30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Business Lunch Japanese in Studio City
Best Date Night Sushi in Studio City
Best Japanese in Studio City
Master Critic Review
Teru Sushi
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Established in 1979 at the beginning of LA's sushi craze, this Valley institution combines fine Japanese cuisine with a lively ambiance featuring a Japanese garden with koi pond. The first in the Valley to offer upscale sushi in a warm atmosphere, it maintains consistent quality across nearly five decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sexy Roll, Volcano Roll, Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.1
What makes it special: Studio City's original upscale sushi destination since 1979 with tranquil garden setting
Who should go: Business lunches and celebrations requiring reliable quality
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for the full garden experience
What to order: Traditional sushi lunch, seaweed salad, tempura roll
Insider tip: Reserve the garden patio seating for 30+ guests available
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot on-site with valet available during peak hours, street parking on Ventura Blvd nearby
Dress code: Business casual to dressy casual - collared shirts work, suits common at lunch
Noise level: Moderate inside, quieter on garden patio - conversation-friendly throughout
Weekend wait: 30-45 min without reservation Friday/Saturday after 7pm
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, peak rush 12:30-1:30pm but seats turn quickly
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive vegetable rolls, tempura vegetables, tofu teriyaki, inari
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable rolls without mayo, edamame, miso soup (ask for no bonito)
Gluten-free options: Yes - sashimi, most nigiri, tamari available for soy sauce substitute
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want upscale but not intimidating - garden setting creates romantic atmosphere while established reputation removes risk of disaster. Better for second date if you want more intimate/quieter setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch yes, weekday dinner likely 15-20 min wait at bar. Weekend dinner reservation strongly recommended - 45+ year reputation means loyal Valley clientele fills tables fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - tempura and teriyaki appeal to cautious eaters, garden koi pond entertains kids, high chairs available. Best before 7pm when business crowd thins out. Popular for family celebrations.
How does this compare to Katsuya down the street? Teru Sushi is more traditional and established (45 years vs 20), better for business meetings and reliability. Katsuya skews younger, trendier with creative rolls and scene. Choose Teru for classic quality, Katsuya for energy.
Is the garden seating worth requesting? Absolutely - the koi pond and Japanese garden transform this from standard sushi to memorable experience. Request it when booking, especially for celebrations or larger groups (30+ can reserve entire patio).
Best For
Better for: Reliable business meals where reputation matters, multi-generational celebrations, clients who want upscale without pretension. 45-year track record means zero risk of off nights. Garden setting unique in Valley sushi scene.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge omakase (go Sushi Note in Sherman Oaks), absolute cheapest sushi (try Midori), late-night scene (Katsuya stays livelier past 10pm), or don't value ambiance (paying premium for garden experience).
Hours
Monday5pm - 9pm
Tuesday5pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday5pm - 9:30pm
Thursday5pm - 9:30pm
Friday5pm - 10:30pm
Saturday5pm - 10:30pm
Sunday5pm - 9:30pm