The 10 Best Places To Eat (PHOTOS)

Aloha Caf" width="52" height="52"/>

Start your day with French toast, Hawaiian style. Aloha Caf opens at 8 a.m. daily, ready to serve
giant blocks of warm, soft Hawaiian bread lightly coated in powdered sugar. The menu offers much
more than breakfast; return another day for loco moco, a Hawaiian classic consisting of hamburger
patties slathered in brown gravy over a mound of white rice. A couple of doors down, ogle the cakes
at the French-Japanese Frances Bakery, where the swirls of cream in the pastry case mirror the
baroque decor. Then stroll down the block to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Japanese
American National Museum, along with its terrific gift shop offering food-inspired books, clothes,
and accessories. From there cross the street to Japanese Village Plaza. 410 E. 2nd St. L.A.; 213-34-
-9930.
Mitsuru Cafe" width="52" height="52"/>
After passing the crimson Japanese fire lookout tower, stop at Mitsuru Caf. (Not to be confused
with Mitsuru Grill on 1st St.) The roughly 45-year-old eatery turns out snacks from a counter right
by the front door -- the better to serve the masses who line up for takoyaki (bite-sized balls of grilled
batter filled with octopus) and dorayaki (palm-sized pancakes stuffed with red bean curd). Order
them to go, then continue to Caf Dulce a few steps away for Vietnamese-style iced coffee. Sit
outside and enjoy the oldies sung by Arthur Nakane, a "one-man-band" who rocks out on guitar,
keyboard, cymbals, tambourine, and harmonica. Browse the shops for Totoro accessories, and try to
resist buying a rainbow selection of the excellent macaron cookies at Lette. Exit Village Plaza on 1st
St., then walk toward City Hall. Half-way down the block, peek into the alley -- you'll see one of Little
Tokyo's historic Buddhist temples, built in 1940 for a congregation founded in 1912. Then continue
straight, and cross San Pedro St. 117 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, L.A.; 213-613-1028.
LA Chicken" width="52" height="52"/>
You arrive next at LA Chicken. The tiny eatery was blending Japanese and Mexican styles long
before Kogi made the fusion taco "cool." Its chicken (promoted as "tastes like Lexus!!!") is cooked in
a sauce with rice vinegar, red miso, and chiles. For the ultimate fusion experience, order the burrito
-- packed with potato salad, avocado, black beans, lettuce, chicken, and Japanese white rice. Share
one among friends, or try the more manageable taco. From LA Chicken, turn the corner onto Ellison
S. Onizuka St., named for the first Japanese American astronaut. Check out the funky trinkets at Q
Pop (a far cry from Sanrio). In Weller Court, stop by bookstore Kinokuniya. Besides offering a
massive manga selection, Kinokuniya sells books on art, design, crafts, and of course, food. Before
leaving, drop into Marukai Market to check out the Japanese snacks and produce like shiso leaves
and yuzu lemons. 228 E. 1st St., L.A.; 213-808-1013.
Daikokuya" width="52" height="52"/>
Your Little Tokyo trip wouldn't be complete without ramen. This neighborhood boasts several ramen-
centric shops, but Daikokuya is a classic. As a local Asian Studies professor once told his students:
"If you haven't been to Daikokuya, you haven't tasted L.A." Perhaps that's because it draws people of
all stripes at all hours, unified by the desire to slurp up thin, curly noodles from a rich, almost
creamy, pork broth. While you wait for a table, visit Fugetsu-Do a couple of doors down to admire
the pastel-colored mochi, a Japanese sweet made of pounded rice. After slurping your fill at
Daikokuya, mosey down San Pedro St. towards 2nd St. When you reach Caf Demitasse, step
inside for siphon coffee, made in a fancy machine that glows like a firefly as it radiates T shirt
printing artesia heat. Then continue to the plaza at the Japanese American Cultural and Community
Center (JACCC) on San Pedro between 2nd and 3rd streets. Designed by Isamu Noguchi, it features
his majestic rock sculpture entitled "To the Issei," honoring the first generation of Japanese who
immigrated to America. Linger awhile, then cut across the plaza to 2nd St. 327 E. First St., L.A.;
213-626-1680.
