Asaka Sushi & Grill

This place literally saved the night a couple weeks ago. We were out bar hopping in Manhattan Beach, fully intending on ending up at Fusion in MB for some late night sushi. I guess we got there a little too late, though, because although they were still open and hopping, they were no longer seating new customers. I was so devastated to have missed last call because I had been longing for their delicious caterpillar roll all night!

We headed home and I was in a crummy mood because I knew I wouldn't be getting sushi that night....and I might as well be a pregnant woman with how intense my cravings are (but glad I'm not really preggers right now because I literally don't know if I could do 9 months without sushi!).

Anyway, after a little driving around the South Bay and much complaining about sushi places closing too early, my hero of a husband stumbled upon Asaka and saved the night! They are open until midnight (finally, a sushi joint with reasonable hours!) and it was just before last call. Lucky us!

This is a nice place with a cute outdoor patio for dining, and a sleek interior. The staff is professional, and I'm just so glad they let us put our order in before closing! Edamame and sushi was standard and very much enjoyed. This is my new go-to for sushi after 10pm!! Thank you, Asaka!

I'm going to give this joint a three. Why? Because my bento didn't come in a bento.

I brought my high school graduate daughter for a nice late lunch under perfect blue skies. The lemonade and Shirley Temple were perfect. We settled into our comfy chairs outside on the patio and checked out the surprisingly boring and simple menu. OK. I'll have this Sashimi Bento, and it comes out on a plate with a fork. What is this, Toledo?

It was an ample portion and yeah I get it. Gaijin. But damn!

I have to say that I really love the excruciating manners of some Japanese, but there are Japanese and there are Southern California Japanese. Get your Nisei right people, we're not easy to please here. Maybe we wait for Sansei.

It's kinda sad. The fish was notably good, and the portions were generous. I'll give the joint another try, but it remains inferior to Ka over at Del Amo for the right mix of elegance, service and food.

Nice quality sushi place with normal prices and quite a bit of variety. The menu has some tasty and original sushi rolls like the sushi burrito as well as udon and soba. It's a great place to sit outside on the patio with heatlamps and enjoy some evening sushi with friends.