Jichan’s Onigiri-ya is a sweet little spot on the edge of Monterey Park specializing in Japanese rice balls called onigiri. Here in the shadows of Resurrection Cemetery, three childhood friends are sharing the nostalgic snack with the neighborhood.
The Slaw Dogs space on North Lake is now home to OMMA Rice and Chicken, a full-service cafe serving fruit smoothies and all manner of Korean favorites like kimbap, fried chicken, kimchi pancakes, and bibimbap. The food, prepared with care by the smiliest of cooks, delights with its simplicity. The Spam fried rice—glossy grains, scrambled eggs, and chopped vegetables, along with a fried egg and size-able slab of Spam—serves up pure comfort in a bowl. When the week’s been long and another marathon is on the horizon, there is no better fuel.
It doesn’t get any more L.A. than venturing out for a plant-based brunch in Highland Park, but alas, here we are. With veganish in-laws in town and bellies to be filled, Kitchen Mouse proved to be the perfect call this Sunday afternoon. While the line looked intimidatingly long when we arrived, service was prompt and food arrived before we knew it.
Complimentary bread is always appreciated. Kitchen Mouse’s cornbread muffins with strawberry jam made for a nice lil’ nibble while we waited for our main courses.
The Astronomer’s parents were also curious to try a few of the baked goods from the pastry counter. The carrot cake muffin and the coffee cake muffin were as tasty as the cornbread.