Kula Sushi" width="52" height="52"/>
Little Tokyo's first sushi bar -- actually the first in all of L.A. -- opened in the mid 1960s with a
traditionally-trained Japanese chef doling out the ngiri. Times have changed. The latest sushi
addition is Kula, serving kaiten zushi, or "conveyor-belt sushi." Items range from simple tuna ngiri to
the multi-ingredient "Spider Roll," most for $2 per plate. Can they compare to the much esteemed
Sushi Gen a few blocks away? Maybe not, but what Kula lacks in precision and elegance, it makes up
for with novelty. Who can deny the thrill of snatching fish off a revolving belt? When you leave Kula,
cross the street to Hold Up Art, a gallery known for its edgy exhibitions of urban-inspired art. Also
check out what's on the docket at 2nd St. Jazz. 333 E. 2nd St., L.A.; 213-290-9631.
Kokekokko" width="52" height="52"/>
Japanese cuisine may be associated in the popular imagination with fish, but your next meal is all
poultry. Kokekokko (just around the corner from Hold Up and 2nd St. Jazz) sells chicken. Breast,
thigh and wings. Gizzard, heart and skin. Meatballs and quail eggs. All served on skewers that have
been grilled over charcoal in traditional yakitori style. The grill, rather than being tucked into the
kitchen, is at the center of the restaurant, surrounded on three sides by counter seating. From time
to time smoke billows up around the grill and wafts into the restaurant, as if just another element of
the decor. The restaurant requires each guest order at least five skewers, but will not refuse you a
doggie bag. From Kokekokko, walk to 1st St. and turn left. 203 S. Central Ave., L.A.; 213-687-0690.
Far Bar" width="52" height="52"/>
As the day wanes, the drinking hour begins. Choose Far Bar for its exhaustive menu -- two dozen
craft beers, roughly 40 Japanese beers, and nearly 40 on draught. Plus approximately 300 whiskies,
among other spirits. And cocktails, wine, and sake. Phew! Also choose Far Bar for the chance to step
back in time to 1935 when the restaurant opened as the Far East Caf with a menu of
Americanized Chinese food. (Note the iconic "Chop Suey" sign.) If you want a snack, consider the
pizza cooked on a puff pastry "roti" crust, or the teriyaki sliders. Then head to Central Ave. 347 E.
First St., L.A.; 213-617-9990.
The Spice Table" width="52" height="52"/>
The Spice Table may evince a trendy L.A. look with its brick walls, high ceilings, vintage-looking
birdcage accessories and exposed light bulbs. But the food brings you on a journey far from home, to
the streets of Singapore and Vietnam. Like potatoes fried with house-made sambal, a hot chile
sauce. Or satay, skewers of chicken, beef, and lamb belly. And grilled pig's tail accented with fish
sauce. Little wonder chef Bryant Ng was recently named a "Best New Chef" by Food & Wine. Eat
here while you can -- Spice Table must relocate in several months due to construction on a new
Metro station. When you leave, stroll to the Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Kyoto Grand) on Los
Angeles St. between 2nd and 3rd streets. Take the lobby elevator up to the picturesque rooftop
gardens, where graceful trees frame the downtown skyline. 114 S. Central Ave. L.A.; 213-620-1840.
Lazy Ox Canteen" width="52" height="52"/>
Take the day's last few bites at the Lazy Ox Canteen. For three years, this small-plates restaurant on
one of Little Tokyo's calmest streets has served up an imaginative New American menu with global
influences. If Spice Table's grilled pig tail intrigued you, try the Lazy Ox's much-admired fried pig
ears. Craving veggies? Consider the roasted yams, caramelized cauliflower, and blistered shishito
peppers. Oysters, clams, and octopus are on the menu too, plus a hearty oxtail ragu. Or go straight
to the rice pudding. After bidding the Ox adieu, continue on San Pedro St. to 3rd St. for your final
stop. 241 S. San Pedro St. Los Angeles; 213-626-5299.
The Escondite" width="52" height="52"/>
"Escondite" means "hideout," but this place is easy to find -- just look for the cobalt blue neon arrow.
Or listen for the strains of indie and country-infused rock -- Escondite keeps a tight live music
schedule. Then grab a beer or cocktail, kick back at a booth, and enjoy the kitschy western dcor.
Contemplate trying your luck on the Addams Family pinball machine, or one of the game boards
stacked behind the register. Before you leave, meander onto the patio to gaze at the twinkly
downtown skyscrapers and recall the day's adventures, beginning with Hawaiian French toast. 410
Boyd St. L.A.; 213-626-1800.