Most everyone is aware that entrepreneurship is a striking challenge. Trying your hand at entrepreneurship as a restauranteer - is a whole other level of hardship especially in Los Angeles where the culinary scene is over-saturated and ever rotating. No one knows this better than the Oh family of Maki Noho. The Ohs originally entered the food scene in the Gaslamp District of San Diego.with a deli that unfortunately was forced to shutter after building owners wanted to renovate the space. This led to Mama Oh working at a Korean eatery in Ventura before the Ohs decided to strike out on their own and create their own space to tantalize taste buds. Their first endeavor was sadly, like some many others, shut down by Covid. But now, the Oh Family has overcome all these hurdles and launched Maki Noho.
Maki Noho sits in a small strip plaza on Lankershim Blvd by Firehouse Subs and Pho Noho where Hoke Poke once held real estate. Can you expect a large, elaborate dining space with Maki Noho? Well, no. Just like the tight-knit Oh Family; Maki Noho is also small in square footage with few tables so it is not the most accommodating. And speaking of, the tables are so low that it feels like you are sitting in those Fisher Price color block plastic chairs. What is up with that Maki Noho?! Despite this, Maki Noho is clean, bright and inviting with its white washed walls and windows panels where you can watch Mama Oh herself cooking in the kitchen (Maki Noho utilizes her recipes!)
Maki Noho is the home to sushi, nigiri, bibimbap bowls, kimchi rolls, pike bowls, etc. My party of two visited on a Saturday evening and was ready to feast to see what Maki Noho was all about. We started with Salmon Skewers as an appetizer and White Peach flavored sake to toast the night. The Salmon Skewers were delicious with a crisp skin and a light glaze dusted with herbs and the sake was peachy goodness.
But let's get to crux of Maki Noho, shall we? For our dinner, we ordered a Rainbow Specialty Maki Roll ($16), Eel Maki (6 piece roll, $12), Salmon Maki (6 piece roll, $12) and 9 piece combo Sashimi ($29) with Salmon, yellowtail and tuna. They say you eat with your eyes first and Maki Tuna has that down to a pedigree. Each dish was minimalist and yet almost Feng shui in presentation. Artfully but delicately plated bright, fresh fish with just the art amount of accents to not overdo or outdo the fish, itself. Beautiful.
Equally delightful was the actual Maki. One might expect sub-par sushi at a small eatery but Maki Noho does not mess around. The fish is fresh, delicious and all ingredients play off each other perfectly like a well-structured sports team. Maki Noho is ideal for Noho Arts District residents seeking sushi in a casual and fast environment.
Also notable is the music selection blasting in the dining room. The Oh Family must be "down" with their West Coast gangsta rap because the playlist was bumping with Ice Cube, Tupac, Snoop and then some 50 Cent and Jay Z for good measure. And I'm not talking the radio edits but the unedited rated R versions. And honey, I'm not complaining because this is LA afterall; but it was certainly unexpected.
Maki Noho is a lovely addition to the Noho Arts District by the Oh Family and is standout in the casual, fast-dining sushi dining space. Maki Noho is worth a visit... or three. read more