Sushi Nozawa

the sushi here is quality and very fresh. people talk a lot about the chef but really, don't be an obnoxious LA-er as the people who complain are. shut off the cellphone, stop pretending you know everything about how sushi bars should be, and making stupid complicated orders. here no one will bend over and backwards to stroke your ego, just come here open minded, patient, and you'll be rewarded with really good, fresh sushi. if you want soemthing mroe restaurant ish, go to sushi gen in little tokyo. the sushi there is some of the best and not pricey. not ubertrendy either. at both places, prepare to wait, but the food is worth it. and you will see actual japanese folk at sushi gen. more

I used to eat here often and the food was very good. However after being out of LA for four years, I had a bizarre experience when I went back. As soon a I walked in the door, I received a call on my cell phone. I was told by one of the helpers 'no cell phones,' so I went outside to finish the call, which was from an important client. When I came back in, Nozawa starts going on and on about the cell phone. I apologized and told him that I have turned off the phone. His response was ""Get out of here!"" I asked him if he was serious. He repeated ""Get out of here!"" On the way out, when my back was turned, he cowardly threw a sticky rice ball at me that got all over the back of my shirt. I thought about going back in and confronting him, but he had a knife and I didn't, plus I was with my 75-year-old Dad, so I let it go. Lots of people here say the guy is a rude a-hole. This is now confirmed by me. Unbelievable. Pros: Very good sushi Cons: Chef is a nut case more

gotta be honest guys. not so great. i eat sushi constantly and this place falls right in the middle. maybe it was all the hype, but i left with no $ in my pocket and still hungry. there is no vibe to the place at all. it feels a bit institutional. not terrible, but not great. Pros: eh... Cons: $$$$$$ more

If you truly love sushi, this is hands down the best place to go. No, it is not romantic or trendy, and they don't have fancy drinks or dessert. However, the fish will melt in your mouth. If you're nice to Nozawa, he will be nice to you. Don't ask for a spicy tuna roll or for no rice with your sushi. That's just asking for trouble. If you're daring enough to try something that not many people eat (like uni or octopus), he will really appreciate that. You may even get a smile out of him. I try to go there once a month or so because I consider it a treat. I usually end up being disappointed when I go to other places because the fish is just not as good or as fresh. Trust me! more

So I've been to Urasawa (formerly Ginza Sushi-Ko) in Beverly Hills and I must say that Urasawa is a lot more expensive ($750 for 2 with lots of sake) yet the impeccible service, atmosphere and very special food+presentation will make it still worth it.\r \r Because of the reviews telling people how easily it is to set off Sushi Nozi, I warned my family first that they shouldn't request for anything. We sat at a table since we had 7 people. The mexican waiter asked us what we want to order and we said we will get the Omakasa dinner. The food came quickly. It is good, but I won't say that I must go back again. The semi cooked shrimp is different, but that is not something I like in particular. I think we finished our food in about 45 mins. The bill came out to about $350 plus tax and tips, so it is a lot of good food and about $50 per person.\r \r Overall, it is not bad but it is not great so I don't think I need to go back again. There are a lot more places with about the same price and just as good if not better food and service and atmosphere. Perhaps that's the best place in the Valley but probably not in the entire Los Angeles. Off hand I can name several restaurants makasa style restaurants that are really good, including Takao (on San Vicente in Brentwood), Sasabune, Echigo, Urasawa. \r \r more

I love reading all the reviews below. Let's face it, you can't please everyone?\r The BEST SUSHI in LA is NOZAWA. No take out (because of the warm rice the fish would spoil).\r Very rushed service, because they are normally ""slammed"" and want to seat everyone sooner than later. Prices aren't cheap and they shouldn't be, it's the Best anywhere!!!! more

We sat at the bar to get the real sushi nozawa experience, but it was a disappointing experience. First, as soon as we sat down, we realized that his assistent was doing a lot of the ""finishing touches"" on the sushi. Which as far as I can tell, was under the chefs command to top everything off with ponzu sauce. It made everything taste the same and I could not appreciate the flavors of the fish. It felt like everything was rushed, and we were shoved sushi that was not lovingly crafted. more

I called to order sushi for pick up. The man answering the phone was difficult to understand, brash and inpolite. I asked if I could order sushi for take out. He said NO and hung up the telephone! more

I was so excited to finally try the (un)famous NOzawa. Unfortunately it did not happen. Not because I wasnt hungry or I did not asked for a service, but actually I got kicked out. We choose the table over the bar know the rules. I politely asked her, we just want to order sashimi from the menu. She went and asked and the next was screaming and shouting and the most impolite, barbarian act I have ever seen in a restaurant. He said; no rice no fish, GO! and showed us the door. NOzawa isnt the cool sushi nazi anymore; it is just a drunken chef stuck behind the bar in a poorly decorated, tiny restaurant somewhere in the Valley. NOzawa has bad ambience and poor service. DO NOT GO THERE ONLY IF YOU WANNA GET A GOOD LAUGH!!!NOT FOOD!!! Pros: good laugh Cons: improper behavior, bad ambience, no service more

