Big Catch - Alhambra

Back here again, but it never get's old. Some of the best happy hours in THE AREA serving up $1 oysters. The Big Catch in Alhambra is definitely my favorite location. It's open and airy. Bar seating is open to the outdoors which lets in a nice breeze.

In case you didn't know, Big Catch is part of the EMC Seafood Group. So everyone that loves EMC for their oysters can also enjoy the same quality here. Kumamoto's are the most popular, but I also really love Kusshi.

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Take a peak at their raw bar to eye everything you want to order.

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This maine lobster is waiting for you.

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Their famous Lobster Roll with tarragon butter, sea salt, stuffed inside a grilled brioche bun.

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Dirty Fried Rice - Shrimp, Calamari, Salmon, Green Onion, Egg, Lobster meat, Cajun Sauce. Salmon stood out the most, it was perfectly cooked.

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Sashimi Sampler - Salmon Toro, Yellowtail Toro, Toro, Sweet Shrimp (Amaebi). Don't forget to eat the shrimp heads. They also used pickled grated wasabi. Sashimi and sushi are extremely fresh. Something I recommend ordering when you come. They also have plenty of seafood creations to try.

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2 S. Garfield Ave. Ste. 100, Alhambra, CA 91801

Tel: 626-282-8590

Hrs: Mon-Thurs 11:30am - 12am

Fri-Sat 11:30am - 2am

Sun 10am - 12am

3rd Generation - Huntington Beach

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. 

Shishito Peppers With Dried Bonito - One of my favorite appetizers. Simple, doesn't need much seasoning, and 1 out of 10 is spicy so may the odds be in your favor.

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One of the things I get super excited to see on the menu is baked blue crab. In Japan, handrolls are shaped like a cylinder, so don't be alarmed. The blue crab handroll is wrapped with soy paper so it doesn't overpower the crab. Dab of wasabi and a dip of soy is how I like to eat this.

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"Toro My Belly" - Ground Yellowtail, Albacore Belly, Topped with Chu Toro and Caviar. Melts in your mouth.

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Highly recommended Grilled Seabass. So buttery and velvety. Each bite was meaty, but tender from the fat. One of my favorites of the night. Those crispy brussels were also amazing with fried garlic chips.

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Yellowtail Carpaccio - Yuzu Citrus Sauce, Cilantro, Olive Oil, Tomato Micro Greens.

Address: 7311 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Tel: 714.892.1700

Sushi Gen - Downtown Little Tokyo

I found Sushi Gen a few years ago when I started making more cash to afford higher end sushi. I didn't start to understand the craft until after my first visit here. After my first visit, I came back a few more times and it never fails to deliver. The ratio between rice and fish is always perfect in the nigiri. The quality of their seafood surpasses the expectations of local joints. There's a lot of great sushi places out there, but Sushi Gen always has that charm every time I go. People think it's all about the hype and the long lines that drive people to go. I'm not going to say that's not part of it, but they deliver on what they are proud to serve and I like to stick up for that because they shouldn't be shunned out for being "popular" just like they shouldn't be raved about just because they are "popular".

I've heard great things about their lunch specials. The sashimi lunch here is what everyone goes nuts for. The line was also no joke. We got there at 10:40 to wait in line. They don't open till 11:15AM. After the first crowd gets seated, the rest of us leave our name and the number in our party. Make sure your party is here or you won't be seated when called. Don't be mad about it either. There's a lot of hungry eaters waiting in line ready to take your seat anytime, so just be prepared. We got seated at 12, perfect timing for lunch.

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Each entree is served with marinated steamed tofu and lightly pickled cucumber and cabbage.

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This is the unagi set with side sashimi. The unagi was very flavorful, fatty, and scrumptiously decadent. Dust a little sansho pepper on top and dig in. I highly recommend this set. For $28, it's a great deal.

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The side sashimi that comes with the unagi.

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Their famous $17 sashimi lunch. Comes with a good portion of hot rice, this was a lot of food than what I bargained for! Fish was absolutely amazing. The tuna slice you see behind the hamachi, I believe was bluefin tuna. I could see the fat marbling throughout and knew this bite was going to be a treat. My eyes literally lit up after my first bite. They also served chopped up spicy tuna, negitoro, a few ends from the yellowtail and tuna. Also a grilled salmon piece in the back. Totally worth it.

422 E 2nd St Los Angeles, CA 90012

Little Tokyo, Downtown

Kappo Honda - Fountain Valley

John and I came here for dinner after dropping off an old friend from Japan. Shortly did I find out this was the same chain as Hondaya. I feel like Hondaya represents the feeling I get at a Japanese Izakaya when I was in Tokyo a few years ago. Nothing fancy, just down right beer/sake drinking with some good appetizers.

Beef tataki. The cuts were thicker than what I'm used to, and it could've been more rare. Someone sitting next to us thought tataki was some sesame/mushroom sauce and Oh boy was the waitress looking at him like "Get out".

Maguro Natto - Every chance I get to order this I always do. Fermented soy beans with tuna sashimi. Feel free to order a quail egg. I like to dash a bit of soy sauce and mix this up until it gets extremely-ultra-slimy.

Takoyaki. Always a fun appetizer to order. Goes great with beer. It's basically a octopus pancake ball with bonito flakes on top. Drizzled with tonkatsu sauce and served with a side of Japanese mayonnaise. 

Pork Kakuni. Pork belly stew in a soy based sauce. Normally served with spinach and a side of spicy mustard. When I worked at a restaurant, I would order this dish and pour the whole thing over rice, then douse with shichimi pepper.

And then, yakitori. Quick easy dinner with no stress.

18450 Brookhurst St Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Gyutan Tsukasa - Costa Mesa

Gyutan Tsukasa is located in the popular market, Mitsuwa. As much as this market is known for selling Japanese ingredients, a lot of people know Mitsuwa for their food court. Most popular is Santouka, Hokkaido style Ramen. As much as a I love getting the ramen, there's a restaurant at this food court that I love just as much if not more. Gyutan Tsukasa serves everything Ox tongue. They serve the tongue in a curry, a simple broth, stew/demi glace, and my favorite over charcoal.

It's charred to perfection and served with a side of wasabi and pickled/preserved veggies. I eat each piece with a little wasabi and a dash of Shichimi (Japanese spicy red pepper). Each bite will also get a big scoop of fried wheat rice.

This right here is the perfect bite. If you've never had beef tongue, it's not as weird as it sounds. Just think of it as just beef. I know the texture is unique, but it's also fatty. And when it's cooked perfectly, it will have a nice snap, but well slowly melt in your mouth. Beef tongue is one of my favorite items to order, always, at a Japanese restaurant. It's normally priced high for a small portion, but it's definitely manageable here at Gyutan Tsukasa.

I highly recommend this if you come. The food court in Costa Mesa now serves draft beer.