My daughter and I recently enjoyed a scenic 6-mile walk through Playa del Rey. It was an urban hike created by @sweetslinky. The hike presented majestic views from the Playa del Rey bluffs and led down to the beach and back. As our reward, she selected a nearby K’s Bistro by Kanpai for lunch. K’s…
Ramen
E.A.K. Ramen Popup – Final Days at Japan House
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…
Afuri Ramen Brings Popular Yuzu-Flavored Broth to LA
Afuri Ramen is one of the latest Tokyo-based restaurants to expand their operations into the US. They have locations in the San Francisco area, Portland, and recently opened in LA’s Art District in downtown LA. They are best known for their signature Yuzu Shio ramen; yuzu is a common fruit in Japanese cuisine. I was…
Rakkan Ramen Scores With Delicious Broth
While ramen was invented in the early 1900s, it didn’t make its way to the US until 1976 when Hiroshi Yamauchi incorporated it as part of the menu of his restaurant, Koraku. The movie, Tampopo, introduced and popularized it to many that weren’t familiar with it. Since then many ramen shops have opened across LA….
Week 11 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
On May 29, Mayor Eric Garcetti said that Los Angeles restaurants can reopen at 60% of their capacity and apply for outdoor dining permits, under social distancing guidelines. This caused many restaurants to scramble and figure out how to re-establish a new norm. In the meantime, many have elected to continue operating as “to go”…
First Look: Mitsuwa Del Amo Food Court
Mitsuwa Marketplace is a Japanese supermarket that recently moved its flagship store from Western Avenue to the Del Amo Mall. I visited and reviewed the market after it opened. While I like the market-side of the business, I was more interested in the Mitsuwa Del Amo Food Court. Since some of the announced restaurants in…
Kimukatsu Features Ultimate Katsu
Kimukatsu is an extremely popular restaurant chain operating primarily in Japan. It has locations abroad and only a single location in the US. Fortunately, that location is on Sawtelle Blvd. in West LA. Kimukatsu specializes in deep-fried pork cutlet known as katsu. They also serve ramen. The interior is upscale and stylish. They have walls…
OC Restaurant Week Begins March 3
The 11th annual OC Restaurant Week is set to begin Monday, March 3, and runs through Sat., March 9. The restaurants featured are geographically extensive, from Buena Park to the north to San Juan Capistrano to the south. I like the fact that there are choices for every budget. The prix fixe menus are priced…
Menya Musashi – My Tsukemen Choice on Sawtelle Blvd
UPDATE: Menya Musashi closed in April 2020. Menya Musashi is one of the newest restaurant to open on Sawtelle Blvd. in West LA. The restaurant is named after the legendary samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, who was famed for his double sword style. Menya Musashi debuted in Tokyo and the founders are considered to be icons in…
Okiboru Prepares Heavenly Tsukemen Noodles
Ramen is Japanese comfort food and has taken LA by storm. While I enjoy ramen, I don’t care for consuming hot broth when the temperatures soar into the 90’s. The answer for ramen lovers in hot weather? Tsukemen. A restaurant named Okiboru recently opened and specializes in this version of Japanese ramen. LA’s Chinatown is…