It is impressive how many great Asian restaurants there are in Los Angeles. Especially sushi and different versions of fusion restaurants of a Japanese foundation mixed with another cuisine. Mori Sushi is definitely not any fusion restaurant – it is as pure Japanese as it can possibly be, without being in Japan.

As is the case with most Japanese restaurants there is not much that points out that you have arrived at a great Japanese cuisine restaurant, discretion is a point of honour. Previous Chef Patron Morihiro (called Mori) Onodera is considered one of the great sushi masters of America and on good grounds. The present Chef Patron Masanori (called Maru) Nagano owns the restaurant together with his wife Miyuki Hayashi. Chef Maru has been working with Chef Mori since the day he opened the restaurant so they really know each other well. Chef Mori liked to develop new restaurant concepts and proceed in his life so it was a natural step for him to sell his namesake restaurant to Chef Maru.

Mori Sushi is a well-known brand for top quality sushi in Los Angeles so the restaurant will probably not change the name to “Maru Sushi” anytime soon. We can calm you by saying that the quality of the cuisine at Mori Sushi is just as good as it ever has been so no worries whatsoever about the new ownership.

Chef Patron Masanori Nagano really knows how to make delicious Japanese cuisine, especially his nigiri, which is amazing. You have different omakase, so order in a sushi omakase and let the Chef decide for you what to have. If you choose that, most of your dishes will be of sushi, but you will probably start with some of the Chef’s home-made tofu which is fantastic. Afterwards you can prepare yourself for lots of delicious nigiri pieces to arrive on your plate with everything you can expect, from bluefin toro and needlefish to bigeye chutoro and sweet shrimp.

Mori Sushi was opened in May 2000 so it has been around a while now and managed to create a reputation as one of the best sushi restaurants in the United States. The restaurant surely is one of the best Japanese cuisine shops you can find in America so we recommend it highly.

Written by Andy