When most people visit Little Tokyo to dine, they usually search for good sushi or ramen. The RIKE owners elected to focus on the Japanese love for rice and open a restaurant featuring onigiri rice balls. The name RIKE is a play on the words Rice and Like.
Located on 1st Street in Little Tokyo, RIKE is just east of Los Angeles St. Many people only frequent the businesses in Japanese Village Plaza and don’t realize that Little Tokyo is geographically more extensive than the village space.
Nigiri is thinly sliced raw fish draped over sushi rice and is popular in Japanese restaurants. On the other hand, onigiri is triangular rice balls usually wrapped with a toasted seaweed sheet. Items typically inside an onigiri include Japanese pickled vegetables, salmon, or tuna mixed with sweet mayonnaise.
RIKE’s owner must love gold. The exterior trim and much of the indoor decor, including the chairs, are gold in color. It’s also interesting that their logo involves a Kokopelli. The interior is small, with two tables, bar seating, and a couple of tables set up outside. Since I dined alone, I sat outside so that I could people-watch as well.
RIKE is exceptionally particular about where they source their ingredients. Their Yukitsubaki rice is a special Koshihikari premium short grain rice coveted by chefs for its pure pearly, white color and soft yet slightly sticky texture. The producers of Yukitsubaki rice have won consecutive gold medals in Japan’s largest rice competition, the “International Contest on Rice Taste Evaluation.”
Due to their small size, they serve onigiri in pairs. Due to their small size, they are easy to eat with your hands or with chopsticks. Homemade onigiri is usually twice the size, and eating just one can immediately satisfy your hunger pangs. Unlike the homemade type, they are often innovatively presented.
I examined the onigiri, and the rice kernels are fully intact, shiny, and not broken. Growing up as a Japanese American, my father had to have Japanese steamed rice each day. When you taste the natural sweetness of Yukitsubaki rice, it makes you realize how delicious white rice can be.
After seeing the menu, the combo was an easy way for me to try out several varieties. The “Classic” contains three types of a pair of onigiri. I wasn’t thrilled with the Shio, a plain salted rice ball. On the other hand, I enjoyed the Spicy Yaki, and especially the Curry Shrimp Tempura onigiri. The latter receives an A+ on creativity and execution.
In addition to their signature onigiri, they also offer bento boxes which include a protein, steamed rice, two sides, and a choice of soup. Other options include Ginger Chicken, Chicken Karaage, or a vegan karaage. Prices range from $17 – $17.50.
The Okra with Black Sesame Seeds isn’t visually appealing. Black sesame seeds visually and taste-wise overwhelmed this okra side dish. Mashed Kabocha with Trail Mix didn’t seem appealing to me, but after I tasted it, wow! The trail mix added texture and a salty element to the naturally sweet kabocha.
If you are visiting Little Tokyo and seek a modern Japanese experience, I recommend giving RIKE a try. You may RIKE them.
RIKE, 228 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; website