I had the privilege of visiting Chef Okay's restaurant, Sora, yesterday, and was blown away by the flavors, experience, and overall satisfaction. Chef Okay is running a one-man operation in the best way possible. The very intimate room hosts no more than 6-7 small tables, with the chef preparing food in an open kitchen a couple of feet away from you. His warmth and appreciation are felt from the moment you walk in until you leave. He has no servers or busers; he handles the entire operation alone in a very effective and intimate way. They have a kiosk at the entrance with a small but mighty menu of flavor-filled Turkish dishes. The dishes were prompt and packed with rich Mediterranean flavors. Some of my favorites included the Kitel, Garlic Kabob, and Tenderloin Shish Kabob. The cheese Halva dessert was mind-blowing, capping it all off. I came with a friend from Turkey, and she was blown away by the range of flavors and elevated take on traditional Turkish dishes. I'm really happy to support such a talented and passionate chef crafting his own style and flavors! Can't recommend this place enough read more

I've been to Sora Craft Kitchen at least 30 times... and that alone should tell you everything. I bring almost all my friends here because the food is consistently that good. I've tried pretty much everything on the menu, and there's honestly not a single dish I wouldn't order again. What makes it even more special is that it's truly a one-man show. The chef is incredibly talented and delivers every single time. You can taste the care and creativity in every dish. Great food, great experience, every time. This place never misses. I'll be back soon!!! read more

This is a tiny restaurant with seven small tables. The inside although is small, the decor is warm and inviting. As you walk in, you place your order using a digital menu screen by the entrance, then you pay. In less than 10 minutes, the food is served. Very impressed with the streamlined setup. The chef does everything himself - he prepares the food, serves it, and clears the tables. Turkish/Mediterranean cuisine. We love the food, everything we ordered was perfectly prepared and seasoned. It was a great experience. I'd have given this place 5* if it were in a better location. read more

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I cam on a thursday night after not being able to snag a friday reservation. The restaurant is located in a very dark street of the garment district and was hard to locate at night. Once I stepped in, it was like I was in a cozy living room. I ordered the branzino, pekmez marinated chicken, garlic spiced kebab, icli kofte, kuru palican dolmasi, rice pudding dessert, and candied pumpkin dessert. I have never eaten such delicious Mediterranean food in my life. The chicken was ridiculously flavorful and tender. The garlic spiced kebab was my favorite, where I knew I was eating meat but the taste and texture was just so aromatic. The branzino was also cooked where the fish meat was still moist and soft. The icli kofte was my second favorite dish as essentially a Mediterranean dumpling. The exterior was uniquely bouncy and thick but also a clean bite through. It would be my must try pick from Sora. The kuru palican dolmasi was an eggplant stuff with meat and tomatoey sauce, also delicious. Overall, best Mediterranean food I've ever had in LA. Not only was the food incredible but the service and vibes were immaculate. The chef is very attentive to all his customers as he is a one man show, cooking, cleaning, serving, everything is done by himself. I got to chat a bit about the food afterwards and it was a great conversation. Definitely recommending this to anyone who is curious about trying Sora. 11/10 read more

