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Yume Sushi Bar
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Yume Sushi Bar
8.3
Studio City's most popular neighborhood sushi spot with Chef Shige's 40+ years of expertise evident in excellent nigiri around $10 for two pieces and straightforward rolls that skip excessive mayo. The sleek, modern space fills quickly by 5:30pm with locals who appreciate quality fish, house-made sauces, and the kind of casual-yet-special atmosphere that works for any occasion.
Must-Try Dishes:
Albacore Nigiri, Red Snapper with Yuzu Kosho, Citrus Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Chef with 40+ years experience making house sauces from scratch, highly affordable quality
Who should go: Anyone wanting excellent nigiri without fine dining prices or pretension
When to visit: Make dinner reservations or arrive before 5:30pm, weekday lunch less crowded
What to order: Albacore nigiri, red snapper sashimi special, citrus roll
Insider tip: Ask chefs for daily specials - freshest selections often not on menu
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Ventura Blvd and side streets - free but competitive after 6pm. Small lot behind building with 8-10 spaces.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual - jeans perfectly fine, but the trendy crowd skews slightly dressed up for date nights
Noise level: Moderate to lively - sushi bar seats get energetic, but booths allow normal conversation
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation after 6pm, fills by 5:30pm
Weekday lunch: Walk-in friendly, typically 10-15 min max
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable rolls, inari, edamame, and veggie tempura. Chefs can customize rolls.
Vegan options: Limited - 3-4 options including cucumber roll, avocado roll, veggie hand rolls (confirm no fish-based sauces)
Gluten-free options: Possible with care - sashimi safe, tamari available, but cross-contamination risk in shared kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent first date spot - sophisticated enough to impress without intimidating formality, moderate prices won't stress the check, and booth seating provides intimacy while sushi bar offers entertainment if conversation lags
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch and early dinner (before 5:30pm) usually works as walk-in. Weekend dinners nearly impossible without booking - make reservation 3-5 days ahead for prime times
Is it kid-friendly? Works for well-behaved kids 8+ - familiar items like California rolls and teriyaki, but intimate setting and lack of high chairs signals this isn't designed for toddlers
How does the quality compare to the price? Outstanding value - Chef Shige's 40+ years of experience delivering fish quality you'd expect at $15-18/nigiri spots for around $10. House-made sauces and daily specials rival places charging 40% more
Is it better to sit at the sushi bar or a table? Sushi bar for solo dining, learning from chefs, and seeing daily specials firsthand. Booths for dates and conversation. Both get same quality, but bar gets first access to limited catches
Best For
Better for: Choose Yume when you want: chef-driven quality at neighborhood prices, house-made sauces over mayo-heavy rolls, reliable consistency from experienced hands, or a date spot that feels special without the $200 check
Skip if: You want: omakase tasting experience, cutting-edge creative rolls, full sake program, or guaranteed seating without planning ahead on weekends
Yume Sushi Bar
8.3
Chef Shige Fujimoto's 40-year expertise shines in this modern sushi bar where house-made sauces and meticulously prepared rice meet pristine fish. The sleek space fills nightly with locals drawn to excellent nigiri priced around $10 for two pieces, with signature Yume sauce elevating each bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red Snapper with Yuzu Kosho, Kanpachi Nigiri, Engawa Seared Halibut Fin
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Chef with 40 years experience crafts house-made sauces daily
Who should go: Nigiri lovers seeking quality without downtown prices
When to visit: Reservations critical at dinner; walk-ups often turned away
What to order: Kanpachi, engawa, red snapper with yuzu kosho
Insider tip: Ask chefs about daily specials for best seasonal selections
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Ventura Blvd and side streets - expect 5-10 min search after 6pm, easier before dinner rush
Dress code: Smart casual works - jeans fine but skip the gym wear, most diners lean dressy-casual
Noise level: Intimate and conversational - low music, sushi bar energy without overwhelming volume
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation Friday-Saturday after 7pm, reservations essential
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins usually seated within 10 minutes, dinner requires booking ahead
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable rolls, inari, tamago nigiri, and vegetable tempura available
Vegan options: Limited - cucumber roll, avocado roll, seaweed salad (specify no fish-based sauce)
Gluten-free options: Challenging - soy sauce has gluten, request tamari and avoid tempura/imitation crab
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - intimate sushi bar seating encourages conversation, upscale-but-approachable vibe impresses without intimidating, and $60-80 per person hits the sweet spot for showing effort without overspending
Can I get a table without a reservation? Risky - they regularly turn away walk-ins at dinner. Try arriving right at 5:30pm opening or after 9pm for best walk-in odds, but plan on making a reservation to avoid disappointment
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens and older - no kids menu, intimate space means less room for restless movement, and $10+ per nigiri piece makes picky eaters expensive. Consider for adventurous 12+ year-olds
How does it compare to downtown LA sushi spots? You're getting 80% of the quality at 60% of the price - Chef Fujimoto's technique rivals Little Tokyo spots, but without the $150+ omakase commitment or hour-plus drive from the Valley
Is the happy hour worth it? Strong value - discounted rolls and select nigiri from 5-6:30pm weekdays, though the crowd knows about it so arrive early or expect limited seating at the bar
Best For
Better for: Nigiri purists who appreciate pristine fish and expert rice preparation without downtown pricing - Chef Fujimoto's house sauces and 40-year technique elevate each piece beyond standard neighborhood sushi
Skip if: You want creative fusion rolls, all-you-can-eat volume, or need easy walk-in seating - this is a reservation-required, quality-over-quantity operation where traditional technique trumps Instagram-bait presentations