Viewing entries tagged
ramen

Tatemichiya

July 14, 2018

Not a lot of people know this, but I was really sick with Bronchitis on my way to Japan. It actually got worse during my flight and at times, I thought I was going to die. I was desperately buying vitamin juice packs from our local 7 Eleven down the street from our hotel in Ginza. This was during winter so the cold frosty air didn't help my cough much. Luckily, I conquered a few days before visiting the emergency room. But, let's save that conversation for a different day.

Before visiting the hospital we saw one of my dearest friends, Ami Tsuchida, who lives in Tokyo. She recommended a local Izakaya that she's been going with her mom. It's as rock'n'roll and divey as it gets.

This was shot from their little upper level seating. Tons of people were also smoking which didn't help my coughing much, but to my surprise, the alcohol helped. They have tons of sake, shochu and beer. If you don't finish your bottle they can tag it for you.

Marinated hotaru ika - Briny and sweet squid pairs perfectly with Japanese beer. I switch off between Sapporo and Asahi.

I believe this was shiokara over cream cheese. Shiokara is pretty much squid fermented with their digestive parts. It sounds gross if you're not familiar with these kinds of food, but I really like this.

A very traditional home dish Japanese people ate as a kid. Ham katsu. It sounds weird, but does it really? This isn't something that's bizarre, but this was one of the most memorable dishes I ate because of it's simplicity yet addictively delicious.

Fried Oysters. One of my favorite izakaya items. Served with tonkatsu sauce and an egg tartar. SO GOOD. Where's my beer?

White fish with shiso deep fried. Served with grated ginger.

Sashimi moriawase.

Agedashi tofu with natto. Came out hot and sizzling. I love how a lot of restaurants serve natto!

Tsukemono. I always order this at every Japanese restaurant. It's nice to have with drinks. It also acts like a palate cleanser.

Tonkotsu ramen to end our dinner before heading to a cigar lounge.

I forgot to take photos of yakitori, but we had it as well.

B1F, 30-8 Sarugakucho, Shibuya 150-0033, Tokyo Prefecture (Shibuya / Harajuku / Ebisu) +81 3-5459-3431

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CHAYA Izakaya - Venice

July 9, 2018

A concept that has been in the making is now available for you to experience. I hold Izakaya very dear to my heart as I've worked in one for 3.5 years inspiring me to travel to Japan now twice. Izakaya is a very unique experience that is rooted deep in the Japanese culture. Feel free to ask the staff on how to truly experience the Izakaya dining ways. I like to see it as a Japanese tapas bar. You order drinks and a few dishes to accompany the conversations. Repeat this and you're good.

Here are some captures of the night.

Let's talk sake. There are plenty to choose from here. Pick from your Junmais and Daiginjo, they have it all.

I enjoy sake, but I'm always an old fashion type of gal. I love this cocktail, but I've never had it with Japanese whiskey. They were making this with Toki by Suntory. I am pretty shocked how well balanced this came out to be. There was a nice balance of sweet and smokiness from the Toki which I've never picked up when drinking it neat or on the rocks. This will be my new whiskey of choice for old fashioned.

Oysters are life. These are 1/2 shells with a granita on top. Extremely refreshing and a wonderful play on the palate.

Snapper on "daikon rice".

Tsukune.

Beef tongue with kimchi.

Wagyu Chazuke - This is luxury at its finest. A dab of brocollini puree, crispy rice and luscious mentaiko butter topped off with a fresh pour of their savory dashi tea. Ochazuke is normally comforting. This is pure guilt on how good it is.

Tequila ramen. Yes there really is tequila in this ramen. Don't worry, you don't taste tequila, but tequila naturally has citrus notes which comes through in the broth. When I was in Japan I had a lot of fresh yuzu ramen. The citrus from the tequila reminded me of that. I hated myself after thinking about how clever this was.

Amazing Chef Wako doing his thing.

