Azabu Sushi – Whittier, CA ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ (I docked half a star purely out of spite because I can’t afford to eat here every day)
I walked into Azabu expecting the usual Whittier sushi experience: decent fish, questionable rice, and a lingering fear that the “spicy tuna” might just be yesterday’s salmon wearing hot sauce as war paint. Instead I was immediately hit with a vibe that says, “Yes, we know we’re in a strip mall next to a boba place, but we’re about to ruin you for grocery-store California rolls forever.”
Let’s start with the Salmon Carpaccio (the flat pizza-looking thing in the photo). Imagine if salmon had a glow-up, went to Coachella, and came back wearing citrus ponzu as body glitter and microgreens as a flower crown. It’s so pretty I almost felt bad eating it. Almost. Then I inhaled the entire plate in 45 seconds like a savage who’d never seen raw fish before. Zero regrets. The texture is silkier than my ex’s lies.
Next up: the Shrimp Gyoza in that dark, mysterious broth. These dumplings show up swimming in what I can only describe as “umami bathwater.” One bite and I involuntarily whispered “oh daddy” — which was awkward because I was on a date with my actual father. The wrappers have that perfect pan-seared crisp before collapsing into the sauce like they owe it money. I’d bathe in that broth if it weren’t socially unacceptable (and if the staff weren’t watching me like I’m one impulse away from grabbing a straw).
Portions are annoyingly civilized — translation: you’ll want to order three of everything and then lie about being full so you look refined. Pro tip: don’t. Just commit to the food coma. Your jeans will forgive you eventually.
Service is ninja-level attentive without being obnoxious. Our server knew the menu like he personally caught the fish at 4 a.m. while doing CrossFit. When I asked what was good he just smirked and said “everything,” which should’ve been arrogant but was 100% correct. Rude.
Ambiance? It’s dark, moody, and sexy in a way that makes you want to use chopsticks seductively even though you still hold them like a toddler with crayons.
Only complaint: the bill. It arrives looking innocent, then you realize you just paid Beverly Hills prices in a city where the biggest landmark is a 24-hour donut shop. Worth it? Absolutely. Will I be eating cup noodles for the next week? Also yes.
Verdict: Azabu is the sushi spot Whittier doesn’t deserve but desperately needed. If you’re still going to the conveyor-belt place down the street after eating here, I’m afraid we can no longer be friends. 9.5/10 — would sell a minor organ to come back tomorrow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Andrew Martin
Amazing happy hour and excellent food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Timothy
First time here and it met our expectations. It has a very romantic and luxurious atmosphere. The sensory experience was warm and elegant inside. Dim lighting, gentle music, and stylish decor. Food was delicate deliciousness in every bite! So many subtle flavors excellently combined to delight my tastebuds. We started with an Azabu Old Fashion and Lemon Drop Martini....perfectly crafted and served. For appetizers, we enjoyed: Wagyu Dumplings and Spicy Garlic Edamame. For our mains: Toro Uni sashimi (incredible!), and Salmon sashimi. Spicy Tuna and Albacore rolls and the Denver Wagyu Carpaccio (with Hot Stone). Desert: Ube Japanese Cheesecake! If you are looking for that perfect night out, enjoying delicious food in a warm romantic setting, you won't miss here. I will definitely be coming back!
Wayne
Everything about this place was great except the chairs felt to low tothe table. Had to sit forward the hole time. Food an drinks were fire !! Definitely will try to make it a monthly visit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brittany
What an experience- from the moment we entered, to the time we left everything was perfect. The menu can appear costly, but it is worth it for the quality and quantity you are receive. Recommendation's: sashimi pizza, spicy garlic edamame, keto roll, azabu crunch roll and the geisha and matcha cocktails
Sabrina Zuniga
Good food good drinks good atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amor
My husband and I can't believe we've lived in Whittier for nine years and only just discovered this amazing restaurant last night. The service and food were impeccable. It felt like having a personal butler—before we even thought of needing something, the staff had already taken care of it. Every team member was so attentive and on point! We've never tipped as high as 30%, but we were so satisfied with the service that we felt they truly deserved it. Now, let's talk about the food. The Charred Spanish Octopus was so good that we had to order a second one. Perfectly cooked, not chewy, and seasoned just right. The Azabu Crunch and the Special Crunch also hit the spot, so delicious that we finished them in under 10 minutes. The Denver Wagyu was as impressive as its presentation. They torch it right at your table, and the meat was tender, juicy, and flavorful. The Wagyu Dumplings were also excellent, though they are $6 apiece. The cocktails, Pretty Ricky and Cherry Blossom, were strong yet refreshing. You barely notice the kick until it sneaks up on you. For dessert, the Ube Japanese Cheesecake was the perfect ending to such a lovely dinner, with just the right balance of sweetness and a touch of tartness from the berries. Overall, this experience was a solid 11/10. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance of relaxing, classy, and hip, making it ideal for date night or a group outing. Highly recommended!
