One of the things I can appreciate about the South Bay is the variety of good Japanese places around. Since I was small I've been going to places like Azuma on Western, and Ichigo bakery (also on Western). For sushi, we've always opted for the hidden Sakae which the Japanese locals like because the sushi rolls come closest to fitting the Japanese palette. Spoonhouse really was the first Japanese fusion cuisine I've ever tried...perfectly cooked Italian pasta blended with Japanese flavors. Fortunate for us, the mixing of Hawaiian and Japanese cultures also was very present in Gardena. Places like Gardena Bowl was the local spot to grub on the popular Japanese-Hawaiian favorite, Portuguese Sausage Fried Rice. New to the area are Bearded Papa in the food court of the old Meiji supermarket, that have fresh cream puffs, (or eclaires). It's kind of hard to understand why a cream puff is big deal, but just try it. It's big, fresh, creamy, and goes really nice with iced coffee. There are plenty of other places worthy to note, but I'll save those for another post...

Can't believe King's Hawaiian in Torrance got no mention. It has its own on-site bakery and traditional Hawaiian food. Right around the corner is a Red Cross office and I go and donate blood and then stagger over to King's and stuff my face.

Their bestest dish, which they have regretably taken off the main menu and is now only a special, is their chicken curry loco moco. Bed of rice, curry chicken, runny eggs on top. And maybe a hamburger patty. I'm forgetting. But it's great stuff.