Sushi Nozawa

Claim
marker

11288 Ventura Blvd Ste C
Studio City, CA 91604

marker
(818) 508-7017
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA
Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA
Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA
Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA
Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA
Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA
Reviews
( 39 )
( 33 )
( 5 )
( 9 )
( 11 )

Best

Food is amazing. Every time I come here, I feel like I never want to leave. Very chic atmosphere with a relaxing mood. The service is great and the staff really does a terrific j...

Worst

I found Sushi Nozawa to be over-rated and pricey to boot though the food is good. There are better (and less expensive) sushi restaurants in the valley such as Something Fishy, R...

80s Oddity 3/8/2005

i'm not really sure why this place is so popular. i went and had a good meal, but i've certainly had better. i did enjoy the crab hand roll at the end of omakase but i think sasabune on the westside does it better (chef used to be nozawa's apprentice). the decor is so 80s neon it's weird. there's always a wait, no reservations. don't get me wrong, food is good, but with so many competing sushi spots in the area i'm not sure how they stay on top. hard to find in a funky mini mall. Pros: good food Cons: hard to find, stoic owner, always a wait more
Reply | Report abuse |

FABULOUS but only for true connoisseurs 2/25/2005

Most of the reviewers here just don't get it. One should focus on the sushi experience and one's dining companion, not the fluorescent lights or spartan décor. Nozawa-san may be quiet and focused, but ""nazi"" is a rather harsh term for a talented chef determined to educate the uninitiated in the traditional sushi experience. True sushi disciples come here for the exceptional quality fish and check their egos at the door. Cool fish on warm rice, lightly dipped fish side down in sauce is how sushi should be eaten. Those who have compared Sushi Nozawa with Todai (hack) or Light and Healthy (strictly for beginners) have not acquired the finesse or experience to taste the subtlety and texture of Master Nozawa's selections. If you order omakase (chef's choice) you will have a richer experience. Expect to spend about $60 per person with one drink for the ""Trust Me"" special. Pros: sushi, trust me special more
Reply | Report abuse |

Top Three 1/7/2005

If you want the best sushi in town go here. Period. End of discussion. If, however, you want great sushi AND a great dining experience, go somewhere else like Nobu Malibu. If you want great sushi and a good dining experience for bargain prices, go to Kazu in the Valley or Echigo on SM. more
Reply | Report abuse |

sushi nazi isn't really it 12/9/2004

I just have to say im very disappointed by this sushi restaurant. what strikes me the most is that they feel like they are above their customers and u have to eat what they give u. i think it might be a funny idea, but hey the food better be good or ? so short said, the sushi was way below avarage. the fish itself was fresh and good, but the rice was very warm and it wasn't really nicely fitted around the fish to hold on it then i try to put it into sauce. also they constantly put some kind of sauce on top of it and take away the whole taste of the fish with that. last but not least the price. simply WAAYYY to high Pros: fresh fish Cons: , very high priced, sushi nazi ??? more
Reply | Report abuse |

MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH! 9/8/2004

This place is CRAZY EXPENSIVE, but the fish is UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! If you expect a cozy and comfortable experience, you will definitely be underwhelmed by the location and the wait could make you crazy, oh, and the attitude of the owner will leave you a bit disconcerted, but if you can get by all of that, you are in for a treat. Melt in your mouth fish and some of the tastiest rolls EVER make it all worthwhile. Pros: Mmmm the fish, FISH FISH FISH, And the rolls Cons: , SMALL & CRAMPED, Get in & Get OUT! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Only if you are trendy and pretentious 8/29/2004

This is a place for the trendy and pretentious. The sushi is only average, and the sushi master if obnoxious beyond belief. It's simply a place to be seen. It is also quite a bit more expensive that some of the other sushi places in the neighborhood....and there are quite a few within a mile of here... more
Reply | Report abuse |

