One-Michelin-Star Kaiseki Cuisine at UKA ⭐️

Hey foodies, I'm finally updating! I know, I know... I'm the queen of procrastination 😅 My friends have been recommending UKA to me for ages, and I finally made it there on the 17th of this month! This was my first time trying proper kaiseki cuisine in Los Angeles. What sets kaiseki apart from other Japanese dining experiences is its deep emphasis on seasonal ingredients and its beautiful presentation. Plus, it features more cooked dishes than you might expect! The location is a bit tricky to find—it's nestled near the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But once you step inside, the cozy and elegant atmosphere instantly makes you feel at ease. The experience begins in a lovely waiting area where you can relax before being seated. Shortly after entering the dining room, the chef personally welcomed us with a warm, flavorful broth and introduced the menu for the evening. The service was exceptional throughout—every staff member was kind and attentive. One of the Japanese servers even wrote down the meaning of "UKA" for me—such a sweet gesture! 💖 Every dish was a delight, but the real showstopper for me was the kama-meshi (clay pot rice). It looked simple at first glance, but once mixed with grilled salmon and dried sakura shrimp, it became pure magic! 🍚 The steam from the rice brought out the rich umami of the fish and shrimp, and each grain was perfectly separate and chewy. The addition of sweet corn kernels gave it a lovely texture and flavor contrast—absolutely unforgettable! 🤤 Since the restaurant was fully booked that night and the chef was preparing everything mostly alone, the meal took about 3.5 hours. But the wait was so worth it! At one point, noticing the delay, the chef kindly sent out two complimentary shrimp crackers—now that’s what I call excellent service! 👏 As we left, we received a beautiful take-home gift bag containing traditional Japanese sake cups and delicate red bean cakes. Overall, UKA is an incredible kaiseki experience I’d wholeheartedly recommend. Just remember to make a reservation in advance! 📅 Have you tried kaiseki before? What’s your favorite Japanese dish? Let me know in the comments! 🍣✨ #JapaneseCuisine #MichelinRestaurant #HiddenGemRestaurant #Kaiseki #VibeDining