Sushi Zo Downtown Los Angeles

My first time really eating sushi and caviar. It was tremendous. The service, quality of the fish and presentation is spectacular. Chef explains what you’re being presented and how it’s prepared. You must make a reservation because they only prepare for the day the exact amount of food. Chef is a true artist.

Had a great time, staff was so vibrant and friendly. It wasn't as busy so they made sure to be attentive and interacted a lot. Food was tremendous but their sizing is on the small side but still left the restaurant full. Third time going and still not disappointed.

Amazing place to grab a romantic dinner or be transported to Japan. The ambiance is very spacious but reminiscent of a very clean and modern feel. The sushi bar with very professional and chefs that communicate what every dish is is a good choice. They also have a few tables that offer some more privacy and easier to talk when in groups. Wasn't super crowded when I went on a weekday right when they opened and we were able to be seated without reservations but that may have been a fluke as the sign outside says reservations only. The food is truly the best part and really an extension of art and the chefs are very proud. All the fish is extremely fresh and the flavor profiles are absolutely amazing. Some of the highlights for me are the sea urchin uni as well as multiple others. The 25 courses leaves you absolutely stuffed and the service is laser fast and professional. Honestly very impressed with this place and is worth a visit by everyone.

The best omakase in Downtown LA so far! Each delicate piece of sushi sings inside of your mouth and gently persuade you that I'm the best sushi 🍣 you will experience better and better sushi back to back in the course of omakase. Omakase was good enough portion that makes you feel stuffed at the end and of course, you will be satisfied. This location is worth for special occasions such as birthday and anniversary with your loved one. If you want to enjoy this very special restaurant, you may want to give up sth expensive from your monthly budget ;) Per person price is over $400 (easily)

Hands down the Absolute BEST Sushi I have ever experienced! What an experience. Chef Eric was beyond amazing. All the team members were very friendly and accommodating. First class service all the way around.

I had a wonderful dinner at Sushi Zo last night! Really really enjoyed and loved their omakase Sushi. Everything was absolutely a top notch！ Sushi made by Sushi master Taro was so beautiful like an art! Our server Yui and Keiko explained what each dish was. Where the fish came from and how they cooked. Their explanations made our experience more rich and enjoyable! For the high quality sushi, I would definitely go back again!! Highly recommended!! After all this, they came to the door and greeted us when we left. I had a great time! Thank you so very much and see you soon!!

Chef Eric was SO awesome. We sat at the bar and had an amazing omakase experience! Every single dish was so delicious and beautiful from beginning to end. Took about 3 hours. Was so full, So worth it. Definitely will be going back. Thank you Chef Eric!

The food and service is uniformly excellent. It's omakase style, they'll ask if there's anything you can't or don't want and the chef will take it from there. Just about everything melts in your mouth. You'll have plenty of time to savor each bite, a seating will take about 2.5-3 hours.

I don't often leave reviews but what Chef prepared was just breathtaking. This is a dining experience that is truly once in a lifetime , thoughtful and the flavors were just extraordinary.

This was for my review a few years ago so these have all changed now i bet. But i enjoyed the sushi! 1.Oysters 2. Sashimi: seabream, tuna, and striped jack 3. Squid noodles with uni and sea salt Halibut from south Korean with sea salt 5. Skipjack from japan with ponzu 6. Hokkaido scallop with homemade soy sauce which is a little sweeter 7. Horse mackerel 8. Fatty Toro with homemade soy sauce 9. Glass shrimp with caviar 10. Sea bass from Spain from yuzu pepper 11. Wild yellowtail with shishito pepper 12. Black snapper from Greece with sea salt 13. Golden eye snapper from japan with home made sea salt 13. Sea perch with yuzu I4. Black cod from Canada with white miso 15. Eel 16. Negitoro hand roll 17 ends with dashi soup

