Saijo - Los Angeles - Culver City

I love the fact that they offer so much more options than just handrolls. The rolls were fresh and tasty. I love how they presented some dish. Only problem with my visit was that they had terrible order up issue. Rolls came out at a good pace, but I waited 40 minutes since then to recieve my first kushiyaki. Servers looked at us like why we weren’t leaving half the time. They ended up asking if we were still waiting for something, which i thought it was kinda silly. At the end, they ended up serving our dish we waited for so long to the wrong table. Taking over 1hr 20min for 3 rolls and 1 skewer is way too slow. It surely doesn’t help the line forming outside with very slow rotation.

Pros - the food was really good. The wagyu melted in your mouth. The meats and shrimp (wish we tried the eel!) was well seasoned. I got the 3x3 pre fixed menu and it came with Edamame and miso soup for $34. The bbq beef was also good, everything was really good honestly. Con - is nothing food related. The parking situation is street only and the side streets are permit only from 5pm to 2am on northside of Washington. It's only like 20-25ish counter seating and when it does become popular, I hope they start taking reservations. The lights were dim, the menu small and although it's a check box situation, it's asking for QTY, only shown on top the first box each section was super tiny. I was checking it until we realized it was asking for the quantity. Over all great experience. Everyone left happy and satisfied. We got lucky and had a party of 3 that showed up around 7:15 & got the last 3 seats together. Talk about Lucky!

IG/TT @eatwkris @saijohandroll is LA’s newest hand roll restaurant where you sit in front of the chef and the handrolls are made to order. The fish is fresh, seaweed is crispy, and I love that they give you free edamame and miso soup. I recommend getting the 2x2 for only $24. You get a salmon and toro hand roll as well as 2 chicken skewers (negima and Tsukune). It’s the perfect little meal so light and fresh for summer but if you want more my favorite hand roll had to be their special!! It’s $8 but comes with 3 types of fish, seared salmon, shrimp, and crab!! This was the best bite and worth every dollar. Their bluefin tuna was very fresh and just cut off the fish in front of us but it had a lot of blood on it, so the whole bite was very jrony. Unsure if they usually prepare it like this, but not our favorite. ❤️ $24 2x2 - 2 hand roll, 2 kushiyaki ❤️ $8 signature hand roll - salmon, shrimp, crab ❤️ free miso and edamame 📍 saijo hand roll, Culver City 12473 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Went with a few friends and absolutely loved this place. Relatively small place with all bar seats, but loved the variety of the menu. We went with the 3x3 and added a few other hand rolls and were very satisfied. In addition to the delicious hand rolls, the skewers were excellent. Would definitely go back and either order the recommended orders or get some great a la cart options

If you’re in LA and haven’t been to Saijo Hand Roll Bar, you’re seriously missing out. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was sleek and inviting, but the real star? The kushiyaki. Perfectly grilled, flavorful, and expertly seasoned, each skewer was pure magic. The pork belly was juicy, the Unagi had a bold umami punch, and even the veggies were fire (literally and figuratively). You can tell they take pride in their grilling game. Hand rolls were fresh and solid too, but honestly, I’d come back just for the kushiyaki. Service was fast, staff was friendly, and the whole experience felt elevated without being pretentious. @sushitraveler

Don’t expect to linger. This place runs on sharp timing and a no-reservations policy that keeps things moving. The 3x3 set is a balanced introduction: three handrolls, three kushiyaki skewers, edamame, miso soup. The handrolls are straightforward: bluefin toro, salmon, albacore. No superfluous sauces, just cold, clean fish, rice blessedly free from excessive sweetness, and a crisp seaweed wrapper. The kushiyaki skewers bring forth the flavor of the grill. The chicken meatball is plump and juicy. The shrimp with garlic butter soy skewers, even for a non-shrimp enthusiast, is well cooked with a subtle smokiness. The negima chicken thigh with green onion lands a bit flat by comparison, simply outshone by the other two. While the accompanying miso soup and edamame are standard fare, the yellowtail sashimi turned out to be the standout. Thin slices of yellowtail with fresh jalapeño and a delicate drizzle. Saijo sticks to its lane with tight execution and a swift pace though at times the experience feels a bit impersonal and more clinical.

This new hand rolls and skewers bar has become my new favorite place to go. Food are more delicious than the competitor’s one, the menu has both hand rolls and grilled skewers is a good mix. The bar can sit around 20 people in total. Always a line waiting however you can order a drink and hang out outside the waiting area.

So excited to have this place nearby! We grabbed takeout and the kushiyaki is delicious. Such a great taste. We also got hand rolls, which were very good. The fish was very fresh. My only suggestion is to season the rice more. Can’t wait to go back!

Great ambiance to this place. They bring your food to you and place it on a little mat in front of your eating area. It is a unique experience.

