Kaya Sushi

This by far besides club sushi is my favorite sushi spot. make sure to come here on a Friday when there is people. you get a great environment here

Pros: Sushi

Cons: Water

Posted 04/06/09

I'd been to Kaya a few times and the food was generally good but definitely overpriced. My boyfriend wanted to go there for his birthday dinner and then to a movie just down the street. When we got to the restaurant we were told that the wait would be about 20 minutes so after 40 minutes, I checked in and was told that there was only one table ahead of us. Another 10 minutes go by and I watch 3 tables get seated ahead of us, all of whom I'd seen arrive at the restaurant after us, so I approached the hostess a second time and when she looked at her list again, our table pager number wasn't even on it. It's now been almost an hour wait and we're seated next. They didn't even offer anything complimentary to make up for their mistakes, not even a birthday dessert. A little good will would have gone a long way but apparently Kaya does not understand good customer service. We ended up eating a lukewarm appetizer that was supposed to be hot, paying a lot for not very much food, and missing our movie because of the wait. Needless to say, we will not be back and I do not recommend it.

Cons: bad service, over-priced

Posted 10/25/08

This is a small place so making reservations is probably best. Beautiful design with waterfalls inside and candle lighting. We ordered a lot of different appetizers and rolls. The rolls were excellent, particularly the handrolls. Some were a bit too large to eat easily, but all were very tasty. Veggie tempura was not to my taste, a bit dry. Also, I didn't think the hot sake was the greatest. But this is a sushi place and the sushi itself was great. Service was fast, the food kept coming and coming. Overall, I do recommend this place.

Posted 05/26/08

my cousin is one of the chefs at kaya sushi and he made all my dishes =) My first time was absolutely amazing. So creative with their rolls and menu. I tried what was called a golden pyramid? it was stacked with edible golden flakes... it was truly top notch.. i would go again for a birthday celebration or something.

Pros: Food, Ambience

Cons: price, small portions

Posted 05/18/07

I have both eaten here and ordered out many times...and I can say that the fish is always fresh and the food cooked to perfections. Despite it's small size, the amabiance is gorgeous...it's dimly lit with a water stream wall and a plasma tv listing the night's special rolls. The food is AMAZING...there are millions of rolls to choose from, which I'd have to say is a their downside b/c it takes forever to read through the menu and decide! My favs: Anne's roll, Sunny's roll, Tataki's roll, and Winter roll...but I'm sure that'll change b/c I'm always trying new ones that turn out to be just as delicious as the others! Other good items to note: sashimi specials, dynamites, and tofu dishes. The service can be slow, but I'm not one to ever mind b/c I'm always with good company. I HIGHLY reccomend Kaya.

Pros: Quality and creativity of food, ambiance

Cons: Almost overwhelming menu...but worth reading and tasting!

Posted 04/28/07

Hey guys: If you want to take your girlfriend to a romantic sushi place that you want good service, good food and not a hole in your pocket, try Kaya sushi. The food is great and the price is very resonable, moreover; the service is superb. The only thing that is disapointing is the business hours. The cut of time for dinner is 22:30 and they close at 23:00.

Pros: service, food and price

Cons: business hour

Posted 04/21/07

Everytime I go there the service is nice and the food is even better. Plus all the servers speak perfect English you will have noe problem communicating with them. They have amazsing interior and a giant TV. They have this Korean traditional drum that you can h it if yo uare satisfied and yet I've always had to h it that every time I go there. Kaya is definitely the best Korean/Japanese restaurant nearby including Marina Derl Rey, El Segundo/Hawthorne, Hermosa/Redondo beach area. I bet you anything you order here is going to taste extraordinary.

Pros: i love kaya

Posted 01/06/07

I'm usually not very keen on Koreans doing sushi, but this place does a great job. I wouldn't call them the best sushi in L.A. (Kanpai is my favorite), but for the price, you can really get your grub on. Their staff is really nice and attentive and the ambience is good. I like this place.

Pros: pricing, staff, selection of food

Posted 11/29/06

Kaya Sushi has by far the best sushi in L.A. for the price. While their prices are more expensive than some sushi places, one bite into their fish and you'll taste nobu quality sushi at a fraction of the price. Even if someone in your party doesn't like sushi, their tempura is the best I've ever had - light, flaky, and delicious.

