Category: WHAT’S HOT

Onigiri Sun, the Little Tokyo shop known for its plump, generously filled rice balls made with Japanese ingredients, is opening a second location on July 24. The new shop is inside CAL Marketplace at 2CAL in Downtown Los Angeles, the building that houses the Consulate General of Japan. It opens at 7am on weekdays, which makes it an easy stop for breakfast or a quick lunch during the workday. What Makes Onigiri Sun Different The shop is serious about the basics. The rice, nori, and salt all come from Japan, and each onigiri is hand-shaped rather than pressed tight, which…

A special unagi don set has arrived at Kimukatsu in Torrance, available for the month of July only, in celebration of Doyo no Ushi no Hi. The set pairs a generous bowl of plump, expertly grilled eel over rice with a salad, a hearty house-made tonjiru (pork and vegetable miso soup), and pickles. Normally $23.75, the full set is $20.75 for a limited time. Why Unagi Don in Midsummer Doyo no Ushi no Hi is the midsummer day when people in Japan traditionally eat eel to build stamina for the hottest stretch of the year. In 2026 it falls on…

Hojicha tea bags are 10% off all through July at Den’s Tea, the Japanese tea specialist carrying a wide variety of teas sourced from Japan. As this month’s featured tea, these bags pack aromatic, authentic roasted hojicha leaves into a convenient format, ready whenever you want to settle in for an unhurried cup. Available through the website, so do not miss it. Den’s Tea imports directly from its factory in Japan and keeps the tea in a chilled warehouse until it ships, with a parent company that has close to a century of experience in blending and manufacturing tea. What…

Wa Dining Suya in Torrance serves exquisite Japanese cuisine crafted by skilled chefs. The lineup includes steak with a house-made Japanese-style sauce, uni pasta, and miso-marinated black cod. Various course menus are also available, so the restaurant works well for all kinds of occasions. What to Expect at Wa Dining Suya The kitchen brings together Japanese culinary tradition and steakhouse dining. Signature plates like the steak with house-made wafu sauce, the uni pasta, and the miso black cod show that range clearly. With course menus on offer, it suits everything from a quiet dinner to a special celebration. Hours and…

Shin-Sen-Gumi, the popular South Bay Japanese restaurant group, is running a Gourmet Stamp Rally through July 31. The rally spans four of its Gardena locations: the original Yakitori honten, Hakata Ramen Gardena, 2GO, and Shabu-Shabu Gardena. Here is how it works. Spend $25 or more (before tax and tip) at each participating location to earn a sticker. Collect all four stickers, and you will receive a $50 Shin-Sen-Gumi gift card plus original SSG merch. It is a fun excuse to eat your way across the South Bay this summer, from charcoal-grilled yakitori to rich Hakata tonkotsu ramen and shabu-shabu. Check…