Thursday, May 6, 2010
TOT / Teishokuya of Tokyo
TOT sits on the same block as our friends' boutique shop, Archrival in Little Tokyo.
Chin-Ma-Ya of TOKYO
Have not been updating the blog as often as we should be...we do have full time jobs. Bare with us. We love you!
OK...rainy days = hot soup must!! Best remedy, ramen. Everyone loves cup-o-noodles, but since we get paid now, we can upgrade from styrofoam cups to the really good stuff. Introducing Chin-Ma-Ya! Located in Little Tokyo's Weller Court, this chain of Japanese restaurants has crossed the Pacific to offer us Angelinos a little something special.
Tan-Tan Men: The signature ramen at Chin-Ma-Ya is the Sichuan-influenced Tan-Tan Men that can be ordered in 3 different spice levels--original (highest), medium, and mild. I chose mild - I'm a little weak sauce when it comes to spicy, but a little heat can't hurt. And aside from its spiciness, there's also a great nutty flavor that permeates a heavy, concentrated soup...reminds me of peanuts or kare kare (filipino oxtail dish). The noodles are average at best, but most importantly they match the soup almost perfectly. The toppings (ground pork & spinach) are typical of a simple tan-tan ramen and just as important as the noodle itself. They have a slice of butter for 50cents that you can melt in your soup, I got it, but found that the soup is already creamy, and the butter just makes it too thick.
Chin-Ma Han: Don't want soup? Chin-Ma Han is the rice alternative to Tan-Tan Men. It has rice (duh!), tofu, groud beef and pork simmered in their secret spice seasoning. Can't decide? Get both! They offer 1/2 tan-tan men and 1/2 chin-ma!
Chin-Ma-Ya of TOKYO
123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St.
Weller Court, 2F
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-3400
OK...rainy days = hot soup must!! Best remedy, ramen. Everyone loves cup-o-noodles, but since we get paid now, we can upgrade from styrofoam cups to the really good stuff. Introducing Chin-Ma-Ya! Located in Little Tokyo's Weller Court, this chain of Japanese restaurants has crossed the Pacific to offer us Angelinos a little something special.
Tan-Tan Men: The signature ramen at Chin-Ma-Ya is the Sichuan-influenced Tan-Tan Men that can be ordered in 3 different spice levels--original (highest), medium, and mild. I chose mild - I'm a little weak sauce when it comes to spicy, but a little heat can't hurt. And aside from its spiciness, there's also a great nutty flavor that permeates a heavy, concentrated soup...reminds me of peanuts or kare kare (filipino oxtail dish). The noodles are average at best, but most importantly they match the soup almost perfectly. The toppings (ground pork & spinach) are typical of a simple tan-tan ramen and just as important as the noodle itself. They have a slice of butter for 50cents that you can melt in your soup, I got it, but found that the soup is already creamy, and the butter just makes it too thick.
123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St.
Weller Court, 2F
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-3400
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hawaiian Food Tour: Day 4
I think we gained 5lbs...for sure!
Food's so good here, that I stole a copy of the menu =)
If you want good pancakes, come HERE! This place is infamous for their banana-macadamia nut pancakes. Others have tried to duplicate it and have failed! Boots reigns supreme with this one! Oh yea they serve other food as well...the omelette selection was overwhelming. We got 3 different dishes and shared everything. This place is open till 2pm on the weekdays, 2:30pm on the weekends.
the owner must be a football fan, ya think?
corned beef omelette
spam omelette
eggplant parmesan omelette
Now, the star of the restaurant....BANANA MACADAMIA NUT PANCAKES!!
the sauce tastes like melted ice cream!
hungry hungry hippos!
food coma at Kailua Beach
Lunch: Famous Kahuku Shrimp 56-580 Kamehameha Hwy Kahuku, HI 96731 (808) 389-1173
however much it costs, GET the ice holder!!
JOY!
Thank you to the beautiful people of Hawaii - for your hospitality and food. We will be back!!! Aloha!!!!!
