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Sake House by Hikari
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Sake House by Hikari
7.9
This approachable Japanese restaurant near Sony Studios offers classical ambiance with extensive outdoor seating on a shaded patio. Known for generous portions and daily happy hour from 4-7pm with half-price specialty rolls, the menu spans traditional sushi alongside teriyaki and tempura options at neighborhood-friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lady in Red Roll, Yellowtail Jalapeño Sashimi, Crunchy Onion Albacore
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Extensive outdoor patio dining with heating lamps and strong happy hour program
Who should go: Casual date-nighters and groups wanting reliable sushi with drinks
When to visit: Happy hour 4-7pm daily plus 9-10pm Friday-Saturday
What to order: Specialty rolls during happy hour, teriyaki bento boxes
Insider tip: Request patio seating on pleasant evenings for romantic atmosphere with heating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on side streets (easier before 6pm), public lot one block north at $2/hour, valet unavailable
Dress code: Casual to smart casual - jeans and nice top work perfectly, no need to dress up
Noise level: Moderate indoor, quiet outdoor - easy conversation on patio, slightly livelier inside during happy hour
Weekend wait: 30-45 min without reservation after 7pm, call ahead recommended for patio seating
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, walk-ins typically seated within 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie rolls, tempura vegetables, tofu teriyaki, and avocado-cucumber combinations
Vegan options: Moderate - cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, edamame, seaweed salad; request no mayo/fish sauce on specialty items
Gluten-free options: Limited - sashimi and some rolls available, but shared prep surfaces; bring tamari or request gluten-free soy sauce
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially on the patio - relaxed atmosphere without being too formal, moderate prices reduce awkwardness, and happy hour timing (4-7pm) works well for early dates. Not overly romantic but comfortable enough to focus on conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch and early weekday dinners (before 6:30pm) are usually fine for walk-ins. Friday-Saturday dinners and peak happy hour times (5-6:30pm) get busy - call 30-60 minutes ahead for patio seating or expect a 30-40 minute wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - spacious patio works well for families, simple teriyaki and tempura options appeal to kids, and casual atmosphere means children won't feel out of place. Patio is better than indoor for families with younger children.
How does happy hour work? Daily 4-7pm and late-night 9-10pm Friday-Saturday. Half-price on specialty rolls (typically $6-8 instead of $12-16), plus discounted appetizers and select drinks. Available at bar and tables, no purchase minimums.
Is the outdoor seating comfortable year-round? Yes - patio has heating lamps for cooler evenings and shade coverage for warm days. Most comfortable March-November; winter nights may need a light jacket even with heaters.
Best For
Better for: Choose Sake House when you want generous portions and strong value over precision - the happy hour deal and patio atmosphere beat most Westside competitors for casual dates and group gatherings without the premium pricing of Santa Monica spots
Skip if: You're seeking cutting-edge omakase or pristine sashimi quality - this is neighborhood-friendly Japanese rather than high-end sushi. Also skip if you need consistent service speed during peak hours.
Sake House by Hikari
7.6
Neighborhood izakaya offering solid sushi and Japanese classics with an exceptional happy hour program and relaxed patio atmosphere. The consistent quality and value-driven pricing make this a reliable local choice for casual Japanese dining with friends or family.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Salmon Roll, Yellowtail Jalapeno, Shrimp Tempura Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.5
What makes it special: Daily happy hour with discounted rolls and sake in relaxed setting
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners and happy hour seekers
When to visit: 4-7pm daily happy hour, Saturday extended to 9-11pm
What to order: Happy hour rolls, seaweed salad, red rock roll
Insider tip: Patio seating with heaters creates perfect year-round outdoor dining
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available on Washington Blvd and side streets, typically easy to find. Small lot behind building with 8-10 spaces. Metered until 8pm on weekdays.
Dress code: Casual comfortable - jeans and t-shirts perfectly fine. This is a neighborhood spot where locals come straight from work or weekend errands.
Noise level: Conversational-friendly - lively during happy hour but never overwhelming. Patio is quieter than indoor dining room.
Weekend wait: 15-25 minutes for walk-ins during 6-8pm peak, minimal wait after 8:30pm. Reservations recommended for groups of 4+.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically - seat yourself on patio or quick table turnover indoors.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - good variety with veggie rolls, tempura vegetables, edamame, seaweed salad, inari, and vegetable udon. About 15-20% of menu.
Vegan options: Limited but workable - 4-5 options including cucumber roll, avocado roll, edamame, seaweed salad (confirm dressing). Staff can modify some vegetable rolls.