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Yum. Got the shish kebab, octopus, eggplant dip, candied pumpkin dessert. Eggplant was delish, octopus was tender, shish kebab was tasty. But the star was the candied pumpkin dessert! Never had anything like that, sooooo yummy, the sauce w/ the pistachios? Wow. The texture of the pumpkin was so great, crispy on outside and soft on inside. Will go back just to get this again. Chef is wonderful. Place is intimate but not intimidating. Parking was easy. read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - Kirecte kabak (candied pumpkin) - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Sora Craft Kitchen by Chef Okay (oh kah ee) is an island of fine cooking surrounded by a sea of multi-use light industrial, commercial buildings on the edge of the Fashion District. Because the neighboring establishments close around 5pm, metered street parking conveniently starts to open up just about when Sora starts to crank up. In this time of many restaurant failures due to inflation, rising rents, less people who can afford restauranting as well as more people working at home, Sora is wisely creating a system that minimizes risk by being a one man chef with one kitchen worker and using a tablet like ordering screen with price, photo of the food item, price to eliminate wait staff. Interior is austere, functional with only about 6 tables, the seats are cardboard boxes with lids that come off so you can stow hand bags, back packs, etc. Love the Studio Molin, Los Angeles based ceramic artist who has graciously supplied sophisticated ceramic warehouse for Sora. The center of attention is on the open kitchen full of bottles of potions, infusions, spices & herbs, and seeing the chef bounce around creating culinary magic. I asked Chef Okay what Sora meant in Turkish, and he said it meant Sky in Japanese since he likes the color blue, and he worked 2 1/2 years at a Japanese restaurant. So expect the Turkish food to have international influences so typical in L. A. where diverse cuisines mingle and diffuse to create new flavour combinations that may not be present in the home country yet still honors their home traditions. 1) Kuru Patlican Dolmasi: Sun dried egg plant skin looks similar to familiar grape leaf wrapped rice found in the Levant meaning the direction where the sun rises referring to the Eastern Mediterranean. The eggplant "meat" is plush & moist surrounding a complex spice mixture of long braised beef & rice. A thick, rich long cooked tomato sauce & white streak of fermented yogurt. 2) Içli Kofte (Kitel): The soft Bulgur wheat wrapping looks like soft, yielding Japanese Mochi but not as sticky enclosing spice braised ground meat. Maroon colored Isot chile butter, fermented house yogurt, fruity-sour Sumac, garlic, parsley, Chimichurri salsa, herb oil. 3) Shrimp in Tarhana Butter: Tarhana is dry rough ground grain infused with yogurt. Medium sized plump, fibrous, sea sweet shrimp in butter flavoured with a dry herb blend, Yuzu Koshō chile-Japanese citrus paste, slices of radish. Garnished with fresh Greek basil, dill & nasturtium leaf from his backyard garden. Use the accompanying hollow, warm, puffy bread that is a cousin to the Indian Chapati to sop up the butter. 4) Garlic Spiced Kebab: 28 day aged, slightly pleasantly gamey, juicy, roughly chopped beef that seems to have a vague relationship to Persian Kubideh. Perhaps echoing the Persian empire that controlled Anatolia over 1,000 years before Ottoman rule. Lightly sautéed tomato & crispy onions for vegetal relief from the rich beefiness. Lavash thin, leathery flat bread is included to make a "sandwich". 1-4a) There are only non alcoholic drinks perhaps due to Islamic influence or lack of an expensive liquor license. So opted for Spritz Italiano sparkling, aromatic citrus zest, mildly bitter sweetness. 5) Peynir Halvasi: Cheese Halva made from eggs, house cheese, Seminola wheat. Smooth, creamy yet touch grainy. Very dairy sweet, caramelized toastiness like condensed milk. Scoop of black sesame ice cream on top with scattering of crushed, roasted Pistachio (pees tah kee oh) I should have paired Turkish coffee to have a great contrast between sweet and bitter. Be ready for complex spice-herb blends, long braising, butter and oil infusions. There are earthy, infused, fermented aromatics as a unifying theme. Just as I was about to leave, Chef Okay called me over to the kitchen counter and presented me Kirecte Kavac, pumpkin slices "pickled" in limestone water that gives the generally soft pumpkin an ethereal, crystalline crispiness. Dressed with Tahini white sesame seed & peanut? puréed sauce. Scattering of pistachio. Extra sweet for those with a sweet tooth. When I approached the kitchen counter, I noticed the counter and a shelf nearby chock full of cook books. Chef Okay is always honing his cooking skills with new ideas and techniques. Love the way he flies by the seat of his pants whether thoughtfully managing his restaurant or innovating Turkish cuisine with cosmopolitan, L.A. influence. 5 stars read more

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There's a reason Sora is one of the 101 best restaurants in LA. I honestly don't think I had anything quite like Sora last year. There's been a lot of buzz about Chef Okay. Beyond being a true one‑man show and having worked at top Michelin‑starred restaurants, the most important thing is that he's making arguably the best Mediterranean food in town. 10/10 shrimp, beef kebab, chicken kebab, falafel, candied pumpkin, and rice pudding. Please, just try everything on the menu. Every dish is carefully orchestrated, from the presentation to the flavor. The shrimp is sweet and delicate, so the seasoning stays sweet and subtle too. The bed of seasoned oil is the perfect canvas to bring out its richness. The fluffy pita bread, still warm from the fire help me delightfully wipe up every last drop of flavor. The beef and chicken kebabs are also the best vessels for the flavor of the fire. Both are rich and succulent, seasoned with unmistakably Mediterranean flavors, cumin, garlic, and more. It's impossible to resist wrapping them in bread with yogurt sauce and finishing them in a heartbeat. At the same time, I love them so much that I don't quite know what to do: I want to gobble them up because they're that good, but I'm also so curious about what's coming next. Then there's the falafel. Good thing I saved a little self‑control from the kebabs, because I honestly didn't know falafel could be this delicious. They arrive stacked neatly on top of one another, each one earthy and refreshing; undeniably exotic, yet paired with a comforting, creamy, subtly sweet sauce. These falafel are magic. And then there's the punchy pickle on the side, which seems to say, "Hello, time for another one." I'm definitely ordering both desserts again. Completely different in texture, but equally delicious. There's sweetness from sugar, milk, and pumpkin; different nuances of sweetness weave together and mingle on the palate. Sora sits in an interesting neighborhood. It's easy to find parking, and I can't wait to step into this small, unassuming space. Inside, I find a lot of comfort and peace. I get to watch happiness being made right in front of me. Everything feels so smooth and effortless that, before I even realize it, the night has slipped away. I leave reluctantly, and already excited to come back. read more

