The portions were small with tons of fried onions as if they were trying to hide the smaller portions. Love En but are they under new ownership or cutting costs? :(
(2)
Jonathan Z.
My friends are locals, so we walked here from a few blocks away. They like to go to happy hour and it was the Thursday night before our weekend Vegas trip. We got there around 9pm to get seats at the bar before the 9:30pm happy hour. appetizer sampler: tasty, but I would go for other appetizers Happy Hour Highlights: *kirin pitcher $11 always good *eel roll: delic, but I've had better *crunchy tempura roll: slight spice, but crunchy and great *spicy tuna roll: the norm If you get Damion as your bartender he's cool. He seems like he likes his work and he does a good job. Good eats and have fun.
(3)
Max F.
Great service. Good food Best bang for your buck on the westside
(4)
Anna A.
I LOVE this place. my boyfriend and I are regulars at this restaurant and they always treat us well! The tuna tataki sashimi is to die for, and make sure to try their Gyoza! :) Most days it's not hard to find a table, but Saturday nights may be kind of packed. I've been going here for 3 months consistently now and have never had to wait to be seated. Yay en sushi!
(5)
Nikki W.
This place is AMAZING! We had the Pokymon roll, spicy tuna w/crispy rice, Cajun spicy tuna sashimi, and the Ono carpaccio! The quality of the sushi here and the presentation is unbeatable for the price! We did dine during happy hour and all of these dishes were cheap! Large Sapporos were $4. The decor is elegant and our waitress was the sweetest thing ever :)
(5)
Paul M.
En Sushi is great place! Where to start? The Albacore (seared) sashimi with crispy onions is off the charts! Flavor like you can't describe! Whoa! Add to that Kobe beef with Ponzu sauce and you have a flavor like no other! Service was A-. Our chef seemed a little dull at the bar but the others were really friendly and quick to serve on a busy Saturday night. Bonus Stars for having Kirin on tap! YAYYAHHH!
(5)
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Address :11651 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, 90025
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Rachel M.
Great happy hour (4-7 daily) with discounted rolls, sashimi, beer and sake. Staff is friendly and atmosphere is family friendly.
(4)Michael A.
I've been here four times and they have the best happy hour deals and the tastiest sushi rolls! Love the hot sake, esp at $1 a caraff! Great atmosphere, tasty rainbow roll, Jenny the waitress rocks!
(5)Mac S.
Usually pretty busy because it is popular, but you should still try to catch it during happy hour if you can. The prices are a little on the higher side outside of happy hour, but still a very decent meal (the place is a little upscale in general). If it was on Sawtelle down the street it would probably be one of the biggest/nicest ones there. Great place to unwind after work or a long day with friends and enjoy happy hour sushi with some cold beers or sake.
(4)Ariana F.
Went here on a first date last week. Sushi was yummy!! We had some steamed edamame and the crispy onion albacore jalapeno roll (soo much crispy onions are piled on that roll, but they were so yummy!) Loved the kick and texture of that roll. We also had the fresh water eel and avocado, which was probably my favorite. Delightful. Loved the ambiance, the service was pleasant and attentive, but in no way annoying. The lighting wasn't too dark that I couldn't see my date, but it was flattering. The tables are kind of close together - you could easily eavesdrop if you wanted. We ended up having a short conversation with our neighbors after watching a woman take a nose dive (maybe too much sake? maybe she's just clumsy?) Not five stars because it wasn't *amazing* sushi in my opinion (although it was very good). I would definitely come back!
(4)Jennifer M.
This sushi place is not the best. If you want good sushi for there are much better places with the same or cheaper prices. The rolls were mediocre. The volcano roll was the only one I really enjoyed. The spicy tuna tempura was whatever. It did not make me want more. The service was good though and it was conveniently opened until 11 pm on a Wednesday night so if you want late night sushi it's good for that.
(3)Maria P.
I live near here and am so glad I finally went! Was en route to see a show at the Nuart and had some happy hour snacks and cocktails. I had the shishito peppers and a few sushi rolls and one sashimi. Everything was fresh and delicious. Had a pomegranate and lychee martini both tasty and cheap. Kristin the bartender was friendly chill and attentive. The bar was dead but I bet she'd be the same awesome bartender if it was swarmed with people. Will definitely go back and hopefully next time a creepy woman won't be sitting at the bar raving at every commercial and trying to make friends. Hello bubble invader I don't know you and am not interested in mindless chit chat. Thank you. I felt bad for Kristin because who knows how long or how drunk this woman stayed. She seemed on something of Charlie Sheen proportions. WINNING.
(4)Sandee T.
Dish (& its star ratings): - Salmon platter (3.5) - Seaweed salad (4) - 4 different rolls (3.5) When: - Late 2010 Crowd: - Mixed. Businessmen grabbing drinks at the bar. Dates. Families. Interiors: - Dark tables, flat screen tv near bar. Service: - 4 stars. Overall: - Not a bad sushi place, just really really standard. Nothing to sing about.
(3)Aaron H.
The food is usually good but the service is really bad. Last time I was here the restaurant was pretty busy. They seated me and my wife after about 5 minutes but were not very nice to us. After 5 minutes they came to our table and said that the table had actually been reserved and that we needed to get up. They weren't even very nice about it.
(2)Karolina S.
Unfortunately the owner changed and it is a whole different place now. Not so good on the fish, portions and stuff anymore. Sad.
(3)Bonnie C.
For some reason I forgot about this place, and recently re-discovered it! They have really reasonable lunch choices. Tough decision between the hot udon/cold soba noodles, and a 2 entree (of your choice) bento box, with all the normal sides for $8.50. Coming back soon to re-visit their daily happy hour!
(4)Gino E.
Had been a hot minute since I had such terrible food. We were kind of forced to go here, since we were running late for a show at UCLA, needed to grab a quick bite, and happen to be driving by. We saw it was happy hour during the weekend, and said, "what the hell." Bad idea... I was obvious to me that this place did not have any real sushi, just the rolls with the "fun and kooky" names. I ordered a few, which I can't even remember what they were off the top of my head, and I could not eat them. Not being able to recognize what flavors I tasted and what it was, that I was eating, made me uncomfortable. The only thing that was edible was their yakitori. Their miso soup also tasted like they heated up tap water and threw a few tofu cubes in there. NO JOKE. On top of the wonderful food, our server looked depressed. I'm going to assume she was having boy-trouble. Keep your head up, kid. The place is "pretty" though. And that's pretty much it.
(1)James F.
We go here at least once a week. The happy hour is great, food is amazing and the service is really top notch. The wait staff is so nice I would just hang out here all day if I could.
(5)Katie C.
I don't know why there are so many bad reviews, because it was a great experience. Happy hour has amazing deals on drinks and rolls, and every single one was delicious. We were sitting at the bar, so I don't know if all tables do, but we got an orange cut up as dessert for free. The staff were pretty nice, and overall it was a very nice, affordable dinner.
(5)Natalie M.
4 stars for the atmosphere...I liked the ambiance and decor of the joint 3 stars for presentation...artistic and aesthetically pleasing 5 stars for the super fresh, thick cut albacore sashimi...probably best I've ever had anywhere! 3 stars for the spicy tuna...had a bit too much mayo in the mixture, which was overwhelming in flavor. This mayo overload was also visibly apparent since their spicy tuna was whiter than I'd ever seen a spicy tuna....it had lost that dark red color and was now a very light pink! 3 stars for the garden salad with the garlic ponzu sauce...a bit boring for a $7 salad....tomatoes, lettuce and shaved carrots? 2 stars for the salmon sashimi....a tad fishy :-/ 2 stars for the service...the waiter literally delivered the food and disappeared...it took me several minutes to finally flag down a busboy to get a refill on my diet coke! Will I ever say "Hey gang, I'm craving some En Sushi tonight!!"...hmm...probably not....BUUUT if I happen to be in the neighborhood and be in the unfortunate situation I'm in more often than I'd like...where my iPhone battery is dead and I can't access my Yelp app to find another sushi joint nearby..I'd definitely come in for a couple servings of the albacore sashimi!
(3)Kenna C.
Solid sushi spot. The bar area is awesome because the bartenders are fantastic. Also love that they have TV's.
(4)Analis B.
I luckily strolled into En Sushi one night, and was astounded at the interior, the staff and the food. With my group I was able to try Crispy tuna roll, shishido peppers, vegas roll, seaweed salad, miso soup. The shishido peppers were just like Spanish pimientos de padron, some with a kick and some without. My favorite thing there by far however was the crispy rice tuna roll. Amazing. I would return in a heartbeat.
(5)Lindsay J.
GREAT service! There was always somebody there to r.efill our water or take plates away. Not crowded on a Thursday night. They play top 40 music pretty loud which I found to be entertaining on a random Thursday night in a sushi spot. Above average sushi - I really liked the app with Spicy Tuna and Shishito peppers. Albacore sushi was also really good. Red Snapper, Yellow tail and Halibut were great. Baked crab handroll sans mayo was decent. A slight fishy taste. Not as good as Katsuya, but for only $5, was great. Make sure to check in for 10% off!
(4)Michelle L.
My husband and I started coming here years ago, the place has a tried and true feel about it - especially Damion who greets guests as they enter from the behind the bar as he has done for years. His warmth welcomes you in, sit at the bar or in a table - love the Green Tea and Spider Roll! Parking can be a challenge, perhaps be ready to walk off a little of the sushi you just devoured.
(4)David J.
Awesome. Happy Hour.. great Bento Box lunch special is a ton of food. Staff is great. Try the Vegas roll.
(5)Limzer L.
First to arrive during lunch with my colleagues but not first to leave with my colleagues... came here during a welcome lunch from my co-workers and had a fantastic meal!!! 3 sushi specials with soup and salad - brown rice instead of white - awesome! Spider Roll - Artfully crafted and tasted bad ass! Albacore Tataki Appetizer - So delicious and everyone loved it! Age Dashi Tofu - Loved it and even loved the peppers in it! 1 order of Hamachi Sushi - Fresh and easy, loved it! 1 order of Albacore Sushi - Just like the appetizer - Bomb! Crunch CA Roll - Crunchy and pleasing! Philadelphia Roll - Delicious and nothing wrong to say about this one. 1 Small Hot Sake - Piping Hot and fantastic! 4 Iced Green Teas - Pleasant and refreshing! I'd come back!!!
(4)Mr. L.
Great Happy Hour food & drink deals. Enough said.
(4)Kevin A.
One of the best Sushi places I've been to!! Everything was great especially our Waitress I believe her name was Cartoon or something like that.. I think it's out new Sushi Spot here in SM!
(4)Esther C.
My boyfriend and I went here on a whim while looking for a place to eat (there are a ton of places near my apartment to walk to) and we stopped into En Sushi. The hostesses and wait-staff were all incredibly friendly~ and sat us at a cozy table immediately. The entire night we had really great service as were well taken care of. The food was delicious, cocktails were tasty, and service was excellent. En Sushi is a great date place and can also be great for large groups. Park on the street for free parking (meters are free after 8) and take advantage of their happy hour menu!
(4)Kelly J.
I've been coming here for years and don't believe I've ever been disappointed. Twice now I've gone for the omakase and it's just positively insanely delicious. My bf and I ordered two dinners thinking we'd be able to try a little bit of everything, it turned out to be a whole lot of food! Being ambitious eaters, we actually did okay until we got close to the end and had to call it quits. Everything was very fresh and excellent quality, beautifully plated and came out in a timely manner. The scallops, yellowtail and albacore really stood out, but the thick cuts of ahi were really out of this world. Alex, our server, really knew a lot about the food and he was really attentive to our table. I love how it's always consistent here with the amazing food and excellent service.
(5)Benjamin L.
Great food, amazing happy hour, the waitresses are kind and courteous. Saki for a dollar, cheap beers and extensive specials menu. My only turnoff was when the bar manager came in and before he told me that's who he was said he'd rather be somewhere else. So I guess just don't go there when the bar manager decides to come in and drink before his shift.
(3)J P.
This has become my regular sushi spot! The food is great and they have a diverse selection of sushi and rolls. Also, the waitstaff has always been amazing. They're friendly, fun, and take great care of you. This is one of my favorite restaurants for sure!
(5)Tori P.
Good sushi, great prices at happy hour. Spicy yellowtail and jalapeño heart attack are delicious!
(4)Tamar F.
Despite being sushi lovers, J and I haven't gone out for a sushi dinner since our trip to Hawaii four months ago. We just didn't think our places in LA could stack up to Morio's so we just went cold turkey. But now we were craving the raw fish and decided to try a new place in our 'hood. En Sushi is shrouded in mystery from the outside with its dark tinted doors and is clean and somewhat swanky inside. The menu was quite large and they also have a 4-page specials menu. Included in the menu was $40 omakase. J & I decided to split the tuna tataki sashimi, have a miso soup each, and then I got the spicy tuna and spicy tuna tempura and J got the rock shrimp tempura, crab roll, and albacore jalapeno roll. All of the pricing was on-par with the other sushi places in the area (i.e. $6 cut rolls). The tuna tataki was super-fresh and extremely flavorful with its garlic-ginger sauce. The miso soup was tasty and the tofu was really silky. The spicy tuna rolls were both very good, and J scarfed down his food rather quickly. We finished off with some tempura ice cream which was plated really nice and really yummy. Service was quiet but good and the food came out really quickly. Houston, i think we found our new sushi place in LA.
(4)Eric N.
I've always liked this place, and I've been coming here for several years. It's kind of an old-school joint in terms of the ambiance. The service is excellent. I wouldn't call the sushi the best I've ever had, and it depends on which chef you get, but it's usually pretty darn good. It's a much bigger-than-average building for a sushi restaurant, so you can get seated pretty quickly even on the weekends. Also, the Los Feliz location is a bit better in my opinion, if you're ever on that side of town.
(4)Ace S.
Cozy place with friendly staff. Food was A-. Will try them again soon since I have the sushi fever these days.
(4)Luciana B.
The decor is pretty nice, very different from the sushi joints in the same area. The sushi was ok. Not terrible, but not amazing either. The menu has a lot of fried stuff which is kind of off-putting to me. The seared salmon sushi was good. The baked salmon roll was really dry and not tasty, the blue crab roll didn't feel super fresh, the eel with cucumber roll was good, but the cherry on top was the toro-scallion roll, It was crunchy at first and then I realized it was frozen. They made a roll with frozen toro! It was happy hour time so maybe they were not fully ready, but, I think I will keep trying other places before I return.
(2)Janet M.
Not crowded for happy hour. One can't sit at the sushi bar if you're ordering happy hour. What was bad was even with my stuffy nose, this place reeked of fish. They need some serious ventilation. It did not smell good. Even if it was cooking fish, one can't tell the difference and you'd think it was rotten sushi!!
(2)Renata A.
Very good food we went there on happy hour and it was great.
(4)Fernando L.
The first time I came here I wasn't totally blown away by the food my GF and I ordered. But then we started coming here more so for happy hour and it indeed was a happy hour. At happy hour prices the food just seemed to taste better and it felt like we were getting out moneys worth. The beer, Kirin at $9 a pitcher is a pretty good bang for your buck. So, not to say that I wouldnt come here for a normal meal, but I feel that its just more enjoyable during happy hour. It's ballin on a budget approved. The gist... High point: Its an overall good restaurant where the service is great and you can count on your food to be prepared well. Its a nice place to so its not like youre eating youre food in a dingy room. Its got that trendiness without the crazy hype and the over priced food. Low points: Happy hour isnt long enough. Then again, is it ever?
(4)squirrel w.
So Traffic is stopped on santa monica blvd is at a stanstill for 3 hours a day and the happy hour sign screamed my name. $1 small sake, cheap foods, very few peeps ok for a quiet (very quiet) appy hour on a weekday...plus full bar
(3)Rick M.
Good sushi at a good price
(3)Quan D.
Feeling the Sushi cravings this last weekend, we decided to try one of the many sushi places just down the block from me, that I had yet to go to. En Sushi looked like a great place to go so we ended up here. We walked in on a Friday night without reservations, but were still seated immediately, which was nice. The restaurant - by the way - was quite full. We were quickly greeted by the staff and happily on our way to our meal. We had a few rolls, I believe the fried oyster, Z... something or other (bad memory) and a spicy roll with some fried onion strips. (ack more bad memory). Overall they were good rolls, the fish was definitely fresh and of good quality. I found they weren't particularly original, but that's harder these days with so many sushi places around. I still enjoyed it. I topped the evening with a lycheemartini, which I found to be very tasty and not overly sweet or dominating with the lychee flavor, just right. Overall it was a very good experience. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, it made you feel like you were going out on a date night, though we just went out to grab dinner. The waitstaff was very quick and quite friendly, and the food tasty. I'd definitely recommend stopping on by.
(4)Sue F.
Best happy hour sushi value in area. $6 for tall beer and sake. Good selection of sushi and rolls- always great quality. Add a half house salad for 2.50. Say hi to Damien.
(5)Maxwell P.
If not for Daniel and Christy, this place would be cut. The sushi is A-ok, but if you want to sit at the bar, 2 star macho man Damien, bar no longer a cool place. Damien is the new full time bartender, and we are new to the neighborhood and have not had the opportunity to be old times friend of his, so the attention lacks. He is always moody, macho and lame. I have seen him on many occasions drinking and acting very lame behind the bar, not to mention that he comes in during his off time and drinks at the bar. Lame.
(3)Paul K.
I live right down the street from En Sushi and really have fallen in love with the place. I have only been during happy hour and really have stuck to the happy hour menu because... well it's awesome pricing and some solid bites and drinks! The place has a really cool vibe to it with a really clean set up. The staff there is very helpful especially Kristy (she is the best!) she is the bartender on Sunday and Thursday nights I believe so definitely go and say hi and grab a drink from her. I really enjoy this place... give it a shot!
(5)Stephanie J.
Great happy hour, but it ends at 7 -- that's okay with us because it allows us to get an early dinner with our baby. Fish is always pretty good - not the best in West LA - but the prices are great. The garlic tuna sashimi is a must have. It's on the happy hour menu and it's DELICIOUS!
(3)Dinh T.
Get En Sushi in my belly! I always drive past this place in my travels to LA and I thought I would give it a shot. Coming in, it seems like another trendy sushi restaurant with a full bar. However, you are not blared by super loud music and an overactive staff. Quite the opposite, actually. We were greeted by our server Mari and took a seat at the bar with our sushi chef Furu. Plus one for an actual Japanese sushi joint with a real sushi chef. We ordered a good amount of sushi and we were not disappointed. We started out with kobe beef sushi and it melted in our mouths with the fatty and savory goodness that kobe beef is known for. Then we devoured our order of sushi. Tuna, halibut, albacore, octopus, salt water eel and the fried giant clam. Each morsel of sushi was consistently good and the texture kept the taste buds in a sushi euphoria for quite some time. The cut of the fish was perfectly sliced and our chef was a perfectionist on how he caressed the fish and masterfully controlled his blade to each piece of fish. True, there are other sushi places with higher quality sushi, but En Sushi holds its own because of the staff that stands behind the food that they serve. With great specials and a cool ambiance, En Sushi is a great place to go to if you have friends who are from out of town and want good sushi and a sleek LA feel, of if you want to feel hip but not be overcharged for some pretty decent cuts of fish.
(4)Elizabeth A.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is very cool and the food is great. A little pricey, and sometimes if it is busy the service can be a little slow, but other than that I really like it! Check it out as long as you like dark, semi-romantic atmospheres. It would be good for a first date.
(4)Jim M.
I'd rate my experience a 3.5. We went for Happy Hour last night [Thursday] and left stuffed and buzzed. We tried a few rolls and a couple of the fried appetizers... The best part of En Sushi, apparently, is this sparkly Sake that they have. My gf suggested this place strictly because of this magic potion. (I had a sip and it really is good) I liked everything we ordered except the Jalepeno Albecore roll... something was wrong with this and I could barely stomach it. Kinda fishy, which I don't mind, but not in a roll and not with albacore tuna. It seems they have a regular crowd for their Happy Hour and everyone was cool. Just no "wow" factor anywhere here that I could find. I'll give it another shot in the future and report back!
(3)Lucy Y.
The last time I was here, all I remember was that the sushi was mediocre. Well, after dinner last night, I'd have to say that first impressions are usually spot on. We made a reservation using Open Table (1,000 points, CG!) and were seated immediately when we walked in. The place has a nice vibe and we had a great table from where we could see (and partially hear) the goings-on of the rest of the place. Menus were brought to us, alog with a sushi list and a pen to mark down what we wanted. As we chose what we were going to eat, a martini-drinking lady at the bar thoroughly entertained us with her audible conversation with a waiter about her old eggs. And we're not talking the grocery store kind, heehee - I just love dinner entertainment! A couple different servers helped us, and both were very Japanese-polite. But one stood out totally. I've spent enough time with super-high-standards Ciara G to know what great service is, and this one server gave us just that. He was polite and warm, cleared our sushi plates without a beat, brought bf another steaming hot cup of green tea instead of just refilling his cup, and even asked if I wanted no ice and replaced my lemon slice when he refilled my water. Service-wise, this server rated En Sushi 5 stars in my book! Our receipt said his name was Minoru. Food wise however......... We ordered a bunch of sashimi (salmon, albacore, tuna and yellowtail) and sushi. Everything was plated beautifully, the slices of sashimi were thick, and the fish was fresh, but the sashimi was way colder than it should have been - to the point that a couple pieces of the salmon were actually crispy with ice. Ok, so it makes me feel better to know that the sashimi isn't going to give us parasites because it's been properly frozen, but seriously - let it thaw and come to room temperature. The rolls we got looked pretty good, but maybe we've been spoiled by California Roll Factory a few doors down because these rolls didn't excite us the way that theirs do: Hurricane Roll - pretty good Spider Roll - less good, not very flavorful Gulliver Roll - the eel sauce on top was saltier than others I've had, so it put it over the top in the salt department The sushi and regular bar looked like it was somewhat popular, but at 8:30 on a Friday night, the place was less than half filled. I'd have to say that now I can see why. On the plus side, we took advantage of the Yelp check-in perk of 10% off the total bill, and we got those 1,000 Open Table points. We also were served really quickly when we arrived very hungry, and I have to commend Minoru on his attentiveness - so I guess it wasn't a total loss. But I don't know if I'll be rushing to come back anytime soon.
(3)Bhavna P.
I was hungry and had time to kill while my car was getting an oil change, so I came in for lunch based on the decent reviews for yelp. Plus, it was nearby. I paid $9 for a baked salmon roll and $2 for a side salad which were good and the portions were appropriate. However, I don't know if I would go out of my way to come to this place unless I was already in the area and hungry. Customer Service wise, everyone was nice and accommodating. If you need a sushi fix and are nearby, I would definitely eat here for lunch. I can't comment on Dinner Service or Food, well cause I haven't had any here.
(3)Jordan L.
This place had pretty decent sushi, and contrary to other reviews, they do indeed have nigiri and sashimi, not just "kooky rolls". The main downside, IMO, is the price. It's not really that much better than a conveyor belt sushi place, but its 2-3x more expensive. The food is not the issue with this place, just the price.
(3)Susie K.
