Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee are connected through an interior doorway, but the two places could not offer more different experiences.
Nikó is a tiny walk-up counter where guests can order Japanese sandwiches through a self-serve kiosk while waiting for the order to magically appear from behind a traditional noren fabric divider and placed on the red clay-colored tile counter. There is a small seating area in front and a few tables on the sidewalk.
If you want a more convivial experience, Malou Coffee is also a walk-up counter where locals out walking dogs and patrons clad in workout gear with Alo bags order matcha and breakfast burritos with tater tots from a full staff and barista. This space is larger and airy with light décor and more outdoor dining options.
Owners Elan and David Noi—two brothers who have roots in hospitality and share a lifelong passion for thoughtful food and drink—set out to create a unique café that would blend Mediterranean comfort cuisine with the craft of Japanese matcha and coffee culture and the soul of Kyoto’s street food.
The vision has been years in the making. The two weren’t interested in opening just another sandwich or coffee shop—they wanted to build a destination. A place where flavor, culture and community come together.
When it came to choosing a location, Brentwood felt like the perfect fit. The neighborhood’s balance of energy and tranquility mirrors the spirit they hoped to create. “We loved the community feel,” says Elan. “It’s a place where people know each other, support local businesses and truly value quality. We felt right at home here.” The duo found a prime spot in the old Compartés Chocolatier space on S. Barrington Avenue and quickly got to work.
The food program for both spots is overseen by executive chef Mika Matsui, who hails from Kyoto and brings artful precision and technique to the kitchen with her culture-bridging menu. She has also worked at popular Japanese concepts Konbi in Echo Park (now shuttered, but highly praised for the egg salad sandwich) and Sobar in Culver City. “Bringing the hometown sando flavors of Kyoto to Los Angeles has been a dream come true,” she says. “Every sandwich we make is a tribute to the flavors I grew up with—simple, balanced and deeply comforting. Sharing that with this city is something truly special.”
Among the best-selling items on the Nikó side are the chicken katsu sando and the egg salad sando—both made on ultra-soft pillowy Japanese milk bread (shokupan), with house-made sauces and precise layering that makes every bite balanced and rich. “People love the texture,” David explains. “It’s crispy, creamy, warm and fresh all at once. It looks simple but there’s real craftsmanship behind it.” There is also a wagyu version and a dessert-like fruit sando for those with a sweet tooth.
Over at Malou, the Okinawa cold foam featuring brown sugar from the region and the Espresso cold foam are crowd favorites. The ceremonial-grade matcha is sourced from some of the most exclusive farms in Kyoto and Japan’s famed Uji region and prepared using traditional whisking techniques. “You can taste the difference,” says Elan. “It’s earthy, clean, and vibrant—nothing like the overly sweet matchas people are used to.”
The name Malou means “at peace” in Hawaiian and captures the heart of the brothers’ vision. “We wanted people to walk in and immediately feel a sense of calm,” says Elan. “From the design to the music to the way we interact with our guests, everything is built around that feeling.” And, while many customers do take orders to go, the outdoor setting is an inviting place to relax as well with a pastry or full meal.
This talented trio are not just offering craveable food and drinks—they are sharing a piece of Japanese heritage and tradition with the Brentwood community, and a promise to serve food with soul.
Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee, 912 S. Barrington Ave.; nikosando.com and maloucoffee.com