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What a unique dining experience! Watching a master perform his craft right in front of me... greeting me warmly (despite being in the middle of executing multiple dishes) as I walked through the curtained entrance and personally setting my table, clearing my plates and hand delivering every dish - all done with extreme precision and organization. Sora is a beautifully intimate space filled with stunning ceramics, fresh dried herbs and house pickled vegetables. To many, what Chef Okay does at Sora may seem effortless because let's be honest ... he makes it seem that way but to those who notice, who understand even a fragment of what must go into every detail, every flavor, texture, visual, composition .. Not to mention the behind the scenes challenges - we can appreciate this special place even more. Everything I ate was exceptional but I've never had anything quite like these 3 dishes: Levrek Marin (Branzino crudo)- The visuals were gorgeous! The shell was crisp and delicate and the crudo was insanely bright and fresh. The Icli Kofte (Kitel)- fantastic as well and deserves the recognition it's already received. Chef suggested I try the Riz au Lait (Rice Pudding) and honestly I usually avoid rice pudding since I had it as a kid and didn't exactly love it ... but wow! This is no classic rice pudding. He put some sort of magical crispy, caramelized salty, nutty miso pecan topping on it and I still think about it weeks later! I could go on and on but I'll wrap it up. Thank you Chef Okay for such a memorable night. read more

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Sora is an amazing spot in the fashion district of DTLA. Yes the location is in an unconventional industrial area, but that makes for super easy & free parking right in front at night! As soon as you walk in, the ambience seems like you have walked into a very vibey lo-fi video, with great music playing at a perfect volume from the vintage speakers as Chef Okay crafts his dishes in the open kitchen. Ordering is at a kiosk, so be patient if someone is ahead of you deciding what to order, you will be directed to your seat once you order. If you are hesitating on ordering anything, just rest assured any choice you make will be delicious. We were eating too quickly to get photos of all, but some of all the delicious items we enjoyed were: - Shrimp in Tarhana Butter (amazing to sop up the butter with the lavash). - Dry Aged Tenderloin Kebab (most delectable steak we have had in a long time! With a delicious yogurt) - Icli Kofte - warm and delicious with amazing accompaniments After all this, we were delighted by the rice pudding. It was the best we have ever had and a perfect ending to a well crafted meal. Sora is a great restaurant that we hope to be back to soon! They also have a very thoughtful curation of bottled & canned non-alcoholic teas, soda, digestifs & mocktails. One note is that you really must have a reservation, it is a small space and we did see one group get turned away that tried to walk in. read more

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Sora is an absolute hidden gem in DTLA! I tried Turkish food for the first time here and it blew my mind! The menu is small, but Chef Okay packs so much flavor into every dish. I was impressed that he not only cooks, but he also runs the rest of the restaurant by himself as the server. All we needed to do was order from the kiosk at the front and sit down. These were my favorite dishes: Shrimp in Tarhana Butter ($24) The portion of shrimp was generous and they were cooked in the most incredible sauce. The tarhana butter sauce was so tasty and reminded me of curry, but better! Pekmez-marinated Chicken ($21) The chicken was cooked well and the marinade really infused into the chicken and was full of flavor. Garlic-spiced Kebab ($24) The beef kebab was super tender and well seasoned. Overall, every dish was delicious in their own unique way and I would love to come back to try the desserts next time! This place is small and seats less than 20 people so reservation is a must. There is street parking and it wasn't too busy on a weekday. read more

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Driving up to the restaurant in a sketchy area of DTLA, we wondered about the dining experience we were about to have. We shouldn't have been. This one-man operation turns out wonderful food in a minimalist setting. The 4 of us tried icli kofte, grilled branzino, pekmez marinated chicken, tenderloin shish kebab, garlic-spiced kebab, and cheese halva with yuzu black sesame ice cream. All were delicious. The tables are IKEA-like Parsons tables. The stools are cardboard. There was plenty of street parking. read more