I was struggling between 1 and 2 stars. I decided to be fair and base it on the past few trips, and not just our most recent one. My husband and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night around 7PM. We both got the sushi omakase for $40, a beer and a soda. The food: green beans - i love green beans, this dish was good, but a tad too sweet for me calamari - okay, but i find it odd they serve it with pico de gallo beef rib meat - meh, don't order this. overly seasoned/salted, tasted like poor quality defrosted meat drowned in kalbi sauce garnished with weird potatoes and a really mushy eggplant cod - worth ordering. it was very good, but again, drowning in its sauce miso soup - too salty, not a fan of the giant shrimp head inside it sushi - gawd, where to start. out of the 8 pieces, only 2 tasted above average. everything else was a total disappointment (toro, clam, sweet shrimp in particular) the sushi does not taste fresh, it's almost on the dry side, some were crunchy and stringy. yuck ice cream finish - almost didn't get it. it was decent, see details below Other than the below average meal, we were really really upset with the service, or lack thereof. Our waiter whizzed by us without checking on how we were doing for the main portion of our meal. We needed our drinks refilled and it took way too long to refill them. The gap between certain courses were extremely long, and it was VERY apparent we were done eating. We tried flagging down 3 different servers/hostess, until one finally decided not to run past me and ignore me and ask what we needed. I asked for our last course (ice cream) and check. Our check came out with lightening speed. I set my card down, and that was swiped equally as fast. Our waiter finally comes around and asks how everything was and aren't we glad we didn't order extra dishes. He was trying to scoot us out the door without giving us our last course. So my husband kindly reminds him we're still waiting on our ice cream. He then remembers, and it comes out much later. I was tempted to just leave, but I wanted every course I paid for considering I didn't think any of them were worth the cost. We finally get it, and I don't sign my receipt until I'm done eating. I see our waiter walk about a few times eying the check. He's suddenly very available. En is decent if you want to eat lunch and are more into rolls than sushi/sashimi. I've had much better quality + better prices at Yen. If you are willing to pay a bit more, go to SugarFISH or Sasabune.
(2)Jacob M.
I had the salmon entree and the fish as well as the potatoes were excellent. The place itself is very attractive and that coupled with the great service and the aforementioned food nets it 5 stars.
(5)Ayaka H.
AMAZING!!!!! Too wonderful. One of the best restaurants in LA..This review comes from a Japanese person. I can easily give this restaurant five stars! This is the kind of place I want to go eat every week :) My favorite dishes are the fried crab, oyster, seafood sampler, uni sushi, and salmon teriyaki set.... The menu is very exciting if you like Japanese food! A reallyy nice,,upscale yet casual place. spent $200 for 3 people but it's so worth it I didn't mind :) Great contemporary Japanese food!!!!! And on top of that I like the ambiance which is a PLUS!! Definitely coming back :)
(5)Denis S.
Happy Hour: Everyday 5:30-7:00pm, and then sometime in the evening sometimes. Great sushi place, though to get happy hour you have to sit in a segregated area to the left. The happy hour options are comprehensive, though not all-inclusive. To participate in happy hour you need to order a drink (but it need not be alcoholic). Service was top notch. There when you want her, not there when you don't. The food was great. Not the best sushi I've ever had, but very quality for the price. The atmosphere was fairly posh, especially considering the surrounding neighborhood.
(4)Issen A.
This is my new spot for local sushi. It's a great price for the value and it's easy to find parking. if you live in the neighborhood..walk. It is kind of lacking for a scene, but rather than wait 20 mins and be hurried off at Hara this does the trick. The prices are extremely good for sushi about 7 or 8 bucks for standard rolls and 13 bucks for the specialty ones. They charge for miso soup which is kind of annoying , but it's cheap so I don't mind. They have a variety of different sakes and they serve hard liquor. The staff was super friendly and diverse. It has a nice big bar area if you just want to have cocktails and chat and there is pretty cool artwork on the walls. If the VIP experience is your thing there is a VIP table upstairs. I have been twice in the past 2 weeks and will definitely bring others back to this place.
(4)Vivian Z.
First off, it's difficult to find parking for this place. There is street parking but it may take a while to find some. The atmosphere of this place is nice. It's dimly lit and the decor is comfortable and easy on the eyes. However, the service is terrible. While the servers were friendly, everything was slow, from ordering, to refilling water, to getting the food (and we weren't even served the correct entree at first-- we ordered chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura, and only the teriyaki came. It took another 5 minutes to flag down a server and then another 20-30 minutes to get the tempura), to getting the check, to the server picking up the check.. Everything about this place was just slow. The food is great, but maybe not worth the price. It's expensive when it's not happy hour; you might as well go to Sushi Stop for cheaper prices and the same waiting time. The only reason I gave En Sushi a 3-star rating rather than a 2-star rating was because I checked in on Yelp and got a 8% discount.
(3)Nathan B.
Good happy-hour...but that's about it. Service is not that great, atmosphere is ok...nothing really that great about this place other than the HH.
(3)Daniel L.
I've lived in Santa Monica for over 10 years and pretty much defaulted to Hide on Sawtelle whenever I was in the mood for good sushi without breaking the bank. So I decided to check out En Sushi on a Sunday night because they were offering 1000 points on Opentable. We both ordered the sashimi omakase for $50 and it was plenty of food for the both of us. You can get away with sharing one actually. It included toro, clams, shrimp, conch, uni, yellowtail, tuna, whitefish -- really a diverse selection that was over and beyond our expectations for the price range. My fiance and I were wondering why this place wasn't busier.... Then again it was a Sunday. Our omakase also included a choice of appetizers, and the calamari, shisito peppers, agedashi tofu were all very good... the cold string beans not so much. Finally, we each got a yellowtail/scallion hand roll to wrap up the main course which was also very good. This is now my go-to spot for sushi here on the Westside and highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar and ordering from Yoshi. Make sure you ask for the tempura uni as well - also something very unique I've never actually had before.
(5)Lawrence A.
LUNCH HOUR FRIENDLY: YES FIRST IMPRESSIONS: What an amazing lunch menu. Sushi bowl for about $10 you can't beat that. The place looks trendy. I went to En Sushi during the week for lunch and it was pretty empty. There were only a few tables occupied. AFTER THE FIRST: *** Chirashi Bowl=*** A lot of fish for the price. The cuts weren't that bad either. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The Chirashi bowl for sure as it provides enough variety at a great price. SERVING SIZE: I was still a little hungry after the meal but then again I am a pig. Regretfully, I stopped by McDonalds for some spicy chicken bites. CONCLUSION: If you have that sushi craving at lunch, then En Sushi is the spot to check out. Just make sure you aren't starving before heading there unless you plan on ordering more than one dish at the restaurant.
(4)Barndi K.
Great service, free iced teas! They have great lunch specials that go beyond chicken terriyaki (though they have that too). GREAT decor, great menu with the price of one of those hole-in-the-wall sushi places.
(4)Helen J.
Sweet sushi. It seemed to me a more homey (yet still shishi) version of Sushi Roku. Reasonable prices for fantastically fresh sushi. The sea bass appetizer is pleasantly spicy and unique. And, though it's hard to mess up edamame, the app tasted particularly good here. Note: There's valet, but I didn't have a problem finding free street parking nearby.
(4)Bob D.
Been here a few times and enjoyed it pretty much every time. It's never too crowded and has a good bar. The sushi is very good.
(4)Cristina D.
My husband and I used to eat here when he used to live in West LA...it was walking distance from his apartment. Good sushi...in their menu they have fish from Japan...this restaurant was actually recommended to me by this one Japanese exchange student that I know. The ambience is very LA...trendy looking bar and decor. Expensive.
(4)Tu D.
THE freshest sushi I have ever tasted. I love this place. I enjoyed their Uni (Sea urchin), Ama Ebi (raw shrimp), Torro (fatty tuna), giant clams...etc. Everything I tasted has been great. The decor is really trendy and neat. Lunch time is also a treat here because their lunch menu is very fulfilling and delicious. Overall price is not too bad. If you enjoy high quality sushi and an great atmosphere, I think the price is suitable.
(5)Megan L.
Great happy hour, but bartender has a bad attitude during this time.
(5)Lara G.
This place has good sushi but it can be a hit or miss on service. Def. a place to check out as the prices are good, and the sushi rice is just right!
(4)Randi B.
En Sushi has quickly become one of my favorities. The sushi is really good and so are the "non-sushi" entrees. I'm always impressed with the presentation of everything. Who knew a Chinese Chicken Salad could be beautiful?. The staff is friendly, I've never waited for more than 20 minutes for a table, they have a great happy hour and friendly, attentive bartenders. It's near a handful of other sushi restaurants, but we've never tried them because we keep going back to En.
(5)Laurie A.
En Sushi is our favorite sushi spot near Westwood. We love the rolls -- like the rainbow roll and albacore jalapeno. The service and ambiance are great too. Most of all, we love that it's on opentable and we just pop in a reservation as we're driving there.
(5)K L.
Really, really average. The sushi pieces were small and thin, a bit wilted looking. The udon tasted like it was from a package which is fine but I expect a little more pizazz if I'm out. Philadelphia roll tasted gross w/ some un-fresh disgusting taste along with cream cheese. Fairly popular, decent 'modern' decor atmosphere, good service. Granted, a decent place for the area. But if you want good sushi, I'd definitely try some other place. I definitely don't think it deserved more than 2-3 stars.
(2)Jenni C.
i've been here thrice. first time, i made the reservation based on a recommendation of a coworker for my friend's bday. we wrote that it's his bday on our opentable reservation, and they put us in that booth near the back when we walked in. i got a lot of sashimi including some that were on the front inside page of the menu (the more premium expensive stuff). it was good, and the "premium" stuff was REALLY good. got this really yummy rich chocolate cake thing for the bday boy. nice. the second time, we sat at the sushi bar and just had 2 rolls. they were HUGE. we got full quickly. it was also the first time with the current bf going to en sushi, and he used to go there a lot, so the chefs knew him the third time, we went on NYE because the bf was kinda sick and we were staying in that night, but we still wanted to have dinner. that is when i chose the chef's choice, even though i sat at a table. i got this miso-ish soup with a huge shrimp head in it. it was really good and rich. dan had regular miso soup, and there was definitely a huge difference between the two. the first three things they brought me was ankimo (decent), something else (i forgot, this was so long ago), and these chewy little round things. i kept eating them, not knowing what they were, but getting curious-er by the moment. i finally waved a waitress over to ask her what it was, it turned out to be sea cucmber! i never had it like that before, it was quite interesting. after that's done, they brought out this tray of like 8 diff fish sushis. it's pretty basic, but the fish was decent despite it being monday and new years eve. i got pretty full off the soup and the fish, and it was only $40. decent. they have this nice sake sampler for like $15 or $18 with 3 shot glasses of sake and a note card with descriptions of each of the sakes and its notes. it's pretty cool and educational. i love it when alcohol is educational.
(4)Diana T.
Awesome place to go for happy hour--tons of metered parking on the street after 6 pm. The rolls weren't anything special but traditional rolls full of fish were only $4. Martinis (quite strong btw) were only $5. Definitely a place to go after work to relax or even to get full of some quite surprisingly well-made items. The calamari was goood as well. Ooh and jalapeno yellowtail was SPICY.
(4)darren s.
I have been to En a few times now and am overall impressed. The sushi is not the best, but it is good. My favorite part is the happy hour. It is usually a fun atmosphere to bring friends and get great deals on drinks and apps. There is a guy who is the bartender there that is always quick on the drinks and keeps the place fun. It seems like everytime I am there, the bar is full and the restaurant is empty....I think the happy hour is 5-7pm. Try it out!
(5)Christie X.
Great happy hour FOOD menu. Since they got into trouble for not having a special liquor license to sell alcohol during happy hour, their drinks are full price. But, the food was good. I mean, for $ 3.50, what can you expect? Two small spoonfuls of sauteed mushrooms, mediocre fried sesame chicken, but the sushi was good. Hopefully, they will get their license back soon. Friendly staff, nice decor. And a really helpful, friendly bartender, Damion. Thank you for your delightful recommendation. I know my friend enjoyed her cocktail, too.
(3)Carole G.
My friend and I have been regulars here for their happy hour but never again after Feb. 4! The En hostess rudely asked us to eat our happy hour at the bar or else buy a full meal to sit in the general restaurant area. The thing was that there were two tables of four that were completely empty in the happy hour section--yet she refused to seat us there because we were only a party of two. Adding to our frustration was that two other women had just beaten us to the restaurant by about 30 seconds--and they had been seated at the only two-person happy hour table. When my friend said she had often been seated at the four person table with just two people, the woman still said no, so we started discussing going to another restaurant in front of this hostess (in an almost completely empty restaurant around 5 p.m., no less). Did potential business walking out the door change her attitude? It did not. Rules is rules at En, even if your customers wind up having dinner down the street at Bad Sushi instead, where you ARE allowed to sit ANYWHERE to have your happy hour. That's the way it should be!
(1)Renee I.
The place has changed. I've been going there since it opened. A friend and I went there last night - 5:30 on a Friday night and the place was empty, maybe a few people at the bar. Two girls came in just ahead of us and took the 2-person table in the bar area, which is the only area where you can have happy hour prices. We were told that in order to enjoy the happy hour menu, which we have done for years, we would have to sit at the bar because the 4-seating tables in this empty restaurant were reserved for any larger group which might come in at that early hour. Otherwise, we could sit in the empty restaurant and order full meals, no discounts. But we have always sat at the 4-seat tables with no 4-person minimum if they were available, first come first serve and in an empty restaurant at an early hour, there was nobody to serve.. So, we went up the street to Bad Sushi where happy hour is at any table in the restaurant and the food was much, much better, the prices were nicer and the people were charming. We saw that en was still empty when we walked by at the end of our Bad Sushi meal. Goodbye hostess with an attitude! Sorry En, but your hostess shouldn't turn away business. You've lost a long-time customer.
(1)Andrew W.
The owner of this restaurant is a family friend... so I happened down to its doors... I was not disapointed. In fact, that was a great night. After all, what's better than free sushi and drinks? i can't think of anything but ifyou can then get back to me.
(4)Pamela R.
I love this swanky sushi restaurant. I think the atmosphere is trendy and elegant. The sushi is delicious as well. It's often crowded, but I've always been lucky and scored a table without a reservation with minimal wait time.
(4)lucky q.
Sushi is amazing...kura is an awesome chef as well as his colleagues....the bar only rocks when Damion is bartending...he's SO on the ball & serves it up w/a healthy dose of sarcasm & charm...great dining/drinking experience...need my fix @ least 4x per week!!!
(5)Marc P.
I stumbled on this place one night when I was heading to one of my favorite lil Japanese Comfort food spots Terried Sake House. Terried was closed so I walked down to En. I typically try to avoid the atmosphere heavy places because they tend to be all style and little substance. I'm somewhat of a sushi purist and none of the fancy garnishes or rolls with 6 kinds of fish do much for me. So I wasn't expecting much. I have to say I was pretty impressed. I got a sashimi combo along with some toro sushi and japanese red snapper. The red snapper was some of the best I've ever had and the toro wasn't bad. Overall I'd say i've been to better places but this spot is definitely more than just atmosphere.
(4)James K.
Fresh sushi and cooked entrees but only ordinary. Nice decor and vibe with an upstairs area good for large groups.
(3)sarah e.
This place is GREAT! I went once at 11pm and everything was fresh, reasonably priced and the service was good, too~! I recommend it to anyone in the area. The decor is extremely pleasin, as well!
(4)Caitlin G.
This is my neighborhood (walking distance) sushi joint, and I'm a fan. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it as good as other, slightly further away options (Hide, Sakura, Bar Hayama)? No. But it's a solid option when I'm feeling some quick, affordable sushi without too much effort. The main selling point of this place is the happyy hour, which is 3-7 every day. This is hands down the best sushi place happy hour I've come across, because the menu has a wide variety of options that are actually very reasonably priced. Delicious rolls and sashimi for 6-7 bucks? Ok, yes, put it in my mouth. I don't take advantage of the drink specials too often, but they have always been good when I've tried. Specific items that I have tried here that I love: yuzu sauce yellowtail sashimi (SO good), rainbow roll, spicy tuna on crispy rice, and some of the more basic rolls - salmon w/ cucumber, etc. There are a lot of solid options on SM for sushi, but this one has never failed me. Heads up: service can be a little slow during HH if they are busy, but I'm willing to wait for cheap and delicious.
(4)James W.
Great ambience and the wait staff are super friendly! We had the Blue Fin Tuna sashimi, the Rock En roll, and the "Spring" roll. The Spring roll had a cucumber wrapping instead of seaweed, which was kind of near. But overall we weren't that impressed with the taste of the roll. The Rock En roll was great! We'll definitely be ordering that again when we return. Along with the blue fin tuna sashimi which was soooo good. We also really enjoyed the Spicy Tuna Tempura roll.
(4)Phoenicia F.
Excellent food !! I had the spicy tuna roll. bomb.com . The ambiance is wonderful but loud still worth the wait.
(3)Justin N.
If you enjoy screaming babies, children playing "drums" with chopsticks, slow service, and mediocre food, then this place is totally going to be your jam! Something is just "off" for lack of a better term. The decor is fine, but it's a ruse. I watched a man stand next to his table, rocking his crying baby, while reaching down to snag sushi. I straight up saw him dribble soy sauce on the baby's face. Yes, yes I did. I've never had soy sauce in my eyes but it probably burns. Two visits and it's safe to say I'm over it, they have a happy hour daily from 3pm-7pm which is what lured me in but really, it's not worth it. Don't even get me started on the music, a mix of The Beatles, Mumford and Sons, AC/DC, and a cover of "Stand by Me" is not something I should be subjected to at a Japanese restaurant. And when your restaurant is at about 20% capacity, food really shouldn't take nearly half an hour. Shit, it took almost 10 minutes for someone to take a drink order. One extra star for a few very friendly servers, but that's about it. The chefs are slow, but that's not the servers' fault. One server in particular is such a warm, friendly spirit, but unfortunately a good presence can't carry an entire restaurant. Really, move on. Tons of sushi spots in this neck of the woods. U-Zen obliterates this place and it's four blocks down. I'd put up with terrible parents and their demon children smashing chopsticks on the table and glassware if the food was worth it but trust me, it's not. Oh Jesus Christ, I'm writing this on my phone while here and ANOTHER couple just walked in with a toddler. And is that another AC/DC song I hear? Time to goooooooooooo....
(2)Mister Y.
A forgettable and uninspiring meal that felt like it didn't happen. I can't say anything intelligent about this place because it didn't leave much of a mark but I will put forth one proposition for the staff to consider: SMILE! ;-)
(2)Mahsa S.
I love sushi and my husband didn't like it and only company me to sushi places because I love it so much. I was looking for a new sushi place and found here which is very close to my house, on our first visit Richard was our waiter and gave us an outstanding service. He suggested a sushi and well boom it happened my husband start liking sushi, now he is the one who always suggest to go for sushi and only here. I don't want to go with any other waiters and waitress not because they are not good, all of them are great but Richard is sweet and so caring we are so happy with his service all the time Thank you Richard
(5)Jon H.
The sushi is decent here. I usually go with the langostino roll = pretty good, volcano roll = good, blue crab hand roll = bangin, sautéed green beans = bangin, shishito peppers = decent, house salad = bangin, explosion roll = ok. The staff is friendly and helpful. Bar tender is cool as hell. Dude is ready to help all the patrons. Never seem him in a bad mood. The only thing is its very expensive here and is not worth what they are asking for. Way too expensive.
(3)Dana R.
Service was extremely amazing. But we were there at time they had only 3 tables. The sushi was average. Asked for easy rice and still brought out normal rice....
(3)Andrew J.
A good friend of mine recommended me this sushi joint. I'm not really a big fan of sushi; however, I decided to give it a shot. I came here around lunch time, so it was slightly packed. Within a minute, I was greeted and seated to a nice cosy comfy spot. The best part of this place is the happy hour menu, as there are a variety of selection to choose from. The happy hour isn't some mediocre leftover fish, but it was rather scrumptious and fresh. The waiter who was serving us was really genuine and polite. Everyone was collectively working together to keep the customers satisfied. Food was above average. Service was great, and the environment was awesome. This is a perfect place to take someone on a date. The only problem I had was finding parking. Other then that, this restaurant deserves a solid 5 stars.
(5)Ashley S.
Hard to find a place in west LA with specialty rolls, easy parking & ambience. This has it all. Has booths and tables along with a bar. Usually not overpacked and has great happy hour deals. All the rolls I've tried have been delicious!! I have brought many people here and everyone has enjoyed. Plus they allow spicy mayo & eel sauce - my favs! I am surprised they don't have more stars! I will be back again soon :)
(5)Marina S.
We went there for happy hour... Prices seemed to be reasonable but as you can guess we got smaller portions of rolls and sashimi Also, the waiter was polite but he looked like he didn't care
(3)Amy C.
Love this place! The sushi is fresh and the service is good. I've only been twice but was very pleased both times. Can't wait to go again and try a few different things on the menu.
(4)Jason B.
Overall descent sushi place. I prefer crazy rolls to traditional sushi. This place had a good amount of that. Was there with my family and we ordered a lot of food. So I had a chance to try different things. I think j enjoyed the aloha rolls the best. There wasn't anything that blew me away. But nothing was bad either. It was a pretty good averaged price sushi restaurant.
(3)Sue N.
My girlfriend and I went to this place. My girlfriend asked if her Japanese sushi chef friend works that night. Then the server answered that there are no Japanese working here. Are you kidding me? No Japanese sushi chefs at a Japanese restaurant? Well, we were already there so we ordered some sushi and chicken teriyaki. Sushi was mediocre but the chicken was so bad. People say the happy hour here is good but the sake they serve for a dollar is so small and the appetizers are mostly unhealthy deep fried dishes served at Japanese restaurants. Whoops! Maybe this is not a real Japanese restaurant. There is a better one down the street named U-Zen. We usually go there now.
(2)Sasha B.
Fresh and delicious sushi. I've been here a number of times and have always had a great experience. Sushi chef Josh is very nice and friendly and always has good fish recommendations.
(5)Dominique A.
I really like this place. Not sure why the reviews aren't higher for this place. Nice ambiance. Great service. Great happy hour. Great rolls.
(5)Jen L.
Good service. Fast refills. Nice ambience and table layouts. A bit dark at dinner. Recommended rolls pokyman and spicy Rebecca. The chef was happy to make me a futomaki roll it was off menu and a good attempt on their part. Not many places even take the request. We will have to try happy hour next time
(4)Dominique M.
I like the yellowtail salad, so filling! I also love that this place is open late so when I am craving sushi late night this generally my only option. It has grown on me I must say... Good average sushi, very affordable, open late, and usually has a yelp check in offer of some sort :)
(3)HyeYoon Y.
One of the best Sushi places I've EVER tried! I grew up in Japan, so pretty picky with Sushi, but this place is highly recommended! The service is always great, and they always cook all their food with tons of love. I've been coming here for years, and I have to say they have yet to disappoint me!! The owner is ALWAYS pleasant and the sushi chef, Josh & bartender Damian are awesome! Jenny was my waitress and she was super nice! Try their TORO sushi and Tuna rolls! They are simply to die for~ If you are in Santa Monica, MUST GO!!!
(5)Jordan F.
Everything was very good! From the service to the food. We were greeted when we walked in, were sat down promptly and our drink order was taken and we had our drinks within minutes of walking in. My girlfriend and I ordered 4 sushi rolls, the names of which I do not recall, but all of them were good. We also had the fried calamari salad to start with and it was delicious. Service was very good. My water cup was never empty. Overall it was good experience for us. I'm pretty tough on sushi places. My test is can the sushi stick together when I grab it with my chop sticks and if it does its usually a good sign, if it crumbles well you know how it goes. Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream is delicious as always! Presentation was good on all the dishes, very high end cuisine style sushi presentation. I gave it four stars because we went pretty late at night and it wasn't busy so I can't speak for their normal night rush service. I'm sure it is the same though.
