Chaya DTLA Welcomes New Chef Joji Inoue
Chaya in Downtown Los Angeles welcomes new Executive Chef Joji Inoue and he has introduced a new menu. The sushi bar has been replaced with a kaisen seafood.
Chef Joji and Chaya decided to change the sushi bar over to a kaisen seafood bar to feature whole fish and other seafood from Japan’s famous seafood markets including Tsukiji Market. Each week Chaya will receive a new shipment of fish to feature. When I attended a preview party, everyone was dazzled by the Cornet fish which has a very distinctive elongated mouth.
One of the new dishes is a fish you pick out and it gets served at your table. You may choose either grilled, deep fried, salt-baked or acqua pazza which is an Italian preparation.
We tried that and I really enjoyed the flavors that had garlic, onions and even bits of clam.
I’m happy to see the salads are still brilliant. I always love the seaweed salad. Chaya has also brought back its popular summer beer garden. You can get the skewers out on the patio.
Although not a sushi guy, Chef Joji has introduced battera or box sushi. The Osaka-style sushi is perfect for those who love sushi rolls that are also very fun. I was really into the salmon with a bit of chili oil.
The battera sushi would be a great lunch if you can’t wait for dinner to enjoy the full kaisen experience. I’m eyeing those luscious seafood towers.
Chef Joji demonstrated slicing fish for sashimi and within a few minutes, the whole Cornet fish turned into a beautiful plate of sashimi complete with pickled vegetables and edible flowers.
Chef Joji thought the Cornet fish tasted best as sashimi. It had a mild flavor that reminded me a bit of snapper.
The plentiful oysters, shrimp cocktail and lobster claws by the dozens that really got the crowd going.
I hear there might be foie gras buns… I just might to return sooner than later!
Summer Beer Garden until September 4.
525 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 — 213-236-9577
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