Turkish food is one of my favorite cuisines, but it's insanely difficult to find a restaurant in LA that properly captures the diverse influences of the country. Eating at SORA took me back to my time spent in rural Anatolia eating honest, good meals (but with the fine execution of a glitzy Istanbul hot spot!) I was bowled over by the complex flavors the chef created in dishes that looked simple and straightforward, like the tenderloin shish kebab- served with the best lavash bread and smoky pepper and yogurt sauces; or his refreshing Gavurdagi salad--a fragrant, tangy mixture of herbs, tomato, cucumber, and onion dressed in pomegranate molasses and a sunflower seed puree. My favorite dish is the candied pumpkin dessert: kabak tatlısı, so simple yet each bite leaves me happy and inspired. And all for a very decent price. read more

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A small part of me was tempted to gatekeep because I don't want it to become impossible to get a reservation, but how could I do that to the world? In any case, Sora Craft Kitchen had been vaguely on the radar of me and my food buddy for a few months, but then it showed up on the LA Times list and Esquire's best new restaurants list for 2025, at which point we decided we could wait no longer. We lucked into a relatively last-minute dinner reservation, and off we went. It's in the Fashion District, which at night is pretty deserted. We parked right out front (free meters by that time) and in we went. Inside, it's a cozy little restaurant with a kiosk for ordering, maybe a half-dozen tables--you sit on backless "boxes" of sorts--and Chef is on the other side of the room in an open kitchen doing everything (well, there was a guy washing dishes and bussing tables, but otherwise, Chef is a one-man band). We were a few minutes early, so we waited a few minutes and then Chef set up an additional table in the "bar" area--like our own little alcove. He told us that was where he put his friends. (I'm completely good with that--I need more friends who are all-star chefs.) And then came the food. We ordered a pair of apps, a pair of mains and a dessert. Chef brought things out as they were ready, which was fine by us. We started with Mastabe, which was market veggies with yogurt, served with pita. So much flavor, but shortly thereafter it was joined by the first of the mains, a beef kebab, which was a flavor bomb and served with lavash. A perfect bite was taking some of the kebab and putting it inside the lavash with the onion and tomato salad. I have to admit that I had a little yogurt left over from the Mastabe, and I tried a bit of that in there too. Wow. Next to arrive was the Icli Kofte, which is basically a dumpling. Well, it's more like THE dumpling--as in one of the best dumplings you've ever eaten and the reason why you're here (not that everything else isn't fantastic). It was subsequently joined by a delicious grilled chicken (kebab-like vibes) served with lavash. All of our savory dishes were perfectly seasoned. We finished (perfectly) with peynir halvasi, a cheese halva dessert married with housemade ice cream and pistachio. Somehow, despite the raves we'd been hearing, we didn't realize it would be THIS good. But it is. Also, portions feel "just right," and we left satisfied and not broke. So...this is five stars, but only because I can't give more. read more

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Sora Craft Kitchen is a 14-seater in a quiet corner of DTLA offering amazing Turkish cuisine. The affable chef is a one-man show. And the kitchen is the stage in this cozy space with the occasional flare-up of tall flames. Icli Kofte: This is art on a stone vessel. One large dumpling is composed of a bulgur wheat dough, thin and springy. Inside is a mixture of impossibly fine minced meat seasoned with warm spices. Above rests a beautiful Aleppo pepper-infused butter and below is a creamy, tangy house-made yogurt. The herb-flecked oil and sumac give freshness and zest. Garlic Spiced Kebab: The beef kebab is expertly seasoned with garlic and herbs. The best part about it is the almost rare and smoky treatment. Juicy and red inside, my taste buds definitely approve. Beneath the kebab is a tomato and onion salad, sweet freshness and warmth from the meat above. Wrap up perfect bites in the paper thin lavash flatbread. Ordering: After you make sure to firmly close the front door, head to the computer in the corner and place your order. Parking: There's lots of free metered street parking in front. read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - Icli Kofte (beef dumpling) - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Context: My bf and I were spending the day in LA so I was looking for a new restaurant for us to try out. I found this place on google maps and saw that it had really good reviews and was located near where we were staying, so we decided to try it out. Food: - Shrimp in Tarhana Butter (5/5): This dish was delicious. It came with pita bread which was nice, but the dish alone was amazing. It was light but flavorful and there was a lot of shrimp pieces. It sounded like a simple dish, but the chef really did a good job with cooking everything to perfection. - Dry-Aged Tenderloin Shish Kebab (5/5): The meat was cooked so well. It was tender and flavorful, and the yogurt bed that it laid on paired really well with the meat. I ate it with the pita bread and it was amazing. Overall both dishes blew us away. Service (5/5): - The restaurant is owned and operated by a single person, who is the chef. He was really nice and while he was busy cooking and cleaning, he still came by our table to ask how the food was. It's definitely a unique experience, since I've never been to a restaurant that runs on one person, but the chef made it work seamlessly. Ambiance (4/5): - The interior of the restaurant is really cozy and dim (with window curtains closed), with nice music playing in the background. On the outside, you would never expect that a hidden gem was there. The restaurant is located in a quiet, abandoned neighborhood in the outskirts of Fashion District. There's not too many other restaurants or businesses around here, so it did seem a little offsetting. There's a small neon sign outside that said "open" and had barred windows, so it didn't seem too appealing to enter. But once you go through the doors and curtain, it was a pleasant surprise and experience. My bf went to the restroom and mentioned that you'll have to walk through a small, unlit alley to get there, but the restroom itself was nice and cute. Overall, I do recommend checking this place out if you are in the area! read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - Dry-Aged Tenderloin Shish Kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Amazing food. Would definitely come Back for Kitel and Kebabs. The restaurant is super intimate and the chef is very friendly and personable read more