(4)Mashty S.
Usually the servers in these sushi places don't have any personality. But Reese is a super cool chick. She was sooo nice and friendly and funny. The service was soooo fast tonight. Everything came so fast. Thanks again Reese.
(5)Juan M.
Great Happy Hour
(4)Brooke D.
Yummy Delish! We are regulars there for a reason. Happy hour from 3-7 is our favorite. Everything there is yummy. Enjoy!!
(5)Karen S.
This is our go to sushi spot! We love it. Their food is always fresh, yummy, decently priced and service is good too. We usually like sitting at the bar and they're so quick. We even have had take out lately and the orders have always been perfect. Try it out- fun bar atmosphere and a fun place to go with a group as well.
(5)Joey M.
Came for their happy hour. Great food and prices and the server was sweet, adorable and polite. The decor has class and liquor prices were the best I've seen at any sushi happy hour. But avoid the Peruvian restaurant across the street. See my review on that mess of a restaurant.
(4)Jordan B.
Great sushi! Great happy hour, great prices and great staff! I was very happy with En Sushi because I walked in off the street without even looking at Yelp. Whatever question we had about the rolls, our sever knew exactly what was in the rolls. It was impressive. This restaurant doesn't get enough love for being how good it is!
(5)Zahra B.
I come to this place once a month. My favorite here is ALOHA and Caterpillar. Service use to be good but lately getting slow.
(4)Shelly I.
Pretty good sushi joint in West LA. They have a sushi happy hour as well...They have a garlic albacore sashimi that is very good,,,my fav rolls are the Pokeymon, Baked Salmon and Baked Lobster....Very fresh and prices are decent...Service is good and pretty quick...Street parking only and Valet is $3.50.
(4)Laurence F.
While the food was okay, the service was beyond horrible. When we first got there, having made a reservation, we found ourselves standing around for over 15 minutes waiting for a person to check in with - no one came. We asked the other six people standing around in the small space you need to stand when entering the restaurant, and they said they hadn't seen anyone either. I finally flagged down a waiter and asked where the hostess was, they informed us they didn't have one. Luckily however they sent someone over to figure it out. What they figured out is how they accidentally gave our reserved table for six to the wrong party five minutes before while we were standing in the restaurant looking for the hostess. Since we had two kids in our party and needed less room they offered to give us a larger booth, which was okay, but still annoying. Then, we ordered drinks. They brought my MIL the totally wrong drink twice. They never brought my saki until all the other drinks had been served for at least 15 minutes, and food had already arrived. We never got plates (I had to ask for them) and they did not bring my MIL a fork to eat her teriyaki chicken with, she had to ask for it. On top of that, they never even brought us two of the dishes we ordered and looked confused when we asked about them. The service was also very slow, so when they did get something wrong to change it took too long. We finally decided to cut our losses and get out after becoming seriously frustrated with the entire situation. When I went out to the valet to get my car, I discovered that he had not locked it so anyone could have rifled through my car while we were in the restaurant. Advice? Stay away until their management learns how to train their wait staff and if you do go there, make sure that the valet locks your car. The one thing I can say is that the waiters were polite and seemed to want to do the right thing, they were just completely and utterly useless.
(1)Nadia M.
Let me break it down.... It was my fourth time here when that happened. There are few things that I liked about this place that made me come back. It's very spacious, friendly waitresses, daily happy hour 3-7. Food was ok. Last night experience turned my impression of this place 360. My boyfriend and I are always like to seat next to each other and not across the table. So when we walked in they didn't have any booth available which is understandable it's a Sunday night. So they offered for us to sit down at the table. No problem. We just decided to move the chair on the side of the table so we can feel more comfortable. We ordered drinks and the food. Everything was fine until young lady came to us IN THE MIDDLE our dinner and I asked my boyfriend to move back across from the table. Really?! Right now?! While we eating? Not a good timing. First strike. Why should we do that? She just said Could you please do it for us? ...what that supposed to mean?! ... Well we were so shocked about her request that we asked her to give us a few minutes... We turned around and asked the table that was next to us if we were on their way. And the ladies sad not at all, everything was fine. ... So we didn't see any reason for us to move the chair. Well that wasn't it. The guy who works behind the bar came to us and ask us again to move the chair back. We told him that we weren't done with our dinner yet. On Which he replied YOU WERE DONE 15 MINUTES AGO and Quickly left. Excuse me??!?!! He didn't just said that! Does he think that throwing a smart ass comments is acceptable in the service industry?! ?! So rude!!! We asked for a manager and shared our disappointment in their customer service... Thank you for giving us a discount from the total bill but we're definitely not coming back here....
(1)Keesha F.
Stopped in for the reason most people do with a place they're not familiar with.. Because it was Hella traffic on the 405, and it was Happy Hour. Needless to say, I shoulda kept rolling right past this spot.. Sushi was horrible! Fish was room temp :-\ but worst of all, the Krab mixture that they used in their Cali rolls (and as a base for most of their rolls) tasted mostly like Straight up Miracle Whip.. I gave them 1 star for the atmosphere but other than that, I'll sum out up with 3 words- Nasty As Fucc!!
(1)David S.
What a shame the the closest sushi joint to my place has to be so crappy. The rolls have way too much mayonnaise; the sauces are not very flavorful, mostly just sugary; the tables are too close together; the place feels kinda dirty. But I will say that the waitstaff and bartender seem very nice and efficient. The critical comments above are only an issue because it's so expensive for what it is. Were I knowingly going to go into a place for a mediocre sushi dinner, I wouldn't mind paying 20 bucks. But our dinner for two was 80. I ate there once by myself and the experience was similar (great service but below average sushi) and the bill was 35. That's way too much for that level of food quality. If you are considering sushi places, please do yourself a favor and go just one or two blocks away from here and spend your money where the food is worth the price.
(1)Tyler S.
A little pricey, but the fish is fresh and delicious. The good: The Black Cod Miso Handroll was buttery, sweet, and sultry, as good black cod always is. Freshly grated wasabi. Ask for some, if it doesn't come standard on your dish. It's like trying wasabi for the first time again. Clears your sinuses naturally, without having the tasteless pasty consistency of the fake stuff. Albacore Tataki Sashimi: Good, but the fried onions were a bit too oily. Uni: Best uni I've ever had. Creamy, refreshing, and "ocean-y." I woke up the next morning craving it. Mirugai Sashimi: Delicate with a slight crunch. Very fresh, and very expensive. Try it here if you've never had it. The bad: Their treatment of scallops. Each piece of scallop sashimi was wedged in between two lemon slices. The lemon was overpowering, and insulting to extremely fresh and tender scallops. Scallop sushi was COVERED with black pepper, which was again overpowering. The scallops themselves were some of the most buttery I've had, and practically melted in your mouth, but the amount of black pepper made them tough to eat. I had to scrape most of it off to enjoy them. They would've gotten a fifth star if they let their scallops shine. I can't help but feel snobby here, but get it together, scallop guy!
(4)Eye R.
HAPPY HOUR 4-7 $1 SAKE CHEAP ROLLS OPEN X-MAS & NEW YEARS A fun place. They have comfortable booths, including a big boss table elevated in the back. A nice place to kick it and have some sake and sushi in the afternoon. The happy hour menu has great prices on select sashimi and sushi, which were all tasty. I recommend the garlic albacore roll. Good service and ambience as well. A solid sushi happy hour option in West LA.
(4)Marie W.
Damian the bar man is so great! Makes all the difference. Often when you go out for sushi drinks are limited but not here, they have a full bar, sushi bar and restaurant. I normally sit at the bar as its more fun!
(5)Taylor W.
I'm pretty much the mayor of this joint, so I feel an updated review is necessary. EN recently changed management, and, as such, some of the menu items have changed. The happy hour menu is great as it is divided by price, $4, $5, $6, $7 and $8 options, as are the cocktails. You can actually get good food, sushi and sashimi, on the happy hour menu. Happy hour takes places between 4pm and 7pm. Check it out! Make sure you ask for all of the menus. This sounds strange, but there are often various menus, consisting of a real menu, happy hour menu and often a specials menu. The menu situation is a bit much, but I like to be fully informed when I order! If you sit at the bar you will most likely be surrounded by regulars, myself included. It is not my all time favorite spot for sushi, but the food is fresh and the happy hour prices are good. EN is my neighborhood hangout!
(4)Christina B.
This restaurant looks really cool from the outside since it's dark black glass in a corner. They have valet for $3.50 in the back or street parking. I was able to score free street parking:) I walked in and while the servers all greeted me in Japanese, I stood at the hostess stand for a while. Another couple came in behind me and all three of us waited a bit. So much so that I turned to the couple and asked if we were supposed to seat ourselves and they replied it was a good question, but they didn't know. Waited a bit more and then was seated. When you walk in, it is a darker ambience and is quite large. There are tables to the left and a full beverage bar with a TV showing sports and then to the right is the main dining with booths and tables and sushi bar. The lighting was nice for a romantic date until you needed to read the menu, which was also dark. Sense a theme? I ordered an albacore roll, tofu udon noodle soup, cod hand roll, and hot tea. Everything was brought out at the same time. I asked for the fresh wasabi but never received it. They charged me $1 for it even though i never got it!:( I ate the hand roll first with some ginger and that was yummy. Next I had the noodle soup and it was surprisingly decent (not too salty or bland). I ate in this particular order with the hopes that I would get the fresh wasabi for the roll but that didn't happen. The roll was okay--nothing spectacular but not awful. Hot tea was good but I had to ask for a refill once my tea was done and when it was empty again, I wasn't asked if I wanted a refill and I didn't ask again. Thirsty anyone? Staff wise, there were two guys and a female. One guy was more of a busboy and didn't speak a lot of English and seemed to be struggling a bit but tried hard. The second guy was great. He asked if I needed anything and brought things out when asked and he cleaned up after people and asked if people had ordered their drinks with this really friendly easy going demeanor. If all servers were like that. Sigh. The female did her job but she was the one that I originally asked for the fresh wasabi and never got so I can't say she was that great. She never checked on me and not once did she remember that she forgot the fresh wasabi. However, she remembered to charge me $1 for it-lol. I even wrote On the receipt--asked for but did not receive with an arrow at the wasabi charge. I docked the $1 charge from the tip. I would come back again with low expectations on service but there are so many sushi places that I don't think I need to. Yelp had a check-in deal for 8% off so use it:)
(3)Sammy S.
Visited this place after a recommendation from our friends- overall very nice atmosphere and decor. We didn't have to wait too long to be seated on a Saturday night which is always a plus! The food was very tasty and fresh but unfortunately the biggest downfall is the service. They could barely understand what we wanted to order, messed up on our drinks, and we had to request for refills and our check several times before someone attended to it. Overall if you don't mind slow and mediocre service then it's definitely worth a try since the food was delicious.
(4)jon m.
Nice sushi restaurant. I went there with my daughter for early dinner. Full bar as you enter. I was seated Immediately. The scallop sushi and spanish mackeral from the happy hour menu was very good. My daughter was In love with their crunchy tempura roll. Also ordered a sashimi set off the regular menu that was good. Jenny, one of the servers, was SUPER! I will be back to try the rest of the menu. :)
(5)Gail H.
Great happy hour! Sushi is great for the money during happpy hour. I think there are better places to go if you can't make it to there happy hour. Watch the parking before 7p.
(4)Jack R.
always an awesome vibe. great happy hour prices
(4)Abigail H.
Definitely my new go to spot! Gorgeous decor and service is great! I'm the type of gal that likes her alone time and last night, I spent a few hours at the sushi bar enjoying some melt in your mouth sushi, a hearty nabeyaki udon (see pic), and some ice cold sake. Mmmmm! :) I know most people don't like to dine alone but trust me, if you're a girl and eating alone at a sushi bar, the sushi chefs will take extra good care of you! It's actually very relaxing for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Oh, and they have a full bar..... looks like mostly regulars so next time I'm going to try that.
(5)Mary N.
Generally a good experience every time I have dinner at En Sushi. Waitresses are all super friendly. Love to order halibut sushi, spicy tuna on crispy rice, baked crab handroll, soft shell crab appetizer, shishito peppers, sweet shrimp and the cucumber special. Generally hits the spot when I'm feeling sushi. Service can be slow when the restaurant is operating at full capacity. We can always get a reservation, which is a plus.
(4)Stormie L.
the ambiance is great, and the food is good, but it's a very average sushi place with very average prices, and a very average menu. I'd definitely go back when I want some tasty sushi, but it's not a MUST GO place.
(3)Corinna G.
Great atmosphere, friendly bar tender (with a roll-with-it attitude!), wonderful happy hour food menu, however the sushi here trumps it all. I nearly left my husband for the baked scallop roll!
(4)Lauren R.
This place is great! The explosion roll is amazing! I also recommend the 911. I live around the corner and walk here all the time. There are plenty of sushi restaurants in the area but this one is the best!
(4)Joey W.
Love this place! There's a secret party room upstairs for large parties. Great happy hour everyday from 3-7pm. Their calamari is bomb! Also, they usually have a good stock of bluefin tuna.
(5)gregory g.
Love love love me some En Sushi--especially the HH! Great staff; great food; good bar and wonderful neighborhood chill zone!
(4)Linh Z.
U would think thus place would be packed but it is dead in here. I found the waitress, yes only one, to be disagreeable. Like I was bothering her and wasting her time. And the sushi was made by a Mexican. Now don't get me wrong, I am not racist. I bone Mexicans as much as any other type of guy. But I just can't accept a Mexican sushi chef. All in all not what I expected from a place that looks so promising from the outside.
(1)Joe K.
I had a great experience here, and I would chalk it up to two major factors: They were open on Christmas (jews gotta grub) And they had a great happy hour menu (cant beat $1 sake) I thought the sushi was not memorable, decent, but far from mind blowing. But hey, I did not go out with those expectations on Christmas day. Over all the drinks were cheap, the service was attentive, the decor was fairly upscale and the food was good and did not give me exotic stomach parasites (that I know of). 8/10: would drink until the food tastes amazing again.
(4)F B.
The ambiance is great I love it . We try sushami salad and baked salmon . This is one of the best sushi restaurant in this area . Finally we check in here and we get the 8% off from here .:))
(5)Tej S.
I give this place a total of 3.5 stars, but I would give this place 4 if the prices weren't so high. I can't knock them off based on price alone so they can get by with a close call four star rating. I came here for a friend's birthday dinner and ordered the eel avocado roll, while my friends ordered several rolls, appetizers, beer and sake. The food was good and the chefs, waiters, and staff were very friendly! I really like when service is top notch at a restaurant. After all, even though it's near impossible to replicate most restaurant dishes; in my opinion, it's the service that you pay for. When you check in on yelp and show the waitress, she takes off 8% of the bill. I guess that might make up for their pricey rolls. Oh well, I'll come back here again for the happy hour sometime :) Thanks for the friendly service and the good times En Sushi! -Tej
(4)Robert M.
Great food,enjoyed the atmosphere and it was affordable. Totally recommend this place.
(5)Sam G.
This place is horrible . I am telling you happy hour is a hoax. They serve frozen bad quality fish. Goto BAD sushi you will get more for your money. The waiters r rudr
(1)Natisse N.
The sushi here is so bomb!! An old boss is mine took me here for the first time, he's Japanese and knows all the best places in LA. We still meet once a month for dinner and this is our go to place. The staff is friendly, the chefs know what they're doing and we always let them surprise us for dessert. Highly recommended, check it out you won't be disappointed
(5)Jeff K.
En Sushi is a hip Japanese hangout for the middle aged Santa Monica commuter. There is no better place to stop by for a drink and a roll, especially during happy hour from 4pm-7pm. I especially enjoy how the theme of the restaurant is western wooden with a splash of Asian. Kind of like Elephant Bar in Japan. My experience with En Sushi: After a long day of urban planning antics, my frustrations with traffic congestion led me to pull over for some fish and beer. Parking is easy if you do street parking, but be very sure to pay the meter and set your alarm for 1 hour because literally 3 minutes passed on my meter and an enforcement guy came cruising over to my car. I got a Sapporo and a Crunch Roll (which is basically just shrimp tempura). Crunch rolls are a pretty safe bet, and as such it was not bad. The ginger was fresh (you can tell by the color, yellow = fresh, pink = don't eat it) and I always judge a sushi place but the quality of its ginger. So in that respect, this place deserves an A. I wouldn't come here outside of happy hour since everything on the menu seems overpriced. But service was fantastic if you sit at the bar: Damion, the bartender, is awesome. He gave me tips about avoiding traffic and also held onto my card because I left it behind. (oops) You'll know if he's working if you here some guy yell "Irashai!" as you walk in. Until next time En Sushi...
(4)Chevy L.
Just as I was thinking this place could not be more average and forgettable, the owner /manager found a way to make me remember...that I'm not coming back. A friend and I checked this joint out for lunch and it was average Japanese fare at average prices. We ordered several entrees and appetizers to split and when asked how everything was by what I presume to be the owner, I answered honestly that the seaweed salad was really tough, and not that great. His response was incredible, he took the plate away and said loudly "everyone else likes it!". WRONG ANSWER. He left the salad on the bill (even though we only had one gross bite) and so i emptied his mint jar on the way out. An eye for an eye. Don't bother with this place. Bad food, no customer service.
(1)Emily B.
I'm so surprised to see so many negative reviews! I tried En Sushi for the first time on Saturday night and thought it was really good! We actually tried to walk-in without a reservation at Uzen but the wait was really long (late night happy hour will do that!) so my husband and I walked down SM Blvd and decided on En Sushi. They weren't crowded so we were seated right away and our drinks came in just a few minutes after we sat down. All the rolls were really good, and the sushi was fresh. I really liked the steak teriyaki though, it was really flavorful and came out on one of those sizzling iron plates. And the tempura was crispy and light. The only thing I didn't care for was the seafood dynamite. I was expecting something similar to the dynamite at Hide (which is amazing btw) but it was more like a seafood stew or something. I was not a fan. But overall the service was good and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back! .
(5)Mahogany J.
Love this place for happy hour 3-7, and late on Thurs. and Sunday (starts at 9pm). Can't beat ice cold Kirin on draft for $2!!! The fish is really good quality. I never used to like salmon until coming here. It's soo good! Really have not found a better happy hour sushi place with these happy hour prices and quality of fish.
(5)Pauline N.
Why? Why!? WHY??! Why did I bring this to myself again. Ok.. I had really bad experience with this place (mainly the service, once the uni went bad, and once there were bone(s) in my sashimi and they ignored me), the taste used to be alright, my earlier review explained that. However, recently I read some of their reviews, Yelp's members said they just changed management and how good they are.. So I came here. OMG!!! I have to admit that their service has gotten better.. BUT their food was so so so so so bad.. I took one bite, my heart sank.. :( Teriyaki Chicken - Standard Spicy Tuna - Standard Scallop - It was like eating the scallop out of a can, oh wait no, out of a can and it was left out on the counter for days. Salmon - I have never had salmon that chewy before. There were a lot of tendons, it was simply nasty. I took two bites... Left it there and cried loudly. Eel - Standard Tempura - Standard, batter a bit thick. I can't remember what other sashimi, all I can remember was the food were either standard or REAL REAL nasty. No.. I will NOT come back.. *yikes*
(1)Sarina G.
En Sushi has a great happy hour, from 4 to 7 there are several items and drinks priced at a significant discount! And the quality of fish is pretty good too. Restaurant also has a nice ambiance, so you actually feel like you've gotten out for the evening. Also, we've always experienced such great service, they are very accomodating to families and always give our son his own little bowl, drink and chopsticks without us even requesting it. Definitely recommend!
(4)Stella K.
A little pricey for my taste, but have to agree the sushi was pretty mouth-meltingly good. Had seaweed salad (seaweed was decent, their cucumbers that came with it was amazing). Order of salmon & yellowtail sushi, both were really good (Price: $5 range for both, which is pretty high to me. I worked at a sushi place in a more expensive side of Long Beach and theirs is $3~$4 range). So I would probably explore some more sushi venues, but if I wanted to have a guaranteed good experience in LA again, I would definitely come back. Gf had a crunch roll, it was; well. A crunch roll. Haha pretty good.
(4)Michelle O.
Great happy hour prices!! Can't beat under $40 for dinner for 2
(3)Skyler L.
Not a fan, at all. The environment is the only nice thing there. I have been here 4 times (I don't know why I keep going back... there's a reason there isn't such thing as third-chances). Their happy hour is disappointing- the sake glasses are tiny and the sake is actually really gross and does not even get you buzzed (watered down?). Their sushi was probably one of the worst I have tasted out here. Blah. The service was awful. Will not be giving this place a 5th chance.
(1)Justin B.
So this review for me is going to be pretty average as I'm kinda tired and there was nothing that really stood out for me. The food, service and atmosphere was really nice, but the best part for me was the company which doesnt really factor into a review haha. We got there on a Monday night around 8pm and were seated right away and had our drink orders taken prompty. We had a glass of water and a medium sized sake order. The sake was actually very nice and came out in this really cool little sphere pitcher. We ordered our food pretty soon afterwards and we got a Spicy Tuna Tempura Roll, a Philly Roll, and an Explosion Roll, which was off of their MLB specials roll (as the phillies won the division title that night!). The Spicy Tuna Tempura roll and the Philly roll were awesome as usual as they are two of my favorite rolls. The Explosion roll was nice but my company and I agreed that the description was better than the roll itself. The food came out within 10minutes of our order. The service was great and our waitress was friendly and checked up on us often. The atmosphere was nice and relaxing being dimly lit. The interior of the restaurant had a very nice contemporary design which matched its 'contemporary Asian fusion' title. Overall we had a nice dinner there and I would definitely go back again. Its not on the top of my list to go back to but it certainly is on the list.
(4)Leslie M.
I can only speak for this place from a vegetarian point of view but YUM! vegetable tempura, fresh veggie rolls, baja roll, and GARLIC EDAMAME. all so delicious and beautifully presented. service was great - keiko was our server. so sweet and accommodating. nice vibe in the place. i will definitely be back. check it out!
(4)John Carlo B.
I love this place. I try and try to look for another sushi place as always as this but no, nothing can compare. The service is always great here. Everyone comes and see how your doing. Even the bartender ask if you want more drinks. Wow, I'm amazed. But the reason I keep coming back here is because of the sushi chef Oki San. Everything he makes for me is to die for. I usually get Uni, Ami Ebi, and Yellowtail. But Oki San always ask if I want to try something else. OF COURSE!!! anything the chef makes will be good! Service is great, food is to die for, what more can you ask for? This is my sushi spot I will never go somewhere else~
(5)Ralph G.
En Sushi is far from perfect but you CAN have a perfect meal here at a VERY reasonable price. Here are a few tips: 1. Friday night is better than Saturday. I don't know why but whenever I've come here on a Friday night EVERYTHING I've tasted has been extraordinarily fresh and delicious. Conversely, whenever I've come here on a Saturday, not so much. Maybe they get their fish in for the weekend on Friday afternoon. It's happened frequently enough to know it's no mere coincidence. 2. Happy Hour to get HAPPY about! 7 days a week, from 5:30 to 7PM, they have an awesome menu of drinks and food to thrill anyone in need of a quick fix of sushi. Or a pomegranate martini--or MANY other items. Be sure to try the spicy string beans and fried oysters. Spicy tuna (hand roll or cut) to die for. Albacore? You betcha. 3. While dining room service has been spotty at En Sushi over the years, the Happy Hour bartenders are AWESOME servers and deserve special mention. You guys rock and we'll be back!
(5)Miguel A.
Great spot for a date! Full bar, great sushi, attentive servers. Overall a great experience!
(4)Kate M.
En is an astonishingly good Japanese restaurant. The interior elegantly melds natural and manmade elements, like a stone mosaic backing a spacious booth, and a long, slender bar that evokes water, with fish specials written in glowing ink on a board above it. Service is laid back and enthusiastic, particularly when you order their beef tongue--the best I've ever had.
(5)chloe s.
It's just another typical hoity-toity LA sushi restaurant. Nothing special. I would not come here for the freshest sushi. I do enjoy their rolls but it's hard to mess that up right. I like their interior, typical $2 valet.
(3)Nick K.
En Sushi has an unmistakeable atmosphere... everytime I walk in there I feel like a Japanese businessman taking a client to a swanky Sushi meal. The place is so sleek and modern, and the whole atmosphere exudes class. The sushi is, of course, delicious, but a bit pricey... maybe chump change to that businessman, but a bit more than I'm used to paying. The sake selection is decent, and of course they have the big bottles of Japanese beer. Go here for a great dinner or night out... just don't forget your body guard with handcuffed briefcase in tow.
(3)Milee S.
This place was a decent sushi joint. We had no wait on a Friday night, which was nice. I had the garden salad, which could have used more dressing. The salad was crisp and easy to handle with chopsticks, but wasn't tasty enough. The sesame fried chicken, on the other had, was FANTASTIC! We got the philadelphia maki, yellowtail and I had to special order the oshinko (pickled radish) maki. Everything came out quickly and as advertised. My oshinko was made half-heartedly as the roll was falling apart. Philly was delish and the yellowtail was pretty good. Nice and decent; would come back.
(3)Chris C.
I've come here three or four times. The first time was on a Saturday night and it was busy but ironically I had the best service. The other times the service was pleasant but not as attentive. The sushi is tasty, fairly fresh, and pretty inexpensive. Their selection of Americanized "specialty" rolls is robust enough if thats your thing. The decor is pretty sweet for a sushi place, definitely not your typical drab bar and white walls, they've really got it goin on in there. Its on my list of sushi go-to's now. I'll def be back
(4)Alexa B.
Not a bad spot! That's if you can brave the westbound traffic on SM Blvd. If, however, you are lucky enough to live half a block away... well, you've got it made, baby! The drinks here are fabulous. The sushi was pretty outstanding, although I have had one better experience. I won't share where, because it'd be downright embarrassing to do so. OK, it was in Portland, Maine... but believe me, Portland has some kick ass restaurants. But back to En Sushi... the food was so good (try the gyoza, especially) I even opted to tackle the spicy tuna rolls (which normally would make me gag like valley girl) and thoroughly enjoyed them, albeit, I had to freaking drown them in spicy, spicaaaay wasabi. The atmosphere is pitch perfect for a romantic night out, or... perhaps you just want to get wasted in a fancy want-to-be Geisha House place. And that's OK, too. Like I said, they have an excellent drink selection.
(4)Oom W.
Just come back from a great dinner at En Sushi. Recommend yellowtail sushi and squid (+ mint) sushi :)...awesome. We sat at the counter and the orders were served very quickly and they were all really good. Our chef's name was Dillan, the new owner. He is a really nice guy. We were talking about beer and he recommended the $3 happy hour Kirin on tap. Unfortunately we just came from Superbowl party, and didn't want to have hangover at work...we were pretty full from the party but the sushi was so good that I still kept on eating. Told Dillan the truth that we went a few times to BAD sushi next door but it was closed so we went to his restaurant instead. Be back to try the bar.
(5)Jeana P.
I was pleasantly surprised when my bf and I ate here for the first time. Why you might ask, well because a reasonably priced and delicious sushi restaurant on the west side does not really exist, until En Sushi. Its awesome because they have a full bar too, so if you arent into sake you can grab the alcoholic beverage of your choice. The ambiance was nice and relaxing. Quiet intimate setting that is perfect for date night or for a group of friends. The wait staff was friendly, quick and very helpful when asked their opinion. The food was awesome and tasted so fresh.
(5)Ahmad A.
I understand being busy. But standing at the entrance without a host/employee coming by to seat us for over five minutes is not very professional. Food is not bad. Nothing to write home about. You will have had better sushi but also worse.
(3)Tiana T.
Looks trendy and cool, staff was cold and not very friendly. Went for Valentines Day and ended up leaving. Sushi looks good but at around $12+/per roll it should! Ended up going a few blocks down to U-Zen for happy hour $3.50/rolls. Valet is $3.50 here as well.
(3)Jean L.
We hopped over to En after finding out Nook was a 30 minute wait at 9 pm Friday night. I had ironically been to En just the night before for a late late night bite and drink. The place left a good impression, so I was willing to give it a dinner shot. The inside was surprisingly bustling with people at the bar, the sushi bar, and dining booths/tables. There was no wait though, and we were seated immediately at a table for two. Edamame to start was good. Sake came in a larger carafe that I remember at other sushi restaurants. The caterpillar roll and rainbow roll were standard, and pretty delicious. No complaints there! I loved the lobster roll - it was huge and just asking to bust out of the white rice/nori casing. Tuna, salmon and uni sushi - again, no complaints. Fresh and good. Salmon, tuna, and albacore sashimi - ohhh the albacore came with an extra light ponzu sauce. Meaty meat and just a tang of scallion and sweet. Our decisive favorite! Which makes me think, they do albacore well. I also tried the seared albacore appetizer with fried onions the night before. Those onions were simply like onion rings - addictive and fried - only smaller, thinner, and eaten with chopsticks. The albacore? Simply fresh, fresh and fresh. Finallllly.....dessert. I typically avoid dessert at Japanese restaurants because 1) they jack up the price of mochi when I can get a case of 6 for $4 down the street and 2) the only other option is fried tempura or plain green tea ice cream. At En? We opted for the "hot chocolate cake" with vanilla ice cream. I imagined one of those overplayed molten chocolate cakes. Instead, we were treated to this 4x6 rectangle of moist, fudgy chocolate topped with more fudge spilling next to a mound of creamy vanilla ice cream. Swooooon. Service was great. Prices were decent and reasonable by westside standards. It's never that loud you can't hear someone across the table speak, but you definitely won't be eavesdropping conversations either. Great place!
(4)Summer L.
We had a great experience. I went with my boyfriend for his birthday and the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic evening. Low lighting, not too noisy, and the food was great too! Our overall experience was a memorable one, for good reasons :)
(5)heather h.
The sushi is sooo fresh! The bartender Damien is the best server/bartender there is anywhere! I highly suggest here!
(5)Jessica T.
Sadness, my first 2-star review :( I had always wanted to try this place after passing by it so many times. We randomly walked in hoping there would be a happy hour on a weekend. While the decor is nice, the service and menu presentation did not make for a pleasant experience. During happy hour, there were 3 different menus presented (HH, specials, and regular), with confusing deals listed in the HH menu that our waitress even pointed out it's confusing to a lot of people - order 10 rolls for $1 off each? Have to order 10 rolls? Get $10 off for ordering 10 rolls? Something to that extent... Plus, there's a one or two drink minimum listed in order to get HH food, which we also asked about and our waitress told us that some customers get angry at her for the drink minimum and then leave less tip for her, so she tells them it's ok to not order drinks for HH food but management does not like it when she does. It's kind of off-putting for your waitress to be talking about tips even before you order anything. Plus, she kept trying to take away our plates and condiments before we were finished once we did have food. We ended up just ordering from the regular menu since we mostly wanted food over drinks, but for the price ($14 roll - the same price as places like Geisha House but without the same hype surrounding the restaurant), it was nothing spectacular. At least street parking was easy!
(2)Rob C.
dined here over the weekend; my first time even though i had driven by this joint 100s of times living on the westside. my fiancee had frequented the place many times w/ her friends before and she assured me it was tasty. started off w/ a bottle of cold sake for me, my fiancee and my little sister. i forget which one we had but it was refreshing and got the meal started in the right direction! we first ordered the tofu salad. now, i love tofu, cold and plain, agedashi, stir fried, etc. but this wasn't something i was "dying" to try. my fiancee assured me it was yummy. she did not steer me wrong! the salad is huge and comes w/ mixed greens, slivers of red onions, cold blocks of fresh tofu, about 4 inari aka 'footballs' stuffed w/ mixed greens and HOT agedashi tofu!! the dressing for the salad is a sweet, tangy concoction that's bursting w/ flavor. excellent! next was the yellowtail carpaccio w/ jalapenos. delish. perfect blend of spice, crunch and butteryness of the fish melts in your mouth. each piece of fish had a red, cracked peppercorn thingy that gave it a great added bite, too. next was the tuna w/ the fried onions, which come out warm and fried fresh. another perfectly executed dish. the sauce on it was bomb.com w/ grated, red daikon, i think. i was getting pretty buzzed by this point so my memory is a bit fuzzy. we also ordered some blue crab cut rolls so we could share. it was meh; kinda dry and not too exciting. i'd pass on this one. also had the yellowtail w/ jalapeno cut roll. my fiancee loves jalapenos so we gave this a try. the jalapeno chunks were huge and a bit overpowering for me; i had to take most of them out to finish the roll, which was kinda boring. all and all a superb meal. friendly service, good prices, no wait, fresh fish, yummy yummy. will return for sure.
(4)Morgan R.
The service is not good and the sushi is nothing special for the price. Cool ambiance but eh I wouldn't go back.
(2)Yiwen S.
ohh good sushi, the amount of money i throw away on you. the assortment of cold appetizers (sashimi, carpaccio or tartare) are to die for. the nigiri here is fantastic. the fatty tuna is soo fresh but soo pricey. is it a good trade-off if my stomach is happy but my wallet is sad? yessiree!! the restaurant is very fancy schmancy, like an expensive sushi restaurant should be i guess. but still, great ambience and excellent service. i've never come here for the hh because personally, i don't think it's that great of a deal. i LOVE raw fish, and their hh menu doesn't really offer anything good in that sense - only cooked rolls and cooked appetizers. if you love to drink though, $5 hot sake is great! it can be kinda difficult to find parking in this area around dinner time. it's doable because of all the small side streets nearby, but you might have to park a block or two away and walk. it's completely worth the time it takes to circle and find a spot! and this is west la people, so there's gonna be tight spots that your car can fit into, but it's gonna take a billion tries to get your car parallel parked into that spot. beware of shitty parkers and people who will dink your car when they try to move theirs.
(4)John R.
Pretty good. Sushi was decent. Rolls were OK. Full physical bar, and sushi bar as well.
(3)Ryan M.
Spectacular happy hour selection! I can stuff my face without busting the bank.
(4)Midnight B.
Ok here's why I give this place only 1 star. The food is not that bad although one thing I tried, some sort of 3 roll combo came with the blandest assortment of rolls and I was really dissapointed. Other things I have tried here are good though, but let me share why I was so angered last night. Friend and I walk in at 1030pm to eat, i ask " are you still open?" ( b/c I do realize its a little late for a Tuesday night) why b/c there are a lot of times that when you walk to a place and they're about to close you have to rush and you feel terrible for holding up the people that work there and I HATE THAT FEELING. Host says "oh yes only 1030 sure". So my friend and I sit at the sushi bar, immediatley after we sit waiter is on top of us to get our order and literally 5 minutes later tells us that kitchen is going to close. So I went off, I told them its ridiculous to tell the customer that you're open and then have the kitchen close in 10 minutes, if that's the case, you should be honest and say "well kitchen is about to close in 10 minutes" he then goes to argue with me to tell me what normal closing time for a restaurant is, I didn't ask what normal time is, nor do i give a damn, if i ask a host an honest question, i expect an honest answer. I don't want you to prove that you were right in what you did, b/c you aren't and not only will i NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN, I WILL STOP RECOMMENDING THIS PLACE AS GOOD AFFORDABLE SUSHI TO EVERYONE I KNOW. I never complain and never say anything to waiters/host but this time I felt manipulated, b/c he really wanted the business, but didn't want to stay a minute past when he wanted to, and lied. bad business!!!!!
(1)Adrienne H.
New happy hour from 4-7 everyday with a big selection. Nice change from U-zen down the street which is a favorite of mine. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, which always makes my experience way more enjoyable. We tried the half shell oysters (not on hh menu but still reasonable at $10 for 4) which were very fresh and delicious. We will be going back and this may become a new regular happy hour sushi place.
(5)Jack Andrew C.
Giving it a four based solely on the bar. The food is just ok, but the 4-7 everyday happy hour make this place great.
(4)Lauren B.
Ok, last night I re-tried En Sushi and had a very good experience. This time at the sushi bar. The sushi chef we had was super efficient and very smiley! Everything I tried was very fresh tasting, unlike my last experience... Even though this place is $$$ and I'm working with a $ budget, I will always come back for a quick bite in walking distance. Next time I will come for happy hour because I learned that when you eat at the bar bar (not the sushi bar) there are specials on drinks, appetizers and sushi too!
(5)Danielle F.
I love coming here for a little wine and sushi action after work. Particularly because the happy hour is awesome and they have a TV if you want to catch any evening sports games. (great for basketball season) It's a small bar area so get there early so you have plenty of time to relax and try the great sushi.
(4)Stephanie D.
Fresh, yummy, decent priced sushi with friendly employees to boot. I didn't eat sushi for months after a bad experience, but En brought me back into the game. We had some of the most delicious salmon I've ever had in addition to some other various types of sashimi. The whole experience was great and I would gladly go back anytime.
(4)JC K.
"Oh wow. This place is way nicer than I remembered" Confession: I've been really drunk here. Really drunk apparently. Drunk to the point that it looked completely different in the daytime and this was just last month. The words, "calm down I still want to come back here" may have been told to me. I had no idea this was a classy establishment. Really. Wow. Just had lunch here last week with some friends and it's nice. High ceilings, sushi bar, posh booths. The lunch specials range from 7.95 (chicken teriyaki, etc) to 15.95 (sashimi platter, etc) Service is slow. I mean, it's a good thing right? We see the one sushi chef making the food. Slowly. But at least we know it's not sitting in the kitchen right? Ehh. One hour lunches just never seem long enough. I got the sashimi special with 6 pieces of nigiri and 3 pieces of spicy tun and 3 pieces of california roll. The food is very fresh. The cuts of fish were weighty. If I remember correctly - think they gave the usual - shrimp, tamago, yellowtail, salmon, albacore, and ikura. They were apologetic about the wait. Loved the spicy tuna roll and salmon they have there. All specials come with miso soup and salad. Good bang for your buck at lunch and there's a lot on the side street. It's hard to find a meter on that intersection. And take a cue from me don't decide walk in there sloshed and demand for water. and more drinks. Now I almost feel sorta embarrassed. Good thing I have no shame.
(4)L E.
tasted okay but smelled like fishy inside. The smell of the restaurant should've caused me to turn around and leave but I trusted the reviews of my fellow yelpers and stayed. Like I said... tasted okay.... but I want my sushi to taste amazing, not just okay. I'll go two doors down to BAD sushi. They were much better in my opinion.
(2)El P.
Haven't tried too many sushi joints in the area, but we're lovers of the raw fish and En Sushi has been satisfying and reliable enough to return over and over. We try a different special each time we come in, it's all really good and for the most part creative and original. From the regular menu we really like the Dax roll with salmon and shiso leaf and the yellowtail carpaccio with fresh red peppercorns and ponzu. The staff is really friendly and the service is excellent. However, there's always an extra plate at the table for each of us. Extra tableware bugs me. It's not necessary.
(4)Andrea L.
I was a bit disappointed with what I ordered, because I thought a roll of sushi would be at least 4 or 5 but what I got was 2 large sushis for $15, which were delicious, but not what I wanted. My friend got a normal roll and hers was delicious. The place is dimly lit, which I'm not complaining about, and has a quiet and serene atmosphere. It's also got a TV and bar.
(3)aggie f.
The atmosphere and the sushi here are pretty good but overall I'd say this is overpriced for what you get. The sushi is standard good, fine fish quality etc, but the specials never actually change and the service is minimal. Usually when I go here it's out of convenience if that says anything
(3)Kristen H.
this is our go-to spot for a really fun happy hour. We keep going back for the sushi and because the bartender (Damion) made us feel so welcome. It's our new 'cheers' bar. He's a master with the martini's, a story and a smile. He remembered our names, what we liked to order and has become our friend. Good HH prices on toro and rolls...a wonderful find when we needed to find a new local hang.
(5)Grace K.
Love this place! It has a really chill and classy but not snobby vibe to it. The happy hour deals are fantastic and they even have late night happy hour on Thursdays and Sundays I think. I've been coming here regularly for 2.5 years now and the quality of service and food has been great every time. The spicy tuna tempura rolls are amazing. My friends and I especially love the bartender Damien!!! Don't let any of the other reviewers deter you. He is the fastest, cleanest bartender I have ever met. Seriously, you could probably eat straight off his tables. He makes amazing custom drinks when asked (try the AK for a yummy fruity drink) and is really fun to talk to. My roommates and I used to come here every week for happy hour largely because of him, and we always made sure to stop in and see him when we had out of town visitors. Be nice to Damien and he will take good care of you.
(5)Anastasia K.
The wait: We didn't make a reservation but were seated within five minutes. It was a Friday night (7pm ish?) and crowded but I was delighted to be seated right away. The ambiance: vaulted ceilings, dark and romantic, reminiscent of Celadon's vibe! The booths are more comfortable as the tables are too close together. I'm not particularly fond of smelling another patron's food, nor am I comfortable being able to hear their conversation about last night's mishap with the thing that needs more lube -- oops -- thing, next time around. "Can we talk about the thing later? I will put more of the thing on the thing later so I can put it in your thing." Uh, alright. Is this appropriate conversation to be had at a sushi restaurant? Wait, actually ... :) Our order: 1) Sea Food Sampler - Spicy Tuna, Scallops, Albacore, and Crab with avocado on chips. For around $8-9, can't beat this delicious quartet of majestic, culinary symphony. (Okay so I hyperbolize...) 2)Tempura shrimp, eggplant, carrot, squash - to errrm, feel healthy. HEY, you have to have your vegetables, even if they're covered in oil and fried to their core, alright?! $8-9 3) Dragon sea eel on california roll. At least that's what I think we had. I think it was either this or the Red Dragon roll, because I do remember it being slighly spicy. Oh wait, I think it had scallops? Ah, forget it. $14 4) Two pieces each of: Salmon, Shiro Maguro (Albacore), Hamachi (Yellowtail). Normally, the combination comes with Salmon, Yellowtail, and Tuna but I asked them to replace the Tuna with Albacore. The other combinations didn't pique my interest. May I say that the fish ... oh my. THEY WILL MELT IN YOUR MOUTH! I just wanted to savor it like a good, white chocolate truffle. Except, well, this tastes fishy and it doesn't have as many calories. $14 The service: Nice but not friendly. I don't really care so long as our waiter is NOT: pushy, aggressive, having a bad day, forgetting our orders, taking his/her sweet time, unkempt with dirty fingernails, but ... ARE incredibly good looking, considerate enough not to spit in our food even if I change my mind 3x, overattentive with the water, pouring 234732984 times throughout the meal -- I don't care. Is that asking for too much??? For $50-60, it was a cheap but satisfying meal for the two of us. Next time I go, I think I will order two combination Sashimi plates (same combo of Salmon, Albacore, and Yellowtail), the Quartet of heavenly bits, and a different roll. Maybe I'll just go crazy and order a non-spicy roll. I know I'm part Korean but I'll just be daring and get something bland!!! Parking: The first time, I just parked a couple of blocks away in a residential area (because I was meeting people there and I arrived alone). The second time around, since I had the charm-highness with me *nose up in the air*, I had to drive up to the restaurant. We valeted. It's $1.50 for valet but since he was nice (he had a kind smile?) I just gave him $5. Overall: I would've given this location a 5-star rating had it not been for the roll. It left something to be desired... hmm, maybe its NAME? What is the name of that darned thing!?
(4)terra d.
was about to go to california roll and sushi to try something new but it was packed and looked uncomfortable. walked down the block to en because i remember having a good experience. was seated right away. quick service, delicious sushi and chic atmosphere. try: crunchy spicy tuna, baja roll (MUCH better than it looks and sounds), explosion roll. the standard california roll and avocado roll on soy paper were superb. plus, unlike most sushi places, free refills! about $55 for 2. im not a sushi snob/purist, but im a little disappointed that this place has an average of 3.5 stars :0/
(5)Stephanie F.
En Sushi has the BEST sushi happy hour on the westside! My friends and I have been going there for a few years now and I have to say, I've always had a great experience there. The sushi is always super fresh, the atmosphere is great, it's never too crowded and the drinks are amazing! We always sit at the bar and the bartender remembers what our favorite drinks are! He's also pretty funny too! I HIGHLY recommend En Sushi!
(5)Samir P.
Ok...so this place is really easy to find. It's on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd (if you can't find Santa Monica, you're hopeless), and Barry Rd. It's all about finding street parking in the residential areas up Barry, or other surrounding streets. They have valet for a fee, but I try to avoid spending $$ on parking if I can help it. It's a cool looking place. The building has a big EN SUSHI sign. It's basically a big room, with a high ceiling - I think there's a second floor room in the back part of the restaurant, but I'm not sure. It has a nice ambience, with plants, and waterfalls and stuff, but they don't go overboard with it - looks very Zen. The first thing I see when I enter is the bar. No, no...not coz I'm a lush, but coz it's right there, when you walk in the front door. It's pretty packed at the bar, with people having drinks before dinner, and some people snacking on some sushi there as well. Anyway, so we had made reservations that afternoon for a group of 12, and they were able to accomodate us. So, getting seated was a snap...they put together a few tables to make one long table for us. As we sit down, the waitress comes around for our drink order - I start the night with a Mojito (hey...our company was picking up the bill, so why not, right?). However, I'm pretty disappointed. I mean...it tastes good, but it seems like there's hardly any alcohol in it. After that, I switch to beer (Kirin), since the rest of the table had ordered a bunch of pitchers. The sushi menu is quite extensive. Each of us soon orders quite a bit of food each. I decide on some thinly sliced seared beef, spicy scallops, spicy tuna rolls, and snow crab nigiri. We basically share everyone's order, so we get a big variety of things to sample. Let me tell ya...it's delicious! The sushi tastes really fresh, and even the rice is really tasty. You can tell this is one of the better sushi places. My manager, tries the seared beef and loves it. He discovers it's actually beef, which he mistook for tuna. Apparenty, he doesn't eat red meat...oops! But he sure liked the taste of that one piece he tried! Anyway...we all have a good time eating different types of raw fish, drinking, socializing. It's a fun atmosphere. The best tasting dishes would have to be the spicy scallops, snow crab, seared beef, sweet shrimp, and spicy tuna rolls. The California rolls aren't bad either. We actually have ordered 2 orders of tuna rolls, but no one really touches any, coz they're just too boring. Hahaha. I guess we're all into the more exotic stuff. After a few more pitchers of beer and some more sushi, we're all stuffed. And it's a good feeling. Although the company picked up the tab, I glanced at the bill, and it wasn't too bad. The prices are not cheap, but not crazy expensive either. Each roll was between 3 and 6 dollars. So the total bill wasn't over the top. Final verdict: If you like sushi, you'll like this place. It is good for a big group, but there were plenty of couples there enjoying themselves. You can sit at the bar or at tables, and the wait staff is friendly. I prefered the Kirin on tap, rather than the mixed drinks - well, all I had was the Mojito. The food itself is delicious - fresh fish, and tasty dishes. Decent prices.
