I don’t drink my beer this fast. I usually baby sit it for five years and let it grow up a bit. It would be kind of silly for two self-proclaimed Arashi fangirls not to do something for their 12th year anniversary on the 15th of September. Hence, this particular Yama Date was pretty special.  What better way to celebrate 5x12 Day than sitting in a tatami room, eating delicious Japanese bar food with a super cold, refreshing, glass of draft Japanese beer.  Chant with me fandom: BIRU! BIRU! BIIIIRU! *high five to all my Kisarazu Cat’s Eye fans*  I have extremely fond memories of Honda Ya in Tustin during my college years so fond that I never got around to visiting their location right in my own city. I don’t know what took me so long because Honda Ya doesn’t disappoint in either city. The tatami mat room in this Honda Ya is definitely larger and more detailed than the one in Tustin. Admittedly, they also have more comfortable floor pillows.  On this particular date, I ordered an old stand by: Ume-shiso Tempura ($5.95), which is red snapper wrapped in a plum leaf then deep fried in tempura batter. It’s hands down my favorite Honda Ya food. It’s pretty much the first to go when it gets ordered. The snapper is moist and tender and contrasting it with the amazing crunch of the tempura. Then the slightly sour flavor of the plum leaf gives just an added layer to an already flavorful fish. I would’ve have given you a picture, but let’s face it: it disappears pretty freaking quickly. Stef also ordered their takoyaki ($4.50, pictured above) and I can probably argue that there isn’t a takoyaki either of us has disliked. What I actually find nice about how Honda Ya serves this street food fare is they put the mayonnaise on the side to dip in, instead of layering it like most places. Not that it’s a bad thing, but it’s nice they’re conscious of other people that way.  Our friend, Jenny, who joined us on this Yama Date, also ordered a bowl of their chicken udon ($6.95). For a restaurant that doesn’t necessarily specialize in soup noodle dishes, I was actually pleasantly surprised how good and refreshing their udon was. The chicken was really tender as were the noodles and the broth was very light, but full of flavor. I would happily order this again as comfort food on a cold day. Between us, we ordered a nice list from the yakitori menu. There were lots of bacon wrapped asparagus ($2.25, pictured above), some quail egg ($2.00), some leg meat with sauce ($2.25), and our stand by, chicken meatball ($2.25).  I really love the charred flavor from their grill on their yakitori. It just speaks Honda Ya, and while Torrance’s Torihei’s chicken meatballs will forever be the meatballs in which we judge all meatballs, Honda Ya, for me comes to a close second. They’re a lot smaller and not as packed with crack sauce as Torihei’s, but the quality of the meat and cooking is just as good as Torihei.  Since Stef and I were still pretty hungry after all our food—and there’s part of me that thinks it was because we were getting beer munchies— we also ordered a couple of grilled salmon onigiri ($2.95, pictured above) to finish off our night there. If you haven’t tried a properly grilled onigiri on a coal grill… just do it. You’re missing out.  It honestly was not a bad way to have a celebratory “Happy 12 Year Anniversary Arashi” dinner— sitting in tatami room, with a great atmosphere, sharing and laughing over stories and giggling over memories of Arashi over alcohol and good food— and never mind that after dinner, we stayed up until 4 in the morning watching videos and concerts until we couldn’t stay awake anymore. You can’t help but be thankful for the five amazing men who brought you together and gave you an excuse to create such memories :3 So… Happy 5x12 Fandom! 

I don’t drink my beer this fast. I usually baby sit it for five years and let it grow up a bit.

It would be kind of silly for two self-proclaimed Arashi fangirls not to do something for their 12th year anniversary on the 15th of September. Hence, this particular Yama Date was pretty special. 

What better way to celebrate 5x12 Day than sitting in a tatami room, eating delicious Japanese bar food with a super cold, refreshing, glass of draft Japanese beer. 

Chant with me fandom: BIRU! BIRU! BIIIIRU!

