ISO Fake, Americanized, but YUMMY Japanese food

[esquimeaux]

Fellow ex-San Diegans will know what I'm talking about! From my experience while attending college down there, little shops like Chopstix, Niban, Ichiban, etc, were really popular for cheap, delicious food. I miss those places a lot, they really hit the spot especially with a peach iced tea to wash it all down. Not exactly gourmet or authentic but totally crave-able curries, rolls, noodles, rice bowls, and all that great stuff. Fast, cheap, delectable.

I'm sure there are similar places in LA, I just don't know where! Little Tokyo is a little far for me, if there's anything you love in the central or west LA area, enlighten me please!

[DanaB]

I don't know if its affiliated, but there's a Japanese place in Glendale called Ichiban:

Ichiban
[phone]
120 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204

[SauceSupreme]

I really want to say Italian Tomato, but I guess that's more of an example of Nipponified cuisine as opposed to Americanized.

[bulavinaka]

How about "fake, Japanafied, but YUMMY American and Chinese food"? China Table in the Mitsuwa food court on Centinela and Venice in Mar Vista does it quite well. Most folks go directly to the "hamburg" combos - it's a salsbury steak-thing that tastes great. They offer a fair number of combos with it. I usually get it with gyoza. Their fried chicken is quite nice as well - might be slightly off of what one typically expects for fried chicken - tender, not crispy... shoyu-infused batter that is slightly sweet.

If you order extra rice (or order it to go and have your own rice waiting at home), it easily extends the meal. The savoriness of the hamburg lends itself to Japanese-style shoveling large amounts of rice down the gullet with each bite...

[Peripatetic]

There's an interesting history of this cuisine here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/din...

I too would welcome updated reports of good, "authentic" yoshoku restaurants in greater LA. (NB: I don't think Italian Tomato at the Mitsuwa in Torrance qualifies.)

[ipsedixit]

Tawada Cafe
4601 West Pico Blvd
[phone]

[trishyb]

New Japan on Santa Monica Blvd at Sawtelle in the strip mall with a 7-11. The food is very affordable, good-sized portions, and fresh. Cash only.

-----
New Japan Take Out
11283 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[Das Ubergeek]

Second this. I lived on this while I lived at UCLA.

[zruilong]

Seriously, Uber, I third this place for the same reason as you....lived on it while at UCLA. Actually, reading your posts, what you eat and where you eat at, I need to double check that you are not my clone (or vise-versa)! I have to have eaten at one of your restaurants at the same time as you over the years. Its a little creepy, really! :-)

[andytseng]

didn't go to UCLA, but whenever I went out there to visit a friend, we would always go there. It wasn't great, but it's solid.

[wilafur]

third. i lived off new japan (and yoshinoya...egads!!) during my days at ucla as well. =)

[Bjartmarr]

I don't know if it's exactly what you're looking for, but you could try Tokyo Fast Food on Santa Monica at Brockton (next to Monte Alban). They have teriyaki chicken&beef over rice, tempura, sushi, ramen, udon, a curry, plus a few grilled fish dishes. Items run about $4-10. I've been going there since I was in high school. Try the grilled saba (mackerel), or the chicken bowl, or if you're hungry get the Tokyo Special (chicken, Cal. roll, tempura, salad, and green tea ice cream). Avoid the yakisoba.

[dtud]

there is a second "little tokyo" on the westside - sawtelle blvd. b/w tennessee and santa monica blvd. you can find lots of little places on both sides of the street.

[monku]

In Mitsuwa Market in Little Tokyo & Torrance there is a Sakura fast food counter that has all that stuff. It's pretty authentic and cheap. Only open 9:30am-6:00pm.

[Servorg]

You would probably enjoy Sakura in Mar Vista. Don't know about peach iced tea but they ought to have the food part down. Very popular place.

http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...