Kiwami Reviews

When we arrived for lunch at 11:40 the staff was meeting and we were asked to wait outside, on the porch. I found this a little of a surprise, but within about 10 minutes we were asked to enter the restaurant. The sushi was exceptional like Katsuya, their sister restaurants. We started with spicy tuna on crispy rice, which is my absolute favorite. Then to yellow tail tuna sashimi w jalapeño which was tasty. The seared Albacore with crispy onions was excellent, I love the crispy onions. Crispy rice w spicy tuna and baked crab hand roll was exceptional. We also ate the cucumber wrapped spicy tuna roll which was excellent. Hard to believe we ate all of this. It was an exceptional experience and I will return when I need a lunch or dinner solution in Studio City. The service was very good, lots of attention, but with an understanding that we wee there to conduct business and needed more time than the usual Friday lunch crowd. Parking can be a challenge but the Valet's make it easy. I recommend the restaurant and will return again.

One of the things I love most about this restaurant is the "tray" that they have for lunch, which is a combination of spicy tuna on crispy rice, a baked crab roll, and various sashimi dishes that make my mouth salivate just to think about. I would feel a bit odd about my reaction at the mere idea of going to Kiwami...except that my colleagues react pretty much the same as we sit in the car, almost jumping out of our seats, saying how we can't wait and are SOOO excited! Then, the other day, I was talking to yet another colleague and we were discussing the merit of the tray. Just as she said "it's so much food," I was saying "I could eat two of them." We had a good laugh at that. No. Really. I could eat two. Not because it's not enough food...it's just that good. I highly recommend Kiwami, just please please don't take MY table when you go.

We'll get past a few of the obvious things first. What is necessary for a really good sushi place? Fresh fish? Check! A sushi master chef? Check! Beyond this, it's about creativity. And they really bring that home here. The room is unassuming, standard Valley, Ventura Blvd sushi surroundings at the higher end. The staff is friendly and attentive. Yes, there is also some decent celeb spotting, if that's your thing. One of the things that makes Kiwami, is there specials. Like the clouds parting after a storm, the birds begin to sing as you round the corner and view the specials menu for the first time. It is impressive, unique and creative. I could spend the entire evening working my way through this thing. From simple perfection to complex greatness. If you love sushi, you have to try Kiwami.

Great sushi and great service every time I go. I am so glad Katsuya opened up this location because when SBE started opening up their own Katsuya restaurants around Los Angeles, the prices went up and the quality went down. Not the case with Kiwami. Also, Kiwami has a platter for two that includes all the Katsuya favorites, such as the spicy tuna on crispy rice and the baked crab hand roll which is extremely reasonable for all that you get. There are a lot of sushi options in studio city but I highly recommend Kiwami.

Went to both Kiwami and later that day to matsuda. While matsuda i more the neighborhood sushi place, Kiwami is in a different league. Definitely liked their idea of sushi tapas for around $ 6. A chef's selection of yellowtail came in at $ 19 for four pieces. Have to say, great stuff. Not something you find at your neighborhood sushi place. Valet parking seems overkill.

the sushi, sashimi and lobster roll were tasty and very fresh. yellowtail w jalapeño and spicy tuna were very good too. the space is very simple inside and there is a small outside patio. the service was very efficient and friendly. this is the perfect place for a fresh sushi lunch at a very reasonable place. its just over laurel canyon (in the valley on ventura blvd)

Small restaurant inside with 2 sushi bars and an outside dining area. High quality, made with love sushi that will make you want to come back for more. My husband and i usually get the " Roku mori" dish for 2 or more which gives you a nice selection of sushi like salmon, yellowtail, baked crab and crispy rice with spicy tuna. Sometimes they run out of this dish because it's so popular, so get to dinner early if you want to order it. The yellowtail tasting is 4 different types of yellowtail sushi and each one is mouthwatering. Also,the salmon sashimi with black truffle salt is another dish you will want to order. They fire just the top of the salmon that gives it a delicious taste and it's garnished with a type of green, ponzu type sauce and black truffle salt..... Beyond Amazing!!!!! If you like cooked fish they have choices for you too! My suggestion is the orange roughy with sautéed spinach and mushrooms. So good! The lobster tempura is beyond delicious with a spicy mayo sauce on it. I'm usually not one for tempura but WOW its lighty fried and the lobster is so fresh and yummy. By the way, this is the sister restaurant to the famous katsuya restaurant just down the blvd but try this place, you will be happy you did.

