Kazunori The Original Hand Roll Bar Reviews

I enjoyed the rolls i got. Salmon, yellowtail and scallops. Fairly priced and quality but smallish portions.

I love the concept, bringing the Japanese dining of eat and dash. Bar seating while "chefs" prepare your nori. The roll hits the spot. Nice place to hang out with friends, and have a couple of beers. ;)

This place is fantastic! The hand rolls are served fresh with warm rice and perfect seaweed wrap. They have several set menus for example 5 hand rolls for $19. It is really cool how you sit around the bar it is a U-shaped bar and in the center are the people making the food and the people taking the orders. The staff is really friendly and very good. They have Sapporo beer my favorite! And they also have Mexican Coke.

If you’re looking for fresh and delicious look no further. Crispy rice paper, warm rice and a taste Battle in your mouth. I can never decide if I prefer the scallops... the crab or the lobster roll. In and out in under 15 mins as they feed you one roll at a time. I always for for 5

If you read nothing else: excellent food, great atmosphere and wonderful service. My brother lives on the West Side of LA and took me here for dinner. The restaurant is only made up of a large bar. We went early (5:45-6ish) and were seated right away. The place is hand rolls only with one sashimi option. They have various handrail "flights" if you will. You can choose by the number of pieces you want. Everything was exceptional. They make each handroll one by one and wait until you've finished to give you the next roll. The seaweed is the perfect amount of crunchy/salty, the rice tastes fresh and the fish is excellent quality. Would recommend and will be going back next time I'm in LA.

First class sushi very fast and delicious. Did not expect so good quality and professionalism. Highly recommended! For family or friends

Nice place to have a quick bite of tasty hand rolls by set menu between 12 and 20 bucks, with good service and atmosphere

Friendly service and quickly made excellent hand rolls and sashimi rounded out with a nice cup of hot green tea. Got the standard 4 & 6 hand roll combos. Our group loved every bite of these 3 bite hand rolls. The albacore sashimi came with a really nice lightly sweetened sauce.

Whether you get the takeaway box or pull up a stool at the counter inside, you're guaranteed a satisfying meal that is one of the better values in the neighborhood. I much prefer to order a few hand-rolls and enjoy getting food placed in front of me seconds after it is prepared: the warmth of the nori is something you can't get with takeaway.

The line outside the restaurant gives a clue to both the size of the place and the quality of the fish. The down side is that there are only about 25 seats around the sushi bar. The upside is that you get a freshly made hand roll placed on your plate in front of you so that you can appreciate the warm seaweed wrap and the fresh fish inside. Once you are seated, the service was prompt.

Amazing sushi . Fresh hand rolls that are just out of this world . I had the Toro , yellow tail , and salmon and thr salmon sashimi all was great. The place is packed all the time and u sit on the sushi bar as there is no seprate tables .but that is part of what making this place special . Highly recommended.

KazuNori is a very cool and delicious concept! Don't be alarmed to find a line and the wait is rather fair since the line moves fast, as the people order and move efficiently as well. I wouldn't recommend this place for a first date or intimate meal, since you'e sitting beside others and always ready for your next roll. Stop by and try it out!

This is really really good. The scallop and crabs are one of the best. Definitely a must try. It's just very light but very tasty. Not all rice.

"Right in the heart of Downtown LA, on the border of Skid Row. Who would think one would find the tastiest Jaoanese handrolls and good prices. The staff were efficient, talkative and helpful. Great story! Don't wait, go!

Delicious fresh to order hand rolls. A necessary addition to downtown Los Angeles. Uncomplicated menu. Seated at a U shape bar which gives a communal feeling. Service has always been excellent. The rolls are spectacular as well as the sashimi special they offered.

I marched right up to the take out desk and placed my order. I returned in 10 minutes as instructed and had two wonderful handrolls: crab and scallop. Wonderful! It was interesting to see the u-shaped bar with all seats full and the beautiful, large fish mural - the only decoration in the place.

