Momo's trip to Gardena

[momopi_IHB]

Lunch at Kiraku ramen:



<img src="http://static4.px.yelp.com/bphoto/aodqniej-J0_LWc22mVkXw/l" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/kiraku-gardena">http://www.yelp.com/biz/kiraku-gardena</a>



The ramen here isn't exceptional, but the fried rice was tasty! Their lunch special comes with a large bowl of ramen and plate of fried rice or curry rice. Eat the ramen and take the rice home for dinner. $$ saver! Also, I noticed that Nice Time Deli in Irvine is printed on the front cover of the menu. Same owner?





Desert at Sakuraya:



<img src="http://static2.px.yelp.com/bphoto/elNsZpb2ydNtCWVYh-EaDQ/l" alt="" />

<img src="http://static1.px.yelp.com/bphoto/sIDPSz3__GupV0wBX5_L5w/l" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sakuraya-gardena">http://www.yelp.com/biz/sakuraya-gardena</a>



I'm currently eating through a box of mochi from here and I'm not sharing. ;p Get here early for the good stuff. Most of the mochi will keep for 3 days but some must be consumed the same day, they're all made fresh in the morning.





Visit to Meiji Tofu:



<img src="http://static2.px.yelp.com/bphoto/xn6Hw1OQXZ-jvxdsw-vDEQ/l" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/meiji-tofu-gardena">http://www.yelp.com/biz/meiji-tofu-gardena</a>



I dropped by Meiji Tofu to pick up some age (fried) tofu. He makes the tofu fresh every morning. I was blabbering about my new stove top smoker to the guy and he took out some home made plum miso from under the counter. Looks like he bought some canning equipment... OMG the stuff tastes good! Currently selling for about $5 per bottle. Worth every penny.





Dinner at Torimatsu the other night:



<img src="http://static2.px.yelp.com/bphoto/aCvWjJ0s6knjt2NvxNjeqQ/l" alt="" />

<img src="http://static1.px.yelp.com/bphoto/i_tKjg85ofa3uAT6Q5zfdg/l" alt="" />



<a href="http:// http://www.yelp.com/biz/torimatsu-inc-gardena">http://www.yelp.com/biz/torimatsu-inc-gardena</a>



This is a Yakitori place on Artesia Blvd (not Western) in Gardena. I usually get yakitori at Honda-Ya so I rarely come here. Dropped by because I was driving by and wanted a snack. Tried about 8 different yakitori items and was MOST IMPRESSED with the mushroom. The other items are pretty good, and you should definitely try their mushroom.

 

[momopi_IHB]

The chef from Ichiriki in Redondo Beach opened a noodle restaurant in Gardena called "Bistro Miyoda" at 15915 S. Western Ave #A, Gardena CA. They use "irregular light egg noodles" which not everyone likes in ramen, because the texture is similar to instant noodles when soaked in soup. HOWEVER, it makes an EXCELLENT cold noodle. During Summer months, Miyoda is selling cold noodles during lunch time. I highly recommend it. The noodle has a nice bouncy "QQ" to it.



Bistro Miyoda is kind of a Japanese-Chinese fusion restaurant that serves Japanese versions of many Chinese dishes like Twice cooked pork ("return to pot pork"). They also serve the Chinese spicy beef noodles. The beef is OK but the soup is too heavy on soy sauce. If you like heavy/salty soups, this place is for you. But for me, I'd get their cold noodles. The ban-ban-ji noodle is better than Mentasu's version.