An old sushi standby - Katsu-Ya

I blame Los Angeles on the fact that I really only enjoy eating sushi at 3 places in NY [For those of you who care, those three spots include Sasabune (an LA import); Sushi of Gari (only omakase; the a la carte always underwhelms); and Sushi Yasuda].

In LA, for sushi, it's hard to go wrong.  For traditional sushi, Sasabune, Sushi Zo, and Sushi Park are all A+.  Nozawa (aka the Sushi Nazi) is also strong but a step below the others for omakase indulgence.  For a no frills, fairly priced, non-traditional sushi splurge, I head straight to the strip mall housing a domino's pizza and Katsu-Ya (notice the hyphen - we're talking about the original location in Studio City; not the celebutard, Stark-studded designer sushi dens popping up all over the greater LA area over the past few years).  We're talking menus on a dry-erase board, disposable chopsticks and cheesy fake bamboo all over the place.  This is my go to for meals alone, with friends, with family or clients - it pleases everyone.

For me, it really comes down to two items:

Crispy Rice (technically this is a fried rice puff with spicy tuna and a slice of jalapeno).  I know it's not authentic in any way whatsoever, but it is delicious.

Baked Crab Handroll.  What makes this special are two key characteristics.  1) It's served warm - fresh crab with mayo and rice - all warm out of the broiler; and 2) it's wrapped in soy paper which complements the flavor perfectly and makes for much easier eating than the tougher nori.

I've eaten the entire menu up and down and when i am in LA, i'm usually there 3-4 meals/week.  No joke.  They catered my 28th birthday party and i've got a secret phone number so i can avoid the ever persistent busy tone of the main line.  No, i cannot divulge that information.  The last thing I need are any enemies over there on Ventura Blvd.


Furthermore, i make sure it's the first stop right off the plane when my girlfriend comes out for a weekend in LA.  Like me, she misses this place back east - unfortunately, for her these trips are only a few times a year!

Here's couple other goodies to share while we're at it.

Ikura and Wasabi-infused Ikura

Whitefish "Carpaccio" with Arugula and Sundried Tomato

Simple Albacore sashimi with ponzu sauce
(you just can't get good albacore on the east coast)