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An elevated dining experience in a not so common area, Sora Craft Kitchen is delicious. Perfect Thursday Evening, went to the Broad museum then we decided to try on a recommendation and sooo glad we did. Located in the fashion district, reservations made on line, street parking, you will find this fantastic place. Intimate, simple and elegant. Just like the food. The Chef, Server and proprietor is gracious, and masterful at what he does and obviously takes great pride in what he has created. Turkish, Mediterranean, Asian fusion is what it's called , pure delight for my palate is what I found. The flavors and combinations were really Fantastic! A Great dining experience, from appetizers to dessert. Excellent restaurant read more

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Really solid spot for Turkish in LA. The small spot is so cozy and humble - great for a low key date night. I loved everything on the menu, but my favorites would be the Shrimp in Tarhana Butter, eggplant salad, and Kirecte Kabak. It was really hard to choose favorites because each dish has a unique flavor profile that makes you lick the plate clean. That's what we did...! You can tell Chef Inak really puts his love and careful thought into each dish. I want to come back soon! When you enter, you'll order and pay on the touch screen by the door. It was a seamless experience. read more

I came from someone's recommendation. This place is a bit hard to find at night with free street parking (read signs). You can make reservation on Resy. Upon entering, you will find a kiosk to order from. Choose your items, and you can pay with a credit card. The backless chairs (more like stools) are not too comfortable, but they are made from eco-friendly cardboard. You can also open the top of the chair to store your bag inside. The Mediterranean food was nice with the spices. I like that they have Eggplant and Seafood dishes in addition to meat. We were able to pretty much try the whole menu with a party of 4 people. read more

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The location is in a sketchy part of DTLA. If LA needed and enema (it does), this is where they'd put the syringe. Street parking. Look for a few Beamers and Mercedes in 4 inches of Skid Row detritus. That marks the spot. You've arrived. From the outside the nondescript small building looks like the Prison in Midnight Express. AI says "Hi, you are being filmed." Go ahead, take three steps into an empty space and open the door, enter and be charmed. It's as cute and cozy as a doll house. A jewel box manned by the Owner/Chef, Okay Inak who is more than just okay. He honed his chops (and Kebobs) at Per Se and Eleven Park Ave in NYC as well as Melisse in LA and he looks like he stepped off the cover of GQ Turkiye into the bargain. Look out Ludo. "Welcome my friends, sit anywhere." The dining room is surgical suite clean with everything is tucked away in a cubby or the perfect spot to display Turkish tchotchkes, cookbooks, and jars of fermenting or pickling vegetables. There is a side room with more pickling/fermenting jars lined up on shelves than the collection of specimens in the basement of the Smithsonian National Museum of Health and Medicine. The open kitchen is the heartbeat of Sora. It's neat and as organized as a pediatric ICU and where each dish is Chef's baby and given the loving attention it deserves. No reservations here, so timing is important, otherwise you're standing around outside. In that case wear a greasy poncho, walk in tight circles muttering, you'll fit right in. Inside it all makes sense. You're an important element in the mise en place. It's time to order. Queue up at the computer menu just inside the entrance and scroll up and down adding everything to your cart. Chef Okay will say, "Okay, it's on the way." The Food: A lovely love letter to Turkey. No booze but there is an impressive list of non-alky artisanal craft sodas and juices. Begin with Chef's fave. A bottle of 1 Curious which was a delicious faintly fizzy concoction of Pomegranate Juice, Rhodiola Gentian (a digestif) and Orange Bitters. It was perfectly tart, sweet and icy cold. The Dry Tzatziki was creamy house made Labneh (Yogurt Cheese), Persian Cucumber, Herbs, Sumac, and Dill Oil. This came with a basket of warm Pide (Turkish Bread). Think if a Pita and an English Muffin had a love child. The Pide was a super scooper so use it to clean the plate until it's cleaner than the day Chef bought it. The minced Japanese Spicy Eggplant with Gochujang Paste and Togarashi (Japanese Chili Flakes) was grand. Not exactly Turkish but it definitely belongs here nonetheless. The question is if you can completely scoop everything off two dishes with Pide using both hands at the same time? It's an acquired skill you will master by dessert. The Icli Kofte (Kitel) was a boiled Dumpling. made from Bulgur Wheat Shells stuffed with spicy meat and Aleppo Pepper infused Butter. This is a signature dish at Sora and not to be missed by anyone who eats. Next up? Time for Falafel which is like no other. Often, a Falafel is simply awful. Dry and heavy you're eating Hockey Pucks. Here, they are magical little clouds. Feather light, fluffy, soft and creamy inside a crispy cloak. These are served with Baby Arugula Salad, Hummus, House Made Pickles and Isot Pepper Jam adorned with Pomegranate Arils. Humble Street Food has been elevated to the King's Table. Finally, Chef hauled out the heavy artillery. Garlic Spiced Kebob that was Schwarma like in a tubular roll of tender Beef/Lamb you could cut with a plastic Spork. Layered over lightly dressed Tomato Onion Salad you should spread all of it on the Lavish which is thin enough to lay over the LA Times and still read the glowing review. Unfolded the Lavash and it's largish enough to cover a Tesla. The Pekmez (Grape Molasses) marinated Chicken was moist, tender, juicy Chickeny and simply delicious. Grab another Lavash and build a hefty helping of Chicken and then roll it up like that mega joint you could roll one handed by the time you graduated from school. Sora means "asked". I only ask to return soon to Sora for more...ah! read more

