Search
Close this search box.
Search

Umi by Hamasaku: Taste of the Ocean

A clever take on seafood izakaya and sushi has come to South Bay, with the owners of West L.A.’s popular Hamasaku restaurant opening Umi by Hamasaku in El Segundo this past October.

By

Share

Expect the same creative Japanese fare for which the flagship has long been known—an affordable Omakase—all served in a casual yet stylish environment showcasing contemporary artwork, a raw bar, and open kitchen.

We wanted to bring our passion for sushi to the area; we also felt that the area is booming and in need of a good neighborhood sushi spot.”

“We chose El Segundo because Yoya and I are both local boys of the South Bay,” says General Manager Jesse Duron, who operates both establishments with partners Michael Ovitz and Executive Chef Yoya Takahashi.

“Yoya moved to South Bay when he first came to the states from Japan, and I was born and raised in Torrance. We wanted to bring our passion for sushi to the area; we also felt that the area is booming and in need of a good neighborhood sushi spot.”

Found at The Point—an outdoor shopping and dining development at the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard that also houses eateries such as Superba Food & Bread, and Smitten Ice Cream—Umi by Hamasaku features a 56-seat dining room, with space for four people at the raw bar and a patio that accommodates 28.

The restaurant’s décor nods to its sibling’s Japanese aesthetic via blonde wood accents, but expect some modern updates as well: a large, bright white-tiled open kitchen; artwork from Ovitz’s personal collection; and curtains imported from Japan.

As for the culinary offerings, chef Takahashi has crafted a menu of unique twists on Japanese classics for lunch and dinner, including seasonal shared plates; a traditional and modern izakaya offering; various sushi preparations; and an omakase featuring a starter, duo of sashimi courses, 10-piece nigiri course and handroll.

Among the most popular items (all prepared using fresh, local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients) is the chef’s riff on spicy tuna crispy rice (with crispy rice tots and diced spicy Hawaiian tuna); toro tartare (Kiwami toro, apple, yamaimo, quail egg, yakiniku sauce and micro red shiso); roasted cauliflower (with creme fraiche mentaiko); and ceviche maki (Maine lobster ceviche and asparagus wrapped in soy paper and avocado).

Umi by Hamasaku
860 S Sepulveda Blvd #116, El Segundo, CA 90245
310.524.9980 | umibyhamasaku.com

Photography Courtesy of Umi by Hamasaku

RELATED TAGS

Nama’s Design Journey: Anonimous & Claudia Ornelas Elevate Querétaro’s Culinary Scene

Experience the essence of Querétaro City's charm at Nama, a recently opened restaurant that blends Spanish colonial architecture with the innovative touch of Anonimous architects and interior designer Claudia Ornelas. Winner of the PRISMA Mexican Interiors Award in the Restaurants 2023 category, Nama embraces the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, finding beauty in imperfection.
  • January 24, 2024
  • Karine Monié

The Witkoff Group Unveils The Park Santa Monica: A Seven-Story Oasis of Luxury

Beyond a mere residence, The Park Santa Monica is a dynamic seven-story building, designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture for The Witkoff Group, redefines luxury living by seamlessly blending beauty, wellness, and community. With 249 thoughtfully crafted apartments featuring top-tier amenities, from white oak flooring to solar panels, The Park Santa Monica sets itself apart.
  • January 10, 2024
  • Abigail Stone

Timeless Fusion: The Cotswolds Home by Architect Richard Found

Architect Richard Found's contextual country home in the Cotswolds encapsulates the essence of minimalist design within an 18th-century edifice. Located in the picturesque Cotswolds, this project by Found Associates breathes new life into a derelict gamekeeper's cottage, blending modernist architecture with the vernacular stone construction of the region.
  • January 10, 2024
  • Jenn Thornton

Weave House by The BAD Studio: An Ode to Indian Ikat Patterns

Weave House by The BAD Studio seamlessly blends contemporary design with traditional Indian craftsmanship, creating a harmonious living space inspired by the region's rich textile heritage, the house features an embossed brick and diamond façade reminiscent of Indian ikat patterns. The architecture coexists with the surrounding landscape, offering an organic lifestyle and smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • November 1, 2023
  • Jenn Thornton
Sign Up for DIGS Newsletters