Former head chef of Musha Santa Monica, Takuma Suzuki embarks on his first independent restaurant.

Born in Tokyo, Takuma began cooking Japanese comfort food as a young boy in his mother¿s kitchen. He moved to the states at age fifteen and by age nineteen began studying under Tora Fukui, who was the head chef at Musha Torrance. In 2002, Takuma was appointed head chef of the new Santa Monica Musha, where he earned  his tenure, leaving after a twelve year run, in 2014 to open his namesake location Takuma Santa Monica, located at 2627 Wilshire Blvd.

The Cuisine:

Life beyond sushi, that¿s something we¿ve all become inducted to over the last decade. Don¿t be confused, Takuma is not a sushi bar, ramen joint or curry house, but is rather an Izakaya style tavern. Specializing in small dishes, soba noodles, sashimi and so zai, Takuma explains that his food can best be described as healthy Japanese pub food. So what does that mean?

Izakayas are essentially Japanese Pubs ¿ drinking houses with small dishes for snacking while drinking. It literally means ¿stay sake shop¿ so traditionally this was a place where you could sit and drink.

$25 gift certificate to Takuma Restaurant.

food and alcohol