Sama Hand Roll / Grill — Restaurant in Los Angeles

OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Amazing food, fresh fish, great service! Dog friendly!

AMBIANCE: Noise level is average. Amazing playlist!! They were playing all the great jams from the 80s and 90s!

DRESS CODE: Smart Casual

ORDERED: You can't go wrong!!! EVERY SINGLE DISH was amazing! [5/5] yu so cutecucumber: the perfect pairing of yuzu and cucumber and house sake, with some refreshing mint! [4.5/5] peach blossom: a bit on the sweet side, but not too sweet... slips right down! [5/5] blood orange: house sake, blood orange, ginger beer. not too sweet and tasty! [5/5] crispy rice tuna: just the right amount of tune topped on crispy rice [5/5] brussels sprouts: MUST ORDER! perfectly seasoned and great to munch on! [4/5] tongue: I love tongue! it was marinated well but the cut was a bit too thick for me [5/5] chicken heart: perfectly cooked! [5/5] spicy hotate scallop: sOoOoOo good! scallops were fresh and spice level was on point! [4/5] salmon: very fresh, a little bit dry, but still tasty! [5/5] spicy yellowtail: fresh and tasty! [5/5] truffle toro: melts in your mouth! [4/5] uni handroll: was good, but seemed like it was missing something [5/5] hamachi serrano: again, very fresh and love the serrano peppers! [5/5] matcha mochi cake: this was perfectly made! a little burnt on the sides which added to the flavor! paired with some black sesame ice cream. PERFECT TO END THE NIGHT! I wish there was a little more ice cream though LOL

SERVICE: Service was exceptional!

PRICE: it can easily be $100pp, depending on how hungry and thirsty you are haha

PARKING: street parking and lots near by (lots can be expensive).

Food: 5/5 stars Service: 5/5...

This place isn't bad. I would say it's fine. But I'm a little confused about it. The interior and vibe is nice. We were 2 out of 5 people dining in on a Sunday night, so felt really empty. We tried to sit at the bar, but the seats were so low and counter so high that it came up to my neck and I couldn't even reach the table top like normal so we had no choice but to sit at a table. I feel like this place doesn't know if it's casual or fancy. There are standard handrolls and sushi dishes at fair prices, they played 90s hip hop, but at the top of their wine list is Dom perignon. This isn't the kind of place I'd splurge on that. I ended up paying $25 for a standard glass of white wine that could have been $9-$14 anywhere else. Server didn't know about any "house white". Just feels unnecessarily complicated and mismatched. The salmon hand roll I had was very tough and I couldn't bite through it. Bad enough to where I actually did mention it to the wait staff - they apologized and didn't charge me for it. Also there is too much seaweed around the hand rolls. Place was mid. I feel like if it was more lively - and had better drink selections I'd go back. But unfortunately there's just many more better sushi places...

A Sushi Lover’s Dream – Top-Tier Quality and Flavor

As someone who’s passionate about sushi and always on the hunt for top-notch spots, Sama completely exceeded my expectations. From the presentation to the freshness of the fish, every detail showed precision and care. This is a place that truly respects the craft of sushi.

The flavors were clean, balanced, and elevated without being overcomplicated. Whether you're a sushi purist or love creative bites, there's something here to love.

Top must-try dishes:

Bluefin Burrata – A genius combination of creamy burrata and buttery tuna. Rich, unexpected, and absolutely delicious.

Hamachi Serrano – Bright and refreshing with just the right touch of heat. The yuzu soy brings it all together perfectly.

Sama Hand Roll – An absolute standout. Generous cuts of premium fish in perfectly crisp nori—simple but exceptional.

Hotate (Scallop) Nigiri – Silky, sweet, and ultra-fresh. One of the best scallops I’ve had in recent memory.

The atmosphere is modern and elegant, and the staff is knowledgeable and welcoming. You can tell the team takes pride in the experience they’re delivering.

Sama is a must for anyone who appreciates...