A Field History of Ventura Boulevard’s Sushi Corridor
So Sushi
TarzanaOPENLast verified 2026-06-15
Old-school value-belt sushi counter on the Tarzana stretch of Ventura Blvd (tracked; facts pending field validation).
How to read the verdictsVERIFIED confirmed against sources ONE WITNESS a single account CONTESTED sources disagree LORE repeated, unverifiable LIVING a number that changes BUSTED the record contradicts it. Every claim shows its sources; prices & counts are living numbers — verify before you dine.
Current owner / ownership
VERIFIED
Owned and operated by sushi chefs Ryo Kuroda and Taka Cong, described as having over a decade of experience.
The Best Sushi Restaurants in the Valley — Discover Los Angeles · link “Behind the toque are owners Ryo Kuroda and Taka Cong, who have been chopping fish for over a decade.”
So Sushi (official) — sosushi.net · link “CHEFS TAKA & RYO”
Head chef & training
VERIFIED
Head sushi chefs are Taka (Cong) and Ryo (Kuroda), who are also the owners.
The Best Sushi Restaurants in the Valley — Discover Los Angeles · link “owners Ryo Kuroda and Taka Cong”
So Sushi (official) — sosushi.net · link “CHEFS TAKA & RYO”
Signature dish(es)
VERIFIED
Notable dishes include the SO Loco roll, House Roll SO #1, SO Cupcake (riceless) roll, SOlantro roll, butter garlic shrimp roll, and chicken karaage.
All Day Menu (official) — sosushi.net · link “#10 SO Loco; #12 House Roll SO #1; SO Cupcake; #18 SOlantro; #9 Butter Garlic Shrimp; Chicken Karaage”
At So Sushi, specialty rolls reign supreme — The Infatuation · link “The strongest section on So's menu is the specialty rolls ... Solantro ... Garlic Shrimp ... Chicken Karaage”
Location
VERIFIED
Located at 19522 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356 (phone 818.609.0993). The original pre-relocation address was 19596 Ventura Blvd in the same shopping center.
Order/Delivery (official) — sosushi.net · link “19522 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana, CA 91356 / 818.609.0993”
The Best Sushi Restaurants in the Valley — Discover Los Angeles · link “19596 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana 91356”
At So Sushi, specialty rolls reign supreme — The Infatuation · link
History & milestones
VERIFIED
In June 2024 the restaurant relocated within the same shopping center to a larger, remodeled space at 19522 Ventura Blvd, with a soft opening beginning June 6, 2024.
So Sushi Instagram: 'We've moved' — Instagram (@sosushi) · link “We've moved!!!! The new location of SO Sushi is now open!!!!!! Same shopping center as our original location.”
The subject’s own story
VERIFIED
The name 'SO' is said to mean 'creative'; the restaurant says it strives to never be boring or typical (official, first-party).
So Sushi (official) — sosushi.net · link “The Chinese character in 'SO' means 'creative' and we strive to never be boring or typical.”
Other notes
VERIFIED
Casual sushi bar with a la carte plus set menus and takeout/delivery; lunch Mon-Fri 11:45am-2pm; dinner Mon-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-10:30pm, Sun 5-9:30pm (hours subject to change).
Runs an omakase counter branded 'SO Sushi Club' — a chef-curated dinner by reservation, limited to 8 guests per seating with up to two seatings per evening.
SO Sushi Club (official) — sosushi.net · link “SO SUSHI CLUB is our exclusive omakase experience at SO Sushi. ... Limited to 8 guests per seating with up to two seatings per evening.”