Dommy what else do you add to these diy burritos? You make it a SoCal breakfast burrito style or throw in frijoles de olla, rice, guisado, etc?
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That list certainly has some head scratchers. The “finest” Japanese restaurants serves this quality nigiri 
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I always thought Sushi Inaba is the best upper tier sushi in the South Bay. Never had it though
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I mean, how do you not include:
Tamaen
Wadatsumi
I-Naba
Tendon Carlos Jr
But Matsui makes the cut?? I-Naba contends for best tempura in LA. The rice quality at Wadatsumi and Carlos Jr contend for best non sushi gohan in the LA. Both different beasts, but I love the beef fat saturated rice from the roast beef bowl at Wadatsumi or the tare and egg yolk soaked rice topped with chili topping at Carlos Jr. Just tell me how Matsui in any way is better than the above mentioned omissions other than you get a discount if Shohei hits a home run.
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I agree with all these takes also kotohira
Also this “ South Bay has never seen a personalized, intimate omakase experience like the one at chef Daniel Son’s Gardena restaurant.”
When both mb and torrance location of inaba has existed for some years. @matthewkang we get that you are buddies with Dan son lol!
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Not much else. You can add a little bit of beans to create a foundation and a little bit garlic rice to soak up a little of the tomato sauce. But the star needs to be the Chile Relleno, Cheese and coating for the chile which acts a salsa sponge. That is why I like the ones at Zamoras. The coating they use is super good.
Of course you could always do like La Azteca and add their awesome Carnitas or some Asada. But I think that is too much for burrito. I much prefer it in Taco form like how Los Cholos does it.
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Tamaen and I-Naba were on the most recent list but I shuffled them out. They’re both amazing. I haven’t done Wadatsumi yet but it’s on my list. Tendon I’ve done a bunch, it’s good. It might go back on some time.
Matsui is more off a value play and also ambience. I’m glad it reopened bc it was closed for a while during the pandemic.
I’ve had two ho-hum experiences at Kotohira in the past year (not sure if you know but I live in Torrance so these are basically all my local spots). I think if anything I might re-add Komatsu for homestyle Japanese. I still contend the personal experience of Sonagi is something I’ve seen few omakases or any restaurant in LA for that matter, reach. The family affair, the handwritten notes, etc. But I-Naba’s sushi is of course unimpeachable, except maybe the price. I-naba torrance’s sushi counter wasn’t good when MB was open, btw.
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Komatsu’s hamburg and katsu with starchy egg sauce are 2 freaking amazing dishes. That chef is incredible.
My only wish is if Komatsu can have the intimacy of “Midnight Diner” that would be the ultimate.
Also Shoya and Fukuno. I feel like Fukuno is completely flying under the radar for what they are doing @matthewkang Fukuno is also ran by a older Japanese couple so who knows how much longer until they keep it running and before you know it……it will be gone and unappreciated
Shoya has that Midnight Diner feel too. Some great dishes as well.
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Appreciate the recs. Agree re: Komatsu, the food is incredible but it needs an actual diner vibe. alas, I’ll take what we can bc a lot of these old school Japanese restaurants won’t be with us for long.
On that note, yes Fukuno has been on my radar but their hours make it slightly less accessible. Now Shoya wasn’t on my radar at all so I will have to check that out as well! Thanks for chiming in.
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I know you live in Torrance. Fair enough and I appreciate your response, I have always personally enjoyed kotohira but I guess ymmv. I have not been to sonagi so I cannot speak for that experience but I just felt it was odd to leave inaba off esp with the phrasing regarding sonagi.
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Possible coconut ice cream availability this Sunday at Sweet Thai.
With that quality housemade coconut cream for the mango sticky rice I wanna guess this ice cream will also be spectacular. Also it is never available like ever lol
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It’s great. My kids love it. We’ve only had it a few times but didn’t realize it wasn’t an everyday offering.
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Matsui is owned by the same restaurant group as Sushi Boy and their sushi and food reflects that. The food is fine other than their atrocious sushi, but I’ve had better tempura at Gardena Bowl Cafe and better sushi at Nijiya Torrance if that tells you the level of food there.
Shuffling out knock out spots seems odd when you can simply add without having to omit restaurants that deserve the acclaim. Wadatsumi gohan and onigiri alone are worthy of a trip, let alone the roast beef bowl and sashimi which are some of the best value in LA considering the quality. And they have Suntory Premium Malt on draft and shochu hi-ball.
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Caffe Tre Venezie.
This is a great spot to get a small breakfast! Or even just to sit down and chat with a friend/family with a cup of cappuccino. I am guessing some of the old school Italians from San Pedro come down here. Seems like the owner is always there. Never been to caffès in Italy but I imagine it’s a similar vibe.
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The rice with the tempura egg is a perfect bite
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That is the truth!
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Market World/Hannam Chain on Sepulveda
Man low key has some of the more interesting banchan.
There is a halmoni at Choo Choo Train Udon restaurant inside the market that has some of the best kimbap. Today she wasn’t here. She is so sweet and friendly.
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but is it the finest?
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