Exploring Life & Business with Kimi Matsunaga of Delish Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimi Matsunaga.

Hi Kimi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am the owner of Delish Hollywood. I was born and raised in Japan. I began traveling at a young age and fell in love with it. About 27 years ago, I met and married my Italian husband and moved to Los Angeles where we raised two daughters. Being Asian, I place great importance on the food we eat because our all-around health (mental, physical, spiritual, emotional) relates to it.

Through the years, my family kept motivating me to do something with my cooking talent, but I wasn’t able to see it. Then last year, an acquaintance was looking to open a restaurant and I knew someone that was selling theirs, so I connected the two. Unfortunately in early March, Covid-19 happened and the chef that was supposed to come in from Japan pulled out. I felt terrible about the situation and offered to work for free at the restaurant for a month. Soon after this, the restaurant had to close because of Covid-19. A month later, the owner told me that other buyers were interested in the restaurant and made an offer but somehow decided not to go forward with the purchase. The owner was devastated and asked again if my acquaintance and I were willing to consider buying the restaurant for a lot less, and we were. After further conversations, we decided to go forward with me at the head of the business. From the time I decided to become a restaurant owner to the opening date, it took two and a half months.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For me, this is an entirely new journey. Everyone I spoke with advised me against opening a restaurant business during these times, especially without experience. But I felt that an opportunity was there. I was set on moving forward and my determination brought about the help of everyone involved. Various people working as vendors, accountants, etc., extended their help to me. Everything was and still is a challenge. I was scared, but I’m not the type of person that gives up.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Delish Hollywood?
My restaurant is called Delish Hollywood. I am the business owner, creator, one of the chefs, waiter, dishwasher, and in other words, I do everything. What Delish Hollywood brings, along with some very well known mainstream Japanese food, is a variety of homemade food not usually found in restaurants. One of our specialties is the sushi cake. This is a celebratory cake made at home in Japan. We also have the sushi donut, which introduces more casual sushi. I try to make sure my ingredients are organic, fresh, and don’t contain MSG. I treat my customers as family and wouldn’t ever want them to eat anything but quality food.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I don’t have a business mentor, but I believe that my behavior and my life itself manifests in my business. My life mentor is Daisaku Ikeda. He taught me how to enjoy life in the good times, and especially the bad times because all obstacles have the potential to turn to treasure.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1253 N Vine St Unit 5 Los Angeles, California 90038
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: delishhollywood.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delish_hollywood/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delishollywood
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/delish-hollywood-los-angeles

Image Credits
Personal photo by Leonardo Beccai.