Kate Y. had been craving sushi for the past couple days, and not just any sushi, she specifically insisted on finally trying Sushi Zo. Sushi Zo had been on our list of places to try for a while now, but I had somehow avoided coming here for one reason or another...which I now realize was a terrible, terrible mistake. I wish I would've come here months ago! We made a same day reservation same day through Tock for a Friday 8:00pm seating at the counter. When we got there, there was only one other party of 2 people, for a total of 4 people...I was relieved as I actually prefer the more intimate omakase experience. The server helped us choose a sake and a wine, and then the omakase courses began shortly after. Everything that came with the omakase was just absolutely delish and the chef did a great job explaining everything we were served. Every course was unique and you sample a wide range of flavors and tastes. The amount of food was just perfect, not too much not too little, and the whole experience lasted a little over 2 hours. The servers were just so attentive the whole time and made sure our glasses always stayed full and any empty dishes promptly removed. I wish I could get into more specifics, but I don't want to ruin the surprise and I'm sure the omakase courses vary from time to time... all I have to say is that if you're a fan of sushi and Japanese cuisine, you won't be disappointed. Overall, Sushi Zo was the best, most enjoyable dinner I've had in months and the service was absolutely top notch. I only regret that I didn't try Sushi Zo sooner. 5 stars all the way!

It's downtown so I would suggest to Uber for convenience and safety. If you are unsure about trying this place, PLEASE give it a try. I promise you will have an AMAZING Omakase experience. This was by far my favorite one yet! Not only is every course mind blowing but the service and chefs were top tier. I have a few allergies and could dine with no stress as they were extremely mindful and accommodating. The ambiance is clean with minimal decor. Order Seventh heaven sake bottle or two :) Whatever the occasion, this is an experience you don't want to miss.

Amazing! Great new chef and presentation. New chef is amazing and creates seasonal menus. They do have new security in the area. So many stand out dishes! $275 per person before tax and tip. We will be coming back.

The new chef at Sushi Zo is incredible. By far the best omakase experience I've had in the US. Can't wait to go back for the next seasonal menu!

My husband and I decided to dine at Sushi Zo for our first year marriage anniversary. The location is not upscale - if you're not a native to DTLA, this area is near some homeless camps and be aware and alert of your surroundings. A gentle reminder that if you come here, you're here for the food. The location is a consideration, but I don't think it's fair to judge an establishment based on situations they cannot control. We chose to get omakase, and overall the experience was great. Our sushi chef was very friendly and was detailed in informing us of each dish's origin and components. I loved the interaction with the chef. It felt very personalized and wasn't too forward where we were distracted from our meal. Our favorite dishes were the ones where they brought out the torch!!! Looooved the perfect sear on those dishes - so much so that we bought a torch once we got home. Quality of fish was great, and we got to try some fish they we've never tried before. We were definitely in omakase heaven. This omakase experience was very expensive. I loved our meal and don't regret our choice, but I do think it's overpriced. This could be due to my lack of experience with omakase, but I've had meals at similar restaurants that were more affordable. I plan to try more omakase meals in the area (SO MANY new ones have opened up!! Just do a quick search) and will revise my review if I feel differently with more experience. Overall, 4/5 stars. Definitely a special occasion meal.

Weird location, everything else was great. Our chef was very young but he has skills. Food was really impressive. Courses were well thought out. Every piece was delicious.

This is the BEST omakase I have ever had in my life. We made the reservation on Tock originally, $150 downpayment per person plus Tock fee. How it works is after your meal, you are refunded the Tock deposit plus the fee, and you can pay regularly at the restaurant. We came on a Thursday. There was only one other couple there for omakase so it really felt like a private dining experience. Very lucky for us. We were able to have fun, intimate conversation while learning so much from the chefs about the food, and the staff was impeccable. Our hot tea was constantly being replaced with hot tea again if it was too cold, and the ginger was flowing. Sushi chef Shimpei Shinohara was a freakin' delight. So personable, so knowledgable, so nice. 24 courses later and we were full. Plus, they surprised us with matcha green tea with a beautiful candle at the end because we were celebrating both of our birthdays! They also kindly allowed a substitution which was really nice because some places turn their noses up at that. I really appreciated it. Not gonna lie, it's pricey. After tip and tax the bill was over $400 pp. *Wipes sweat off brow* Not a place I'd be able to afford to come to all the time but perfect for a special treat or special night out. I will definitely be back!

