DTLA: Late Night Sushi at Izakaya Gazen

 

After wandering from the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles over to Little Tokyo, we decided to get some sushi after a beer flight at nearby Mumford Brewing. We landed at Izakaya Gazen which graciously allowed us in for a late night sushi treat. Quite a few restaurants in Little Tokyo were already doing last call at 9 p.m.

The menu is fairly easy but I’m always stricken about what to order at a new (to me) restaurant. I knew I wanted sushi but how much sushi is enough?

I settled for the 7-piece nigiri combo. Our server explained the higher priced sets include more premium cuts of fish and also better rolls. Since I got the middle of road set, my roll was made with Japanese pickles. But you know what? It’s still delicious. And I marveled how great the sushi rice tasted.

 

The lightly crispy Jidori chicken wings were really juicy. I did have to sprinkle on some togarashi for extra flavor.

 

My friend got the omelet fried rice since he noticed there were at least three other omelet dishes. I love Japanese “omu” rice. And this one was the one over fried rice. Really great gravy. Watch out for those chili tendrils though, they get spicy if you eat a lot of them at once.

I’ll have to swing back around to Izakaya Gazen for lunch. The soup noodles look good. And I would love to sit at the sushi bar next time.

Izakaya Gazen

362 E 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012  —  (213) 613-1415

 

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