I have no clout, but luckily I knew somebody who did (Matsuki’san), and he was able to get us in for Shunji’s 5th year anniversary.
As far as restaurants go, Shunji’s has got to be in the top five or three in Los Angeles. If you want to know what I mean, skip to the bottom to see the countless accolades and media coverage Shunji has received over the last 5-years.

Shunji is a Michelin Star sushi restaurant that was located in Los Angeles, but in 2020 moved to 3003 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica
These pics were shot at their old location in the iconic Chili Bowl.

I should point out that this visit happened waaaaaaaaaay back on Thursday, March 16th of 2017 (I’m a little late in posting).


I think I didn’t post because I drank to the point that I didn’t take the notes I needed to write up a useful post, but hey at least there’s some good pics to look at.

If you’re not familiar with LA, Shunji is located on Pico Blvd in West LA which is only about 7 minutes away from the Sawtelle Little Tokyo neighborhood.


We were lucky enough to be able to be sat directly in front of Nakao’san.






Uni is one ingredient I love to try the different ways in which it is prepared or paired, but I just realized how I haven’t had nori no tsukudani in years (I miss it)!





Many of the flavors are very Japanese which are very subtle or in the umami realm (savory).













How did I do with my descriptions?

I tend to drink when I eat, so my bill was well over $200 although if you are not a drinker, it’ll be sub 200.

Media in the Last 5-Years
LA Times Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants 2016; No19
LA TIMES | 2016
LA Times Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants 2015: No7
LA TIMES | 2015
LA Times Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants 2014: No4
LA TIMES | 2014
LA Times Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants 2013: No10
LA TIMES | 2013
LA Times: Where to dine in Southern California if you love tasting menus 2017
LA TIMES | 2017
LA Weekly: 7 Essential Japanese Restaurants in LA 2017
LA Weekly | 2017
LA Weekly’s 99 Essential Restaurants 2014 – 2017
LA Weekly | 2017
LA Weekly 10 Best Sushi Restaurants in LA, 2015
LA Weekly | 2015
LA Weekly, Best of LA – Best Sushi 2016
LA Weekly | 2016
LA Weekly, Best of LA – Best Sushi 2014
LA Weekly | 2014
LA Weekly, 20 Best Restaurants in LA 2014
LA Weekly | 2014
LA Magazine 2013 of Best of LA: Best New Restaurant
LA Magazine | 2013
LA Magazine, LA’s 75 Best Restaurants, 2014
LA Magazine | 2014
13 Must try Dishes From LA’s Top Sushi Restaurants, 2016
LA Magazine | 2016
LA Magazine, LA Chef’s Reveal Their Favorite Knives, 2017
LA Magazine | 2017
LA’s Top 8 Tasting Menus by Chef Josiah Citrin, 2016
CITIZINE | 2016
Chef Ludo L’s Favorite LA Eats, 2017
S.Pellegrino® Taste Guide | 2017
Night + Market Kris, 2016
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH? Shunji
How You Glow | 2016
Kiernan Shipka’s Interview, 2016
What are your top LA restaurants? Shunji
LA EATER | 2016
OAD Top 100 US Restaurants 2016 No64
OAD | 2016
OAD Top 100 US Restaurants 2015 No71
OAD | 2015
Foodie Top 100 restaurants US 2016
Foodie Top 100 restaurants | 2016
How to Wrap Up a Year of Obscene Eating?, 2014
EATER | 2014
Discover LA’s Best Sushi Deals
DISCOVER Los Angeles | 2017
Japan Connections Interview
JAPAN CONNECTION | 2016
We Love Japanese Food: 10 Best Japanese Restaurant in LA
We Love Japanese Food | 2017
Shunji Japanese Cuisine
12244 Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 826-4737
www.shunji-ns.com
Tues-Fri: 12-2:00pm, 6:00-10:00pm, Sat: 6-10:30pm, Sun-Mon: closed
OMG! Your descriptions are hilarious! I’ll be sure to order the orb inside of the square! 😀
Ohh Jennifer, I swear, I haven’t laughed out loud like I just did in a long timmmmme, haha (thank you for that)
😂🤣😂