This place serves good sushi, but I wouldn't say this is the best sushi I've ever had considering how pricey it is! Ambiance was mediocre. However, customer service was attentive & friendly.

This sushi restaurant is undoubtedly one of the best I've ever tried. Each dish in our omakase meal was both unique and flavorful. However, I must admit that I didn't particularly enjoy the location. It's situated in what I consider one of the less favorable parts of downtown LA, with homeless camps nearby and limited self-parking. I felt uneasy walking to the restaurant. Nonetheless, the dining experience itself was exceptional.

Best Omakase I've ever had. Great service and all about the food and not stuffy. And I didn't leave hungry!

This is my favorite sushi restaurant. I have been to their other locations and there are some small differences. But this is their best location. The flavors are the best and each dish is so unique. They are on the pricer end though.

UPDATE: we went again for valentines day this year. It went from a 25 course in 2022 to a 16 course this year and the pieces were TINY! The photos don't do it justice of how small everything was. I looked back at my photos from prior years and the pieces were at least half the size. The quality and wow factor were not the same either. We left hungry. I don't know if they felt they could just get away with the bare minimum because they had a high demand on Valentine's Day? The service was good but I don't know if we'll be back. There are many other omakase options for that price.

Don't let the surrounding area intimidate you and just Uber to the location. Amazing place for Omakase Sushi. Highly recommended!

As a lady, it feels a bit dangerous or not complaining to park around here and wait in front of the store. But.... As soon as I get into the store, I felt like I rent out this whole store my self. I felt very special. It was April 6,2022. They offered chiefs Omakase course as usual. Chris was the chief of our day! And he offered very good quality sushi and sashimi omakase. The store ( I don't know maybe we were lucky ) was sooooo quiet and the food was fantastic! One of the best spot!

We made reservation for 2 for the 6pm seating on Tock. One of the best Omakase we've had! 22 courses and every single one of them were delicious and unique. Chef Eric Kim was a great host. We sat at the bar and got to see him prepared all the courses. This is a fun and casual vibe. Parking on the street or there are a few parking lot / garage on the same block.

Food was great !!! AAA serives Chief Eric take very good care of us +++++++++++++++++++

This was by far one of the best dining experiences we had. The premium quality fresh fish, expertly seasoned and prepared, and the impeccable, pampering service all made it a truly unforgettable occasion at this unpretentious, classy restaurant. For two enjoyable hours, we followed a reiterative ritual of listening to an informative introduction of each new course, admiring its colorful, artistic presentation, aiming our cameras to capture the elegance of a wonderful masterpiece, then appreciatively savoring every delicious morsel of the delicate nigiri, and marveling at how the chef masterfully orchestrated the fresh fish, perfect sushi rice, and other fine ingredients to make each course taste so uniquely and amazingly fantastic. I could barely keep track of the dazzling array of fish from Japan, California, and other parts of the world that made up the multi-course omakase parade. One moment I thought I had a favorite in Scallop Hokkaido, only soon replaced by black throat perch, and so on. One easily ran out of superlatives to describe this omakase experience, a flavorful feast that appealed to senses of sight, taste and smell.

Sushi Zo DTLA is undeniably the best restaurant in Los Angeles. I don't mean the best sushi bar...Sushi Zo DTLA is the best restaurant in Los Angeles, period. We had dinner on a Wednesday evening and sat at the bar. Chef Shinpei Shinohara prepared our magnificent meal, which began with a sashimi and oyster course, followed by an array of sushi, so delicious that it was impossible to tell which course was our favorite. I have eaten at sushi restaurants all over the world for 40 years and I can easily report that this is my favorite dining experience in Los Angeles. Thank you and wonderful staff at Sushi Zo DTLA!

