One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
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.
Further Chronicles of Sushi in the Valley: Ahi Sushi
If there's one thing we've learned about sushi from all our recent experience, it's that it's darn near impossible to find a decent sushi restaurant open for lunch on Sundays. We couldn't wait til dinner. We couldn't think of somewhere not too far over any of the hills in the 323 to try. So we roamed the valley floor until we stopped at Ahi Sushi on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. It was dim and cool inside, and also completely empty. Is eating sushi for lunch on a Sunday a social faux-pas? we wondered. No matter. We got cozy at the bar and began to inspect the menu.
If LAist has been learning anything from hitting up all these various sushi joints, it's that there is defninitely a core list of menu items. So we've started to look for the things that stand out, such as special cuts of nigiri sushi or sashimi, or rolls that deviate from the California topped with something norm. Ahi definitely has a couple of bright spots; their rolls have unique ingredients, like Lemon Jalapeno Sauce, Chilean Sea Bass, or Tempura Jalapeno. We zeroed in on the Sashimi Roll, which is Blue Crab wrapped in tuna sashimi, then wrapped in thin slices of cucumber, and drizzled in a creamy sauce. We're always bemoaning all the filling rice that gets loaded into rolls--this one is rice-free, and a refreshing break from the standard. The sushi cuts are generous, and hang far over their tiny mound of rice. The chef suggested we try the Spanish Mackrel, which comes dusted in salt and lemon, and now we're hooked on the fish. At the end of the meal he presented us with a cubed wedge of fresh mango, which left our already happy taste buds feeling fresh and sweetened. Ahi Sushi is not as raucous or wild as some other sushi spots, and the menu is compact but has a few great gems at reasonable prices. And, one thing we did make note of, Anna Nicole apparently loves it there--her picture is up twice behind the sushi bar. We'll forgive them that, because their sushi was great, and the chef friendly and full of suggestions. And so the sushi search continues...
Ahi Sushi 12915 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City (818) 981-0277
Photo of Chef Jimmy Wu from the Ahi Sushi Website
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