(5)Niko L.
I don't know what happened, but En Sushi is not what it once was. The Lunch & Dinner Specials from before have been replaced with meh offerings & the quality has taken a slight dip. It's not terrible, but there are better options in the area.
(3)Satine A.
This place sucks. Bad. I walked in because I was in the neighborhood waiting for a massage, hoping to have a few nice sushi rolls before my treatment. However, I was barely acknowledged as I walked in, the hostess shrugged me over to the bar. I was one of three customers in the establishment, so you would think they would have attention to spare. It was seven minutes before the bar tender even greeted me and I had to ask for the menu. Once I had ordered several rolls off the happy hour menu the bar tender asked me what I would like to drink. I said water please, and he rudely stated that I must buy at least one drink in order to receive my order. I stated that as I was about to receive a massage, I wasn't able to drink alcohol, and I don't drink soda, but I was happy to order another roll if they would like my order to be higher. I would have happily paid for another roll, but I saw it to be quite wasteful of me to order something which I don't even intend to consume. The bartender responded quite rudely and told me if I didn't like it I could get out. I was very offended, and in fact, I did. I took my business elsewhere to the wonderful little sushi place right next door that had many more customers (for obvious reasons) and happily made me an amazing custom roll within three minutes of my arrival. No jerks or drinks required with my meal. I am thankful I had them to uplift my dining experience.
(1)Jade S.
Came here with my friends after work. It really was ok. We had the Ika steak which was ok and my fav of the night was the halibut poke that was served in a cocktail glass I really just liked it for the decoration, the food itself was rather tasteless. We sat at the bar and the bartender was nice but kind of shy. He didn't come around to check on us very often. Taste of food was mediocre compare to other sushi joints I've been to. I will save my $70 and spend it elsewhere next time.
(3)Kelley B.
On the way to our crazy Sat night experience, we made reservations at En to gorge on great sushi. I hadn't been here before, which is crazy because I am always passing it, but a few of my friends are die-hard regulars. The atmosphere is dark, loungy, kinda 90's-ish though. The service was incredibly spot on, and we never waited for anything even though it was packed. The sushi/main dishes were I would say not as good as some of my favorites, like Kanpai, but very admirable. The Michelle roll (tuna, yellowtail, crunchy salmon skin, daikon, etc.), hamachi kama, and tuna tataki were outstanding. I would come back for these alone. There were, however, a balance of kind of letdown dishes including most of the sashimi. Not that it wasn't good, but just not as good as others. Favorites - Saki selection. Service. Michelle roll. Hamachi kama. Tuna Tataki. Diablo roll (scallop, shrimp tempura, asparagus, spicy). Black cod. Not the best - Parking/rude valet. Atmosphere is somewhat early 90's loungesque. Sashimi quality a bit sub par. Rainbow roll. Price for quality (have had better depending on what you get). So if I could, I would do a 3.5, because there were those few addictive rolls and excellent service I would come back for...but probably more on a weeknight or takeout. If you are a I'm only ordering sashimi person, I would probably pass on this one.
(3)Jennifer L.
My go - to after work spot! Their sushi happy hour is the best in the city. Damion is such a great bartender!
(5)London M.
I am not an En Sushi expert, but I know a great place, cool vibe, and great food at HAPPY HOUR PRICES when I see it! My friends took me here for the Thursday and Sunday late specials, and both nights were killer. The bartender was a friend of theirs so we were set up with Hot Sake all night, and an excellent assortment of rolls, modern and classic sushi dishes, and a couple of flat screens to watch Laker games on. Sashimi, Tempura, Dynamite, Spider Roll, it's all there! An enjoyable experience indeed, and I continue to go back with my friends and recommend en Sushi to others.
(4)Rory A.
Service was great and the food was good, but not great. I've had better shrimp tempura rolls, which is my favorite kind of sushi. The other food was just good also. Nice atmosphere inside.
(3)Larry L.
Having been to a number of places on the Westside, I can honestly say that En Sushi is a good sushi restaurant - not necessarily great, but still very good. The sushi is reasonably priced and relatively fresh, and the cooked food in some ways is even better, e.g., the nabeyaki udon or tonkatsu. Moreover, they have a "happy hour" menu between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. that brings everything within a budget, i.e., reduced prices on appetizers, beer and well-drinks. Further, it must be said that a major reason for going to En Sushi (as opposed to other sushi restaurants such as Sushi Sasabune or Bar Hayama) is the atmosphere, particularly at the bar. On Tuesday to Saturday, the bartender is Damion, who happens to mix a mean drink and has - to put it mildly - a lot of personality. In reading some of the prior reviews, I've noted that a minority of reviewers have found him to be somewhat difficult. I think those reviews have missed the mark, as in my opinion Damion tends to be one of the best bartenders around (and this from a certifiable barfly). In turn, on Sunday and Monday, the bartender is Jazmine, who also is a very good mixologist and can be a sweetheart. Definitely recommend En Sushi ... at a minimum for the bar and the atmosphere created by the bartenders.
(4)Shellie H.
I ate here about 8 months ago and really enjoyed it, althought I thought it was a tad expensive. I just realized that this will be the PERFECT place to eat before I watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi at the Nuart Theater on March 16!!!!
(4)Alida D.
I fell in love with this place. It might have been the company I was with, but all in all was a solid place. The decor is elegant. They have real tea lights, not those cheesy candle light bulbs that flicker. Our service was great, oh yah and the food was good too! I highly recommend the Malibu roll and the Michelle roll.
(5)Wanugee N.
En Sushi is an elegant, authentic, and contemporary styled Japanese Sushi restaurant, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience! I have dined at over 40 different Japanese restaurants in the past 18 months, so you can choose to trust my judgement on this one. First of all, it is all Japanese. Yasu-san, the main sushi chef, is a pro and from Shikoku, Japan. He is a focused, polite and well trained. Kono-san, and the roll maker are Nihonjin, too. The waitresses are Japanese, and very attentive and service oriented, like the elegant and beautiful Akiko-san. This restaurant has both valet parking and a hostess to seat you. The restaurant decor is simple but elegant. A full service bar is in the front, which leads to the sushi bar half way down the left side. The tables and booths are comfy and can induce a romantic, sake influenced interlude or an elegant and memorable dinner with friends. The sushi bar has a large wooden Japanese fan that beams out like a canopy over the diners. There is one large, featured booth that mimics this fan motif in a high backed black fabric. When you sit at the sushi bar, you are greeted with the Japanese welcome clearly and with a smile. I highly recommend the $45 Omakase (chef's choice) menu option. This is not only a great deal, it is a great meal! And a lot of food! First you are served with a triple appetizer in a single 3-pod dish. This has what looks like a seaweed salad at first blush, but I really think it is baby negi (green onions) chopped into 2 inch pieces and pickled a bit. Nice! The second is a small tofu piece garnished with white raddish (daikon) and chopped negi, in a ponzu sauce, with a little bit of chili pepper sauce on it. The last was good to, but I ate it so fast I forgot what it was, but it was a bit spicy too, and delicious. You get a sushi serving plate with ginger, but since I went Omakase, it isn't necessary. You are then served with a nice pickled tsukemono, with cucumbers, and a touch of color with thin slices of soft but crunchy red and yellow bell peppers. Your first offering from Yasu-san the sushi chef is sashimi. 2 slices of pearly white ono that are like butter, and 5 slices of tender albacore, nicely plated atop shredded daikon. He offers you ponzu sauce, or you can use the wasabi and shoyu. Out of the kitchen comes piping hot Tempura next. A shrimp, and 3 veggies lightly battered and delicious, served with the correct dipping sauce from your attentive waitress. Yasu-san counters with your plate of sushi, which are 7 single pieces of nigiri, expertly cut and mouth watering, and orgasmically tasty. Saba, Ama-ebi, Maguro, Hamachi, and more, including Uni. Fantastic! The kitchen counters back with a gourmet's plating of black cod! A super tender, broiled piece, sitting on a mashed daikon and negi mix, an topped with crispy shoestrings of tempura battered nothingness that adds great textural contrast to the dish. Three thin pieces of Japanese egg plant chips add more crunch to balance the flaky morsels of cod. The kitchen also brings out a large bowl of white miso soup, which is absent of much tofu or negi, but instead has a full sized prawn hiding in its milkiness, with full regalia of head and legs, flash grilled and stuffed with what seems like chicken in the tail. I ate it all (head and feet)! My sake was extra dry, and served in an over-flowing flask inside a hako (red and black laquered box) which you sip the sake from one corner when the glass inside is emptied. Before the green tea was timely served, the signal that the end of the food offerings came in a traditional hand roll. This was great, too, with 3 pieces of eel wrapped with avacado slices, and served with the sweet teriyaki dressing for dipping. For $45, you can not beat this expertly prepared, well choreographed, and satisfying mixture of flavors, hot and cold, service, plating, and gastronomic delight, in my opinion. I was impressed! Go here for the food and service, and you might dine with a couple of the regulars, Harrison Ford or John Cusack.
(5)Dieter M.
En Sushi is such a hidden gem... The Sushi is phenomenal here and the bar is always alive until late night..Damion is the usual bartender there during the week and make sure you hit the late night happy hour 9-1130... a great menu of sushi and drinks at a amazing price.... Try the calamari as an appetizer..... it comes with a tomato salsa... unusual but really tasty... trust me enjoy
(4)Sagar J.
En Sushi is a regular hangout for my friends and I. We converge here for sushi once a year. The service is always very friendly and attentive, the atmosphere is muted and warm, and the food... just fantastic. I recommend the salmon & albacore sashimi, hurricane rolls, and Z rolls. If you're in doubt about how much to order (I typically over-order sushi), just ask the waitress. She will steer you in the right direction. My favorite is the salmon sashimi-- it really melts in your mouth. Note that you're going to pay for such good sushi-- three of us put away enough to end up with a $240 bill, but that's with a few drinks for each of us along the way. Worth it.
(4)Beth F.
With the great many options for really good sushi in this city why would you go here? After the movie we decided to get a bite to eat, something light yet tasty and Japanese food was the the obvious answer after a French film. En was about 5 blocks away from the Nuart and I had eaten there once before. Somehow I must've had too much sake to make my memory fuzzy because I certainly don't remember it being like this. You walk in and are greeted by a loud bar/restaurant decorated in what can only be described as a Japanese ski lodge. The hostess who sat us was pleasant enough and so was our server but she didn't seem to understand how to make my BFs martini (simply Skky up, nothing fancy tonight but she didn't quite get it and had to ask him a few times) and a back-waiter at the very beginning of the meal basically threw our share plates at us. Um, ok. I was curious to try the sparkling sake by Geikkeikan but it fell way flat -- where are my bubbles?? It's an interesting idea but don't bother, just get the "still sake." We didn't get much - cucumber sunomono, sake sashimi, scallop nigiri and a specialty roll "tuna fever." Everything arrived very fast and all at once so we got right down to it. The only thing that tasted very fresh was the salmon, everything else had a stale and not-the-freshest taste to it, very mid-grade. A few bites in something was tasting off - was my soy sauce watered down???!??? Seriously??? A dip in with the finger and tasted on its own revealed exactly that. My handsome beau mentioned he noticed the wasabi didn't seem up to par either. Come on En! Watering down soy and weak wasabi is a serious fail. And to top it off for this sad to mid at best sushi they charge the same you would in much much better places. It may be close to Nuart but after your film just keep on driving to something better - En was very Menh.
(2)Christina T.
I came here last night with my friend from Korea and my old roommate and her boyfriend. I really wanted sushi (as usual when I'm at a Japanese restaurant), so I ordered the Crunchy Spicy Tuna roll and the Freshwater Eel Avocado roll. The Crunchy Spicy Tuna roll was covered with crunchiness but it actually wasn't crunchy at all. The crunchies were actually more stale than crunchy. The Freshwater Avocado roll was definitely better. I loved it! The avocado gave the sushi a slight creamy texture, but not too creamy. The eel sauce was also great. The waitress was really friendly and fun too!
(3)Lauren R.
I was very disappointed and let down by this restaurant. The sushi was actually ok and the restaurant is nice-looking, but the service and attitudes of the staff RUINED my experience here. I don't know if it makes a difference if you go at happy hour versus regular hours, but the happy hour waitress we had was AWFUL! She originally came up with a huge attitude. I understand that there was not a lot of staff at this particular time, but there weren't that many people there and you still have to be nice to your customers!! My table and even the table next to us were in shock from how long we had to wait. I had to ask other staff for everything including having my drink refilled because our waitress would take 25min at a time before we had to get up and walk over to her. It's too bad the service was so terrible because the sushi was fine and I especially liked the spicy tuna tempura roll. It wasn't over-battered and they were a good size.
(1)Dan C.
Along with Roku, En is one of the better "fanciful" sushi places in LA that also includes that swanky pan-asian vibe. Both places have dark interiors that are probably designed to impress a date and their best sushi items are the larger rolls with at least one portion fried or cooked. Don't get me wrong, they use high quality fish here, but their best items are not their nigiri or straight up sashimi, at least at the current prices. I like a lot En, although what makes it worth going to is the whole package, not just the food.
(4)Tina L.
I dedicate review number 200 to you, En. *lifts glass* cheers! The sushi is impressive. As in, it's deliriously deliche. It's been a long time since my taste buds tangled with sushi as yummy as En's - and it only makes me eager for one more go. And that my friends is saying something coming from me. The tuna was sweet, the Dragon was hot, and boom-boom-boom, I only wanted to sate myself more with sushi, sushi, SUSHI! Outside of the sushi factor, it's a pretty loud decidedly unromantic spot (just because it looks romantic and secluded, doesn't nescessarily make it true.) At the sushi bar you feel like the dorky kids the popular crowd ignores as sushi chefs carry on extravagant fun Japanese conversations with their customers. That was the only thing I didn't like was that our chef was attentive at bar minimum. But hey, who cares as long as the sushi is fab? As in FABuLOUS! P.S. Save your money, park your own car, and just deal with walking a few steps in those Prada pumps, honey.
(5)jamie a.
Always good. More traditional. Not too many rolls, but a good choice instead of the factory etc.
(4)Joseph W.
I've been here several times and have never had a bad experience. Like a lot of other people have said, it's not re-inventing the wheel and I don't think I spotted anything on the menu that I haven't seen before, but that's by no means a requisite for a solid restaurant, which this certainly is. Their Ponzo-Gingery salad dressing is delicious, as is their Vegetable Tempura Roll, and their beer/sake prices are very reasonable. They don't really have a wine selection, although they should carry lots of different sparkling wine options as they're usually VERY good with sushi/Japanese food in general. A very solid place - haven't hit their Los Feliz location (which is like 5 mins from my apartment), but after having yet another satisfactory (and reasonably inexpensive) experience here, I think I might very soon.
(4)Scott W.
En Sushi is solid. It's no Nobu, but its great for a local sushi spot. Prices are reasonable for food quality and ambiance. Staff is friendly and the happy hour offers a decent selection of discounted food and booze. Albacore nigiri is my favorite.
(4)Patrick K.
Dug the fixed menu sushi and sashimi meals. However, it's a LOT for two people. Best for two couples.
(4)Diana K.
Bad to mediocre sushi at best. Horrific, arrogant service. Will not be going again.
(1)Meredith D.
I have to admit that any place that combines my love of sushi with my love of a great dirty martini has got my vote in the bag. Hence, this EN Sushi write up. With a mysterious decor, dark and red lighting covering the entire place, high ceilings, a regular bar and sushi bar you'll have a feast for your eyes and your belly here. Sit at a booth, a table or either of the bars and enjoy a cold drink and fresh sushi. With a full menu, those who aren't interested in the raw scene can enjoy the standard Japanese delights like Chicken, Salmon or Beef Teriyaki, among other things of course. Their fish is fresh and enjoyable. Where they loose a star, however, is that their rolls aren't as exotic or different from many other sushi places. Where they make up for lack of experimentation in their food, however they certainly captivate me with a full bar (I know, I know, I've already mentioned it...twice). Go with a group or on a romantic date here as the ambiance will keep you close and the drinks will keep you talking. The staff isn't overly friendly but they are efficient so you'll get what you want, you'll get what you need, though maybe not in the speediest manner. Come here to hang out, enjoy some Japanese cuisine, quiet chatter and of course...well you know...the beverages galore.
(4)Mat N.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots. They have a great mix-and-match lunch special for a measly $8.50. A small salad with tasty ginger-soy dressing, a bowl of miso soup, and a bowl of rice come standard. Then, 2 of my favorite combinations for main courses are as follows: Tuna AND Albacore Tataki or Oyaka Don Set which is chicken and egg with a special sauce over rice AND hot Udon noodles All that for $8.50!! The atmosphere is modern and sophisticated. I've also had dinner and sushi here on occasion and they are both good. Enjoy!
(4)Katherine N.
First person to speak about is their optimistic CHEERFUL bartender Damian!!! If you are a regular here you know I am kidding about the cheerful part, put either way damian is a great guy who makes a decenttt drink. The happy hour here is great and I am a regular who when you become a regular, they remember your usual order. I reccomend all of their stuff, especially their Sauteed' Mushrooms which are great. There are a lot of characters you will meet here, but they will be entertaining nonetheless!
(4)Amy L.
The problem with making friends is having more to lose. I Yelp-searched "salmon sushi" to find a location for a goodbye dinner and En Sushi seemed like a reasonable pick. I had walked by a couple times (I think I picked my apartment based on how much Japanese food surrounds it), but thought it looked too classy to be affordable for a young adult such as myself. But hey, special events call for special measures. FOOD // I am the Yelper amongst my friends, but I dropped them off first to get a table and order as I gassed up and parked. It was exciting and new to have a friend-based omakase since I usually scour all Yelp reviews for which dishes to get and avoid. I like being prepared and am paranoid about missing out on a must-try dish. I was happy with what came to me. eggplant :: Eggplant is one of those things that I hated as a kid and order often now. The Japanese make it my favorite way, a little sweet and chewy. Tasty dish. lobster tempura roll :: Nothing too special, though the lobster-ness of it is prevalent. pesto pescatarian roll :: Or something like that, didn't really catch the name. This Italio-Japanesque creation was a pleasant tug of war in my mouth. Started out with citrus flavors mingling with the rice and fish with a herbal ending. Very interesting. salmon sashimi :: Excellent enough that we put in another order after the first was gone. You should've heard my girlfriends groaning oh-my-god with their mouths full. That's right. ATMOSPHERE // Lounge setting with both liquor and sushi bars. We got the special lit table at the end of the room. Gave us a good view of the restaurant, but I also felt like we were on display. Our waiter was nice. A little shy and felt green, but he made good recommendations and was attentive. We were also impressed that he spoke fluent Japanese with the sushi chefs considering he looked pretty un-Japanese (turns out he's French-Armenian). Lovely, if teary, night. Good service with good food at reasonable prices. I will walking back over for the Happy Hour soon enough.
(4)Nikhil B.
I was pleasantly surprised by the decor of this place and how quickly we were seated. It was a busy thursday night but we were very well taken care of. Ordered the Teriyaki Chicken dinner which came with soup, rice, vegetables, fried potatoes and ofcourse the teriyaki chicken. Everything was done very well and the flavors were absolutely delicious. En Sushi has a full bar and serve a large variety of sake, we ordered drinks both on the menu and off and they were all well prepared and actually on the strong-ish side. It did seem a little pricey but I think the food, service and location warrant the prices they charge.
(4)Mark G.
Run of the mill food plus hip albeit slightly outdated decor. The sashimi was presented on a bed of garnish which was difficult to remove from the fish. The lobster roll was not very good. Service was nice and prompt.
(3)Marco C.
This place is very close to my wife's business so we go here all the time. The food and ambiance are great after a long day. Cartoon, and the rest of the wait staff, are super friendly and fun. Definitely recomended!
(5)Alyson L.
We went to En Sushi for the second times last night. The first time the sushi was great but service was slow and aloof. This time the service was spot on and the sushi continues to rock. My husband always gets cucumber sunomo and loves it here. It's filled with big chunks of imitation crab, cucumbers and seaweed. We ordered the caterpillar roll, crunchy spicy tuna (spicy tuna with a pile of tempura flakes on top), California roll and Philadelphia roll. All were great and that was certainly enough for two people. I thought $50 for 2 sodas, 4 rolls, miso soup and an order of sunomono was really reasonable. Plus, it's not in a strip mall like so many sushi spots in L.A. The restaurant shows a little wear and tear but has a great atmosphere, dark and cool but not trying to be a club. There is a valet for $3 but there is usually ample street parking in the area.
(4)Radiance L.
Go for the rolls, that seems to be their speciality. I recommend the Albacore Jalapeno Roll with Crunchy Onion (+soy paper=+$1 (does soy paper really cost a dollar?!). the sushi is hit or miss. the monthly specials on the first page of the menu seem to be fresher than their standard fare (your ole salmon and tuna). There is a bar. They have Kirin on Draft (always a plus). Dark Datey atmosphere. Nice service.
(3)Jeremy E.
This is probably a place to go for happy hour, not your anniversary. It is fancy, but it doesn't justify some of their costs. The sushi was quite expensive, but that is pretty normal for similar places. Although, there was nothing special about the sushi and if that is the name of your place, something is wrong. The service was fast, not speedy, but better than other places. I would go back, but only as a night in the town.
(3)Arash G.
Good sushi at average prices.
(4)Ashleigh Lynn B.
Actually it is a 1/2 star. Worst customer service I have ever had. The woman (long brown dark hair) was extremely rude and came to our table with extreme attitude. She walked away in the middle of taking our order to take another tables order, only to return 15 min later after I had already flagged another staff member. We had to keep getting up and finding staff members to attend to our table. Finally, enough was enough and I complained to the manager and he said, "I know, she is new." No one offered an apology. After seeking another staff member once again for our check, our original waitress walked over and said, "YOU SHOULD SMILE." I was shocked she had the nerve to say that after throwing nasty comments and dirty looks around. Everyone at our surrounding tables were complaining as well. NEVER EAT HERE EVER !!!
(1)Bill T.
This is the only En Sushi I will eat at in Los Angeles. The staff is very good, from the warm welcome to the chefs, all make you feel like you're the most important person there. The food is also a good value. The omakase is such a great deal for the price. In fact, it's almost too much food. The sushi is always fresh and very well prepared. Valet parking is available and I cannot say enough about the man who runs the valet lot. He remembers which car you had, is very careful, and always a pleasure to chat with. That alone starts any meal off right.
(4)Mike C.
My favorite sushi place on the Westside. Ok maybe I'm biased as it's walking distance for me and also frequently attend their Late Happy Hours on Thursday (9:30-11:30). There's also regular happy hour everyday 5:30-7pm. All of this is in the bar area of course but good deal. En sushi is great if you like good fresh fish at decent prices. My favorites Hamachi Sashimi, Uni is almost always good, Crunchy Spicy Tuna, Seasame Fried Chicken (Chicken Karage), and the Crispy Spicy Tuna (similar to Katsuya but not quite as good). The Oka cold sake is great too! Don't forget my favorite Tofu Salad too! So why not 5 stars? Cause it's not the BEST sushi I've ever tasted. Usually the best places are Arm + leg = you + poor Update 8/19/08: Finally tried the omakase and it was GOOD. I almost feel like when you order Omakase too you get fresher fish, since it's chef's choice. Its actually too much food but great to share except that there's only one nigiri each so if you both like one you are SOL. When I say share they can have try some of your appetizer or tempura not 2 full grown people spliting one omakase. The only thing I'm going to try next time is request the Ama ebi head is fried as it doesn't taste good to eat when it's been cooked in miso soup instead of Fried.
