n/naka

Welcome to n/naka, a Japanese restaurant located in Los Angeles that offers a unique and upscale dining experience. Known for its modern interpretation of Japanese kaiseki cuisine, n/naka takes you on a culinary journey with its carefully curated tasting menus.

From the moment you step into n/naka, you are greeted with impeccable service and a warm ambiance that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. The menu features a variety of dishes that highlight the seasonality and unique flavors of the produce, all prepared with precision and elegance.

One standout dish is the Shiizakana, a signature pasta dish with abalone, truffle, and pickled cod roe, which has been praised by many guests as one of the best they've ever had. Each plate that arrives at your table is not just a dish but a work of art, showcasing the culinary craftsmanship of Chef Niki Nakayama and her team.

Guests have raved about the attentive service, with Chef Niki herself often coming out to greet diners and ensure that their experience is exceptional. The restaurant's dedication to culinary craft, art of food service, and hospitality shines through in every aspect of the dining journey.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an extraordinary culinary escapade, n/naka invites you to indulge, savor, and immerse yourself in a dining experience that defies haste. With tasting menus that boast up to 13 courses of culinary wizardry, n/naka is not just a restaurant but a culinary sanctuary where every moment is an ode to gastronomic excellence.

Make a reservation at n/naka and prepare to embark on a gastronomic odyssey that will leave you spellbound, satisfied, and eager to return for more.

n/naka Menu

Location

Address: 3455 Overland Ave Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 836-6252

🕓 Work Hours
MON Closed
TUE Closed
WED 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
THU 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
FRI 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
SAT 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
SUN Closed

Business info

  • Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • Delivery
    No
  • Pescatarian Options
    Yes
  • Many Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Android Pay
    No
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Classy, Upscale
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good for Dinner
    Yes
  • Valet Parking, Street Parking
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    Yes
  • Beer & Wine Only
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Outdoor Seating
    No
  • Offers Catering
    No
  • Not Good For Kids
    No
  • Wi-Fi
    No
  • Happy Hour
    No
  • Dogs Not Allowed
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes
  • Bike Parking
    No

Last Reviews

  • Author: Steven K.

    10 August 2024

    N/Naka is so special. The food is always a bit of surprise in that there are always subtle differences. The new design of the restaurant is truly stunning invoking an asian feel. I love that the plating is tied to the new design as well. Niki really goes above and beyond.

  • Author: Ryna D.

    21 July 2024

    What an incredible dining experience! This was our anniversary dinner last year and we were very impressed. First, a word on the service. The hospitality here is one of the best I've come across in a long time. Certainly the best in LA in my experience so far. It is attentive but not encroaching, it is friendly enough that you feel like you are in conversation with the entire staff, and at the end of the meal, Chef Niki Nakayama comes out to your table to ask how your experience was. I was floored by that! Considering how well established n/naka is I was amazed that after all these years she still does that. It really makes you feel like she welcomed you to her table to eat food she thoughtfully prepared. Now the food! Each plate that came to the table was an art work of itself! The modern interpretation of Japanese kaiseki is wonderful to experience. The ingredients are truly seasonal and everything is prepared to highlight the seasonality and the unique flavors of the produce. Some dishes are subtle, some are more complex and layered and rich, everything is delicious. We were told that a lot of the produce is grown by Chef Niki and her kitchen partner and spouse, Chef Carole themselves. Of all the courses, the zensai, mushimono, and the nigiri sushi courses were particularly special. Finally, at the end of dessert, they come and take a Polaroid photo for you to take home along with some pastries and tea to enjoy the next day. My husband said that of all the Michelin-rated restaurants we've dined at, n/naka is the best dining experience of them all! If you haven't dined here yet, I encourage you to make a reservation for your next special occasion.

  • Author: Trey N.

    21 July 2024

    Simply the best dining experience! From start to finish, you feel as if the staff is attempting to make the meal as memorable as possible. Before going, watch the Chef's Table Netflix episode to understand kaiseki cuisine. Food 10/10 -The signature dish, Shiizakana (spaghetti with abalone, truffle and pickled cod roe) is quite possibly the best pasta I've ever had. It will always be a mainstay on the menu. Service 10/10 -The host (I believe Adam) called a week ahead to confirm details. While entering, he remembered us and knew what we were celebrating and where we came from. -Niki Nakayama came out at the end to chat and thank us. We even got a picture with her. -Takeaways: Menu, Biscuit, and a Polaroid picture of us commemorating the dinner (which they take of for all guests). Tip: Arguably the hardest reservation I've nabbed. We both were ready as they opened up the spots for the next month. Within seconds, the availability was gone. I spent the next 30 minutes refreshing and was lucky to get a spot that reopened.

  • Author: Scott L.

    20 July 2024

    We went on a thirteen+ course seafood centric journey with Chefs Nakayama and Ida steering us thru various waters sampling the "summer menu" bounty from those seas, they did so with precision and elegance. Sitting in recently remodeled confines, we had a recommended Sake (just arrived from Japan that day), and numerous dishes (see the pic menu) and some of our favorites. Memorable things: - Food order that was well thought out progressing from light to heavy, loved the Zensai, Mushimono, Shiizakana, Niku, Shokuji, and Mizumono courses, - Beautiful plating - Excellent combination of taste, texture, freshness, and heat - Beautiful, simple and elegant surroundings - Service that was not pretentious and interaction appropriately adjusted based upon diners' interaction with staff - Perceptive Staff, white napkins switched out for black napkins as we had on dark clothing, also noticed I was left handed - Staff folded napkins for guest headed to the restroom, wiped down table for drips after each course - Coordinated plate delivery and placement on table, "quiet" utensil placement on the table for each course - food pace was excellent for eating and conversations, approximately 3 hours - Chef Niki visits all tables at the end of the meal, she's gracious and thankful for people delighting on her cuisine. Side Note: Adjusted plates where possible for a lactose and gluten intolerance. Gluten free soy on the side, no soy glaze on sushi, dairy free scone. As a diner I didn't want to subject the chef to changing ingredients and tasted courses where I thought there might be intolerance issues and passed the remainder to my son. I had no issues with any part of the meal as I was "Lactaided" up and staff did not use any soy based glazes on my nigiri. Gluten free soy provided on the side. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and only avoided one item - Chawanmushi in the multi-itemed Zensai course.