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A unique experience in DTLA. It is like the Chef is just hosting a private dinner party in his kitchen/dining room. Plenty of street parking around. The dining area is cozy with a great view of the chef cooking in the kitchen. Once you order at the kiosk, you can see Chef preparing and bringing the food to your table immediately. He is on top of everything and gets a nice flow going. Food comes out quick and hot. You can feel the home cooking vibe in the dishes. All the food was well seasoned and complimented one another really well. We were so happy with everything that we went back to the kiosk to order another dessert and it did not disappoint. read more

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WOW! What an incredible meal with an equally incredible, memorable experience to boot. The location could not have been more sketchy, but once walking through the doors of Sora, all of that was left behind. The place is so intimate, the archetype of a whole in the wall. There were two other tables occupied when we arrived, and Chef Okay was busy cooking for both but made time to greet and welcome us. We decided to make the most of our meal and order almost the whole menu for the two of us --no regrets! 1. salad - fresh, flavorful, unique. Just an absolute delight on a plate. maybe my favorite dish of the night 2. yogurt- house made, fermented and creamy. I could just feel myself getting healthier with each bite ha! 3. soup - really yummy. the perfect portion size to try something new. healthy eating that is so delicious as well 4. falafel - super unique, super tasty. no notes 5. fish - cooked to perfection. sauce and herbs on top took it to the next level 6. chicken - my husband enjoyed it. not the star of the night but nothing to complain about by any stretch 7. halva with ice cream - we had never seen this dessert anywhere else, so we wanted to try it. Not my cup of tea, but I'm so glad to have experienced something so authentic, and literally every other table had ordered it as well. I would definitely like to try the rice pudding next time. My husband said this was one of his favorite meals OF THE YEAR, and he's not wrong. I wish so much success to Chef Okay and Sora going forward. All the accolades are more than well deserved!! read more

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It's a total hole in the wall in the outskirts of Dtla but the best Mediterranean/turkish restaurants I been to in L.A.! It's a one man show and does not serve alcohol (yet probably). So you first order n pay at the kiosk and then find an open seating. It wasn't official seating but owner alllwed us to sit up at the stools to watch the kitchen action which was great. Everything was simply packed with flavor and so different from what you get at the casual stores. So much care and curation of the ingredients down to the plating. Star of the show was Icli kofte (kitel)- never had this before but it was like a huge Turkish dumpling. The sauces and meat were amazing-complimented each other quite well. Def order! Branzino- dry aged for 2 days n grilled Kebab- def ordering again. So many spices n depth of flavor yet remains very juicy. Rice pudding- miso caramel topping was everything. Not too sweet n finished off the meal nicely Ambiance was very simple but cozy and nice with modern feels. And the way the order was timed out was perfect. Parking: super easy and aplenty metered parking outside (free after 6pm) read more

