I love Japanese food- I'd eat ramen and katsudon every day if I could. And I like sushi. But sushi is tough for me to really LOVE in all caps. To get excited about. To think about days after. I still think about the sushi at Echigo. I don't claim to be any expert or jet setting world traveler, but I've had my share of sushi and sashimi in Japan. I waited in line at 9AM to get into a tiny sushi bar at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. And it was good. But ultimately the experience was more memorable than the food. Echigo is the polar opposite of that. There's nothing like driving up to a generic little strip mall and having an amazing meal. I recently realized I hadn't had memorable sushi in a long time, and was starting to worry I just didn't like it as much as I thought. I don't mind spending some real money on a meal, but I'm not one to spend recklessly either- I'm a very (obsessively) prudent shopper. I wanted a step up from the usual $15-20 meal, but I didn't want to hit the $100 range either. After hours of reading Yelp reviews, I settled on Echigo. I called on a Saturday around 6:30 to see if there was a wait, and there was not. I arrived around 8 with a friend, and we were seated immediately. The service was pleasant, but brief. All business. My friend was in the mood for tempura or something otherwise crunchy, and was a little scared when she looked at the menu- a rather unflowery list of the different sushi. No tempura shrimp. No spicy tuna. Don't get me wrong, being white and from Wisconsin those rolls were our introduction to sushi and I still love them dearly. But I explained to her, just get the omakase and hope the chef has better taste than we do. It's the only way to find new things you would never try otherwise. I won't go through everything they brought us (honestly I don't remember which names went with which fish), but oh my goodness. I liked every single thing, and LOVED a great many. This was exactly what I was looking for. And I want to go back and have it all again. In the end, 2 omakase dinners, a bottle of hot sake, and mochi for dessert came out to $107. By no means is this a small amount of money. The only disappointing part is that I was not full at the end, and I am a skinny little man. There's a Pizza Hut nearby and I considered stopping in for a slice. Still, I have no regrets and would go to Echigo again in a heartbeat. It restored my faith in LOVING sushi. In all caps. read more

I enjoyed my second meal at Echigo this past Saturday. This place serves traditional sushi- only about five rolls- all hand rolls and the rest is Nigiri or Sashimi. No miso soup, salads, just fish! This "just fish" is amazing though. Competes with the likes of Matsuhisa, Nobu and Sasabune (-when it's good.) The service is very good and I appreciate that they serve each order of sushi one at a time- I can't stand when I get all of my food at the same time! Next time I visit I plan to get the Omakase - as much as I love my favorites (butterfish, halibut, baby tuna) I need to branch out! read more

I loved it here! Omakase sushi here was awesome. =) Everything was AWESOME!!! Service at Echigo was great! The chef gave us a lesson on sushi knives and chose awesome dishes for us to try. Echigo is my second favorite in LA, next to ZO! read more

Expensive prices for hole in the wall-ish ambiance, though pretty fresh sushi. When my friend and I first got here, we weren't sure if the paper checklist on lying on the table was the menu, or if there would be an additional menu. We kind of had to look around and check out what other customers were doing. Just to warn you, each item on the checklist menu is for one piece of sushi. Prices are about $6 per piece. If you order just one handroll, they are nice enough it in half for you to share. I recommend the eel roll and the blue crab roll, which were my favorites. Dinner came out to about $60 for two people and I left feeling not super full. Probably wouldn't go back unless someone else is paying. read more

Love Echigo! Can't come here as often since I now work in downtown LA, but used to come here at least once a week for lunch. I heard that the sushi lunch special is now $15, but still worth it. I love the warm rice on the sushi. Brings out the true flavor of the fish. Their omakase is just as good as sasa. I think Echigo's bluecrab handroll is a tad better than sasa. Prices are slightly cheaper than sasa but not by much. Damn - I'm hungry thinking about omakase and the bluecrab handroll. Another good item is the bluecrab stuffed squid with sauce. OMG, it's so good! Now, I'm starving! Thanks Yelp for making me cry and wimper in hunger for omakase. The only potential negative (which is fine with me) is the decor. There is none. But, I go to Echigo for the fish (and bluecrab stuff) and to enter food ecstasy. Firends I have taken here are still thanking me for the ecstasy trip. read more

It's a pure sushi experience. My first introduction to skipjack, shima aji and butter fish. There's no ambiance but the value is in the food. The omakase is a great way to get a feel for the style of the sushi. The pacing gives you time to enjoy the food and chat. read more

One of my favorite sushi restaurants in LA. it's not because they serve nothing but fresh sushi/sashimi (you will not find teriyaki/tempura/california rolls here); its not the famous blue crab hand rolls; it's not even because the prices are some of the most reasonable you will find for omakase*. what keeps me coming back for more is the FRESH WASABI. what a huge difference it makes. no more of that dry, powdery stuff. this wasabi is fresh grated straight from the root itself and you can just taste that *zing*. i love it. * on a side note, the prices are low because unlike other omakase joints, they only serve one piece of sushi per person rather than the usual two. read more

