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Kiwami

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11920 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604

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(818) 287-7541
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Kiwami - Studio City, CA
Kiwami - Studio City, CA
Reviews
( 25 )
( 18 )
( 2 )
( 3 )
( 4 )

Best

great place! nice atmosphere and very fresh fish. The service is good and they have a good outside area. Pros: null Cons: null

Worst

the chefs all yell a greeting when you walk in, it's noisy, cavernous & if you like California roll, cooked shrimp & 'dynamite', then you'd love this place...\r \r if you want a...

Kiwami will rule "sushi row"! 2/3/2009

My husband and I recently had dinner at Kiwami, and it's a fantastic new addition to our beloved "sushi row" (on Ventura blvd). We started with Blue Fin Tuna (flown in from Spain) $16, then on to Skip Jack Poke $9, Jalapeno Yellowtail $16, Unagi Shirayaki (first steamed, then baked) $10, Tasmanian Trout in foil $15, Mixed Tempura $16, Spicy Tuna with Baked Crab Roll $12. We loved EVERY BITE! Lots of photos on MyLastBite more
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Kiwami will rule "sushi row"! 2/3/2009

My husband and I recently had dinner at Kiwami, and it's a fantastic new addition to our beloved "sushi row" (on Ventura blvd). We started with Blue Fin Tuna (flown in from Spain) $16, then on to Skip Jack Poke $9, Jalapeno Yellowtail $16, Unagi Shirayaki (first steamed, then baked) $10, Tasmanian Trout in foil $15, Mixed Tempura $16, Spicy Tuna with Baked Crab Roll $12. We loved EVERY BITE! Lots of photos on MyLastBite more
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always a favorite 11/25/2008

Michelle Provided by Partner
i have been coming here since i was a baby, apparently. it was my parents' favorite sushi place then and it is just as good today. we always start... more
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if you think California roll is sushi, this place is for you 4/2/2008

the chefs all yell a greeting when you walk in, it's noisy, cavernous & if you like California roll, cooked shrimp & 'dynamite', then you'd love this place...\r \r if you want authentic sushi, drive 1/4 mile east on Sushi Katsu-Ya... on the same side of Ventura Blvd. valet parking & a wait to sit at the bar... but it's worth it.. more
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Never had a bad experience!! 3/24/2008

I go once or twice a week and sit at the bar. Order a spicy tuna hand roll with avocado on soy paper, then order a baked crab hand roll on soy paper, then order the yellowtail. Next, try to remember three things you have eaten in a row in the past that could possibly compete!!! Pros: Richard and great fish Cons: a little costly but well worth it more
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Never had a bad experience!! 3/24/2008

I go once or twice a week and sit at the bar. Order a spicy tuna hand roll with avocado on soy paper, then order a baked crab hand roll on soy paper, then order the yellowtail. Next, try to remember three things you have eaten in a row in the past that could possibly compete!!! I don't go on Monday's as Richard the sushi chef is not there. He is THE MAN when it comes to sushi! Pros: Richard and great fish Cons: a little costly but well worth it more
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Fantastic Sushi and Nice Ambiance 3/19/2008

Teru is located on Sushi Row- there are literally sushi restaurants on every block on Ventura Blvd. However, I think Teru stands out from the crowd of sushi restaurants with its excellent menu, and very nice ambiance.\r \r In fact, I would even dare to go as far as to say that Teru is BETTER than Katsuya. I know, I know, blasphemy. But seriously, the sushi is ALMOST as good, maybe as good. And the environment in the restaurant is so much nicer. And you can always get a table. more
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Service was terrible, hot food was horrible, sushi was decent 3/16/2008

Just returned from dinner at Teru sushi, was a terrible experience. The server was rude, slow and didnt seem to care. Had to request help from manager several times and he made no apologies for the bad service. Ordered hot food as well as sushi. Hot food was bad and overpriced. Sushi was fine. Overall experience was bad and will not repeat and would not recommend. Way to many good choices out there to waste your time here. more
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Service was terrible, hot food was horrible, sushi was decent 3/16/2008

Just returned from dinner at Teru sushi, was a terrible experience. The server was rude, slow and didnt seem to care. Had to request help from manager several times and he made no apologies for the bad service. Ordered hot food as well as sushi. Hot food was bad and overpriced. Sushi was fine. Overall experience was bad and will not repeat and would not recommend. Way to many good choices out there to waste your time here. more
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great for patio, rolls 11/30/2007

this is a good spot for sushi rolls. the house one is the best. avoid the one with avo and eel sauce -- to gloopy, globby sweet. patio is pretty and best place to sit. it's tucked in the back. i've heard this is a fave haunt with many celebs. staff are very nice and friendly. convenient to bar-hop afterward. Pros: rolls, patio Cons: not an omakase place more
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consistently good 2/25/2006

I've been coming to Teru for over 10 yrs. The sushi is always top quality. Toro and hamachi is the best. Order the Yaki appetizer and grab a seat at the bar. Prices are not value, but anyone that knows sushi would agree you get what you pay for. Anyone that rates the sushi her avg or below avg doesnt know sushi or goes to sushi bars on sunday.... more
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consistently good 2/25/2006