My wife and I went to LA to visit Universal Studios since she is a huge HP fan. I wanted to do something special for dinner and we both love sushi. We made our reservations and planned the night. Valet was great and it's nice not having to search for a parking spot (I hate it). We sat on the patio and our server was phenomenal from the beginning! She offered suggestions, gave us detailed info about the rolls, and was so kind. We loved the roll with the baked crab and the sauces that came with it!! The dessert was fantastic and so were the drinks. We'll be going back when he head out that way!

One of the best sushi bars in the Valley. Go with the chefs choice for a taste sensation. Located in the heart of beautiful studio City you can walk to a few nice local bars for a cocktail after a great dinner. We have been going there for the past three years and just love it!

We are regulars at Kiwami, we love the place, the food and the service is usually pretty good. However, lately we have noticed a decline in their service quality. This was consistent here and at their sister restaurant, Katsu-ya in Encino. Last night, on a relatively slow Monday night, we had a new server who was very nice while taking the initial orders but was hardly ever seen again. When we were able to get her and request any additional items or place additional orders, she forgot half of them. In addition, it seemed that the entire team was not up to par; no water or tea refill and the general atmosphere was of lack of attention to patrons

Kiwami has a great lunch deal. Try the Kiwami Tray for $20 at lunch time. All your Katsuya favorites plus other sushi options. As my friend Michellle kept saying as she ate: "This is soooooo good!" You cannot beat it. This is definitely quickly becoming a power lunch spot in Studio City. It is much roomier than Katsuya and I found the service to be stellar.

Love the food. Service great. Patio if available is the way to go. Slightly more expensive than its sister restaurant and slightly more upscale.

Sorry. It's pretty typical for an average japanese restaurant. Out of the 3 sushi chefs, only one was an asian male as far as I could see.

Excellent hand rolls. Good sushi. Excellent service-authentic Japanese feel.. Good prices. Very good variety menu.

This is a popular joint for a good reason. Tasty good value Sushi. Don’t go for the decor. It’s a standard issue Japanese restaurant. Austere and simple decoration. Don’t go for the service. It was solid. Helpful friendly staff. Tables were cleared quickly. All good. You should go for the sushi. We tried a tasty variety of sushi standards and they were all good. Not huge servings, but good flavor and the prices were reasonable. We enjoyed our visit.

Excellent sushi and rolls surrounded by tons of choices on Ventura blvd. This is an excellent choice if you’re looking for Sushi and I highly recommend the Tuna with crispy rice.

Love it, fish is amazing, quality is super and people are very nice! Meat is very good too. Best in town

Kiwami is terrific. The service is top notch (I love that they bring wicker baskets for ladies' handbags so we don't have to put them on the floor), and the cuisine simply superb. My favorite is the special lunch tray, and their bento box, both of which include a variety of their best selections. Definitely my go-to place in the area for lunch.

I always enjoy eating at Kiwami. I prefer sitting outside on the patio as it is a little quieter than inside, though I’ve only eaten inside once. They have a great selection of sushi/sashimi options and also non-sushi options as well. I don’t stray off the sushi/sashimi wagon, but there are certainly a few dishes that look good enough to entice me. I almost always start with the Spicy Tuna and Crispy Rice and the Yellowtail with Jalapeño. My favorite roll is the lobster roll (due to food restrictions) which is a bit pricey compared to the others. The yellowtail cut roll, the snow crab cut roll, and the yellowtail sashimi are my go-to’s. I have had a few others which are good, but these are my standards. High quality and perfectly prepared. I’ve eaten at a couple of the other sushi restaurants on Sushi Row, but this one is my fav. Make sure to make a reservation as they book up fast!

This sushi bar was amazing, the best sushi I've ever eaten in my whole entire life. everything was so delicate and delicious and fresh. I was also very lucky because i got to sit right in front of Ketsu-ya himself. The staff were so friendly as well, it felt very homely when we walked in, they were so welcoming. I can't wait to come back one day.

The fish was so fresh it might have jumped. The flavors were mostly delicate and layered, like the fish itself. The service was crisp and helpful. I loved that I never had to ask for more water while I ate the superior sushi speedily. This place is GOOD!

This is a place to go for less Americanized sushi with more emphasis on basic ingredients and fresh flavors. Had three good specialty rolls including the 21/2, the Roberts roll, and the spiced tempura shrimp roll. All were well made with fresh ingredients. One idiosyncrasy- if you sit at the sushi bar you order directly from the sushi chefs as the waitstaff only attend to drinks. This is a good reliable sushi restaurant.

My favorite appetizers are the spicy edamame and the shishito peppers (grilled). And you absolutely have to have the albacore sashimi with shaved truffle. It is the tastiest dish!! The patio is really lovely and relaxing.

