Noma announces LA Residency

Few restaurants could ever imagine receiving the critical acclaim that Noma has enjoyed. The three Michelin-starred and five-time “Best Restaurant in the World” has people routinely travelling to Copenhagen for the sole reason of trying its food. So, when it was announced that chef René Redzepi would be bringing his 130-strong team to LA this spring, the chatter from the culinary corners of the internet erupted into frenetic shrieks.

For 16 weeks and at $1,500 a head, diners can experience Noma on American soil at a secret residential location. Little is known about what will be on the menu at this stage, but it’ll likely be Redzepi’s signature experimental approach to Nordic cuisine, reimagined with local Californian ingredients.

This week, it was confirmed that reservations will go live on 26th January at 5 pm (9 am PST). Judging by the 20,000-person pre-sign-up, you’ll have to be blisteringly fast to snag a spot. Especially given there are only 42 seats a night.

Those unable to get a reservation will still have an opportunity to experience Noma’s famous food. Noma will also open a shop where people can buy its sauces, vinegar, coffee and more. Redzepi has also confirmed he’s planning a series of collaborations with local chefs at their restaurants.

Noma’s food has historically delighted and confounded many in equal measures. While Redzepi is credited with being the originator of nose-to-tail, foraged fresh cuisine, reviews range from the sycophantic to the savage. The reindeer penis salad on the menu at the Copenhagen venue is divisive to say the least and some have accused the staff’s service of not being up to scratch.

Although polarising, there is no denying that Noma’s food is at the forefront of contemporary gastronomy. Each dish created pushes boundaries and the team is committed to discovering alternative flavours and serving them in a way that challenges convention.