National Sushi Day: Six places for cheap sushi

With a sushi restaurant on nearly every block of Los Angeles, it’s not hard to get your fix. But it could be hard on your wallet.

Low-priced sushi may sound like an oxymoron, but it does exist. And we’re not talking about the stuff you pick up at a gas station. Here are seven places around town serving cheap sushi you can feel good about. It’s not omakase, but if you’re into basic hand rolls and nigiri, we’ve got you covered.

Sushi Stop: There’s a reason behind the nightly crowd outside the Sushi Stop location on Franklin. Yes it’s a chain serving cheap sushi, but they do it well, and everyone is in on the secret. Fresh albacore, tuna, white tuna and salmon sashimi are all priced at less than $6 a plate. You can get a killer salmon skin salad for $2.75, the crispy rice appetizer (also $2.75) comes with a crispy rice patty covered in a mound of spicy tuna, avocado and jalapeno, and the baked blue crab hand roll ($4.10) is a dependable favorite wrapped in colored soy paper. We’re unsure why it’s colored, but it adds to the charm. 5917 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 468-2496. All locations listed at sushistopusa.com.

Sushi Kula: Any connoisseur might consider eating sushi from a revolving conveyor belt as the equivalent to playing Russian roulette. At sushi Kula it’s a different story. Sure, you can grab something off the revolving belt. During peak meal times fish flies off the belt, and the chefs can barely keep up with the demand. But you can also order something fresh directly from your server. Try the sake-marinated tuna or salmon sushi ($2 for two pieces) or the spicy scallop hand roll ($4). 333 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, (213) 290-9631. All locations listed at www.kulausa.com.

Sushi Roku happy hour: This sushi restaurant is normally considered to be on the more expensive side, but the lounge at the location in Old Town Pasadena offers happy hour every Monday, all night. You can get the restaurant’s classic appetizer, the spicy tuna on crispy rice for $5 and order a variety of hand rolls for $3, and cut rolls for $5. Or spring for the albacore tataki with crispy onions for $5. 33 Miller Alley, Pasadena, (626) 683-3000, www.innovativedining.com/restaurants/sushiroku.

Omi Sushi: This small sushi restaurant in West Hollywood has happy hour daily from 4 to 10 p.m. Yes, six full hours of discounted sushi and there’s plenty to take advantage of. White tuna sushi, albacore and scallop nigiri are all priced at $3.75. And this is the place to be if you’re into rolls. But we’re not talking spicy tuna or cucumber. The Jessica Alba-core roll (we know, major points for the name) is made with chunks of spicy albacore, jalapeno and raw onions, it’s $11.95, and enough for a full meal. 8163 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 654-1056, www.omisushila.com.

Blue C Sushi: This Seattle-based restaurant, which only uses sustainable fish, opened its first California location at the Sunset and Vine shopping center across from the Arclight theater earlier this year. There’s a conveyor belt with plenty of rolls on colored plates denoting prices, or you can order directly from your server. Most basic nigiri, including the salmon, tuna and mackerel, is priced at $4 or $4.75, and $3 during happy hour (daily from 3 to 6:30 p.m.) Sashimi orders are also a steal, priced at $5.25 to $6. 6374 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 391-2241, www.bluecsushi.com.

Go Go Sushi: Four words: spicy lobster hand roll. This place has a revolving sushi bar, but it’s more for show. Most sushi is made to order, and at Go Go, regulars know to order the spicy lobster hand roll. Chunks of lobster are tossed with spicy, tangy mayo, then rolled in crisp seaweed with sushi rice and sesame seeds ($3). The premium sushi, which includes uni, unagi and scallop, is priced at $3.95 to $6.50. 2269 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 585-9990, www.gogosushipasadena.com.

Like sushi on the cheap? Follow me on Twitter: @Jenn_Harris