Kiwami is very good. They have great menu and some unique items I hadn't tried before, which made me happy. I've been back a bunch of times. It's has a really quiet, personal atmosphere that's great for dates and the servers are very attentive. It was good, delicious, don't get me wrong, it just...wasn't quite as good as a few places in the vicinity. Compared to anywhere else out of LA, I'd give it a 5. But in the midst of all the great sushi, I wasn't completely blown away. No matter what, it's still a good meal and a nice experience.

This is a perfect place to take a person who thinks he or she does not like sushi. There are other things they can order, but if they are willing to give the sushi a try they may become a convert. The service was fast and friendly. I appreciated the reasonably priced valet parking. Go early, as others have said, they do run out of the happy tray for two, which is a great deal. The desserts are also delicious, which is certainly not the case in most sushi restaurants. Give this place a try.

For someone who left California a few years ago, I forget how good the sushi is there compared literally to anywhere else in the U.S., big fancy cities included. Kiwami is also run by the Katsua folks that knock out great dependable sushi a few places in LA. It is on the "sushi alley" of Ventura and there are more than a few choices. The sushi is simply perfect, cut, quality, presentation, and originality all spectacular. The waitresses can offer little suggestions to spice up your selections, highly advisable. I liked the little rolled salmon with cream cheese topped with caviar, the tuna tetake with fried onion thingies, and the halibut with some ginger spice, and served with salt and lime. The wokked edamame also went down quickly. Highly recommended.

Just had dinner here the other night with some friends and had a great experience. The menu is quite robust featuring new and more exotic flavor pairings. I was really excited to see many of the menu items repeated here from my all time favorite Katsu-Ya. That Cajun Salmon Roll is truly outstanding. Overall every choice we made was just perfect including the corn tempura, crispy rice and miso cod. Service was excellent. The restaurant is quite small - I would guess around 20 tables at most so noise can get loud. Unfortunately we had a small child sitting behind us who had parents with no care of the sound the iPad was emitting so every beep and bop was amplified through the restaurant. Rude. Skip those people and have a great meal here. Four of us dined here along with sake for ~$390.

I've been fortunate to eat sushi in numerous cities in six countries and how lucky am I that my favorite is in the city where I live? The sushi is soooo fresh, delicate in flavor and pleasing to eyes. The servers know their products and the sushi chefs, should you belly up to the bar, are helpful and not snobbish. There's a flash-fried spinach they make that makes me swoon! And the bento box lunches are unbelievably filling! Wow! I made myself hungry for Kiwami!!! I think I'll go tonight!!

The Service: Attentive and professional. The Food: Fresh ingredients. Nice food plating. Love the hotpot, lots of ingredients in this dish. Perfect to share. They have daily special. They will bring the menu board to your table. The Parking: Street metered parking

Came here due to the reviews. Passed the restaurant on the street twice before even noticing it. Finally saw it and pulled in. Valet parking only, only $3.50, not a big deal and convenient. Went inside and were surprised with the decor. For some reason from the reviews I expected a fancier place. Got drinks quickly and were browsing the menu....there were no prices so we didn't really know what to order. We ended up getting two rolls and there were 6 or 8 in both of them, and we each got soup. Everything tasted very good and it ended up being very reasonably priced. I wish we actually came with someone who knows sushi better than we do, because we weren't very adventurous.... that's probably the only way I'd come again.

Kiwami was our family's favorite Sushi place in the Valley but they are making a great effort to loose the status. We have been regulars here for a few years and have noticed that thing are not as used to be. For the second time in as many months we came out for dinner in a relatively slow night with a half empty restaurant. The service started well but went downhill. No refills on water or hot tea, no one checked on us during the evening. The one order of grilled Black Cod took over 20 minuets to get to our table and well after the rest of us finished eating the sushi orders. Our order of Grilled Albacore with Crispy Onions was served with Crispy Onions but overcooked and dry albacore; The spicy Tuna over Crispy Rice, was anything but crispy and more like Rice Pudding topped with Spicy Tuna. We advised our server about the shortcomings of the food and he promised to advise The Kitchen but no manager came to our table, no one offered to send a new plate or to make any adjustments to the bill. We asked the manager three times about the Cod order but I think that management has become complacent and confident that they can keep their business no matter what their services. When you charge $9.00 for a bottle of water, you should not take your customers for granted... I think it is time for us to choose another Favorite Sushi in Studio City, there are plenty good ones at half the price. I don't think we'll be coming back...

