Hara Sushi

This sushi spot on Wilshire Boulevard and Wellesley Avenue is easily recognizable by its large “Happy Hour” sign on the exterior. Why is it so special, you ask? While many happy hours are during the day, Hara’s happy hour is especially happy, with discount running from 4 - 9:30 p.m. Beer, wine and sake are about half price, which makes for many a wild, rowdy nights, in a good way. Residents of Brentwood, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica come together at Hara for inexpensive sake and beer with simple and tasty sushi.

The staff at Hara is quite friendly, and they can help customers with meal decisions. Lunch and dinner come with complimentary edamame, miso soup and green tea ice cream, which is always a delight. The prices at Hara Sushi are enough to make patrons smile, but once you bring a piece of spicy tuna to your lips you’ll have even more to smile about. Lunch combos range from $10 to $13, and they include 3 or 5 pieces of sushi with either a California roll or a spicy tuna roll. Most of the usual rolls appear on the menu, including the rainbow roll, the dragon roll, the spider roll and the eel roll. Order sushi and sashimi by the piece, or order a hand roll for $5 or less. Want a fire in your mouth? Go for the Hell’s roll, where a California roll is cooked with spicy mayo, jalapeno and special spicy sauce. Sushi is half-off on special when you order at least 3 pieces of sushi; inquire with your server to double check half-off specials.

If you were dragged here by a friend but do not eat raw fish, there’s still a thing or two for you on the menu. Chicken, beef and salmon teriyaki are non-raw crowd-pleasers, as are the shrimp tempura, vegetable tempura, baked lobster roll and the tofu steak.

HelloMetro Tip: If you want quicker service during Happy Hour or a busy lunch hour, grab a seat at the sushi bar. There are usually more places to sit, and you’re likely to get served more speedily. The sushi chefs are also very friendly, and they like to chat it up when it’s not too busy. If you’re looking for a place with inexpensive, but still solid sushi, Hara Sushi is the place for you.

- by Jessica Bates, Santa Monica Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jessica Bates

Jessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.