Great sushi can be expensive—but it doesn’t have to be. For every pricey omakase temple in LA serving top-notch toro with gold flakes, there are just as many neighborhood sushi spots with affordable nigiri plates and rolls. Not all of them are created equal, though. Head to the top of the quality-meets-value pyramid, and you’ll find Sushi Gen, a beloved Little Tokyo institution that’s been serving great, reasonably priced sushi for decades. Most people go here for the lunch and dinner specials—the combo plates of nigiri and sashimi that you’ll see on nearly every table, and that crowds line up early for at lunch. They’re our favorite way to sample a variety of their glossy, best-selling cuts in one dish, but if you know exactly what you want (or don’t want), you'll just be as happy sitting at the bar and ordering sushi à la carte. The prices are just as far, and you'll be sitting front row with veteran sushi chefs who crank out fresh nigiri like clockwork. No matter which route you choose—specials or à la carte—you'll find a solid sushi experience where over-ordering doesn’t mean spending recklessly.