*high five to all my Kisarazu Cat’s Eye fans* 

I have extremely fond memories of Honda Ya in Tustin during my college years so fond that I never got around to visiting their location right in my own city. I don’t know what took me so long because Honda Ya doesn’t disappoint in either city.

The tatami mat room in this Honda Ya is definitely larger and more detailed than the one in Tustin. Admittedly, they also have more comfortable floor pillows. 

On this particular date, I ordered an old stand by: Ume-shiso Tempura ($5.95), which is red snapper wrapped in a plum leaf then deep fried in tempura batter. It’s hands down my favorite Honda Ya food. It’s pretty much the first to go when it gets ordered. The snapper is moist and tender and contrasting it with the amazing crunch of the tempura. Then the slightly sour flavor of the plum leaf gives just an added layer to an already flavorful fish. I would’ve have given you a picture, but let’s face it: it disappears pretty freaking quickly.

Stef also ordered their takoyaki ($4.50, pictured above) and I can probably argue that there isn’t a takoyaki either of us has disliked. What I actually find nice about how Honda Ya serves this street food fare is they put the mayonnaise on the side to dip in, instead of layering it like most places. Not that it’s a bad thing, but it’s nice they’re conscious of other people that way. 

Our friend, Jenny, who joined us on this Yama Date, also ordered a bowl of their chicken udon ($6.95). For a restaurant that doesn’t necessarily specialize in soup noodle dishes, I was actually pleasantly surprised how good and refreshing their udon was. The chicken was really tender as were the noodles and the broth was very light, but full of flavor. I would happily order this again as comfort food on a cold day.

Between us, we ordered a nice list from the yakitori menu. There were lots of bacon wrapped asparagus ($2.25, pictured above), some quail egg ($2.00), some leg meat with sauce ($2.25), and our stand by, chicken meatball ($2.25). 

I really love the charred flavor from their grill on their yakitori. It just speaks Honda Ya, and while Torrance’s Torihei’s chicken meatballs will forever be the meatballs in which we judge all meatballs, Honda Ya, for me comes to a close second. They’re a lot smaller and not as packed with crack sauce as Torihei’s, but the quality of the meat and cooking is just as good as Torihei. 

Since Stef and I were still pretty hungry after all our food—and there’s part of me that thinks it was because we were getting beer munchies— we also ordered a couple of grilled salmon onigiri ($2.95, pictured above) to finish off our night there. If you haven’t tried a properly grilled onigiri on a coal grill… just do it. You’re missing out. 

It honestly was not a bad way to have a celebratory “Happy 12 Year Anniversary Arashi” dinner— sitting in tatami room, with a great atmosphere, sharing and laughing over stories and giggling over memories of Arashi over alcohol and good food— and never mind that after dinner, we stayed up until 4 in the morning watching videos and concerts until we couldn’t stay awake anymore.

You can’t help but be thankful for the five amazing men who brought you together and gave you an excuse to create such memories :3

So… Happy 5x12 Fandom! 

After leaving IOTA Bakery and Cafe in Koreatown, Los Angeles. 

After leaving IOTA Bakery and Cafe in Koreatown, Los Angeles. 

