Little Tokyo: Japanese BBQ at Oreno

 

 

Oreno in Little Tokyo is Japanese BBQ or perhaps it’s the Japanese take on Korean BBQ. After trying to decide if we wanted this cut or that, we just simplified our lives and ordered a combo. It was just the two of us but we thought we could tackle it.

Although I’ve been to this shopping center plenty of times, I had somehow overlooked Oreno. It’s located in the same shopping center as sturdy Orochon Ramen and my new favorite Japanese fried chicken spot, Torigoya.

 

Besides the steak, we had a couple different cuts of beef, pork belly and chicken.

 

I loved the soup! The seaweed and egg drop soup was everything I like about a light soup while enjoying a heavy meat-centric meal.

 

The bibimbap actually came in a hot stone pot but we were out of room at the table so the server helped scoop up a couple of bowls of rice for us. It was just enough so we didn’t over-stuff oursevels.

 

By the time we started grilling the chicken, we were regretting getting the combo. It seemed like a good idea at first but the two of us really struggled to finish it off. Good thing the chicken was juicy and oh-so-tasty, just like all the other meats.

 

We enjoyed everything with Happy Hour beer and a sake flight. We were offered dessert at the end and I chose mango ice cream. They had a few other flavors but I wanted something tropical. Rolling out of Oreno, we went in search of a nightcap.

Oreno Yakiniku Japanese Bar-B-Que

123 S Onizuka St., Los Angeles, CA 90012  —  (213) 680-0829

 

© The Minty 2016