Forty-two years after it opened its doors at 911 W. Las Tunas Dr. in San Gabriel, Yama Sushi is planning to reimagine its San Gabriel Valley flagship. The project will expand and refresh the space where the brand launched in 1984, according to information shared with What Now Los Angeles by a spokesperson with the company.
The expansion will triple the footprint of the original marketplace and will add seating so guests can dine on site. Yama appears to be expanding into the former Thai Paradise space next door at 909 W. Las Tunas Dr. to increase its footprint, according to a recent ABC filing.
The reimagined space will feature a Kyoto-inspired design reminiscent of the streets of Kyoto with a modern twist. The team is aiming to complete the project in early 2027, and further details regarding opening and events will be announced in the coming months.
The flagship is also rolling out new offerings, including sake flights for guests dining in, and the team hopes to add sake classes in the future. Yama locations in West Los Angeles and Koreatown already offer Master Classes to educate the local community about Japanese culture, such as Very Happiness Sushi by Chef Ko — a class about traditional edomae sushi taught by a top sushi chef — and Sake to Me by Narumi — a guided sake tasting led by Yama’s certified sake master.
Launched by fish broker Kenzo Yamada in 1984, Yama Sushi is known for its fresh fish and sushi offerings. In addition to the planned expansion of the San Gabriel flagship, Yama is adding a fourth location this year, with plans to open in Sherman Oaks in late summer. The opening will expand Yama’s presence in Los Angeles, establishing it further in different regions of the market.
“We see ourselves as a very local brand for Los Angeles,” CEO Scott Kohno told What Now Los Angeles in a recent interview. “We don’t have any aspirations right now for any growth outside of Los Angeles or Orange County. Being a key part of the L.A. culture and community is something that is near and dear to us. The idea is that we’re not just a sushi marketplace or store to buy Japanese specialty goods, but we are active in the city and close to the organizations and customers.”
