Sama Hand Roll / Grill

Had an incredible dinner at Sama Handroll on a Friday night, and it definitely lived up to the hype! We walked in without a reservation and were seated pretty quickly, which was a great start to the evening. The handrolls were absolutely delicious — the unagi and salmon were my personal favorites, fresh and perfectly balanced. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the lobster pasta and crispy rice tuna were too — creative, flavorful, and well-executed. I got Purple drink cocktail, which is great for someone who likes sweet drinks. What really stood out was the service. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, making us feel right at home. We were celebrating a friend’s birthday, and they even brought out a complimentary dessert — such a thoughtful touch that really made the night special. Highly recommend Sama Handroll for a fun and satisfying sushi night out. We’ll definitely be back!

I really enjoyed my time at Sama. It has a beautiful atmosphere and wall art with phenomenal, attentive service. My favorite dishes were the brussel sprouts, salmon skin hand roll, and crispy rice with tuna. Everything else was great and beautifully plated. The other dishes were great and they came out fast. I will definitely be coming back with friends and for meetings.

Had a great experience at Sama Hand Roll for my birthday. The arts district location is convenient and there is a public paid parking lot nearby so that you don't have to waste gas circling the streets. All of the hands roll were good, the rice was a nice texture and the fish was fresh. I also highly recommend getting the short ribs. Overall, a solid Japanese spot that's worth a revisit.

Everything about our experience here was exceptional—from the food to the service. We ordered the Bluefin Burrata, Truffle Sashimi, Lobster Bites, and the Sama Hand Roll, and each dish was beautifully prepared and packed with flavor. The Peach Blossom cocktail was the perfect refreshing touch to round out the meal. We ordered a ton more of food but I forgot to take pictures of the other dishes. A special thank you to Faustine, the manager, who was incredibly accommodating and welcoming. The service overall was attentive and made the experience feel extra special. Highly recommend this spot for anyone who loves elevated Japanese flavors in a chic, relaxed setting. Will definitely be back!

SAMA Handrolls completely blew me away. From the first bite to the last, everything was spot-on. The handrolls were unbelievably fresh, with crisp seaweed, warm rice, and super high-quality fish. Each roll was made right in front of us and served immediately—exactly how handrolls should be. The yakitori was just as impressive. Every skewer came off the grill with that perfect char and juicy center. The chicken thigh and beef skewers were standouts, but honestly, everything we tried had that smoky, savory flavor that hits just right. The vibe at SAMA is casual, the art inside was beautiful located in the art district and the staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and quick without making us feel rushed. Whether you’re a sushi lover or a yakitori fan (or both), this place delivers. Already looking forward to my next visit. Highly recommend!

When we cannot decide where to eat me and my girlfriend drive directly to Sama Handroll Sama is my go to place for quality hand, rolls, fish and many other fusion dishes. The lobster dashi pasta 10/10 I get it everytime. As well as the short rib 👌 They are constantly improving and rotating their hand roll selection so come in ask him what their specials are. You won’t be disappointed.

This hand roll and yakitori spot is a hidden gem. The hand rolls are made to order, with crisp seaweed, warm seasoned rice, and ultra-fresh fish — the toro and spicy salmon are standouts. On the grill side, the yakitori is flame-kissed and full of flavor. The vibe is warm and casual and inviting, with chefs who clearly love what they do. Whether you’re here for a quick bite or a full-on skewer feast, you’ll leave full and happy.

Nice new addition to the neighborhood. Props for the the handrolls, great balance of ingredients, not too much rice, good amount of fish, solid nori. Guess why it is in the name. The grilled chicken skewers are awesome, the green onions are sweet and chicken well marinated. I would say what I like is that the focus on ingredients is clear. Nice vibe when there are good number of people, you feel the buzz but aren’t overwhelmed. We went during soft opening, the service is a little off as the wait staff clearly is getting up to speed on the menu, but the kitchen seems dialed in already. Very promising addition.

Food was fire!!! Excellent service 10/10 would recommend the broccolini and truffle sashimi. Coming back for that short rib.

If you find yourself in the Arts District please do yourself a favor and go to Sama Handroll. I was fortunate enough to go to their soft opening. Our table ordered just about the whole menu. Everything was delicious and the service immaculate! The decor and drinks created a very relaxing atmosphere. I can't wait to go back and try the items I didn't try.

Love, love, love the food! Lobster Dashi pasta and the toro hand rolls with bento flakes and caviar with pickled wasabi are must grabs! Also recommend the Waygu short ribs and lobster bites.

