Asuka — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Truly a one-of-a-kind omakase experience that you won't find anywhere else. Asuka has been a Westwood outpost since 1979, but if you've been to Japan as a visitor or resident, the service and the exacting attention to detail will whisk you right back. This is not your average sushi restaurant. This is an invitation to travel again without leaving the shores of LA.

I came alone for the premium omakase experience. If you want to try the wagyu beef, that's the route to take. (They're also absolutely scintillated to show you the certificate of authenticity to prove the quality and origin of their beef - not at all offended if you should ask. And you should, if you've never seen one before.) There was an even spread of hot and cold dishes, and nothing was boring. Even the simple complexities of the clam miso soup and chawanmushi with snow crab meat were perfectly timed. (No pictures, I know. It felt like an incomplete capture of the experience, and I'm sure dishes do change. Check it out for yourself.)

I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to finish everything (I couldn't, but others easily could I'm sure - the wait staff were happy to pack what I hadn't gotten to for me), but this experience was well worth it. Each course was explained with so much enthusiasm and appreciation for each ingredient. Between marbled fatty tuna, deep crimson bluefin, Hokkaido uni, oyster with caviar, and beyond, a meal at the hands of Asuka's capable chefs is one you won't...

After this dinner, I decided to start this diary of my food experience, in particular for the memorable ones.

Oct 21, 2022 (Fri)

It's been quite a while since my last visit to Westwood neighborhood, and this area is never on the top of the list when it comes to Japanese cuisine. (I might be wrong)

There's nothing wrong with the food, it's delicious and fresh which is expected given the price. No intention to list everything I ordered, but I think the Toro sashimi, uni nigiri, wagyu beef are outstanding.

SERVICE IS SHOCKINGLY POOR. This dude waiter is absolutely pushy when it comes to recommendation. "I think you should start with sashimi, Toro is great (MP on menu)....do you want the xxxxx yellowtail sushi? (my friend just want normal yellowtail and the premium version is 40% more in price)...you want 4 sushi? (despite I asked for 2 sushi since not all of us are eating).

All in all, I felt very uncomfortable with his aggressive behavior and standing within 2 inches next to my friend when my friend is looking at the bill and deciding how much tips to pay. OH, boss is sneaky as hell. He doesn't even answer my question on where he is from, he is very weird.

I felt very bad for the normal staff working there. Good food NEEDS TO come with a certain level of service. (I think I would have done a way better job than those dudes even with my historical waiter work experience at Starbucks and some...

I'm really hesitant about posting this review because it's one of my go-to places on the weekends when nothing else is available. But I want them to survive and I want them to do well so here you go. Asuka is definitely one of the best high-end sushi places in West LA. It's always been solid and they've always had some unique things on the menu but with the addition of their new chef (who used to work at Sushi 715 and is the brother of the head chef there), they have taken a quantum leap forward. Immaculately prepared and creative "new style" sushi dominates, not sure everything is written on the menu though so just ask for the chef to do it his style. The variety of fresh fish is second to none, they have fresh unagi and sometimes fresh anago that I found nowhere else in Los Angeles (everywhere else it's frozen and the taste is night and day), the duck breast is always one of my favorites... and what I love is that it's NOT omakase, you can choose what you want. (So tired of expensive omakase!!!) To get reservation the sushi bar you must call. It's not cheap but you'll get the same or better quality as the expensive omakase places for a lower price, and much greater variety. (Try their edamame agedashi tofu). The atmosphere is seriously lacking though and maybe that's what keeps the place from being more busy but that's...