We were there 1000ish on a Saturday night and had about a 20 minute wait. Well worth it. Simple concept. You can order a set # of rolls, each made 1 at a time. After you finish one they make another or you can order individually. Also have sashimi. You all sit around a U-shaped counter so you can watch the rolls being made. Very reasonable price point. Good selection of Saki + beer. More importantly, they were all delicious

My friend offered to buy me lunch today and she recommended sushi. I’m glad I took her up on the offer, KazuNori is pretty amazing. We went on a Saturday afternoon around 2 pm. We waited around 30-45 mins to get seats. We ordered 6 hand rolls which was too much, I couldn’t finish the last one (which was so sad-it was the lobster one). The set up is so simple. You’re given ginger and wasabi and a bowl for your soy sauce. Then you’re given roll after roll. The rolls are so good. Such a contrast in temperatures and textures: the rice is warm and the fish is cold and the seaweed is crunchy. So simple but so amazing. We parked in the parking garage to the right of the restaurant. It was $5 cash or card. I would recommend KazuNori and go again in the future

Delicious hand rolls. It was a bit of a wait for us since the only seating is at the bar. We each ordered the 4 hand rolls. The type if fish served in the rolls is predetermined. All were good and the price was cheaper than other places we've been to.

No reservations. All seating is around a U shaped bar on stools. All they do are handrolls that are made directly in front of you, one at a time. As soon as you finish one...the next one is crafted. Shrimp, scallop, tuna, crab, lobster, and more. Four would be my satisfying number but people brag about inhaling six or more. No lingering. When you are done eating it is time to move and make room for the people wait in the line that snakes out the door.

We turned up at KazuNori for a late lunch arriving there at 2.30pm, thinking or perhaps expecting that it would be fairly easy to get a table (for the four of us) so far after regular lunch time. We were wrong and we ended up having to wait about 25 minutes although that is perhaps also testament to how popular the place is - so busy even at that time and the fact that others felt it was still worth hanging around for a table. Having waited all that time I'd have to say that the handrolls were excellent - there's no doubting the quality and in particular I have to commend them in getting the consistency/temperature of the rice absolutely right. They certainly use great quality rice - in fact good quality ingredients all right. If I have a criticism, it's that the portions are fairly small and the contents of each roll are pretty stingy. Service was efficient and friendly

This is about a hole-in-the-wall place as you can get, but kicked up a level! Nestled in the middle of commercial buildings, this small, inconspicuous restaurant holds the best sushi I've ever laid my taste buds on! Go. Here. Now! A word of caution, though. They have a limited menu and a chef's special of the day sushi. Seating around the U-shaped bar makes for a cozy experience to say the least. No tables to speak of. So, if you're looking for that table for two romantic space, it ain't here. Also, once you're seated, you can't move or scoot over a chair to allow people to sit together. It has to do with their ordering system or some nonsense. It's like the soup nazi of chairs/seating and if you try, they'll tell you. That you can bet on! But if you want the best, you'll live with it. You can also order sushi for take-out, good, but not nearly as good as eating in.

I have been to Kazu Nori already a couple of times and it is definitely the best sushi/handroll restaurant I have ever been too. It is a very simple concept but at the same time just delicious. You wait in line to be seated in a bar where you order and receive your meal pretty quickly after being seated. The fish comes wrapped in white rice and algae and (sometimes) with a tasty sauce that changes over time.

We visited Kazunori for dinner and were surprised to see that they only had bar seating. The sushi was okay but a bit expensive. Would return if the prices weren't so high.

Kazu Nori is Chef Nozawa's first name (he, of Sugarfish fame). Kazu Nori is located on the hip part of Main, across the street from Baco Mercat. The "bar" is actually a square, with the sushi chef's preparing hand rolls inside the square. In addition to the sit down portion, Kazu Nori also does a thriving to-go business. The quality is just what you would expect of Sugarfish and while there is no trust me menu, only certain rolls are available each day. All are awesome, fresh, tasty, and perfectly prepared. If you like the hand rolls at Sugarfish, you will love this place.

I have been there twice in a week and it always impresses myself and everyone I take to try it. It is very well organized and thought-out with a choice of 3, 4,or 5 roll set or you can get individual rolls a la carte. Once you select your order in the line (sometimes venturing outside! Its worth the wait!), you self-seat yourself on the bar and the hand roll chefs present you will each roll. Each has a splendid amount of warm rice and cold fish/cucumber on top. Service is very nice and helpful. The ice green tea is also something you should try and is recommended. The to-go box comes with different types of cut sushi and is really yummy and cute. The rolls are excellent and prove to need an experienced chef to make them. You will never be disappointed. We really liked the salmon, tuna, and yellowtail.

I must be missing something because I don't know why Kazu Nori gets such great reviews. I will tell you about my experience eating at Kazu Nori for the first time. First, lack of comfort..the seating is on small stools that are fixed in place. The seating area is barely wide enough and I am an average-sized person. Halfway through the meal, it became so uncomfortable I had to stand up and walk around. Second, the meal itself. I was in a party of three and we all ordered the 6-roll combo. We all agreed that the flavor of each roll was not very distinguishable from the others, and there was not a lot of actual fish on the roll..mostly rice. I would say the exception was perhaps the scallop roll. Our bill came to $106 and I would rather have spent it at Sugarfish, one of my favorite sushi places. In fact, the location in Studio City used to be a Sugarfish, and I have always enjoyed my meals there. I guess I'll be heading to Sugarfish in Calabasas in the future.