Just ok. Not great. Rolls weren't tight as we're accustomed to. Fish was ok but not as fresh as I'd like. Gyoza were excellent. Service was very good. There are better sushi restaurants in LA. Keep searching.

The parking lot at lunch it intimidating but the valets make it quick and painless. Visited with a knowledgable business associate who is far more experienced at ordering Sushi than I. Don't get me wrong, I eat Sushi all of the time. At least that is what I think I do. At Kiwami we really at Sushi. Lots of great, fresh, Sushi accompanied by the tuna on rice cakes that I love so much. This was my second visit. It was memorable and good just like the last time. I will return again.

The service here is attentive, and by far the strongest asset of this loud, trendy sushi restaurant. The food is only fair and way overpriced. If you order off the daily specials board, beware...

The sushi was very good and the selections were ample amd reasonable.. Everything we ordered was terrific. We particularly enjoyed the crispy rice and fish dish.

For a Japanese Restaurant, the food prepared are just in a very small quantity that I need to order on my Salad Diner 3 times to meet my daily need especially the seaweed salad. Others are the same that cost really a good amount of money but enjoy anyway the foods. Service is excellent and servers are very attentive and always looking if one need anything or one glass of anything need to be refilled. This is the cost of dining in this Restaurant.

The great thing about Kiwami is they take reservation and you can here your conversation. Not as cramped at Kat-Suya down the street but same menu. Don't miss - Baked Crab hand roll, crispy rice w spicy tuna, and the yellowtail jalapeño. Also, had the red snapper sushi with lemon and salt - incredible. Great sushi in Studio City.

I met a friend for lunch - They have complimentary valet parking which is great since street parking can be hard to find in that area. I like the inside of the restaurant which had a clean and simple look. We arrived at 11:45 and the place was packed by 12:15 - it was good thing my friend made reservations. I do suggest making reservations since the place is pretty small. I ordered the sashimi lunch combination and my friend had the kiwami bento. The sashimi combination was pretty good - just on the small side. There was 5 different fish with 2 pieces each. I was still a bit hungry after finishing.

Unusual sushi items that are not too scary! :) The waitress helped us to make very good choices once she quizzed us on what things we liked she then told us about similar but different choices. One of the best sushi places I have been to.

i have been coming to this place since they first opened. i could live off their uni sushi and their baked crab handroll.. and YES - it's THAT good. wow. love the outdoor space on a nice warm evening. the inside tends to get SUPER loud.. the walls just make everything echo and you can hear everyone else's conversion, but aside from that.. its the food that make it worth it.

I'm a fan of Katsu-ya restaurants and Kiwami is no exception. The food is great and some of the Katsu-ya staples like the honey roll and spicy tuna on crispy rice are here on the menu and are perfect. All of our food was delicious and fish is perfectly fresh. The service was a bit slow and the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. I do think they might have been under staffed on the server-front. I loved the vibe of the restaurant and do think I prefer that part to the original Katsu-ya. Definitely check it out and you won't be disappointed.

The best Sushi in LA. Katsuya is so awesome. Great flavor and great prices. Delicious flavor and fresh sushi. I would recommend comming here and getting sat at the sushi bar in Patrick section. Patrick is a knowledgeable sushi chef and he is so funny. I recommend making reservations here, it gets packed really fast. I love the seafood salad it's a huge salad with lots of different type of fish, with some spicy mayo and eel sauce to hit the spot. Also the lobster Dynamite is to Die for so delicious Omg the corn tempura is so BOMB definitely try it. The yellowtail, salmon and other hand rolls are so good. Honestly everything here is delicious. Check out the few pictures I have

I cannot say enough good things about Kiwami. The food is second to none and the waiter was so knowledgable and helpful. This was an incredible dining experience. Nice atmosphere.

Make reservations and go early. This is a very popular restaurant and worth its reputation. We had the meal for $38 and everything on it was delicious! I would almost go to L.A. just for the dinner.

Kiwami, owned by the original owner of Katsuya, is my favorite restaurant of all time. LA does some things right, and sushi is definitely one of them. The best dishes are: spicy tuna crispy rice, seared albacore with crispy onions, creamy salmon roll or hand roll, baked crab roll or hand roll, and the robert roll.

A return visit to Kiwami in Studio City, was not a disappointment. I have been here before and expected great sushi, but this time was better than ever. I have found that the best way to order in a sushi restaurant is to ask the chefs to send out their best or, failing that, to ask the waiter what is the best thing going that night and to send out enough for every person at the table. It works from Nobu on down. The selections were the freshest and most creative. The waiter brings a chalkboard listing specials of the evening. There was an Albacore that sounded delicious, as did everything on the board. We left it up to the waiter. There was one featuring crispy rice, another with fresh scallops and jalapeños that were great. Valet parking works best as it is located on Ventura Blvd and prices are not outrageous. Also, it didn't hurt to see Miley Cyrus at the next table.