Finally -- a handroll spot with more than just handrolls on the menu! For me, a satisfying meal always needs a variety of textures and flavors, which is why I've struggled with other handroll-only places (like Kazunori). Saijo, however, not only does excellent handrolls but also offers skewers -- and both are fantastic. What impressed me most is that even with a more diverse menu, the quality never slips. The fish is fresh and flavorful, and the skewers are hot & cooked to perfection. I especially loved the shrimp skewer, while both friends I've brought here swear by the chicken meatball!

Minimalist sushi and yakitori bar in the west side. Went on a Friday after work - parking is a bit tough, street parking only. No reservations - so there can be a bit of a wait (35 min for me). They have a mix of sushi and yakitori - ordered a bit of each. The nigiri and hand rolls were all pretty good, as was the yakitori. It's a little bit on the pricier end for what it is, but if you want a mix of decent sushi and yakitori, this is a good bet. Will come back again.

We finally had the chance to try Saijo after watching it being built and passing by many times. Needless to say, we were excited to finally dine here. We came in around 8:30 PM on a Friday night. The restaurant itself is large and modern, but surprisingly, there were only two other parties finishing up when we arrived. For a stretch, we were the only guests dining, which made the experience feel a bit rushed. Our food came out extremely quickly, almost too quickly, and it felt like we ended up eating much faster than we wanted. The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the overall service was solid. Saijo's concept is very similar to Kazunori (by Sugarfish), which we love and frequent often--the setup, menu layout, and style were nearly identical. One distinction was the inclusion of Japanese yakitori on the menu, which was a fun addition, though not really the reason you'd visit a hand roll restaurant. We tried the Omakase Saijo, which was beautifully presented and a bit different from the 3x3 we also ordered. Both featured same/similar rolls, just plated differently. The hand rolls themselves were fresh but a bit hit-or-miss--some lacked flavor entirely, while others, like the spicy tuna, were a bit heavy-handed with the sauce. I also wish they were a little warmer. From the yakitori section, the shrimp skewer was a highlight, while the chicken meatball skewer was flavorful but came out undercooked the first time and had to be sent back. The miso soup was excellent, rich and comforting. The edamame would have been much better warm rather than served cold. We also tried the fresh wasabi for an additional $6, which turned out to be a very small portion and not really worth the upcharge. Pricing overall felt high compared to other restaurants with equal or better quality. The menu is also quite long and a bit confusing, with too many combinations and options, making it harder to navigate. In the end, we enjoyed the experience, but it wasn't particularly memorable. The food was fresh, service was kind, and the atmosphere was pleasant, but the hand rolls--the main draw--didn't wow us the way we had hoped. Worth trying once if you're in the area, but not a must-visit spot in LA's hand roll scene.

Saijo was recommended to me as a contender for top handroll bar in SoCal. This is a big deal because I think many people can agree that that accolade goes to KazuNori. Unfortunately, I don't think that Saijo usurps the throne for best handroll bar, but it is a great meal.  I got the 4x4 Taste of Saijo meal, which features miso soup, edamame, 4 handrolls, and 4 skewers. It's a lot of food or $44. I would recommend this set you can try a wide variety of what they have to offer. Saijo's handrolls are good. The fish is fresh and the rice is nicely seasoned. When I dined on a Tuesday evening, they had a large tuna carcass in the middle of the bar to display the freshness of their fish. I appreciated it, and it was cool to see. I wish I would've gone a little bit earlier in the day to be able to see them butcher it. I think what lets their handrolls down really is the seaweed. It's very chewy and difficult to bite through, compared to KazuNori's flaky, roasted seaweed sheets. The best part of the meal is when the skewers start coming out. The pacing of this meal is a bit clunky, like sometimes handrolls and skewers come at the same time, or maybe you'll get all three handrolls before your next skewer. The service is really fast, almost too fast. Either way, eat your skewers first. They are delicious and they're best when they're hot and fresh off of the grill. The seaweed on the handroll is going to be chewy no matter what, so you can let those sit for a minute. The skewers really are the best part of the meal. My favorite was definitely the shrimp skewever. It was plump, succulent, smoky, and really meaty. The maitake mushroom, and chicken skewers were good too. Saijo is a great meal, I would recommend it for a date night. It's not the best handrolls around, but the skewers definitely elevate the experience to make it memorable. Parking is available on the street nearby, which is really difficult, so be prepared to walk.