I had an amazing experience at Sama Handroll! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was inviting, and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. The handrolls were the star of the show--perfectly crisp nori, warm seasoned rice, and the freshest fish I've had in a long time. Each bite was packed with flavor, and you could tell the ingredients were top quality. The menu had a great selection, from classic toro and salmon to more unique combinations that were a delight to try. They just started their lunch menu, the Samadon is definitely a must try. Service was fast, and everything was made right in front of me, adding to the experience. Whether you're a sushi lover or new to handrolls, this spot is a must-visit. I'll definitely be coming back soon!

Sama Handroll is that upscale yet lowkey spot that hits every time. Cool vibe, good music, and the kind of high-quality sashimi that keeps you coming back--but with a twist. Like their bluefin burrata--random pair but it hella works. Creamy, fresh, and just one of those combos that surprises you in the best way. A must order. Handrolls are solid, but the truffle toro? Next level. Rich, buttery, with just enough truffle to flex but not overpower. Definitely a must. My absolute favorite though? The Sama Bowl. It's technically a lunch special, but the chef hooked it up for us during dinner. Toro, ikura, crab meat, and uni--it's just one of those bowls where every bite makes you pause and appreciate every taste. Pro tip: ask for the Jidori egg with sweet soy on the side to pour all over and seaweed for DIY handrolls. Bomb! Also, don't sleep on the lobster noodles. They're generous with the lobster, and the ramen noodles worked--chewy, flavorful, and just hella satisfying. Sama's the type of spot you come back to when you're craving something high quality but chill. Perfect for date night or catching up with friends. Definitely one of my new go-to's in the Arts District.

Came across this amazing NEW Japanese restaurant at the arts district! The chef gave us an off-the-menu Caviar Fish Sandwich which was unlike anything I'd ever had! It was so delicious!! We also had the spicy Hotate scallop roll, blue crab roll and their specialty Sama hand roll. The fish was really fresh and melted in your mouth! The service was fast and friendly. The space was very intimate and modern, which makes a great addition to the arts district! Overall, highly recommend trying this amazing new restaurant if you're in the mood for delicious and innovative Japanese cuisine!

Went here for a Galentine's dinner and had an amazing dining experience. Attentive, friendly service and of course delicious food! Went with a big group so we got to try a lot of things but my faves were the brussels sprouts, truffle sashimi, uni & caviar handroll, unagi tempura, and an off menu item - fried sea bass sliders with tartar sauce caviar, YUM! Definitely ask your server if they have these available for the night. Can't wait to go back! 10/10 recommend, book your reservations now :)

Parking There is street parking and a pay parking right next door! Easy and convenient! Host Once we got there, with a party of 6. Host was able to seat us right away even tho one of our party was late. Ambiance Very well put together. The art designs, the bar seating, open concept kitchen. Everything was well thought out and planned Food Everything we ordered came out great! Ordered the whole menu! Service Wait staff was tentative! Great personality wish I got his name. Conclusion 100 % recommend! Give this gem a shot! Well worth the visit.

Food was 10 out of 10. Price was fair and portions were decent. It was soft opening so food took a while to come out, employees were still figuring out the flow of things. I'm confident they'll have it figured out by grand opening. Space is gorgeous and very cozy. Located in heart of little Tokyo/art district. Will definitely come back.

Sama exceeded our expectations! The host was incredibly accommodating when we needed to add two extra guests to our table, making the experience seamless from the start. Service was attentive and friendly throughout the night. The food? Absolutely delicious! Every appetizer, skewer, and handroll we tried was amazing, but the real standouts were the blue crab, and toro caviar handrolls--both were incredibly fresh and flavorful. You can really taste the quality in every bite. Can't wait to come back!

Delicious and comforting flavorful fresh hand rolls and entrees. The lobster ramen pasta is an absolute portal to heaven... such a treat! The service is great, vibe is beautiful, music is poppin, chefs are amazing! Enjoy

If you're looking for a new Japanese spot in LA, this is it! This isn't just another sushi bar--it's a thoughtfully curated experience where classic Japanese flavors meet an LA-inspired touch. The hand rolls? They hit. The blue crab hand roll, in particular, was a standout--packed with fresh, sweet crab and wrapped in perfectly crisp nori. highlighting the chef's skill and attention to detail. Surprisingly, one of the most memorable dishes of the night was the brussels sprouts. Despite being a soft opening, service was great. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring plates were cleared efficiently. You could tell they were well-trained.

