"Sushi restaurants can be as expensive as a mortgage and as quiet as a library, but this casual Arcadia hotspot is a wonderfully refreshing change of pace. The setting is more like Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, a frenetic intersection of customers lined up at the door, servers scurrying about, and chefs working like they are on a tight deadline. Counter seating or a table farther back? Omakase or a la carte? It doesn’t matter. The rice for the nigiri is reliably generous and lush in texture, and fish flies in from Japan on Monday and on Thursday. For this reason, Friday is often packed, as regulars look to catch the freshest shipment. Efficient, fairly priced and friendly, Sushi Kisen meets all expectations in the most approachable of ways." - Michelin Inspector
"A relative newcomer in the SGV, Kisen is run by a chef who spent years at Sushi Gen and Shiki in Beverly Hills. Dedication to detail is apparent in the balanced vinegar-seasoned rice and pristine seafood that has been aged in traditional Edomae style, highlighting seasonal fish like skipjack tuna and goldeneye snapper from Japan. There’s an $80 minimum to sit at the bar, but spending that much will net you a royal meal and the focus of whichever chef is slicing the goods. Otherwise, opt for sushi sets that go for around $20 at lunch and $40 at dinner." - garrett snyder, brant cox, cathy park, sylvio martins
"If you don’t live in the SGV, making the drive to Arcadia can be daunting. But strip mall spot Sushi Kisen warrants a trip. A relative newcomer, Kisen is run by a chef who spent years at Sushi Gen and Shiki in Beverly Hills. Dedication to detail is apparent in the balanced vinegar-seasoned rice and pristine seafood that has been aged in traditional Edomae style, highlighting lots of seasonal fish like skipjack tuna and goldeneye snapper imported from Japan. There’s an $80 minimum to sit at the blonde wood bar, but spending that much will get you a kingly meal and the focused attention of whichever skillful chef is slicing the goods that day. Otherwise, opt for the dine-in sushi sets that go for $20 at lunch and $36 at dinner. Both are fantastic deals." - garrett snyder, brant cox, sylvio martins
"This unassuming spot in Arcadia has a versatile lunch sushi set from chef Hiro Yamada (Sushi Gen, Shiki). The $40 lunch special comes with nine pieces of nigiri, a cut roll, miso soup, and a few small bites. There’s also a longer $80 omakase for lunch with up to 15 courses. The price jumps at dinner, where most opt for the more elaborate, Edomae-style omakase." - Matthew Kang
"A Japanese restaurant offering a casual dining experience with fresh fish flown in from Japan twice a week." - Kevin Chau