Not your typical sit down Japanese restaurant, everyone sits around the bar with the sushi chef in the middle. Menu is simple, 4 different sets based on the number of rolls or you can order the rolls individually and there is a few special rolls for the day. Rolls are really good; they don't skimp on the fish. Rice is warm and the seaweed is crispy. They don't serve you all your rolls at once. Theres a few min between each roll for you to clean your palette or have a chat with your friends. Line is usually long but move faster than it would seem.

Overall the rolls were fresh and tasty. The menu is quite limited (around 15 positions) as they specialize in hand-rolls. For takeout they prepare only cut rolls. Waiters were very friendly and helpful. - The one thing I didn't like - they include "service charge" in your bill automatically (16%+ tax). And you won't know about it until you receive your check (maybe it's somewhere in the menu with very small letters - we haven't noticed). I would prefer to know about this charge in advance and decide about tips myself.

The long line moves quicker than you think, but you'll still want to get there early, especially with a party of more than 2. The set menus are amazing and you can always add on more if needed. The yellow tail and toro were my favorites I had to get more! The rice with each roll is so warm it melts in your mouth like butter. Will definitely go back!

Absolutely delicious! The hand rolls are all freshly prepared and extremely good. The setting is relaxed and the price is reasonable. There was a queue but it moved quite quickly - definitely worth the wait!

I think this is by far the best hand roll sushi I've ever had. Fishes and seafoods are all very fresh. Beside that, the restaurant definitely has its styles and signature. You can observe all the chefs make sushi right in front of you. The restaurant is quite small, only one big U table in the centre of the restaurant and that is it, so there are not lots of room and you have to queue for a while. But it's totally worth it.

Had lunch with a coworker, never expected anything about it. I noticed there was a line, but it did not take long for a wait - 20 minutes perhaps. We ordered the lunch set of four rolls of salmon. It was very delicious! Fresh fish and tasty! Service was super friendly and casual. As long as you are decent and pay your tap, you are cool. I’m definitely going back.

Second time here, and yet again a great experience. The food is fresh and quick and the staff is always very friendly/helpful. Very cool experience if you’ve never had authentic maki rolls before.

Delicious hand rolls that just taste really fresh. Go for the 5 rolls or you will definitely still be hungry though. Great date spot- an interesting take on a tasty food, the hand rolls make it engaging, and the environment is very cool. If I lived in L.A. I'd eat here all the time.

My first encounter with KazuNori Sushi Bar was through a takeaway order, and it turned out to be a game-changer in my sushi experience. The moment I took my first bite of their hand rolls, I was instantly transported to a realm of unparalleled taste. Without a doubt, KazuNori has claimed the title for the most flavorful sushi I have ever had. One of the highlights of my visit to KazuNori was their shishi hand rolls with lobster. It was a delightful combination of succulent lobster and impeccably fresh ingredients, wrapped in perfectly textured nori and perfectly cooked sushi rice. The flavors harmonized exquisitely, leaving me craving more with every bite. It quickly became my favorite selection on their menu. Impressed by the takeaway experience, my enthusiasm led me back to KazuNori the very next evening, this time to savor the true essence of hand rolls at the bar. As I settled in, engaging in pleasant conversations and enjoying my refreshing drinks, I couldn't help but be captivated by the spectacle before me. Skilled chefs rolled the sushi right in front of us, showcasing their expertise and artistry while we delighted in the ambiance. I wholeheartedly recommend KazuNori Sushi Bar to anyone who appreciates sushi. Whether you're a seasoned sushi enthusiast or new to the world of hand rolls, this establishment is a must-visit. The quality and taste of their sushi are unmatched, and the experience of watching it being made in front of you is both entertaining and enlightening. KazuNori Sushi Bar has undoubtedly set a new standard for sushi in my book. The exceptional flavors, the attention to detail, and the overall dining experience make it a destination worth exploring. So, if you find yourself longing for the perfect sushi fix, do yourself a favor and check out KazuNori – a true haven for hand roll aficionados.

