Jay Eats Worldwide

New Menu 1/2 1/2 1/2 is no longer available Ton Chan Ramen's Lunch Special Having heard me talk about Ton Chan Ramen, my biz partner @ Rhinofishfood wanted to meet up for lunch and try their famous tonkotsu ramen. On my first visit, I noticed the lunch specials, see my first visit ( Ramen Monday ) with Doreen Fang . The 1/2 Ramen, 1/2 Fried Rice, and 1/2 Karaage Chicken stuck in my mind. So today, while Jeff Nitta had the Hakata Shio Ramen with 1/2 Fried Rice, I opted for the 1/2, 1/2, 1/2... 1/2 Tokyo Shoyu Ramen 1/2 Fried Rice 1/2 Karaage Chicken served with corn, broccoli, carrots, and potato salad AND Mango Custard for dessert Everything was well cooked and tasted great. This is a place that I would definitely come back to... They'll probably see me on September 4th for the Ramen Speed Eating Contest. All for $8.95 Monday - Friday 11 am to 3 pm Ton Chan Ramen 821 W Las Tunas Drive San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 282-3478 Have to find an excuse to go back. Who wants to go? ...

July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day! Today is National Fried Chicken Day. I've seen a lot of recipes for dipping chicken in buttermilk, using a certain kind of flour, and frying in lard to give fried chicken the extra punch. But, it's fried and people like that, maybe a bit too much. The other day, I had some Kara-age (Japanese fried chicken). "Kara" means empty (without batter) and "age" means fried. The chicken pieces are marinated in a sweet soy marinade and then dusted in flour or starch. Excess flour/starch is shaken off and fried in low temperature oil. These crispy pieces of chicken are drained and served over sliced lettuce with a lemon wedge. Also served with Japanese mayonnaise. One of my favorite "chicken nuggets"... Karaage Japanese Fried Chicken Where do you like to go for fried chicken? I would love to hear... Photo by Jay Terauchi (c) Kahuna of the Kitchen

Ramen Monday! Last week, I was in the South Bay and we had lunch at Ramen Yamadaya (Ramen Monday - June 6th). It was a good place and I'll probably go back there. Ramen Yamadaya's speciality is Tonkotsu based ramen. Tonkotsu Moyashi Ramen Pork based broth with Bean Sprouts Tonkotsu is a rich pork bone broth that has a cloudy white broth. By simmering the pork bones for hours, pulls out flavor and collagen, giving it the rich and creamy look. I probably shouldn't say this, but many restaurants add amounts of cream or butter to enhance the broth. Have to admit, Ramen Yamadaya has a better Tonkotsu broth than what I had today. As I was passing another ramen place, I thought to give it a shot. Karaage Chicken Japanese Fried Chicken This was disappointing, they didn't cut the chicken correctly Not even worth mentioning this place Happy Ramen Monday! Photos by Jay Terauchi

Happy Mother's Day! As you've read in previous posts, I'm a fan of Bento Man's Japanese fried chicken bento and made it to my "Japanese Lunch Specials in LA" post. I happened to be in the area again and stopped in to try the "Salmon Bento." Salmon Bento The salmon was well cooked with a nice crust and perfectly seasoned. I really wasn't a fan of the other "fried" accompaniments, trust me I loved fried... Fried tofu, fried piece of chicken, and tempura shrimp was a bit much, especially if you are trying to eat healthy by ordering the salmon. Although I'm Japanese American, I still have a hard time eating the root vegetables prepared the traditional way. It's too old skool for me and usually what I avoid in bento boxes. Other than that, everything is well prepared and a deal at $7.25. On the other hand, I really love Bento Man's "Karaage Chicken Bento", Japanese style fried chicken. Maybe this will be what I al...

Earlier this month, I posted "Japanese Lunch Specials in LA." One of the specials that I liked was from Bento Man on Western, just South of Pico, in LA. I said that I could get something similar at an Asian market for $6.99. Just happened to be looking for some noodles for a client to try and came across this Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) Bento for $6.99 at a major Japanese market in LA. Store Bought Bento $6.99 from the grab and go case You get 4 pieces of chicken, watery green beans, mini scoop of Japanese potato salad, broccoli, and hard steamed rice for $6.99. Bento Man $6.25 A la Minute (Prepared to Order) 6 pieces of chicken, a mini egg roll, Japanese sweet egg omelet, daikon salad, and steamed rice for $6.25. I think you know what my pick is... Bento Man 1500 South Western Avenue (Just South of Pico) Los Angeles, CA 90006 (323) 733-5316

We're living in a time where the economy doesn't allow for extravagant lunches right now, we're all looking for GOOD lunch bargains. This week, I visited two Japanese places that really have that old skool flavor, taste, and price. Karaage Chicken Bento Bento Man $6.25 Bento Man is a small takeout place with picnic tables. All the food is "a la minute" or cooked to order and that makes it better than those found at the Asian grocery store. It's a bit more American taste, probably why I like it so much, without being too traditional Japanese. It's also a bargain, I've purchased the same fried chicken bento at Mitsuwa for $6.99, not sure how long it had been sitting in the grab & go case. My only concern, with a name like Bento Man, the bento menu is small. Other items on the menu are ramen, udon, curry, and sushi rolls. But the bento is the real deal here. Bento Man 1500 S. Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90006 (323) 733-5316 They just changed ...