Inside Umi by Hamasaku, El Segundo’s Stylish New Sushi Destination

Umi by Hamasaku finally arrives at The Point beginning Monday, October 16, with sushi and izakaya dishes from chef Yoya Takahashi. The celebrated West LA restaurant, which transformed successfully from a mostly high-end roll spot to one that focused on pristine sashimi and omakase-style nigiri has spawned an expansion in the spacious outdoor development. Owner Michael Ovitz and partner Jesse Duron, who runs operations at Hamasaku in West LA, bring a similar vibe and experience to El Segundo, though with a bigger dining room and brighter space.

The big difference here is the open kitchen, with a diminutive small four-seat raw bar. It’s mostly table seating here, with 60 some seats inside and another 20 to 25 outside. Blonde wood trimmings, hanging cloth banners and those chairs harken to the West LA original.

Wonho Frank Lee

On the menu, start with a tomato tofu salad with snow crab, or a chef’s choice of sashimi. Hot plates might include yellowtail wasabi crispy rice or a warm lobster temaki (like a build-your-own hand roll). There’s also a $50 omakase that includes two sashimi courses, eight pieces of nigiri, and a hand roll. Anyone looking for those outlandish rolls will find a small selection of Hamasaku’s better ones, like the Twilight, mixing spicy tuna, crab, and seared albacore in soy paper.

Open daily at 11 a.m., and until 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, and until 10 on weekends (with a 9 p.m. closure on Sundays). Reservations available on Yelp.

Umi by Hamasaku. The Point, 860 S. Sepulveda Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245

Wonho Frank Lee

Wonho Frank Lee

Wonho Frank Lee

Wonho Frank Lee