Wow wow wow wow wow wow WOW! I can't remember the last time I made loud "MMMMMMMM" sounds after many dishes. My FAVORITE was the tempura eel. Eel is my favorite anyway but I have never heard of tempura eel before. Of course I had to try it. Omg revelatory. We tried veggie tempura, shrimp tempura. Their tempura was the most delicate and flakiest I had ever had before. We had the pork belly which was succulent. We had the shishito peppers. We had a second order because that sauce on it was so darn delicious. We tried the wagyu Shortrib - that was my least favorite honestly. It tasted too much like beef left out in the fridge. Is that aging? Moving on to the sushi - those were great. Favorites were the tuna belly and tofu. OH!! My FAVORITE was the ikura. Ahhh - the marinade was incredible. I could just eat them with a spoon. Perfectly sweet and fatty little pops of delight. I also had the yuzu lemonade - round of applause- delectable.

My new favorite restaurant!! Went here with my family and a second time for Galentines dinner (perfect spot for date night as well). Everything was AMAZING. Every single appetizer was so good, all the fish were FRESH, and all the hot dishes/skewers were great. Favorite appetizers: truffle sashimi, brussel sprouts, unagi tempura, spicy tuna crispy rice, lobster bites Favorite handrolls: spicy scallop, Toro+caviar, uni, blue crab (seaweed came out crispy. Impressed considering our big party) Favorite hot dishes/skewers: seabass, lobster pasta, short rib We had the pleasure of trying an off menu item: Seabass sliders with caviar, please ask if this is available when you go!! It is SO GOOD. The desserts were not too sweet just the way we like it. Impressive selection of cocktails, sake and wine. Some notes: -Plenty of parking plus a few parking lots right across -Make a reservation on open table, they're busy! -Kid friendly, they have high chairs :)

This place truly outdid itself. The ambiance was great and the music and lighting were a perfect touch! The hand rolls were perfectly crisp on the outside and fish was extremely fresh. The drinks were amazing and made with fresh ingredients which really elevated the flavors of the drinks! We live close by and plan to make this our new handroll spot. The servers were all extremely attentive and helpful. Truly a great restaurant and experience!

My husband and I came here for date night, and were so glad we came here! The handrolls were delish and you could taste how fresh everything was. The shortrib Kamameshi and the lobster pasta were also flavorful and hearty. They also have a great cocktail and sake menu! Forgot to take a pic, but I had the lychee mint mojito and it was devine! Can't wait to come back again to order more dishes to try!

Solid spot! Everything was great, but a couple nitpicks: -The shishito peppers were strangely bitter -The overhead white lights are too harsh. Would recommend something warmer and more subtle to avoid the cafeteria vibe.

Service was great with the food. Definitely 10/10 recommend. I'm glad I live close by

Went for the soft opening and it was delicious. I definitely will be back, service and food was on point. Tried almost everything on the menu but few favorites was the yellow tail Serrano, the wagyu steak, pork belly, and miso cod. Can't really go wrong with any of the food they have. Def recommend going

Our family came to Sama and we were very impressed. The restaurant is modern and sleek and the food was amazing. I love how the food has the traditional elements of Japanese cuisine, but executes a modern take to each dish. From the appetizers, we ordered the crispy tuna rice, Brussels sprouts, and unagi tempura. The crispy tuna rice is so bomb! It has a unique but very tasty flavor profile. It is better than the tuna rice at Nobu. Brussel sprouts were perfectly crispy and had a nice creamy sauce to pair with it. The unagi tempura was a highlight to our visit. Never had anything like it, but it tasted so fresh and crispy. Even the picky people in our party loved it. When visiting, you must order the wagyu shortrib, lobster dashi, and miso cod robata. The wagyu shortrib was perfectly cooked and tender. Inside was cooked perfectly pink and had no a nice crust on the outside. Lobster dashi is a must try item, it has generous portions of lobster and pasta if you are feeling extra hungry. The miso cod robata was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Also better than nobu. For the quality of food and price point, I highly recommend coming here. For date night or just a good time with friends and family, you can't go wrong with Sama

this place is bomb! we had the best meal there - everything was super yummy and fresh. service was great and friendly. cant wait to go back! crispy rice and spicy tuna was really good. Wagyu beef item was killer!

The hand rolls themselves are a work of art. Each one is meticulously prepared, with the freshest fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and a variety of innovative fillings. Server that actually enjoys being by the patrons and make us feel welcoming is a delight!

Food was incredible , delicious, and fresh. Ambience and vibe is lovely. Must try truffle sashimi and the lobster pasta. Also for sale, their in house caviar!! 10/10.

I probably saw it from an Instagram video. When I come, caught my eye in the window and I knew l had to go in and try it. The interior is brightly, with cute decorations. Fabulous food! I try most haft of menu. Nice vibe and great service! very friendly, The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming , warmly. Very recommended here and want to come back here again.

