Kanpachi To-Go@Gardena ★★★

To-Go Sushi with Nice Price and Quality. Though a long time patron at Kanpachi (dine-in), it's my first time to try their to-go only branch. It was satisfying. This Uni is a bit bitter, but it may depend on your luck and differ. Comes with Miso Soup. A la carte sushi is also available to order.

10. Deluxe Sushi $27
11pc sushi and 1 roll: tuna, yellowtail, salmon, albacore, surf clam, shrimp, egg, salmon roe, uni, Amberjack, freshwater eel, 3pc tuna roll, 3pc cucumber roll

1. Sushi $20
8pc sushi and 1 roll: tuna, salmon, albacore, yellowtail, salmon roe, uni, shrimp, egg, 3pc cucumber roll, 3pc tuna roll

Paired it with Song of the Sea Junmai Ginjo Sake (leftover from n/naka dinner)

Kanpachi To-Go
1425 W Artesia Blvd Ste 27
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 515-1391
https://kanpachigardena.com

Sushi Nikkei@Long Beach ★★

Returning to Peruvian Japanese Restaurant. Innovative fusion with great taste. The sauce, seasoning, and toppings differentiate itself to traditional Japanese cuisine. The spices are best to be paired with sake. Friendly staff. The owner Eduardo Chang Ogata from Peru recognized us since our last February visit. Busy on a weeknight. Corkage fee is $20.

Grilled Scallop $16
peruvian scallops, butter, quinoa pop, garlic limo

Octopus Fire $21
parrillera sauce, lemon soy, chalaquita

Lava Scallops $11
scallops and blue crab, truffle oil/ chili sauce

Hamachi Tosada $14
corn tostado, avocado, salsa macha, spicy mayo, radish, serrano

Oba Roll $17
crispy salmon, avocado topped with salmon, parrillera, jalapeño sauce, chalaquita

Peruvian Cebiche $25
catch of the day, tiger milk, aji amarillo, cancha, sweet potato

Hakkaisan (Junmai) 720mL $59

Hakkaisan (Junmai) 720mL $59

Sushi Nikkei
3819 Atlantic Ave Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 283-3042

n/soto@Mid-City ★★★

Quality Izakaya Spot by the Creators of n/naka. Reminds me a lot of Raku in Las Vegas (or West Hollywood, which is no longer there). Fantastic Kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and Sushi. Tofu was smooth and silky. Love the Bone Marrow with Miso and Wine flavor, paired with Grilled Rice Ball. Great cocktail. Good service. Accepts walk-in, but reservation highly recommended. Corkage fee is $30. Valet parking or street.

Sashimi Moriawase $43
chef's selection

Warm House Made Tofu $8
ginger, tosa joyu

Brussels Sprouts & Salmon Skin Salad $16
red onion, poached egg

Unagi Kushiyaki $9
japanese freshwater eel

Tebasaki $6

Geoduck Nigiri $15
jumbo clam

Sakamushi Clams $18
shiitake, dashi

Miso Baked Bone Marrow $16
umeboshi onigiri

Beachwood Lager Beer $7, Umeshu $16 (umeshu, pommeau, yuzu tonic)

4566 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(323) 879-9455
http://n-soto.com

Foo Foo Tei@Hacienda Heights ★★★

Cozy Japanese Restaurant with Great Quality. Everything was great. Tuna Yamakase was sweet and amazing. Soup Base Nan Chatte Tonkotsu Ramen was silky, smooth, and tasty. OM Rice was perfect with the egg not fully cooked. Lower price point with generous portions. Wide range of appetizers. You can add $2 to a side order to make it a value set with Salad, Rice, and Miso Soup. Miso Soup was a bit watery and had a raw water smell though. Have beer, sake, and wine available. It gets busy for lunch. Need to be here by 1pm for lunch, and the last order is 1:40pm. Walk-in only.

Nan Chatte Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle Soup $11.00
with white cream soup

Salad (Comes with OM Rice)

Tuna Yamakake $9

Fried Liver $6

OM Katsu Curry $15

Green Tea Calpico $3.50

Foo Foo Tei
15018 Clark Ave
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
(626) 937-6585
www.foofootei.com

Ise-Shima@Torrance ★

Extensive Course Dinner. Miyako Couse comes with Miyako Salad, Tempura, Vegetables, Main Dish of your choice, Miso Soup, Rice, and Mochi Ice Cream. Apple Ginger Dressing in the Miyako Salad was amazing, especially well with the sliced almond chips. Sushi is just ok. A bit too big. Sesame Mochi Ice Cream is the best flavor. Service is nice, but Maître d' at front desk is rude.

Nigiri Sushi Gozen (Miyako Course) $47

Miyako Salad with Apple Ginger Dressing (Miyako Course)

Tempura (Miyako Course)

Nimono Vegetables (Miyako Course)

Cod (Miyako Course) $52

 

Caterpillar Roll $20

Sesame Mochi Ice Cream

Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream

Ise-Shima
Miyako Hybrid Hotel
21381 S Western Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-6700
www.ise-shima.us

Nanban-Kan@Sawtelle ★★★

Best Yakitori in Town. Best paired with beer. The winner of the night is definitely Potato - cooked to surprisingly crispy perfection and served with sour cream and spring onions. Quality is great but not as consistent as Shin-Sen-Gumi. Sometimes it’s not grilled long enough and sometimes it could get a bit too burnt, like our Black Cod. Keep in mind that most skewers came in 2, so it could get you full quickly. Better to split in 2-3 orders to pace out the serving time. Super friendly service (but also slow due to staff shortage). It is impossible to book because they almost never pick up the phone due to staff shortage. Best to call around 4:30pm. I also showed up in person to book. That worked too. They will also seat you if they have table available when you arrive early. Best seating is at the bar. Wine corkage is $15. Sake corkage $30.

Potato $2.50

Large Asahi Beer $7

Brussels Sprouts $3.50

Shiso Maki $3.50

Shiromi $7.75

Tebasaki $4.75

Shiso Chicken $5

Kaibashira (Scallop) $10

Kawa (Chicken Skin) $5

Colored Pepper $3.50

Garlic $3.50

Okura Maki $3.75

Australian Lamb $14

Ginnan $3.25

Onion $2.50

Black Cod $9.50

Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream $2

Nanban-Kan
11330 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 478-1591