Niki Nakayama & Carole Iida-Nakayama
n/naka - Los Angeles, CA
Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama are the creative and culinary forces behind n/naka, the Michelin-starred destination in West Los Angeles known for its refined interpretation of modern kaiseki—a traditional Japanese culinary philosophy that emphasizes seasonality, harmony, and gratitude. Together, the married partners have built one of the most respected fine dining experiences in the country, where every dish is a testament to precision, purpose, and the soulful connection between nature and food.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Niki Nakayama trained in both classical and modern Japanese cuisine during a three-year tour of Japan before returning home to open Azami Sushi Café. Her vision for n/naka emerged from a desire to create something truly personal—an expression of kaiseki cuisine through a California lens. Guided by intuition and deep respect for ingredients, she has become a global ambassador for modern kaiseki, earning acclaim from the Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, and a 2023 James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef finalist nod.
Carole Iida-Nakayama, a former English major who returned to the culinary world after managing her family’s Japanese restaurant, joined Nakayama as sous chef at n/naka, quickly becoming an essential partner in both life and business. Known for her meticulous organization and quiet precision, she supports Nakayama’s creative vision while bringing her own sensitivity to flavor, texture, and execution. Iida-Nakayama shares in their devotion to ingredient-driven cooking and connection to nature, helping cultivate a backyard garden that supplies many of the herbs and vegetables used at the restaurant.
In 2021, the duo expanded their culinary vision with n/soto, a pandemic-born takeout concept that evolved into a full-service izakaya in West Adams, Los Angeles. Inspired by the word “soto” (meaning “outside”), the restaurant explores Japanese cuisine through the multicultural lens of their city.
Beyond the kitchen, Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama enjoy spending time with their dogs, traveling, and finding inspiration in the natural world. Their work—rooted in partnership, place, and purpose—continues to shape the conversation around Japanese cuisine in America and beyond.