It does get crowded sometimes, but there have been random nights where I've been seated right away. Look for the two bald servers - they're the best ones. I've noticed they don't have a busboy or a hostess, so it does get a bit hectic at times. They don't have many big tables however - this place is more of a date spot or for a small group of cloes friends.

If you become a regular and get to know the chefs, servers, and bosses, you can come by yourself, sit at the sushi bar, and have a great time. Great people, great food, great restaurant.

Pros: Food, food, food, ambience, people

Cons: Doesn't deliver, but all the delivery sushi i've ever had was really bad

Posted 11/20/06

Kaya and Nakked Sushi are my 2 favorite places! Kaya has the best sushi around. Prices are reasonable and the servers are friendly! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND KAYA TO ANYONE WHO LIKE FOOD!! If you aren't in the mood for sushi get hte teriyaki! YUM! I recommend the Emily's roll, Spicy Tuna and the Rainbow!!! GREAT PLACE, & I love the WATERFALL!!!!!

Pros: GREAT FOOD

Cons: None!

Posted 10/30/06

Excellent place to impress a date. If you love sushi, then this is a place you have to try. Great setting and great service.

Posted 10/22/06

Very trendy. Good date place. Large portions. Crowded, but food comes fast. Sushi is pretty good, but not the best in LA. Tempura is excellent. Easy parking.

Posted 07/25/06

I went to Kaya Sushi on last friday, and their sashimi and variety of rolls just surprised me with high quality. Every single penny was worth it...only bad part was just long waiting but during the weekend most of the restaurants are busy so that's one thing that i have to sacrifice......and they don't take reservations on friday saturday.

Pros: ambience, foods, service

Cons: expensive, crowded

Posted 05/29/06

I just went to Kaya Sushi two nights ago and the food, service, and atmosphere was fantastic. It is a great place to go on a date because the atmosphere is so romantic. The waiter was so friendly and also very quick. I had their sashimi and the piece are so fresh and huge! There's a huge projector where the customers can see the game (It's a great place to take your husband or boyfriend if you know what I mean). I would definitely go to Kaya Sushi again and again.

Pros: Sports Game, Romantic, Great Food

Cons: Too Busy , A Little Crowded

Posted 05/20/06

This is a great sushi restaurant, especially if you like sushi rolls. There are literally hundreds to pick from!! Although...I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the tempura. It's the best tempura I've tasted. EVER. The batter is so light and crispy. The tempura dinner is only is $15 and you get FIVE pieces of shrimp and lots of veggies. Miso soup, a nice green salad & rice are included with your meal. It's simply fabulous. The wall waterfall is definitely something to see.

Pros: Tempura, Sushi Rolls, Ambiance

Cons: Small, Underground Parking

Posted 03/19/06

When we were looking for restaurants, I read the reviews saying that service was slow and that the food was just average for Korean fare. We gave it a chance anyway, since other people reported positive experiences. Sadly, I should have heeded the reviews. Our experience was quite the same. We had to wait almost 45 minutes for a table, the food was just average for Korean fare (but they do give big servings), and we had a hard time justifying the price. At least our server was apologetic, even if it was "too little, too late." Until they hire a host/hostess and a busser, expect to wait a long time for table service and pay more than you should for Korean food. The panchan (Korean side dishes) were very disappointing. There's better food to be found in Koreatown. We won't make the trip out to this restaurant again.

Pros: Sushi Roll Selection, Nice Decor, Low Carb Options

Cons: Long Wait, Average Cuisine, Inattentive Waitstaff

Posted 03/06/06

When I entered the restaurant, I got no service and waited for 30 minutes. People behind me left because it took so long. Reading these reviews before hand, I decided to wait and endure bad service so that I can experience Kaya Sushi. Well, let's just say, it was horrible. The service was really bad, the food was below average, and did I mention.. the service was HORRIBLE. I will never eat there again, and I will never recommend it to anyone. If you want to go there, good luck.. As for me, I would rather have McDonald's if the service was better than Kaya. It was so bad...

