Line Cook

PONZU LLC; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

PONZU LLC in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a motivated Hot Kitchen Line Cook to support our fast-paced, high-heat kitchen. You will prepare appetizers, entrees and sides, and maintain mise en place according to house recipes.

The ideal candidate has at least 1 year of Japanese restaurant line cook experience, strong knife skills, and a collaborative mindset. Flexibility for nights, weekends, and holidays is required.

Qualifications

• 1+ year Japanese restaurant line cook experience.
• Experience working in a hot kitchen (grill, sauté, fryer, or similar).
• Strong knife skills and cooking techniques.
• Willingness to rotate and learn all stations.
• Able to work in fast-paced, high-heat environments with a positive attitude.
• Good communication and teamwork mindset.
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Physically able to stand for long hours and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare dishes including appetizers, entrees, and sides accurately and efficiently according to house recipes standards.
• Execute prep tasks such as sauce production, protein portioning, and vegetable cutting.
• Complete all tasks on the assigned prep before service.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas throughout the shift.
• Communicate clearly with other cooks, sushi chefs, and the Head Chef.
• Support consistency in flavor, timing, presentation and plating.
• Communicate with the team to coordinate ticket timing and ensure smooth service.
• Follow all safety and sanitation standards, especially during high-volume service.
• Alert Head Chef or Head of hot kitchen of low stock, equipment issues, or quality concerns.

Skills

Japanese cooking

Knife skills

Teamwork

Fast-paced

Stamina

Station rotation

Job description

Job description

Summary: Hot Kitchen Line Cooks are responsible for executing all hot food items during service. We are looking for a skilled and motivated hot kitchen cook to join our back-of-house team. The ideal candidate has experience working in a fast-paced kitchen, preferably Asian or Japanese restaurant, takes pride in preparing high-quality food, and thrives in a team-oriented environment. This role is essential to delivering consistent, delicious dishes that meet our restaurant's standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare dishes including appetizers, entrees, and sides accurately and efficiently according to house recipes standards
• Execute prep tasks such as sauce production, protein portioning, and vegetable cutting
• Complete all tasks on the assigned prep before service
• Maintain clean and organized work areas throughout the shift
• Communicate clearly with other cooks, sushi chefs, and the Head Chef
• Support consistency in flavor, timing, presentation and plating
• Communicate with the team to coordinate ticket timing and ensure smooth service
• Follow all safety and sanitation standards, especially during high-volume service
• Alert Head Chef or Head of hot kitchen of low stock, equipment issues, or quality concerns

Requirements

• 1+ year Japanese restaurant line cook experience
• Experience working in a hot kitchen (grill, sauté, fryer, or similar)
• Strong knife skills and cooking techniques
• Willingness to rotate and learn all stations
• Good communication and teamwork mindset
• Ability to handle fast-paced, high-heat environments with a positive attitude
• Physically able to stand for long hours and lift up to 50 lbs
• Willing to learn and open-minded to new techniques and feedback
• Able to stay focused and work under pressure during busy rush periods in a team setting
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays