Nestled between Westwood and Santa Monica lies every foodie’s dream: Sawtelle Japantown.
The First Stop:
We begin our trip at Daiso Japan. Everything you find in Daiso will be adorable, from their mugs shaped like animals to all their pastel colored apartment cleaning supplies, the store is packed to the brim with cute stuff. You’ll find yourself wandering up and down all the aisles thinking, “Should I buy the soap dish shaped like a bunny or the soap dispenser shaped like a duck.” The one thing you should never pass up on buying in Daiso, however, is their wide variety of Japanese snacks.
We recommend that all students come here to stock up on snacks for finals, especially because everything in Daiso is $1.50.
Think of how much money you’ll save!
Second Stop:
Our adventure continues to Kula: Revolving Sushi.
Kula is a must-go in our opinion. The conveyor belt snakes its way across the restaurant and plate after delicious plate of sushi passes by you carrying options such as eel, yellowtail, seared salmon, red snapper, and many more.
Besides Sushi, Kula also offers other dishes such as udon, shrimp tempura, and various gyozas. With each plate being $2.50, it’s a nice place to get an appetizer before the main entrée.
Third Stop:
There are so many good things about Tatsu Ramen. They have an iPad ordering system, they’re opened until two in the morning or later, they play 80s music continuously, and they have adorable quotes all over the restaurant.
“True love is hard to find, Good ramen is even harder.” However, you won’t have to look hard for good ramen if you come to Tatsu.
The iPad ordering system makes your ramen fully customizable – you can forgo the tender pork belly for tofu or get “Hulk-sized” proportions of green onions. Whether you come with friends and sit at the communal dining table or come alone and sit at the bar, you’ll love every last savory drop.
Finale:
You might be thinking that at this point you’ll be so stuffed you can’t even walk straight. Well, that’s true. Walk around Sawtelle and explore the amazing culture of the area, where traditional meets modern. There are plant nurseries on every corner, used book stores, trendy clothing boutiques and lively karaoke bars. And if you find you have room to spare in your stomach, stop by Mj’s Café for ice-cream sandwich macaroons or over seventy drink options. (All customizable with your choice of boba, pudding, rainbow jelly, etc.)
Enjoy and have fun adventuring!
Picture courtesy of yelp.com, flickr.com, and Helen Zapata
Gifs courtesy of Gyphy.com
Daiso Japan: 2130 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Kula Revolving Sushi: 2130 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tatsu Ramen: 2123 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Mj’s Cafe: 11307 Mississippi Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025