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A little place that I never would have heard of, but would certainly have been interested in seeing at least once, but luckily two of my friends took me there one night. This strange little wine bar is located on the southeast of 2nd, in a little mall with parking, though it will likely be full up, but there are various places to park in Little Tokyo.

Now for what makes this place special. It does have food, though we didn’t try it, but it is mostly a wine bar (though they have mixed drinks and beer) with a huge selection, including most that can be had by the glass, but what makes it really special, is that the Japanese waitresses all dress in French Maid outfits. Yes you heard that right, FRENCH MAID OUTFITS!

Yes this place is nuts. I have read about places like this in Japan, but honestly never thought I would see one, or go in, and never expected to see one in downtown Los Angeles. Of course I also saw a brand new Jaguar with the license plate Gundam X, so Little Toktyo is a little different!

Some waitresses were very Japanese, and were not very chatty with 2 white guys with a Chinese guy, but there was one who had obviously grown up in the US, and knew how to flirt. And that has got to be why people come here.

Of course the wine list is amazing, and as I said most can be had by the glass, though even a low end wine is about $20 a glass, so don’t expect a huge deal, but you can try some really good wine that would cost more than that for a bottle. And the wine I had, a glass of pinot noir was amazing.

This place is certainly worth seeing once, but expect to drop a mint, and there might be flirting, but I am sure there will not be anything more! Ha!

This place is a major trip!

I can’t believe I had not heard of this place before, especially since it is on the floor above the Curry House in Little Tokyo (and so it has the same parking underneath with validation). I didn’t hear about this place until it was on MAN VS. FOOD, where I learned of the spiciest Ramen in Los Angeles, and I had to go. Then my friends took me out to Little Tokyo, and since every place was packed we decided to go to Orochon since I wanted to go, and one of my friends wanted the spicy ramen (my other friend wanted another ramen place he thinks is better, and I must try).  

Orochon has pork Ramen in different levels of spiciness. Their are the 7 normal levels, 7 being the least spicy, and 1 the most, except the 2 specials, Special 1 and the hottest Special 2 which has a contest if you can eat it and finish in 30 minute you get a photo taken and are put on the wall.

I love spicy, but I decided I wanted to enjoy my meal so I got the number 1. The number 1 was tasty and delicious, thought not as spicy as I thought it would be, in fact I could have taken more. It did taste pretty damn good, though not as amazingly tasty as say Noodle City’s Pho, which isn’t even spicy, but has such layers of spice. This was good, but not as amazing as I expected actually. Worth trying, but not something I would necessarily eat every day.

Still have to take Kelly here some time so she can try it. She could do number 1 so easily she would be amazed!

Certainly worth checking out, maybe even a must try, but I still am on the lookout for tastier Ramen.

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Listed as a top 5 buffets by the Food Network, this place is pretty decent, but the food is of course buffet quality, but pretty damn decent for $11.95 lunch and $20.95 per person dinner. It is located one block away from the promenade, and remember not to fill up on too many drinks, which they will refill quickly to try to fill you up. A decent meal that will fill you, but of course nothing amazing.

The best thing is the sushi with salmon, yellowtail, red snapper, scallops, squid, salmon roe, sea urchin, cooked shrimp, octopus, fresh water eel and vegetarian sushi. They also have various cooked seafood, as well as chicken terriyaki and other asian dishes, and some delicious fresh fruit,

The service is fast (you serve yourself, and they try to fill you on drinks) and the food is decent, so it is worth it if you are hungry.

(323) 467-5537

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A little Japanese Restaurant in a strip mall in Hollywood. A place for Ramen, though I haven’t tried their Ramen yet, just their Bento box which was excellent and inexpensive.

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As a chain I didn’t think this place would be that good, but I was wrong. The Sushi is actually really decent, and even better half price (the joy of bulk buying for a chain) and all tasted very good. My only complaint was the Chicken Terriyaki was not nearly as good as what I make, but the rest of the food was quite good, and $70 for 2 people including booze is pretty inexpensive.

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If you love Japanese Curry, or Curry at all you have to check this place out. This has been one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles for many many years. My friend Ashanti brought me here while I was going to USC, and I have been going ever since. The place is almost always packed, and the food is always good (if a little fattening).

Park in the structure on Second Street, and get it validated so you don’t have to pay for parking, and then either go up the stairs to the second floor, or take one of the elevators. The service is great, always quickly refilling your ice tea, whatever you are drinking, unless they are really busy. I always hear that they rush people out, but I have never had that problem, maybe because I have been going for ages now.

Now I always get the same thing, Chicken Katsu Curry Extra hot with Rice, a Miso Soup and an ice tea (unless it is there really late, then it is water or lemonade). And make sure you put some hot oil on the curry, as it doesn’t quite make it spicy, but it does add to the flavor for sure. And it includes a little side salad, though I liked the old french dressing that they used instead of the new Asian dressing. Still good, but not as good. Sure the deep fried Chicken cannot be too good for you, but damn if it isn’t tasty. The Miso Soup is very tasty, though they have replaced the seaweed with spinach which is healthy, but not quite as tasty as the seaweed in the miso. Still good though.

The Chicken Katsu Curry.

The Miso Soup.

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles.

I have only been to one of the other versions, and was really not impressed, the Little Tokyo Branch is the best of the best!

I was turned onto this place by my friend Ashanti Luke, and also used to go with my former old friend Maggie Lee. I have been going to this place since probably 1993 or 1994.