When you can't decide between handrolls and kushiyaki so you get both! Saijo is the newest handroll bar in Culver City! We got the 2x2 set, which came with a bluefin toro and salmon handroll, along with a tsukune skewer and chicken thigh with green onion skewer. If you're hungrier, then I definitely recommended getting their 4x4 set, which also comes with edamame and miso soup. They have small sashimi plates too and we got their salmon which was super fresh and topped with truffle. The A5 Wagyu skewer was cooked perfectly and it melts in your mouth with how tender it is. It's a great handroll concept that includes kushiyaki which most other places don't have, so if you're craving fish and meat then this is the place to go! The quality of the nori was great since it stayed crispy when you ate it, and the pace of your meal is pretty speedy as well. They have some options for beer and sake to pair with your meal, and overall it was a great quick bite to eat.

Was craving some hand rolls so me and bf called at 12 pm and they had walk-in availability until 2:30 pm. We got seated immediately and service was fast. It was a nice and clean little spot with a special lunch menu and hand roll combos. We tried the 3x3 for $34 which came with 3 hand rolls and 3 appetizers. The salmon and blue fin tuna hand roll had a fresh crispy nori but I felt was lacking on the fish. The blue crab hand roll had a piece of shell inside which I was not too pleased about :( . I did enjoy their complimentary miso soup and edamame appetizers. The 3x3 also included chicken meatball, chicken thigh with green onion, and shrimp garlic butter soy. These were all tasty and flavorful! My fav was their perfectly cooked, juicy shrimps. A very filling order, perfect if you're really hungry. TLDR; hand rolls were lacking in fish, but pretty fresh. Found a shell in my hand roll :( 3x3 is a bit pricey but good variety of appetizers and yummy shrimp.

Seriously wishing SALMON told me about @saijohandroll earlier! This hidden gem hand roll bar and kushiyaki serves up incredibly fresh sushi hand rolls, sashimi and nigiri, which are prepared and served up fresh to order by their sushi chef as you're seated at the round table sushi bar. Their hand rolls are a bit more similar in concept to Kazunori, with simple flavors and garnishes that retain the focus on the incredible quality of the fish and the preparation of the sushi rice. Arguably even more impressive are their perfectly grilled skewers, which include chicken, beef (and wagyu), seafood and vegetarian options, and literally remind me of the ones I've had in Japan. Highly recommend ordering their 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4 sets, which include both selected hand rolls and skewers. If you're in the Culver City area, this hidden gem, authentic Japanese restaurant is definitely worth a visit! Featured here: salmon sashimi 2x2 set: bluefin toro handroll, salmon handroll, negima (chicken thigh and green onion), tsukune (chicken meatball) signature handroll: blue crab, shrimp, salmon belly sweet shrimp hand roll

I came here with my friend for dinner on a Tuesday. We had a reservation and were seared immediately. I've been on a mission of trying different handroll spots around LA and was super excited that Saijo opened up. The interior is typical of a handroll bar, with limited seating at the bar. But that's what makes it feel special and more intimate. I ordered the 2x2 which is two handrolls (bluefin toro and salmon) and two kushiyaki (negima and tsukune), served with edamame and miso soup. I also added on the signature handroll and the two specials, which were uni and nakaochi. The miso soup and edamame were great to start off the meal. Bluefin toro is always yummy, and it came with a mini salad. 8/10. The salmon handroll was reminiscent of the one from Kazunori. The texture of the fish was really nice. 8.5/10. The Negima kushiyaki is a skewer with chicken thigh and green onions. Super flavorful and tender. 9/10. The Tsukune was chicken meatballs and was also very delicious. They definitely know how to cook their skewers. 9/10. The Signature handroll consists of blue crab, shrimp, and salmon belly. Such a good combination - no wonder it's the signature. Lovely textures and flavors all together. 9/10. The Uni handroll and Nakaochi handroll were also delicious. I've had better uni that tasted more fresh and briney but it was still good. 8/10. They also scraped the nakaochi right in front of us, which was fun. 8.5/10. I'm usually not a stickler about service but our server was very forgetful. We had to ask for our diet cokes after we already mostly finished our first round of food because she forgot to bring them. I also asked for a straw twice. And then we had to ask about the specials that we ordered because we had finished eating everything else for a while, and it turns out she forgot to put the order in the system. She was also extremely soft spoken and it was hard to hear her answers when we asked questions about the menu. However, I understand that they had just opened so maybe some of the staff was still training. Just something to be aware of. Overall, a lovely dinner and the food was very good. Great quality fish. It's pretty good if you're craving handrolls with options for specialty meat skewers, but I would still pick Kazunori or Iki Nori as a go to over Saijo. I would recommend this place if you like trying different handroll spots though! It's fun to sit at the bar and the food is delicious!

