Sushi Nozawa

11288 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, 91604
(818) 508-7017.

Overall 6.5
Food 6.0
Service 7.0
Atmosphere 4.0
Value 9.0

our comments

There are many chefs who command their kitchens with an iron fist, but Chef Kazunori Nozawa actually commands his patrons with an iron fist as well. If you can get passed the long line and sit at the counter you are subjected to the whim of the Nozawa and whatever he decides to make you. If you sit at a table you get a little choice from the menu, but don’t expect to have a long sit and contemplate your food as soon as you are done you pay and leave. The waiters are curt and to the point and don’t mess around. The oddest thing about all of this is that Sushi Nozawa is situated in a mini-mall yet the parking lot is swarming with people and cars. Why do people subject themselves to this treatment? Sushi Nozawa has some of the best sushi this side of Tokyo. Nozawa’s secret to success is extremely simple and minimalist approach, which apparently people are absolutely eating up.

- November 2004