Niki Nakayama, previously with Azami Sushi Café on Melrose, is now Executive Chef at Inaka Seafood Gourmet in Arcadia. By day, the fast-casual Japanese deli is primarily grab-and-go, with seasonal soups, sushi, rice bowls and entrée salads with fresh dairy-free dressings. There are also daily specials.

Here’s a sampling of Inaka’s dishes:

• Soba noodles with edamame
• Warm wild mushroom salad
• California crab and avocado salad
• Blue crab kimchee pilaf bowl
• Popcorn shrimp burger
• Inaka Special: 5-item sampler box – grilled fish of the day, 2 deli sides, choice of 4PC sashimi or sushi, brown or white rice

Inaka also acts as a fresh fish market, selling sushi-grade toro, crab meat and halibut, to name just three choices. They also sell “specialty” selections like octopus, jumbo clam, salmon roe and smelt roe.

At night after the market closes, Chef Nakayama prepares an eight-course omakase tasting menu at The Chef’s Table. Her seasonal menu features immaculate seafood, organic produce and premium cuts of meat like Kurobuta pork and Kobe beef. Seating is limited to 10 people per night. The meal costs $80 per person. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance.

Update: Chef Nakayama sold Inaka and opened a kaiseki restaurant in Palms called n/naka.