Recently visited this handroll bar, and it was giving major Kazunori vibes. Parking is definitely limited since it's on a busy street, but you can usually find neighborhood parking on the side streets. I went around 7:30 PM on a Sunday night and it was a packed house, but they let you enjoy a beer on the patio while you wait. A lot of people were also waiting for pick-up orders. One thing I loved was how spacious the bar was -- seating for about 15-20 people. The menu is surprisingly large, with options like handrolls, sashimi, and yakitori. Everything is made fresh on the spot and comes out hot and flavorful. Such a cute date spot, but also perfect for a solo dinner. I'll definitely be back.

IG/TT @eatwkris @saijohandroll is LA's newest hand roll restaurant where you sit in front of the chef and the handrolls are made to order. The fish is fresh, seaweed is crispy, and I love that they give you free edamame and miso soup. I recommend getting the 2x2 for only $24. You get a salmon and toro hand roll as well as 2 chicken skewers (negima and Tsukune). It's the perfect little meal so light and fresh for summer but if you want more my favorite hand roll had to be their special!! It's $8 but comes with 3 types of fish, seared salmon, shrimp, and crab!! This was the best bite and worth every dollar. Their bluefin tuna was very fresh and just cut off the fish in front of us but it had a lot of blood on it, so the whole bite was very jrony. Unsure if they usually prepare it like this, but not our favorite. $24 2x2 - 2 hand roll, 2 kushiyaki $8 signature hand roll - salmon, shrimp, crab free miso and edamame saijo hand roll, Culver City 12473 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

I'm so glad that Saijo is just a short drive from work, because the lunch specials here are a STEAL. Seating is all bar seating (think Kazunori) but they also serve yakitori as well! The lines for dinner can be pretty long, but from our experience, the service and food comes out pretty quickly. I ordered a 5 handroll set along with 3 skewers al e carte, since it was cheaper that way due to the handroll specials for lunch. The biggest standouts to me were their signature handroll, blue crab handroll, the shrimp skewers, and the chicken thigh skewers. The seaweed they use for their rolls are roasted beforehand so they're perfectly crisp, and the yakitori skewers all have a pleasant aromaric charcoal smell while still perfectly juicy. Highly recommend, and will definitely be back in the near future! NOTE: Parking in the back is intended for employees only, but there is metered street parking out front.

Sooooo good! Feels like an authentic Japanese experience. The omakase is only $58 and you get sashimi, hand rolls and skewers! The miso soup is one of the best I've ever had. The skewers tasted amazing, fresh off the bbq. They have a decent drink menu though id like to see their sake menu grow a bit. They have smaller versions of omakase with the 2x2, 3x3, and the 4x4. I definitely recommend you go with one of these if not the omakase menu. It's affordable with a great variety of food and flavors. Bar seating only. They announce all the food when they give it to you so you know what you're eating. Highly recommend!! Definitely will be back! What a great experience!!

Saw this place on tiktok and wanted to check it out! I saw the big tuna fish online, and was happy to see it in person, haha. There's only bar seating, and they have so many workers to provide good service. They have good deals on their combos. I ordered the 2x2 which comes with miso soup, edamame, 2 handrolls, and 2 chicken skewers for $24. The food came right away, almost too soon, as the handroll came when I still had the miso soup and edamame. Wish it came out a little after because you are supposed to eat the handrolls fresh. The seaweed was flavored, which is not my fav either, and some of the fish wasn't my fav in quality. The skewers came out really hot and some of my favorites include the meatball and the beef. Overall, this is a good place for handrolls if you also want to get some other hot food as well! Would come back for their combos! Even cheaper at lunch!

Sushi lovers, this is a hidden gem! Tried Saijo today for the first time and I'm already planning my return. This new hand roll spot (just opened two months ago) is everything I love in a sushi experience fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. I went for the lunch set, and wow... what a phenomenal deal. Fresh hand rolls, miso soup, and a vibe small aisle yet open and little gem of a spot that feels like you're in on a delicious little secret. The sushi chef was friendly and clearly every hand roll felt like edible art, and the flavor combos were spot on. Shoutout to Ivan, our server, who was fantastic, warm, knowledgeable, and took the time to walk us through the menu and share his favorites. Love when service feels both relaxed and attentive. It's a cozy space with a first-come-first-serve lunch crowd (they're only open 12-2:30), so go early or be ready to wait it's worth it. Price point is incredibly reasonable for the quality. (See menu I've attached.) If you're looking for a quick yet elevated sushi experience with heart, Saijo delivers.

Saijo has become our new favorite spot within biking distance from home. The kushiyaki tastes just like it would in Tokyo (four times the price which, let's be honest, is expected in LA). While the beverage offerings are pretty limited, the cold dry sake from Akita was a perfect pairing with the food. The hand rolls were excellent too. I especially loved the special botan ebi with uni. That said, the service needs some improvement. It took over 30 minutes to get our first yakitori, and they forgot part of our order (three chicken wings). When I followed up in Japanese, the staff member admitted he forgot to put them in then 10 minutes later brought out just one. When I reminded him we had ordered three, he seemed surprised and never apologized. A simple "sorry" would've gone a long way. Definitely not the level of service I'm used to in Tokyo. I like their clean, bar-seating-only setup, but it could be tricky for groups larger than three. We were really impressed with the quality of the food, but a two-hour lunch wasn't what we planned. Next time, I'll double-check the order to avoid any mix-ups. Hoping for smoother service on our next visit because the food truly is worth coming back for.