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Get over to Sora Craft Kitchen ASAP! Chef Okay has an amazing restaurant in DTLA and is serving delicious kebabs. He has an awesome lunch menu and really takes his time to make every single one of his dishes amazing. The ingredients he uses here are not like any other! Their fresh from the farmers markets; handpicked by him. His kitchen is so clean and he is so meticulous about the details of his restaurant, which I love. On my visit to Sora Craft Kitchen, I had the opportunity to try the kebab and the fish. Oh my, they were absolutely delicious and were plated beautifully! The kebab is made with short rib, so it was a melt in your mouth experience. I generally don't order fish when I eat out, but the flavors that he was able to bring out in the fish was amazing. Chef Okay made an effort to be one of the first restaurants to offer food to firefighters in DTLA during the LA Wildfires, which was a generous thought. If you're looking for a culinary experience, I believe this is a place to check out. read more

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This is the best Turkish food you can find in LA, with a modern twist. We went to Sora Craft Kitchen as a large group for dinner and were lucky to have the space to ourselves. While I'm not a big fan of its location, the interior is cozy, minimal, and tasteful. The chef is incredibly talented, running a one-man show, which is very impressive. Every dish is thoughtfully crafted, and he has taken Turkish cuisine to the next level while staying true to its traditional flavors. Everything we tried was amazing, we couldn't believe it! The garlic kebab was one of the juiciest I have ever had, even in Türkiye. I highly, highly recommend this restaurant; it's a true treasure! read more

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The food was excellent. We tried many different dishes, and everything was great. My favorites were the garlic spice kebab and the cheese head dessert. The chef was amazing and very warm and welcoming. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, with great energy. Excellent food and ambience. I will definitely be coming back again. read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - Spicy garlic kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My husband and I visited Sora for our anniversary dinner. We made a reservation just a few days in advance and had no trouble getting a table. Thanks to reading a few reviews beforehand, I had a good idea of what to expect, so when we stepped into the restaurant, everything felt familiar and welcoming. We were greeted by the chef, who warmly checked us in, pointed out our table, and explained how to place our order at the self-serve kiosk near the door. The ambiance was cozy and relaxed, with dimmed lighting that set the mood without being too dark. Soft music played in the background, and the layout made the whole experience feel intimate. As you eat, you can watch the chef preparing each dish in the open kitchen just a few feet away, it feels a bit like dining in someone's home, in their stylish and minimal open-concept kitchen. The entire restaurant is run by the chef himself, so we didn't want to take up too much of his time chatting, knowing he was juggling both cooking and service. Surprisingly, we finished our entire meal in under 30 minutes, a record for us! While we didn't feel rushed, each dish came out immediately after we finished the last, which we thought was kind of funny but appreciated for its efficiency. The menu is small, which I actually prefer. As a party of two, we were able to try about 75% of it. Our favorites were the root vegetable falafel and the bulgur dumpling, both were excellent. The seabass was flavorful, though the skin could have been crispier and slightly less salty. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner and thought the concept was unique and well-executed. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Amazing place to discover. This is a one-man show, but one of the best dinners I have had in a long time. Everything was amazingly flavored and balanced and the quality of the food and passion of the chef shines through every bite. read more

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This is everything we got that we would get again: Cabbage soup Shrimp Yogurt appetizer Beef kabob Chicken kabob Meat dumpling Rice pudding The chef is a one man show! The meat was very high quality! The price for a very high quality meal for two was very reasonable for LA! At any other restaurant it would be double the price. Can't wait to come back and try more!! read more

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The food is fantastic, but that's just the half of it. Sora is a delightful small, hand-crafted restaurant that reflects the skill and spirit of its chef. It's the type of place that rarely exists in LA because you have to be huge -- and have a huge staff -- to cover costs. Sora has figured out a different model, and it's wonderful. If you want to be waited on hand-and-foot, go to Beverly Hills. If you want something intimate, go to Sora -- and lobby your City Council rep to permit more places like it. read more

Context: anniversary dinner on a Saturday night (reserved 3-4 nights before) Ambiance: very intimate venue with dim lighting and just a few tables. the owner is both chef and server. Food: we ordered the tzatziki with pita, icli kofte, grilled chicken and grilled branzino. The tzatziki was fresh and vibrant. The icli kofte was a surprise for both of us as we'd never had anything like it before -- loved the flavor of the spiced meat. I think the chicken was perhaps my favorite part of the meal, it was perfectly seasoned. The branzino was delicate and cooked to perfection. The dishes are clearly made from the heart with thoughts of home and family in mind -- evident by the pictures hung on the wall across from the kitchen. Would love to return to try the kebab sometime. read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

incredible from start to finish. amazing hospitality. food technique and plating is properly executed. will always be back :) read more