(4)M N.
We love our neighborhood sushi bar! En Sushi has the best staff - Dylan, Brian, Damien, Kristin, and Cartoon all rock!!! - and the best food!! Everything is consistently fresh and yummy - salmon, albacore and yellowtail sashimi, baked crab roll, sesame chicken, japanese scallop sushi, grilled yellowtail collar, vegetable tempura, and sweet shrimp to name a few... And happy hour specials for food and drink (Sapporo, martinis and sake) makes it even better. We're there practically every week!!!
(4)Elaine S.
One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants - I dine here several times a month. En Sushi always pleases with consistently fresh and delicious food, warm ambiance and good service. And you can't beat the happy hour prices!
(4)Jaime C.
I've been here quite a few times for lunch and dinner, and taken different friends and they all love it! Fresh fish that's not fishy smelling or tasting and big, thick pieces. I always order the sashimi combo and tataki and it never disappoints. Friendly staff too! Only thing holding me back from five stars? A bit pricey for the neighborhood. I hear Happy Hour is great so I'll try that next.
(4)Leslie W.
Nice place. Good for dates or groups for happy hour. Come here if you want decent sushi in a nice atmosphere. We walked here but there's some street parking, not much, and valet for $3.50. When you first walk in, it looks pretty fancy, cool front door, dark lighting and modern décor. The sushi isn't overpriced, it's about average. We came for Happy Hour (5:30-7pm) and it's half price appetizers and drink specials. Just don't reserve on opentable.com and expect to get credit. Ordering happy hour dishes voids your reservation. They have lots of appetizers, "land, garden, and ocean", hot dinner entrées, salads, tempura, udon and soba noodles and lunch options. I'd say the rolls are pretty good, not spectacular. Here's their menu from menupages, I found it's pretty accurate. Yes, they deliver. losangeles.menupages.com… Dinner entrées a la carte range from $12-$18 and dinners from $15-$20. Noodle dishes range from $7-$14. Appetizers are anywhere between $4-$18 depending if you order seafood. They also have lunch combos for $8.50. Not the best sushi in LA but average pricing and average sushi with some pretty rolls. Don't think I'll be coming back again just because there's so many other sushi places I want to try in LA.
(3)Carol O.
Good sushi. Decent prices. Really yummy spicy garlic edamame. Valet is only $3.50. Good, no fuss sushi on the west side
(4)Hikaru N.
en sushi is a very VERy good place for fresh, sushi. i sat at the sushi bar with my friend and talked to a a chef name MR. SHIO. he was very nice and made great selections... actually he made it OMAKASE meaning chefs choice. i loved it and definetly i go there once a month
(5)Jimmy S.
Great Sushi...Until I ate at En Sushi...I found west side sushi to be overpriced and overrated (compared to San Fran and NY)....En Sushi is now definitely my fav on the west side...Especially loved the Lobster Roll...Also, I sat at the bar...which was a bit entertaining...the bartender provides great service, but is a bit rough around the edges...the banter btw him and the Japanese staff can be entertaining but might be a bit too much for some.
(4)Lollie C.
Mmm delicious lunch specials- great prices and quick service! I especially love sneaking out of work during lunch time for their $10 spicy tuna bowls. Fabulous!
(4)Sarah T.
love this place! sashimi peppers are the best in town as well as their house salad! tad pricey but very good! love the ambiance in there too, very relaxing
(5)Sherley Z.
Not coming back here again. The sushi is made as if a kindergartner was behind the bar. My rolls fell apart and either were too thinly sliced or too thick or patches of rice were missing. Should have said something but my husband and I are not the complaining types at restaurants. The flavor was ok but definitely not worth the money or the drive--yeah its cheap but you get what you pay for. L.A. has such amazing sushi establishments that this is just a mental note not to come by again.
(1)lara a.
If I could describe En Sushi in one word the word I would choose is bland. I don't know the quality of sushi the rest of the previous reviewers have had prior to En Sushi but in my opinion the fish is not fresh. Yes, it has a nice ambiance especially for a restaurant located on Santa Monica but there really isn't much else to it except the atmosphere. I'd far rather go to a shady run down sushi joint than this place. They lured us in with the happy hour menu which hardly had any selection of anything worth eating and there was an one drink minimum. Each specialty role was like 15 dollars and pretty much tasted like nothing so we marinated our food in wasabi and soy sauce. Basically, if you have no respect for your taste buds go right ahead to en sushi but aside from that you'll have better luck at any low class $ sushi spot. I guarantee.
(1)Jennifer H.
OK, so my last trip here was less than friendly. Went there last night with a friend for my beloved happy hour. I'd made a reservation on Open Table to sit at a table in the bar area and was told once we arrived that they didn't accept reservations for happy hour. Ok, understandable. But I looked around and saw a "reserved" sign on one of the tables, which didn't make sense - didn't they just tell me they didn't take reservations? They had a couple of people sitting at a table that was pushed next to an empty table that could seat another two people. I asked the hostess if we could sit there, and she played the "ask the bartender" game. Ok, so I asked the bartender if we could, and he said that it was a four-top and it was already taken. Even though it was two people sitting at a two-person table, which was pushed next to an empty table that could seat another two people (um, us), in his mind it was unavailable. I'm guessing this was "Damian" that's been mentioned on here before. Yeah, he's the charmer that everyone says. After asking him a couple of times to explain the logic behind this, two spots at the bar opened up, so we just decided to sit there. Fine, we'll play his game. He wasted no time being completely gruff with us, throwing napkins and menus in our general direction. He's one of the rudest people I've ever encountered at a restaurant. Thank goodness we were served by a new girl the rest of the night. The three stars are for the still-awesome happy hour. The service gets nothing. If you want to enjoy yourself, don't sit at the bar.
(3)Zach B.
Great Plum Wine and vodka heavy martinis. The environment makes this place what it is, but the without it, it would have been easily lost in the plethora of sushi in Los Angeles. Also... nori shouldn't feel warm.
(4)Ivy S.
This review is just for the happy hour. Their food: two stars.. Rolls are mediocre, teriyaki dishes are over fried and drenched, their calamari, on the other hand, is wondiferous Their drinks: 4 stars. Pitcher for 9 bucks??? YAY! Decent Mixed drinks menu and very cheap well drinks.... BUT BEST OF ALL... DAMIEN, the bartender. He knows a good drink! Nice and strong! He may seem like an ass, but he's really a sweetheart and gets your orders out fast. He's also hot!
(3)Paul K.
I have been going to EN sushi for over 9 years. I have had sushi in many restaurants but EN sushi is a must try. They are trendy and do offer great service and good quality of fish. You will have to spend some money here if you like to be completely satisfied (around a $100 or so for 2 people) but well worth it. I know some of the sushi Chefs personally from over the years (Kura, Yasu, Yohei, and others- apologize for spelling error). They are nice and do a professional job. Taken from the seafood dynamite, the baked oysters, yellow tail collar, some steaks they have and other food from the kitchen to their sushi it's all tasty. Albacore, Tuna, Shrimp, Monk fish liver, yellow tail, sea urchin, and and and. I can say with confidence that I have not had a dish which I did not like at this place. If you do not know what to get simply ask them to surprise you or make you something special and it will be good. You can also enjoy this place during happy hour and sit around the bar area and catch a game. They do have a full bar! EN offers better prices during happy hour and they have a late one as well, around 9 or 10 at night. This is a great place to bring a date and either sit at the sushi bar if you like to interact with the chefs and see them work while you order or sit at one of the tables for more of an intimate and close environment. I have seen some celebrities here as well over the years (ex: Larry David, Tyra Banks). Parking is valet but there is street parking right across the street and on Santa Monica blvd. Enjoy
(5)Akiko T.
I've driven past this place a hundred times and it even looks like pseudo Japanese from the outside. I give them 3 stars for the good company I had last night with a group of us hitting the place for their late night happy hour. However, I got bitched out for the first time in my life by a mean bartender. Wow! It was certainly that time of month for him. He spazed out on us for being quite overwhelmed... It was awesome. I had a bite of their calamari and chicken karaage... tasted better than my moms. I suspected even from years ago that this place would be the mecca of Jive Ass Rolls! We walked passed a table with a Jive Ass Roll sitting on it and pondered WTH was inside it! We even approached them and asked what was in it out of drunken curiosity. It looked like ketchup masking mediocre quality fish.
(3)P S.
I'm surprised by the good reviews. I have been here 3 times now, and hope not to be back. The sushi just isn't fresh. Not even the edamame is fresh. Plus, the rolls are not good and fall apart. We told our waiter last night that we did not like the roll he recommended at all - we each tried a piece and left the rest of the $14 roll because it was not good enough to eat (and I was really hungry). He didn't care at all, and was like "Uh." Additionally, it's just as expensive as places that serve good sushi. It was about $90 (inc. tip and tax) for sushi yellowtail (1 order), sushi salmon (1 order), a handroll, the gross roll, edamame, miso soup, sake and a small beer. This place is a "must miss" if you ask me. Notably, nobody that I've gone there with has liked their meals either. Last night we ended up there by mistake (my friend confused the name with the name of the restaurant I had really said), I really hope it doesn't happen again.
(2)Risa A.
good food, good atmosphere, good location. When the staff speak the actual language, you know it's pretty authentic! Must say better than food is their alcohol list. Their cocktails are definitely a must try.
(4)Spencer D.
Good sushi and fresh rolls. They reserved my table for ten fairly quickly, and the service was excellent. Valet parking was only $3.50, which was a bonus on a Saturday night. Hot sake was reheated, waters were always filled, and the food was brought out quickly after we ordered. All of my friends enjoyed the experience and I could see myself coming back here again. My only complaint would be that of the price, but I was expecting to spend a good amount to begin with so it was nothing surprising.
(4)Debba D.
Came here twice in one week for birthday celebrations. Great place for a small gathering to enjoy delicious sushi. Great fresh fish choices. But the Crispy Tuna Tartar is heavenly - forget sharing this one (to each his own, literally!) Also, birthday or not, the warm choc. cake is mouth watering divine!! oh, don't forget the unfiltered Sake!! yum.
(4)cheng k.
I used to love this place, years ago. After a few years hiatus, I returned here and found my self presented with lackluster sushi. Decent quality but nothing to make you say "wow" But they were pretty busy so, hats off to you En Sushi!
(3)S. T. V.
Came here for happy hours on a Tuesday, the place wasn't too busy at 6:30pm. I liked that we were able to sit at a table and still get the HH prices. The HH food menu is pretty big, which I loved. I got the cosmo and it was a strong one. My friend's martini was also yummy and strong. We ended up paying $20 each, including tax & tip and we were full and happy. There's valet but we both found street parking pretty easily (metered).
(4)Ewa M.
Quick lunch with coworkers-long wait for the food to arrive. Overall, 3.5 stars (see fellow yelper Julie E.) We had variety of lunch specials, which came on one plate with lots of other smaller plates. I prefer bento box idea. The food was fine, but as fine as other Japanese places I've tried all over the town. It was definitely a cool lunch spot, for a salad, california roll, and few pieces of sushi, but that's about it. Their crunchy spicy tuna roll was full of flakes and sweet sauce. A perfect combination of sweet, crunchy and spicy.
(3)Anj C.
3.5 stars. Both times I've come here, it was because another restaurant(s) was closed or too disappointing to stick around. The food is good and I love that they always have hamachi toro.
(4)Erika S.
I used to live walking distance (about 5 blocks) to En Sushi and would frequently visit the restaurant specifically for its sushi and not its other menu items. The ambience is open, dark, with a modern Japanese feel. From the inside you would never know you were right along a busy street. I felt the sushi was always consistent and was impressed by its simple and delicate presentation. The sashimi/sushi menu included daily specials in addition to the typical expected sushi. They frequently had Tuna from Japan as well as Toro (belly of the Tuna--my favorite) also from Japan which looks and tastes different from the Albacore Tuna. Most days they would also have Aji (Spanish Mackerel--my 2nd favorite) that can be served tataki (chopped with grated ginger and thinly sliced green onions). The waitstaff and sushi chefs all spoke Japanese. This is important since many of its customers are also Japanese. My husband had his law school graduation party here this past May and my dad was thrilled to speak in his native language with more than his own family. He was also amazed that the restaurant served daiginjo sake--his favorite--which is the best grade of sake you can order. Not all sushi bars serve this particular type of sake (just a tip). Living in west L.A. I've tried every Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in the area. When I compare the restaurants in the immediate area (walking distance there is one cheap/fast food sushi place and a few izakaya spots along with a Japanese American restaurant long the same street) this is one of the best in service, presentation, quality of food, and ambience.
(4)Phoenix F.
Nice happy hour spot, with tasty sake, fresh sushi, and sweet prices!
(3)Tiffany W.
I love EN SUSHI! Great food, great drinks, great staff! I love the atmosphere they've created and now that I've discovered this neighborhood gem, it's my go to happy hour spot. :)
(5)Tiffany W.
Okay, so I have an addiction. It's called HAPPY HOUR. And EN helps me when I need a fix! There are a few disclaimers before you enjoy your 5-7 pm debauchery- 1. Get there before 6:30 (like, 5:30) as the bar space is small and the only place Happy Hour is served. Otherwise your happy hour becomes a crappy hour of standing and not getting served. 2.Don't bring your friend from AA like I did. Happy Hour participants must order alcohol to enjoy happy hour food prices. I had to order 2 sakes so my non-alcohol consuming friend could rock his green tea. (not complaining, just wasted ;-) 3. Don't be rubbed wrong by the fabulous "attitude" of the bartender. Sometimes he's cool, sometimes he's ignorant, but I think it's because he gets slammed by all the "happy hour revelers." 4. Ordered 6 rolls, calamari, wings, 3 small sakes, a small cold sake and a green tea for $55 bucks!!!! wait a second.....maybe I should keep it to myself....the last thing you want is your dealer running out of tables when you need a fix.
(4)Dth S.
can't believe i haven't reviewed this place yet! anyway, it's OK for what it is...NOT the better sushi places in town (by any means) but this EN Sushi actually has a nice bar area&looks a little bit like a jazz bar on the inside cuz it's so dark&tries to look all 'trendy'..but surprisingly, it has pretty consistent, run-of-the-mill selection of 'white people sushi'. this place is A LOT LIKE cafe sushi (NOT the interior tho- just the food).
(3)Lauren K.
Came here on a Saturday night - made a reservation- and when we got there, the place was pretty empty. The interior is really nice but honestly, it was more impressive than the food. The food wasn't bad or anything, because bad sushi is really bad. But, the rolls lacked flavor and the energy tofu dish we got was pretty weird (what was natto?). Anyway, not the best food experience, but I might come back to try more of the appetizers, and take advantage of their happy hour prices.
(2)Dennis C.
same as the next sushi spot in the westside... totally forgettable, not really that cheap, lacking in quality.. but has good ambience.... i guess thats what seperates this place from the rest of the pack.
(2)Mary F.
This place has great sushi and yummy appetizers. One warning, though, for those of you allergic to seafood like me - I did break out in hives after eating here*. I guess the sushi chef used a fishy knife on my vegetarian sushi or something. I want to say for the record that I eat Japanese food on a regular basis and I've only broken out in hives from 'contact' seafood like this like five times in twelve years - I became allergic to seafood on my eighteenth birthday.
(3)Yoshiko M.
A short drive from UCLA, En Sushi hit on five burners: (1) fresh, well-prepared sashimi and sushi; (2) reasonably priced; (3) open late (until 11:30 p.m.); (4) friendly and attentive service; (5) a plethora of menu choices. Our party of three chose seared tuna in a garlic ponzu sauce for an appetizer, and three different entrees (sukiyaki, salmon teriyaki and tempura and beef teriyaki). Dinners came with a nicely done green salad and miso soup. We were envious as boards of well-presented rolls were carried to other tables. If our seared tuna and the expression on our fellow diners were any indication, the fish met our yum-yum expectations. I am finicky. I don't like to settle on how I want my fish. I want it ultra fresh, pleasing to the eye, and not hidden in an overdose of some mayo concoction. Both raw and cooked, En Sushi passed my test. Valet sort of compensates for a lack of parking. Good selection of sake and other alcoholic beverages. If En Sushi were in Sacramento, I would have given it a 5.
(4)Jen T.
I came here with my friend after having a real craptastic week. The sushi was good, but I felt Sushi Roku was better. Maybe it was what we ordered. I ordered the Rainbow Roll and tuna roll... fish was fresh... but for that price I guess I was expecting to be blown away. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great. I give it 4 stars though because the sake was awesome. We had this interesting fruity sake that had hints of melon I believe. Nice vibe, nice decor, hip atmosphere... comes with a high price tag though.
(4)C L.
Great crunchy spicy tuna roll!
(5)Tommy K.
A little pricey, but well worth it. Next time I will stick to the fish only. It was so fresh and tasted amazing. Usually I order maki in case the fish at sushi places isn't all that wonderful, but after having a rainbow roll here, I will have to come back and try the fish on its own. As others have said, the real crab in the rainbow roll made it even better. The vegetable tempura and tofu steak were nothing special and those portions were average to small. I'll definitely come back.
(5)Augjer C.
Great late-night sushi + sake specials! Can get expensive but its worthy.
(4)Brianna R.
Meh. Food is okay but way overpriced. Service is not so good. I have not been back there since last year when I had an issue with the host and one of the waitresses. I did give it three stars because the banana spring roll is one of the best desserts I've ever had.
(3)Lisa Z.
Superb sushi, great staff, excellent bar & cocktails. Man, it's a good thing I don't live near this place, because I would be BROKE!! This was some of the most fantastic sushi I have had in a long while. I really enjoyed the spicy tuna tempura roll, and every single buttery slice of sashimi that I had... No really! I went twice during my two day trip to Los Angeles! It was that good!! I'm still dreaming about it... Plus the happy hour prices are really quite nice, and run late on Thursday and Sunday! Check it out, and make sure you say hi to Damion, the bar manager -- he's awesome.
(5)Jeff A.
My favorite sushi place in Brentwood/West LA (and there are a lot of them). In my opinion, it has the best combination of good food, good service, great ambiance and decent prices. I eat here with my girlfriend at least once a month.
(4)Greg B.
LOVE love love this place! Their unique rolls are delicious and the staff is always helpful and friendly. One of our favorite sushi spots in town!
(5)Savannah M.
Love it! Omakase (chef's choice) all the way, but with a blackboard menu to choose from. Delicious "specials." Regular menu, too. Lots of variety! Should be more crowded for the quality served. Great place to take a client.
(4)Frances Z.
The first time I came here there was steamed carrots and broccoli with my bento box. I was a little confused as to whether or not I was in my school cafeteria. But when I ordered actual sushi to go I was surprised at the great quality of it. It was delicious and fresh. A bit overpriced but not as bad as some places. I recommend the sushi.
(4)Jared W.
I've been here several times and I'm not going to lie- it's not my favorite. The food is good, but if you're looking for great you'll have to go elsewhere. The happy hour sushi rolls are decently priced but leave you longing for flavor however the specialty rolls do get a little better. Service was good, prices fair, and chefs were nice but I keep going back to the food and it leaves me wanting. The decor is oddly contemporary and a bit cheesy (what's up with the rock wall?) but the steel front door is pretty sweet. If you've been there you know. When it comes down to it, with so many great westside sushi spots En Sushi just doesn't make it to the top of the list. Next.
(3)Karney V.
Consistently good food - have only been here for late lunches. Maybe dinner is a different story.
(4)Char B.
Every time I go here, I get so annoyed. The sushi is shameful. The service is never that great, and it is sooo overpriced. Awful.
(1)Brad F.
Driving in the sushi district of Los Angeles i was allured by the entrance of En Sushi which sits on a corner-mad j-status. I could tell just from the design it was going to be two things that I really value: adorned and authentic. When I walked in on Fri. night the place was poppin and I thought one thing: this might be one of the first Japanese places i have been to that i could actually picture in Japan having a lot of success. Japan is my measuring stick for sushi places that most establishments fall well beneath. I later found out this is a Japanese Chain! En Sushi is the first US set up. So far so good, on to the food... OK you know what I despise? Everyone has their favorite sushi place and all the say is.."oh my god they have the best sushi!" But what does that mean? I guess that is why we have yelp right- for details and content. Anyway, En Sushi has the "best sushi." Well, the best I have had that I can remember in a long time. The salmon, made love to my taste buds on its way down and the rolls were customized with precision and balance. No flavor stymied the other. It was an edible lesson on grace. Everything I ordered was praiseworthy. The drinks were toxic potent. I had three Chopin and Crans (Cho-Crans) and the drink was so strong it was a pinkish hue rather than dark red. You know what that means right? I had an absolute marvelous time there. I cannot imagine how they can improve on this place. It was so good I actually took my father, who lives in the Orange Coast, up here. We came here for lunch where I was delighted to find a lunch menu that let's you custom a few items and all for a great price. I will come here again for lunch, dinner, drinks, or to watch a game at the bar on the plasma. This is by far one of my favorite sushi places in LA.
(5)Gene C.
I tend to think this place is closer to $$$. My gf and I ate here and we dropped about $120 on sushi, sashimi and rolls. They were all excellent and the fish was as fresh as it gets. Service was top notch and decor was very modern. Very comfortable place to dine. Only downside--as with any place in LA--is parking. Though valet was a very reasonable $3.50.
(5)Amy L.
I made reservations at En Sushi a half hour before their closing time, and they were polite, efficient, and very friendly. I had food to fill my starving belly within 10 minutes of being seated. I thoroughly enjoyed my soft shell crab, the black cod in saikyo miso was so well marinated and served in a yummy oniony garlicky chutney, but the potato crisps all around the plate got in my way, and their baked herb butter oysters were divine! I ordered a couple of their specialty rolls, but they weren't that interesting, so they remained on the plate virtually untouched. All in all, not a bad meal on the run!!!
(4)Helen C.
Make reservations! Excepting the times I've been here for lunch, this place has always been packed. They won't seat you until the entire party arrives, but you can hang out at the bar & drink some hot sake or cocktail while you wait. The food is good but nothing to rave about, but the setting and decor take the dining experience up a notch. The ambiance is swanky but not pretentious. And no worries if you show up in sneakers on a Saturday night -- no one will care. Though as the night progresses, the crowd gets decidedly more "scene-y." My recommendations: The spicy crunchy tuna and salmon nigiri. Surprisingly, the hamachi was disappointing. But I would definitely recommend this place to others.
(4)Ashley W.
The first time I came here I liked the sushi, but I have been back twice now and both times have been really underwhelmed. The ebi sushi was rubbery, the edamame was under cooked almost not cooked. The tuna tartar wasn't bad but that was the only thing decent. I will not go back.
(2)Mehmet A.
Oh those oyster shots were amazing. The fish was very fresh and garlic edamame is a nice twist.
(5)Allyson K.
En Sushi was pretty good. Their En roll was very tasty, with little bits of crispy tempura sprinkled on top. We also had the crunchy spicy tuna roll that had a similar topping but the roll size was smaller (easier to eat in on bite). I liked those to two rolls but the yellowtail with scallion roll left something to be desired. It was very, very small, and not much flavor. The seaweed was actually hard to chew through. I would probably go back to try their happy hour which is every day from 5-7pm to try some of their other offerings.
(3)Christina W.