Wow! Saijo keeps getting better. Getting in the habit of going weekly and each week it gets better. Love all the deals and am so tempted to gate-keep but its just too good. Sushi and skewers go well together and several of the skewers are just great, try the Halibut and the Chicken with Onions, yum! The lunch deals are great and its a fun sexy crowd they are drawing, definitely swipe right. This place is going to scale fast and I just hope culver city does not get to busy for its OG fans.

Omg delicious! I was hungry and wifey wanted the mushroom skewer so we got the omakase ($58) and 4x4 ($44). We split basically everything and nothing disappointed. Lobster hand roll was what I was looking forward to and it is now my staple dish here. The yellowfin sashimi to start was a close #2. Beer is fairly priced at $7 for Sapporo Light. The service is right in front of you, friendly and attentive. They have light housey music playing in the background but not to loud to interrupt a conversation. House was packed, as it should be, and no one was yelling to have a conversation. We will DEFINITELY BE BACK and recommend highly. Oh... parking is best on the ramp, yes a ramp, on top of the BJJ gym.

My new favorite handroll spot, better than Kazunori and Yunomi. Their handrolls are filled generously and the seaweed is delicious even if it sits for a bit while you're taking photos of your food :) What sets this place apart is that they also serve grilled skewers!! Super fast service inside and lots of seating around the bar. Parking maybe a little difficult due to it being street only but it's so worth it!

Ordered the Bento Box B and was pretty happy with it but not sure if I would come back since there's plenty of better handroll/sushi bento boxes around the area for the same price, quality & more fish. I wasn't sure what was in the bento box since the online ordering site doesn't mention details but I wish it did. Half of the cut rolls were just cucumber and rice which was a bit of a disappointment. However, the sushi was fresh and the two hand rolls were solid.

Great spot! Very quick and efficient service and everything was fresh and delicious. The hot sake was also so delicious and paired well with the fresh tuna sashimi we had.

Definitely adding Saijo to my rotation! Came by around 5:15 on a Tuesday night. There were a couple other parties eating as well. Since we came at an off time, we easily snagged street parking right in front. We got the 3 x 3, which I think is the perfect amount of food. The rolls were good, but I think the standouts were the skewers. For those that have never had yakitori, a set like this is perfect for trying something new. Service was also super quick! Overall really impressed. It would be nice if there were hooks under the table for you to hang bags/jackets. Will be back!

If you're in LA and haven't been to Saijo Hand Roll Bar, you're seriously missing out. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was sleek and inviting, but the real star? The kushiyaki. Perfectly grilled, flavorful, and expertly seasoned, each skewer was pure magic. The pork belly was juicy, the Unagi had a bold umami punch, and even the veggies were fire (literally and figuratively). You can tell they take pride in their grilling game. Hand rolls were fresh and solid too, but honestly, I'd come back just for the kushiyaki. Service was fast, staff was friendly, and the whole experience felt elevated without being pretentious. @sushitraveler

Tonight my friend and I went to Saijo we ordered the 4x4 which is 4 hand rolls and 4 grilled skewers. Miso and edamame. It costs 44 a head. The place is busy. You might walk right in or you might wait 15-20 minutes. There's no parking which is frustrating in that there is an empty lot across the street. They could easily set up a moneymaking parking system. For now street parking. Look at the signs some parking is permit only. Ok back to dinner. The bluefin hand roll was very very nice! All the hand rolls were nice. Warm rice loose roll nice crunchy nori tasty fillings. The signature roll was open almost taco like. Once the food started it came fast. I almost felt rushed. The fish side was very nice. Amazing? No. Very nice yes. Skewers were chicken (other meats available) 3 ways and an oyster mushroom skewer. My favorite was the Tsukune which is a chicken meatball on the skewer grilled. It was good I wanted 2. Yes one skewer of each flavor only. I think there's room for improvement in terms of seasoning. No sauces are delivered. It's not complex. Lovely in its simplicity. Ok the joint is loud it's an echo chamber and really needs some simple acoustic treatment to improve the ability to communicate if it's busy talking is difficult. I would say this would be counter romantic despite the low levels of light. Oh and it's a counter counter only!! The counter is a beautiful wood walnut or something like that a nice surface. Counter Wouldn't be my choice. Outdoor seating would help. Hope the seating is comfortable. The stools at the counter? I wouldn't call them super comfortable. They should be since it's a custom buildout. I'm not a stool Seating fan. From my perspective in its current state no parking Loud environment being rushed. There's lots of work to be done. It's a new joint they are still working things out. Our server was attentive and like I said once it started (which was very soon after we sat down) it was swift. Too swift. That's the rhythm of the joint almost a sense of urgency. Once we start.. eating dinner shouldn't be urgent. This place is out of my normal range it's a big deal to drive 20-30 minutes in LA to eat so it should be special. Saijo has some elements of special but has some work to to to achieve repeat business special. I'll check back in in 6 months or so to see. No pictures of food. But here's a shot of the menu.

