Ramen Monday - September 12


Sorry, no ramen today...
This week was 103 degrees and I'm NOT thinking ramen...

Otafuku Japanese Cuisine
Gardena

It's been a few years since I've been to Otafuku, not you typical noodle house. But they do make the best soba (buckwheat) noodles this side of Japan that I've had. Most people know that buckwheat noodles are brownish in color and have a nutty flavor to them. A few restaurants in LA make their own noodles. But only Otafuku uses imported gozen-ko, flour milled from the white-buckwheat kernel.


Seiro Soba
(sarashina soba)
$8
with dipping sauce, wasabi, and green onions


Lunch Special
Seiro Soba
$8
+
Shrimp Tempura Bowl
$3.50


Seiji Akutsu, Otafuku owner, imports the white soba flour and uses bottled spring water and makes his dough. Rolls it out and makes thin cuts to make this delicate noodle. I tried to cut soba noodles once at a restaurant, it came out more like linguine noodles than soba.

I love fresh soba noodles with the slightly chewy texture, served with the very cold dipping sauce. Actually, I really love fresh pasta and noodles! My only trip to Japan, I was fortunate to have some freshly made soba noodles. Otafuku is very close to my experience in Japan.



Otafuku
16525 South Western Avenue
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-9348




Lunch
Monday - Saturday: 11:30 - 2 pm
Dinner
Monday - Friday: 5:30 - 10 pm
Saturday: 5:30 - 9 pm



Not your typical soba noodles...



Photos by Jay Terauchi

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sticking to What You Do Best...

Last week, I was invited to celebrate National Hamburger Day at The Counter in Studio City. I had been to The Counter before, but today was special and met a fellow tweeter who was a first timer. The menu is easy to follow and you actually build your own burger, well at least on paper. First you select the protein, then the cheese, other various toppings, a side sauce, and last is the type of bun you want. If you’re having a hard time deciding, don’t worry, they have signature burgers and sandwiches to choose from. Too many choices make me crazy sometimes. I get so confused when I see other restaurants trying to be everything to everyone. The food at these restaurants are usually horrible and thus end up closing. Would you be surprised if the pizza at a seafood restaurant wasn’t good? Doesn’t make sense to me. Attention Restaurant Owners: Pick something and do it really really well. In-n-Out hasn’t added anything to their menu in years and they’re still in business and GROWING! Being i...
Read more

Coco Bread Sandwich with Jerk Chicken

Image
Who Doesn't Like Jerk Chicken??? OK, I'm Sure There Are Some, A Few, One, Maybe Two... This is Maybe My  Favorite  Sandwich! At least the one I think about when wanting  a great 'Sandwich'  comes to mind. Chef Yonette serves this sandwich as an every so often special at her restaurant, Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel, CA. The sandwich consists of Jerk Chicken and a Slaw for texture and balance on a house-made Coco Bread, a buttery soft circular flat bread (aka "Butter Flap" in Guyana) Like most awesome sandwiches, it's the bread that makes it great. As I pick-up my sandwich on Sandwich Saturday. Whenever I pick up pastries or patties from Caribbean Gourmet, it's very hard to make it home. Smelling the Jerk Chicken... See What Jay Eats... Yup, I caved and it didn't make it home... Follow Caribbean Gourmet's IG account and Stories for the next Jerk Chicken Sandwich Special Saturday. @caribbeangourmet On sandwich day, be sure to be there at Noon,...
Read more

Hidden Little Tokyo: Cheap Eats

Image
I usually take the Metro Gold Line to Downtown Los Angeles.  Traffic is usually bad and then I have no idea where to park.  Although some of my friends who know I'm downtown a lot, think I know where all the places to park, this is why I take the Metro.  As I was heading into town on this trip, overheard 2 guys talking about only having $5 and wanting to get something to eat. I know there are places in Little Tokyo where you can get something to eat in the $5 range, here's what I've found: See What Jay Eats... Half California Roll and Half Spicy Tuna Roll (includes miso soup) $3.95 Little Tokyo Sushi This is a grab and go kiosk inside the Little Tokyo Market Place.  They have a variety of sushi combinations ranging in price from a $2.50 hand roll to $12+. Little Tokyo Sushi at the Little Tokyo Market Place (former Mitsuwa Marketplace) 333 S. Alameda St #100 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 617-0343 Niku (Beef) Udon...
Read more