LA is chock-a-block with exclusive restaurants – filled with the privileged, the movie star, the rock star, the notorious, the influencer you’ve never heard of, and the genuine celeb.
But you’ll never see them at LA‘s most exclusive restaurant – the Vin Scully Press Box at Dodger Stadium.
It’s for working media only. The food is great. The company is extraordinary, and the view is, well, the view from the Press Box looking out onto the field at Dodger Stadium.
So it’s hard to imagine anything could make that experience even better than it already is.
Enter the Bento boxes from Yama Sushi Marketplace in nearby San Gabriel.
For more than 40 years, Yama Sushi Marketplace has been the local spot for fresh, high-quality sushi in the San Gabriel Valley, near Pasadena and San Marino.
Founded by Kenzo Yamada, a pioneering fish broker in Los Angeles, the marketplace has played a crucial role in shaping the city’s sushi culture, long before it was embraced by the American public. In fact, early on, sushi was a niche delicacy primarily consumed by Japanese customers.
Now, it’s as American as Pollo Loco.
“People couldn’t imagine eating raw fish back then,” said owner Scott Kohno. “So Yamada made it more Americanized, and I saw this happen, I do a lot of business in Japan. For us it was the California Roll that became the entry to the US.
“The original California Roll was like, ‘Okay, it’s cooked.’ It’s not really raw, it’s avocado, cucumber and a little mayo,’” he continued. “So, it’s a little creamier. And that was the beginning of sushi.”
Kohno actually credits chef and manager Kike Moreno, with “inventing” Yama’s California Roll.
“It took twenty years,” said Kohno.
Today, Yama Sushi Marketplace has become a destination for sushi lovers of all backgrounds, offering premium-grade fish, bento boxes, and an expanding selection of Japanese delicacies.
And boy, did we get the looks when we lifted the lid on our own bento box at Dodger Stadium the other night. And the Dodgers lost that game, which I didn’t even notice. I’d had Yama Sushi for dinner.
Yama Sushi Marketplace, a hub for both traditional and modern sushi lovers, has become that “neighborhood place,” offering everything from fresh sashimi to elaborate party platters.
And Bento boxes.
Every morning, premium cuts of salmon, hamachi, toro, and other sushi-grade fish arrive at the store, ensuring customers get the highest-quality seafood. The store’s display case allows customers to pick their preferred cuts, which are then sliced to order for take-home sushi parties.
“It’s the same fish you’d get at Nobu, but at a fraction of the cost,” Kohno explains.
“We know how many new customers we get every day, since our entrance is in the back, off the parking lot,” laughed Kohno. “When someone knocks on the front door, we know it’s a new customer”
Kohno and his family took over the business in 2021, bringing a new perspective while staying true to Yama-san’s legacy. With a background in retail and extensive business experience in Japan, Kohno expanded Yama’s offerings, introducing curated Japanese products, artisanal soy sauces, and one of California’s largest selections of craft sake.
Yama Sushi Marketplace provides a carefully curated selection of Japanese grocery items. From unique soy sauces infused with black garlic to ponzu and chili oil blends, it’s a haven for home chefs looking to elevate their Japanese cooking. The shop also features a variety of imported Japanese snacks, rice crackers, and even beauty products like sake-based facial masks.
“We have an office in Tokyo,” Kohno said. “We’re always looking for interesting new foods and products.”
Kohno has also introduced monthly sushi-making and sake-tasting classes, which have become a major draw, often selling out, in fact.
Yama Sushi Marketplace is now offering a curated bento experience crafted by expert chefs, featuring premium sushi pieces.
These offerings have become increasingly popular, with many customers preferring to enjoy high-quality sushi at home (or Dodger game) rather than waiting for a reservation at a high-end restaurant. “This is a great way to enjoy the same premium experience in a more intimate setting.”
They’re perfect for the beach or the park or your living room.
Yama Sushi Marketplace also offers an extensive selection of grab-and-go sushi, including its famous California Roll, which has been named one of the best in Los Angeles. Yama’s commitment to using real crab meat (as opposed to imitation) in its Blue Crab Roll has won over even the most discerning sushi lovers.
One particularly popular offering is Yama’s “Temaki Time” hand-roll party platter, which provides all the necessary ingredients for customers to create their own sushi rolls at home. These platters, along with an extensive selection of sake, have made Yama a go-to spot for celebrations and gatherings.
Community involvement is also a core value at Yama Sushi Marketplace. Following the Eaton and Palisades Fires in the Los Angeles area, the store launched the “LA Strong Bento” initiative, providing 250 bento boxes every Friday to evacuees, first responders, and volunteers.
“We didn’t want this to be a one-time thing,” Kohno says. “We’re committed to continuing this effort as long as there’s a need.”
The store also hosts seasonal events, such as Yama celebrates Children’s Day in May with sushi-making classes designed specifically for kids.
And of course there’s Mother’s Day and there’s Father’s Day. Can you think of anything better to get either one of them? Except maybe a ticket to the Dodger game?
Yama Sushi Marketplace isn’t just a store—it’s a cultural experience. From its humble beginnings to its role in shaping LA’s sushi scene, the marketplace continues to be a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine in Southern California. Whether it’s a fresh sashimi platter, a curated sake tasting, or one of their special holiday offerings, Yama Sushi Marketplace honors tradition while embracing innovation.
And it’s sort of on the way to Dodger Stadium. Just sayin…
More information is available at Yama Sushi Marketplace or Instagram @yamasushimarketplace.
