For everyone who waited in a long line to get into Sushi Nozawa in Studio City Wednesday, it was their last chance to experience sushi from the man they consider to be a sushi master. After 25 years in business, Kazunori Nozawa is closing this restaurant and retiring as chef.
Nozawa Sushi has been rated among the best Japanese restaurants in Southern California. Inside it is cozy with a sushi bar and a few tables.
Nozawa was too busy to talk to on camera, as he was busy doing what he has done for 25 years: taking care of his customers.
His wife, Yumiko Nozawa, said that at 67 years of age it is just time for him to retire.
"It's time to retire. He's getting old," said Kazunori's wife, Yumiko Nozawa. "We appreciate our customers so much. Best customers."
Yumiko Nozawa says her husband is not walking away from the world of sushi altogether. She says he owns a mini chain of four new sushi restaurants called Sugarfish throughout the L.A. area. He plans to re-open Nozawa as yet another Sugarfish location.
However, his wife says his days of being behind at the counter as master chef are over.
Loyal customers say they will come to the new restaurant but it just will not be the same.
"It's going to be very hard to fill those shoes, even for whomever takes over at this particular location," said Studio City resident Adam Gibgot.