Da Best in L A 7/5/2004

Sushi Nozawa is open for sushi lovers only. Ambience, decor? Those elements are insignificant once the tender morsel is melting in your mouth. Great tasting fish and delicious sushi rice. That's all you'll get and ask for nothing else. Dollar for dollar, there is no better sushi place in L. A. Having said that, if your taste buds were not sensitive enough to tell between freshest and so-so fresh fish, or Nozawa's rice and me-too sushi rice, Sushi Nozawa is definitely not a place for you. Pros: sushi second to none Cons: waiting in line, limited parkings more
Reply | Report abuse |

My favorite! 6/15/2004

This is one of the best places I have found in LA. Fish was really fresh and almost buttery. Rice was just as it should be, the individual pieces almost falling apart, just lightly formed, not mushed and pressed together like in other places. Yes the selection is not up to you, but for true sushi fanatic, it's all about the taste. I love hole in the wall places rather than flashy or trendy places. Everyone can say they don't like this place, better parking and less line-ups for me! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Good, but WAY overpriced! 6/13/2004

Don't believe the hype! Finally went to famous Nozawa tonight and although the fish was pretty good, everything else was terrible. Service and ambience were the WORST. Luckily we weren't very hungry, so we only ordered a little. 20 minutes later we were done, and then I got the bill... NINETY DOLLARS FOR A LITTLE SNACK! Absolutely ridiculous. Not worth it. Save your money, skip Nozawa, and don't believe the hype. Think different. Pros: good fish Cons: , overhyped, worst atmosphere ever more
Reply | Report abuse |

Not a Top LA restaurant 5/12/2004

I dont think the sushi was all that. At some point, I cant tell the difference between fresh fish and fresh fresh fish and super fresh fish. It was better than Todai, but this is not one of the best restaurants in LA. The service was somewhat hard to understand, but pleasant. There was a line outside, probably the same stupid crowd that lines outside The Original Pantry and Philippe the Original. Dont believe the hype. Pros: One Time Experience, Fresh Fresh Fish Cons: , Hype, Service more
Reply | Report abuse |

Just doesn't live up to the hype... 5/10/2004

I just feel duped by all the hype surrounding this place. It's at best B list sushi with decent fish and the sushi chef, isn't all that great. He even cheats by not using quality toro for the hand rolls but toro remnants and chopping it up. He still charged full market value though...I've eaten sushi in plenty of places including the top flight places in Tokyo and this place definitely doesn't qualify. Cons: , ugly atmosphere more
Reply | Report abuse |

good quality fish, but that's it 4/13/2004

For the price you pay for sushi, save your money and get a true dining experience elsewhere. Sure the fish was fresh, but there was nothing special about it and the menu lacked any variety or innovation. Furthermore, the rice on the sushi was warm and messy. There is no ambiance, no wine, and they rush you in and out. Also, parking was a pain and they don't take reservations so you must wait for one of the 10 tables in the restaurant. Pros: fresh fish Cons: , atmosphere, parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Over-rated, Over-priced & Disappointing 2/20/2004

Having read reviews, my wife & I (who spent several yrs in Japan & know many great sushi restaurants in LA) were excited for Sushi Nozawa. We ordered the ""Special"", meaning Nozawa selects your fish. Everything seemed great, the small room was packed & we were ready for a top culinary experience. Instead, the sushi was mediocre at best and there was no variety. We received 7 or 8 servings that consisted of poor quality tuna (think Ralph's) as sashimi, in a roll and as sushi (maguro and hamachi) and several crab handrolls. The sushi rice was too soft, the portions over-sized (which is a bad sign - this is what restaurants do for American customers to disguise bad fish) and the food was way over-priced. We paid $120 for mediocre food. Great sushi at this Valley spot? Only a myth. Don't be deceived, the Sushi Nazi has no clothes. Cons: , Mediocre, Over-priced more
Reply | Report abuse |

