A Field History of Ventura Boulevard’s Sushi Corridor
Teru Sushi
Studio CityOPENLast verified 2026-06-14
An early anchor of the Studio City stretch of Sushi Row (opened c.1979–1980); 11940 Ventura Blvd. Not LA’s first sushi bar (Kawafuku, 1966).
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.
Opening
CONTESTED
Teru Sushi opened around 1979 (restaurant marketing and most press) — but one independent critic dates it to 1980; the exact year is not archivally pinned.
About Teru Sushi — Serving Studio City for 45 Years — terusushi.com · link
Where to Eat on Los Angeles' Sushi Row — Visit California · link
LA Conservancy — "When Teru Sushi opened in 1979…" — LA Conservancy · link
✗ Teru Sushi review (says "opened back in 1980") — The Infatuation (2025-09) · link “opened back in 1980”
Founder(s)
ONE WITNESS
By one primary account, Teru was founded by a non-Japanese woman artist — "the first westerner to open her own sushi bar."
The Man Who Brought Sushi to America, Part II (Noritoshi Kanai interview) — Tokyo Journal (2013) · link “A non-Japanese artist started Teru Sushi… She was the first westerner to open her own sushi bar.”