Those are awesome papas nachos! I like getting them with lengua or cabeza, too.
3 Likes
How did I miss this onigiri counter?! 
Is it in the Food Court itself, or inside the market? Thanks for the recs! The different flavors sound wonderful.
lol you glutton!
I wonder if they are still 24 hours
Itâs in the market to your immediate right. It looks like a tiny service deli. Sadly the deli itself is closed, but they have all the Onigiri prepacked and ready to grab and go (along with buckets of their Karage and cups of the curry I mentioned). Itâs not the same, but itâs still really tasty (Was there just last week and got a Beef one which was the perfect thing to eat in the car).
Back in the day when the service deli was open, they had a great special that was 4pc Karage (Which is excellent for supermarket stuff) with a rice ball and soup. They guys who worked there were the sweetest and would always give you extra Karage. 
1 Like
Hi @blimpbinge,
Thanks for the pics. Your post about the Japan travels you did reminded me, so I just checkedâŚ
It looks like Ikkousha in Torrance and Little Tokyo carry a Mentaiko Bowl(!). 
But it doesnât mention Shiso (which seems like a great combination). We need to confirm if itâs included or not, but if it is, maybe itâll be similar to what you ate at Akane Chaya?
Thank you for the great post!!
Iâm glad you enjoyed Daichan.
Iâve mentioned many times. To me, the best hidden gem in the entire valley (OK that makes no sense but you know what I mean LOL) Love this place. There was a time I was eating here two to three times a week when we lived in Studio City.
2 Likes
Hi @Gr8pimpin,
Thank you! What are some of your favorites at Daichan?
Itâs like a neighborhood Japanese place youâd find in Gardena except itâs in Studio City. So you can expect above average authentic Japanese but maybe not something to drive 30+ minutes for. IMO.
I usually get the baby squid app, ten don, poke, curry, etc.
4 Likes
I am a fan of their poke (Poki as they call it). I even like the chicken version.
Wifey and kid are all over the map. She often gets the kawachi salmon and the garlic Hawaiian chicken. He likes the tuna soba and curry udon.
We usually share a Katsu.
Daichan is also quite inexpensive.
3 Likes
The people at Tempura House on Sawtelle are turning us into semi regulars. Despite the name, they do not serve tempura. but they do serve up a nice katsu curry, probably better than anything else on Sawtelle. I had Itâs an all-takeout place that has set up a few tables on their sidewalk. Service is more than friendly and helpful. l had the tonkatsu but they also offer chicken katsu. I have also enjoyed their grilled mackeral.
12 Likes
They have really tasty Chicken Hamburg Steak special a couple times a week. But I havenât been since the re-opened⌠But looking forward to heading down there soon since they extended their hours.
Also, the Katsu Sando stand opened up for their first brick and mortar in Chinatown this past week. They also have added curry to the menu. Looking forward to giving it a whirlâŚ
1 Like
Hi @Dommy,
Maybe donât get your hopes up about Katsu Sando. We tried them at Smorgasburg, and it was pretty terrible. 
Thread about it here.
2 Likes
Oh! I had them too and actually liked them. The Sando is not my favorite format (To be honest, I thought Kombi was kinda Meh) but I liked the katsu portion, it has a REALLY nice thick crusty and their housemade katsu sauce is much better than other stuff out there. Their B&M is expanding their menu which is why it caught my attention. We shall see⌠I have yet to get act together to head over to Otono 
1 Like
Just want to say that I trust this thread and report about Championâs Curry so much more than all of the food media people gushing about the new Little Tokyo locationâŚ
3 Likes
Just out of curiosityâdo people in Japan usually eat katsu with curry, or is that just a restaurant thing here? A Japanese friend in college introduced me to the curry bricks you can get at the grocery store, so Iâve been making curry with those all these years. Just with rice and the meats cooked in the curry, nothing fried.
In Japanese Cuisine, itâs considered a Western Dish⌠Yoshoku⌠but itâs also perhaps the most popular dish in Japan (We watch Lunch On and the amount of curry you see on that show is quite a bit). Katsu Curry is very popular variation on the dish, which is why, for a homey dish that is very easy to make⌠there are so many Curry Restaurants (Some of which have come here like Coco and Champion) because Katsu is best made in a restaurant setting⌠But yes, at home, the most common curry is perhaps an easy type with thin slices of pork (You can actually buy a cup of this at Tokyo Central, which is delicious!) or just curry rice. Similar to how one of the the most common curries made at home in India is Keema Curry.
3 Likes
Yes itâs a thing in Japan. Just check on Tabelog Japan and youâll find almost 24,000 restaurants that sell Katsu Curry (and those are only the ones registered there).
2 Likes
Good article about Japanese curry and itâs navy connection.
5 Likes
Midoh maybe a required visit this weekend. Thanks, @Chowseeker1999!
2 Likes
Hi @attran99,
Hope you like it. (You can bang x bang with Cindyâs Kitchen!) 
Although if youâre getting Tonkatsu, make sure you uncover the fried cutlets so it doesnât steam.
1 Like