N/naka
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Niki Nakayama |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Niki Nakayama (founder, chef), Carole Iid (sous-chef, partner) |
| Products | Kaiseki cuisine |
n/naka is a contemporary kaiseki dining establishment located in Los Angeles, awarded one Michelin star and founded by chef Niki Nakayama. The restaurant's name is a fusion of Nakayama's given and family names. In 2019, it was recognized as one of the top 30 restaurants worldwide by Food & Wine.
History
After selling her initial sushi venture, Azami, in 2008, Nakayama went on to establish n/naka. Prior to opening n/naka, she acquired the current venue and oversaw her sister’s restaurant in Arcadia. Although she originally intended to feature an open kitchen design allowing guests to observe the culinary process, Nakayama ultimately decided on a closed kitchen to emphasize the dining experience. In 2012, Carole Iid joined as sous-chef and partner following the closure of her own sushi restaurant. True to traditional kaiseki practices, n/naka predominantly utilizes locally sourced ingredients.
Reviews and accolades
By 2023, n/naka had achieved two Michelin stars, placing it among a select group of five restaurants in Los Angeles with this honor.
The New Yorker has identified n/naka as the leading kaiseki restaurant in the United States.
The establishment was also showcased in the inaugural season of the critically acclaimed Netflix series Chef's Table.
In 2024, n/naka was awarded one Michelin star, joining three other Los Angeles restaurants that experienced a reduction in their Michelin rating from the previous year.