My good friend turned me on to Taiko recently. I was surprised to see a line of faithful sushi lovers waiting outside for well over an hour before the place was even open. The best place to sit is right up at the sushi bar. The cuts of albacore and yellowtail are right from the belly and will melt in your mouth. The octopus is superb, as are the hand rolls. The toro is spectacular, too. I didn't mess with ""California Rolls"" or any of the other non-sushi offerings. Just the sashimi and sushi. Why else would I be there?
Keep in mind that different sushi restaurants offer different specialties and it is well worth the effort to have a good rapport and ask your chef for suggestions of what they recommend, or what is good today. They will not steer you wrong, and your tummy will be way satisfied.
In Southern California, I frequent several sushi restaurants and Taiko is the best. Close at second would be Sumo sushi in Sherman Oaks, followed by Ike sushi in Hollywood (known for their oysters and fresh octopus - most places only offer frozen octopus, including Taiko). Lastly, for a good vibe, try Teru Sushi in Studio City. Definitely avoid the buffet-style sushi restaurants. They may be cheap, but so is the food. You get what you pay for.
To clarify, Taiko is hands-down the best sushi to be had in Southern California. Worth the wait to sit at the bar. And reasonably priced, too. You don't have to trust me. Give it a try and trust your instincts. You'll be back again and again.
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