Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill: Marina Del Rey's Destination for Authentic Sushi

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill Introduce

For those in California with a discerning palate for truly authentic and fresh Japanese sushi, Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill in Marina Del Rey emerges as a compelling destination. While the Los Angeles culinary scene boasts numerous sushi establishments, Moto Azabu distinguishes itself by focusing squarely on the quality of its fish and the authenticity of the dining experience, rather than flashy aesthetics. This place aims to replicate the "same dining satisfaction" one might find in Japan, prioritizing incredibly fresh seafood and genuine hospitality. Whether you're a seasoned sushi connoisseur or simply seeking a high-quality Japanese meal, Moto Azabu is poised to deliver a straightforward yet deeply satisfying culinary journey, particularly for those who appreciate the subtle nuances of premium tuna and yellowtail sashimi.

Location and Accessibility

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill is located at 517 W Washington Blvd 2nd Floor, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA. This places it in the vibrant coastal community of Marina Del Rey, making it a convenient option for residents throughout Los Angeles and the broader California region, particularly those on the Westside. Situated on Washington Boulevard, a key thoroughfare, the restaurant's second-floor location might require a moment to locate, but it's part of a dynamic area. Parking is often a crucial consideration in Marina Del Rey, and while the restaurant itself doesn't explicitly detail its own lot, being in a plaza suggests potential shared parking. Furthermore, services like SpotHero can assist in finding and reserving nearby parking spots, including valet garages at local hotels or public lots, which can enhance convenience for diners. Its proximity to the beach and other attractions also makes it an ideal stop for a meal as part of a day out in the area.

Services Offered

Dine-In Service: Moto Azabu offers a comfortable and straightforward dining experience, focusing on the quality of the food. They have both an indoor sushi bar and an Izakaya room, plus an outdoor patio with limited seating.
Takeout Service: Customers can place orders for pickup, allowing them to enjoy their fresh sushi at home.
Delivery Service: The restaurant partners with popular third-party delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and Grubhub for convenient home delivery.
Reservations: Reservations are available and recommended, especially given that seating can be limited, particularly for the outdoor patio, indoor sushi bar, and Izakaya room. They advise calling for reservations and have a 10-minute grace period.
Lunch & Dinner Service: Moto Azabu is open seven days a week, serving dinner nightly from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (or 10:30 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays). They also offer lunch on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Full Bar & Sake Program: The restaurant features a selection of sake, including rarer bottles, and may offer a full bar with Japanese micro-brew draft beer (like Hitachino) and shochu, optimized to pair with their grilled dishes.
Omakase: An Omakase course is listed on their menu, indicating a chef's curated dining experience is available.

Features / Highlights

Extremely Fresh Fish: A consistent highlight from positive reviews is the "extremely fresh and appetizing" fish. The quality of the fish is described as "A1," offering "high end cuts."
Authentic Sushi Experience: Many patrons appreciate that Moto Azabu provides a "no frills and straight to the point sushi spot" that replicates "the same dining satisfaction" as found in Japan, focusing on the essence of traditional sushi.
Standout Sashimi: The tuna sashimi is frequently cited as a favorite, with yellowtail sashimi coming in a close second, indicating exceptional quality in these staple dishes.
Expert Sushi Rice: One reviewer specifically commends the "science behind the rice to fish ratio" and the "balance of vinegar and sugar in the rice," a crucial element for high-quality nigiri sushi.
Amazing Customer Service & Hospitality: The staff is widely praised for being "amazing," making families feel "at home," and demonstrating genuine hospitality.
Diverse Sushi & Roll Selection: The menu includes a wide range of sushi and rolls, from classic Spicy Tuna and Salmon Avocado rolls to more unique offerings like Fatty Sushi/Roll Combos featuring Bluefin Toro and Salmon Belly.
Variety of Carpaccio/Crudo/Tataki: Beyond traditional sushi, they offer thinly sliced sashimi preparations with various sauces, such as Yellowtail Crudo with spicy ponzu and Blue Fin Tuna Carpaccio with olive oil and yuzu ponzu.
Izakaya Dining Room & Grill Menu: In addition to the sushi bar, Moto Azabu has a separate Izakaya dining room with a grill menu featuring small dishes designed to be paired with beverages, offering a broader Japanese culinary experience.
Unique Sake Selection: The sake program is noted for including rarer bottles and being optimized for both the sushi and grilled items.

Promotions or Special Offers

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill periodically offers special promotions, such as a "Kanpai Hour" available at the bar and bar lounge from Tuesday to Saturday, typically between 5 PM and 7 PM. These happy hour specials can include discounted prices on select nigiri, makimono (rolls), and alcoholic beverages like sake carafes/bottles and draft beer. For the most current and specific details on their happy hour offerings or any other seasonal promotions, locals in California are encouraged to visit Moto Azabu’s official website or their social media channels. Inquiring directly with the staff during a visit is also a good way to discover any unadvertised specials or loyalty programs that might be available. These promotions provide an excellent opportunity to experience their high-quality offerings at a more accessible price point.

Contact Information

To experience the authentic and fresh Japanese cuisine at Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill, or for reservations and inquiries, please use the following contact details:

Address: 517 W Washington Blvd 2nd Floor, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA

Phone: (310) 305-4600

Website: http://motoazabusushi.com/

Conclusion: Why Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill is Suitable for Locals

For residents across California, particularly those in the Marina Del Rey and West Los Angeles areas, Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill offers a distinctive and highly suitable dining experience. Its location on Washington Boulevard provides reasonable accessibility, and while parking can be a consideration in the area, tools like SpotHero can assist in securing convenient options. What truly makes Moto Azabu a compelling choice for locals is its unwavering commitment to authentic Japanese sushi, characterized by "extremely fresh" fish and a genuine focus on the core elements of the cuisine—quality ingredients and expert preparation.