I've only been there for their lunch specials. My husband and I keep saying we'll come back for omakase but haven't managed it yet. I daydream about the blue crab roll. Now whenever I go for lunch, I order the lunch special + an additional crab roll. OR if I'm very hungry, I'll do 2 lunch specials. It seems to be the standard there. It's unique for a few reasons. 1. They only do sushi 2. The rice is warm 3. No kids at the bar (THANK YOU!!!) read more

So there was a lot of hype about this place when I went. I'll admit, I was a bit disappointed. It tasted great, but the portions were tiny and not worth the price. For 2 people who weren't even close to full, the bill came out to around $100. I would rather spend that money on omakase at Sasabune. I wouldn't go again. read more

Love the warm rice sushi, stuffed squid, blue crab hand roll, and butterfish. I think the quality is on par with Sasabune and prices a bit more reasonable. No frills, quiet place to have dinner. I love it! read more

By far the best sushi I've ever had and I've tried many Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area. I love the food in SF but I have to admit LA has better sushi. The sushi literally melted in my mouth......the price is very reasonable for the quality you are getting. I will definitely be revisiting this restaurant. read more

Portions are way too small for what you pay, and the waiters are all very smug about the whole "Oh, we don't have soup or salads" thing. I was STARVING and I asked for a bowl of their sushi rice and they wouldn't serve it to me. The food came out slowly, and when it arrived, the portions were miniature. Yes, the fish tasted very fresh. But I wouldn't say it's the absolute best sashimi in the world or anything. Also, the rolls aren't cut, so you have to eat it like a hot dog. Seaweed paper is not particularly easy to bite through, and all the stuff inside of it falls out the back when you bite down. Also, the place has no ambiance - black and white tile floor, dark brown tables and chairs. Boring. We ended up going to Pizza Hut afterward because, despite our $100 tab, a couple of us were still hungry. also: we had a vegetarian with us, and her only option was a cucumber roll. read more

It's such an unsuspecting place for a great sushi restaurant! Tucked away on the 2nd floor of a mediocre looking plaza, you wouldn't expect their fish to be so fresh! This place is very authentic and apparently does not serve things like rolls, teriyaki meats, and what not. I came here for lunch and ordered their $14 lunch special. It comes with 5 pieces of sushi and a crab hand roll. It doesn't really fill you up though... we had to order an additional handroll and an extra piece of sushi to get full. While the quality of their fish was pretty good, I wish there was just more food! Maybe I'm just a fatty but Sasabune's $18 lunch special just had so much more food, for only $4 more. The food was good though, so I can't possibly give them any less than 4 stars! read more

ATMOSPHERE - Okay, this place needs some serious help. First of all, it's in a total dump of a strip mall. This part doesn't bother me. Since it's so secluded, he will only get customers through word of mouth, which lends itself to a true following. Secondly, the restaurant itself is kind of dumpy. I don't mind spartan decor but the ceramic tiles, leaking roof, and cafeteria chairs are just a little too distasteful. It's one way to define "minimalist." SERVICE - Very speedy. The waitresses are polite but overall, it's a very cold environment. The sushi chef is doing his thing, which I appreciate but doesn't really acknowledge the existence of his patrons. I don't expect an outgoing sushi chef but I don't particularly find dining with one who is completely aloof enjoyable either. FOOD - They have a great omakase but I just don't find the environment very enjoyable for a dinner feast. It's actually a very decently priced omakase. You, also, have to like the style of sushi. It's a very thinly sliced piece of fish served on warm, loose rice, which essentially falls apart when you try to pick it up. They make the best wasabi I've ever had (and also much thinner) - mildly spicy, slightly sweet, and full of wasabi flavour. The reconstituted powder stuff is total garbage. I've been enjoying their lunch special since it started out as $10 but has over time, increased to $14. I need to get a double order in order to fill up. The reason for the lunch special? It's all about the blue crab hand roll. Oh god, is this the ultimate blue crab hand roll. This isn't the best sushi joint in Southern California but it has a very specific style and I appreciate that. read more

Great sushi melts in your mouth. Really one of my go to places for that "Oh My God that was awesome it must be like this in Japan" sushi feeling. Pricey but what do you expect? The good stuff ain't cheap. read more

I rarely give 5 stars, but this place has the best Omakase ever!!!!! You're not going to like the set up inside, it's a piece of crap, but this is legit sushi! read more

