Sushi Nozawa is Closing!



Sushi Nozawa
is Closing at the end of February 2012


I've been going to Sushi Nozawa in Studio City since 2000. I tell everyone that it's one of my favorite places and it's all about the fish. Two years ago, I got to interview Nozawa san & Yumiko san and was fortunate to be one of the first to interview him for a non-profit organization, see article.

I remember the first visit, they tell you "we don't serve California rolls, no spicy tuna, and we don't have miso soup. If that's what you want, go somewhere else." No real menu, but seeing the "Trust Me" signs on the nondescript walls, I knew that's what I was going to have the special. The fish is a good size piece and the rice is warm, but it goes so well together.

A few weeks ago I heard that he was going to retire from day-to-day sushi operations and close Sushi Nozawa. As word gets around that he's closing, I'm sure the lines will be long, so I'm glad that I've already gone twice and this is only the second week of the month.

Here's what I'll miss the most and what Jay Eats:



Tuna Starter

Nozawa san's hand selected tuna
served in ponzu and green onions

He selects only the best tuna available
and ONLY serves Yellowfin and Bigeye tunas.



Iconic Motto

It's suggested that you order the Special
or Omakase.
He'll serve you the very best of the day.
OR you can order a la carte.



Nozawa san

He'll still be involved with

There aren't many sushi chefs like
him around anymore...



Halibut
with ponzu and topped with yuzu



Ocean Eel and Sea Urchin

Once again, Nozawa san selects the best
seafood and knows how to prepare it.

I usually don't eat Anago (Ocean Eel), but at Sushi Nozawa
it's one of the fluffiest and melts in your mouth.
This might be the last time I eat Anago...



Oysters in ponzu



Nozawa san and his wife Yumiko san

Will miss seeing both of them on
a regular basis...



Just look for people waiting outside
and get in line, they don't take names
or reservations.

You might even see a celebrity or two...


11288 Ventura Blvd, Suite C
Studio City, CA 91604

Open
Monday - Friday
12 pm - 2 pm
5:30 pm - 10 pm

Closed Weekends


Remember, Closing at the end of February 2012!

Don't Think, Just Eat...



Epilogue: Sushi Nozawa Closed on February 29, 2012 with a line around the building. 
Click Here for KABC-TV video.

SUGARFISH Opens in Old Sushi Nozawa location - May 2012
Read latest SUGARFISH post HERE.




Photos by Jay Terauchi
©Jay Terauchi
Jay Eats

Comments

Nate @ House of Annie said…
I like that menu "Trust me". It's perfect. That is the kind of sushi restaurant I would want to go to. Too bad there aren't that many of these kinds of chefs around.

We used to go to a place called Sushi-Man in San Francisco. Ryo was this kind of old-school sushi chef who hated to do the rolls. We developed a relationship with him and he really took care of us. We were so sad to hear that he had been tragically killed a few years back:

http://www.houseofannie.com/ryosuke-yoshioka-sushi-man-san-francisco/
February 13, 2012 at 11:43 PM
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