Best sushi: Oki Doki
The entrance does not lead you to think you are in a top tier place – it’s a modest location next to a 7-11 – and neither does the name. Once you are inside Oki Doki Sushi, you quickly discover that this is a place where inventive sushi is taken seriously. The staff is friendly and famous for offering complimentary appetizers while you are pondering what to order – and if there’s a better way of making people feel at home, we’re not sure what it is. The fish is very fresh, portions are generous without being excessive, and the variety of inventive rolls keeps people coming back. Purists may grumble that many items come with non-traditional sauces and are Americanized, which misses the point in two ways – first, that the idea here is to serve modern style sushi geared to South Bay palates, and second, if you ask for things done in the traditional manner, the accommodating people here will be happy to comply. The very name here shows an informal willingness to please – tell the man behind the counter what you like and enjoy the experience.
442 N Pacific Coast Hwy, HB (310) 798-8289
Runner-up: Katsu, 306 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach, (310) 546-3761