[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap] local cuisine-blending taquero recruits a renowned chef with Peruvian roots and a Mexicana trailblazing sushi chef thriving against a male-dominated tradition to open the city’s first full-fledged Nikkei restaurant in downtown, how’s that for an L.A. restaurant origin story?
Welcome to MiKaza Nikkei Sushi by Pablito’s.
Nikkei is a Japanese word that refers to people of Japanese descent living in other countries. However, nikkei has recently become synonymous with a subgenre of Peruvian cuisine over the years, emphasizing Japanese flavors, ingredients, and techniques. Often simplified as Peruvian-Japanese “fusion,” this particular foodway evolved from a niche culture of about 100,000 nikkei living in Peru. If you’re familiar with Nikkei cuisine, it’s probably thanks to Nobu Matsuhisa. Arguably the most high profile chef doing nikkei-style seafood in the food world since 2000.