This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Venice's Sushi Staple

All this talk of Japan getting you hungry? Head to Hama Sushi, a Venice original.

In the heart of Venice at the Windward Avenue traffic circle is , a local institution. In 1979, the restaurant was one of the first sushi places to open in Los Angeles, and it has been serving Venetians ever since.

Guests who enter are welcomed as graciously as at any in any restaurant in Japan. There is a full range of sushi and sashimi, including salmon, albacore, crab, toro and octopus, all presented in an appetizing manner.

The house sushi specialty (say that ten times fast!) is the Shiso Lemon Roll made of yellowtail and scallions with a tempura shiso leaf inside. The dish is topped by thin slices of halibut, drizzled with yuzu juice and chili oil, with a hint of salt topped by a lemon.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

There’s a delightful selection of cooked dishes as well, including crab cakes, yakitori chicken, fried tofu, and grilled, marinated squid.

One interesting cultural fusion is Hama’s lobster miso soup with genuine fresh Maine lobster. I don’t know how it would appeal to a native of that state, but the miso offers an unusual complement to the familiar taste.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Another distinctive dish draws on Mexican cuisine. The Red Devil Spicy Tuna Roll, with yellowtail, scallions and habanero salsa, is so spicy that it needs to be washed down with one of Hama's nice selections of sake, like Pure Dusk.

The key to any good sushi restaurant is fresh, high quality fish. Hama delivers. But, this is not a place for those on a budget. A sashimi combination plate runs $38.

However, there are happy hour specials between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day.

Hama Sushi is open for dinner nightly after 5. Valet parking is available.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?