Toshikoshi is a celebration for the New Year in Japan, which means to cut from the old year to the new year. They do this by eating Toshikoshi soba, a “year-crossing noodle” to cut from the old year to the new year. To aid in the celebration, Tsurumaru Udon Honpo created DIY Nabeyaki Udon kits. …
Japanese
Okayama Kobo Bakery Turns To Popups
Okayama Kobo is a popular bakery in Japan and is named after the Okayama prefecture where they operate. The owner/baker Tsunetaka Kawakami learned and perfected the art of baking during his tour through many bakeries in Japan. Leveraging his success in Japan, he opened his first bakery in the US in 2018. Due to the…
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….
Curry Plus, A Japanese Curry Paradise
After setting my post on Champion’s Curry, my foodie friend suggested that I try Curry Plus, a new Japanese restaurant in Torrance. I had seen some of their social media posts and it didn’t make an impression on me. Since I respect my friend’s opinion, I placed this on my bucket list and finally visited…
Champion’s Curry Serves Rich Japanese Curry Offerings
Many are unaware that curry has a diverse international history with many permutations. In the 19th Century, the British developed their own roux-based curry. This style was well received in Japan and spawned off different varieties in the many prefectures of Japan. One such curry entrepreneur is Yoshikazu Tanaka, the founder of Champion’s Curry. With…
Kotohira for Heavenly Japanese Udon Noodles
Twenty eight years ago, Tozai Plaza opened on the corner of Redondo Beach Blvd and Western Ave. in Gardena. The mini mall quickly became the buzz of the Japanese community because they opened new cutting edge restaurants. One of them was Kotohira and it is still operating today. As you drive by the busy intersection,…
N Café Features Bento Boxes and More!
According to USA Today, the average lifespan of a restaurant is five years and by some estimates, up to 90 percent of new ones fail within the first year. Chef Yuichi Natori bucked the trend by working for the last 25 years at Chaya Venice. He recently went out on his own and opened N…
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”…
Week 9 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of health services for L.A. County, recently reported some good news suggesting that the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus is slightly decreasing. This is good news for all LA Country residents, but in particular, to small businesses that are weathering the storm. This week I am happy to report two…
Week 8 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
Two months after LA’s restaurant’s were ordered to close their dining rooms, a somber mood still covers LA. Some have figured out how much they need to pay the rent with no dine-in customers and others have simply given up. I continue reviewing restaurants that are currently in operation. Hurry Curry of Tokyo Hurry Curry…