Under the masterful guidance of Chef Hisashi Udatsu (of Tokyo’s Michelin-Starred Udatsu Sushi) and Naotaka Ohashi (of Michelin-Starred TIRPSE), Udatsu Sushi [宇田津 鮨] has officially opened in Los Angeles. Discreetly hidden behind an antique wooden door imported from Japan, the restaurant offers an intimate omakase experience, showcasing tradition and innovation through Japanese cuisine.
The first brick-and-mortar location stateside, Udatsu Sushi’s Hollywood iteration has infused the intimate eight-seat dining experience with the understated charm of Tokyo’s Nakameguro neighborhood. The Tokyo-born concept rose to fame after its opening in February 2019 and earning its Michelin Star in 2022.
Led by Executive Chef Shingo Ogane, Chef Hisashi Udatsu’s trusted protégé, the restaurant emphasizes premium ingredients, sourced through strong partnerships with fishermen, farmers, and suppliers from Japan and Southern California.
Designed with a keen sense of flavor progression, the 17-course menu ensures that each dish unfolds harmoniously as diners journey through their meal. Signature offerings include a vibrant seasonal herb roll which uses organic herbs, an array of tuna nigiri, delicate flounder with grated ponzu, and more. A Japanese sweet egg omelet is thoughtfully presented at the end, offering a purposeful finale to the dining experience. The Los Angeles menu also highlights unique items that celebrate a collaboration of Japanese and local ingredients, such as the Sea Urchin Nigiri, which combines Hokkaido and Santa Barbara sea urchins atop sushi rice and crispy fried nori for a perfect blend of flavors.
Featuring seafood from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, each shari-rice dish is crafted with a proprietary blend of three types of Iio brewed vinegar, to match and contrast the taste profiles of each creation. Furthermore, the temperature of rice is customized in order for diners to best complement the chosen fish’s flavors.
Custom tools from Udatsu Sushi Tokyo, like the stingray-skin wasabi grater, find their place in the Los Angeles location. This unique grater tames the heat of the wasabi, enhancing its aromatic qualities and ensuring it beautifully complements the flavors of each dish.
A sake connoisseur, Chef Udatsu, alongside Naotaka Ohashi, will present an evolving selection of natural wines paired with seasonal brews from Japan’s lesser-known sake houses, offering a journey through unique and hidden flavors.
In due course, Udatsu Sushi will also offer a vegetarian omakase menu, designed to highlight the rich flora of Japan, coupled with a broad spectrum of influence from California’s agricultural dominance. With these efforts, he plans to make Udatsu Sushi a space that “is not just about sushi, but also a place representative of the city of Tokyo where people from diverse industries and nationalities can interact and deepen their mutual understanding of each other.” shares Chef Hisashi Udatsu in a statement.
The unique brutalist-inspired interior showcases the exceptional design by Gry Space. Upon entering through the antique ‘Kura’ door that dates back to the Meji era, the space is anchored by a long, concrete omakase bar with eight yakisugi barstools, crafted by Deceres Studio using the Japanese woodworking method of charring cedar wood. Adorned with botanical sculptures by Alejandro Bataille, the raw simplicity of the room is brought to life to foster an alluring ambiance that is sleek and inviting.
Udatsu Sushi’s Los Angeles debut brings more than a fine dining experience—it weaves together the rich traditions of Tokyo’s culinary scene with the dynamic flavors of California. Chef Hisashi Udatsu’s vision extends beyond sushi, fostering a space where cultures converge and conversations thrive. From the meticulously prepared dishes to the carefully chosen beverage pairings, Udatsu Sushi offers an unforgettable culinary journey into the soul of Japanese cuisine.
HOURS OF OPERATIONS AND RESERVATIONS: Wednesday through Sunday, with two seatings at 5:30 pm and 8pm. Reservations via Tock
Udatsu Sushi is located at 6634 Sunset Blvd. Floor 2, Los Angeles, California 90028.