Here are a few tips: Don't try and order at the bar, and if Nozawa asks you if you have any requests, show him respect and let him pick for you. I read some reviews that said they paid 60 bucks a person for 6 items. I had a much different experience; Nozawa gave me 8 items for only 42 bucks! If you show him respect, he will show your wallet respect. more

Being Japanese American, yes, this is amazing sushi. Which is why I am a 5 year customer, but, did Nozawa's prices just sky rocket? It was $120 before tipping for 2 of us - 6 servings, no beverages. Definitely NOT worth it. Previous visits were $65-90. There are other great sushi bars in LA and OC. Ever notice the lack of Japanese customers in Nozawa? Because they know it's a rip off. I go to high end sushi bars with my Japanese parents here in the US & in Japan, where the service is gracious (as Japanese service ALWAYS is), we're served the freshest specialties, enjoy sake & beer & walk out paying $135 for three of us. This may explain why for the first time, there was no line, all the tables were wide open and 4 seats were available at the bar at 7pm on Thursday night. Hmmmm. Pros: fresh sashimi Cons: pricey more

All I have to say is ""DO NOT TRUST"" it is not worth the wait more

I love the sushi here! It is so fresh, and truly melts in your mouth with no fishy taste at all. This place is not about ambience or service...but the best sushi you will ever taste! Pros: amazing food Cons: hole in the wall, kinda pricey-, but worth it more

Maybe this is a ""special"" kind of restaurant, but I prefer the more ""normal."" I took three other people there with me, telling them about the great reviews. Two of us got there first, but they made us stand by the doorway until everyone arrived- even though we were the only ones in there on a rainy night. We ordered about 8 rolls to share as well as lots of sushi. Unfortunately, they dont believe in cutting rolls, so we had to cut the 4 inch rolls with our chopsticks so we could share them. They also frown upon avocadoes, cucumbers, smelt egg, or anything that might add a splash of color or flavor to their fish rolled in rice. The fish was nothing more than average. We ended up paying $75 per couple, which normally isn't bad for sushi, but we left hungry and without getting our sushi fix. more

Just got back and i am in heaven. I have never had any fish of such a high quailty. Sit at the bar and omakase. Master Nozawa chooses everything for you. The person next to me tried to make a request and he was served his bill. Master Nozawa is an extremely kind man and an expert chef. He kept the resaurant open late for us and gave us shashimi on the house. He explained to me how all the other LA resaurants follow him to the market buying everything he does. He specializes in white fish, especially red snapper, but treated us with some orgasmic eel. The sushi is simple featuring the natural textures and tastes of his ultra superior fish. With tip and tax, I paid seventy dollars for nine dishes - a great deal anywhere. TRUST ME - this place is the bomb. Pros: value, quality, friendliness Cons: small space, ruins all other sushi more

My husband and I are serious sushi lovers and go about once a week so we finally decided to try after hearing and reading so much about this place. We didn't expect much going in considering the reviews about bad/lack of service, the sushi ""Nazi"", a long wait, and pricey cost. We just wanted to find out if this sushi was worth it...and it was. Probably the best hamachi I've ever tasted here in the states. We ordered the omakase and finally decided to quit after the 7th item. The service wasn't that bad either and is similar to the service you would get in Japan. So come on people - give credit where credit is due - this place does it right when it comes to their fish and its quality. Pros: great sushi Cons: crowded more

My Girlfriend and I went to check out this place after we heard about this sushi ""nazi"" guy. First of all, the service was terrible. The Sushi was very good, though very pricey. The baby tuna sashimi is incredible, one of a kind. The albacore melts in your mouth. the salmon, suprisingly tasty best Ive had- they put some kind of transparent seaweed on top that is a bit sweet but not overwhelming. the scallop was awesome. Stay away from the yellowtail which I thought was below average. the sweet shrimp was cooked/not right with no shrimp heads which we thought is the best part. My girlfriend had the oysters which were mmm mmm mmm. tuna roll not good. Pros: good fish, fresh, good sashimi Cons: bad service, pricey, no parking more

this is the best sushi I've ever had - the decor isn't much to look at but you won't care once you start eating!! Pros: Great food Cons: ambiance, decor more

Without mentioning Urasawa, Nozawa is the Best in LA for Omakase and if your in Little Tokyo then Sushi Gen is a good selection. He is very selective about his fish and it shows. How anyone can complain about the price is beyond me but then a lot of people think Imitation Crab is ok too at other Places! more

Everyone raved about this place so much that I was expecting something even better. The sushi is good, but not to die for. The inside of the place is nothing spectacular. The best thing we had was the crab handroll, but other than that, the rest of the sushi was just good. more