Little Tokyo has been around for 132 years, surviving world wars and economic crises, and today, stands as a thriving, colorful cultural community. It is one of three remaining official Japantowns in the US (the other two are in San Jose and San Francisco), and was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1995. The neighborhood of Little Tokyo spans five blocks in Downtown Los Angeles, and you can spend the day exploring the vibrant restaurants, shops, and bars that reside in Little Tokyo. Here’s our top five things to do in Little Tokyo next time you’re in Los Angeles, California.
The cozy, unassuming Jist Café has been serving up delicious breakfast and comfort food in the form of Japanese dishes since the 1920s, and the recipes still uphold the warmth of home cooking today. Owner and Chef Glen Ishii is the third generation of chefs for the family-owned restaurant, and he brings his own recipes and his grandmother’s recipes to life for locals and travelers alike. Order the iconic Chashu Hash with pork belly so fat and tender that your tastebuds won’t know what hit it. Cut into the Omarice, a traditional Japanese omelet dish that splits open with soupy goodness once you slice into it. Finally, for the sweet tooth, order any of the fresh pancakes; we recommend the Coconut Crème Pancake made with crème fraiche batter and fresh strawberries. Don’t forget to order a Café Cado, a sweet combination of avocado, condensed milk, and Vietnamese coffee, to wash it all down.
Searching for cool, trendy streetwear that can only be found in the heart of Little Tokyo? Look no further than Japangeles, a streetwear brand that combines Japanese and LA culture into clever clothing designs. Founded over ten years ago by Roy Kuroyanagi, the brand has grown to be loved by the community, and celebrities, too, with stars like Simu Liu, Russell Peters, and Sakura Kokumai, to name a few, rocking their merchandise. And because they don’t have an online store, you must grab a shirt, sweater, or fitted hat at Japangeles when you visit Little Tokyo.
Sanrio’s motto is “Small gift, big smile®” and they’ve been creating smiles for over 40 years with their quirky cast of characters, with the most famous being, Hello Kitty. “At Sanrio, we believe that a gift is more than just a gift. Rather, a gift is a means of expressing our heartfelt feelings for others,” says Sanrio. The Sanrio Japanese Village Plaza store in Little Tokyo is back by popular demand, and one of the few Sanrio stores in the US. The store is filled with fun stationery, plush toys, apparel, and more for fans with big imaginations. Check them out when you visit Little Tokyo.
“Grown in Japan, whisked in LA,” is Midori Matcha Tea’s motto. Matcha cafes are no new concept in LA, but in Little Tokyo, Midori Matcha Tea shines brightly in creating matcha inspired concoctions that only use the organic, ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha, free of artificial flavors and sweeteners. The purity of their matcha results in vibrant drinks, snacks, and treats that truly let the matcha flavor be the star ingredient. From green matcha drinks like Strawberry Matcha Lattes, to green matcha pastries, like Matcha Scones, to Kyoto-style soft serve ice cream with rotating flavors, Midori Matcha Tea is a must-try for matcha lovers everywhere.
Japanese American National Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Japanese American experience. Incorporated in 1985, the museum hosts over 60,000 artifacts and exhibits dedicated to this mission. A current exhibition is “An American Vocabulary Words to Action” by artist Audrey Chan and rapper, jason chu – which explores the complex relationship with language for AANHPI communities, in English and native tongues.
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