HANDS DOWN one of the best Omakase in town. their menu was excellent from beginning to end. made reservation for 7.30PM but i was running late, ended up being there by 8.15PM but i did let them know about my tardiness. i was seated right in the middle of the sushi bar. i do appreciate that instead of seating me on the side. i chose this restaurant to spend my birthday along with a friend of mine. when i walked in i was greeted by the two servers, they were wonderful as they were able to get me everything i needed throughout the evening. our two sushi chefs Eric and Shinpei were very friendly, i was glad that they were the one who took care of us. the Omakase course was abso-effing-lutely exceptional. i could easily call it "the Art of Omakase" started off with some oysters & sashimi and then we moved on to the nigiri, i don't exactly remember how many nigiri but it was plenty. and they closed the course with a dual protein Blue Crab and toro handroll. not to mention, they also server tamago cake and GT ice cream as desserts. the ones that really blew my mind were Hotate, little shrimps (dont know what its called), Uni & Squid with Truffle, double Uni with Ikura (pictures attached). oh my gawd, i was speechless when these stuff hit my mouth. we also ordered two bottles of Sake, 1 of them was Dassai 23 and the other 1 was Kubota Manju. two gorgeous sake but completely different flavor profile. i loved the Manju more but my friend liked the Dassai 23 better. i was having so much fun i was cheering with 2 servers, 2 sushi chefs and Keizo Seki (the BIG BOSS) will i come back? OF COURSE YES! Thank you Sushi Zo for making my birthday dinner wonderful, couldn't have asked for more.

4.5 Stars came here last week with friends for dinner! Their omakase was a great in general, especially the seared fishes were really amazed me! The chef is very awesome and stuff was friendly! Fish was fresh, just the sashimi parts in the very beginning was not impressive as their seared items; however, nice meal n was very satisfied! Paid Parking lots available across the street.

Sushi Zo is an amazing establishment and well worth the money. They serve a 20+ course omakase that they design everyday based on the market supply, thus I have pictures of the food but you may be served different pieces. You may think, "oh it's so many courses because they just give you a tiny little piece," but over the whole meal, it's definitely enough food to leave you satisfied. At Sushi Zo, they explicitly offer two selling points to differentiate themselves from the crowd. First, they focus on having every piece seasoned, garnished, or dressed. Personally I am favor letting the meat's pure taste shine, but of course I will try their expertise, and of course their dishes are still delicious. The fish are very fresh and high quality; these are the expensive cuts of the expensive fish. Over the course of the meal, the chefs or waiters explain the dishes to you: the fish, where it was sourced, how it was prepared, and how it will taste. This guides you through the experience and allows you to properly lean into the flavors. While all the food did taste wonderful, there were a few dishes where the seasoning drowned out the flavor of the fish, specifically the oysters that were accompanied with a yamaimo, ponzu dressing. The second talking point about Sushi Zo was explained to me by their chefs that they aim to challenge the typical omakase experience. They described a quiet, restrained environment, where the reserved sushi chef silently serves you each piece with a just a "douzo" as accompaniment. The team at Sushi Zo wants to break this norm and provide an environment where you can feel welcomed and enjoy the whole experience, not just the food. You drink with the staff and can engage with them. Not only did we have a fun time with chatty banter, they also answered the many questions I had on fish, cooking, knives, and so on. The best meal is shared with others. If you want to eat at Sushi Zo, reserve online at least a week in advance and choose the counter for the best experience. Have your wallets ready as it is a $300 dinner per person and you are encouraged to pair it with sake starting at $80 a bottle.

My boyfriend took me here for the Valentine's Day omakase set and it was a 2 hours with 16 courses experience. By the end of the meal, I was still so hungry and left feeling, "That was it?" which I have never experienced before at any other omakase. My boyfriend and I were searching up other nearby sushi places to see what was still open so we could go afterwards. The sushi pieces here were HALF the size of a normal sushi piece. The fish is cut super thin and It was the tiniest portion I've ever seen in any sushi restaurant. It was $250 per person, so the bill was over $600 after taxes and tips. You would expect to be at least decently full after paying that much, so I was disappointed because I had high hopes for this place. It didn't meet my expectations at all. I give it 2 stars because the service provided by our server was great. I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you eat a burger or two before arriving.

I lost count of how many courses there were but everything was delicious and fresh. You don't know the Omakase price until you're seated as the menu changes frequently for a new experience each time. Expect around $300 pp without drink pairing. I definitely felt more full leaving this place than other omakases I've been to in the past. Casual atmosphere. Service was good.

