This month Japan’s beloved, Iekei-style or E.A.K. ramen is being served by a popup conducted by Machida Shoten in Ovation Hollywood. It takes place in Japan House LA, a Japanese cultural center sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Earlier this year, I tried Miso Ramen from Tsujita Misonosyo. Machida Shoten is a…
Great American International Seafood Market – Foodie Heaven
The Great American International Seafood Market is located in the heavily frequented Golden Cove Shopping Center anchored by Trader Joe’s near Poke Me. The parking is ample; fortunately, they have short-term parking slots available steps away from the market. Your olfactory senses won’t detect that this is a seafood market. You won’t smell seafood because the store is…
Pizzeria Bianco Brings Award-Winning Pizza to ROW DTLA
When I last visited Phoenix, a foodie friend recommended I try Pizzeria Bianco. I had two or three days that visit, and unfortunately, I couldn’t make it there. Nevertheless, I noted that I should frequent Pizzeria Bianco when I return to Phoenix. Imagine my surprise when Eater LA published an article about pizzaiolo Chris Bianco…
Confections by Kirari West Soft Opens in Redondo Beach
In 2015 Hiro Saito opened Kirari West Bake Shop. Word spread about his delicious gluten-free creations, and Kirari West quickly vaulted to one of the top gluten-free bakeries in LA. They featured muffins, scones, bread, breakfast sandwiches, french toast, sandwiches, and salads. He recently opened Confections by Kirari West, a sweets shop featuring fresh-baked artisan cookies,…
lil’ Vegerie Adds Innovative Plant-Based Cuisine to Redondo Beach
Food blogging is a hazardous hobby; unless you work in aerobic exercise, you’re doomed. I did not adhere to common sense and gained a lot of weight. Aerobic exercise and eating less meat helped me significantly, and I’ve been including occasional vegetarian and vegan meals. I was happy to find lil’ Vegerie, a vegan restaurant…
Full House Plus Introduces Korean Chinese to the South Bay
You are mistaken if you think Korean cuisine is all about kimchi, tofu soup, and Korean BBQ. Korean cuisine reflects a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends. For example, during the Korean War, budae jjigae (a.k.a. Army Base Stew) was created using spam and sausage. Another example is Korean-Chinese, a hybrid…
Tenkatori adds Best of Class Karaage Chicken to West LA
Fried chicken has been trending for quite some time in LA. One of the first to get recognition was Gus’ Fried Chicken. Soon after, we started seeing many variations such as hot fried chicken from Hotville Fried Chicken, Honey Dress (Korean), and Tokyo Fried Chicken. Tenkatori is an award-winning Japanese karaage restaurant open on Sawtelle Blvd in Japan Town. …
Barsha Adds Tunesian Cuisine To The South Bay
I first became aware of Barsha when it opened as a boutique wine shop in Manhattan Beach. Barsha was not only a wine retailer but a destination for drinking wine by the glass and enjoying fine cheese, charcuterie, salads, and homemade spreads. Unlike many Manhattan Beach businesses located on Highland or Manhattan Ave, BARSA has…
Ojiya Delivers Solid Japanese Comfort Food In Torrance
I grew up in LA’s Westside, and during that time, restaurants that featured Japanese comfort food were plentiful. These family-oriented restaurants featured teriyaki, pork tonkatsu, udon, tempura, and sashimi. Most of these restaurants have vanished because the children don’t carry it forward. Ojiya is one such restaurant and has been going strong since 2003. Ojiya…
Pura Vita Opens Plant-Based Italian in Redondo Beach
In the last few years, I’ve been fascinated by the advances in vegetarian cooking. Instead of tofu being the main ingredient, chefs use other meat substitutes like tempeh, black beans, seitan, and chickpeas. Pura Vita became the first 100% plant-based Italian Restaurant in LA, and they recently opened their third restaurant in Redondo Beach. Chef…