There are A LOT of sushi choices in LA, it's like our version of Starbucks - The last year has seen a flood of omakase choices and even more handroll locations. Culver City has been lacking in quality sushi for a while, no offense to the current offerings... Saijo popped up on IG without too much fanfare other than "Opening on 4/2" but our hopes were high. Haven't been to a Day 1 launch in a while so we thought we'd take a chance to see if we can get in (they don't take reservations). Based in W. Washington where the old Detour Bistro Bar used to be, it's a busy street and parking can be difficult but plenty of side streets to try. At 7pm the place was full (seating for 24) so one of the Manager's/Robert asked if we minded waiting roughly 30 minutes and could grab a drink next door at Corner Door. We got the call 20 minutes later and in we went... Inside is similar in many ways to Kazu Nori as it's all bar seating and the vibe was very upbeat with customers and the staff. The menu is also similar to many of the handroll places, where you can order a set/combination of handrolls and skewers. Although higher priced than Kazu Nori or some others, the quality of the fish warranted the pricing. We went for the 4x4 to try a little of everything and noticed a large fish that the chefs were scraping at to make rolls. We found out it was a special that night and had to try as well. The skewers were just ok as I have yet to really fall in love with any type of skewer anywhere but it was nice and salty so you wanted to have a beer - which just seems right for this kind of place. The fish was very fresh, and the nori paper was amazingly fresh and crunchy, the toro roll was the best we had all night by far. Comparing to similar places: Fish was fresher and nori was super crisp - handrolls are pretty much the 'usual' size I love warm rice with my fish, but this wasn't that style - which is ok Beer selection is minimal which I would think can only get better (just two to choose from) Considering it was night 1, the staff had this place pretty wired. Service was very friendly and relatively fast - we will definitely be back to try more. Quick tip - They didn't really promote anything special or off menu, but if you ask they will bring over a small sign with what they have to offer.

Came here right at opening with my kids and got seated immediately. The lunch special is great pricing. We had the avocado, the shrimp, the special, the lobster and the toro. All delicious seaweed is so crisp and fresh. We loved the seating cozy corner for us, but the place filled up so fast immediately afterwards within 30 mins.

Yum. This place is so good!! Quality of the fish is fresh and delicious. Great menu options with more variety than most hand roll bars. I docked one star only because the food comes out too fast and in a strange order. I got two hand rolls before the miso soup and edamame. I love the signature hand roll and the albacore hand roll. Wil definitely go back!

I wanted to try this newer handroll spot in town since I'm usually at Kazunori. Overall, this location has roomier counter seating and a decent outdoor waiting area with standing counters and benches. The ambiance of this place feels less intimate because of the shape of their interior, which is out of their control. It's almost a bit triangular with a lot of wasted space in its center? Kazunori feels smaller and more intimate, similar to how it feels in Japan establishments. I arrived about an hour before closing on a Saturday night and the wait was about 45 mins. They have various preset combos that do *not* allow substitutions unless you have specific allergies. What I ordered: - I got the 2x2 which came with edamame, miso soup, salmon handroll, bluefin tuna handroll, and two skewers (chicken meatball & chicken + green onion) The edamame could use some flavored seasoning or maybe more salt? It was super bland. The miso soup was good though. Rolls were fresh, and skewers were super tender. - In addition to the 2x2, my partner ordered the unagi handroll, wagyu skewer, pork belly skewer, and beef skewer. The Wagyu was my favorite, but the price was a bit steep (~$18 for a few pieces). The quality was decent. However, be prepared to spend a bit more of a premium, especially for some skewer options. Overall, place is worth checking out if you're in the area. TLDR: less intimate ambiance than other handroll spots, but quality and service was great **parking can be really difficult since it's only street parking**

Saijo was a neighborhood sushi shop thats been sitting on my radar but never had a chance to go to until now. They have a somewhat small interior - all counter seats surrounding the kitchen. It's not ideal for big groups, but perfect for pairs! Now to the food, they offer two things: A variety of Grilled Skewers and Temaki (Hand rolls) - 2 staples of food that we like to pair with drinks. I got the 2 for 2 which comes with 2 rolls and 2 skewers, with a side of miso soup and edamame. Might not sound like much, but for 24 dollars and how the food is paced, I felt it was perfectly balanced. Definitely not a meal to get though if you're starving. The standout for me was the toro temaki. I think they mix in chopped Japanese pickles called Takuwan that gives it a nice crunchy texture! Overall experience was positive. I liked it better than kazunori. Would come again!

Discovered this spot through the Camber App's Instagram and I'm so glad I did -- Saijo might be my new go-to sushi place in LA. It's like Backhouse and Kazunori had a baby -- intimate, vibrant, and fresh. I opted for the 3x3 set (three handrolls and three skewers) and added a few extras off the menu. The one-bite hand rolls are a fun twist, and watching the sushi being made right in front of you adds to the experience. The kushiyaki skewers were super flavorful -- especially the Tsukune and the garlic butter shrimp. Everything was well seasoned and grilled just right. The hand rolls were fresh and well balanced -- the Signature and Blue Crab were standouts. Service: Friendly and attentive Vibe: Chill counter seating, great for a casual date or solo night out Drinks: They serve sake, beer, and wine -- I went for the Nigori and loved it Parking: Street parking available, free after 6PM Pro tip: No reservations, so time your visit well to avoid a wait Fun fact: Saijo is part of the Jinya restaurant group (yep, the ramen spot), and there's only one other location -- in Canada! That makes this Culver City gem even more special. All in all, Saijo is definitely worth checking out if you're a sushi fan or just want something fresh and flavorful in Culver City. Will 100% be back!

Handrolls have seriously come on to the scene lately, and Saijo is just the latest addition in a fairly... wouldn't say sleepy area of Culver City, as the food game here is strong, but definitely an area that could handle another sushi place. They may not be larger than some of their biggest competitors, but they sure feel like it, with a single massive three-sided triangular bar that gives an unusual sense of style vs. many of their competitors. The menu includes both yakitori and hand rolls, and is quite extensive. Service is generally good, but their yaktitori was kind of disorganized in how it came out. I went just two days after opening so it's fair they still need time to work out their service flow. The hand rolls are pretty good, but the best of their competitors are at least as good. And while it was nice they had some quality specials (botan ebi handroll and an uni hand roll), they most certainly charged accordingly, especially for the uni. If you want hand rolls and are willing to travel, Saijo is solid. They feel a little more special than a lot of their competitors due to their style, but as far as quality, I might say it's a bit harder to say they truly stand out.

Sweet staff Sashimi Salmon- my thought is farm raised (if that's important to you) served chilled in a sauce-wasn't fan Yellow tail- same Special hand roll- good Lobster roll- hand roll- yum light on the lobster Shrimp hand roll- ok Shrimp skewer- ok Sea bass skewer- ok, maybe green sauce on the side Quail eggs- ate one, there are three Hot sake One beer Not called to revisit. Maybe cute to try more skewers

Ordered kushiyaki for takeout Tsukune and the beef were my fav Chicken wings and shrimp were okay Negima was forgettable $37 for about 7 skewers Not bad!

Pros - the food was really good. The wagyu melted in your mouth. The meats and shrimp (wish we tried the eel!) was well seasoned. I got the 3x3 pre fixed menu and it came with Edamame and miso soup for $34. The bbq beef was also good, everything was really good honestly. Con - is nothing food related. The parking situation is street only and the side streets are permit only from 5pm to 2am on northside of Washington. It's only like 20-25ish counter seating and when it does become popular, I hope they start taking reservations. The lights were dim, the menu small and although it's a check box situation, it's asking for QTY, only shown on top the first box each section was super tiny. I was checking it until we realized it was asking for the quantity. Over all great experience. Everyone left happy and satisfied. We got lucky and had a party of 3 that showed up around 7:15 & got the last 3 seats together. Talk about Lucky!

Wow. I loved this place! I've been to Kazunori and Saru Handroll and hands down this place is the best! I got the 4x4 and was full after! It had 4 handrolls and 4 skewers. My favorite was their signature handroll! The price was very reasonable.

I love this place, I can walk from my house which makes it even better. The Signature hand roll is by far my fave, the skewers are so good too!!!! Such a cool vibe as well. Reasonable prices as well.

This place is great. The rolls were tasty, the service was great and fast. The lobster hand roll was probably my favorite.

