KUSANO

March 2025: New Additions to The MICHELIN Guide California

"A sushi restaurant in Los Angeles offering a nigiri-forward menu with items like Hokkaido uni with squid. The experience is intimate with limited seating, requiring reservations." - MICHELIN Guide

"It's truly a one-man show at this restaurant named for the chef who takes on everything from drink orders and clearing plates to preparing and serving the food. Thankfully for him there are only a handful of seats at his counter, and just two seatings nightly. Reservations are a must, not only because of the limited seating, but because this well-priced omakase has seats going quickly. The menu is nigiri forward, and while most will arrive simply dressed with just a stroke of nikiri and wasabi, some items, like the Hokkaido uni draped with a thin slice of squid and cooked seaweed have a bit more flair. The unfussy sensibility contines through to dessert with a yuzu granita." - Michelin Inspector

Kusano

Kusano - Review - Culver City - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"LA has the market cornered on high-end sushi in strip malls—see Sushi Sonagi, Go’s Mart—but even by those standards, Kusano is a diamond in the parking lot rough. Run by a sushi chef with a long resume, the eight-seat counter (reservations required) occupies an unmarked unit in a generic shopping plaza. It also offers a fantastic deal. The 18-course omakase costs $150, which isn’t cheap, but could probably cost twice as much at comparable spots. Step inside and see why: the room is storage-unit sparse, and it’s basically just you, the chef, and some light jazz from a bluetooth speaker. Expect pristine, straightforward nigiri with occasional flourishes, like sweet shrimp with electric blue roe, sea bream with cured egg yolk shavings, and uni draped with a translucent sheet of squid. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Garrett Snyder

LA’s New Restaurant Openings

"This intimate, eight-seat sushi bar in Culver City comes from the chef who previously ran the sushi counter at Kinkan and Yasu Beverly Hills. There’s only one option on Kusano’s menu: an 18-course omakase for $150 per person. Yes, you read that correctly. And like its bargain-of-a-price, the nigiri immediately caught our attention: oysters with ikura and uni, marbled chu-toro, and braised octopus, to name a few. Reservations are required." - sylvio martins

poppy

Google

The vibe of Kusano is energetic. It’s only limited to 8 seats and most of the guests are from the neighborhood. The chef was from Yasu in Beverly Hills which was closed. Looks like there was no help in the kitchen and the chef works on his own completely. We went to try because it was just added to Michelin Guide two weeks ago. I am not impressed with the food but I think the price is set well and the quality is average.

David Somoza

Google

I am simply mind blown! A true hidden gem. It’s like entering a different dimension. From start to finish it was all amazing. The best sushi I have ever had!

Ben Shokati

Google

Went tonight and had an amazing experience. Chef Kusano is so nice and fun to talk to! The food was phenomenal and at a great price. I went with someone who has a shellfish allergy and he was so accommodating! Highly recommend. He's only been open for a month and its only a one man operation. Highly recommend!

Kiwi N

Google

Chef Yasu Kusano was the best. Nice atmosphere, his Omakase is top notch sushi ever! Price is not beatable with other omakase. Highly recommend! 🤩🤩 feel sad about this place will be popular soon since they just opened it. FYI, they dont have sign on the building, so you guys gotta look for it 🤣 so please arrive little early ( honestly, it seems luxurious set up without having sign )

Arthur Chang

Google

Amazing Omakase in an intimate 8-seat sushi counter with Chef Yasu Kusano. He's a one-man show that delivers a great dining experience with deliciously fresh seafood (several flown in from Japan). I will be going back in the future.

Adam Calderas

Google

I can’t express how amazing this experience was. So attentive, food was perfection … I’ll definitely be coming back.

Kevin Cyr

Google

Kusano is incredible, easily the top sushi spot in Los Angeles. Get in while it is still hidden from the blogs and websites. You feel like you’re in a sushiya in Tokyo, very focused on ingredients and food. Chef has an expert hand and amazing personality. So fun to dine with him and other patrons. Will be back soon.

Ashley Sayre

Google

Absolutely AMAZING experience!! I have a shellfish allergy and chef was very accommodating. Loved the intimate atmosphere and I cannot wait to go back!