A Different Level of Sushi 1/4/2004

Eating at Nozawa has forever changed my view of sushi. This stuff was on a different level. Better than Matsuhisa or Morimoto. I honestly didn't know fish could be this good. I sat at the sushi bar and found Nozawa San to be more on the quiet side and focused as opposed to Nazi like as has been described before. Sit at the sushi bar if you go, it's definitely worth it. Pros: sushi, sushi, sushi more
Reply | Report abuse |

Ichi Ban! 12/28/2003

I used to consider a sushi interlude a huge success when something served was the best I'd ever had. The first time I visited Nozawa, about 5 years ago, EVERYTHING was the best I'd ever had - a totally erotic experience. Things have not changed since then. When I crave sushi, there is no substitute for Nozawa. Pros: No compromises, No disappointments, No peers Cons: What parking?, Often crowded, Not relaxed more
Reply | Report abuse |

DON'T WASTE YOUR $$!!! 8/19/2003

I had heard about Sushi Nozawa from a couple of people, read the reviews here on citysearch and let me tell you that I have never been set up for such disappointment!!!! My boyfriend and I are sushi fanatics, we will go anywhere and pay anything for good sushi! But we felt jipped at Nozawa. The fish was mediocre, the menu choices are bare minimum - only a few fish are used, the service is blah...all in all we felt we paid an arm and a leg for nothing special. Our tummies were left unsatisfied and the hype that surrounded Nozawa went undiscovered. We will never return nor recommend this restaurant to anyone. There are waaaaayy better sushi restaurants in L.A., even just down the street. Cons: OVER-HYPED, EXPENSIVE more
Reply | Report abuse |

Good, but not ""great"" 8/6/2003

The term ""Sushi Nazi"" is a bit of an insult, but does reflect the strange attitude of the sushi-san. Some have said that this dogmatic and assertive attitude is the way it is in Japan. Says who?!?! I've been to Japan, had sushi at many places there, including some little places tucked away in the Tsukiji district. I have never, ever encountered the almost hostile attitude displayed here, nor have I ever been kept at a distance from the sushi bar. This is really bizarre, and I think the sushi-san is just an odd person who is controlling and likes attention. That being said, the sushi is very good, but that atmosphere does the place a huge disservice. Pros: fresh, fresh fish, great rice Cons: attitude more
Reply | Report abuse |

Absolutely the Best! 4/9/2003

The best, freshest sushi ever! We call it the ""Trust Me"" sushi restaurant. You trust the sushi chefs to serve what was just caught, prepared, and presented. Everything was delicious! Pros: Freshest, Worth the Wait, Good Selection Cons: Parking, Crowds, Expensive more
Reply | Report abuse |

the best in the world 3/18/2003

a bit exspensive but worth it ounce in awhile if you can afford it...the taste is better than anywhere i have ever eaten...amazing art of buying the most tastiest..i dont know how he does it...nothing comes close anywhere else more
Reply | Report abuse |

Nozawa's A Cool Guy! 3/4/2003

Sure, he's strict. You don't get to choose at the sushi bar. But that's how it's done in Japan. The chef intuits from your body language what you want and if you enjoy it. And I think he liked me enough. He approved of my enjoyment with words of encouragement (""Toro #1""), a nod, or a thumbs-up. How's this guy a Nazi? You just have to know sushi and appreciate technique. The price for it is surprisingly low (under $50 for one!). I used to hate Uni, but his is creamy and not at all fishy. He really does buy top-shelf, the fish texture almost meltingly smooth and delightful. And warm rice under cold fish is now a must for me. Pros: Chooses For You, Best Offerings At Bar, Unbelievably Low $$$ Cons: Unnecessarily Feared, Worth-It Wait, Industry Types more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next >
Menu for Sushi Nozawa


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • 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...

  • 3/31/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Lunch: Mon - Fri, noon - 2pm. Dinner: Mon - Fri, 5:30pm - 10pm; Sat, Sun, closed
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Studio City
badge