Yama Sushi Marketplace West LA - Review - West LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"We’ve all picked up grocery store sushi in a pinch, but what you’ll find at Yama is a cut above. An outpost of the original Yama Sushi in San Gabriel, this Japanese market mini-chain sells freshly made rolls to-go at prices that won’t make you spiral. Most hover around $7-8, and the sushi rice in them stays surprisingly fluffy even after refrigeration. There’s also a seafood counter where the chefs slice sashimi by weight, plus shelves stocked with Japanese snacks, pantry goods, mochi, and tea. Yama is a quick lunch option worth going out of your way for—grab a roll or order a bento box at the front and scarf it down with a yuzu soda at one of the umbrella-covered tables out front. Or don’t. This stuff travels. photo credit: Cathy Park Food Rundown Yama’s Famous California Roll You’ve seen this roll in cold cases everywhere, but not to this degree of greatness. Each piece is massive, which means you might pause mid-chopstick grab, wondering how to bite it. The crab inside is creamy and packed snugly with a thin layer of rice around the edges. Nigiri Assortment This under-$10 tray of nigiri is better than what we’ve been served at some neighborhood sushi spots. They come with a rotating mix of salmon, tuna, or albacore, and each piece has a generous slab of soft fish that’s chilled just right." - Cathy Park