The best word I can think of to describe echigo was underwhelming. I was underwhelmed with this restaurant. I went in with high hopes thanks to the great reviews, but it just didn't seem to hit the spot for me. Somehow, despite researching it on yelp, I didn't really realize it was a chef's choice kind of joint. Now, that's not bad to me...I LOVE sushi and prefer it be prepared simply, but I was somewhat unprepared for that in this case. Beyond that, I just felt like the quality of the fish wasn't particularly great and the whole ambiance was a little sad. I don't plan on returning. read more

This place is a traditional sushi place. People come here for sashimi and sushi. If you have friends that prefer dragon rolls and California rolls then you're better off elsewhere. This sushi joint is hidden on the second floor of a tiny plaza on Santa Monica Blvd. The restaurant was empty since I arrived around 9 when they were about to close. I got seated quickly and started to order from the sushi list. I ordered kumamoto oysters, red snapper, skipjack, scallops, sweet shrimp, uni, and sea bass. The portions of the fish were fairly large and with the perfect portion of warm rice made each bite amazing. The skipjack and seabass were my favorites. The fish were fresh and well prepared by the sushi chef. (presentation wise) Overall the different types of fish were great. After finishing up my food, I realized that my friend and I were the only ones inside the restaurant. I figured the restaurant was closed. The sushi chef and waitresses did not bother us or even hinted us to leave. Our waitress continued to refill our drinks until we left. This shocked me since the we were there 30 minutes past closing time! I will definitely come back for their excellent sushi and service! read more

The blue crab hand roll that everyone raves about is very creamy and delicious. The sushi itself is not bad. They use warm sushi rice, which is probably the reason why it kinda falls apart when you pick it up with chopsticks. Instead of regular soy sauce, what they have is something more similar to miso. Echigo serves traditional Japanese sushi. read more

Echigo - Blue crab hand roll, Norway mackerel, salmon, negitoro, butter fish, and uni! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Such a great, traditional sushi restaurant. It is pricey but the quality of the sushi and expertise in its preparation are worth it.

I have coming to Echigo for 15+ years and love it. Yes, the ambiance may be a little sterile...but I'll take the quality of fish/service over "nice lighting". If you're looking for friendly service and great sushi look no further. read more

My first Omakase, and it felt good for a change not having to decide what to order and not knowing what was coming next. It speaks to the cultural differences that 'chef's choice' is foreign to Americans......"what do you mean, 'no soy sauce.'" Anyways, Echigo did not disappoint. My recent sushi meals have been more of the 'Todai' variety, so maybe this review is skewed in favor, but the freshness and flavors I'm not used to stood out. Even the rice was noticeably better. And, the meal closed with the blue crab hand roll (yes, they're that good). read more

I hadn't had sushi for sooo long (out of the country for a bit), and Echigo was a perfect place to indulge after the dry spell. We did our own ordering, much to the chagrin of our foodie friend who would have preferred the omakase (next time). Everything was excellent--the rice was slightly warm and flavorful. Most memorable rice I've had with sushi. Some sushi came with sauces or garnishes--these additions complemented the fish/seafood perfectly. Red snapper, halibut, yellowtail and clue crab roll were excellent. My friends reported that the uni was outstanding--like butter was the exact term. Two more good points: the wasabi was definitely not out of a tube--freshest tasting I've had, and service was excellent. We ate a lot, one person had beer and one had tea, and it came to $56/person including 20% tip. Can't wait to go back when I'm back in LA for a visit. read more

The only restaurant that I've given 5 stars to in my short lived yelp career. Toshi is an AMAZING sushi chef. His preparation of the sushi is WITHOUT comparison. I'm talking melt-in-your mouth sushi. Do the weekday lunch special ($13 last time I went) and you'll be convinced. read more

Warm sushi rice is not for everyone but this place does it right! The sushi comes out a pair at a time so that the rice won't get cold. Blue crab stuffed inside a baby squid is outstanding and I personally love the Kanpachi. The prices are reasonable but get there early, the lines get long. Definately a must try. read more

Great sushi at a good price! I live in OC and this place is totally worth the two hour round trip drive anytime I have a sushi craving. The slightly warmer rice really does provide a better canvas for the fish and the freshly grated wasabi is the BEST!! Do not leave without having a blue crab roll. Its nothing like a generic California roll. IT's made w/ fresh blue crab meat and lightly bound with mayo. read more

I would have given this place 5 stars, but our bill made me gasp out loud. I was really excited to have lunch here. When my friend suggested we have sushi, I picked this over Sugarfish. I'd been to Echigo maybe 5 years ago and was pleased to see that it still earned such positive ratings on Yelp. The fish was fresh, the rice was warm, and I thought I was getting the $14 lunch special. When I saw our total over $60, I was shocked and embarrassed because I emphasized to my friend what a great value this would be. Hmm....did we forget the secret code or something? read more