I've been coming to Teru for over 10 yrs. The sushi is always top quality. Toro and hamachi is the best. Order the Yaki appetizer and grab a seat at the bar. Prices are not value, but anyone that knows sushi would agree you get what you pay for. Anyone that rates the sushi her avg or below avg doesnt know sushi or goes to sushi bars on sunday.... more
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This is NOT good sushi 1/8/2006

Went there on a Saturday night sat at sushi bar. Lively scene, not like a library like the more serious places. However, the fish was average at best. Requested ""omikase"", chef's choice. After the second course, the chef asked us to tell him what we wanted, indicating lack of interest, did not know what was good or just did not care. The toro and hamachi were the best, while the other fish was not of high quality. Would not recommend as other sushi places, including the all-you-can eat places (though not recommended), are almost as good. Pros: lively scene, atmosophere Cons: expensive, average fish, chefs are unskilled more
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This is NOT good sushi 1/8/2006

Went there on a Saturday night sat at sushi bar. Lively scene, not like a library like the more serious places. However, the fish was average at best. Requested "omikase", chef's choice. After the second course, the chef asked us to tell him what we wanted, indicating lack of interest, did not know what was good or just did not care. The toro and hamachi were the best, while the other fish was not of high quality. Would not recommend as other sushi places, including the all-you-can eat places (though not recommended), are almost as good. Pros: lively scene, atmosophere Cons: expensive, average fish, chefs are unskilled more
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great omakase, pleaasing atmosphere 10/17/2005

we already know what kind of experience we're going to have when we have Masa serve us. anything freshly flown in from japan, anything new we haven't tried before and always the freshest quality. the best part about it: you can relax from your day, enjoy your conversation and don't have to think, you're always getting one amazing dish after another. Pros: great quality, great service, nice atmosphere more
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great omakase, pleaasing atmosphere 10/17/2005

we already know what kind of experience we're going to have when we have Masa serve us. anything freshly flown in from japan, anything new we haven't tried before and always the freshest quality. the best part about it: you can relax from your day, enjoy your conversation and don't have to think, you're always getting one amazing dish after another. Pros: great quality, great service, nice atmosphere more
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Excellent sushi but a bit overpriced 9/20/2005

With so many sushi bars in the area, competition is pretty extreme for business. Teru sushi provides excellent sushi and very traditionally excellent Japanese style customer service. I would love to go to this place more often, but my wallet just can't afford it. If you're looking for the same great quality but at more traditional prices, try Katsuya across the street. PROS: great sushi, traditional Japanese service, great sake selection CONS: very expensive for sushi, parking can be a pain sometimes more
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Good sushi in a cozy place. 5/27/2005

I've been there many times.It's a nice cozy place and dining is always really good.Chefs always greet their customers and it feels so warm.This place is good for celebrations as well as romantic or friendly dinner. more
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too much 2/26/2005

i was starving, we ordered a TON of sushi, and i could barely eat one roll... the fish didn't seem fresh, they had YMCA playing in the backround, which would have been amusing had the food been tasty... all in all it was not a good experience. i wouldn't recommend it, i found the seaweed to be ultra chewy. which for me- is enough to say "oh no." Pros: valet Cons: bad music, bad lighting, strange crowd more
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too much 2/26/2005

i was starving, we ordered a TON of sushi, and i could barely eat one roll... the fish didn't seem fresh, they had YMCA playing in the backround, which would have been amusing had the food been tasty... all in all it was not a good experience. i wouldn't recommend it, i found the seaweed to be ultra chewy. which for me- is enough to say "oh no." Pros: valet Cons: bad music, bad lighting, strange crowd more
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Menu for Kiwami


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Traditional Japanese Favorites & Exotic New Cuisine

Owner Message

  • Sushi, sashimi, tempura and other traditional Japanese favorites are joined by new signature dishes such as halibut wrapped with uni, calamari with pasta, Kobe beef in bamboo leaf, and Kobe-style filet with foie gras. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly.

Editorial

  • In Short
    Upon arrival at this Katsuya-helmed restaurant, you won't be fighting a gaggle of trendsters for a table, nor will you see a space that looks like every square inch has been combed over by a Hollywood designer. With only about 14 tables and a small sushi bar, this humble but upscale restaurant focuses on just one thing--its food, especially the unbelievably fresh sushi.  The cold and hot seafood dishes, such as sunomono, halibut wrapped with uni sashimi, rockfish yuan-yaki and sea bass baked on cedar board, are the house specialties. And for the aficionado, the restaurant offers omakase at $70. Just remember to make your reservations fast, as it may be a rare opportunity to be served by Chef Uechi himeself. Because who knows how long this enterprising restaurateur will be manning the sushi bar here?

  • 1/25/2009 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00pm-2:30pm; 5:30pm-10pm Fri-Sat. 5:30pm-10:30pm Sun 3:00pm-9:30pm
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, American Express, Visa
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