Fun Izakaya Style in L.A.

[supag32]

I loved hopping around to all the Izakayas in Vancouver, with great drink prices, party atmosphere, and decent food. Are there any places like this in greater L.A.? I know there are Izakayas around, but I'm not sure if they have the same vibe. Any help would be great, thanks!

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Izakaya
8420 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[awwwyeah206]

For drinking, party atmosphere, and above average food I second Musha in SM and FuRaibo on Sawtelle. I think Honda-Ya and Musha Torrance has better food.

Also check out Katsuya Izakaya in Manhattan Beach. Food is decent but in a great area and you can head to the neighboring bars within a block away for more partying or a night cap.

It just depends on what's closer.

[TracyS]

On the westside, there is Furaibo, Musha, and Sasaya.

[heyitsjai]

Wakasan in Westwood, no doubt.

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Wakasan
1929 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[J.L.]

Caveat emptor: Wakasan has fantastic, excellent food, BUT the atmosphere is more of a sit-down meal. It isn't as crazy as, say, Shin Sen Gumi...

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Wakasan
1929 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[wilafur]

wakasan is not an izakaya. the food is good, but the atmosphere is extremely tame and the food is served omakase style.

[J.L.]

Agree with wilafur - Classification-wise, I believe that Wakasan specializes in Washoku cuisine, in style, NOT izakaya cuisine.

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Wakasan
1929 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[AAQjr]

Fu Rai Bo on Sawtelle and Honda-Ya in downtown are both fun Izakayas with good food. Honda-ya is maybe a little better for bigger groups and has a nice Sake menu; I prefer FuRaiBo for 2,3 people and sit at the bar, but if you go in a bigger group you can get a private room.

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Furaibo
2068 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Honda Ya Japanese Restaurant
333 S Alameda St Ste 314, Los Angeles, CA 90013

[ns1]

Shin Sen Gumi

Locations in Gardena, Alhambra, and Fountain Valley

Note that they do both ramen and yakitori, depending on the location

//edit oh wait, you said izakaya, n/m

What's more important to you, quality of food or atmosphere?

[supag32]

Atmosphere, drinks more important than the food, but we love food...

[Mr Taster]

>> Atmosphere, drinks more important than the food

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are you doing on Chowhound??? Get thee to Yelp! That is exactly the opposite set of values that the hallowed halls of Chowhound were established to protect.

http://web.archive.org/web/2000051006...

Shinsengumi in Gardena (the one on Western) is a wonderful rec... atmosphere, food and price are tops (chicken only, so its a yakitoriya and not a true izakaya, but it sounds close enough to what the Op is looking for). Feels just like you're in Japan, from the moment you step in the door and the staff knocks you down with a wave of extremely loud and exhuberent "irasshaimase"s

Mr Taster

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Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori
18517 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248

[E Eto]

Shinsengumi is exactly the place I would send someone for who's looking for an izakaya where drinks are more important than the food.

[Mr Taster]

You've always seemed like a Kokkekoko type to me.

Mr Taster

[E Eto]

If by that you mean someone who cares more for quality, then yes, guilty as charged. Kokekokko does a great job with their yakitori. Much better than the average stuff at Shinsengumi.

[Tripeler]

So, then, Shinsengumi isn't really so "shinsen" while Kokekokko is really to crow about, right?

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Kokekokko
360 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

[Mr Taster]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7637...

Mr Taster