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Sushi Fumi
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Sushi Fumi
8.6
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sushi Fumi is a perpetually busy La Cienega storefront known for high-quality nigiri, crispy rice, and specialty rolls served in a no-frills room. Regulars line up early for well-sourced fish and quick-moving service that feels more neighborhood than white-tablecloth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Moon Roll, Miso-Marinated Black Cod
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: High-quality sushi and crispy rice in a compact, always-busy room.
Who should go: Locals wanting strong sushi without omakase formality.
When to visit: Early evening or late lunch to avoid peak waits.
What to order: Spicy tuna crispy rice, Moon Roll, daily nigiri specials.
Insider tip: Join the list early; waits can spike at prime dinner hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking along La Cienega and adjacent residential streets; meters vary by block and fill quickly during dinner rush. No dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, tees, and sneakers are common, but many diners lean polished given the neighborhood.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — the small room stays busy, but conversation at normal volume is still manageable.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes depending on peak hours; the list moves quickly but lines form early.
Weekday lunch: Often minimal wait or none, especially before 12:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including veggie rolls, cucumber/avocado maki, and sides — enough for a light but satisfying meal.
Vegan options: Very limited — a few simple vegetable rolls and edamame; most specialty items contain fish or sauces with mayo.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility — many nigiri, sashimi, and basic rolls can be prepared without soy sauce; ask for gluten-free tamari.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, activity-style date than a long, romantic one — the energy is lively, service moves fast, and tables turn quickly.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they operate primarily on a waitlist. Joining early is key; expect waits at peak dinner hours but the turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable for older kids comfortable with sushi; space is tight and high chairs aren’t common, so not ideal for toddlers or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, high-quality sushi in a bustling neighborhood setting without committing to an omakase or upscale dining room.
Skip if: You want a serene, slow-paced sushi experience, extensive specialty rolls, or a setting suitable for long, intimate conversations.
Sushi Fumi
8.8
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sushi Fumi is a perpetually busy La Cienega storefront where well-sourced nigiri, crispy rice, and specialty rolls anchor a fast-moving sushi bar. Regulars line up early because the fish quality and pricing make it an everyday option that still feels special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Tuna Lemon Special Roll, Miso Marinated Baked Black Cod
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: High-volume sushi bar combining strong fish quality with speed.
Who should go: Diners wanting top-tier sushi without omakase formalities.
When to visit: Early evening or late lunch to avoid the longest lines.
What to order: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Tuna Lemon Special Roll, daily nigiri specials.
Insider tip: Join the waitlist before peak hours; the tight room fills faster than expected.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along La Cienega and side streets; can be tight after 6pm, so allow extra time. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most guests wear elevated everyday outfits. Jeans and sneakers are common, but the crowd leans polished.
Noise level: Moderate to lively. You can hold a conversation at the counter, but peak dinner hours can get loud due to the tight layout.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes depending on arrival time; joining the waitlist early is strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Often minimal wait; typically 0–10 minutes unless there’s a lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection of veggie rolls, salads, and appetizers; easy to build a full meal.
Vegan options: More limited—seaweed salad, vegetable rolls, and a few sides. Not a fully vegan-friendly sushi bar.
Gluten-free options: Many nigiri and sashimi items work; specify gluten-free soy sauce. Some sauces and crispy items contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want energetic sushi with high-quality fish and a lively atmosphere. The tight space isn’t intimate, so pick it for fun, casual dates rather than quiet, drawn-out dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Sushi Fumi is first-come, first-served. Arrive early or use the waitlist to avoid long peak-hour waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat. Families do come, but the narrow dining room, quick pacing, and busy crowd suit older kids or teens more than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, high-quality sushi without omakase pricing; great for spontaneous meals and nigiri purists who want excellent fish without ceremony.
Skip if: You want a quiet, spacious room, extended omakase experiences, or a setting suited for long conversations. Choose alternatives with more space and slower pacing instead.
Sushi Fumi
8.6
Sushi Fumi is a compact, always-packed La Cienega spot known for high-quality fish, long waits, and a massive list of classic and specialty rolls. Regulars queue up for tightly executed nigiri, crispy rice, and signature rolls that feel closer to upscale sushi bars than a casual storefront.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fumi Roll (shrimp tempura specialty), Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Hina or Moon Specialty Rolls
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: No-frills storefront delivering big-city sushi quality and deep roll selection.
Who should go: Sushi obsessives willing to wait for top-tier rolls.
When to visit: Early evenings to beat the lengthy walk-up wait.
What to order: Fumi Roll, spicy tuna crispy rice, chef’s specialty rolls.
Insider tip: Arrive before opening or put your name in early to avoid long lines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along La Cienega and nearby side streets; can be tight during dinner rush, so allow extra time.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most diners come in clean, everyday outfits but it leans slightly trendy during peak hours.
Noise level: Moderate–loud; the compact space and constant flow mean you can talk, but quieter conversations may require leaning in.
Weekend wait: 60–90 minutes for walk-ins during peak hours; the line starts forming before opening.
Weekday lunch: Light to moderate wait depending on the day; often 10–20 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — avocado rolls, cucumber rolls, mixed veggie rolls, and cooked vegetable appetizers are available.
Vegan options: Limited — basic veggie rolls and salads; no specialty vegan rolls.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — many nigiri and sashimi options work, but rolls require caution; ask for gluten-free soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want high-quality sushi in a lively, casual setting. It’s energetic rather than intimate, so it fits fun, low-pressure first dates more than quiet romantic ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only. Arrive early or join the list before peak hours to avoid a very long wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — the space is small and often crowded, so ideal for older kids comfortable in busy environments. No dedicated kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: High-quality rolls and nigiri at accessible prices, especially for diners who value execution and variety over ambience.
Skip if: You want a quiet, extended sit-down meal or need reservations; the tight space and long wait times may be challenging.
Sushi Fumi
8.6
Sushi Fumi is a compact, no-frills sushi bar that channels most of its energy into pristine fish and a deep menu of nigiri, sashimi, and rolls. Long waits and strong word-of-mouth from local sushi obsessives reflect consistently high-quality bites at the La Cienega/Beverly Grove edge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Tuna Lemon Roll, Miso Marinated Black Cod
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Minimalist sushi counter known for premium fish and standout specialty rolls.
Who should go: Sushi obsessives willing to wait for top-tier nigiri.
When to visit: Arrive right at opening to avoid the longest waits.
What to order: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Tuna Lemon Roll, Miso Black Cod.
Insider tip: Put your name down early and browse nearby shops while you wait.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is metered and competitive after 6pm; limited valet is often available nearby for around $8–$12.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly polished—think clean sneakers or casual-chic date-night attire.
Noise level: Moderate buzz—lively but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 60–90 minutes if you walk in during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal to no wait, though the counter fills steadily.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A handful of vegetarian rolls, veggie tempura, and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited—expect simple cucumber or avocado rolls and seaweed salad.
Gluten-free options: Good options—most nigiri and sashimi are naturally GF; ask for gluten-free tamari.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its intimate counter, refined fish quality, and relaxed-but-trendy vibe make it great for a first date. Just be prepared for a potential wait.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes. Most guests walk in. Put your name down early, then explore nearby shops until your spot opens.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly—seating is tight and geared toward adults. Older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but it’s not ideal for toddlers or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Top-notch nigiri quality, quick-paced counter service, and specialty rolls that outperform most mid-tier LA sushi spots.
Skip if: You want omakase theatrics, a quiet white-tablecloth experience, or guaranteed seating without a wait.