I came on my own to visit from the UK, the waiter (who’s name I have forgotten!) was so kind in explaining how the menu works and recommending dishes. They also gave me a free sashimi portion because I offered to move seat when a bigger group came. So kind! Would defo go again. :)

Wow, the best sushi rolls in downtown LA and one of the best in LA. The rice is warm.inside the rolls, fresh fish, great service. Only problem is its a small place and too many people found about it so might be a wait during lunch time. Worth the visit every time

I went with 2 girl friends and we all had different tastes but loved our had rolls. The seaweed wrappers are extra great quality ad perhaps toasted. The very best roll in my opinion is the scallop. I could just eat 3 of those and be the happiest person ever! The best way to purchase is not by the each. Try to get friends and order the 5+ menu and share according to tastes in order to save $$$.

Kazu has the same grade sushi as Nozawa. Ask for less rice. Get the 5 hand roll if you are hungry. They have beer, sake and green tea. I've been many times for lunch and once during the dinner hours. it can get busy but it rotates quickly. I hate the stools but understand they don't want you there for very long. Grab a seat when it opens, order, eat, pay and get out!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.....KazuNori needs another 5-star review like Instagram needs another Kim Kardashian nudie pic! Here's what to do, noobs! Step 1 - wait patiently in line (it moves pretty quick) PRO TIP: buy a beer from the person at the register to drink while you wait in line. Step 2 - seat yourself at the bar. You can't save seats so wait until your whole party is there to sit down. Don't come with more than 4 people. Could make it difficult to sit together. Step 3 - order the 5 hand roll set for $17.50 and the salmon sashimi. Ask for "light rice" on the rolls if you're trying to watch your figure Step 4 - order the $5 sake and Sapporo beer to wash the food down Step 5 - repeat Step 6 - pay at the register...tip is already included and each person gets his/her own separate bill Easy peasy Japanesey!!!

We were recommended this place by a waiter at another restaurant at Santa Monica Beach. Really very happy with the food. Fast, efficient and easy. Not very homey, but extremely good sushi.

I could eat here every week if I lived closer! The service is prompt, the food quality is consistently high, and the prices are reasonable.

LA has a great selection of Sushi Restaurants - Kazu Nori is the spot for hand rolls. Prepared for you, one at a time, best eaten as soon as prepared. Their suggested menu of 3 or 5 hand rolls is the way to go - if your still hungry you can add another. I was never a fan of hand rolls until I came here - they are perfect size, delicate and crispy seaweed with still warm rice and cool fresh fish. My wife never liked hand tools until we went here. It is a sit and eat, then move on restaurant, bar seating only. If you se a line out front - it usually moves quickly.

Stumbled here before our cocktail class to get some sushi. The seating is first come first serve, there was a line out the door, and apparently it had just opened because we had to now wait for all the people who just had sat down and were ordering food and drinks. After about 20 minutes two seats came available and we were able to sit down. It is not a sushi bar, but a hand roll bar. You can pick handrolls from set menus or order individually. They have two chefs with the ingredients and rice in front of you and as the orders come in, they will prepare them one at a time and place them on a piece of parchment paper in front of you. The food comes out fast, the service was great and we were able to move on so other people were able to come in. Interesting little place, come early and try them all!

Seriously...at least once a week I "roll" inside to this 24 seat sushi spot on MainSt. one time it only took 21 sec. to get my first warm and crispy roll into my hand! It's my favorite 15 experience. In and out with a belly full of 5 rolls! When I get to my 3rd roll (scallops) I usually start dancing in my seat. The 4th roll (blue crab) my face lights up with joy. Finally the kicker...5th roll (lobster) makes my meal complete! Visit in the off hours...the line gets long...

This sushi concept only serves sashimi in ponzu and various handrolls. With precision, the right amount of speed and generally with very very good fish. The concept is essentially a U-shaped bar. There can be quite a line, but given the speed of execution, this casual dining place will move pretty quickly. Once space opens up for your party, you sit at high-stools and begin your order. You can, if you chose, stand/sit in their outside patio, but given some of the vagrants and smokers, it can make for an uncomfortable meal. *Pro tip, for you big/tall gents or ladies, the last stool on the far end of the U bar near the bathroom is not affixed to the ground like the rest. I personally find the stools to be affixed far too close to the bar so I end up standing. This alone drops it a star for me. I generally order one or two sashimi (salmon or halibut) and one of the multi-combo roll packages. The rolls are made as you go, so the fish is nice and chilly, the rice warm with a touch of sweet and vinegar sour and the nigiri toasted. Eat once it is delivered and 9 out of 10 times, you walk out happy and satiated. In an ever-improving downtown Los Angeles, this little gem sits next to a parking lot entrance across from a small parking lot and another larger restaurant, it is the nicest hole-in-the-wall you'll likely ever visit. Pro tip#2: They are open until 11, so if the Dodgers game ends before 10, you can get over and grab a seat with likely no wait. Why are you still reading this? GO NOW.