That awkward moment when your Arashi ringtone goes off and the you realize the girl sitting next to you is Japanese… -_-; Bru Coffee Bar isn’t anything new for me in particular, though it was Stef’s first time here. This neat and relaxed cafe was introduced to me by one of my other friends, who incidentally lives about a block away.  On this particular Yama Date, Stef was pissed off at her wi-fi at home and needed to do homework and I needed to get out of the house.  Since it was a late Friday afternoon, we actually skipped out on our usual place, Haus, and avoid Little Tokyo because parking in general can be a pain.  For me, I’m always impressed with this place every single time I walk in. It’s bright. The interior design is clean and the people manning the counter are extraordinarily polite and friendly. While I don’t drink coffee often, if at all, I greatly admire their freshly ground beans, individually filtered and french pressed serving method. It harkens back to what I saw at Intelligista in Silverlake. It makes me believe that they not just here to keep churning coffee out but to make sure you have a great cup.Same thing for their teas. I personally love their T Salon selection from Japanese Sakura Green tea to Peach and Apricot. Though my favorite is honestly, still, their freshly made chai. I love that they brew it from leaves instead of reheating something ready made. It’s thick, spicy and oh so comforting. Despite the thickness of it, it’s still surprisingly light and refreshing.  Their pastries are not to pass up either. If they have an oatmeal cookie out, go get one! They’re chewy, texture deliciousness. And I don’t understand why people think this place is unwelcoming. It’s quiet, it’s warm and there’s plenty of seating inside, outside and on a loft area with plenty of space for laptop camping. The only gripe I have is it can get pretty warm in the building, especially at the second level loft. To be honest, the second level could use some love. There are times when a poor table gets designated “left over drinks” table.  I understand, though. There’s generally only one person manning the whole place so it’s understandable they can’t stay on top of everything. Either way, this is still a well worth place to chill and get a great cup. Just stop by Bru and enjoy yourself. :3 —— As a bonus, we had dinner at my local neighborhood favorite, the Oinkster. We had some quarter chicken with slaw and fries and my current favorite “fatty” indulgence that’s off the menu. Just ask for some Piggy Fries with pastrami on top. You won’t regret it and you’ll make the people sitting next to you jealous. :3   Photos by Paula Gaetos. Background found here. Brushes found here.

That awkward moment when your Arashi ringtone goes off and the you realize the girl sitting next to you is Japanese… -_-;

Bru Coffee Bar isn’t anything new for me in particular, though it was Stef’s first time here. This neat and relaxed cafe was introduced to me by one of my other friends, who incidentally lives about a block away. 

On this particular Yama Date, Stef was pissed off at her wi-fi at home and needed to do homework and I needed to get out of the house. 

Since it was a late Friday afternoon, we actually skipped out on our usual place, Haus, and avoid Little Tokyo because parking in general can be a pain. 

For me, I’m always impressed with this place every single time I walk in. It’s bright. The interior design is clean and the people manning the counter are extraordinarily polite and friendly. 

While I don’t drink coffee often, if at all, I greatly admire their freshly ground beans, individually filtered and french pressed serving method. It harkens back to what I saw at Intelligista in Silverlake. It makes me believe that they not just here to keep churning coffee out but to make sure you have a great cup.

Same thing for their teas. I personally love their T Salon selection from Japanese Sakura Green tea to Peach and Apricot. Though my favorite is honestly, still, their freshly made chai. I love that they brew it from leaves instead of reheating something ready made. It’s thick, spicy and oh so comforting. Despite the thickness of it, it’s still surprisingly light and refreshing.  

Their pastries are not to pass up either. If they have an oatmeal cookie out, go get one! They’re chewy, texture deliciousness. 

And I don’t understand why people think this place is unwelcoming. It’s quiet, it’s warm and there’s plenty of seating inside, outside and on a loft area with plenty of space for laptop camping. 

The only gripe I have is it can get pretty warm in the building, especially at the second level loft. To be honest, the second level could use some love. There are times when a poor table gets designated “left over drinks” table. 

I understand, though. There’s generally only one person manning the whole place so it’s understandable they can’t stay on top of everything.

Either way, this is still a well worth place to chill and get a great cup. Just stop by Bru and enjoy yourself. :3

——

As a bonus, we had dinner at my local neighborhood favorite, the Oinkster. We had some quarter chicken with slaw and fries and my current favorite “fatty” indulgence that’s off the menu.

Just ask for some Piggy Fries with pastrami on top. You won’t regret it and you’ll make the people sitting next to you jealous. :3

 

Photos by Paula Gaetos. Background found here. Brushes found here.

My picture いらっしゃいませ！
The fooding chronicles of two fangirls brought together by a bookstore and stayed together by fandom and conversations over coffee and tea.

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