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KazuNori | Marina Del Rey
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
KazuNori | Marina Del Rey
8.1
KazuNori’s Marina del Rey outpost is a dedicated hand-roll bar where warm rice and crisp nori are built to order across a short, focused menu. Counter-only seating, set menus, and a tight operation make it ideal for a quick but serious sushi fix before a movie or night in the marina.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro Hand Roll, Bay Scallop Hand Roll, Blue Crab Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: A hand-roll-only bar obsessed with warm rice, crisp nori, and speed.
Who should go: Sushi purists who love hand rolls and counter seating.
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons or early evenings to avoid waits.
What to order: Toro Hand Roll, Bay Scallop Hand Roll, Blue Crab Hand Roll.
Insider tip: Choose a set menu, then add extra toro or bay scallop at the end.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Admiralty Way is the main option; spots turn over quickly but can be tight during peak marina activity. The Waterside lots nearby offer short-term paid parking if needed.
Dress code: Casual and clean is perfect. Most guests come in marina-casual attire—jeans, tees, and light layers. No need to dress up unless you’re pairing it with a date-night outing.
Noise level: Moderate. The counter setup and steady turnover create a lively hum, but you can still hold a normal conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes depending on peak marina traffic; the counter moves fast, so lines tend to advance steadily.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; often seated within 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few vegetable hand rolls (like cucumber or avocado), but the menu is mostly fish-forward.
Vegan options: Very limited — only basic vegetable rolls qualify, and there are no specialty vegan preparations.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — fish and rice are naturally gluten-free, but soy sauce contains gluten; request tamari packets if available, and note that cross-contact is possible at the shared counter.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a low-pressure, quick date where the focus is on great hand rolls rather than a long sit-down meal. The counter-only setup is intimate but not ideal for long conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they don’t take reservations. It’s walk-in only, and the line generally moves quickly because of the streamlined hand-roll format.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but the counter-only seating and fast pacing aren’t great for younger children or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, made-to-order hand rolls with perfect warm rice and crisp nori. Ideal when you want quality sushi without committing to a long omakase or full-menu dinner.
Skip if: Skip if you want variety beyond hand rolls, if you’re dining with a larger group that needs table seating, or if you prefer a slower, more traditional omakase experience.
KazuNori | Marina Del Rey
8.1
KazuNori’s marina outpost is a dedicated hand-roll bar where warm rice and crisp nori are built to order across a short, focused menu. Counter-only seating and set combinations make it ideal for a quick but serious sushi fix before a movie or night in the marina.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro Hand Roll, Bay Scallop Hand Roll, Blue Crab Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Hand-roll-only counter obsessed with warm rice, crisp nori, and speed.
Who should go: Sushi purists who love hand rolls and counter seating.
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons or early evenings to minimize waits.
What to order: Toro, Bay Scallop, and Blue Crab hand rolls in a set.
Insider tip: Start with a preset combo, then add extra toro or scallop rolls.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Admiralty Way and nearby lots; evenings can fill up quickly, so allow extra time.
Dress code: Casual and clean; most guests arrive in marina-friendly outfits like jeans, tees, or light layers.
Noise level: Moderate; steady counter movement and music, but you can still hold a normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes, especially during peak hand-roll rushes.
Weekday lunch: Often minimal wait; seating moves quickly due to counter-only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but available—cucumber, avocado, and a few simple rolls work well.
Vegan options: Very limited; only basic veggie rolls and no vegan-specific sauces.
Gluten-free options: Possible with select items, but cross-contact is likely due to shared prep; ask the team to guide choices.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want something casual and interactive. The counter format keeps things light and conversational, though it’s not ideal if you’re hoping for a long, lingering meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations here. The counter system moves quickly, so even during busier windows you’ll usually be seated within a reasonable wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat. Older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but the counter-only setup and tight space can be tricky for younger children or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, high-quality hand rolls with warm rice and crisp nori consistency that’s hard to match elsewhere in the marina.
Skip if: You want a long, plated sushi experience, hot dishes, or a traditional table setting—opt for Irori or Sushi Enya instead.
KazuNori | Marina Del Rey
8.5
KazuNori’s marina location brings the group’s counter-only hand roll concept to Admiralty Way, serving seaweed-wrapped rolls made to order so the nori stays crisp. Set menus and a focused list of cut rolls keep things fast and consistent, with quality fish at a price point that works for weeknight sushi cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
4-Hand Roll Set Menu, Toro Hand Roll, Bay Scallop Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Counter-only hand roll bar where every roll is built to order for peak texture.
Who should go: Hand-roll fans who like efficient, high-quality sushi sessions
When to visit: Off-peak afternoons or late evenings when lines are shortest
What to order: 4-hand roll set, toro hand roll, bay scallop hand roll
Insider tip: Sit near the chefs, order a set first, then add extra rolls a la carte if you’re still hungry.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated garage parking is available in the Admiralty Way complex; street parking is limited and fills quickly during peak evenings.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most guests come in everyday outfits, but a neat look fits the polished counter setting.
Noise level: Moderate—there’s steady chatter and chef activity, but you can comfortably hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes depending on the rush; lines move quickly because dining is counter-only.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait aside from brief midday surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—cucumber, avocado, and a few vegetable-forward rolls are available.
Vegan options: Very limited; you’ll rely mainly on simple vegetable hand rolls with no specialty vegan substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Possible with select rolls and sashimi-style options; request no soy sauce or use gluten-free tamari if you bring your own.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? If your date likes counter-style dining and sushi, yes—the made-to-order rolls and quick pacing keep things fun and low-pressure. It’s less ideal if you want a long, intimate sit-down experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—KazuNori doesn’t take reservations. Arrive slightly off-peak or late evening for the shortest line; turnover is fast even during busy periods.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat, but best for older kids or teens who enjoy sushi; there are no high chairs, and seating is strictly counter-style with limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Ultra-fresh hand rolls served seconds after assembly, fast pacing, and consistent quality at a lower price point than full omakase restaurants.
Skip if: You want traditional table seating, a long leisurely meal, or extensive nigiri and specialty roll options beyond the focused hand roll format.