We went there per my cousin's recommendation. We ordered Omakase, as recommeded by so many yelpers. The decor was only so and so; I expected more upscale atmosphere, or even just any docor or atmosphere enhancement. The service was excellent, the sushi chef and staff were all very nice and attentive. They serve only nigiri, no cooked food. The rice is warm, which I thought was different. The fish was very fresh and of very high quality; we had toro, butterfish, baby tuna, bonito, halibut, kanpachi, ono, scallop, blue crab roll, etc. And they add different sauces to bring out unique and subtle flavors of the fish. The wasabi is fresh, which I thought was a very nice touch. However one thing I noticed was that the fish was mostly pre-cut, hmmmm.... The dinner was very pricey for the amount of fish. Not sure if I would go back... read more

There are a lot of sushi places on the westside. But I think this place has got them all beat. The fish here is amazing. It's all about the fish and nothing else. Each piece of fish melted in my mouth. I even tried fish that I would never try at an average sushi place because I knew it would taste fresh. It's on the expensive side but it's worth it. Great fish and great people. read more

If I lived by here I would eat here everyday. I fantasize about it. AMAZING The quality of fish is unbelievable. Blue Crab hand roll is A MUST. Yellowtail and Albacore is the BEST. read more

Sushi and service is second to none!!! Omakase is unbelievable and the fish is so fresh. Would definitely recommend read more

Echigo - Sushi bar is Omakase! Unbelievable... - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Excellent, friendly service and top-notch sushi. Highly recommend the negi-toro and the salmon sushi. Both are extraordinarily fresh and flavorful, and quick! Finish with mochi ice cream, which tastes like it was homemade. Definitely on the pricey side, but a perfect choice you're looking for a great hidden gem in Santa Monica. The exterior isn't great, but it's DEFINITELY worth a trip to Echigo whenever you're in the area. read more

Really good sushi. They have high quality food and things on menu even some Japanese people will be a bit afraid to eat. But they're not always served in the most traditional styles. The atmosphere's a little too modern for my taste, but it's nice and clean. (I prefer down-to-earth dining room when it comes to sushi.) Reminds me a bit of Jewel Bako in New York. One time I went, they had shirako for special, which was a nice little surprise. I used to have 5 stars for Echigo, but now that I've been living in LA for about 9 months and have a better idea of what the standards are here, I'm bringing them down a notch to 4. read more

So my boyfriend suggested that we try this place because it's cheaper than Sasabune, my favorite omakase place in LA . The quality of the fish was pretty good, but I didn't like how the rice was soggy. The moisture from the sushi rice accentuated the fishiness, which kind of grossed me out. In addition, when my bf ordered an extra plate of toro sushi, they did a poor job making the sashimi part look presentable (crooked and had one long piece hanging from the side). I don't know about others, but I think the technique of cutting the fish precisely is extremely important. Friendly staff and fresh seafood. My boyfriend liked the place, but this place isn't for me. read more

Been coming here since they first opened. The best crab roll in the city - better than sasabune and sugarfish. Don't come here for the ambiance or for typical japanese fare. This place is solely for gastronomes who appreciate authentic japanese and the freshest sashimi. read more

3.5 stars. Chef's tasting menu / omakase is a traditional affair where one piece is presented at a time. (Uni was not included in the tasting menu). The overall experience however was a letdown because there was really nothing special about this meal. The decor here is plain white walls and it feels too bright. The fish and presentation was average / boring. Ponzu was the theme and was quite over powering as it is literally poured over the fish with the excess forming a pool and soaking the rice. It would have been much better lightly brushed over the fish (or even skipped). Overall if you need a quiet place for dinner with few other diners and no crowds this is it. read more

Echigo leaves me speechless- the fish is so fresh and buttery and the rice so fragrant I don't know how to describe it. This place is for sushi purists ONLY, so if you're looking for California roll, not only will you be disappointed, but if you ask for it you will probably offend the chefs. Some favorites of mine include: Blue crab roll Scallop Red Snapper Giant Clam Toro Butterfish Stuffed Squid I strongly recommend the omakase or "Chef's Choice" menu. While it seems pricey at $45, it is worth trying at least once. read more

Excellent fish! Very fresh. This is a traditional sushi place (no spicy anything, no philly cheesesteak, no caterpillar dynamite roll). They have fresh ground wasabi which was delicious. It had a horseradish kind of quality to it. Highlights: Blue Crab Roll, Halibut, Butter Fish (miso paste on the top) Negi Toro, Squid stuffed with Blue Crab (hoo Wee!) Definitely would go back. Although, the atmosphere is not that great. (Poor Lighting, not much of a bar presence and it's in a whatever strip mall) Which kind of helps because it's not crowded and easy to get a table, but there ain't no party happening. read more

Fabulous, let the chef decide what you eat, they will take good care of you! read more

Echigo - So delicious - Sushi Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Pricey, but a great local spot with little wait. I love their omakase. Sadly I never remember which ones I love as I am too busy stuffing my face. :) read more