Bar Sawa

Bar Sawa is an eight-seat counter in Little Tokyo, operated by the team behind Sushi Kaneyoshi and sharing its Edomae lineage. The omakase runs roughly twelve courses of nigiri, built simply — nikiri, yuzu kosho, a touch of ginger — so the fish, sourced largely from Japan, is the focus. It carries one Michelin star and is listed in the Michelin Guide.

What distinguishes Bar Sawa from its sister restaurant is the drink program. Cocktails and highballs are built around the same ingredients used in the sushi, offered à la carte or as a coursed pairing alongside the meal. Rare whiskies, gins, and vodkas anchor the list, and non-alcoholic pairings are available for guests who prefer not to drink. Sake pairing is also offered.

The room is dark and quiet, with wood, black tile, and a wall of whiskies — closer in feel to a Tokyo cocktail lounge than a typical sushi counter, and there is no street signage. Seating is limited to the eight-seat counter; there is no private room. Menus are available in English.

Bar Sawa sits at 111 San Pedro St in Downtown Los Angeles, open Tuesday through Sunday evenings until 9:30 PM, closed Mondays. It falls in a moderate price tier, positioned as a more accessible entry point than Sushi Kaneyoshi, which is located nearby and run by the same team. Reservations are handled through SevenRooms, which also covers sister venues Restaurant Ki and Maison Kanatha.