The Founder Hour Niki Nakayama | Two-Michelin-Starred Chef and Owner of n/naka
Niki Nakayama’s cooking is driven by intuition. At her two-Michelin-starred restaurant, n/naka in West Los Angeles, she masters modern kaiseki, a Japanese dining discipline focused on taste, texture, and presentation. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nakayama began her culinary career at Takao restaurant in Brentwood and refined her skills in Japan. She later opened Azami Sushi Café, gaining fame for her omakase menu.
At n/naka, Nakayama creates exquisite, seasonally-inspired dishes, making it one of L.A.’s toughest reservations. The restaurant has been on the Los Angeles Times’ “101 Best Restaurants” list annually since 2013 and has garnered widespread media attention. Nakayama was a James Beard Foundation Award finalist for Outstanding Chef in 2023.
Sustainability is key at n/naka, with 70% of ingredients sourced locally. Nakayama’s kaiseki philosophy highlights natural flavors and seasonal purity. During the pandemic, Nakayama and her wife, Carole Iida-Nakayama, launched n/soto in West Adams, starting as a takeout restaurant and later becoming an izakaya-inspired eatery.
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