Michele StuevenIt’s been two long and uncertain years since the Sugiura family closed the doors to Bar Hayama, the beloved converted Japantown bungalow on Sawtelle famous for its bento boxes that served generations of Westsiders.
Teaming up with WATAMI Group, one of Japan’s most established restaurant organizations, which operates more than 500 locations across Asia, Hayama by WATAMI has opened at the Helms Design Center in Culver City. It’s the group’s debut location in the U.S.
Crunch Roll (Courtesy Hayama by WATAMI)
Longtime restaurateur Chef Frank “Toshi” Sugiura leads the concept alongside his daughter, Ichigo Sugiura, as they usher in a new generation to the family business. Matriarch Chikae Sugiura is where she feels most at home in the kitchen, overseeing the hot appetizers like steamed shrimp dumplings, fried oysters, and pork belly wrapped soft-boiled egg. For several years, including the past two consecutive World Series-winning seasons, Chef Toshi has been the primary caterer for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team at home games.
The new iteration of Hayama brings back signature favorites like the crunch roll and an extended Yakitori selection to the former Lukshon space with its sleek design, open kitchen, and full bar with an extensive variety of hot and cold sake.
Indulge in the new signature Fuji Mountain cocktail made up of Kikusui sake, lychee liqueur, blue curacao, and garnished with a delicately floral lychee or the very cherry Lava Flow mocktail. The Hayama bento boxes, arguably the most creative and forever evolving on the Westside, will return to the menu in June, when the restaurant opens for lunch.
And for those who miss sitting and dining around the glow of the big firepit at the Sawtelle location, a smaller version greets diners upon entering through the outdoor patio of Hayama by WATAMI, a feature that sold patriarch Chef Sugiura on the new space.
Hayama by WATAMI (Michele Stueven)
Yakitori (Courtesy Hayama by WATAMI)
Fried oysters (Courtesy Hayama by WATAMI)