BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Octopus
19722 Collier Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 346-5100
(818) 380-0855 (Encino)
(818) 556-6622 (Burbank)
(818) 500-8788 (Glendale)
Hours vary by location – see Web site
website
Years Won: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 (Best)
Just when you thought Octopus couldn’t get any better at traditional, contemporary, and fusion styles in Japanese food, it surprises you with something more delicious, compelling, and original than ever. The latest illustration of why Octopus has won this category for so many years is its new Wave Carpaccio menu, which premiered this summer. Ultra-fresh seafood such as tuna, albacore, salmon, yellowtail, and mackerel is thinly sliced and masterfully presented with such accents as wasabi, white onion, red and/or black tobiko, yuzu citrus, chive oil, sesame, and fresh ginger. As beautiful to gaze upon as it is tasty to eat, the food at Octopus is naturally healthy and nutritious, partly because it’s as fresh as the market allows, and partly because of the simple nature of Japanese food, be it California-style cultural fusion cuisine or classic udon and tempura. Not that customers think of it much – usually they’re content to savor the wonderful flavors and the bold and beautiful ambience. The food, fun, and values extend to Octopus’ wonderful happy hours and price specials, typically 3-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday depending on the location, and the “reverse” happy hours that generally start around 8:30 or 9 p.m.
MAP