We had 25 courses each person, every course was super fresh, high quality and delicious. The hospitality of the staff was a big plus, they were so friendly and professional. It was a wonderful Omakase experience. Thank you Sushi Zo, we will definitely be back.

First, undesirable location. restaurant is located at one of the least desirable street corners in center LA where a long-standing camp of homeless tents is settled less than 100 feet away, you can constantly smell human feces and urine along the pavement. Second, horrible interior. As many of you fine dining lovers, you would have a clue on how a nice restaurant should be renovated and decorated. Sushi Zo is nothing of what you expect . The front door is like the gateway of an inner city subsidized housing complex which by the ways is almost identical to its back door, and they keep both door shut at all time so you can't even tell which is which. Anyone who's ever been to a real fine dining restaurant will feel shame inside like a knife if they called the interior of this establishment a post modern design. The inner spaces are dark, besmirched like scorched warehouses. Weird and whimsical white buckets are placed between each two tables as "decoration". A yellow slippery-caution sign was standing in the middle of the walkway as if it is a public restroom during maintenance. A cheap, aesthetically repulsive pop-up objects stands between the front door and the tables as a "wall." The bar design consists of nothing but stainless steel with absolutely no aesthetic values. Third, unprofessional staff: In a well-mannered, highly professional Omakase restaurant with class and taste, The chefs usually don't talk to the customer. But not for Sushi Zo. The two chefs here were constantly chatting with the customers like nightclub bar tenders in a Pub, maskless, nonstop. It seem like the care more about maintaining the interaction with the customers than carefully preparing food, which was why we witnessed their sneezing As for the waitresses, it's strange that they happened to be wearing masks all the time while the chef didn't. We believe the only reason the waitresses wore masks was to prevent unfavorable facial expressions. Instead of politely and carefully walking us through the food and serving with a good manner, all the waitress cared about was their refund policy. She didn't bother spending time over and over again explaining that there was no refund for us if we cancel, which brings us to our next topic, the food. Fourth, oversimplified, duplicated food. If you are thinking that spending $275 on only sushi can get you some extraordinary experiences , you're wrong. The 25 course tasting menu of Suzhi Zo gives you nothing but sushi with exactly the same shape. From a personal perspective, with a strong stomach like me I can stand until the fifth course while my wife couldn't. In fact she was disgusted by the interior design of this restaurant the moment she walked in, and she would like to cancel this instantly. But after being repeatedly threatened by the waitress that there will be no refund for our $400 deposit, she couldn't do anything but to acquiesce. Eventually my wife couldn't stand and forebear another fish sushi, and then something bizarre happen. The waitress actively came along and asked if we need to stop. Again she made it clear that taking away food which we couldn't finish was not acceptable by the restaurant, and more bizarrely, she even "offered" a solution package, pay 200 dollar each and get out, something I have never heard of in my life. And she said it was with the consultation of the chef. We felt like we were dining in the restaurant of a thug, this is not even a restaurant it's a mafia trap of extortion. If this is what the chef said, we are seriously considering filing a report to the owner. Fifth, duplicated charges and fraud. The restaurant charged a nonrefundable 400 dollar deposit the moment we made a reservation. And they charged us another 400 dollars plus tax and tips after that strange "solution package" arrangement without even mentioning how the deposit would be refunded. When we got back we found that the original deposit was already posted, which means they have charged us twice. This whole experience is so twisted , disgusting, and provocative. We were furious. We dine at these in restaurants almost on a weekly basis all around the world and I have never experienced anything like this. We would never libel or defame any services, and we always live our most direct honest opinions, which is why we are so serious that we even posted our credit card transaction details regarding this restaurant on this review. For Everything with Sochi Zo Los Angeles downtown, it's a disgrace, it's a shame, and it's even perhaps a crime. See

I used to come here often. But my last visit was disappointing. The chef didn't participate in the making of sushi. Most were too salty. I will give it another chance and see if it improves.

