CHARLES NAMBA
Tsubaki (Los Angeles, CA) and OTOTO (Los Angeles, CA)
Born and raised in Los Angeles to Japanese parents, Charles has been immersed in Japanese cuisine and culture since childhood.
After growing up in Beverly Hills, Charles made a move to New York in 2004, where he was part of the opening culinary team for EN Japanese Brasserie. Following EN, Charles spent several years immersed in classical French cuisine at Tribeca’s landmark Chanterelle restaurant, and was ultimately tapped as Chef de Cuisine for a new Asian sister restaurant, Macao Trading Company, which opened in 2008.
In 2010, Charles returned home to Los Angeles to assist in the opening of Thomas Keller’s Beverly Hills location of Bouchon, where he spent several years working with traditional French bistro classics. In 2017, Charles and his business partner, Courtney Kaplan, opened Tsubaki, a classic izakaya in Echo Park. Tsubaki is a return to his childhood roots and the dishes he ate while growing up. In 2019, Charles and Courtney opened OTOTO, a sake bar next door to Tsubaki. OTOTO offers an ever-changing selection of traditional and innovative sakes, Japanese beers, a wide selection of shochu, and elevated Japanese drinking snacks.
In his free time, Charles often travels to Europe and Japan to eat as much delicious food as he can.
After growing up in Beverly Hills, Charles made a move to New York in 2004, where he was part of the opening culinary team for EN Japanese Brasserie. Following EN, Charles spent several years immersed in classical French cuisine at Tribeca’s landmark Chanterelle restaurant, and was ultimately tapped as Chef de Cuisine for a new Asian sister restaurant, Macao Trading Company, which opened in 2008.
In 2010, Charles returned home to Los Angeles to assist in the opening of Thomas Keller’s Beverly Hills location of Bouchon, where he spent several years working with traditional French bistro classics. In 2017, Charles and his business partner, Courtney Kaplan, opened Tsubaki, a classic izakaya in Echo Park. Tsubaki is a return to his childhood roots and the dishes he ate while growing up. In 2019, Charles and Courtney opened OTOTO, a sake bar next door to Tsubaki. OTOTO offers an ever-changing selection of traditional and innovative sakes, Japanese beers, a wide selection of shochu, and elevated Japanese drinking snacks.
In his free time, Charles often travels to Europe and Japan to eat as much delicious food as he can.
