Kushiba

Tucked away in a remodeled strip mall on Sunset Boulevard, Kushiba brings a slice of Osaka nightlife to Echo Park. This moody izakaya from the Shibumi chef joins a growing collection of Japanese drinking spots along the eastern stretch of Sunset, and it more than holds its own. The space has that perfect late-night ambiance—the kind of place where you can lose track of time while working through skewers and sipping on creative cocktails.

The star of the menu is kushikatsu, the Osaka specialty of panko-crusted items on sticks dunked into hot oil until golden and crispy. With twenty options ranging from taro to pork belly, the temptation to order everything is real. But the smart play is to pick a couple favorites—the flounder and camembert are particularly excellent—and round out your order with small plates like the spicy cold tofu or comforting beef tendon stew.

What truly elevates Kushiba above the competition is its cocktail program. Beyond solid takes on martinis and negronis, there’s an entire DIY highball section where you can mix and match whiskeys and shochus with flavors like ume, yuzu, or oolong tea. It’s interactive, fun, and leads to some genuinely great drinks.

This is the kind of spot that rewards spontaneity—come for a few bites and suddenly you’re closing the place down, maybe even ending the night with an impromptu sake bomb. Perfect for drinks with friends or a casual date when you want something a little more adventurous than the usual bar scene.