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…
Tata’s Cafe, an American Cafe with a Salvadoran Spin
When I worked from the office, I enjoyed eating lunch in restaurants near El Segundo. I typically wandered into nearby Lawndale and Hawthorne because the food was more diverse and exciting to me. One such restaurant was Pupuseria El Cerro Verde. During the pandemic, they closed down and recently re-opened as Tata’s Cafe. The owner…
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….
Nouilles of 3rds, Cambodian Take on Vietnamese Pho
When I drive on PCH through Lomita, I’m always looking for new restaurants. I’ve been happy to see new regional Chinese restaurants appear in the last few years like DimSum 101. Due to the construction in the strip mall taking place, I was never interested in trying out Nouilles of 3rds. My one year of…
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…
Kozo Sushi – Great Option for Japanese Take-Out Sushi
The Rolling Hills Plaza in Torrance is best known for its many Japanese eateries, such as Nijiya Market, Iccho, Ichimi-An, and Yamaya. Sushi Boy recently closed and reopened in a new location in the mall as Kozo Sushi. Kozo Sushi took over the retail space where Sub Society resided. It is a fast-casual restaurant with an extensive…
Palestinian Cuisine Discovered at Jerusalem Chicken
It’s all about chicken at a new Palestinian restaurant in LA’s Windsor Hills section on Slauson. Owner Sami Othman, is a veteran restauranteur who started Orleans and York, a deli with five locations featuring NY deli sandwiches and New Orleans-style po-boys. Othman felt that it was time to go back to his Palestinian roots. He…