5 pieces. Cut roll of deep fried with spicy tuna, jalapenos and cream cheese topped with eel sauce.
Tucked away in a small strip mall in Los Angeles, What The Fish Sushi is a unique local spot serving up inventive sushi rolls and Japanese fare with a fun twist. With its quirky name and imaginative menu, this little restaurant has earned a cult following among sushi aficionados across LA.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at What The Fish Sushi, from its story and signature dishes to the experience of dining there. Whether you’re a sushi lover visiting LA or a local looking to try somewhere new, read on to learn everything about this eccentric sushi gem!
The Story Behind What The Fish Sushi
What The Fish Sushi first opened its doors in 2016 in a nondescript Arlington Heights location just west of Downtown LA. Despite the modest exterior the restaurant quickly built buzz for its extensive sushi menu with unique twists on classics as well as original specialty rolls.
The man behind the innovative sushi concepts is Chef Brett Bullion. After honing his skills at Nobu and mastering all things sushi, Bullion decided to branch out on his own and launch What The Fish Sushi. His goal was simple – create fun, outside-the-box sushi using high quality ingredients
The tiny sushi bar only has about 15 seats giving the restaurant an intimate, hole-in-the-wall vibe. Word spread quickly among LA foodies about Bullion’s flair for combining unexpected flavors into tantalizing rolls. The creative menu strikes a balance between tradition and innovation that keeps locals coming back again and again.
Specialty Rolls – Signature Dishes With Personality
What The Fish Sushi’s claim to fame is definitely its selection of specialty rolls dreamed up by Chef Bullion himself. These original creations showcase his knack for combining unique flavors and textures in harmonious ways. Here are some of the most popular signature specialty rolls on the menu:
Pimp My Roll
This fittingly named favorite features spicy tuna and jalapeño topped with salmon, yellowtail, avocado, truffle oil, ponzu sauce, and Chef’s “secret sauce.” A balance of spicy and savory topped with luxe truffle oil.
Cowboy Roll
True to its name, this Texas-inspired roll includes fried chicken and mashed potatoes atop fresh tuna and avocado, with eel sauce and house BBQ sauce layered over the top.
Crazy ‘Bout a Mercury Roll
For seafood lovers, this extravagant roll loads up chunks of salmon, yellowtail, crab, and avocado and tops it off with baked scallops, spicy mayo, eel sauce, and jalapeño masago.
Bulldog Roll
Calling all bacon lovers – this pork lover’s dream roll features smoked bacon wrapped shrimp and avocado topped with seared filet mignon and wasabi aioli.
In addition to the ever-changing selection of specialty rolls, the menu includes all the sushi standards done right like salmon and hamachi nigiri, sashimi platters, and classic rolls such as spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and dragon roll.
Sushi + Japanese Fare Done Right
Beyond the creative specialty rolls, What The Fish Sushi crafts excellent traditional nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls, and small plates. Some highlights of their Japanese offerings include:
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Beautiful chirashi bowls piled high with sashimi cuts of fish and vegetables over sushi rice
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Miso soup with tofu, seaweed, and green onions
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Crispy pork gyoza potstickers and veggie spring rolls served with dipping sauces
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Chicken karaage featuring Japanese-style fried chicken with an addictively crispy exterior
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Spicy stuffed squid tentacles that pack some heat but are perfectly tender
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Salmon tataki featuring thinly sliced seared salmon dressed in a light ponzu sauce
It’s clear Chef Bullion has mastered the flavors and techniques behind authentic Japanese cuisine. The traditional dishes provide a pleasing contrast to the Americanized specialty rolls.
The Dining Experience At What The Fish Sushi
The atmosphere at What The Fish Sushi is casual, lively, and full of character. Pop art and murals with clever fish references adorn the walls. The cozy sushi bar provides a front-row seat to watch the chefs prepare intricate rolls and nigiri.
Despite the humble location, the restaurant fills up quickly – especially on weekends when waits can exceed an hour. Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early or be prepared to wait for a seat. The line moves fairly fast and it’s well worth it.
While you wait, peruse the displays of whimsical and cheeky sushi-themed merchandise including t-shirts, hats, pins, and sticky note pads. Or sip on one of their inventive martinis, sake cocktails, beers or wines.
The service strikes the perfect balance between knowledgeable and laidback. The sushi chefs prepare each dish with precision while the wait staff keeps the atmosphere buzzing.