#1 Garlic Butter - can't go wrong
nom nomz
look at the buttery goodness melted with minced, sweet garlic
muuuuuuuuurder!
long lines but worth the wait
I got pineapple, coconut, and guava with ice cream and red beans 
the softest ice ever
Thank you to the beautiful people of Hawaii - for your hospitality and food. We will be back!!! Aloha!!!!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Hawaiian Food Tour: Day 3
Brunch: Rainbow Drive Inn 3308 Kanaina Ave Honolulu, HI 96815-4214 (808) 737-0177
This place is the SHIT! Good and fast Hawaiian food. I only come here for their loco moco - although everything on the menu is delicious.
The best loco moco comes from Rainbow
Mix Plate: BBQ, mahimahi, & chicken
Chicken & Kalbi plate
Murdered it!
We went to Wal-Mart to find Hurricanes! Hurricanes is a Japanese-Hawaiian food product that you use for popcorn seasoning. Only been able to find these snack goodies on the island. So I cleaned out the shelf. Who knows when the next trip to Hawaii will be...We also stocked on gifts to bring back home to family and friends. Treats included Hershey's Macadamia Nut Kisses, assorted macadamia nuts, island teas, kona coffee, and other tourist trinkets. I love Wal-Mart!
ready made Hurricane - normally you pop your own popcorn, pour in the mix, and shake it yourself
comes with bits of nori, japanese crackers, and sesame butter flavor...addicting!
Dinner: Duke's Waikiki On the Sand at the Outrigger Waikiki, Oahu 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 116 Honolulu, HI 96815 (808)- 922-2268
Reservations are highly recommended if you want to eat dinner here. Good for steak. Barefoot bar that walks out onto Waikiki beach. Fun for singles & youngsters. Great for families.
Reservations are highly recommended if you want to eat dinner here. Good for steak. Barefoot bar that walks out onto Waikiki beach. Fun for singles & youngsters. Great for families.
crab & mac nut wontons
tuna sashimi
all-you-can-eat salad bar
Prime Top Sirloin w/ mashed potatos
Steak & Lobster
Shrimp Scampi
HUGE!!! Kimo's original Hula Pie
Hawaiian Food Tour: Day 2
We are all rested from Day 1 - eating 4 food spots knocked us out real early last night!
Breakfast: Big City Diner 1060 Auahi St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 (808) 591-8891
Breakfast: Big City Diner 1060 Auahi St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 (808) 591-8891
we LOVE garlic fries!
Chocolate chip pancakes
Pancake sandwich with sausage, bacon, eggs over easy
fried rice with eggs over medium
Banana macadamia pancakes with hopia syrup
Small, local market that is outside the "tourist" area - the area looks a little ghetto, but this is where you can get really good ahi poke. And you can pack it up and ship it home!
nice, deep, red colour
caught fresh daily
octopi
calamari
SKRIMPS!
escargot?
WTH?!
Ono has THE BEST Hawaiian food on the island - hands down!!! Come here if you want authentic, family-style Hawaiian food. And don't arrive hungry or you may be waiting a long time.
Don't blink, you might miss it
small dining area
Kalua Pig combo
Kalua pig - so good!
The amazing Laulau!! Pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed on a stove.
Our server was super sweet and showed us how to eat everything. Turns out that all the recipes belong to his grandmother! He even called his mother to find out where we can find Hurricanes! ;)
sorry for the poor quality
shaka brah!
Midnight Snack: Pearl Restaurant Ho'okipa Terrace, 3rd Level Ala Moana Center
Met up a few friends for drinks. We were full but couldn't help to look at the menu. Just grabbed a few appetizers.
Met up a few friends for drinks. We were full but couldn't help to look at the menu. Just grabbed a few appetizers.
Tropical Shrimp: Crispy fried coconut crusted shrimp served with a spicy pineapple relish.
Stuffed mushroom caps - cremini caps filled with crab meat and vegetables baked with cheese
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