Norikaya — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Norikaya in Koreatown is like discovering a hidden gem in a treasure chest of dining options—except this one’s shining brighter than the rest. This luxurious handroll bar and izakaya concept is setting a new standard in the neighborhood, and trust me, it’s a welcome addition.

Let’s start with the food because, really, that’s why we’re here. Every dish at Norikaya is a masterpiece, with flavors so on point you’ll be tempted to order one of everything. The attention to detail is what really elevates the experience, from the unique handroll holders (seriously, they’re like little pieces of art) to the intricate billowing sail-like curtains that run along the middle of the bar. It’s all designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world—one where every bite is a revelation.

The sake selection? Top-tier. Whether you’re a sake connoisseur or just dipping your toes into the world of rice wine, you’ll find something to love here. It’s the perfect complement to the dishes, and honestly, it just might make you want to linger a little longer.

Norikaya also scores big on ambiance, making it a prime date spot. The vibe is intimate yet lively, ideal for starting your night before heading out to explore the incredible entertainment options around the Wilshire-Western corridor. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back, just to see what you might have missed the first time around.

In a neighborhood where competition is fierce, Norikaya stands out because there’s nothing else quite like it. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an experience—one that Koreatown has been waiting for. Whether you’re looking to impress on a date or just want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, Norikaya is where...

I am visiting California from Maryland and I had the opportunity to dine at Norikaya this past week with my son. I have spent many years in the restaurant industry and have a high standard when dining out.

I loved it! Everything was perfect-- the service, the food, the ambience. The manager and staff were very attentive and friendly and made it an enjoyable meal start to finish.

Now the food. Everything was perfectly executed. I appreciate when food is served at the right temperature and texture, and of course the taste has to be there too. My favorites were:

Cucumber salad: the cucumber was so thinly sliced and the dish was a work of art. The flavor was spot on with the right level of sweet and savory.

Crispy rice: The texture was perfect. Crispy, a little sticky. And most importantly when it comes to crispy rice, it wasn't greasy.

Strawberry unagi roll: honestly, I didn't know what to expect but took a chance. It was worth it. The strawberries were so thinly sliced that the flavor wasn't overwhelming. The temperature of the various ingredients played well off of each other. This one is a MUST when you go.

Overall, I 100% recommend Norikaya and can't wait for the next time I'm in town to...

I went there for my birthday with my friends The server? host? Ashley did an amazing job taking care of us. She was really attentive and did a great job explaining the menu. The atmosphere was relaxed (although it did get noisier later as the seats filled) with loungey vibey edm.

The food was so great though, there wasn't anything we didn't like. My favorites were the yellowtail serrano, shishito peppers, rock shrimp, and yellowtail temaki. I was seriously impressed by the rock shrimp because I hate shrimp in most cases but they cooked it perfectly! It didn't have that super shrimpy seafood aroma and it wasn't overcooked. We also tried the tropical salmon, crispy rice, spicy edamame, furikake fries and yuzu granita. The yuzu granita was so delicious, especially the coconut cream!

Their cocktails were also great, you can't go wrong with any of them. My favorite was the yuzu blossom, it had a beautiful fresh yuzu flavor to it. The shochu highball is delicious as well if you like something a not sweet and...