Sushi Gen

"Lunchtime sushi bargain-hunting is a game that is not easily won. Unless, of course, your path ends at Sushi Gen. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything about this Little Tokyo institution you’ll dislike, but if you go for lunch and don’t get the $23 sashimi platter, you’re doing it wrong. Just get there early—lines form well before opening. At dinner, said sashimi platter bumps up to $32, but we’d recommend you head right to the bar and go to town on their a la carte sushi options instead." - garrett snyder, brant cox, sylvio martins

"Of the countless sushi options in LA, Sushi Gen exists at the top of the quality-meets-value pyramid. For over 40 years, this Little Tokyo institution has been serving excellent sushi at affordable prices. Most people go for the specials—basically samplers of the best-selling nigiri and sashimi on one plate. But if you know exactly which specific cuts you want (or which ones you don’t), you could also just post up at the bar and order all the à la carte sushi your heart desires, while sitting front row to veteran sushi chefs cranking out fresh nigiri like clockwork." - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"Great sushi can be expensive—but it doesn’t have to be. For every pricey omakase temple in LA serving top-notch toro with gold flakes, there are just as many neighborhood sushi spots with affordable nigiri plates and rolls. Not all of them are created equal, though. Head to the top of the quality-meets-value pyramid, and you’ll find Sushi Gen, a beloved Little Tokyo institution that’s been serving great, reasonably priced sushi for decades. Most people go here for the lunch and dinner specials—the combo plates of nigiri and sashimi that you’ll see on nearly every table, and that crowds line up early for at lunch. They’re our favorite way to sample a variety of their glossy, best-selling cuts in one dish, but if you know exactly what you want (or don’t want), you'll just be as happy sitting at the bar and ordering sushi à la carte. The prices are just as far, and you'll be sitting front row with veteran sushi chefs who crank out fresh nigiri like clockwork. No matter which route you choose—specials or à la carte—you'll find a solid sushi experience where over-ordering doesn’t mean spending recklessly. Food Rundown photo credit: Cathy Park Sashimi Deluxe At $46 ($52 for dinner), this plate comes with a spread of sashimi, including toro, hamachi, ika, and salmon tartare. Order rice on the side to make it enough for two, but if you’re coming solo, get the sashimi lunch (or dinner) instead—it’s an individual portion of fish that already comes with rice and tempura. photo credit: Cathy Park Premium Sushi This set costs $38 ($47 for dinner) and comes with all the nigiri you’d want to try, plus a cut roll. It’s pretty straightforward with fresh fish and rice, but we especially like the premium cuts such as unagi, uni, ikura, and toro. À La Carte Sushi / Omakase Head to the bar if you’d rather just order an à la carte parade of your favorite sushi. But if you’re open to surprises, let them know how much you’re willing to spend on omakase, and the sushi chefs behind the counter will take it from there." - Cathy Park

"This iconic sushi restaurant in Little Tokyo is consistently packed at the bar and in the dining room. Most come for the affordably priced sashimi lunch special, but for an even better experience order directly from the menu or at the bar. The expansive selection of nigiri sushi and sashimi never fails to please." - Matthew Kang

"Welcome to one of LA’s great sushi institutions. This Little Tokyo strip mall spot has lines down the block every day before it even opens, and everybody’s generally waiting for one thing: the sashimi lunch special. With soup, salad, and over nine cuts of premium fish, this $23 plate is one of the best deals in the city. It's so popular you have to sit in a specific area of the restaurant to get it." - brant cox, sylvio martins