Sooda Sushi & Lounge

"Excellent food at this Japanese/Korean restaurant hybrid, in a very comfortable, relaxed space on the lobby floor of a Koreatown hotel. Multiple options are available as lunch or dinner sets. There are also several ala carte items available, as well as a handful of omikase variations. Fish was extremely fresh, and tempera was cooked perfectly--crispy and light, and absent of grease. Not cheap, but for the quality of the fish, and the generous-sized portions, fairly priced. Staff are very friendly and welcoming; in particular, Joanne and Su stood out to me in my interactions with them as being highly attuned to exemplary customer service, with a personal touch."

"Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Sooda Sushi, a remarkable sushi restaurant that truly exceeded my expectations. From the moment I entered, the warm ambiance and elegant decor set the stage for an extraordinary culinary experience. The sushi was an exquisite blend of traditional and modern flavors, with each piece beautifully presented and bursting with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The chef's special, a delicate tuna nigiri, was particularly noteworthy, melting in the mouth with its perfect balance of texture and taste. The attentive and knowledgeable staff added to the overall enjoyment, ensuring a seamless and delightful dining experience. Sooda Sushi is a must-visit for any sushi enthusiast looking for an unforgettable meal."

"Disappointing Sushi Experience The staff were nice, always smiling and trying to make us happy. However, that was about the only positive aspect. The food selection was highly disappointing. We tried to order uni, amaebi, and madai, but they said all were sold out. Kinmedai wasn't even on the menu. I also remember trying to order saba, and it too was sold out. The worst part was that the waitress, although kind and polite, didn't know which items were unavailable. She took our order, only to return and inform us that the fish wasn't available. This happened multiple times, which was quite frustrating. Additionally, her explanations seemed insincere. I co-own a high-end omakase restaurant in OC, so I recognized her inaccurate information, which made me both amused and disheartened. While the sushi chef provided a few extra nigiri to compensate for the disappointment, I knew they were just employees. My frustration was directed at the owner or the manager. This was the worst birthday dinner experience for my mother-in-law in the past decade. I regret leaving such a negative review, and it might have been my mistake for choosing this place based on an enticing Instagram advertisement. This establishment may not be suited for genuine sushi enthusiasts but might suffice for high schoolers looking for rolls."

"Sooda sushi revolutionized the way I perceive sushi dining experience in Korea town. The course meal (equivalent to omakase) offered at Sooda (I chose course B) is comprised of top notch sushi - each piece of pristine fish is delicately sliced and placed on perfectly formed rice with precision and finesse. The fish is exquisite as the chefs and the owner take great pride in longstanding relationships with the best suppliers in town. My personal favorite of the night was toro (fatty tuna) which was prepared in a way I couldn't have imagined. The prepared two pieces of sushi - one prepared in a conventional way vs the other being the Chef Kim's creation - were mind blowing and arguably one of the best in LA. The manager and the waiting staff were welcoming and diligent in properly conveying chefs' thoughts and providing explanation to each and every sushi. They were knowledgeable and that added more credibility to Sooda's expertise. The price wasn't too steep - given the quality of sushi I had, I thought it was fair. Valet is not required at Sooda which was another positive attribute. Two thumbs up for Sooda."

"Legit premium sushi in a very unassuming but welcoming location. You’d never find this place if you weren’t looking for it, but the creativity that chef Paul Kim demonstrates is pretty phenomenal. Give it a shot and sit at the bar if you can, you won’t be disappointed. Truffle mustard toro and local uni for the win!"