Do Not Pass Go’s

Kelp Halibut
When I arrived at Go’s Mart for the first time on the advice of a friend, I thought maybe I was being punk’d. Its name sounds more like a gas station convenience store than a highly recommended Japanese restaurant. Its location next to a massage parlor in a non-descript strip mall in the West Valley Hinterlands of Canoga Park further fueled my skepticism. Once inside, I found myself in a tiny space with mostly bare orange walls, two tables and a seven-seat sushi bar. One of the best sushi restaurants in the city? Inconceivable! But after my first few pieces of mind-blowing nigiri, I know that it was true.

Go’s Mart is not for sushi purists. The super fresh, melt-in-your-mouth slices of fish are topped with things like gold leaf, sea salt, truffle oil and caviar. The only menu is a list of exotic specials on a dry erase board, but you can order lots of things that aren’t on the board and it’s probably best to put yourself in Chef Go’s expert hands and get the omakase (chef’s choice).

If you’re a-la-carting it, there are a few must-have items. The Live Scallop Sushi is insanely good, the Kelp Halibut is unbelievably amazing and the Akimo (Monk Fish Liver with Sweet Plum Sausce, Scallion, Sesame Seeds and Goji Berry) is transcendent. One of the best and most interesting dishes is the “Holy Cow,” a seared slice of authentic Japanese Kobe or Wagyu beef served sushi-style on rice with lemon salt and truffle oil. Although he’s clearly ultra-passionate about his sushi, Chef Go is no Sushi Nazi and won’t eject you for ordering a Spicy Tuna Roll.

At the end of my meal, there was no doubt that, despite the low-rent location and decor, Go’s Mart was a high-end sushi establishment and the bill reflected this as well. It was very expensive but worth every penny.

Go’s Mart is located at 22330 Sherman Way in Canoga Park.

Akimo (Monk Fish Liver with Sweet Plum Sauce, Scallion, Sesame Seeds and Goji Berry)

Akimo (Monk Fish Liver with Sweet Plum Sauce, Scallion, Sesame Seeds and Goji Berry)


Kampachi Belly

Kampachi Belly Sushi


Baby Abalone Sushi, Baby Red Snapper Sushi and Japanese Sea Bass Sushi

Baby Abalone Sushi, Baby Red Snapper Sushi and Japanese Sea Bass Sushi


Live Scallop Sushi

Live Scallop Sushi


Holy Cow (Kobe Beef with Lemon Salt and Truffle Oil)

Holy Cow


Snow Crab and Vegetable Hand Roll

Snow Crab and Vegetable Hand Roll


Special Albacore Roll

Special Albacore Roll


Sushi porn?

Sashimi porn. Nice pair…of scallops!


A tiny place with bare orange walls

A tiny place with orange walls


Don't judge a book by its cover.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.



Go's Mart on Urbanspoon

2 Comments

Filed under Canoga Park

2 Responses to Do Not Pass Go’s

  1. Dan

    We ate there last night solely on your recommendation. The place was friggin’ awesome. Thanks for the great review. The only downside is that it is expensive.

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