Taste of Japan in West Los Angeles

As much as it is sad to see, it is a reality that Little Tokyo, near Downtown Los Angeles, is vanishing and turning into streets of abandoned shopping plazas, shops and restaurants. The community that began in the early 1900s with Japanese and Japanese Americans banding together to create a place where an assortment of Japanese restaurants, grocery stores, and shops were collectively located within a parameter of a few blocks has been slowly disbanding. There are now only a limited selection of authentic Japanese restaurants existing in the town that is also known as Japantown.

Fortunately, there is another, more modern and booming place where you can find a variety of authentic Japanese restaurants that evoke a feeling of actually being in Japan. This place is in West Los Angeles. Known as Little Osaka, there are restaurants, grocery stores, teashops, cafes, and gift shops aligned on the streets of Sawtelle Blvd., between Olympic Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. Within the past few years, Sawtelle has become the trendy hot spot amongst not only young Japanese students, but among Asian Americans and Americans in general who appreciate the ambiance of dining in Japan.

The variety of Japanese food that is available is the focal point of the area, as there are many types of Japanese restaurants on Sawtelle that go beyond the typical sushi restaurants (including the popular Hide Sushi [2040 Sawtelle Blvd., 310-477-7242]) and ramen shops (like the quick and tasty Asahi Ramen [2027 Sawtelle Blvd., 310-479-2231]). My favorite is Furaibo (2068 Sawtelle Blvd., 310-444-1432), which resembles an izakaya in Japan, a place where you can eat and drink a variety of Japanese style foods like chicken skewers (kushisashi) and shochu mixed cocktails in private tatami mat rooms. A must is the tebasaki chicken wings, perfectly crispy and covered in the most delicious spices and seasonings that can be ordered in any range of spiciness. My favorite drink is the Calpico Shochu, which is shochu alcohol mixed with the popular Japanese drink, Calpico (very tasty yet indescribable). The prices are inexpensive and portions are made for ordering several dishes to share, making it perfect for tasting a variety of izakaya dishes. In short, Furaibo is a perfect place to drink, eat, and have fun with friends.

Another unique Japanese food that might be difficult to find is shabu shabu, which is served at Mizu 212 (2000 Sawtelle Blvd., 310-478-8979). There, you sit in front of a personal boiling pot where you boil your own meat, vegetables, and noodles and eat by dipping them into either soy based or miso based sauces. This provides another authentic Japanese dining experience that is fun and distinctive.

For more upscale dining, couples and families should visit 2117 (2117 Sawtelle Blvd., 310 477-1617), which features Japanese-French fusion menu. The restaurant itself is small and offers a quiet intimate setting to enjoy the rich taste of a variety of unique dishes. Just to name are couple, these dishes include a spinach stuffed chicken breast and spaghetti with plum pesto (ume) sauce with calamari. 2117 also features a wide selection of wine, as the menu reflects entrées that are ideal for complimenting with wine.

And if you want to take some of the Japanese flavor home, you can visit Nijiya Market (2130 Sawtelle Blvd., #105, 310-575-3300). This grocery store offers a variety of food that you can prepare at home or bento lunches that you can simply heat up. In addition, there are a plethora of Japanese desserts available at low prices, ranging from delicious cakes good enough to serve at fancy restaurants to traditional treats made with red beans. This market also offers personal care products imported from Japan, from shampoos, hair dyes, to make-up.

In addition, Sawtelle has several boutiques that offer clothes inspired by Japanese fashion and accessories, most notably Giant Robot (2015 Sawtelle Blvd., 310-478-1819), which also sells unique collectibles and figurines. Asahiya Bookstore (2130 Sawtelle Blvd., #207A, 310-575-3303), the large bookstore, has a wide assortment of art books, magazines and of course, the ever-popular anime and manga.

One of the best aspects of Little Osaka is its convenient location, right off of the 405 freeway. The fact that all the shops are located in close proximity to one another - all within walking distance even for Los Angeles natives (notorious for not walking) - makes Little Osaka even more fun and easy to navigate. Furthermore, what makes these restaurants and shops more special and authentic is the fact that they are actually run by Japanese, which is becoming more difficult to find.

*Please note that all the addresses are in Los Angeles, CA 90025