Niki Nakayama is a Japanese-born American chef who specializes in contemporary kaiseki cuisine. She owns the two-Michelin-starred restaurant n/naka in Los Angeles, where she offers a unique dining experience.
Born in Los Angeles in 1975 to Japanese parents, Niki Nakayama developed a deep connection to her eastern roots at an early age. After attending culinary school in Pasadena, she began her career at Takao in the Brentwood neighborhood, working with Morihiro Onodera and Takao Izumida.
She then embarked on a three-year journey to Japan, where she honed his skills in kaiseki and achieved the perfect balance. During this time, she worked under Masa Sato at Shirakawa-Ya Ryokan, a traditional inn owned by her cousins.
Upon his return to Los Angeles, Nakayama opened Azami Sushi Cafe, known for its all-female staff and innovative approach to sushi. Later, in 2011, she opened n/naka, where she combines traditional techniques with California influences. The latter has received numerous awards, including two Michelin stars, and was included in Food & Wine magazine's list of the world's 30 best restaurants in 2019.
Her culinary philosophy is based on the idea of creating a dining experience that engages all the senses, respecting the seasonality of ingredients and the origin of raw materials. Her commitment to sustainability is reflected in the local sourcing of approximately 70 percent of the ingredients used in the kitchen.
Her work has been featured in various media outlets, including an episode of Netflix's Chef's Table series in 2015, which helped bring international attention to her personal story.