I visit Kiwami about once a month and am very happy how consistent the quality of the food and the service is. The staff is very knowledgeble, very prompt and polite. I am never hesitant to bring clients or just go with friends, or go by myself. Inside tends to be a bit noisy at night, so I recommend a table closer to the walls. Outside is very nice too.

OK, admittedly, I live in a part of the US that is not known for sushi. Where I live, you cannot get inventive sushi dishes like they serve here. Also, their house saki was excellent. The sushi was really fresh - we had a variety of plates - all were good. The tuna sushi over crispy rice was my favorite. We also had an order of corn tempura. And the tempura was fried like I had it in Japan. No excess tempura batter. Hard to find it made properly, even in LA. This place is pricey but well worth it. Make reservations. Apparently, this location recently changed management and is no longer on Open Table so if you can't find it there, call the restaurant directly.

A member of Studio City's sushi row it's sleeper good. Delicious fish, perfectly cut and presented with reliable innovation. The sushi chefs aren't prone towards yucking it up, but are cordial and know what they're doing. The Kiwame 20 dollar special plate is amazing, their spicy tuna crispy rice an absolute life must and their cooked food banging. Sheer quality is close to Sugar Fish,..but the options available allow you to take your heavy metals in a more enjoyable weekly dose without feeling you're sharing your meal with Bill Murray from Ground Hog Day:). Sundays at three allow you to get 3 amazing hand rolls for six bucks which makes your mind spin.. The hand rolls are really really good. A great stop!

We drove up to Kiwami without a reservation, and despite it being almost full with a mix of couples, Hollywood types and families with young children, we were graciously seated by the hostess at the bar. The sushi was amazing, as was the service. The fried Ebi is to die for. Thank you for a memorable dinner, we will definitely be returning soon!

If you are in LA and looking to enjoy outstanding sushi, you must go to Kiwami in Studio City. Kiwami is a part of the Katsu-ya family of great sushi restaurants. The sushi and sashimi is always exceptionally fresh. You should absolutely try the spicy tuna on crispy rice, the baked crab hand roll, the 4-in-1 roll, the albacore tuna with crispy onions among other delicious selections. The moment I arrive in LA, I head to Kiwami. I have always found the staff to be on their A game, polite, responsive yet not intrusive. The decor is warm and upscale with minimalist tones. For the ladies, they will provide you with a basket so your handbag does not have to sit on the floor. There is valet parking directly at the restaurant. Be sure to check out Kiwami and you will not be disappointed!

We were hungry after our flight, so the friends we were visiting in LA took us to Kiwami in Studio City. We had a lovely meal, and a wonderful time. The inside of the restaurant was crowded, but the outdoor seating area was available without a reservation and turned out to be perfect for us on a cool, summer night. Everything we ordered was excellent, from the above-average Miso soup, to the various rolls and individual sushi we tried. If I had to single out one thing it might be the Teppan roll, but several things we ordered were specials not listed on the regular menu. Service was outstanding and friendly, despite the fact that it was busy inside and out. There is valet parking available, and getting in and out was no trouble at all. There are, of course, a million sushi restaurants in LA, but we would happily return to this one again.

Great sushi in a lovely atmosphere. You never know what celebrity will be visiting when you go. The sushi is fresh and elegantly seerved.

If your up for a excellant Sushi meal and want to experience something special this is the place to visit. Go there everyone time i have friends over from Zürich. The meal can turn out expansiv but we tend to splurge. Ask for the Uni specials the toro is a must Dave

We had lunch here mid-week. Its bustling with indoor and outdoor eating. Overall pretty creative sushi with good presentation. I found the fish itself average. No real memorable tastes and nothing that jumped out as exceptional. They had special salmon, local uni and local sweet shrimp. The 'local' raised my expectation, but to no avail. Its difficult to really stand out in the sushi world. There are so many 'average' places that serve up good fish. Kiwami is one of them.

We went to Kiwami for the first time on a Saturday night. Everything was great - table ready right after 7pm and then one fantastic sushi dish after another!! The yellowtail with jalapeno was terrific - great flavors, spicy tuna on rice, delicious crispy spinach, amazing roles and very creative fusion dishes which we loved. The fish is really fresh and high quality. LOVE this restaurant and will make it a favorite - worth the drive from Brentwood...and much better than Kaysuya.