Sushi Mashiko

Sushi Mashiko Restaurant Review:

It’s hard to believe that this shoebox-size restaurant in a quiet corner of Culver City has been open since 1990. Named after chef and owner Mickey Horino’s hometown, Mashiko offers a menu of affordably priced standard Japanese fare. The sunomono salad is a refreshing appetizer of cucumbers, seaweed and crab with a zingy vinegar dressing, while the gyoza are crispy on the outside and stuffed with moist minced pork. The sashimi combination includes slices of thick-cut ahi, hamachi, octopus, mackerel and salmon. Of course, items can be ordered individually, including briny Fanny Bay oysters that are topped with a slightly sweet scallion ponzu sauce. Sushi rolls can be made with brown rice, and dessert is limited to green tea ice cream and mochi. There are a handful of saké options, but the green iced tea is nuanced enough to make a good pairing for the meal.