Clocked Out | The raw truth about sushi addiction: 10 spots to try in Long Beach
I've been on a roll lately, but I need your help to find the best sushi deals around Long Beach.
Whether times are good or bad or happy or sad, I'm craving sushi.
Especially through heartbreak or hangover, I'd chose an assortment of raw salmon, yellowtail and albacore over a greasy spoon any day. What's more troubling is that whenever I'm struggling financially (ahem, currently), my mouth seems to water for it even more.
I've battled this strange (and expensive) addiction as long as I've had a bank account. I didn't attempt to buy cigarettes or beer with my very first paycheck at 16, I bought a new dress from Forever 21 and a Rainbow Roll.
But it all became so much worse when I traveled to Japan in 2019. There, you can find some of the freshest and cheapest bento, sashimi, onigiri, cut rolls, hand rolls and the like at — are you ready for this? — 7-Eleven. Warning: I could never endorse American 7-Eleven sushi.
Konbini aside, all over Japan you can find restaurants and izakayas offering nigiri, maki, temaki, sashimi and sushi at a much more affordable price point. Unfortunately (for addicts like me), that just isn't the case in the U.S.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why I'm so obsessed with this particular Japanese cuisine. There's just an undeniable allure to the silky texture of raw fish, combined with the tangy vinegared rice (shari), crisp julienned cucumber, creamy ripe avocado, and the delicate binding of a thin strip of seaweed. (For those of you getting the raw ick, plenty of rolls have cooked fish or vegetables.)
It's an expensive compulsion, I know. So today I thought I'd seek help. Long Beach readers, where do you get your sushi fix? Where are the good lunch specials, the happy hours, or the late-night deals? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.
From takeout to vegan rolls, here's where I've let the good times roll.
Osaka Story - 4905 Second St.
While this space on Second Street has long been a sushi restaurant, it changed hands from Goyen to Osaka Story on Dec. 1 of last year. Having eaten at Goyen a few times, I did notice one significant change: Osaka Story has Happy Hour now.
From 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, they offer deals on everything from seaweed salad to calamari tempura to rolls and, of course, beer and sake. My repeat order has been a $10.95 Rainbow Roll, a roll that typically runs $16 to $20. You can also get a $5.50 California Roll, a $6.50 Spicy Tuna Roll, a $10.95 baked salmon roll and more.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think sushi happy hour is incredibly common in Long Beach.
Vegan Castle - 2400 Santa Fe Ave.
For sushi lovers who have gone vegetarian or vegan, this place will have you saying "I can't believe it's not tuna."
For others who have never eaten meat or just can't stomach seafood, there are finally sushi joints like this one where the only veggie option isn't just an avocado roll or some carrot-packed afterthought roll that's only a few dollars less than the real deal.
Vegan Castle, located on the Westside, offers fish mimicry on classics like a shrimp tempura roll, Dragon Roll, Rainbow Roll, Spider Roll and more. They also offer specialty rolls like the Long Beach and Santa Fe rolls. If you're looking for the accurate taste and texture of sushi without the fish, this must be the place. Rolls range from $10 to $16. Psst, they also serve Sapporo and sake.
Sushi Ai - 5260 Second St.
Apologies, we are returning to Belmont Shore for a moment to talk about Sushi Ai. And no, your sushi won't be made by a robot; ai translates to "love" in Japanese, dummy.
This eatery hosts a sushi bar interior that flies closest to some of the decor I saw in Japan — dim hanging lanterns and a bright mural juxtaposed by dark wooden seating. Of course, there aren't any sushi restaurants in Long Beach or maybe even LA County that would have you ditch your shoes and sit on the floor (which is a real shame) but I'll take what I can get.
When you visit Sushi Ai, ask Chris the sushi chef to make you a Microtech Sashimi roll. It has tuna, salmon, yellowtail and crab, all wrapped in soy paper atop daikon radish — no rice necessary. You may also want to try the Stinky: Albacore outside of a California roll (imitation crab), topped with deep fried onions and butter garlic chips ($18.95).
They also offer a happy hour every day from noon to 6 p.m., which I have yet to try. During those hours, the eatery offers 20% off everything (dine-in only).
Pro-tip: This is a 10/10 date spot.
In the words of Billy Idol — more, more, more — moremoremore.
If I keep going on, we'll be here all day. Here are some of my other favorites that I haven't been able to visit in a while:
- Sushi Kara, an East Long Beach sushi bar, has some of the best sushi in town if memory serves. It used to be my go-to spot.
- @Sushi, Sushi on Fire and Kihon (Naples) are three other Second Street sushi spots. The two in Belmont Shore are solid but Kihon in Naples offers some of the highest end sushi and freshest fish in all of Long Beach.
- Blue Bird Haus in the gayborhood was a favorite of mine in college since they used to stay open until midnight. They are also known for offering quality plant-based options like fishless sushi rolls, vegan nigiri and tofu poke bowls.
- Aikan Sushi is a chain with a location near the Long Beach Airport that offers all you can eat sushi for $35.99 at lunch and $42.99 at dinner. I've never tried all you can eat but I have had one roll and it was not only gorgeous, but super fresh.
I hope you are able to try and enjoy one or more of these recommendations — Itadaki mas!
There are, of course, so many places that I'm ashamed to say I haven't been to like Sushi Mafia and Sushi Nikkei that are on my list (the next time I find a pile of money laying around anyway).
For now, please help a poor maki addict. Where are you finding sushi deals in Long Beach? Tell me your secrets. DM me on Instagram (@discolovekat), on X (@katjournaling) or email me (kat@lbwatchdog.com).
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