Eating temaki sushi rolls is an enjoyable and interactive experience, as they are meant to be consumed with your hands instead of chopsticks. These delicious “hand rolls” feature roasted nori wrapped around rice and a variety of flavorful fillings. SORA Temaki Bar recently opened at the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax. The owner, Vincent Benoliel,…
Japanese
Tokyo Central Opens New Location: A Must Visit for Japanese Food Lovers
Tokyo Central is a specialty Japanese grocery store in California and one of my go-to markets. It offers various imported Japanese goods, fresh produce, beauty products, and prepared Japanese food. They opened a second Torrance location on Pacific Coast Hwy and Hawthorne Blvd, next to Best Buy. Tokyo Central’s newest location opened on the weekend…
Experience Global Flavors and Craft Cocktails at the Edgemar Restaurant
Most Angelenos are familiar with the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which world-renowned architect Frank Gehry designed. However, many people are unaware that Gehry also designed the Edgemar, a mixed-use commercial village in Santa Monica. Operating partners, restauranteurs, and designers recently collaborated to devise the eponym Edgemar Restaurant. Upon approaching the boldly designed structure constructed with…
K’s Bistro By Kanpai Features Sushi, Ramen, and Much More
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…
Japanese Comfort Food Shines at Azuma
In my youth, Japanese restaurants were only family-owned and typically had a menu of teriyaki, tempura, rice bowls, and sashimi. Today, you’ll often see Japanese restaurants specializing in sushi, curry, barbecue, ramen, and even udon! Only a handful of original family-owned restaurants, such as Sawtelle Tempura House, Otomisan, and Azuma, still exist. Azuma is an…
Sunny Blue Delivers Made-To-Order Japanese Musubi
Today, in Japan and Hawaii, musubi is a staple found in restaurants, markets, and convenience stores for a satisfying and affordable breakfast, lunch, or snack. In some regions of Japan, it is sometimes called onigiri (o-knee-GEE-ree). Fortunately, we don’t have to travel to Hawaii to experience this, as Sunny Blue is a restaurant that prominently…
Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop Delivers Ono Grinds
You may not expect to find quality food in a bowling alley, and if you have children, you’ve probably been to birthday parties at bowling alleys, and you may have avoided the greasy pizza. Some restaurant bowling alleys feature in-house restaurants that non-bowlers frequent. The Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop is one such destination. Gardena is…
Humble Potato – American comfort with a Japanese Twist
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. …
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….