Sushi Takeda

These days, most of L.A.’s very best Edomae-style omakase meals require setting an alarm to snag a difficult Tock reservation, plus the willingness to dine early or on a random, often inconvenient weekday. Not so at Sushi Takeda, which, as of writing, remains surprisingly easy to walk into on any given day for an amazing nigiri-only omakase ($180 per head at the bar, $150 at the table). Hidden away on the third floor of Little Tokyo’s Weller Court, Hideyuki Takeda’s tiny counter-and-table operation remains somewhat overlooked—even after a recent shout-out in the L.A. Times. Though it does typically require advance booking, the full signature omakase experience ($300)—only available at 6pm—rivals the city’s very best with delectable kaiseki-style appetizers. The slightly more reasonable lunch offering ($110 per person Tue–Thu; $120 Fri, Sat) and openness to walk-ins also make Sushi Takeda a great high-end sushi experience for those who want to be a little spontaneous.