Excellent food and service. Ambience was very pleasant. Great new sushi spot for a date night or a sushi craving. Unique flavors. Not your typical sushi.

I happened to be in the arts district on a date with my wife, we stumbled across this restaurant that just had a soft opening! The food was fresh, the staff was pleasant, the drinks were awesome. Actually they don't have a full bar-- but they have AMAZING Sake cocktails-- and yuzu lemonade for the kids! There's still a few things I want to come back and try like the Short Ribs. Definitely recommend the blue crab and uni hand rolls!

I loved my first visit to Sama Handroll and I'll surely be spending more time at the Arts District now! Great location, easy parking lot, great space, fabulous patio, lovely people. The food is in the same vein as a Nobu or a Katsuya, but with reasonable prices, and more relaxed and super fun atmosphere. As the name would suggest, there's a fabulous array of tasty handrolls, but don't fill up before you try the many inspired sashimi dishes ... tuna with burrata in particularly is clever and delicious. Even with the seafood focused menu, everyone at our table swooned at the pork belly, short rib, and lobster dashi pasta. Highly recommended!

Five stars does not do justice to the amazing experience at Sama. Hands down some of the best food I have ever eaten in LA - or in my life. The cocktails are great too. It's fine dining with a fun casual vibe. A gem in the city that will not be a secret for long.

An easy 5/5* Let me begin by saying that we ordered almost half the menu and did not find one dish we didn't like. Everything was so nicely flavored, extremely fresh, and high quality. The handrolls give any other highly acclaimed handroll places a run for their money, if not better. For our appetizers we got the shishito peppers, spicy tuna crispy rice, vegetable tempura, and salmon carpaccio. They were all delicious and had their own unique flavor compared to other sushi places. We ordered the toro, uni, spicy scallop, blue crab, and salmon skin handrolls. Each of them were so flavorful and didn't taste ocean-y or fish-y. You can tell the product comes extremely fresh and high quality with unique flavors. For the warm dishes, The lobster dashi pasta was one of our favorites. Not heavy at all with the cream so you don't feel sick after eating. You definitely have to try the Miso Cod too. For dessert, you can't go wrong with any of the options. Our favorite was the chocolate roll, which was sooooo good we kept thinking about it for a whole day. It was cold and refreshing with different layers and wasn't overly sweet either. The matcha sesame dessert was a very interesting texture, but we loved how the sweetness level was just right. Staff was extremely attentive, welcoming, and friendly. They were accommodating and helpful with any questions that we had. They always checked in when we ran out of water or beverages. The ambiance of the restaurant is chill, hip, but also intimate. The seating arrangement is very spacious and arranged in a way so you don't feel awkward as if you're within anyone else's space! Which we loved! Overall an amazing experience, and I can definitely see Sama Handroll as a wonderful staple / go to Restaurant in the Arts District.

The food here is amazing! Service was great very friendly. Great place to come for good food and a good time with music and drinks.

Such a cool new spot in the Arts District. So many unique dishes and all done extremely well. Went to their "soft" opening and tasted pretty much everything. Some highlights...bluefin burrata- that was a new one and so delicious! Brussel sprouts, miso cod, hand rolls, lobster dashi pasta...yum! Cocktails on point too. Can't wait to go back.

Had the privilege of trying Sama for their soft opening. Firstly, the location is easy to find. There's plenty of parking outside as well as a paid public parking right beside. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant. Lights were perfectly lit. Not too bright not too dim. You are also greeted by this amazing street artwork on the wall of a Samurai. Upon ordering food & drinks, the waiter was very attentive and helpful with the menu. We tried basically all of the apps. I always order the crispy tuna rice everywhere I go and they made it excellent. The spicy yellowtail and crab hand rolls were bomb! Also got to try an off menu item: Seabass Sliders w/ Caviar. My fatass ate 2 of them. My other fatass friend snuck a couple of them to take home. The dessert that I enjoyed was the matcha sesame. Overall, this is a perfect spot to take a date or a night out with friends. Thank you Sama! I'll be back.

We really enjoyed our dinner at Sama Handroll. Great ambiance. Highly recommend the crispy rice with spicy tuna and the toro sashimi. Excellent wine list. Look forward to our next visit.

Amazing food as always! The toro handrolls with caviar and fresh wasabi were divine. And the lobster dashi never disappoints!

Freshest Fish I've tasted!!! This fish just melts when you eat it slowly. High grade Fish!!!! I really love Fresh Fish!!!!