Michael R.

Yelp

Fantastic omakase for an incredible price. Chef Kusano runs a one man show and creates a warm and welcoming environment while dishing up some incredible sushi. The space leaves something to be desired, as it is a sparsely decorated hole-in-the-wall in Culver City. If you're looking for a really elegant setting, this may not meet the mark for you. If you're looking for incredible sushi at a good price served by a kind chef, it would be hard to beat Kusano.

Katrina T.

Yelp

Breathtaking! Every sushi was beautifully and slowly prepared by the chef. While each piece was made with careful detail, it also brought out the delicate taste of each dish. My husband personally loved the sawara, a Spanish Mackerel caught in Japan. Although a difficult choice, mine has to be the toro. After the omakase was finished, he then served a refreshing yuzu sorbet. Remember, the owner of Kusano is a one-man-operated restaurant. Although he was busy serving the drinks and preparing the sushi, he conversed and entertained all his guests. Overall, for $150, this has to be one of the only omakase in Los Angeles that offers this level of quality for the price. If you are looking for quality sushi, while experiencing the culture of Japan, you have to try Kusano at Culver City.

Brian W.

Yelp

For omakase in a sleepy little corner of Culver City, Chef Kusano-san does a very good job. He runs a one-man show that has to get a little intense when the counter is full, but you get (at least on this visit) a lovely seared kinmedai (golden eye snapper), an uni-caviar-ika that was an interesting take on the usual uni, and there was a bit of work with both scallions and yuzu that was quite good. Highlight was probably the ankimo in particular was a generous portion that managed to not actually overwhelm in flavor. Interior, by the bar at least, is pretty much what you'd expect. Not as crazy high-end as some of his competitors, which again fits the area. Turn around and it's quite a bit more generic, but really, you're here for the food, not for the decor. And less we forget, the value is quite good for the money. Kusano may not quite match up to the exotic heights of his many competitors, but the value is strong.

Matthew C.

Yelp

Kusano offers a well-executed omakase experience, but for $150, I was expecting a bit more in terms of flavor and uniqueness. The presentation was beautiful, and the quality of the fish was solid, but not every piece stood out. Some selections lacked depth in taste, while others were excellent and had great balance and texture. Service was professional and attentive, with the chef being attentive to service and talking to the guests. The pacing was pretty long as it is a single chef so I applaud the service and care definitely. The ambience is refined but not overly formal, creating a comfortable space to enjoy a higher-end sushi experience. The counter seating adds to the experience, allowing you to watch the chef at work. Overall, it was a good meal, but for the price, I was hoping for a more consistently flavorful selection. Some pieces were excellent, but others felt underwhelming. While I enjoyed the experience, I'd likely explore other omakase options at this price point before returning.

Cherie H.

Yelp

What a fun experience with delicious food. The restaurant sits 8 people by the bar, and so your experience might be affected by the people who are part of your seating, but we had some good conversations, great service and enjoyed the sushi too.

Rachel H.

Yelp

I went for my birthday with my partner. We've been to a good amount of omakase spots in La and it was one of the best! Chef Kusano runs the whole place by himself but he was still very interactive which made the experience way more fun and special. He also put a 'happy bday' writing on my dessert plate with a candle and sang the bday song for me :) It's a small touch but made the experience so much more memorable. Kusano opened a couple months ago but the service was very smooth. The price is reasonable too. If you're looking for an omakase that's simple, traditional, and where you can actually taste the main ingredients, this is the place!! Highly recommend to anyone.

Brittany I.

Yelp

No frills, high quality, good value omakase. Took my husband here for his birthday dinner as we often like to try new omakase spots for special occasions. The restaurant is tucked away in a strip mall and inside is a simple sushi bar setup with 8 seats. While the chef had some help to bus/pour drinks, it's essentially a one-man show as he was doing it all. Chef did his best to chitchat with the group as he could while preparing everything. Overall, the meal was very satisfying, especially for the price ($150pp) which is a good value for Los Angeles. Each piece of fish, and even the rice and ginger, were all very well seasoned. At the end of the meal, we were able to add on additional pieces for a cost.

