Jay Eats Worldwide

 I've been to Jinya Ramen Bar in Studio City a few times and recently visited their Hollywood and Highland location. See my Hollywood Food Tour HERE When my food friend, Kristie Hang , invites you to a special ramen lunch at Jinya Ramen Bar in Studio City,  you don't just go, you run!  Reason being, this special ramen lunch, involves black truffles. Yup, you heard it correct, Black Truffles!!!  After arriving and getting set up on the patio, we headed over to the kitchen to watch our special truffle ramen being put  together. Jinya's founder Tomonori Takahashi is testing brothless menu items. One of them being the Truffle Splash. This limited edition, only 10 bowls per day, is only available in Studio City for a limited time.  Besides the shaved black truffle, the Truffle Splash includes pork chashu, Brussels sprouts, onion, cheese, and half a raw egg with thick noodles. ...

I had heard chef / owners of Animal Restaurant, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, were working on ramen.  I remember thinking that the proteins would be amazing and wouldn't be surprised if they created a new style of ramen.   It's good to have foodie friends that share info from around town. @BackyardBite  informed us that Animal's Limited Edition Ramen was at available on Mondays and Tuesdays (from 9 pm to close) at the bar only.  We arrived at about 8:15 or so and got our names on the waiting list, the bar only seats about 7-8 people.  I forgot to mention, there are only 20 bowls each night... Chopped Chili and Garlic  on the bar for ramen We were seated around 9:30 and after our drink order was taken, the ramen seemed to arrive right away. It was suggested to us that we have the ramen first and then order any additions after. See What Jay Eats... The Limited Edition Animal Tonkotsu Ramen $18 with pork belly cha siu...

It's Ramen Monday! Last week was the celebration of Shin Sen Gumi's 3rd Anniversary of their Little Tokyo location and had their Hakata Ramen for $3 a bowl!!! (9/8 to 9/11) I usually don't go to Shin-Sen-Gumi's promotions because a lot of people show up. But this was a bit different, I was in the area AND could have a late lunch / early dinner today. Met up with a couple of friends and didn't have to wait long (about 20 mins at 2 pm) We didn't get a table, but did sit at the counter overlooking the kitchen. Not really a line to get in this afternoon, but at least they were prepared (1:50 pm Tuesday) See What Jay Eats... Hakata Ramen $3 a bowl AND they offered Extra Noodle too. Photo Courtesy of Conan O'Brien Keizo Shimamoto explains the proper way to eat ramen on Conan O'Brien Watch it HERE Happy 3rd Anniversary Shin-Sen-Gumi Little Tokyo! Photos by Jay Terauchi Jay Ea...

It's been awhile since my last "Ramen Monday" post.  I thought it was time to dust off the chopsticks and hit some ramen shops and share with you my findings.  For past posts, you can Google "Jay Eats Ramen Monday" and a list will come up. Meanwhile, let's get to the ramen: If you've followed me, you know that Shin-Sen-Gumi is the place I go to when I just want a simple but good bowl of ramen, I guess you can say it's my In-N-Out for ramen... Love the green onions and red ginger, I always ask for extra beni shoga (ginger). If you've never been to Shin-Sen-Gumi, they only serve one style of ramen, Hakata style. It's a tonkotsu broth which is a pork based broth and served with thin noodles. The thin noodles are my favorite. See What Jay Eats...    I happened to stop in for some Hakata Ramen and a 6 piece order of gyoza.  Usually the gyoza comes out before the ramen. The Best thing I like about S...

Every August, the Japanese American community in Los Angeles, gathers to celebrate Nisei Week in Little Tokyo.  "Nisei" is the 2nd generation of Japanese Americans.  The first Nisei Week celebration was back in 1934, way before my time...   I'm Yonsei or 4th Generation, I give credit to the 1st and 2nd generations  for  laying the ground work for me and generations to come.  Courtesy of Nisei Week Why not have a  Ramen Yokocho as a part of Nisei Week? Sounds good to me! To find out more about the Nisei Week events, click HERE Little Tokyo Ramen Yokocho August 16 & 17, 2014 Saturday:  11 am - 11 pm Sunday:  11 am - 9 pm Admission is $5 100 N Central Avenue (1st Street and Central Avenue) Los Angeles, CA 90012 Behind the Japanese American National Museum and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA What is the Ramen Yokocho? Photo Courtesy of Ramen Yokocho This ...

One of the things that I like to, but not always have time to do, is dim sum with friends.  Either I'm free during the week (and friends are working) or they want to go and wait 45 minutes for a table.  Ahh, memories of the long wait times at Empress Pavilion in the 90's... Thankfully, Kristie Hang has written "The Ultimate Guide to Dim Sum in the San Gabriel Valley" and China Red is on her list.  It's a fairly new restaurant and a place I've heard a couple other people talk about.  During the time I lived in Arcadia, this spot next to the KFC, has changed many many times.  Based on what I had today, this place is a winner, unless the management totally F%#$ it up! For those of you who like the carts and selecting what you want, there are no carts here, just an order sheet.  With suggestions from Kristie Hang , here's a bit of what was ordered: See What Jay Eats... Steamed Beef Noodle Roll The noodle roll is very good and I'm sur...

I usually take the Metro Gold Line to Downtown Los Angeles.  Traffic is usually bad and then I have no idea where to park.  Although some of my friends who know I'm downtown a lot, think I know where all the places to park, this is why I take the Metro.  As I was heading into town on this trip, overheard 2 guys talking about only having $5 and wanting to get something to eat. I know there are places in Little Tokyo where you can get something to eat in the $5 range, here's what I've found: See What Jay Eats... Half California Roll and Half Spicy Tuna Roll (includes miso soup) $3.95 Little Tokyo Sushi This is a grab and go kiosk inside the Little Tokyo Market Place.  They have a variety of sushi combinations ranging in price from a $2.50 hand roll to $12+. Little Tokyo Sushi at the Little Tokyo Market Place (former Mitsuwa Marketplace) 333 S. Alameda St #100 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 617-0343 Niku (Beef) Udon...