I just remember En being very dim and red. Maybe that's why I thought the sushi texture was silky. Maybe I just didn't see the tuna tendons. Or maybe this is just a damn good sushi restaurant. It's very romantic too for all the folks who have fallen in love by the forces of nature or ... by coercion. I had a few martinis before being seated and was already toasty. But that was a perfect prelude to my elegant meal. The rolls and sashimi were delicate, the way sushi is supposed to be. Probably one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to in my lifetime.
(5)Alina O.
Love, love, love En on Santa Monica Blvd. My boyfriend and I go for lunch about once a week and it never disappoints. The lunch specials are huge and inexpensive. The sushi is quality (I've been to Zo, Sasabune, etc.), the udon is mighty tasty, and there's something for everyone. It's not a hole in the wall, it's actually kinda cool and spacious inside. Good for groups! I've taken tons of people there and they all want to come back.
(4)t k.
The sushi here is pretty good. I like the ambiance of this place and if you know your bill will be $300 or more you can reserve a party upstairs on their loft. The space is pretty tight there so I'd say max 12-15 people. But with that number of people, you'll easily rack up that amount.
(4)Mike B.
I love this place. I have gone several times and sat at the bar. Im a sishi beginner so i dont really venture too far from the rolls. I usually end up here for some beer and a little bit of food. The bartender is GREAT. Damien is a really nice guy who loves talking to the people at his bar. I always meet someone new there as well. Always a good time and good food. Always a fun time! Thanks Damien!
(5)Benjamin B.
My favorite sushi place! They have the best Spicy Tuna in town, but also make sure to try the Spicy Albacore, Blue Crab, and my personal favorite...the New Z Roll! En Sushi has a great happy hour (bar only) and the bartender Damien is the best!!! There is also a really cool "loft" area which is great for parties...I had a birthday party there and it was great! There are lots of good sushi places on the Westside, but this is definitely my favorite!
(5)Paige R.
This is an average sushi restaurant. The food is okay but I've definetely had better. Not a bad west LA sushi restaurant...I usually go here and just order take out.
(3)Janet T.
The Fish's fresh, the staff's friendly, the atmosphere is nice so what more could you ask for? It's a bit pricey but what sushi joint in Santa Monica isn't? I'd definitely come back again..
(4)Bob G.
I think this place is great. You can fall in for happy hour at 5:30, and eat right at the bar. It is fresh and delicious, and the servers are friendly and helpful offering opinions and sugestions. The decor is dark and swanky and it has a good vibe to it. I like everything about this place, and continue to return often. I recommend this place, as I have always enjoyed the food, and it's offer of a great dining experience.
(4)Anne C.
En sushi is a great restaurant. One of the best things about it is the bartender Damion. He is very entertaining and quick with a drink. His bar is filled with regulars and first timers alike. I would definitely go to En for happy hour or to enjoy a bite and drink during a game. They also have a blue crab hand roll that is delicious! If you go, you should definitely sit at the bar. Damion is great!
(5)A E.
I had been here a couple times for the happy hour, (which is a great deal), so the other night we came in for dinner. Everything was pretty average - not bad, not orgasmic - except my caterpillar roll, which was drenched in sauce. I would recommend stopping by for HH, but if you want some for realz sushi there are plenty of other places in LA.
(3)Julie E.
En Sushi has an upscale but casual atmosphere, which is very nice. The food is pretty good - they have a huge menu, so you are certainly not limited to sushi - though I didn't try anything other than fish/sushi items. I just wasn't overly impressed - I thought there was too much stuff on the rolls (too much sauce, too much tempura flakes) that it overwhelmed the flavor of the fish. We tried this Seafood Dynamite appetizer, which was just really weird - seafood covered in some kind of cheese - I didn't get it. I did really enjoy the atmosphere and would go back again, though I would certainly try some different things.
(3)caroline l.
I came here with some girl friends. nice atmosphere. good sushi. also good combination meals for those who dont eat sushi. and reasonable price! i had the shrimp tempura roll it was good. and the salad was really good too.
(4)Lei S.
Came here last night for happy hour with friends - this place is amazing! The sushi was delicious and there's so much variety, as are the gyoza and the lychee martinis. The people, however, make the place and are so friendly!!!! The hostess Liz and the bartender Damien were awesome and made it such an enjoyable time - we'll definitely be coming back! :)
(5)J. H.
Overall a good atmosphere and decent sushi. Reasonable prices and a nice bar. It's a good place to go with a group of people and/or meet up for drinks.
(3)Josh R.
This place has Toro from Japan, and the service is good. They attend to your needs better than Matsuhisa, but not at Matsuhisa pricing. Dinner for 2 shouldn't cost more than $100 (unless you order only toro sashimi). I would stay away from the more exotic appetizers, as they are not worth the cost, and just plain suck. For dessert, they have this sauteed banana pastry dish that is amazing. And again, they have good quality Toro, imported from Japan. I need not say more.
(4)Robin W.
Used to make the trek here when I lived in Irvine and now that I work a few blocks away from En, it's awesome! Always good sushi and their crunchy spicy tuna roll is the best! Ask for extra unagi sauce, you won't regret it.
(4)Susie H.
i can't have tofu salad anymore unless it's like En's. a trilogy of tofu - raw tofu, tofu in inari pouch, and deep fried tofu. it's my fave dish there.
(4)Dottie D.
i love sushi but i don't feel like i'm the greatest judge of sushi. somehow, a lot of it tastes the same to me and honestly, i'm often very happy with supermarket sushi. i may have just disqualified my review for anyone reading this. i'm all for full disclosure. so, i think the sushi is really good. i've been here for dinner and i've been thrilled with everything. i like pretty basic rolls, not the fancy, complicated stuff. it's all been really delicious. i've also been for lunch and their combo box lunch deals are really good, too. parking is simple in this area and i've never had a problem getting a table.
(4)Debbie M.
This visit I sat at the sushi bar and it was well worth it. No wait no fuss. Sushi was excellent. The cold Saki was going down easy as I filled my belly with a second round of hand rolls and cut rolls. Tuna and eel were tasty but I really loved the scallop hand roll. $80 dollars later I rolled outta there to my next destination. Sushi adds up quick in here but its so yummy you just have to keep going.
(4)Julie S.
I always wanted to try this place because it was on Curb your Enthusiasm and because it's close to my place. My expectations must have been too high. I think the sushi is average at best. I took my family here for dinner and we had a hard time hearing each other talk. I didn't think they had as many original rolls as other nearby Sushi places (California Roll for example) either. I don't think I'm going back.......
(2)Trent N.
Happy Hour EVERY DAY 3-7pm! Also late night happy hour Thursday 9:30-11pm & Sunday 9:30-10:30pm! $1 hot sake $2.50 Kirin beer!!! There are lots of food items to pick from on the happy hour menu. I went with chicken wings for $4.75. Wings were much better than I expected. I don't really like sushi so I didn't order any. I mainly came here for the awesome happy hour!
(5)Melanie H.
I came here after work one day for happy hour. My friends and I noticed this place because En Sushi advertises $1 hot sake during happy hour. How could we pass that up? The 5 of us were quickly seated at a booth and given menus. We each ordered a hot sake ($1) and a liter bottle of Sapparo ($2.50). Both were easily able to make 3-4 sake bombs. We also ordered some of their food specials offered during Happy Hour. I don't remember which rolls we ordered, but I remember them being just okay. I've definitely had better sushi. However the combination of alcohol and food made our time here very enjoyable.
(3)Dan B.
I'm a bit surprised at some of the lower star reviews. I've been to the west side En Sushi location a good 10 times and I've enjoyed my experience all 10. I'm not a particularly adventurous eater, so I can't speak to selection of rare rolls, but in terms of taste, my food has been stellar. I suppose it's a little out of the ordinary, but they have these tiny potato bites that come with teriyaki dinners, and those are pretty special. Parking is easy on the street - don't waste money using the valet lot. Consider some gyoza to start, too.
(4)Keila N.
En Sushi takes up large piece of real estate on Santa Monica Boulevard. Bf and I stopped here on a Saturday afternoon for Happy Hour. We noticed a customer with a dog dining INSIDE right next to our table. I know that dog lovers would disagree, but I really think it's a violation of a health code. We ordered the special cucumber for $13+. It had 4 or 5 pieces. It was over-priced.
(2)Clarice W.
We ended up coming to En Sushi after finding out that other sushi places in the area were closed on Mondays. They offer what looks like a good HH menu, but in reality the best deal is the $1 hot sake. They have California rolls for about $3.75, other rolls for about $4.75-7.75, basic 2-pc nigiri for $3.75. I found the rolls to be really disappointing and pretty low-quality. The albacore in my albacore jalapeno roll was cut up into tiny pieces, more like a paste (like spicy tuna often is) - what a waste of albacore! The salmon in the salmon cucumber roll was kept in large pieces, but the fish was tough, chewy, and there were parts that were discolored - incredibly unappetizing to look at and unpleasant to eat. And even the California roll was filled with a paste of imitation crab rather than the whole piece itself. I will say they give you better quality meat on the nigiri; my salmon and yellowtail nigiri were much more pleasant in texture, though I still felt like the yellowtail wasn't the freshest. Finally, their wasabi is definitely on the weak end - I had to add tons to my soy sauce to get just enough spiciness! The HH deals at En Sushi are okay, but I expect much better quality out of a restaurant that tries to sell itself as a legit sushi joint. I'd opt for New Japan by SushiStop down the street for even cheaper - and frankly, maybe better quality - sushi next time.
(2)Kari O.
HAPPY HOUR! We just stumbled on this place while riding our bikes to Santa Monica and saw my two favorite words - happy hour. Sake for a dollar, beers for $2.50 and they even had a food happy hour. The food wasn't a huge discount from your typical sushi restaurant but I'm sure this spot pays a pretty penny for their rent. They have a full bar too! Servers were really nice and helpful and came by to check on us often. What we ordered : California Roll Tsunemono (cucumber salad) Shrimp Tempura Hand Roll Garlic Albacore Sashimi Hot Sake Kirin Light All of this was about $20 bucks! I didn't order enough food to make a solid review on this place so I will definitely come back!
(4)Valerie Q.
Totally hit the spot!! The employees were super friendly and they have GREAT happy hour specials. We will be back :)
(5)Nahid D.
Rounded up to that 4th star for their oyster appetizer - damn that was good! But for the most part they were massive pieces of overpriced specialty sushi rolls that are all sauce and spicy tuna - which were still very yummy. Unfortunately my friend doesn't do sashimi, so we ordered two of the specialty rolls. It was our fault for ordering two of the most similar dishes on the menu (911 and King Crab), but they both turned out to be delicious, so we forgave ourselves. The 911 roll was good but difficult to eat cause of the sheer size of each piece. Not excessive heat or deathly fire breathing after affects. I liked the flavor of the King Crab more - but it was a bit too saucy for me. So the best way to describe this place is a combination sports bar/music lounge/sushi restaurant. I'd come back here for a casual or date night. If there isn't a game going on this place can be kind of romantic. The dinning area is separated from the bar area pretty well to serve different clientele. I'd come back again for a splurge on a normal day or even let the Mr. bring me out for a nice night.
(4)Rita N.
Great food! I always drive by and decided to try this place and i love it. The service is great! Will definitely go back
(5)Harry T.
On west side and had to drop in to one of my favorite sushi spots. It was packed but luckily there were few tables open so we were seated right away. The ambience here is amazing, the restaurant has a nice modern contemporary feel and touch to it with some zen. They have a good separate bar for drinks with flat screens playing live games. Happy Hour everyday 3-7pm, sweeeet, great HH menu, must try's, 1.) Beach Salmon cut roll - its fresh light and just melts into your mouth 2.) Spicy Yellowtail hand roll - tasty tasty tasty, the spice doesn't overwhelm and take u away from the great fresh yellowtail diced sashimi fish 3.) Garlic Albacore and Ponzu Yellowtail Sashimi dishes - perfectly sliced with perfectly seasoned sauce dressings 4.) Viva Las Vegas cut roll - now I know we in LA but this roll was flying out of kitchen in crazy numbers, this alone would fill you up. If you feel like a good happy hour spot, if you wanna catch a quick bite and drink while watching a game, planning a nice date weekday or weekend, it works for all ;)
(5)Jeffrey P.
The sushi here was pretty good, not the best but definitely above par. There's a lot of things on the menu. I started off with the spicy tuna rolls and i thought that the sauce they had put in it was pretty good and had a good amount of kick to it. I also had the eel rolls and those were pretty good too and the uni was pretty fresh. Overall the food was pretty good here and 2.50 kirin was great. My server was named Chloe and her customer service was on point. Overall the experience was great thanks to the food and the sweet server.
(5)Darius R.
Great food and excellent service. The happy hour prices/menu items are incredible. Stumbled on this place when the sushi place next door I was headed to turned out to be closed on Tuesdays. So happy I did!
(5)D. Ardi R.
Came here for happy hour. Great prices for beer and sushi. Quality of food.is good. The wait staff is attentive and available.
(4)E. V.
Great happy hour deals. Sushi and rolls were a bit sloppy, but can't complain when there's great prices for delicious sushi!
(4)Ady B.
Walked in to check out the happy hour. We were very pleased with the options on the menu. I didn't expect much but when the food came it was very delicious and great portions. I was very impressed and will be coming back very soon. Food was yummy
(4)Marisol D.
Pedà para llevar un rollo de sushi y estubo bueno, mejor de lo que esperaba no puedo opinar mucho porque no probé mucho del menu , pero el lugar estaba agradable y la atención fue buena.
(3)Shadan S.
Sushi was fresh however the service was a bit slow. Cute atmosphere. More Americanized sushi.
(4)Jody H.
I am a regular here and I figured it was time to write a review. I love this place!!! The ambiance and staff are excellent, the food is great and the prices are fantastic. As much as I love sushi I am not a fan of rice. Their sashimi portions are generous plus they have a ton of great rice less rolls. Try the OMG and lollipop rolls, they're heaven.
(5)Shila B.
Avocado is cheap, however, for some reason this place isn't. At least from someone who is from Vancouver expects something a little different but same. Very popular joint, good customer service.
(4)Shazeen N.
My husband and I was driving by this place and happen to stop as it was their happy hour. I must say it was an amazing surprise. We ordered shashito peppers, yellowtail, crunchy tempura, jalapeño heart attack (holyyyy so tasty) and the best one was crispy rice spicy tuna... It's definitely a great spot to go for fun happy hour.
(5)Golden B.
***This review is for happy hour*** as my friends and I were devouring our 6th sushi roll that was only 5.75 we began discussing my forthcoming yelp review for this place and how many stars I would give it. I immediately ran through the list of food, price, service, atmosphere, and said I thought it was four stars. It's nothing fancy but the happy hour prices were bomb (there were four of us and we ordered 9 rolls and 7 drinks and walked out at 25 bucks a person) and the sushi was really enjoyable. So now as I'm writing this I figure, why not 5 stars? The place fit the bill for four hungry people needing a solid sushi happy hour at 3 o clock on a Tuesday. I have no complaints. Five stars.
(5)Sebastien B.
I am very sad to update my review and give to this sushi place a lower rating. It was really my favorite sushi place in the neighborhood but they are now under a new management and things seem to have gone awry. First, there are fewer Japanese sushi chefs. It was a real strength of the former restaurant to have only Japanese sushi chefs. Second, the overall quality of the fish has decreased. And third, I had salad with a dead fly in it at two occasion. I understand that it can accidentally happen once but not twice. For all of these reasons I downgrade my rating to a 3* but I already found a great sushi place 10 min drive from there.
(3)Melissa W.
We went here last night for my sisters birthday. The service was great (it seemed like we had 3 servers attending to us the whole time!!), and the happy hour for food and drinks was good too! We got the jalapeño heart attack, fried chicken wings, and the fried spicy tuna roll on happy hour prices, it was all really yummy and came out really fast!!! The bathroom was nice and clean too, hehe. I'll be back here!!!
(5)Steve L.
Came with some friends who have been here a good amount, so we got to taste a great mix of items. Food was great, tables were easy to get and helpful employees. A short drive away, but this may be our new Japanese spot.
(5)Brooke D.
This is my go-to sushi spot on the Westside. It's reasonably priced and has great sushi, a cozy atmosphere, and (usually) no crowds. I'm pretty picky about my sushi and am never disappointed by this place (although if you're REALLY looking for something more authentic, go to King Sushi on Wilshire). Plus, with $1 hot sake and $2.50 beers, the happy hour prices here are just unbeatable! I usually order the Crunchy Roll and the Happy Roll (deep-fried shishito peppers inside = WOAH!!). Both are excellent! The guy sitting next to me last night was eating the Ginger Ribeye--it looked and smelled amaaaaazing, so I will definitely have to try that next time!
(5)Kevin M.
This is one of the best Happy Hours that I've found in Los Angeles. Their HH menu has a variety of traditional rolls, house creations, and fresh sashimi. I usually enjoy simple sashimi, but one of the best over-the-top ridiculous rolls they have on happy hour is the Viva Vegas Roll. Each cut is served with a chip that we use to make crab nachos before eating the roll itself.
(4)Danny T.
There are so many sushi spots around LA that these places really need to stick out to me. They need to have a trademark-- They have a decent happy hour menu, but the first half of the happy hour menu is not on the restaurant menu so be ready to ask your server a bunch of questions. I had the lychee martini and I will say it's one of the best martinis I've ever had. My boyfriend ordered the Love Bite. So fresh so tasty. The server did not provide us with waters-- I understand we are experiencing a drought-- I work at a restaurant too and we serve water upon request. But at my restaurant we let the guests know that instead of thinking they forgot to give us glasses of water.
(3)M L.
Their sushi happy hour is my favorite! It's delicious,diverse and fresh! Damien, the bartender's sparkling personality adds to the already chic,yet cool ambiance.
(4)Andrew C.
This place is dank! Shoutout to my boy Noah L and cappuccino man for requesting this splendid visit to en sushi. Solid sushi place yadidamean. Came here on a Wednesday (Hump Dayyyy) and it had a decent amount of people! I of course the G that I am prepared for that and got a reservation super eazy but we wasily would've been seated right away if I didn't. En sushi hooked us up with some dank service from Richard choi my boi!! Dudes got game! Suggested the king cobra and I was not disappointed. We also got some that sesame chicken appetizer to pregame ten main bidness and woohoo tasty with that chipotle aoili sauce which was the boss. We decided to be a lil daring if I must say so myself so we went with the happy roll despite the unpopularity from the Los Angeles crowd that my boy richy rich got from it. But Yee lil ray ray wud the fan of that shish(ito) pepper filled goodness. Next came my choice .. The volcano dankness. It was hot like a volcano and it erupted my taste buds into the sky!!! Dankness! Also yelp hooked ya boy up with that 8% discount. Say what!? Yeah that's right. It was not too expensive at all.. Got in and out super fast and was happy with the dank service of Richard and crew. Yall gotta try it was good when we goin out on a Wednesday.
(5)Abby C.
So, I'd say that I've been around the block or two when it comes to knowing sushi. I've had terrible and I've had the best of the best. Nigiri-wise, they're decent; the fish tastes fresh and that's all that I really look for. The two rolls (Rock'EN & volcano) were good enough, except that they were a little heavy. I preferred the Rock'EN over the volcano because do the fried eel on the top :) that was great! The tuna over crispy rice was a different texture to get used to, but overall, awesome! My absolute favorite thing to order was their Baked oysters. What a great combination with the herbed butter! The hospitality of Damian (bartender) was an extra plus. I would love to come back again!
(5)April K.
Favorite sushi place in Santa Monica! Great happy hot prices. Fantastic cocktails. Even better sushi. The servers are always friendly and knowledgeable. The decor is nice and simple and clean. The parking can be challenging but there is limited free parking for customers behind the building. This is my favorite happy hour sushi place by far. Check them out!
(4)Yoojin K.
One of our local Happy Hour spots! Everyday HH: 3-7pm Late HH: Thurs & Sundays from 9:30pm - 11:30pm $1 sakes, $2.50+ beers, $3.75+ rolls TV's showing sports, open layout Love the tables by the window. Service was friendly and excellent. Whether you're hungry or thirsty, perfect when the traffic on Santa Monica isn't moving.
(5)James W.
I remember coming here on a friend date just to try out because it had great reviews. It's pretty dark inside, nice ambience. Now I know that sushi in LA can be expensive. Sometimes ridiculously expensive. This is not one of those places, but it is a little pricy, especially compared to some of the surrounding sushi places in this area. It's supposed to be a little higher quality, which it is. It has fresher fish than BAD sushi, but there is nothing really unique about this place. If you want sashimi for about the same price $30-50/person, you might as well go to Sugarfish. If you want specialty rolls, go next door to California Roll Factory. Anyways, for me, this place is a solid 3 stars based on value-quality trade-off.
(3)Michael E.
Come and sit at the bar, order some sushi and drinks! The sushi is tasty and the bartender, Damion, is awesome. If you want to have a good time drinking, eating and shooting the shit, this is the place for you.
(5)Senesa R.
Love the crispy rice spicy tuna with jalapeño slices! Every time my hubby and I come here we are not disappointed. Great lunch special deals as well!!! Clean and service is always friendly and attentive.
(5)Angela W.
Decided to come here with some friends die happy hour last minute. The restaurant was pretty empty which is understandable for happy hours sometimes. We get seated and then this frail asian guy that's super soft spoken takes our orders. That's when we had a hunch everything wasn't gonna go well. He wanted to repeat what we ordered for confirmation and we ordered 6 items. He said two and then paused. I had to help him out with one and he said two others and I had to help him on the last one since he was struggling. Fine. So we get our food and I get my hand roll and I'm waiting on my roll. Everyone finishes their food and I'm still waiting on my roll. I flag him down and he goes oh I'm sorry I'll go see what happened. Mind you. There's about 3 ppl at the bar and two tables, that's including ours, so it was NOT busy. Then maybe about 5-10 minutes later my roll decides to roll on over to our table ( pun intended). The ice tea however were promptly filled when emptied so I salute them for that. Here comes the fun part. We decided it was time to leave since our meter was coming up and getting something else might take forever. We flagged someone down for our check he says ok. 3 minutes later still nothing. We flag another person down, ask for the check. Few minutes went by, nothing. Flagged another person down and miraculously we got our check this time. We handed it back to a waiter walking by and he walks off with it. Few minutes goes by we are wondering what's going on and flagged our server down and he runs in the opposite direction of where our check was taken to. Somehow after another 3 minutes or so it finally came. While we were signing the checks we got asked if we wanted refills on the ice teas. So if you want prompt refills please stop by but service/food wise the waiters still needs training. One of my friends used to work as a waiter and she also says this is not ok.
(1)Sepideh T.
This place never fails to deliver excellent service and food. Not only do they have a great happy hour, but there regular menu is reasonably priced with a heavy variety of choices. Whether you go with a large group or just for date night, En Sushi is sure to please! The entire staff is courteous and gracious and deliver fast service. Special shout out to Richard and Jason who are always on point with everything!
(5)Kevin C.
Great happy hour selections fish was decent but ruined by certain sauces or toppings that were sub par great ambiance no fishy smell in restaurant quick service had 3 waitress going in circle helping every table so we never were ignored like some of the other reviews. ginger was 3 thumbs down which is really dissapointing one time try, i wont be back
(3)Colin FX G.
Great happy hour specials. I eat here often. And I love the Las Vegas Roll. Very unique and you can get it without cream cheese. They also have a yelp discount but it doesn't work on Happy Hour specials.
(5)Shakari G.
The sushi here is amazing. The staff is always friendly and the place is clean. I'd recommend to anyone! Also, they have a pretty good late happy hour!
