Shirube@Santa Monica ★

Fusion Izayaka. Good pricing. Love the flavorful and crispy fried Corn Ribs – a must. Zubaton Steak was nice with double-fried yam fries. Salad dressing for Daikon Salad is on heavy side. Too much mayo and too little toro in the Negitoro. Enjoyed Hojicha Cold Crew. Will try the Saba next time. Looked like Musha style. Bar counter seating was nice to see the action. Reservation recommended. Metered parking on street for $2.50 per hour.

Hojicha Cold Brew Tea $12 (720mL)
green tea, hojichia (Shizuoka Suigomoto Tea)

Daikon Salad $10
beets, kale, ume sesame vinaigrette

Corn Ribs $8
corn on the cob, shoyu butter

Negitoro $14
tuna, avocado, nori wasabi, tobiko, garlic bread

Chawanmushi $8
steamed egg custard, ikura, snow crab

Mentaiko Udon $16
udon, cod roe butter, kimchi, nori

Zubaton Steak $32
prime angus, yakiniku, chimichurri, yam

Shirubē
424 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-2533

Inaba@Torrance ★★★

Great Handmade Udon, Soba, and Tempura. My go-to Japanese comfort food restaurant. Great pricing. Udon is Inaniwa style. Hot tea is complimentary. Free parking in lot.

Hot Udon from Combo

Salad from Organic Chicken Teriyaki Combination w/ Tempura

Small Hot Udon $7

Soba & Tuna Tororo (Grated Yam) Bowl $23

Soba & Tuna Tororo (Grated Yam) Bowl

Katsu Bowl from Combo $20

Organic Chicken Teriyaki Combination w/ Tempura $20

Inaba Restaurant
20920 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 371-6675
www.restaurantinaba.com

n/soto@Mid-City ★★★

Fantastic Izakaya. Tofu was smooth and silky. Love the Bone Marrow with Miso and Wine flavor, paired with Grilled Rice Ball. Quality sushi. With a group of 5 people, we got to try more variety of dishes. Hot tea $4 (small pot) per person. Accepts walk-in, but reservation highly recommended. Corkage fee $30. Valet or street parking.

Kanpachi (Amberjack) Sushi $10, Toro Osetra (Chopped Toro & Caviar) Sushi $21, Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23, Hotate (Scallop) Sushi $10

Warm House Made Tofu $9
ginger, tosa joyu

Gyuyan Kushiyaki (Beef Tongue) $8

Ankimo $17
sumiso, onion, yuzu kosho

Toro Takuan Handroll $14, Blue Crab Handroll $12

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

Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23

Keroppi in a Cup $15
tequila, tepache, cucumber, shiso, vermouth, midori, lime

Toro Takuan Handroll $14, Blue Crab Handroll $12

Shiro Sake (Ivory King Salmon) $15, Hachibiki (Pacific Bonnetmouth) Sushi $12, Hon Maguro (Bluefin Tuna) Sushi $10

Soft Shell Crab $26
shiitake, shishito, ponzu

Hokkaido Uni Sushi $23

Black Cod & Artichoke Donabe $39
ginger, green onion, pickles

Lamb Chop Kushiyaki $9.50

Miso Baked Bone Marrow $21
umeboshi onigiri

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

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company@Santa Barbara ★★

Fresh Seafood by Santa Barbara Pier. Good quality. Rock Crab Shell was quite hard to tackle, but the crab meat was fresh and sweet. Abalone and Lobster Pasta was so-so. Everything else was good.

Uni Shooter $8.95
local uni in shot glass w/ ponzu, dash of tobasco & chives, topped w/ quail egg

New England Style Clam Chowder $12.95 (bread bowl)

Crab Cakes $18.95
house recipe served w/ chipotle aiolim cole slaw, & a garnish of onion rings

Abalone $26.95
fresh local red abalone pan seared, served over sautéed tomato basil rice
with garlic & sherry reduction sauce

Steamed Clams $19.95
white wine garlic broth

Rock Crab Special $44.95

Lobster Tacos $29.95 (market price)
fresh lobster sautéed with tomatoes, shallots, garlic, & basil
served on warm corn tortillas w/ Spanish rice w/ creamy salsa & avocado on the side

Uni served over Scallop & Lime $36.95 (6 pieces)

Lobster Pasta $29.95 (market price)
sautéed in butter, garlic, shallots, white wine, & sun-dried tomatoes over linguini

Firestone Draft Beer $8.50

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
230 Stearns Wharf
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-6676
shellfishco.com

Hakata Izakaya Hero@Westwood ★★★

Authentic Japanese Izakaya. Everything was good. Ankimo is a bit pricier than usual, but it's really good. Motsu Nabe (Intestine Hot Pot) is better than Hachi Torrance. Less chewy. Would like to try their Lemon Ramen next time. Green tea $3.50. Reservation highly recommended, but they allow walk-ins towards the end of the night. Walked in at 8:30pm on a Friday night. Free street parking or metered parking around the block.

Sapporo Draft Beer $6 (glass)

Ankimo $18

Pork Belly Wrapped Skewer w/ Tomato $3.90
Pork Belly Wrapped Skewer w/ Lettuce $3.90

Shishamo Smelt Fish $2.50 per piece

Motsu Nabe (Intestine Hot Pot) $56

Noodles for Motsu Nabe

Teba Gyo $3.50

Hakata Izakaya Hero
1929 Westwood Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(424) 832-3304
izakayahero.com

Matsuhisa@Beverly Hills ★★

Decent Sushi Lunch by Nobu Matsuhisa. I have been to Nobu, but it's my first time to Matsuhisa. Rice $4. They automatically serve you Hot Green Tea for $1 per person.

Combination Sushi Lunch $50

Scallop & Mayo in Orange

Negitoro Roll $30

Sashimi from Sashimi Beef Lunch Combo $48

Beef from Sashimi Beef Lunch Combo $48

Combination Sushi Lunch $50

King Crab Fried Rice $50

Silhouettes on the Wall - spotted Paul Marciano by the sushi bar

Matsuhisa
129 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 659-9639
matsuhisabeverlyhills.com