Gluten-free options: Moderate options - sashimi is safe, many rolls available with tamari substitution. Kitchen cannot guarantee zero cross-contamination but staff is accommodating with modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual early-stage dates - the relaxed patio vibe and affordable prices keep things low-pressure. Not ideal if you're trying to impress with something upscale. Perfect for happy hour dates where you can actually talk and extend the evening if it's going well.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially if you're flexible. Arrive before 6pm or after 8pm on weekends for immediate seating. Happy hour (4-7pm) gets busy but turnover is quick. Weekday lunches and dinners are easy walk-ins. Bar seating always available.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - one of the vibes for a reason. Kids menu available, high chairs provided, and staff is patient. Patio is ideal for families since kids can move around. Teriyaki chicken and California rolls are safe bets for picky eaters. Best for ages 4+ who can sit through a meal.
How does happy hour work? Daily 4-7pm with discounted specialty rolls ($5-7 range), select sake and beer deals. Saturday extends late-night 9-11pm. Dine-in only, available throughout restaurant including patio. No limit on orders - you can build an entire meal from happy hour menu.
Is the sushi fresh? Fresh and reliable for the price point - daily deliveries with consistent quality. Not omakase-level but significantly better than conveyor belt spots. Fish is properly stored and handled. The 7.6 score reflects solid execution without cutting corners.
Best For
Better for: Choose Sake House when you want dependable Japanese food without the premium pricing or formality. The happy hour program is legitimately one of the best values in Culver City. Better than competitors for group dining (accommodates parties easily), outdoor dining year-round, and family meals where you need variety at accessible prices.
Skip if: Skip if you're seeking an authentic high-end sushi experience, omakase service, or rare/premium fish selections. Also pass if you need a quiet intimate setting for serious conversation - the neighborhood energy keeps things lively. Choose Tsujita or Hama instead for more refined Japanese cuisine, or KazuNori for specialized hand rolls.
Sake House by Hikari
7.6
Classic neighborhood Japanese restaurant offering extensive sushi rolls, teriyaki plates, and tempura in an exotic traditional setting. Extended happy hour daily from 4-7pm with weekend late-night specials provides excellent value. The outdoor patio with heating lamps creates a comfortable casual dining atmosphere for groups and families.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rainbow Roll, Sexy Roll, Spider Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.3
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: All-day happy hour with flaming roll presentations and neighborhood charm
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners and groups seeking variety
When to visit: Happy hour 4-7pm daily, 9-11pm Friday-Saturday
What to order: Happy hour rolls, chicken teriyaki, tempura
Insider tip: Outdoor patio seating available with heat lamps
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available on side streets, public lot 1 block away $5 flat rate after 5pm
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirts perfectly fine, neighborhood vibe
Noise level: Moderate - can easily hold conversation, gets livelier during happy hour
Weekend wait: 15-25 min during happy hour rush (5-6pm), walk-in friendly after 7pm
Weekday lunch: No wait - seat immediately
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive vegetable rolls, avocado rolls, tempura vegetables, inari, edamame
Vegan options: Limited - cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, vegetable tempura (ask for no egg wash), edamame
Gluten-free options: Partial - sashimi and some rolls available, limited soy sauce substitute, shared prep surfaces
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual early dates - the outdoor patio creates a relaxed vibe and happy hour pricing keeps it low-pressure. Not ideal if you're trying to impress with upscale ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, walk-ins welcome especially on weeknights. Arrive before 5:30pm or after 7pm on weekends to avoid the happy hour rush. Outdoor patio usually has availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - teriyaki plates and tempura appeal to all ages, casual atmosphere, outdoor seating gives kids space. Popular with families, especially during early dinner hours.
How does happy hour work? Daily 4-7pm with discounted rolls and appetizers, plus late-night Friday-Saturday 9-11pm. Sit anywhere (bar, tables, patio) to get happy hour pricing. Best value in the neighborhood.
Is the sushi fresh? Neighborhood-quality fresh for the price point - better than grocery store, not omakase-level. Stick to popular rolls during happy hour for best turnover and value.
Best For
Better for: Extended happy hour value, casual group dining without breaking the bank, outdoor seating with heating, neighborhood regulars who want consistent quality and variety without pretension
Skip if: You want premium omakase or high-end sushi experience, seeking romantic intimate ambiance, prefer modern minimalist Japanese aesthetic over traditional decor, need extensive gluten-free protocols