Los Angeles | Two Different, Equally Fascinating Seafood Spots

During the holidays, I explored some interesting restaurants in LA and stumbled upon two seafood-focused spots that perfectly illustrate how different cultures interpret similar ingredients. Some of the flavor combinations were so inspiring, I took notes to try recreating them at home! 🏡✨ 🏨 Crudo E Nudo 📍 Santa Monica A small but beautiful restaurant serving Italian-inspired seafood with a creative twist. The menu changes often — this month’s theme blends Southern French and North African influences. 🐟 Crudo Trio: Chef’s selection of three types of fish sashimi. Tuna with lao gan ma and scallions — spicy, aromatic, and rich. Rockfish with homemade mentaiko and Turkish black pepper — complex and layered with Japanese and Middle Eastern notes. 🫓 Socca: A thin chickpea flour pancake from Liguria, rarely seen in LA. Served with tuna sashimi for a soft yet textured bite. 🔥 Col Grille: Grilled fish collar with harissa — a North African chili paste that adds smoky, spiced red pepper flavors. Every dish felt inventive, pairing ingredients I’d never seen together. Portions are small, making them perfect with drinks — and they have an impressive wine list! 🍷 🏨 Kusano 📍 Culver City A tiny omakase spot run entirely by one person — the chef, server, and owner are all the same. Recognized by Michelin as a true “one-man show.” The phrase “less is more” hangs on the wall, reflecting the chef’s philosophy. The meal is simple and traditional: sashimi, sushi, miso soup — nothing fusion, just pure, clean flavors that highlight the seafood itself. There were no wild surprises, but each piece was thoughtfully prepared. A standout was yellowtail sushi wrapped in tangy pickled daikon — a simple yet brilliant pairing that elevated the fish’s freshness. It’s a calm, comforting experience from start to finish. Both restaurants focus on raw seafood yet offer completely different approaches — one innovative and fusion-driven, the other minimalist and traditional. Each is small, specialized, and absolutely worth a visit! 🐠🍣 #LAEats #SeafoodLA #FoodCompare #Omakase #SantaMonicaEats #CulverCityFood #MichelinGuide #EatLikeALocal #FoodInspo #CaliforniaDining #TastingNotes #CreativeCuisine