Joseph K.

Yelp

Combining authentic Japanese omakase with a small restaurant feel, 10/10 I brought my gf here for her birthday as our tradition of getting omakase and we wanted to try a newer establishment, and we're very surprised with the quality and knowledge of chef Kusano. The fact that he didn't even mess with salmon basic nigiri shows the authenticity. Personal favorites were the Hokkaido uni wrapped with squid, the scallop, the lean and fatty tuna pairing, actually it was all amazing His knowledge of the sake menu was also wonderful, we order a bottle of the Kinka, and tried others from the other diners which just enhanced the meal Off the menu we order tako (octopus, which was massaged for an hour cooked and hour after) and king mackerel which just melted in your mouth Must try before his bookings are weeks out

Aphinya C.

Yelp

I went with friends, and we were all impressed by the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Each course was beautifully crafted and full of flavor, showcasing the chef's skill and attention to detail. The cozy and intimate atmosphere added to the overall experience, making it a perfect spot for a memorable meal with friends. Highly recommend for anyone seeking an authentic and delightful omakase!

Nicole L.

Yelp

Best sushi I've ever had. It was an amazing experience. The sushi was beautifully presented. Truly a magical experience.

Arthur C.

Yelp

Hunter L.

Yelp

Absolutely amazing sushi that rivals places 2x the price. If you are a fan of all sushi and no cooked courses then this place is even better. I will definitely be back

Ben S.

Yelp

Kevin Y.

Yelp

I have had my fair share of omakase and would say that this place is good, especially for its price. I may be unfairly comparing to what I've had in Japan, but it's probably one of the better spots you can have in the states and the chef likes to have interesting stuff.

Chris M.

Yelp

Incredible experience by Yasu; I'd give 6 stars if I could. There are 2 sittings a night, 6 people at 6pm and 8 at 8pm, so the setting is intimate. Every piece of sushi is unique and fresh. We will be back!!

Jonathan P.

Yelp

Authentic sushi with excellent service. Highly recommend coming here, for a great meal, and friendly experience.

Mia K.

Yelp

Phenomenal traditional Japanese nigiri-style omakase. One of the best in LA and rivals sushi in Japan!

Jeff K.

Yelp

Came here for the first time. It just opened a little over a month ago. 8 seat sushi bar for omakase. Reasonably priced at $150. Short but nice sake list. Rice was seasoned very nicely. One man show but service had a nice pace. Really hot fish bone base miso soup was delicious. Will be back! Plenty of parking in shopping center. Need to make reservations as space is limited and Kusano already a hit.

Arianna ..

Yelp

Best omakase I've ever had!! 1 man serving 8 people the most delicious, great quality, melt in your mouth fish!

Amber P.

Yelp

After coming back from Japan last year, I've been looking for an omakase restaurant in Los Angeles that rivals both their sushi quality and intimate dining experience. Chef Yasu was able to provide this and more inside his unassuming 8-seat restaurant. The great beer, fun conversation, and exceptional sushi made this a perfect date night. This dinner was also very affordable for the quantity and quality of sushi you get. I'm still thinking about the miso soup, tuna two ways, snapper, eel, sweet shrimp, yuzu sorbet, and many more fish we got to taste that evening. His ginger was also so addicting. We can't wait to return soon!

Alex P.

Yelp

If you are looking for a traditional Japanese omakase, I could not recommend Kusano more. Throughout the omakase, you will experience a mastery of flavor and texture that could only be captured by an authentic Japanese chef. The delicious food was complemented by the intimate and authentic experience provided by the chef as he takes you on a tour of some of the most delicious fish Japan and the Pacific Northwest can offer. It was worth every penny, and I cannot wait until my next visit!

March 2025: New Additions to The MICHELIN Guide California

"A sushi restaurant in Los Angeles offering a nigiri-forward menu with items like Hokkaido uni with squid. The experience is intimate with limited seating, requiring reservations." - MICHELIN Guide

Kusano

Kusano - Review - Culver City - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

LA’s New Restaurant Openings