(5)Naz H.
Nice place, food is good and fair. Good date place.
(3)evie l.
I used to love coming here. The albacore jalapeno rolls were my favorite. Jasmine was the BEST bartender ever. She knew every customer's preference, she knew that I wanted ponzu sauce and not soy sauce with my food. In fact, I would come there JUST to sit at the bar and see Jasmine. They lot a great employee!! Miss you Jaz!
(2)Francis L.
Talk about pricey. I'm not too sensitive to price when it's really good but I am when the food is just mediocre. Tuna tartare was too typical and not that great. The tuna they used was slightly not as moist as most good tasting tuna. The uni was really good but costs $10, 2 more than most places. I wouldn't come here again when there are a gazillion other better places just down the street from here. The atmosphere is great and is really fancy looking with a really cute hostess so come here for atmosphere not food.
(3)Sara L.
More than decent sushi joint. Had lunch here before leaving for the trip I'm currently on. Fish was very fresh, service was good, and they had a full abr, which I wasn't expecting. Definitely better than California Roll just up the street. The decor is nice, too, and the servers are pretty knowledageble. Especially memorable was the special ahi roll with crispy onions (don't make fun, my dining companion had sashimi, ok? I'm for real...). Would love to come back for the $45 omakase.
(4)Christine Y.
I've been here like 3 or 4 times and I definitely like it. The atmosphere and decor are nice, definitely prettier than the hole-in-the-wall sushi places I tend to frequent. Made me feel a little under dressed in a sweatshirt though the first time hahaha I have always strolled in without making reservations which is fine for most weeknights, never had to wait. We've tried several of the entrees, like the teriyaki steak and chicken and salads. I really like the ponzu dressing that comes on their regular green side salad - I'd order that by itself if I wasn't all starry-eyed over the sushi. I really enjoy most of their rolls, it's a nice variety. Their fish tastes fresh and while it's on the pricier side if you like sushi dives like me, it's definitely reasonable compared to the "LA/Holllywood sushi" places (you know who you are!) so I don't mind it. I would like to mention that I actually enjoyed their scallop roll, which is rare because I find the scallop stuff at most places fishy and otherwise bland. Some of the rolls get too elaborate for me, like the Diablo. Their oysters tasted decent but were a bit overcooked, I'm a fan of really nice, soft, even raw oysters. Some of their desserts look good but I haven't tried much. One thing that bothers me is that you don't get ANY little freebies with your check. My favorite place ever is Takanawa, which closed, and you always got fresh sliced oranges or watermelon or something with your bill. Here, you can get half a sliced orange for a dollar... boo.
(4)Vincent C.
En Sushi is a pretty decent sushi joint without being overly expensive. I've been here on several occasions with my girlfriend, and we've consistently had a good experience. What keeps bringing me back here is the ~$45 Omakase which is a great meal for a great price. I've had the omakase about 3 times, and it always includes a shrimp miso soup (with shrimp head), a miso paste cod, and a selection of sushi (about 8 pieces) chosen by the chef in addition to whatever small plates they decide to throw in. One particular sushi selection that really stood out was the combination amaebi (raw sweet shrimp) and uni sushi. I've only had this once, but it was really quite excellent. En Sushi is that place I go to when I want to feel like I'm eating at a fancy sushi restaurant without breaking the bank. Parking can be a hassle, but if you're willing to walk a little bit in exchange for free parking, I suggest looking around Ohio Avenue for an empty spot. I've never been here with a large party, but I've never had to make a reservation for 2 people. 4 stars!
(4)Hurf D.
"Happy hour" is pretty damn lame. The check-in coupon is just the whatever they offer to everyone, so that's silly. The sushi portions are not generous at all, yet the prices are not cheep either. You can do much, much better in Santa Monica and I suggest doing so.
(2)Chris L.
Yummy sushi here. Came because I can walk to it from my apartment and found the atmosphere and food fantastic. Great for a date or just a casual outing. Loved the albacore, and some of their specialty rolls. Haven't tried their hot dishes yet but look forward to trying them the next time.
(4)Sam S.
This place is great. If you want good sushi for a decent price, this is your place. The staff is very friendly, the food is good, and it is a nice atmosphere. Way better than Yamato, I used to be a Yamato fan.
(4)Jamie W.
kinda pricy, but worth the price tho. It has a wonderful atmosphere, sorta like a bar surrounded by tables, and good for a group of ppl to hang out.
(3)Linda M.
The sushi is OK. For our last roll, we decided to go with something safe and ordered the shrimp tempura. How can a place mess up shrimp tempura? Well, just ask En Sushi because they did. Last roll, left a lasting impression because as we pass this place we always ask how can someone mess up a shrimp tempura roll? Not going back here.
(1)Mike T.
En used to be a decent sushi spot, but has gone downhill. Although the service was good, the fish was mediocre at best--and I don't think it was very fresh. The one decent thing was the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice. The Blue Fin, which is generally delicious anywhere, was awful. The prices are decent (not cheap) and definitely not worth the food. If you don't have a very sensitive palette and just like to smother your fish in spicy mayo or ponzu sauce, and this place is close by, then I guess it's ok. If you consider yourself a fan of good Sushi, definitely avoid En Sushi. MT
(1)Cindy L.
I came here on a Saturday night with a friend who frequents this restaurant often. I thought it would be busy but it wasn't. We sat at the bar and ordered halibut, yellowtail, albacore and the crunchy spicy tuna roll. I've read that the crunchy spicy tuna roll was really good. I agree it was good but it didn't blow my mind. The other sushi nigiri were really good!! The cuts were generous and very fresh tasting. The service was good overall. Damon, the bartender was efficient and checked on us every so often. There are quite a bit of regulars that dine there nightly. The decor is dim, open with very high ceilings. You can dine at the bar or the sushi bar or the main dining room. I believe there was a private room on a loft area. Prices are reasonable. I think street parking is available but I valet that night. I will definitely try to come here for happy hour.
(4)mimi m.
En has been THE sushi restaurant for us for years. Yes, we have occasionally cheated, in search of better sushi over the years, but we've always come back to this place. Sure, we've found a few places that were better than En but those places also cost us twice as much as En. What makes us keep coming back to En is the overall experience of great sushi, great service, great ambience, and reasonable prices. By reasonable, I don't mean cheap, but it is reasonalbe for the quality you get at En. So, thank you En. And see you again soon!
(4)Char L.
Came here on a Friday night - it was a busy, but we were lucky to get a table immediately. The service sucked. I'll give the waiter some slack cuz he was busy, but still...we were ignored for the first 10 mins, no water, no nothing. Calamari was extremely disappointing. The breading was thick, flavorless, the rings were small and tough. Yellowtail scallion roll was good at least.
(2)Ling Ling Z.
Decor and service were very nice, definitely a date place. The sushi was good, except the yellowtail. Some were tasted a lil weird. That was disapointing since I love yellowtail. The chicken yakitori was just alright. The prices were also reasonable.
(3)Lia H.
I have had a lot of really, really good sushi. And this was no exception. My boyfriend and I decided not to make a big thing about NYE and just made a reservation a few hours ahead at En, because it's down the street and our previous lunch experience there was pleasant and I liked their decor. Surprisingly we actually got sat at the sushi bar way before a table was available for us. The strong drinks and sushi came quick, but better than that, the sushi was prepared with so much care and precision. I had not seen that in a while. Our sushi chef was jovial and asked us several times how our Diablo roll (Spicy baked scallops on top of a roll of tempura shrimp, asparagus and other yummies [by the way, this roll is actually TRULY spicy, which I find to be uncommon with most sushi places' "spicy" stuff]), Rainbow roll (with real crab, NOT "krab"), fresh salmon, yellowtail and raw scallop nigiri was. Everything was perfect; so utterly mouthwatering fresh. I was very happy. The prices are steeper than I'm used to, but it was completely worth it. I'll be back.
(5)Marc M.
Stopped by for lunch to get a quick bite to eat. The place wasn't busy at all - we were sat right away. Word to the wise - make sure it isn't a late lunch, because they close at 2PM until they reopen for dinner. I ordered the Philly role.. It was great!
(3)Robin H.
Started coming to En for happy hour a few months ago and love it!!!! Great prices for really good sushi - toro, yellowtail, special rolls and delicious japanese delicacies. Try the garlic string beans. The best part of En is the bartender (Damion), he makes everyone feel welcome and brings a fun vibe to the bar. It's easy to become a regular...good drinks, fresh sushi, friendly faces and a flat screen TV, living the dream!
(5)Shirley K.
Overall rating is 3.5 stars (mainly due to the service). It seemed like there was only one waiter serving the customers. There's one guy that just stands by the sushi bar and waives for the one waiter whenever a customer waives for him to come by the table for something. Another reason is that t's pretty pricey here for dinner. Happy Hour is only at the bar. Tip: You can earn 100 points by making a reservation on Opentable.com . Had a 10% off coupon so decided to revisit. It wasn't very busy around 7pm on a week night. The June specials included the Japanese Scallop which was super delicious. Had 2 orders of it. Was a bit bummed that the Uni this time around wasn't as good. The Catalina roll which is topped with avacado, yellowtail, and tuna was so-so for $19. The eel and avocado roll was also so-so. This is something you can order at the bar for almost half the price than if you ordered it at a table. They do have a flat screen tv at one of the corners so that you can watch a game or boxing match, depending on the night. Parking: Valet is available along with meter parking.
(3)Trish G.
came in for a late dinner. good amount of people there, nice ambiance. service was pretty good -- not overly attentive, but also not completely absent. asked to get tea/water refilled once, didn't have to ask again. wasn't told that happy hour prices were only applied to people sitting at the bar. kinda lame, but overall prices were okay. presentation of food was great. classy, not too overdone. food was good, and had a decent variety of food on menu. i think the smaller 'special rolls' section gave me the impression that probably anything i could've gotten on it would've been good, whereas other places boast tons of rolls, and most of them are a miss. it still took me a while to decide what to get tho. i think i tried sushi with jalapeno and crunchy rice. i liked it, the man friend was just lukewarm about it. fried banana a la mode for dessert was also good. yeah, i'd come here again.
(4)Michael L.
It was a dark and stormy night and we rolled onto this street corner looking for some eats. Because it was dark and stormy, I'm willing to look over the fact that it was cold and dank, with a roof that leaked down onto our heads and table. They can't control the weather and people are rarely prepared for rain in Los Angeles... maybe the food would be good, right? I got really excited when I saw anago on the menu because I rarely find a place with sea eel - ordered it right off. My friend ordered some mackerel and we got some happy hour sake. The result? Overpriced, amazingly dry sushi. Good eel should melt into your mouth - this stuck to my tongue and lingered there. The flesh sort of flaked off in dry pieces as I chewed. At no moment did I get that beautiful savory sensation I associate with fresh, tender eel. It's like I ordered a steak and they gave me a Big Mac patty instead. The mackerel was equally mediocre. We declined to order any more food, polished off our drinks, and walked a block over to Terried Sake House - far more authentic, delicious Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price.
(2)Diana M.
Great happy hour and good sushi and other food. Not stellar sushi, but the last stellar sushi dinner I had was $130 (per person!) so for the price it's A+. Really good service and it's generally quiet. A good place to meet business friends for lunch as it's centrally located. The dining room is really nice.
(4)Mary L.
My favorite japanese food place on the westside is Musha in Santa Monica. So I do tend to compare every sushi/japanese food place to it. On first impression, the decor was very nice. Everything was clean and the booth was comfortable. We ordered three different rolls, one of which was sea urchin. It came and it looked a little frozen, the urchin roe that is. And it was frozen and had no flavor. It was disappointing. The spicy tuna wasn't spicy enough and the tuna didn't taste fresh at all. The last roll was the explosion roll which had crab in it, which is hard to mess up since it was imitation crab. So overall, not somewhere I'd go back to or recommend. Quality of food needs to be on par but then again LA eaters tend to not be as picky as East Coasters.
(2)Katrina A.
Good place for a nice sit-down dinner. Prices are a little higher than the other sushi joints on this section of Santa Monica, but food quality and restaurant atmosphere are definitely higher as well. This is a good date place, but equally good for a group of friends looking for a nice meal. Sure, you'll end up paying about $30 a person with drinks, but good sushi isn't supposed to be cheap!
(4)D H.
WOW!! What a great surprise!! I just moved up from OC and thought we had the best sushi.. then I pop into En Sushi for Happy Hour and BAM! Sorry OC, LA did ANOTHER thing better than you, again, haha. Sushi was FRESH! Service was FAST! Happy hour has really great prices on food and drinks. location is easy and parking is available all around it. I have been here four times and always a new item tried. Sashima - Bomb. Hand roll - Bomb. Sushi rolls - BOMB! Only four stars cause the service sucked. But in LA, the service sucks like half the time anywhere... amazing food makes it worth it!
(4)Josie D.
Yum! Great price for happy hour. Good sushi. Loved it! Those pepper things were great too.... hmm... a bit on the pricey side if not happy hour. But I'll be back!
(4)Genevieve M.
Most perfect rainbow roll of my life, good goddamn. I used to live on the West side and I absolutely miss nothing about it except for En. This place got me to like salmon and I used to haaaate salmon. I took my snobby fake wife here when she was visiting me from Denver and she fell in love with it. It was a regular date spot for me & my fiance and the only other place that can compete is Eyaki over in Culver (closer to our new apartment). Try the rainbow roll, for sure. Their unagi is amazing. Also check out their dragon roll, red dragon roll, and the spider roll.
(5)Jensine R.
En Sushi is actually among the first few restaurants that I tried when I first moved to LA. It's just 2 blocks away from my apartment so it was convenient for me and my brother to try. The restaurant was dimly lit and had great decor. It actually had a romantic feel to it, so I was not feeling it especially since I was with my brother and I was not planning on staring deep into his eyes. The service wasn't bad, but it also wasn't great. My brother and I ordered 2 rolls and tried a special hand roll with kobe beef. The sushi wasn't anything to rave about unfortunately. The pricing wasn't reasonable at all. I spent almost $40 on 3 items and my poor brother was still hungry after. Hesitant to order more sushi that was "alright", my brother and I decided to hit up the taco truck around the corner. Wouldn't come back, but it would be great place to take a date... if you didn't like him or her. Just saying...
(3)Derek R.
I live only a few blocks, but would still drive across town to come here. I LOVE EN SUSHI!! Everyone is super nice and accommodating, the chefs are authentic, kind and quality. Love the atmosphere. They have a bar and play all the sports games. Go see what I and everyone I know is raving about!
(4)Sol L.
we go here often, but may have had an ownership change. portions smaller, fish maybe not as fresh. sushi chefs have changed. random crowd at the bar. may have to look elsewhere as the price may not be worth it. this is hard for me to say since we've coming here for years, very loyal. let's see what happens.
(3)Lili L.
Pricey, but good. I have been here twice, and would come back again.
(4)Derek Y.
Terribad. Extremely bland sushi, quality of fish isn't great. On one particular roll, on some pieces, the seaweed around the sushi rice didn't even connect and it completely fell apart when I tried to pick it up. The servers don't know how to garner a tip with some smiles.
(1)Jr K.
Food alright,price ridiculously expensive without exaggerating,the 40 dollar sushi meal comes with 2 appetizers that combined barely make one,the green tea ice cream was so so,I ordered the black cod boy let me tell you its about the size of a Gerber baby food lid,the sushi was warm like it had been sitting for awhile,for 40 bucks I guarantee you there's better sushi elsewhere because I guarantee you there fish was not premium . But hey if you like a nice atmosphere a busboy that will treat you better than the waitress a decent green tea ice cream and got money to spend for a very tiny amount of food HEY this is the place for you BUT if your into good sushi and don't want to feel like you got reamed go elsewhere hell Applebees would of made my day compared here Never to return again. Thanx too bad there no negative stars or zero Oh yeah good luck finding parking
(1)Michael L.
Specialty Roll combo- sauce, sauce sauce. Okay, the Diablo and some other crab/lobster roll were actually pretty decent. But this place must make bank using oodles of sauce on their 'specialty' rolls. Chirashi udon combo- Everything looked pretty nice on top of the rice, but the fish was just average...nothing awesome, nothing bad. The uni had a hint of fishiness...not good. some unique and tasty rolls....but it's just that- rolls. Hard to believe that we ended up spending $75 bucks splitting the check down the middle with another couple. Bah. Definitely not coming back when I'm in LA again...
(3)Yi Z.
And the winner of the West LA Best Budget Lunch Award goes to... drum roll.... En Sushi! $8.50 for a great-tasting lunch at a sit-down restaurant is awesome! We were satisfied with both the quality and quantity of the food. I've paid more than $8.50 for not-so-good fast-food/takeout Japanese food before. If you're on a tight budget, skip the soda - at $3, it kind of ruins the thrill of a cheap lunch.
(5)Ryan H.
i just broke my new years diet. damn. but if i was going to do it, it might as well be stuffing my face in sushi. ok i will not eat tomorrow. i promise. i swear. i think. i hope. delicious, fresh tasty, well done. baked scallops, mussels, rolls, tempura. i ate it all. then i ate some more. nice waiter -- sam. good food. this is a good reliable place i've been to many times. decor could use some fresh touches and updating. but definitely a good place to go.
(4)Aryf H.
I like this place; been coming here steadily for years. As some of you old-time, West LA locals might remember, this was like a 'cursed spot' for restaurants; for a while, it seemed there was one restaurant failing and another opening at this location literally every six or seven months (anyone remember 'Italy's Little Kitchen' or 'Fragrant Harbor' at this location?). So Sushi En found its niche here. This is a good place for sushi and drinks. I think the sushi here is good; it's not jaw-droppingly amazing, it's not 'just embalm me in ponzu sauce and bury me here' type sushi -- it's decent. Their happy hour features certain items (sushi cut-rolls, edomae-zushi, appetizers). Among them, the Spicy Tuna is good. The chicken gyoza is good but the best part about that is the side salad. The sauteed mushrooms and also sauteed shishito are very nice. From the cloth napkins to the clean interior, it gives the place that feeling of class - even some high-end, super expensive places use cheap paper napkins and skimp on decor. The menu features some interesting choices, even two o-makase specials. I think the high-point of this place is the staff. Always professional, friendly and knowledgeable. I came here when Damien was bartending and after that Emma. Currently (March 2010) there is a great bartender named Angelica there. The wait-staff and chefs are very nice, too. Forward to 2011 and there's a super-bartender Jasmin here. She's really hip and also a singer and artist (I went to her art showing). And I also just met Kristie, who is friendly and does the place justice. Thank You, EN - you rock ! Good atmosphere, dimly lit, nice dark/black interior.
(5)Victor K.
Good Sushi, easy place to have lunch. More on my next visit.
(4)Ming Loong T.
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD. I thought I had amazing sushi at Hide Sushi, and given the price, I couldn't complain but OMFG this place is off the motherfuckin chain! My best friend took me here for a celebratory dinner after I survived yet another bout of final exams at UCLA. We ordered around 80 dollars of sushi and LET ME TELL YOU: EVERY FUCKING PENNY WAS WORTH IT. The fish is fresh, the cuts are perfect... everything just melts in your MOUTH!!! ANYTHING. ORDER ANYTHING. ...except the Diablo. The concept was nice, but it was just too mushy in the end. Poor presentation... even then so, great flavors. BUT THE CRISPY ONION ALBACORE JALAPENO ROLL - good. lord. I think I'm going to have to change my underwear after merely thinking about it. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Benny K.
Very sad. After years of going here, birthday dinners, dates, out of town friends, A YELP DUKEDOM(!!), its gone so downhill. Yohei & Daniel, the hosts who knew my name and preferences...long gone. Furu, the sushi chef who hooked me to this place, who surprised me when I asked for it, but mostly delivered the same great cuts in the same order night after night just left. The current group is unengaging and probably couldn't pick me out of a line up. Some of the other regular patrons I used to see at the bar have slowly disappeared. The only constant seems to be the I-am-god's-gift bartender. Breaks my heart to write this. I am a man without a go to sushi bar. Yes the food quality is still good (not great) and the ambience and valet still give it a notch over Sawtelle, but En has really lost that lovin feelin.
(2)Lauren S.
I came in just about the time there were closing before dinner service, so the place was really quiet. The building is clean and visually very interesting. I had a small sushi lunch combo. It all came out delicious. And I split a Philadelphia Roll with my bf, and he's a fan of cream cheese and gave this roll the thumbs up. They're a little pricer than I want to pay but its a great place for a date or a relaxing afternoon lunch. The seaweed salad had huge portions and was one of the best I ever had. You need to try it here.
(3)Sheree P.
Dear owner of En Sushi, May I have a frequent diner card? BF and I come here so often, we treat you like you are our own kitchen/sushi bar. Your servers pretty much knows our orders by heart and recognizes our faces the minute we walk in since we are here almost every other week. I always get the Ono sashimi and sashimi combo with albacore and jalapeno roll. And we also order the eel and avocado roll and spicy tuna with crispy rice. Occassionally I change my order to tempura udon when I crave something hot and soupy (I'm not sure if you remember that part). So maybe? Perhaps? Perchance? A frequent diner stampy card? :) Thanks, S. McSunny
(4)Cori R.
En has long been a favorite local sushi spot for me but tonight was really disappointing. I ordered the black cod app for $16. When I got it home the piece much lighter marinaded than it used to be and was so small I decided to weigh it on my food scale. It was 2 3/8 ounces. Tiny and $16.00. I called them and they said they would make me another one for free. I picked that one up and it was 2 1/2 ounces. That was the apology piece. I will not order this again. Also, my friend who ordered the Albacore Tataki said it was definitely not as good as she remembered. The portions were small with tons of fried onions as if they were trying to hide the smaller portions. Love En but are they under new ownership or cutting costs? :(
(2)Jonathan Z.
My friends are locals, so we walked here from a few blocks away. They like to go to happy hour and it was the Thursday night before our weekend Vegas trip. We got there around 9pm to get seats at the bar before the 9:30pm happy hour. appetizer sampler: tasty, but I would go for other appetizers Happy Hour Highlights: *kirin pitcher $11 always good *eel roll: delic, but I've had better *crunchy tempura roll: slight spice, but crunchy and great *spicy tuna roll: the norm If you get Damion as your bartender he's cool. He seems like he likes his work and he does a good job. Good eats and have fun.
(3)Max F.
Great service. Good food Best bang for your buck on the westside
(4)Anna A.
I LOVE this place. my boyfriend and I are regulars at this restaurant and they always treat us well! The tuna tataki sashimi is to die for, and make sure to try their Gyoza! :) Most days it's not hard to find a table, but Saturday nights may be kind of packed. I've been going here for 3 months consistently now and have never had to wait to be seated. Yay en sushi!
(5)Nikki W.
This place is AMAZING! We had the Pokymon roll, spicy tuna w/crispy rice, Cajun spicy tuna sashimi, and the Ono carpaccio! The quality of the sushi here and the presentation is unbeatable for the price! We did dine during happy hour and all of these dishes were cheap! Large Sapporos were $4. The decor is elegant and our waitress was the sweetest thing ever :)
(5)Paul M.
En Sushi is great place! Where to start? The Albacore (seared) sashimi with crispy onions is off the charts! Flavor like you can't describe! Whoa! Add to that Kobe beef with Ponzu sauce and you have a flavor like no other! Service was A-. Our chef seemed a little dull at the bar but the others were really friendly and quick to serve on a busy Saturday night. Bonus Stars for having Kirin on tap! YAYYAHHH!
(5)