Probably one of the best-rated Ramen shops in Southern California (after Santouka), Gardena Ramen (in Torrance) was a Ramen shop I was *so* looking forward to! I remember reading the wonderful review from Rameniac, and hearing more about it from others. It made my tomodachi Keizo's list of top Ramen-ya in 2007. :)So on a warm, relaxing So Cal [...]
Finding a great bowl of Tonkotsu (Pork Bone) Ramen in L.A. can be challenging at times. True, we have Santouka's blended Tonkotsu broth (but it can be inconsistent), and Shin Sen Gumi was the first to popularize Hakata-style Tonkotsu Ramen in L.A., but it's been watered down for a while now. So when I heard that Mitsuwa Marketplace was holding [...]
The crackle and sizzle of thinly sliced Rib Eye searing in front of you. The mouth-watering smell of Pork Belly rendering on the grill. These are some of the reasons why Yakiniku, or Japanese Barbecue, is still so popular, even in the height of summer. While I've enjoyed Yakiniku quite a bit this year, one place that I've always been curious [...]
*** NOTE: Owners changed it to "Izakaya Bincho," due to some complications with the city. Details and Review here. ***In terms of Japanese cuisine in Los Angeles (and most of America), Sushi is by far the most explored and popular type; and with that popularity came a maturity and push for excellence that's given L.A. some solid, good quality [...]
While we're blessed with a plethora of Sushi restaurants, and more and more Izakayas (Japanese Pubs), sometimes it's nice to take a break from it all and enjoy some simple, delicious, Japanese Comfort Food from a Washoku-ya ("Washoku" literally means "Japanese Food," and a Washoku-ya generally focuses on serving traditional Japanese fare beyond [...]
One of the biggest regrets from my trip to Japan last month was being unable to fit in a visit to a Japanese Steakhouse serving Grade A5 Wagyu Beef. In Japan, their system for grading meat is far more extensive and detailed compared to the USDA system. The Japanese Grading System looks at four major categories: Marbling; Color & Brightness of [...]
In this day and age in So Cal, traditional Japanese Confectionery might be considered an acquired taste. While Mochi Ice Cream has been making inroads across America, items such as traditional Mochi (Pounded Sticky Rice Sweets) and Manju (another variety of Sweets with an exterior made of Flour that can be Steamed, Baked, etc.) are nowhere near [...]
On my first visit to Mori Sushi (in 2007), I had just come to appreciate the wonders of Sushi Zo, and came away from Mori Sushi impressed, but put off by the cost. Still, I felt that Chef Morihiro Onodera delivered some great Sushi and a great dining experience overall. But this was before my culinary journey to Japan, and my visit to Urasawa in [...]
It's always inspiring to visit a restaurant that's the lifework of a chef/owner; to see and taste the result of their love of food and the pursuit of a life-long dream. I originally knew nothing about Yakitori Yakyudori, except that it was highly recommended by my friend ila as a great place to get Yakitori (Japanese-style Grilled Chicken [...]
Tempura - deep-fried meats and vegetables - are usually a filler component or an afterthought at most Japanese restaurants in Southern California. Usually it's one or two pieces of Shrimp and a random vegetable or two, placed on that boxed lunch special as a way to add variation to a menu. Most Tempura that I've tried over the years in So Cal [...]
