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n/naka
Kaiseki Japanese
A single pasta course, spaghetti with abalone and black truffle, never rotates off Niki Nakayama's menu at this intimate kaiseki tasting room in Culver City. Everything else shifts with the seasons, moving through delicate broths and grilled Miyazaki wagyu in a long, unhurried procession. Getting a table is a project in itself, but Nakayama comes out at the end to say hello, which feels less like a formality and more like the point. It holds a Michelin star.
Seven honors, in evidence:
The record strongest first
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Nominee · Outstanding Chef · Niki Nakayama
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Nominee · Outstanding Chef · Niki Nakayama
- Michelin Guide 1 Star
- The New York Times The Restaurant List
- Time Out #1 · The 40 best restaurants in Los Angeles you need to try right now
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Chef · Niki Nakayama
- Los Angeles Times #11 · The 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles
One number, weighted & current 93
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
Tasting menu only. The dishes change too often to put on record.
Nearby in the record closest first
- Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria Oaxacan Eat · 28
- Sushi Masuyoshi Omakase Sushi Eat · 43
- Mustard's Bagels Eat · 43
- Kismet Rotisserie Eat · 43
- HomeState Tex-Mex Mexican Eat · 28
- Jikoni Eat · 43
- Palihotel Culver City Stay · 74
- The Cinema Bar Drink · 80
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