Looking to try a new hand roll place and found Saijo and I was excited but it was disappointing. Maybe it's soft opening-type things but service and food was lacking. Location is pretty good and street parking is available if you get lucky. We came in and got seated immediately. We got the 3x3 that includes 3 hand rolls and 3 skewers. It took them a while to take our marked off orders and we had to flag them down to get their attention. Then we didn't get water or the drinks that we ordered so we had to also ask for that after waiting for a bit and also seeing people who came in after us get theirs. We got miso soup and edamame which was a nice touch and decent and then came the rolls. The tuna was interesting with some type of pickled vege (turnip?) that imo didn't match the freshness of the tuna. The salmon was decent and the best of the three and the crab was fine. For the skewers, they were all pretty salty. First as a chicken meatball, with a semi odd texture. Next was the shrimp that felt overcooked and kinda chewy. Last was the chicken and green onion sprigs that was flavorful but the most salty. In the end, while the food was ok, the service was what was very disappointing. It was not super busy so I don't feel it justifies the lack of attention. While it does have a cool vibe and a cool chill spot, I don't think I'd come back.

Food here was pretty good. I liked the warm kushiyaki dishes. I didnt like how rushed it felt there. I walked in at 9:08pm because Yelp said they close at 10pm. First thing the host said was "our last call is in 8-minutes." I said that was fine and ordered quickly. I had the 4 x 4, and they brought out several of the dishes together making it impossible for me to enjoy them individually or while the seaweed was still crisp. They had served me 8 dishes, plus soup and edamame and gave me the check by 9:37pm. It wasnt a good experience and I left with a stomach ache trying to eat the items as they came out. I could tell the staff just wanted to leave and us to hurry up. Overall, I give it 3 stars, but with the potential for 5 if they decide to welcome their guests rather than rush them out the door.

The food was very delicious. The hand rolls and the grilled sleeves were all perfectly done. Will definitely come here often.

Came on a Friday around 6:30 pm and waited almost an hour. We were allowed to order drinks while waiting outside. Once we got sat, it was almost a shock how quickly the food came considering the wait for the seats. My biggest complaint was the pacing of the meal--I ordered the 3x3 and received my first handroll within minutes of ordering. I was already on my third handroll by the time I got my miso soup and edamame so I had to juggle between not wanting my soup to get cold and my handroll getting soggy. And then came two skewers so I awkwardly had 5 dishes in front of me that all became cold by the time I finished. It felt like everything was too rushed (and I'm all for quick service typically) to the point that I couldn't enjoy my meal while warm because it all came at once. That being said--yes, the handrolls were better than Kazu. Fish quality was better, seaweed was crispier. Also added on the signature roll, which had a bit too much mayo for my liking, as well as the A5 wagyu which was a standout. Will be back and hoping they figure out their meal pacing. Also wish they had handroll sets without the yakitori but oh well.

Food was stand out excellent. Incredible hand rolls but came mostly for kushiyaki and would say hands down bet I have had in yakitori space.

I had a delightful lunch of 3 hand rolls here. I had the lobster, scallops and tuna. The soup, tea and environment were all excellent. I felt content and it is situated in a neat small corner with a Chocolate place and a Coffee and Pastry place. Very delightful spot. I love the service, the quiet helpfulness and attentiveness.

Hand rolls: excellent hand rolls, tasted like slightly upgraded versions of kazunori. This means fresher ingredients, more fillings (though slightly more expensive). Slightly toasting the nori before serving them is a nice touch! Yakitori: again, excellent skewers. Slightly limited in variety but they use real charcoals and skewers are masterfully grilled! Very flavorful, probably the best tasting Yakitori among the few other popular west LA Yakitori places that l have been to. Again, skewers are slightly pricier. Ambience: upscale decorations and attentive service. Would definitely be back as it satisfies two types of cravings the same time!

Went there for lunch. Both service and food were excellent. We recently tried a new Yakitori place, Gokigrntori, not too far from Saijo and were very disappointed. We are happy that we found Saijo. Will definitely go back!

Wonderful west-side haunt. I happened upon Saito for their Dine LA lunch menu. I'm eager to work my way around their menu at experience the dinner vibe. The hand rolls were exquisite. I was never in want of soy, even for un-sauced rolls, speaking to the freshness and pride they have in it. It's a step above without pretentiousness. The chefs were friendly, if too busy to engage. The staff was very friendly and really know the menu. The setup is cool. I'm fond of the u-shaped bar seating, creating a kind of communal and theatrical experience, while the stools aren't so close that intimate conversation is impossible. Recommend! Please help keep this gem open so I can keep coming back. Saving my last star for dinner and drinks.

I love this place so much!!! The omakase is a pretty good value and I love that it's high quality sushi and yakitori. service was great too!

So expensive just remember that the prices r PER piece, again Per piece. Thanks for being in culver neighborhood but our last visit as the local

Great first experience! The service was friendly and attentive. The hand rolls were delicious and well proportioned. Really enjoyed the kabobs especially the waygu skewer! Overall wonderful experience and we went with 5 people. We will be back!