This was my most expensive and the best tasting omakase I ever had. Around $480 after tips for 2 people without drinks. The nigiri is smaller size than other places I've tried, but you get more nigiris to try. I highly recommend sitting in the bar. The course takes couple hours so plan accordingly. Only parking in the garage or meter.

Value (1 star) - If you want to pay around $365/person (incl. tip & the crazy LA city tax) and still feel hungry, then this is the place for you. $285/person + $27 LA city tax (9.5%) + $53 (15%) tip = $365. Quality (5 stars) - Excellent but not worth $365/person in my opinion. Service (4 stars) - Staff did a good job explaining the different dishes, but I didn't like getting served later than others who came after us, especially when we were the first ones there and had waited outside before anyone else came at least 10 min's past the reservation time. Ambiance (2 stars) - Outside is dirty and rundown with lots of homeless, thanks to govt policies. Interior is kind of minimalist and boring, not really my style.

This place definitely satisfied my Omakase craving! The bottle of sake we got (attached picture) was probably one of the best sake I've had for a while. It's dry and super smooth (not too sweet) All the pieces we had were delicious but I just wish the rice would be improved a little more. It was a bit too dry (not sticky) so it would fall off when you use your fingers to eat nigiris. It just doesn't have the same texture as Japanese rice that I usually have at Omakase restaurants. All and all, it was still a great experience. I love their creamy uni, scallop, otoro, A5 and monkfish the most. I was really impressed by the way they steam monkfish with sake first to get rid of the fishy smell. It tasted amazing I also don't think they should add a lot of salt to nigiris since they're already great in flavor and texture! Both Chefs were very friendly and knowledgeable to anything we asked. We felt very welcomed and would love to come back sometimes. The restaurant is a little bit to the higher class which might be a little more pricy than other places but I think if you can't make it to Japan, all the good Sushi restaurants in the US have the same price ($$$$) Thanks for hosting us. Cheers!

Easily the best omakase around. Amazing quality with innovative dishes, top notch service, and the best vibe. Executive chef Eric is so engaging and gives the best experience. He knows his stuff and educates you well on the fish. He's also super funny and social which makes it a fun experience as well. Worth every penny!

One word: Subpar. The bill was $880 for 2. I don't mind spending $$$$ for food, but I would not spend it here. I've been to Shunji, N/Naka, Ginza, Melisse, Providence, among other 1 & 2 stars Michelin rated. Here, the fish was OK at best, and that's being generous. There were a few that were totally unacceptable. I can get much better sashimi at Yama Seafood for 1/10 of the price. I guess there's a reason why they lost their 1-star Michelin rating. But it's all good, I wanted to give them a try but was disappointed. Nothing is special about Zo.

Great omakase experience. Food was delicious., very fresh. Waiter very nice and explains every dish. Small restaurant but cozy. Yes! Valet parking but plenty of parking places around.

First off, I want to talk about the PRICE of this meal because they do not have it listed on their website so I went in totally blind. When I went on 3/6, the 20+ course omakase menu was priced at $235 per person. The total cost after tax and 20% tip for me was $297. We did not order drinks but my friend did have a hot tea so that added a couple dollars to the total price. So without drinks, expect to spend around $290 on this meal. That said, this was worth every penny. Everything was so flavorful and the fish was incredibly high quality. I saw some complaints here about the rice and I am so confused by those because to me, the rice was perfect. And I had no issues with it falling apart, perhaps those people don't know how to use chopsticks lol. I also loved that everything seemed very traditional, yet at the same time was exciting and innovative in the way it was presented. Also, the staff was incredibly kind and seemed so happy to serve us. It was hard to understand sometimes through the masks, but that's to be expected. I'd definitely rather have everyone in masks and not hear every word than not have masks at all, haha. I do wish they gave a menu just so I could know what everything was that I ate, especially given the difficulty hearing/understanding the waitresses through their masks. I will say I wish the pieces of fish were a little bigger, but that's honestly my only complaint. I wasn't still hungry at the end of the meal, but definitely not full like I would like to have been after a $290 meal.

