Archive for the 'Japanese' Category

{swoon} Lunch Special Chirashi at Sushi Kimagure

Published by Gastronomer on April 15, 2013 in Japanese, Pasadena and {swoon}. 5 Comments

If I plan it just right, I can walk from my office to Sushi Kimagure, indulge in a swoon-worthy chirashi, catch up with a girlfriend, and walk back to work in just about an hour. It’s not something I can swing every week, but believe me, I would if I could.

While the brisk walk and good conversation offer an unbeatable break from the grind, it’s Sushi Kimagure’s fresh-like-you-wouldn’t-believe chirashi that keeps me coming back for more.

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Sushi Ichi – Pasadena

Published by Gastronomer on April 11, 2013 in Japanese, Los Angeles, Pasadena and Restaurant Review. 7 Comments

A recommendation from my friend Anne brought me to Pasadena’s Sushi Ichi. Located on the Arroyo Parkway directly across the street from the first-ever Trader Joe’s, this unassuming sushi spot makes it possible to enjoy really fine fishes without having to travel to Little Tokyo or the Westside. Pasadenians, rejoice!

For my first meal at Sushi Ichi, my friend Lien and I opted to experience the omakase. We reserved two seats at the bar for the occasion.

Chef Ichi is a one-man show, which can either lead to a wonderfully intimate experience or be a big ‘ol burden depending on when you visit. On weeknights when the restaurant isn’t too busy, fishes are quick to arrive at the table and conversation with the chef is encouraged. However, on busy nights like Fridays and Saturdays, service can be markedly slower. Plan your visit wisely, and reservations are encouraged.

My dinner at Sushi Ichi marked a turning point in my sushi eating career. It was solidified during the meal that I am a fan of neither shiso nor wasabi on my fishes, and that I really should steer clear of endangered fruits of the sea like bluefin tuna and eel, too. These sentiments have been building over the years, but something about tonight made it all crystal clear. Future omakases will be better for this moment of clarity.

Now, onto the goods…

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Sushi Gen – Los Angeles (Downtown)

Published by Gastronomer on March 27, 2013 in Downtown, Japanese, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 6 Comments

Considering my general adoration of raw fishes, I’m surprised that it’s taken me so long to make my way to Sushi Gen. With my mom in town for business and my birthday just around the corner, I had the perfect reasons to finally sit down for dinner at Little Tokyo’s premier sushi destination.

Mom and I had a choice between a table in the dining room or a seat at the sushi bar. We went with the latter and were seated in front of Kazu-san.

What’s notable about Sushi Gen’s sushi bar is its shear size. Whereas most sushi bars in L.A. are staffed by two or three chefs, this one had five or so men behind the counter serving the restaurant’s perpetually packed dining room. The energy level here was also more vibrant than most due to the number of people in the house. The vibe wasn’t exactly zen, but I quite liked the high spirits.

To start was a marinated seaweed salad topped with a goopy dollop of mountain yam that tasted refreshing and tangy, but not exactly delicious.

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Soba Sojibo – West Los Angeles

Published by Gastronomer on March 25, 2013 in Japanese, Los Angeles, Restaurant Review and West Los Angeles. 3 Comments

Feeling hungry after attending a talk by Michael Dukakis ’55 at a rare gathering of Los Angeles-based Swarthmore grads, The Astronomer and I sought out proper sustenance nearby. Our first choice, Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle, wasn’t serving their signature ramen or tsukemen at this hour, and our second choice, Seoul Sausage Company, was closed on Mondays. Thus we meandered down Sawtelle into Soba Sojibo, one of the neighborhood’s newest additions.

Serving cold and hot house-made buckwheat noodles, as well as a slew of classic izakaya bites, Soba Sojibo is the second outpost of the Japanese chain in Los Angeles. A branch in Torrance popped up a few months before.

While The Astronomer perused the hot soba selections, I had my heart set on the cold stuff this evening.

We nibbled on deep-fried soba bits as we waited for our respective chilled and steaming bowls of noodles.

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Sanuki No Sato – Los Angeles (Gardena)

Published by Gastronomer on December 24, 2012 in Gardena, Japanese, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 2 Comments

Named after an old Japanese province on the island of Shikoku with the same boundaries as modern Kagawa Prefecture, Sanuki No Sato is famous for its udon, chubby wheat-based noodles served hot or cold.

The 20-year-old dining room feels as sturdy as ever, while service is swiftly executed by a team of kimono-donning waitresses.

The menu here features numerous small plates and sushi, but we zeroed in on Chef Moriaki Miyahira’s spectacularly slurp-worthy udon. To truly appreciate the noodles’ texture and nuances, I insisted on a bowl of the cold preparation. As soul-warming and comforting as noodle soups can be, hot broth tends to diminish udon’s impressive bite.
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