Cool place , only bar seating . Turnover is fairly quick. No wine or liquor,beer and sodas .Staff was great. Not a big sushi person,but this was by far the freshest and best I ever had. Fairly pricy.

Went here after a Clippers game for some sushi bombs and had a fantastic meal. Lots of servers in an intimate setting and fresh fish for a small price. The menu is priced-fixed with several portion sizes and all of them have a good selection of pieces. Our party of three guys had three different orders and all of us left very satisfied. Thank You! Sugar Fish founders for fulfilling a need I didn’t even know I had…a sushi bar that serves rolls exclusively in a fast, fun atmosphere in downtown LA ~ Win ~ Win ~ Win and oh yeah, the Clippers won too!!

This is a Sugarfish by Nozawa group restaurants. Unpretentious, no frills, bar only.nmenu limited to hand rolls and hand roll sets, but the food quality is top notch. Also quite value for money. Not a date restaurant or fancy, sit down restaurant. This is pretty much "eat and run" type establishment. But the decor itself is pleasant. Overheard the sushi chef that one needs to come through here before "graduating" to the main Sugarfish restaurants. Clearly the quality control is excellent.

The sushi is good, but it is too pricy and the lines are too long. I would not recommend this place to my friends because I hate waiting in lines for food. I wish they would serve more than 20 people at a time.

This is a small underground looking place. You feel you have stepped into a little underground milieu with other individuals looking for something you cannot get elsewhere, something different and above all not a chain. There is focus on individuality which is reflected in the fresh ingredients – the food is made right front of you. Everything is minimalist and there is use of raw textile material. The sushi is offered in whole nori leaves which gives the sensation of just tearing into it rather than being finally cut like you normally get it which is another spin on the raw nature theme. The concept works because the unique sushi pieces taste fresh and taste like they were just made: close to nature. The fact you eat it with your hands adds to the experience and divorces it from the traditional Japanese experience which is not what they aim for. Need to come back to this place. Definitely caters to the individual mindset. We chose this place as it was open after normal lunch hours

So simple, so well executed - one wonders why there aren’t more spots like this. Tiny place and I don’t think they take reservations(?) but we got two seats at the bar (there are no tables) for lunch on Saturday. Perfect location for the Academy of Motion Picture Museum.

Landing in LAX just before 10pm doesn’t leave many options for open places. This one was open until 11pm so we rushed to arrive 10:30 and there was a very long line. Sat down towards closing time and then we’re called for last call. When we asked for another sake a minute later the answer was we missed the last call. Quite annoying. The rolls were excellent! Very fresh and nice combo of cold and warm rice and fish with a yummy sea weeds.

KazuNori is a great way to have an intimate, light meal. The hand rolls are exceptional. The cold sake is a must. Don't be dismayed if there is a line waiting for seating. That's just part of the deal. You' won't wait long, and in the interim you can get to talk to your date. When you're seated, it's a u-shaped bar, where you'll inevitably chat with the people around you. That's also part of the deal. Have fun. It's a fun place.

The only seating here is at the sushi bar. When it's busy folks line up for the next seat. The menu is very limited and focused on hand rolls (about 10 varieties). The food is fresh and delicious and the service is super fast. It's a good value as well (for sushi).

Ate here with a friend from Japan and neither of us was disappointed. The price was incredibly reasonable. The hand rolls were made fresh in front of us. My friend described the food as very good, family style fare and very authentic.

I liked my experience here, the sushi is delicious, handrolls are very good. The line is quite extensive and the wait if you have patience will be rewarded as there are only about 20 seats in this bar restaurant. For this reason, I dock this restaurant one rating for crowd management. I'm docking it one more because the sushi makers and handlers were not trained in Japan. I have a problem with sushi not made by well trained chefs and I am paying a mint to eat here and expect high quality providers. People are getting sick in LA eating poke and that's the reason why I prefer a Japan trained chef to handle my raw fish. I will not return.

Crispy seaweed, warm rice and fresh fish....quick service. Perfect place for a quick lunch!! Couldn’t ask for more... you will actually want more....sushi rolls! Will be coming back for more!!!

Our son introduced us to this excellent hand roll sushi bar. Each roll is prepared right in front of you and served immediately. The rice is still warm and the fillings are fresh and delicious. Do try the daily specials. You will find this takes sushi to a new level.