OH MY FREAKING GOSH. This is hands down my favorite omakase experience I've had thus far. My boyfriend surprised me with an omakase reservation here for my birthday and it did NOT disappoint!!! I loved how engaging the sushi chefs were with us and the order the food was given to us at a perfect pace, flowing in and out without one dish out shining the other was just so perfectly thought out. Every single dish had my jaw dropping all night! They even brought out a dessert with a candle on it for my bday, extra kudos to them!

Highly recommend this place. Very intimate, serving only a handful of customers each night. Interior is not the most beautiful, but the food and service are top notch.

Extremely bummed out by the interaction I had with the restaurant just now to the point where I'm writing my first review ever. My partner has been experiencing positive Covid symptoms today and I called to inform them and to cancel. They have a stated policy that you must pay a cancellation fee of $100 if you cancel within 24 hours. After explaining that we had to cancel last minute due to Covid, I told them I understood and accepted having to pay the fee. And I do understand. These are tough times for restaurants and especially for high ticket item low volume establishments like Omakase sushi places. I asked if they would refund me if they were able to fill our seats they replied 'no we can't refund you that's not our policy.' Then, 'have a good night.' No empathy whatsoever, no 'i'm sorry you can't join us tonight, I truly hope your partner feels better' NOTHING while also charging us $200! Hospitality should not be reserved only for when you are inside the restaurant but with every customer interaction.

Hands down the best sushi spot in all of southern California! Food is always super fresh and amazingly delicious. Service is always phenomenal. Michelin star consistently great! Even during COVID, still as great as it was before. Outdoor dining area is super spacious and comfortable even for someone who is very COVID cautious. Must try if you're a sushi fan.

Wow... first, hands off to the chef and the staff. Made my first time experience here so amazing! Was a bit nervous eating out during COVID, but made this experience so great! One of the best omakase experience I've had. They only have the Omakase (prefix by chef) menu, sushi/ sashimi/ hand rolls comes out one at a time. Thank you for the amazing service!

Really amazing omakase. Definitely in my top 3 overl favorite ever. I was not "carded" for a vaccination card. I think they need to update their yelp page. Because I just came last week and was not asked.. hopefully that helps with customers and business being back to normal. Amazing food, ambience is lovely. Limited seating. Recommend the bar unless you're with a party that 4. Then that's tricky.

Currently on a LA omakase bucket list adventure. Have tried about 3 so far and Zo tops the list. Great ambience, every piece tasted amazing and was presented beautifully. For purists, not strictly traditional but personally I love the creative twists when the flavors compliment each other perfectly and unexpectedly. Appreciated some warm cooked dishes admidst the nigiri pieces as well. Chef Eric was just charming and made the experience so fun. If you're looking for a top notch culinary experience, make a reservation at Sushi Zo.

My friend and I decided to make an omakase bucket list and of course Sushi Zo made it and did not disappoint. The slightly warmer than usual rice, the freshest fish, and the creatively paired flavors really enhanced the meal. I'm a fan of seared and smoked flavors and this omakase gave me so many opportunities to experience that. It really felt like being taken on a gustatory tour led by Chef Eric, who was the perfect charming tour guide. Can't wait to return!!

WOW. This place is amazing and chef Eric really set the bar high. Very memorable and delicious sushi experience. I recommend

Some of the best sushi I've had in my life. We sat at the bar and I would highly recommend the same if you're with a small party. It was a treat to watch every dish being made and hear from the source all ingredients and flavoring. A great outing I will cherish for a long time!

