Sushi Nozawa
(818) 508-7017
11288 Ventura Blvd Ste C
Studio City,
CA
91604
34.1411
-118.3754
What People Are Saying About Sushi Nozawa
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
This stripped-down altar to fresh fish opened in 1987, when black-and-red trimmed, pseudo-industrial chic was all the rage--and not much has changed since then. Industry-ites and fresh-fish fanatics still wait for a coveted spot at the sushi bar, while Chef Nozawa, known as the "Sushi Nazi," schools apprentice sushi diners with a firm hand.
The Food
Legend has it someone was once kicked out for ordering California rolls. So keep quiet and take your pick from the limited sushi menu, which reflects Nozawa's daily finds. Frequent offerings include yellowtail, a velvety mound of subtle flavor; rich and luscious albacore; and a crab handroll loaded with shreds of sweet meat. Whatever you order, Nozawa's masterful technique is evident. Warm rice is slightly sticky, fresh wasabi zings with flavor and seaweed wrappings are delightfully crisp. Want dessert? Go ahead and ask--dare you.
User Reviews
DecentPallette
May 24, 2009
If one takes the time to notice, all Japanese fine art is essentially minimalistic. Be it poetry, music, calligraphy or food, the Japanese aesthetic involves a minimal structure, rigidly defined, where the subtlest deviation from the norm speaks tomes.The Art of Sushi is to approach impossibly high standards which can never be realized; a meal can be evaluated only by how close it comes to the theoretical perfection. Sushi is pickled rice, just sticky enough to barely hold itself together (if you are one to dip the rice in soy sauce, stop reading and buy at Von's), and sushi (rice) must be served immediately (yes, warm). As for rolls, the only rolls served traditionally at a BAR are tekka and kappa, unless the chef decides to serve you something to sample in a hand roll. That being said, Sushi Nozawa is church for eating raw fish. LA is a huge market for sashimi grade fish, tons of GREAT fish to choose from every day, but Nozawa-san gets to pick first. So if what you want is a roll filled with three kinds of seafood with five different pieces of fish wrapped around the outside, covered in sauce, DON'T EAT HERE. On the other hand, if you want to eat mindblowing fish in an environment designed not to distract your senses, this is the place to go. Jay Patterson
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JIstrin
March 11, 2009
As to the citysearch review, my girlfriend and I went to Sushi Nozawa last night and were completely surprised when we walked in. First off, the second you walk in you witness a packed house that was DEAD silent. Everyone was whispering and it was extremely uncomfortable. We sat down at a table and ordered (minimum of 4 dishes per person). After about 3-5 minutes the waiter came back with a large dish with all of our sushi looking anything but interesting. So QUIETELY we ate, and the fish was fresh, maybe even the freshest I've had. But, it was nothing special, nothing to enhance the taste of the fish. I ordered the house cold sake and when we got the bill it was $90, I realized their house sake is $25 a bit much and that they forgot to give us something we ordered. We were still very hungry and headed over to iWata for more. Check out iWata if you want a great experience for a great price.
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iliketowrite
November 21, 2008
Like many, I had always heard the rumors about Nozawa - the chef is mean and crazy, the place is small and cramped - well all those may be true....although I found the staff quite plesant. But then again, we sat at a table and didn't have to interact with the chef. The place is kind of non-descript, with chairs you'd find in a church basement or a pizza parlor, but...... this is the BEST sushi I have ever had in my life! I have been fortunate to have dined at some of the best sushi restaurants in the world, but never has sushi been as fresh as this. It literally melts in your mouth. Go do your tastebuds a favor and get to Sushi Nozawa. The only downside is that it any place else will seem inferior.
read full reviewThe Details on Sushi Nozawa
When to Go:
Beat the crowds by showing up by 12pm for lunch or 5:30pm for dinner. Sushi Nozawa is closed on weekends.
Know Before You Go:
According to Nozawa, brush the fish side with soy and pop the whole piece in your mouth. And, please, don't make a mess of the rice.
The Extras:
Nozawa's nickname is the Sushi Nazi, so be careful when ordering. Diners who order California rolls may be kicked out.
