that’s actually a pretty good call - only nanjing style duck in LA. don’t go late - they run out.
might even be better to get it to go, then have vietnamese at golden deli or tasty noodle house across the street or vietnam house in the same plaza (it’s the same family, same recipes - and usually less crowded.
the marukai nearest to alhambra would have been the one in w.covina which as since evolved into tokyo central and is almost a destination in itself nowadays. but it’s still mainly a supermarket.
Same for the former Marukai in Gardena’s Pacific Square. This Tokyo Central focuses mostly on various nonperishables and items with longer shelf life. They do have some refrigerated/frozen items. The beer selection is actual pretty good, as is their shochu and har liquor. This modified business model should pan out to be more successful than the supermarket model in the past.
The only caveat with Marukai is that some of the locations require a membership. Not sure if that’s changed. The membership is only $10 for the year though.
I’m a big fan of the Torrance Mitsuwa because of the J.sweets store, which specializes in wagashi and Japanese cake, candy, and mochi. There’s also a fairly new stationery store, where you’ll sure to find some cute tchotchkes for your three-year-old.
If you choose slut, expect a long, long wait. I do like slut, but the wait is just crazy.
I would get some cuerito tacos at that carnitas place adjacent to slut, a wexler smoked fish platter or bagel sand, and coffee from G&B. Also go to Valerie and grab some desserts for later to eat.
Doya Doya is much better than Gaja, IMHO. If you want Izakaya that ventures from the standard stuff, go to Izakaya Hachi in Torrance. Japanese expats, business people, and restaurant industry people go there.
Oumi Sasaya does not serve Ramen, but the Udon there is excellent. I haven’t been to Marugame Monzo in Downtown, but Monjiro in Torrance is good - cash only though.
If you’re interested in Yakitori, Yakitoriya in West LA is the best in LA in my experience; Torimatsu in Gardena is very good as well.
I’d go to Hakata Ikkousha over Santouka for the Ramen and noodles, but the meat at Santouka is definitely better. I would go to Tsujita, but not the Annex.
I’d pass on Sapp. The boat noodles didn’t impress at all. Night + Market is definitely worth trying.
I’d also pass on Baco Mercat. As much as I loved it before, the last meal I had there was not good.
@CiaoBob - I’ve had the beef Sashimi, grilled duck, sauteed beef liver, potato with Shiokara, Saba Battera, and a few other dishes. I really liked the beef Sashimi (it’s the sister restaurant to Manpuku; the beef is really good quality there), the potato with Shiokara, duck, and Battera. A lot of people get hot pots/shabu shabu there, but, that’s really never been my thing. They always have lots of daily specials, so check those out.
I will.
I have always liked Manpuku, and they had another “Izakaya Hatchi” on Wilshire in WLA (where Ross is) that did not do very well (and was not very good). It closed about 5 years ago. Never had enough customers for the space and, in my opinion, they really dumbed it down for the anticipated Brentwood/SaMo/Pali crown (that never materialized anyway).
I also think that strip mall is totally cursed and should be totally overhauled. But that’s a diff conversation entirely… I can’t understand why that entire section of Wilshire is so underwhelming food-wise.
It seems like there are so many blocks between Bundy and San Vicente that are waiting - seemingly interminably - for developers’ shovels. Not that such development activity always brings successful restaurants (Cafe Rockenwagner, I am looking at you) but it is hard to do much worse than Devita’s (and others) along that strip:
