This neighborhood fixture inside the Little Tokyo Shopping Center—park inside the parking structure and make your way to the third floor—is where locals and those in-the-know drop by for sushi that won't break the bank. Sit at the long sushi bar for chirashi ($17)—try upgrading to an ikura and uni–topped version ($24)—and other raw fish plates prepared with care and skill. You can't beat the sushi lunch meal-deals from a tempura and sushi lunch for $14 to sashimi lunch for $16. Cooked highlights from the kitchen include grilled whole amaebi (sweet shrimp, head and all) topped with uni, deep-fried oysters and steamed red snapper head served with ponzu sauce. A daily happy hour (5:30-7pm) gets you $4 beer and half-priced sake.
When you're on the hunt for the best ramen and best things to do in Little Tokyo, find your way around with this map (we asked local artist Tom Lamb to illustrate it for us). Our favorite spots are all here.
RECOMMENDED: Little Tokyo neighborhood guide