Cons: EVERYTHING

Posted 02/22/06

Kaya has to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Everyone of my friends I've introduced to it has gotten hooked. Its a locals place, and the friendly staff seems to know all the customers. The variety is unbelievable. Vegetarian? Check. Low Carb? There's an entire section of low carb rolls! The Korean food is excellent as well. The spicy Seafood Tofu Soon soup, served bubbling in a hot stone pot and overflowing with clams, oysters, calamari, and other fresh fish, is to die for. Also, despite what City Search says here, they are not open for lunch or on Sundays. But they do get busy, so go early! And -- very importantly -- this is NOT a place for kids!

Pros: Freshness, Variety, Authentic

Cons: Busy, Closed Sundays, Crowded Parking Lot

Posted 02/13/06

I'm a vegetarian and my husband could live on sushi. We loved this place!! They had so much to offer the both of us and everything was wonderful. The place is beautiful and the service was first rate. I cannot say enough about this place!

Pros: food, ambiance, cozy

Posted 02/07/06

As a Korean raised on the Westside, I've tried my share of sushi/Japanese/Korean restaurants. This is by far one of the priciest. The freshness is only so-so, and the portions are very small. The service was poor too. The restaurant was practically empty, but our food still took almost 30 minutes. The water features in the restaurant are great, but I don't want to feel like I'm paying for THAT. If you like this type of restaurant, you're better off traveling a little east to the many BETTER restaurants in KTown.

Pros: Fountains, Waterfalls

Cons: Price, Portions, Service

Posted 11/25/05

The combinations of the sushi rolls are endless. There's always something new to try. Waterfall is neat to sit by. Gets busy on the weekends though. Small place too. Sushi was great, but a little high price on the rolls.

Pros: variety of sushi, ambience

Cons: mod to high prices, limited seating, really busy at night

Posted 09/25/05

I've never been a big fan of sushi until my friend took me to Kaya Sushi about three years ago. Ever since then I have became a regular to Kaya. Whether it be a business meeting, date, or a family gathering, I have always been a loyal customer to Kaya. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is awesome, the service is friendly, and the owners are very welcoming!!! My favorite are the roll and sashimi. The fish is so tender, juicy, and especially fresh that it literally melts in your mouth. I have told all of my co-workers, friends, and family about this amazing restaurant and not even one of them disagreed with what I have to say about this restaurant. Just thinking about me makes my mouth water...

Pros: Quality, Affordable, Romantic

Cons: Closed on Sundays

Posted 06/27/05

Having enjoyed lots of sushi here over many years, I count the total experience as higher than any one piece. No expert on rolls, I've enjoyed their flavor more than their usually-gargantuan size. When Kaya has toro, or special salmon or yellowtail, it's sometimes nearly divine, always good, and usually temperate (not cold). However, I've been burned twice with uni, so I always its quality before ordering it. Albacore - great, sometimes really fine. Also eel, though I don't know why such huge portions.

Better, more "authentic" sushi restaurants exist out here. But Kaya consistently provides good fish and smiling staff - who are always willing to make up for a mistake. Cap it off with a beautiful new waterfall and occasional visual underwater tours, and Kaya stands out as a nice L.A. sushi house.

Pros: Casual atmosphere, good basic dishes, occasional gems

Cons: squeezed parking

Posted 06/26/05

Kaya Sushi is definitely my favorite sushi restaurant. I was introduced to this restaurant about 2 months ago by a friend of mine and sincethen I have been going there almost every week. Their yellow tail sashimi deeped in house special sauce just melts in your mouth. They also have a variety of rolls so anyone will find rolls that they like. The restaurant has friendly staffs and very romantic settings with water falls. It is a good place to take your date. I would defitely recomment Kaya sushi for any sushi lovers!

Pros: Fresh sushi, Service, Ambience

Cons: reservations

Posted 06/13/05

I ordered $50 worth of sushi for dinner and was pretty disappointed by the quality. The salmon was slimy and fishy, the asparagus was mushy and believe it or not their dynamite roll was horrible.

On top of that the service was unbelievable, with only 2 pompous waiters/waitresses on a Thursday night. Although the owners/managers at this restaurant are very nice and timely but their wait staff is arrogant and forgetful.

I tried this restaurant because it's close to where I live and couldn't believe they were still in business with the food they were serving. Maybe it was a bad day? I wouldn't take my chances of trying them out again.