Expect to spend around $50 per person for nigiri, a specialty roll, appetizer, and drinks. While not the cheapest sushi in LA, the creations and quality justify the price for a memorable dining experience.
Why You Need to Try What The Fish Sushi
In a city saturated with trendy sushi spots, What The Fish Sushi stands out for its quirky personality and Chef Bullion’s talent for ingeniously fusing flavors. This local gem offers far more than just your standard California rolls and tuna nigiri.
The constantly changing selection of specialty rolls makes each visit unique, whether it’s your first or fifth time dining there. You’ll leave full, satisfied, and already planning your next visit to see what new maki marvel Chef Bullion dreams up next.
For fun, theatrical sushi served up in a lively and informal setting, What The Fish Sushi tops the list. It may be hidden in plain sight, but this LA sushi favorite is no longer much of a secret among those in the know.
Utensils and Soy sauce (Put Number of Your Quantity)
11 pieces. Japanese pepper.
5 pieces. Steamed or fried.
5 pieces. Steamed or fried.
Spicy tuna wrapped with Japanese mint leaf tempura topped with eel sauce, mustard soy and creamy sesame sauce.
6 pieces. New Zealand green mussels with dynamite sauce, masago and green onion.
5 pieces. Deep-fried roll with fake crab mixed with mayo, jalapenos, and cream cheese, and eel sauce on top.
5 pieces. Cut roll of deep fried with spicy tuna, jalapenos and cream cheese topped with eel sauce.
Deep fried shrimp cut in small pieces with spicy mayo
3 sticks. Deep-fried calamari skewers with spicy mayo.
8 pieces. Zucchini, sweet potato and carrot.
2 pieces of shrimp and 5 pieces of vegetables.
4 pieces. Crispy rice with spicy tuna, avocado and eel sauce on top.
Tuna, avocado, red onion, ginger and masago with creamy sesame sauce and wonton chips.
Japanese noodle and fish balls garnished with green onion.
Steamed spinach, hard boiled egg, chashu pork and green onion. (Thin noodles are out of stock. will be stock back in October).
Cucumber with sweet vinegar dressing
Steamed spinach with ponzu sauce, sesame oil, bonito flakes and sesame seed on top.
Spring mix, sliced hot house cucumber and mustard soy dressing.
Hot house cucumber, sliced octopus and cooked shrimp with sweet vinegar dressing
Spring mix, sliced hot cucumber, bonito flakes and salmon skin with ponzu sauce.
Spring mix, avocado, cucumber, tuna, albacore, yellowtail, salmon and cooked shrimp with ponzu dressing.
Diced tuna, avocado, red onion, ponzu, chili oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Spring mix has cucumber and seaweed salad.
6 pieces. Yellowtail with jalapeno on top with yuzu and ponzu sauce.
6 pieces. Halibut with jalapeno on top with yuzu and ponzu sauce.
6 pieces. Japanese scallops wrapped in halibut, yuzu and ponzu sauce with jalapeno on top.
6 pieces. 2 tuna, 2 yellowtail and 2 salmon.
12 pieces. 3 tuna, 3 yellowtail, 3 salmon and 3 albacore.
Roll and Hand Rolls
5 pieces. Cucumber, avocado, asparagus and yamagobo.
5 pieces. Cucumber, avocado, asparagus, yamagobo, Japanese pepper and chili oil.
8 pieces. Spicy tuna and with rice outside.
5 pieces. Albacore, cucumber and avocado.
5 pieces. Salmon and cucumber.
5 pieces. Salmon and avocado.
5 pieces. Yellowtail and cucumber.
5 pieces. Scallop, mixed mayonnaise, masago and cucumber.
5 pieces. Tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, cucumber and avocado.
5 pieces. Salmon, imitation crab mixed with mayo, shrimp, avocado and cucumber.
5 pieces. Salmon, cream cheese, avocado and cucumber.
5 pieces. Salmon, shrimp, avocado and cucumber.
8 pieces. Imitation crab mixed with mayo, avocado and cucumber with rice outside. Cooked.
5 pieces. Baked salmon rolled in with avocado and cucumber. Cooked. Seaweed outside.
5 pieces. Salmon skin, gobo, cucumber and dry bonito. Cooked.
