While many restaurants feature American comfort food, I notice when someone decides to bend the rules. In 2012, Eric Ong opened Humble Potato on Lincoln Blvd in Westchester. I’ve dined at two restaurants, which followed Most Valuable Playa and Mee and Greet. Thanks to my friend’s suggestion, I finally visited Humble Potato in Culver City. …
Japanese
Celebrate Japanese Cuisine and Culture at Nisei Week
From Sat Aug, 12 through Sun Aug, 20, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival returns for its annual cultural celebration. In its 81st year, it is the oldest ethnic festival in the US; its purpose is to celebrate and share the Japanese and Japanese American culture. This year’s theme is Turning the Corner, a post-pandemic desire to…
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in Little Tokyo
May is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the US. This year the Little Tokyo Community Council sponsors family-friendly springtime happenings in Downtown Los Angeles’ iconic neighborhood to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Children’s Day festivities take place Sat. May 6 at Terasaki Budokan, a nonprofit multipurpose sports and activities center in Little Tokyo….
How to Celebrate Japanese New Year in LA
Osechi Ryori is the traditional food enjoyed on New Year’s day in Japan. Many Japanese Americans also practice the custom as well. When I was a kid, my family had the luxury of being invited to my grandparent’s home, where my step-grandmother had an impressive spread of food. Every dish of these traditional foods has…
Hokkaido Fair Returns to Mitsuwa Marketplace
From Fri. Sep 2 through Mon. Sep 12, Mitsuwa Marketplace will host its annual Hokkaido Fair. This 11-day celebration features the best food the Japanese island offers and takes place at all Mitsuwa Marketplace locations. Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest island and is the northernmost prefecture. The cold ocean waters are ideal for seafood such as king…
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…
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. …
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…
Ramen Discoveries, A Popup Dining Series
In celebration of JAPAN HOUSE’s current exhibition, “The Art of the Ramen Bowl,” JAPAN HOUSE created Ramen Discoveries, a delicious popup series showcasing the diverse flavors of Japanese ramen. Now through July, guests will be able to pair their visit to the exhibition with a trip to their fifth-floor restaurant space to experience world-class ramen….
How to Better Appreciate Japanese Food in LA
Japanese food has become a favorite of not only locals from its home country, but also of people all around the world. The fun mix of different flavors has made it a staple for adventurous and picky eaters alike. Some of the most popular Japanese dishes include sushi, ramen, and katsu. The food is also characterized by…