UMIAI Hand Roll & Sake Bar — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I have visited many hand roll bars across Los Angeles, but UMIAI easily stands out as one of the best. From the moment I walked in, the cozy and aesthetically pleasing ambiance set the tone for a great dining experience. The warmth of the staff made the restaurant feel inviting—both the waiters and managers were incredibly attentive, friendly, and sociable.

I opted for the Umiak Simple set menu, along with the Scallop Caviar Crudo, and additional Bay Scallop and Tuna hand rolls. The meal started with a vibrant cucumber salad, which was refreshing and light, with a sweet and gingery dressing that perfectly cleansed the palate. The seaweed was soft and fresh, while the cucumbers added a crisp touch—setting the bar high for what was to follow.

Then came the hand rolls, and they were nothing short of exceptional. The seaweed had the perfect balance of softness and crispness, and the warm rice provided a great complement. But the real highlight was the quality of the fish. Every piece—whether salmon, yellowtail, crab, scallop, or tuna—melted in my mouth like butter.

The nigiri was some of the best I’ve ever had, with the Albacore nigiri being the standout. It had a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a slightly crisp top that elevated the flavor even more. The soft warm rice was a perfect compliment to the even softer, savory fish paired with soy sauce.

The Scallop Caviar Crudo was the perfect finish to the meal. The scallop was incredibly tender, requiring no effort to chew as it dissolved in my mouth. The caviar added a delicate hint of salt and extra flavor, completing the dish beautifully. I will definitely be returning to try out all the other Crudo dishes and any nigiri plates I missed out on this visit. Overall, from the excellent service to the superb food, UMIAI is truly a standout hand roll bar. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable...

Umiai is a great sushi spot in North Hollywood that combines a bit of KazuNori and a bit of Nobu.

The place is beautiful and it’s all counter seating

I chose the 5 Handroll set $34 which came with salmon, yellowtail, crab, scallop, and tuna. I loved all except the scallop, nothing wrong with it and I usually do like scallop but this had an odd taste from the sauce and not the scallops themselves.

Also ordered the salmon carpaccio $27 which was phenomenal. I loved the flavors and the different textures between the salmon, crab, and puffed rice crispies. It’s probably one of my favorites crudos or just seafood plates I’ve had in LA.

I asked what else was recommended for the crudo and told that the yuzu yellowtail $25 is their most popular. I can see why. It’s light, fresh, citrusy, and delicious.

For nigiri, I went with: toro $17 big eye tuna $8 seared salmon $12 albacore $8.50 halibut $10 Hokkaido scallops $9 wagyu $25

Each nigiri order was simply delicious. I couldn’t choose a favorite since they were all equally delicious in their own ways.

Service was great but my only complaint would be how the food is served. When you go to other Handroll spots, regardless if you order handrolls, nigiri, plates, etc, there’s an “order” to them, and by that I mean the chefs check on you and wait to make/serve the next dish until after you finish what you’re currently eating. This can be said about many regular sushi spots too. But here, I had my first plate of nigiri, the salmon carpaccio, and first Handroll all delivered at the same time. I was in the middle of eating my carpaccio when the Handroll got soft and the seared salmon got cold. Somewhat minor to me as I’m not a huge complainer for something like this but I do hope that style of service improves! I will...

UMIAI Hand Roll & Sake Bar is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with an excellent ambiance that perfectly blends modern chic with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The decor is stylish and the lighting creates a warm, intimate setting that’s perfect for any occasion.

The staff here are exceptional. From the hostess to the servers, everyone is incredibly friendly and attentive. They go above and beyond to make sure you have a fantastic dining experience. The customer service is top-notch, with staff members always ready to recommend their favorite dishes or explain the nuances of the sake menu.

Speaking of the menu, the food and drinks at UMIAI are simply outstanding. The hand rolls are fresh, flavorful, and crafted with care. Each bite is a delightful explosion of taste and texture. The sake selection is impressive, with a variety of options that perfectly complement the food. Whether you’re a sake aficionado or a newbie, you’ll find something to love.

Overall, UMIAI Hand Roll & Sake Bar is a must-visit. The combination of excellent ambiance, stellar staff, and mouthwatering food and drinks makes it a standout dining experience. I can't...