5 pieces. Tempura shrimp, avocado and cucumber.
5 pieces. Tempura shrimp, imitation crab, avocado and cucumber. Cooked.
5 pieces. Eel, imitation crab mixed with mayo, avocado and cucumber with eel sauce. Cooked.
5 pieces. Tempura yellowtail, avocado and cucumber with eel sauce. Cooked.
5 pieces. Tempura white fish, avocado and cucumber with eel sauce. Cooked.
5 pieces. Shrimp, imitation crab mixed with mayo, avocado and cucumber. Cooked.
5 pieces. Tempura sweet potato, avocado and cucumber
5 pieces. Blue crab mixed with mayo, avocado and cucumber.
8 pieces. Cucumber, avocado, gobo and asparagus with avocado on top.
8 pieces. 2 shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber inside, tempura crumbs and eel sauce on top.
8 pieces. Baked scallops on top of a California roll with masago and eel sauce.
8 pieces. Spicy tuna inside, avocado on top with chili oil, spicy mayo and red hot sauce.
8 pieces. Baked langostino on top of a California roll with masago, dynamite and eel sauce.
8 pieces. Eel and cucumber inside, avocado and house sweet sauce on top.
8 pieces. Avocado, tuna, salmon, white fish and shrimp on top of California roll.
8 pieces. Spicy tuna and asparagus inside, seared tuna on top, with spicy ponzu sauce.
5 pieces. Spicy langostino, avocado, cucumber and asparagus, soy wrap with dynamite sauce.
8 pieces. Spicy tuna roll covered with salmon, avocado with ponzu sauce.
8 pieces. Shrimp tempura and cucumber inside, fresh water eel, avocado and shrimp on top, hot and eel sauce.
8 pieces. Tempura shrimp and eel with fake crab mixed with mayo, cucumber, avocado, eel sauce, and tempura crumbs.
5 pieces. Shrimp, imitation crab mixed with mayo, cucumbers, avocado, jalapeno and cream cheese all deep fried with eel sauce.
5 pieces. Deep fried soft shell crab, imitation crab, mixed with mayo, masago, avocado, gobo and cucumber with eel sauce.
5 pieces. Deep fried with Garlic albacore, cucumber and avocado and Baked dynamite on top with eel sauce.
8 pieces. There is real crab, spicy tuna, avocado, asparagus, and shrimp tempura wrapped in soy paper. On top are dynamite, eel, creamy sesame sauce, and green onions.
5 pieces. Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado and asparagus wrapped in cucumber with ponzu sauce.
Build your own roll except sweet shrimp.
8 pieces. fake crab mixed with mayo, cream cheese, and soy paper. Baked salmon on top with dynamite sauce, crispy onions, green onion, eel sauce, and creamy sesame sauce.
8 pieces. Blue crab mixed with mayo, cucumber, soy paper, yellowtail, avocado, and shrimp on top with ponzu sauce and sesame oil
“Sashimi Grade” – Explained
What fish is used in sushi?
The main fish used in that sushi: Pacific bluefin tuna, which can fetch $100,000 or more at auction. Sushi: The Global Catch looks from the conservationist’s point of view at how the tuna has been overfished in recent years.
Is sushi considered as healthy food?
Sushi is a healthier choice, but it depends on which variety of fish is used to make sushi. Fatty fishes like tuna and salmon adds much omega 3 fatty acids to the dish. Fish is high in protein and sushi is prepared with plant based proteins like tuna and other vegetables, so sushi is regarded as a high protein food. It also contain more vitamin D, B12, than other foods, provides a source of essential minerals like selenium, zinc and iodine, it is a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. Hence sushi is considered as a wholesome food with a store house of all the essential nutrients.
Does sushi have fish in it?
It is almost always made starting with the special sushi sticky rice with the seafood adorned on top of the rice. The salmon, and halibut, tuna, or mackerel is sliced skillfully along the grain of the fish’s flesh to enhance visual appeal. Sushi most of the time has raw fish as an ingredient, but not always.
Where is what the fish sushi located?
What The Fish Sushi What The Fish Sushi What The Fish Sushi What The Fish Sushi What The Fish Sushi – Since 2014 – Welcome to What The Fish Sushi Restaurant, Check out our online menu . Menu Home Menu Order Online Contact What The Fish Sushi 2804 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90027, United States (323) 284-8442