*** 400th review milestone *** Took me a little while to decide which restaurant deserves to be my 400th... and it's none other than Sushi Zo, where I've had the pleasure of dining at for my recent birth anniversary. Reservations only and no walk ins. Omakase ONLY, no menu except for drinks menu available. A M B I A N C E Ambiance is really nice and sleek. The interior of the restaurant is modern with a high ceiling showing exposed pipes. I like that since we sat at the edge of the sushi bar we were able to look out the ceiling high windows to a view of DTLA's winter/Christmas lights. F O O D The omakase consisted of 25 courses (you can opt for more at the end, but this was plenty filling even for a big eater as myself). Some of the items that really stood out from the rest: 1. Hokkaido and Santa Barbara uni: Both pieces were amazing, melt in your mouth. Super fresh; no hint of limpness or discoloration (which occurs when uni isn't fresh) 2. Wild horse mackerel: Apparently this is often offered in many sushi restaurants as "Spanish mackerel", which is incorrect! Definitely one of my favorite pieces, with the slight tartness and very refreshing aftertaste. This is not "melt in your mouth" type of fish, but I love the slight bounciness of the fish texture. 3. Yellowtail: Melted in my mouth. Yellowtail has a distinct flavor making it one of my all time favorite fish. It was outstanding here at Sushi Zo. 4. Salmon roe: Served over rice in a small, clear bowl. Very beautiful presentation. This was amazing - each individual salmon roe was bigger than usual, but soft, and bursted easily in my mouth. Most importantly, not TOO salty but still full of flavor. So good!! 5. Chutoro: I love toro. Chutoro comes close, but here it tasted almost the same. So buttery, and melts so easily. 6. Sea eel (anago): Prepared differently than any sushi restaurant I've been to. The chef added salt rather than the usual sweet dark brown sauce that you always see. This was a pleasant surprise because I could taste the sea eel so much more easily rather than having the fish masked by the sweet sauce. Such a nice take on anago! 7. Black cod with miso soup: The soup was outstandingly clean and hearty at the same time. Black cod was so tender, so soft (none of that dry feeling). 8. Scallop: Scallop in general is a hit or miss for me, because it often has a heavy fishy taste. Here, there was absolutely no fishy taste; it left a sweet lingering taste. Yum! 9. Salmon with kelp: Literally never had salmon with a piece of clear kelp on it. I have to say, the kelp was quite shocking and powerful in taste (but in a pretty good way). However, I usually prefer my salmon to be unbothered since it's so buttery and flavorful by itself. Overall, still a nice touch to change things up. 10. Hot green tea: Omggg soo good. They use some legit matcha green tea; I had it refilled easily 5 times throughout the meal. At only $5, I highly recommend getting it. Only 2 items were clearly disappointing: 1. Smoked black snapper: Although the smoked aspect is interesting, it kind of killed the freshness that I love about sashimi. I couldn't taste the fish itself. 2. Tamago: Although many see tamago as a simple, unimportant egg piece, I beg to differ. I've had tamago so good (at Sushi Azabu in New York) that I involuntarily exclaimed and asked the chef what I was eating. The tamago offered at Sushi Zo lacked the denseness, and balance of sweetness. It felt too light and plain in flavor. S E R V I C E / E X P E R I E N C E As always, sit at the bar for any omakase experience. That's where you can truly experience receiving each piece from the sushi chef and perhaps engage in conversation. Our sushi chef was really great, he spoke clearly of each course presented to us, sometimes providing additional information about the fish, how it's made, or how to eat it. I even talked to him about some of the other top sushi restaurants in LA and San Diego! He was very personable, respectful and resourceful. The waitresses were equallyy great; our waters and teas were constantly refilled. O V E R A L L So much love for Sushi Zo! Omakase and sushi experience wise, it pretty much ties to my experiences at Sushi Azabu and Sasabune. As I've only eaten once at each of the 3 restaurants, it's hard for me to clearly say which is #1, 2 and 3. Perhaps if I can make my way back for second rounds, a clear winner will stand above the rest. Regardless, I would absolutely die for another chance to come back at Sushi Zo!

Let me start off by saying WOW!!! I finally got to try out this sushi bar here in Downtown, Los Angeles to experience their omakase by Chef Eric and let me tell you that this experience was definitely worth it. When you enter this sushi bar, you are greeted right away and seated with your chef for the start of the omakase which means "Chef's Choice" and trust me they know what they are doing. With each course that was provided, Chef Eric was able to explain to us where the fish came from and the how he created each and every masterpiece. As you will see in my photos, each course was absolutely beautiful and that is what i call edible art.

Maybe the best meal I have ever had. An exceptional omakase experience.

Great service. Unassuming outside but a Hidden Gem inside. Food was particularly prepared and flavor palate well balanced. Server was accommodating and appear to be very knowledgeable as well as very engaged in each course. Will definitely return.