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Wow - what a hidden gem. Tucked away in an industrial neighborhood in DTLA, is Sora. The owner, who is also the chef, is a one man band (he is literally the only employee) and is insanely talented. The ordering really is unique for a "fine dining" caliber restaurant -- every customer orders on the same tablet when you enter the restaurant. It actually made things really easy for our group. Every dish we tried was excellent -- içli kofte (like an oversized dumpling stuffed with beef), the eggplant dip was incredible, all 3 kebabs were excellent (chicken, lamb, beef tenderloin). But the true star of the show was the rice pudding. Holy mackerel -- it had an umami miso flavor and spiced pecans. Truly delicious read more

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If you know, you know. That's the buzz around this tiny chef-driven spot serving Turkish specialties in DTLA's produce district. On a sunny summer Sunday at 5 pm, when most people are on vacation or at the beach, this shoebox is packed with Gen Z foodies snapping shots of their next great meal. Chef/owner Okay Inak works single-handedly prepping, cooking, serving, even clearing and cleaning. He has help from an automated host (voice-activated when you open the door) and a DIY ordering screen. You'll take a seat at one of the simple IKEA-style tables and corrugated box stools (with removable seat lids to stash a purse or coat) -- and eat from earthenware dishes created and donated by a fan. We had a hard timing choosing from the veggie-friendly menu so we ordered almost everything. Not a scrap was left over! Of the many standouts, Okay's mom's cabbage soup (Corti Taplomasi) deserves special mention. Made with lacto-fermented cabbage, handmade bulgar balls and isot butter, it's like the Turkish equivalent of matzoh ball soup. Chef says the dish takes days to prep and cook, and reassured that it wouldn't upset my sensitive tummy. He was right!! I would drive back in traffic just for another bowl. After 3 hours sampling all the delicacies, we chatted with Okay, whose resume includes stints at award-winning kitchens in NYC (Per Se, Eleven Madison Park) and LA (Melissa). Now on his own, he can barely keep up with the 16 seats let alone grow the biz, regularly turning away TV crew and other media. A talent like this doesn't go unrecognized for long and we look forward to the day when Okay can enjoy his hard work. Highly recommended. read more

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Sora Craft Kitchen is a true hidden gem in downtown LA. This cozy, 16-seat spot is run entirely by Chef Okay, who cooks in an open kitchen and personally serves each beautifully plated dish. You order at a kiosk--but the experience is anything but casual. Trained in Turkey and seasoned in Michelin-starred kitchens in New York and LA (plus years as a private chef to celebrities), Chef Okay now brings his vision to life--offering refined, flavor-packed dishes at accessible prices. We had the shrimp (phenomenal), juicy chicken, garlic kebab, falafel, and içli köfte--each moist, flavorful, and better than the last. Everything is topped with herbs and edible flowers, balancing authentic Turkish flavors with a modern Japanese influence. The rice pudding? A showstopper. If I could've licked the plate, I would've. You don't just taste the food you experience it. An unforgettable indulgence from start to finish. We'll definitely be back. read more

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You should definitely try the falafel! The presentation was really nice and everything tasted great. Overall, it was a really good experience. Would come back! read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - FALAFEL BOWL - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

"We had a really pleasant experience. The food was delicious and thoughtfully prepared, the service was attentive, and the atmosphere felt warm and comfortable. Overall, a great spot -- we'd definitely come back." read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - İçli köfte - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Insane flavors. Best kebab I've ever had. Candied pumpkin blew my mind. Even more impressive that he's a one man show and everything was out within 10 min. Already can't wait to come back. read more

Everything about this restaurant is amazing, one of the best meals we have ever had. Will be back as much as we can!

Chef Okay (pronounced oak-eye) Inak is a master. His menu is lovingly rooted in Turkish cuisine -- yet surprises with subtle wow moments from his international experiences.  The intimate space seats 16 and is thoughtfully arranged. While there's plenty of street parking, be aware that this neighborhood can be dicey. It really is easy to park right in front. Once you're inside, it's a different world. You are in Chef Otay's professional kitchen and dining room. A space for food and also for the soul. I highly recommend the root vegetable falafels, tzatziki, mama's corti taplamasi soup, icli kofte, and pekmez-marinated chicken. Finish with Turkish coffee and the rice pudding. I'm recommending EVERYTHING I've eaten here. It's all excellent. The drinks are non-alcoholic and well-curated. The hibiscus and rose soda was, well, I've since ordered it for my home. Enjoy being nice to your liver and walking away fully sated.  Sora means sky and this food soars. The perfect name. read more

Sora Craft Kitchen - Icli kofte: spiced meat encased in bulgar. - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California