Pros: cool fish tank, nice glass waterfall

Cons: poor wait staff, small and crowded, parking difficult

Posted 05/14/05

There are very few good Korean resturaunts on the Westside but luckily, there is Kaya Sushi. Trust me, I'm Korean. They have a great dol sot bibim bap, which is rice, cooked vegetables, beef, and egg that comes in a hot stone bowl. The rice cooks to a crisp as you eat it. I had all my non-Korean co-workers hooked on it. There is also hwe dup bop for you sushi lovers; which is rice with lettuce and other raw vegetables, topped with salmon, tuna, white fish and roe. It comes with a spicy chili sauce that is slightly sweet. If you go during lunchtime, they do a great lunchbox. It's huge. It comes with two pieces of california roll, 3 pieces of sushi, tempura, salad, your choice of meat, and rice.

Pros: food, affordable

Cons: service

Posted 05/08/05

i decided to check out Kaya after a co-worker raved about it. Being a big fan of sushi and japanese cuisine, this restaurant didnt seem catered to my taste. It was probably my mistake going to a korean and japanese fusion restaurant. I felt like I was bombarded by a lot of over the top gimmicks- from the rolls to the decor. The place was too loud and had a cheesy overtone. Even though I'm not too much of a roll fan, I decided to check one of the hundreds of rolls available. The size of the roll was misquided with the amount of vegetables it was stuffed with...no meat. Same goes for the menu - i noticed there were a lot of items, but nothing really popped out. Also, the flavor of the fish was lost with all the junk they served with it.

Cons: tacky atmosphere, not authentic, service

Posted 03/27/05

Kaya is now definitely my bf & my favorite sushi place. i have to admit i'm a big time sushi eater and know what i'm talking about what it comes to sushi & sashimi. just the fact that their sushi menu has over a hundred variety really surprised us, not to mention the delicious taste on all the ones we've tried. i've only been there once to try out cuz of other good comments, but i know for a fact that i'll be visiting it many more times just so i can try out all of their sushi rolls.

Pros: variety, delicious food, interior design

Cons: , pricey

Posted 10/11/04

Well I must say, I eat a lot of sushi and this one role: The Hawain Role has to be the best I have ever had. It comes on a little mini grill all covered with flames. On top of the roll is the most tender white fish and a sweet brown sauce of some sort. To compliment the brown sauce is another sweet white sauce. Each bite is a meal. I could only eat two and was stuffed but had I had it first ... I would have gobbled the whole thing up. I highly recomend this place. Even the decor with it's walls of water, blue lights, funky furniture, friendly and young staff ... it's a must!!!

Pros: Decently priced, Not crowded, awesome atmosphere

Posted 09/28/04

Kaya Sushi is my favorite sushi place in L.A. They have so many amazing and different rolls to choose from (try the Jay's Roll, it rocks!) The Korean/Sushi infusion of Kaya makes it one of the most unique sushi experiences you'll have. You've got to experience this fantastic sushi joint.

Pros: Friendly Staff, Popular, Moderate Prices

Cons: , Few Parking Spots

Posted 06/10/04

I had dinner here with my sister last Saturday. We were there fairly early, so we were seated promptly. The atmosphere was very nice. The sushi was very good and so were the rolls! Criticism: 3 of our orders were not brought to us (2 orders of salmon sushi and 1 rainbow roll). The salmon sushi was brought to us after we reminded our server and we ended up cancelling the rainbow roll. Our server was very friendly and polite throughout the evening; however, once the restaurant was busy I felt she forgot about us! My sister had to get up and track her down just to get our bill and remind her that we didn't get our rainbow roll. I would still go back, but maybe when it's not too terribly busy.

Posted 01/05/03

Good sushi served with a Korean twist. You can enjoy sitting at the aquarium sushi bar with a cascading waterfall or watch the tropical slide show in the dining area. It's a family friendly restaurant where children are treated to free Poki snacks (Japanese pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate). Most of the entrees are very well prepared but of course Sushi is the name of the game. If you're feeling adventurous, try some of the wonderful Korean dishes. Don't forget to bang the Korean drum on your way out if you really liked your meal!!

Posted 10/31/02