Monique Claudio
Great vibes and amazing sushi!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Reviewer#100
This place is not for anyone who wants fresh and traditional Japanese sushi. When I sat down at the bar I noticed the limited selection of fish had already been precut. I real sushi bar will cut the meat fresh in front of you. Furthermore the fish looked dry. The Hamachi was tough and tasted off. I ordered Spanish Mackeral and never got it. Some items I asked for they could not even make. Then they charged for refills of hot green tea. That is never done in a Japanese restaurant. Service was just terrible.
Thank you for your great service in the private room for my birthday was not expecting it, but it was awesome. Thank you
Jayde
I honestly can't wait to come back and try more items from the menu! Our waiter, Rashad, truly made the experience even better—he answered all of my questions, gave amazing recommendations for both food and drinks, and kept us laughing every time he checked in. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was beautiful, and even though we arrived around 6pm during a slower period, every guest was treated with genuine importance and care. Now, the food—absolutely phenomenal! We ordered the salmon plate and the lobster tail plate, both cooked to absolute perfection. On the side, we had the Brussels sprouts and broccolini, which were bursting with flavor all on their own. From start to finish, it was a 10/10 experience and worth every penny!
Oleg
The sashimi pizza and toro tuna tartare were exceptionally creative dishes! Dining here was a breath of fresh air, and introduced us to new flavors.
Michael Medina
Christine is amazing. She is fun and very attentive. Food is great and drinks were made perfectly. Our waitress always checked in on us and made sure we were doing great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James
It was enjoyable food in a fun atmosphere. The cocktail was very good and the food was tasty but not memorable
Very fun. Good times with friends
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Azabu Sushi – Whittier, CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ½ (I docked half a star purely out of spite because I can’t afford to eat here every day)
I walked into Azabu expecting the usual Whittier sushi experience: decent fish, questionable rice, and a lingering fear that the “spicy tuna” might just be yesterday’s salmon wearing hot sauce as war paint. Instead I was immediately hit with a vibe that says, “Yes, we know we’re in a strip mall next to a boba place, but we’re about to ruin you for grocery-store California rolls forever.”
Let’s start with the Salmon Carpaccio (the flat pizza-looking thing in the photo). Imagine if salmon had a glow-up, went to Coachella, and came back wearing citrus ponzu as body glitter and microgreens as a flower crown. It’s so pretty I almost felt bad eating it. Almost. Then I inhaled the entire plate in 45 seconds like a savage who’d never seen raw fish before. Zero regrets. The texture is silkier than my ex’s lies.
Next up: the Shrimp Gyoza in that dark, mysterious broth. These dumplings show up swimming in what I can only describe as “umami bathwater.” One bite and I involuntarily whispered “oh daddy” — which was awkward because I was on a date with my actual father. The wrappers have that perfect pan-seared crisp before collapsing into the sauce like they owe it money. I’d bathe in that broth if it weren’t socially unacceptable (and if the staff weren’t watching me like I’m one impulse away from grabbing a straw).
Portions are annoyingly civilized — translation: you’ll want to order three of everything and then lie about being full so you look refined. Pro tip: don’t. Just commit to the food coma. Your jeans will forgive you eventually.
Service is ninja-level attentive without being obnoxious. Our server knew the menu like he personally caught the fish at 4 a.m. while doing CrossFit. When I asked what was good he just smirked and said “everything,” which should’ve been arrogant but was 100% correct. Rude.
Ambiance? It’s dark, moody, and sexy in a way that makes you want to use chopsticks seductively even though you still hold them like a toddler with crayons.
Only complaint: the bill. It arrives looking innocent, then you realize you just paid Beverly Hills prices in a city where the biggest landmark is a 24-hour donut shop. Worth it? Absolutely. Will I be eating cup noodles for the next week? Also yes.
