If ever you think you don’t really like some food; if ever you think you won’t eat it because it’s unethical, immoral, or politically incorrect; if it doesn’t fit into your vegan/vegetarian/south beach/atkins/grapefruit diet; if ever you can’t imagine eating it because of how gross it looks; if ever you turn your nose up to it because it is beneath you, pedestrian, plebeian; if ever you just won’t eat it…
Impale it, throw it on the robatayaki, and wash it down with cold hard sake.
I swear, you will eat it.
It’s called kushiyaki. Sometimes people mistakenly say “yakitori” to mean the same thing, even though techni-ficially, yakitori refers to a type of kushiyaki made of chicken. While we’re at it, a robatayaki is a bar where you sit around a robata grill and keep yourself sober with the kushiyaki coming off the coals. Yaki this. Yaki that. It doesn’t matter. Just call them “sizzling skewers.”
sizzling skewers
That’s what Sakura House calls it. “Sizzling skewers of kushiyaki” is very proudly declared on the black and white sign over the door to their tiny, corner-spot location in a mini-mall. We went to Sakura House for dinner, the continuation of a love affair that was sparked at Fu Rai Bo then set on fire at Shin Sen Gumi – a love affair with kushiyaki, not the guy. ;)
Though there are tables in the tiny little dining room, they defeat the purpose of eating kushiyaki. We headed for the counter and smiled at the heavily-euro-accented yoga couple on one side and a trio that looked like they stepped out of a Benetton ad on the other side before wedging ourselves between them. From our perspective, we could barely make out the wizard at the grill through the smoke. It made me thirsty. We ordered our first of several sakes within 90 seconds of sitting down.
don't cry over spilled sake
grill action
where there's smoke
wrapped in pork belly
here's the beef
little fish on a big grill
put all your eggs on one stick
dry, cracked skin is delicious
chickens have balls
sausage and peppers
much room for mushroom
on a roll
come undone
jalapeno poppers?
Sakura House
13362 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310.306.7010
** a year ago today, spumoni gave me a neapolitan complex **
tags :: food : and drink : japanese : restaurants : reviews : los angeles
Anonymous says
I like how you reference Quetzalcoatl, like you almost didn't have to look up the spelling to that particular god before cut and pasting it into your deliciously witty piece... and yes, I also cut and paste. Forgiveness prease.
http://www.xanga.com/chubbuni13
FoodZealot says
Nanbankan is pretty yummy, too. The lamb chops are simply perfect and perfectly simple. Salt and smoke - that's it.
nhburdick says
Both Sakura House and Nanbankan are great, the ambience at Nanbankan works a bit better for me, and the owner Takashi is extremely welcoming...
but, food-wise, each has standouts -- like the tofu and miso side dish at Sakura and the Gyu ni nuko (sp?) at Nanbankan -- scallops, mushrooms and butter! hungry thinking about it.
Anonymous says
If you go to Sakura House, you absolutely must try their "Special Anniversary Desert" (I think this is what it is called - it is always on the specials board).
Think "latte custard - or maybe latte flan, or pudding - oh, just try it - it's heaven in a bowl and conveniently comes in 3 sizes for sharing, or keeping all to yourself!
Binh says
If you like this place, you should try Shinsengumi in Torrance: 405 and Western. A bit more lively and the food is just as good.
Binh says
If you like this place, you should try Shinsengumi in Torrance: 405 and Western. A bit more lively and the food is just as good.