While a single, highly negative review highlights potential isolated issues or a past experience, the overwhelming positive feedback from numerous patrons strongly emphasizes the fresh fish (especially tuna and yellowtail sashimi), the amazing customer service, and the true Japanese dining satisfaction. This restaurant doesn't rely on elaborate decor, but rather on the substance of its offerings and the warmth of its hospitality, making it a "no frills and straight to the point" spot that resonates with those seeking genuine quality. Whether you're a sushi aficionado looking for an authentic experience, or simply desire high-quality fresh fish in a welcoming environment, Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill is a cherished local spot that consistently delivers on its promise of delicious, fresh Japanese cuisine and exceptional service.

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill Photos

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill Location

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill

California Los Angeles County Marina del Rey Venice West Washington Boulevard

517 W Washington Blvd 2nd Floor, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA

Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill Reviews

Disappointing and Disgusting Experience at Moto AzabuRating: 1 out of 5 starsReview:I recently dined at Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill and unfortunately, the experience was truly abysmal. The food was inedible, with questionable quality and preparation. It's a shame, as the price point suggests a much higher standard of culinary excellence.The restaurant's ambiance also left much to be desired. There was no effort to create a welcoming or enjoyable atmosphere. Given the high prices, I would have expected a much more refined and inviting dining experience.To put it bluntly, the food was disgusting and not fit for human consumption. I will be attaching photos as evidence to support this claim.It's concerning that this restaurant might be artificially inflating their ratings with fake reviews. At this price point, there are many top-tier sushi restaurants in the Los Angeles area, including those in Marina del Rey and Santa Monica, that offer a far superior dining experience.Overall Rating:Expensive: E (for the value they provide)Disgusting: DFailure of Operation: FAdditional Notes:signs that a restaurant might be "giving up":Declining Food Quality: This is a major red flag. If the food is consistently subpar, it suggests that the restaurant is not prioritizing fresh ingredients, proper preparation, or maintaining high culinary standards.Poor Service: Inattentive staff, long wait times, and a lack of customer care can all indicate that a restaurant is not prioritizing customer satisfaction.Neglect of the Dining Environment: A dirty or unkempt dining space can create an unpleasant atmosphere and leave a negative impression on customers.I have included photos and receipts as evidence to support my review.Recommendations:Tuna Tartare served on rice cakes. Based on my description, it sounds like the rice cakes were stale and the tuna might have been of poor quality.Stale Rice Cakes: Rice cakes can become stale quickly, especially if they are not stored properly. This can lead to a dry and hard texture, making them unpleasant to eat.Old Tuna: Tuna is a perishable ingredient and can quickly lose its freshness and flavor if not handled and stored correctly. This could result in an off-taste or a mushy texture.Improper Preparation: If the rice cakes were not fried or toasted properly, they might have come out soggy or undercooked. Similarly, if the tuna tartare was not prepared and seasoned correctly, it could have affected the overall taste and quality of the dish.Creme Brulee: You mentioned that the creme brulee had a strange, off-putting smell that you described as similar to "poop" or an old substance. This suggests that the dish might have been spoiled or improperly prepared.Crispy Fried Rice with Tuna: You described this dish as "nasty" and mentioned that the tuna looked uncooked. This could indicate that the tuna was not prepared or cooked properly, which could pose a health risk.If you have any concerns about food safety or hygiene at the restaurant, you could consider reporting your experience to the local health department.Moto Azabu Sushi Bar & Grill needs to make significant improvements in their food quality, preparation, and overall dining experience.I hope this review helps other diners make informed decisions about their dining choices.
Dec 30, 2024 · Allied Transport
My wife and I love to travel to Japan and enjoy all the different foods especially sushi. Every time we come back to the States, we long for authentic and fresh sushi. Some places come close. Other places don’t even register. However, Moto Azabu Sushi Bar and Grill has replicated the same dining satisfaction. This place is a no frills and straight to the point sushi spot. Moto Azabu doesn’t need the ambience and aesthetics to keep up with trends or social media. They make up for it by providing an authentic dining experience. Fish is extremely fresh and appetizing. The tuna sashimi was by far our favorite with the yellowtail sashimi coming in a close second. To top it all off, the customer service and hospitality were amazing. The staff made my family and I feel like we were at home. I plan on returning soon!
Feb 02, 2025 · Vince T
My friend and I had a great experience at Moto Azabu a few weeks ago. We sat outside on the patio and Casey who sat us had some fabulous recommendations for what we should order. One rec a tuna belly nigiri was absolutely delicious! I've dined here before and this was another fabulous meal. I will definitely be back when visiting Venice again. Thanks Casey and everyone at Moto for a great time!
Apr 03, 2025 · Candi Cane Canncel
Great sushi spot. Everything tasted good. Fresh fish, some unique menu items like smoked black cod nigiri, and great service. Price isn’t cheap but appropriate.
Jun 08, 2024 · Bill Wu
Probably some of THE best sashimi I’ve ever had. The fish was so soft and fresh. The spicy tuna roll was incredible, the rice was sticky and the fish was tasty and soft. They seemed short staffed so the service was pretty slow that evening but they were super apologetic and nice about it. Delicious sushi, would love to go again.
Dec 28, 2023 · ewang24