Mori Nozomi
Sushi restaurant · Sawtelle
11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Highlights
Innovative, woman-led sushi restaurant showcasing meticulous artistry and fresh, seasonal Japanese seafood.
Innovative, woman-led sushi restaurant showcasing meticulous artistry and fresh, seasonal Japanese seafood.
"One star. Adopting traditional Japanese tea ceremony techniques, sushi chef Nozomi Mori’s refined take on sushi comes with a high level of skill, both with rice seasoning and fish preparation, where she prefers seasonal highlights like hairy crab and bluefin tuna from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. The experience of eating some of the best sushi in Los Angeles is amplified by Mori and her all-female team’s precision. Meals end with matcha tea and handmade wagashi, or colorful rice flour and red bean confections, providing the ideal finish to memorable omakase." - Eater Staff
"Verdict: The sushi at this women-led, eight-seat omakase spot in West LA leans traditional and is delicious across the board, albeit on the understated, nuanced side—like listening to a public radio jazz program. At $250 for 18 courses, you’re served a generous amount of sashimi, seared seafood, and nigiri, all of it sourced from Japan and served on gold-lacquered plates. While we might not suggest it as a first stop for the omakase newbie, Mori Nozomi should be on any serious sushi fan's checklist. Reservations for the following month are released on Tock every Sunday at 10am. Book around then and you’ll generally find a slot available, or just keep an eye open for week-of cancellations." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"Chef Nozomi Mori's sushi counter in Los Angeles is known for its excellent edomae-style sushi and hospitable staff. The fish is flown in from Japan and local produce is used in various dishes." - MICHELIN Guide
"Chef Nozomi Mori's sushi counter stands apart from the pack, both for its excellent edomae-style sushi and for its hospitable staff in the front and back of house. Plan in advance to visit this special spot, where there are just eight seats at the wood counter. While the fish is flown in several times a week from Japan, local, seasonal produce is worked into nearly every dish. Even the smallest details matter here, as evidenced by the Japanese ice imported for use in their five-course tea pairing. Begin with a number of dishes, like chawanmushi with gingko nuts, before enjoying the well-executed nigiri. Mochi accompanied by matcha prepared by the chef herself is an elegant final act." - Michelin Inspector
"At a time when it seems like Los Angeles’s sushi scene has reached a high-water mark, a plucky omakase counter from sushi chef Nozomi Mori has shaken things up in a big way. Though Mori doesn’t necessarily have decades of experience, she brings a fresh approach to an industry dominated by men, both here in the U.S. and in Japan. Adopting traditional Japanese tea ceremony techniques, Mori’s refined take on sushi comes with a high level of skill, both with rice seasoning and fish preparation, where she prefers seasonal highlights like hairy crab and bluefin tuna from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. The experience of eating some of the best sushi in Los Angeles is amplified by Mori and her all-female team’s precision. Meals end with matcha tea and handmade wagashi, or colorful rice flour and red bean confections, providing the ideal finish to memorable omakase. The $250 price for dinner hasn’t changed since opening and remains a relative bargain compared to other top-tier sushi restaurants in Los Angeles, which can approach $400-plus. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest" - Eater Staff, Rebecca Roland, Matthew Kang, Mona Holmes
