Gokumi@Santa Ana Grand Opening ★★★

Amazing Grand Opening Sake & Izakaya Event. By Shota-san from Fifth Taste. A selection of 10+ different premium sake available for tasting. Buffet style. I like Ohmine Winter's Arrival, Muryozan, Kuheiji, and Akabu. Deep discounts on bottle purchase. Ohmine Winter's Arrival was $100, but only $60 at event. Even got a gift bag to take home. Owner Long-san is very kind and generous. Yakitori chef Ryo-san is very dedicated. Even gave me Otoro for my birthday surprise. Great place to dine after leaving Disneyland. 2 time slots for the event: 4-6pm or 6-8pm. $50 per person. Free parking in lot.

Great Team at the Event!

Great Selection of Premium Sake from Fifth Taste

Heiwa Muryozan Junmai Ginjo - Regular $120, Event Price $70

Tsuruume Lemon and Summer Orange - Regular $65, Event Price $50

Ohmine Winter's Arrival - Regular $100, Event Price $60

Shota-san, Sake Sommelier from Fifth Taste

Ohmine Winter's Arrival - Regular $100, Event Price $60

Buffet Style Izakaya

Kaze no Mori "Wind of the Woods" - Regular $65, Event Price $40

A Smokey Surprise for My Birthday

A Smokey Surprise for My Birthday

Smoked Otoro for My Birthday

Yakitori

Shibata Pink Nigori - Regular $19, Event Price $13

Amazing Akabu Junmai Daiginjo "Gokujyo no Kire"
available for purchase

Yakiyasai

Shibata Yuzu

Chirashi Rice from Buffet

Shota-san, Sake Sommelier from Fifth Taste

Kuheiji Eau Du Desir - Regular $85, Event Price $50

The Owner, Long-san, on the right

Yakitori Chef, Ryo-san

Heiwa "KID"

Maybe they want to hire me to pour sake?

Nice Gift Bag with Snacks

Got Akabu Junmai Daiginjo "Gokujyo no Kire" & 2 bottles of Ohmine Winter's Arrival to take home
available for purchase

Gokumi
2 Hutton Centre Dr, #203
Santa Ana, CA 92707​
(714) 617-4540
https://gokumi.us

Ichimi Ann@Torrance ★★★

Homemade Udon & Soba from Inaba. Fresh & Amazing. Affordable Japanese comfort fast food. I basically came up with a secret menu with their add-ons based on a limited edition soba I had in Ikebukuro in 2008. Cold Tororo Soba with Mentai and Onsen Tamago add-ons (served on the side). Their Tempura are tasty with sauce already integrated. Total bill for the 2 meals below was $40.70. Fast food self-seating with self-served iced tea and water. Return tray by the cashier when done. Free street parking.

Cold Tororo Soba with Mentai & Onsen Tamago add on (served on the side) $20

Hot Udon + Tempura Don Combo

Hot Udon from the Combo

Cold Tororo Soba (before putting in the add-ons)

Dressed up for the Occasion

Ichimi Ann Bamboo Garden
1618 Cravens Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 328-1323
www.ichimiann.com

Sushi Inaba Manhattan Beach@Torrance ★★★

Amazing Michelin Star Sushi Restaurant. Yasu-san is nice and friendly from Chiba, Japan. He grew up in sushi resturant. His dad owns the fish market, so he gets special from his mom. Because of this, 1/3 of their fish is from Chiba. He is very creative and develops his own special techniques based on his experiences. Love the Shirako Tempura. The vinegar in his rice is a on the heavy side, but you get used to it as the dinner progresses. $280 per person. Green tea (pot) $5. Yasu-san remembered us from his collaboration at Kaneyoshi. 6-seat-restaurant. 1 seating per night. Door opens promptly at 7pm. Reservation available via Tock. Temporary location at Inaba Restaurant. Free parking in lot.

Yasu-san

Inaba Housemade Bucketwheat Noodles with Bafun and Murasaki Uni in Uni Broth

Tai (Seabream) Shirako Tempura

Hokkaido Sweet Shrimp with Egg Yolk and Caviar, topped with Gold Leaf Flakes

Taiagai (Pen Shell Clam) Shell

Taiagai (Pen Shell Clam)

Taiagai (Pen Shell Clam) (very hot!)

Awabi (Abalone) Chawanmushi (Steamed Egg Custard) with Aosako (Japanese Seaweed)

Sumono (vinegar sauce): Hokkaido Hairy Crab, Blue Prawn from Okinawa, Firefly Squid from Hokkaido, Shiso Leaf Flower

Slow-Braised Ankinmo from Hokkaido
one with wasabi and one with black pepper

palate

Ginger cut in 2 ways

Tuna from Kyushu Market aged for 13 days

Atsukihada (Grouper) from Shizuoka

Face Mask for the Sashimi

Ishidai (Japanese Knife Jaw)

Fresh Hokkaido Kaki (Oyster) with Kombu Broth & Pinch of Salt

Fresh Hokkaido Kaki (Oyster) with Kombu Broth & Pinch of Salt

Inside of Oyster

Kuromutsu (Black Seaperch) from Chiba

Donchichi Aji from Shima
cured with salt for 3 minutes, with scallions and ginger in middle

Mehkari (Japanese Green Eye Fish), Deep Water Fish

Shima Aji from Shizuoka aged for 2 weeks

Nodoguro (Black Throat Seaperch)

Bafun Uni from Hokkaido

Bafun Uni from Hokkaido

Special Technique for Otoro

Special Technique for Otoro

Moving Ootoro aged 18 days

Kohada (Gizzard Shad) cured in vinegar

Fish Bone Clear Soup with Aosako (Japanese Seaweed)

Anago (Saltwater Sea Eel) with a hint of Shiso Leaf Aroma

Tamago with Shrimp & Scallop

1 Michelin Star

Yasu-san

Sushi Inaba Manhattan Beach (Temporarily in Torrance)
20920 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
www.sushiinabamanhattanbeach.com
www.exploretock.com/sushi-inaba