Chef Yukou Kajino putting in last touches before the hungry crowd devours.

CHAYA MODERN IZAKAYA 110 Navy Street Venice, CA 90291 310.396.1179

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Hana Ichimonme - Little Tokyo

September 18, 2017

This restaurant has been here for decades and I've only been here a handful of times (less than 5 to be exact). My last visit will make me come back for more. There's just a certain charm to this place you won't find at any other hour wait lines. They have a pretty extensive list of ramen options though they aren't that different from one another.

I ordered their Spicy Tonsai Ramen. It's not a ramen I would normally order, but I really wanted to try something different instead of the tonkotsu. Their Tonsai Ramen is a soy sauce based soup with stir-fried pork and vegetables (normally cabbage). From their level of Mild to 1-5 levels of "spicy", I picked level 4. For 1, I can eat spicy. 2, in case that shit is spicy, I'm assuming I should be able to handle level 4 without dying. I'm already anticipating butt fires, but that's part of the fun of eating spicy foods. Not really, but the eating part is freaking amazing.

To start, just some typical Yakisoba... And this was because they ran out of curry. Decent. Nothing spectacular, but comforting.

The devils bowl. I called the server's bluff when she warned me it was spicy. Almost went with level 5 just because of that. How dare she tell me that their spicy ramen is actually spicy? That's blasphemy I tell you. But, she was right.

But... I was not slain. I was sweating.. a lot.. This had a good kick to my throat, but it wasn't so spicy that it was NOT delicious. Because this was the opposite of that. This was pretty freaking tasty. The chili paste or whatever they used had great flavor. It didn't just taste spicy and bland. I wouldn't drink the soup though... I still don't want to die. Will I do level 5? maybe.... Level 4 felt just right. It had the spiciness I craved without making it unbearable. And the best part? No butt fires.

333 S Alameda St Ste 303

Los Angeles, CA 90013

Little Tokyo, Downtown

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Santouka & Gyutan Tsukasa - Costa Mesa

June 4, 2017

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

- is my favorite ramen shop here in Los Angeles, hands down. When I went to Japan a few years ago, it amazed me how delicious the ramen was. People rave about sushi in Japan which I don't disagree but, I can honestly say you can find compromisable sushi here as well. Going back to ramen in Japan, I was blown away with the layers of flavors within the broth. A lot of soup bases here are imported or have fat delivered to recreate the umami-ness you would expect in a tonkotsu broth that have been bathing for 12+ hours. A lot of times, you would just find the soup to be heavy and fatty. Say goodnight after breakfast. At Santouka, the broth is clean, rich and deep in depths of flavor.

Shio Ramen (salt ramen) is my favorite. This is their white tonkotsu soup with melt-in-your-mouth charsiu pork.00

You can create combos with your ramen. I'm not sure why, yet, but I will do research later to why the sets are so ginormous and loaded with carbs. Literally. In Japan and Japanese restaurants here, you can get chirashi with a side of udon. Oyakodon with a side of udon. Why?! I don't mind. I love it actually but, just curious.

665 Paularino Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Mitsuwa Marketplace Costa Mesa Store

21515 Western Ave., Torrance, CA 90501 Mitsuwa Marketplace Torrance Store

3760 S.Centinela Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066 Mitsuwa Marketplace Santa Monica Store

More locations >>HERE<<

Gyutan Tsukasa

665 Paularino Ave Mitsuwa Marketplace Costa Mesa, CA 92626

I've talked about this place before. So nothing much about this besides they are amazing. Delicious beef tongue grilled over binchotan served with wasabie, pickled veggies, miso nanban and a heaping of steamed rice.

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3rd Generation - Huntington Beach

February 27, 2017

3rd Generation Sake Bar specializes in Ramen, Sushi hand rolls and popular Japanese side dishes like chicken karaage. I've been to their location in DTLA location and now a new space has opened in Huntington Beach.