Verdict: Azabu is the sushi spot Whittier doesn’t deserve but desperately needed. If you’re still going to the conveyor-belt place down the street after eating here, I’m afraid we can no longer be friends. 9.5/10 — would sell a minor organ to come back tomorrow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Amazing happy hour and excellent food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time here and it met our expectations. It has a very romantic and luxurious atmosphere. The sensory experience was warm and elegant inside. Dim lighting, gentle music, and stylish decor. Food was delicate deliciousness in every bite! So many subtle flavors excellently combined to delight my tastebuds. We started with an Azabu Old Fashion and Lemon Drop Martini....perfectly crafted and served. For appetizers, we enjoyed: Wagyu Dumplings and Spicy Garlic Edamame. For our mains: Toro Uni sashimi (incredible!), and Salmon sashimi. Spicy Tuna and Albacore rolls and the Denver Wagyu Carpaccio (with Hot Stone). Desert: Ube Japanese Cheesecake! If you are looking for that perfect night out, enjoying delicious food in a warm romantic setting, you won't miss here. I will definitely be coming back!
Everything about this place was great except the chairs felt to low tothe table. Had to sit forward the hole time.
Food an drinks were fire !!
Definitely will try to make it a monthly visit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What an experience- from the moment we entered, to the time we left everything was perfect. The menu can appear costly, but it is worth it for the quality and quantity you are receive. Recommendation's: sashimi pizza, spicy garlic edamame, keto roll, azabu crunch roll and the geisha and matcha cocktails
Good food good drinks good atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I can't believe we've lived in Whittier for nine years and only just discovered this amazing restaurant last night. The service and food were impeccable. It felt like having a personal butler—before we even thought of needing something, the staff had already taken care of it. Every team member was so attentive and on point! We've never tipped as high as 30%, but we were so satisfied with the service that we felt they truly deserved it. Now, let's talk about the food. The Charred Spanish Octopus was so good that we had to order a second one. Perfectly cooked, not chewy, and seasoned just right. The Azabu Crunch and the Special Crunch also hit the spot, so delicious that we finished them in under 10 minutes. The Denver Wagyu was as impressive as its presentation. They torch it right at your table, and the meat was tender, juicy, and flavorful. The Wagyu Dumplings were also excellent, though they are $6 apiece. The cocktails, Pretty Ricky and Cherry Blossom, were strong yet refreshing. You barely notice the kick until it sneaks up on you. For dessert, the Ube Japanese Cheesecake was the perfect ending to such a lovely dinner, with just the right balance of sweetness and a touch of tartness from the berries. Overall, this experience was a solid 11/10. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance of relaxing, classy, and hip, making it ideal for date night or a group outing. Highly recommended!
Great vibes and amazing sushi!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is not for anyone who wants fresh and traditional Japanese sushi. When I sat down at the bar I noticed the limited selection of fish had already been precut. I real sushi bar will cut the meat fresh in front of you. Furthermore the fish looked dry. The Hamachi was tough and tasted off. I ordered Spanish Mackeral and never got it. Some items I asked for they could not even make. Then they charged for refills of hot green tea. That is never done in a Japanese restaurant. Service was just terrible.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Thank you for your great service in the private room for my birthday was not expecting it, but it was awesome. Thank you
I honestly can't wait to come back and try more items from the menu! Our waiter, Rashad, truly made the experience even better—he answered all of my questions, gave amazing recommendations for both food and drinks, and kept us laughing every time he checked in. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was beautiful, and even though we arrived around 6pm during a slower period, every guest was treated with genuine importance and care. Now, the food—absolutely phenomenal! We ordered the salmon plate and the lobster tail plate, both cooked to absolute perfection. On the side, we had the Brussels sprouts and broccolini, which were bursting with flavor all on their own. From start to finish, it was a 10/10 experience and worth every penny!
The sashimi pizza and toro tuna tartare were exceptionally creative dishes! Dining here was a breath of fresh air, and introduced us to new flavors.
Christine is amazing. She is fun and very attentive. Food is great and drinks were made perfectly. Our waitress always checked in on us and made sure we were doing great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was enjoyable food in a fun atmosphere. The cocktail was very good and the food was tasty but not memorable
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