Kogen Omakase Opened in Santa Monica
The high-end sushi destination debuted in mid-July with a focus on seasonal ingredients and Tokyo-sourced fish.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Japanese Food
Live Poll
Is now a good time for you to spend significantly more on local fine dining experiences?
Restaurateur Adrian Taylor and chef Yasu Iwai opened Kogen Omakase in Santa Monica in mid-July 2026. The restaurant serves traditional sushi and omakase menus within a space previously occupied by other local establishments.
Why it matters
Chef Yasu Iwai designed the concept to evoke a sense of mountain serenity while maintaining deep ties to traditional Japanese culinary techniques. The menu bridges local California produce with specialized fish imports to create a unique dining experience.
Kogen Omakase charges $295 for its sushi experience and $175 for wine or sake pairings. The restaurant operates from Tuesday through Sunday with evening seatings scheduled at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The players
Yasu Iwai
He is the head chef of Kogen Omakase who previously trained under renowned sushi master Hiroyuki Sato in Tokyo.
Adrian Taylor
He is the restaurateur and co-operator who helped launch the new sushi venture in Santa Monica.
Sarah Daisy Jackson
She serves as the operations director responsible for overseeing the restaurant's curated drink and dessert menus.
Renji Nakagaki
He is a ceramicist commissioned to create the custom plateware used for service at the restaurant.
The details
The kitchen sources its fish directly from Toyosu Market in Tokyo and highlights seasonal produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Diners are served on custom plateware commissioned specifically from Japanese ceramicist Renji Nakagaki.
Timeline
Kogen Omakase opened to the public in mid-July 2026.
Roadmap
The emergence of Kogen Omakase reflects the ongoing proliferation of high-ticket, Tokyo-style dining experiences in Southern California. This expansion marks a shift toward specialized, hyper-seasonal concepts that rely on direct international supply chains to compete with established legacy sushi institutions.
Residents and visitors planning to dine at the establishment must book ahead for the 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. seatings. Patrons should anticipate a significant price investment compared to local alternatives given the $295 base meal cost and $175 drink pairing fee.
The takeaway
Diners interested in high-end sushi can expect an experience defined by seasonal California ingredients paired with Tokyo imports. When evaluating luxury dining options, consider the value of ingredient sourcing and artisanal plateware that distinguish premium omakase establishments.
Further reading
Explore more local culinary trends in our guide to Japanese Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eater LA.
Live Poll
Is now a good time for you to spend significantly more on local fine dining experiences?
