LA Sushi and Chirashi Takeout Boxes - A Roundup

If you've been following me over on Instagram, you may have noticed how many sushi and chirashi I've been eating as takeout. I decided to do a roundup of all the ones I've eaten so far! Here's the list and my thoughts, arranged from the lowest priced to the highest. Of course, I haven't ordered ALL the sushi takeout in LA, so I'll be updating the list as I go. 

1. Kaisendon from Iki Ramen ($19.50)

Even though the kaisendon at Iki Ramen has slightly increased in price from $18 to $19.50 it still the best deal around. They have some great quality fish, with fatty yellowtail, fresh scallops nicely topped with yuzu, blue crab, salmon, ikura and spicy tuna. It really hits the spot when you have a craving! For this fish quality, less than $20 is an amazing price.

2. Sushi Box ($28.95) and premium chirashi ($44.95) at Ootoro Sushi

I wasn't sure where to put this on this price-ranked list since we got two boxes. A cheaper sushi box and a more expensive premium chirashi box. The sushi box was inexpensive and filling, but to get my favorite cuts I would have to go with the premium chirashi box, which also contains toro, amaebi topped with uni, and the fried head of the amaebi.

3. Nozawa Trust Me at Sugarfish ($38)

Sugarfish has had a takeout box since pre-lockdown, so they've got the presentation and everything down already. Sugarfish may not be the most exciting on the list, but it hits the spot and a good value. Sugarfish is always consistent, so you know what you're in for. 

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Takeouts in LA: Wagyu Bento from IMA and Yazawa (Beverly Hills)

I meant to be blogging more when the lockdown happened, but well, it was hard to find motivation! But now I'd like to highlight some of my favorite takeouts that I've had over the past few months. I hope you guys are all getting takeout and supporting local restaurants when you can!

I've been ordering a lot of bento boxes, and two of my favorites came from sister restaurants IMA and Yazawa in Beverly Hills (the restaurants are right next to each other and pickup for takeout is at the same spot). Both of them are wagyu specialists that import their meat straight from Japan. Yazawa focuses on yakiniku while IMA does sukiyaki and shabu shabu. IMA is the only U.S. branch of Imafuku, which has a Michelin star in Japan.

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Winter Tasting Menu at Iki Ramen (Koreatown, LA)

Iki Ramen in Koreatown is one of the best new ramen spots in LA, but it's not just about the ramen. At the end of last year, they started doing a tasting menu which I have to be say is one of the better deals in town. Iki Ramen is still open for take-out during the pandemic shutdown, which I'll talk more about in a bit, but first I want to show you the tasting menu!

The tasting menu had gone through a couple of iterations as they refine what they want to do. The one I had was an 8-course tasting menu for $70.

We started with some Burrata and pickled tomatoes

This dish is on their regular menu, and it's always a great one to order. Loved the refreshing tomatoes with the creamy burrata.

Trio of: salmon wasabi, takoyaki, uni ikura don

I couldn't decide which of the three items I like best from this plate. Obviously I'm partial to uni but their takoyaki is really good too!

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Build Your Own Bento at Chaya Downtown's Cherry Blossom Festival

Now until April 19, Chaya Downtown is celebrating Cherry Blossom Festival with a build-your-own hanami bento. You can choose among ten items ($22 for 3 items or $28 for 4 items) including vegetable tempura served with pink salt, maple leaf duck confit spring rolls, or snapper temari sushi.

I would recommend the Coffee BBQ mini pork shank with chipotle miso, or the salmon gravlax with sakura creme fraiche and vegetable pickles (both pictured above).

For $4 more you can also substitute the items with a Koji Marinated Black Cod with bok choy and soy balsamic ginger broth (this and the pork shank were probably my two favorites!)

You can also substitute for the grilled Black Angus flat iron steak with wasabi butter and haricot vert.

There are also two cherry cocktails for the festival. We all preferred the refreshing Sakura Bellini (cherry sorbet, luxardo, champagne, $12), perfect to wind down after a day of work. They also have a Cherry Manhattan with Tullamore Dew, sweet vermouth and cherries.