Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Say Goodbye to Otom
()
I am terribly saddened to report that my most favoritest sushi restaurant in Los Angeles will be closing its doors on December 31st. I've been going here regularly for 8 years now and I am devastated to see it go. For those of you who love Otom Sushi the way I do, hurry your way over there as you only have a week left. For those of you who have never been there, I'd suggest trying to squeeze in a visit before it closes. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Otom Sushi has two things going for it. One, they have amazing food and two, they have an all-you-can-eat special. This is no buffet-style Todai-like food-under-heat-lamps mediocre-fish wanna-be all you can eat for amateurs. This is all-you-can-eat, made-to-order, sitting-at-the-sushi-bar, try-to-contain-yourself fresh fish goodness and if you don't keep your eyes open, you could find yourself under a mound of uni, sweet shrimp, and scallops trying to fight to keep up with the sushi chef, and all for one low price (was $32.50. In the last few months it's gone up to $38.50). You can in fact, get uni, toro and all of the good stuff (in limited quantities) with the all-you-can-eat plan, as well as a few chef's specials that are nowhere to be found on the menu.
()
Support for LAist comes from
One night of all-you-can-eat for $32.50: toro, hamachi, albacore, spicy tuna, spicy whitefish tempura, sweet shrimp heads, salmon, sweet shrimp, chilean sea bass, seared and peppered tuna
If you're not particularly hungry, you can opt out of the all-you-can-eat special and order by the piece, as the prices are very reasonable (averaging around $4-5) and the fish is delicious. The owner and head sushi chef Katsu goes downtown every morning and hand picks his fish, and he'll tell you exactly what is good that day (one time he realized this was a mistake, as we managed to eat 8 orders of yellowtail in the span of 20 minutes) and what isn't. He also has a number of special recipes which have since become signatures, like his famous spicy whitefish tempura roll, the fried green mussel appetizer and a magical Chilean sea bass prepared with scallions, tangy ponzu, and a few other secret ingredients. The first time I tried the sea bass, the couple next to us accused me of having an orgasm at the sushi bar. Well last I heard, that's not illegal, is it?
()
fried green mussel, chilean sea bass (cooked) with ponzu, spicy lobster sushi
Katsu is closing his doors after his years of fantasmic sushi making caused a wrist injury that required surgery. He says, however, that after 3-6 months of rehab he will be back to open a new restaurant which he will name KATSUNOVA. Hell yeah. His other sushi chefs, Poncho and Taka, will be going their separate ways and we can only hope they will reunite once again.
()
Albacore and seared tuna with ponzu
Support for LAist comes from
If you have a chance in the next 10 days, swing by. Talk to Katsu. You will not be disappointed.
Otom Sushi
3936 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City
(310) 391-8011
All photos by malingering just prior to devouring all items pictured
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist