Little Tokyo Los Angeles

(c) 2010 Max Beaulieu

 Little Tokyo permeates the two or three square blocks of downtown Los Angeles that it occupies with a cultural composite of inspired cuisine and complex yet authentic culture.  Inaptly named, little Tokyo reflects little of real tokyo. It lacks the cramped urban style, industrial bustle and the rigid cultural rules that seem to define the city it's named after. Instead japan town, a more accurate name, draws upon the cultural roots of Nihon (Japan),  as well as drawing much of the  the laid back culture of Los Angeles into itself.

A prime example of this can be found in the Suehiro Cafe, a Japanese restaurant which styles itself as a traditional American diner.

(c) 2010 Max Beaulieu

(c) 2010 Max Beaulieu

The unassuming storefront gives way to what one might expect at a Denny's, booths, tables and a long bar top dominate the dining room. Yet at the same token, a menu of the days specials sits as the centerpiece of the room, its script Japanese and to this author unreadable. My friend Eddy tells me that the board holds the prices for the various fishes they serve.

The food here is delicious and portioned. The menu though primarily Japanese holds a few surprises. They serve not only Japanese beers but their American equals as well. Along side the traditional fillings listed available for Onigiri (Filled rice-balls wrapped in toasted Seaweed)  sits spam. Green tea ice-cream is served in equal measure with homemade flan, (a house specialty). Moreover, Much as any diner worth its salt they serve black coffee, the good old stuff, probably just foldgers but brewed freshly and served by  friendly waitresses.(I say waitresses as they don't seem to be any waiters not that i have seen in my many times visiting.)

Perhaps, Most enchanting about the whole diner is the love they have for the patrons, and the love the patrons return in kind. In all my times to the Suehiro Cafe, I have never once been given an odd eye, a rude remark or ever not had a smile returned. Whereas, many Japanese businesses in the area treat anyone who is not Japanese as an outsider, Suehiro treats anyone who walks in as a usual, and Trust me when I say I have seen some Usual patrons.

(c) 2010 Max Beaulieu

In response it's patrons have taken to creating works of art for the Cafe, which they display proudly.

(c) 2010 Max Beaulieu

Suehiro, A hidden gem, to be cliche, but so good,  I don't mind. Stop in, order a black coffee, a spam onigiri, and create a bit of art for the walls, and you'll see why this is one of my favorite places in Los Angeles.