The first part of our Better Know Your Neighborhood series has really been a long time coming. I first conjured up the idea to run a series of neighborhood explorations well over a year ago, but time and circumstance delayed the process. Finally I'm ready to share with you Little Tokyo, one of my favourite areas in Los Angeles.
Located in Downtown Los Angeles South of Main, between 1st and 3rd Street, Little Tokyo is a surprisingly quiet community with small streets, great food and great shopping. In this exploration I'm going to share my favourite eats and favourite stores in this gem in the heart of Los Angeles.
Shopping
Kimski Makes, located at 369 E 2nd St in Downtown's Little Tokyo, is an adorable little store catering to the girly girl, the urban hipster and Downtown 'artist type'. With an array of quirky accessories, from chunky ring to gorgeous hair bows and fantastic purses all at affordable prices, I mostly find myself shopping for accessories when I stop by.
That said Kimski also excels with finely curated selection of new and vintage apparel, all well priced and perfect for the Downtown fashionista (and those who are just visiting – ha)
Kimski is a must visit and is my favourite store in Little Tokyo.
The Tokyo Japanese Outlet is a great little store located in the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo is one stop shop for all things Japanese. If you're crazing a Domo plushie, a bento box, new chopsticks, eyelid glue (!) or even a novelty eraser, this is place to go.
Prices are super cheap, in the past I've picked up an amazing charcoal washcloth for around $2 and cute heart shaped suction hooks for around $3. It's definitely the kind of place you can visit and leave with a ton of stuff that you really don't need but you were pulled in by the kitsch (or is that just me?) fortunately you're not likely to spend too much however many chick shaped sponges you desire.
114 Japanese Village Plaza Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-2761
www.tokyojlsusa.com
PopKiller is everything is says on the can, well, sort of. It kills with the pop..if you know what I mean. Kitschy accessories and t-shirts and a mix of vintage and new clothes and catering to both men and women, this teeny little sister of Hollywood's Popkiller, delivers. Sometimes small is just better.
Like Kimski Makes it's very well curated with a slightly higher price tag, especially for the used and vintage, but it's absolutely worth a stop in to discover your own treasure, especially their fun and affordably priced jewelry.
343 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-1372
popkiller.us
I'm sure I don't really need to tell you about Hello Kitty, but I will anyway. I was about 11 years old when Hello Kitty started popping up on my radar and it was an instant obsession, who doesn't love this cute kitty? (well quite a few people actually – there's definitely been a Hello Kitty backlash of late.)
This is one of the best selections of Sanrio goodies I've ever seen – all at wallet friendly prices (definitely a Little Tokyo theme) and perfect for your all your cute, pink and flufftastic desires.
115 Japanese Village Plaza Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0830
www.sanrio.com
No. A is a refreshing break from the majority kitsch in Little Tokyo. A stylish, well designed store, a little heavy on the hipster, reflects the chicer more minimalist side of Downtown LA. Specialising in hard to find brands this store is one of the more expensive stores in Little Tokyo, but there's a been a sale rack everytime I've popped in so that's always a bonus.
There's a great selection for both men and women and a good balance between "street" style and a more refined look.
374 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-6155
www.number-a.com
Eating
Shojin, located in the Little Tokyo Mall is pretty much my new favourite LA eatery. This vegan and macrobiotic restaurant reworks Japanese staples such as Miso soup and sushi and makes them totally vegan. Additionally they use seitan, which, as a vegetarian is one of my favourite meat substitutes, and man do they do it well. I'm literally salivating writing this, and I'm probably not doing a great job describing it, I'm not a food writer.
What I can tell you is come here for lunch and order the Bento Box, it's the best value I think you can get in Los Angeles. For a measly $8.95, you get a bowl of Miso soup, a salad, two platters of vegan sushi, a daily special (I had barbecued seitan with potatoes) and a choice of entree (I went for the Hamburg steak) It was ridiculous delicious and I'll recommend this restaurant to anyone who'll listen.
It's location is a little strange, at the top floor of the mall, but it's cute decor, rustic with kitschy painted posters all over the restaurant make up for it. The staff are friendly and attentive and the place has a wonderful ambiance. Go, you will not regret it!
333 S Alameda St, Ste 310
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-0305
www.theshojin.com
(photo from Shojin's website)
Mitsuru Cafe is a great little cafe in the Japanese Village Plaza, don't let the location or aesthetics put you off, the food here is good. Unfortunately on my first visit here there was something..'lost in translation' I asked for something vegetarian and was given what I understood was a 'veggie pattie', like a Japanese onion bahji, it was delicious. However, on my return I asked for their veggie pattie, only to be told they didn't sell veggie patties, when I pointed to what I'd eaten weeks before I was told it was a fish cake. Oops. If you're a meat eater though I highly recommend it!
They're most famous for their Imagawayaki, a cake like dessert made with batter and stuffed with a sweet red bean paste. I think it's an acquired taste, for me they were yummy at first but became a little sickly after awhile, but the lines outside this place prove their popularity.
117 Japanese Village Plaza Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-1028
The Lazy Ox Canteen is best described as a gastropub, and self described as a casual dining eatery. They have a great selection fresh and scrumptious food on their menu's and a wonderful array of daily specials. What's more they have an abundance of beers and lagers to choose from, which is always a bonus.
The restaurant itself is centrally located, bang smack in the middle of Little Tokyo. It provides a great community vibe, and it's decor is rustic meets downtown minimalist, merging perfectly with the atmosphere.
The food is yummy, well priced (not cheap but not expensive either) and all in all it's a fabulous spot (and the spicy corn nuts that come with drinks are amazing too!)
241 S San Pedro
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-5299
www.lazyoxcanteen.com
I'm one of those who did not jump on the Pinkberry wagon, I did not get the hype, I did not understand what was so special. Cherry on Top, located in the Little Tokyo Mall, proves me right. Now THIS is special frozen yogurt, this a choice of 20 flavours, from 'Oatmeal Cookie' to 'Pineapple' to 'Original Tart' and 'Cake Batter'…just name a few, this is a choice 40 + toppings from fresh fruit, cereal, candy, chocolate, granola…need I go? Yes actually, because then you can top your toppings with Nutella, peanut butter, caramel and so many more. This place is heaven, and super cheap (it's priced by weight so you don't need to fill up your cup!)
The interior is kitschy and cute, white and pink with large plush booths, and they even provide a plethora of board games for your entertainment. So much fun and so much yum.
333 S Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 626-2150
cherryontop.net
Little Tokyo is home to two fantastic markets, the first of which is located in the Little Tokyo Shopping Center and is know as 'The Little Tokyo Marketplace' (333 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90013)
This store has a plethora of Japanese groceries, from fresh fruit and veg, noodles, savory bites, drinks, the biggest sake selection I have ever seen and of course Japanese candy – which is not only yummier than American candy – but cuter too. They also have a fairly large selection of 'western' groceries, useful if you live in the area and don't plan on eating Japanese food every day.
The other large Japanese market in Little Tokyo is the Marukai Market located in Weller Court (123 S Onizuka St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) it's smaller than The Little Tokyo Market Place, with a good selection of groceries, and is perhaps less intimidating if you don't know what you're looking for. They have a superior selection of beauty products, all in cute colours and kitschy packaging – you ant ti before you know what it is…they even had what I believe was moisturiser containing placenta with a baby on the package, so you know exactly what you're getting! Ha!
They also stock Mochi (a rice based candy) from Fugetsu-Do, one of the oldest businesses in Little Tokyo. The Fugetsu-Do store is located on 1st St, I haven't made it there yet, but when I do I'm sure we'll have a Little Tokyo Part Two, especially seen as this community seems to expand week to week!
Have you been to Little Tokyo? Did I miss your favourite place? Let me know!
Secondo WWD (abbigliamento femminile Daily) beni top del lusso italiano di fascia alta calzature per lo sport del marchio SpA del gruppo Tod Hogan dopo la primavera e l’estate 2013, di nuovo insieme “LOVE” rivista editore Katie Grand, l’introduzione del 2013 autunno e in inverno serie. La serie sarà pubblicata in Mercoledì Milano Fashion Week, per un totale di 63 set di abbigliamento, zebre tema, coinvolgendo calzature, borse, portachiavi, set di iPad e altri accessori, il prezzo varia da $ 155 a $ 775.
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