Wednesday, April 27, 2011

CoCo Ichibanya Japanese Curry House Restaurant, Los Angeles

CoCo Ichibanya Curry House collage 2
CoCo Ichibanya Curry House

When I want Japanese Curry, I head to the multiple locations of the Curry House. Or, I open the pantry and pull out a block of Curry. Those were my choices... until now!

CoCo Ichibanya Curry House just opened their first restaurant on mainland* United States (there are restaurants in Hawaii *updated)! And it is in Torrance in Southern California. Whoo hoo!

My friend Jun and I went to feed her baby. The baby in her tummy. Friend Socrates and I have decided to be Jun's Food Doula....or just make up any excuse to get together to eat before and after the baby comes!

Jun has been to CoCo Ichibanya at their Japanese locations, and even went there on her honeymoon! :)

Be prepared for the menu...it's all about building your own curry. You can change the size of your curry, the amount of spicyness, and add on everything under the sun. Both Jun and I agree that we will downsize our rice next time (I think that'll save you a few cents).

CoCo Ichibanya Curry House, Torrance, California
Jun's Eggplant Curry, made with Japanese eggplant. The base curry is $3.99 and the topping of eggplant is $2.00.

CoCo Ichibanya Curry House, Torrance, California
My Vegetable Curry. The base curry is $3.99 and the topping of vegetable is $2.00.

CoCo Ichibanya Curry House collage 3
Be sure to add the pickled daikon (radish) fukujinzuke to your curry. It adds a great texture and taste. Extra curry powder is available.

CoCo Ichibanya Curry House collage 2
We ordered the lunch set which includes a small salad and drink for $1.50 extra. The salad dressing choices are a sesame or a ponzu/soy dressing. I loved the sesame dressing!! The total bill for the two of us was $15.48 plus tax and tip.

I definitely want to visit again and try some of the other toppings. And I think I should visit both the Curry House and this restaurant in the same week to compare! You know, I'm a librarian. It's all about research, research. ;)

Restaurant:
CoCo Ichibanya Curry House
Yelp  ::  Los Angeles Times
2455 Sepulveda Blvd, Ste C (Corner of Sepulveda & Crenshaw Blvd)
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 294-5315

13 comments:

  1. nataliaApril 27, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    What a great place !!! A bit far but you never know.

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  2. AnonymousApril 27, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    I can't believe they opened in the U.S. I wonder if it will be difficult for the considering the amount authentic Indian bistros in the U.S.? Do you think they will do well?

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  3. MaryApril 27, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    I want to be someone's Food Doula...very cool idea :). You are making me hungry and I just ate breakfast...grrrr.....

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  4. The Food LibrarianApril 27, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    @elle marie I think they opened in a good place. There are a lot of ex-pats from Japan in the South Bay area because American Honda and Toyota's headquarters are there. The other curry restaurant, Curry House, has several locations and they have been doing well. I'll keep you updated! We'll see! :) - mary

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  5. LittleAsianGirl BigAppetiteApril 27, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    ooooo curry! so good, i always get curry on top of tonkatsu

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  6. Allison DayApril 27, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    This is the most exciting news I've heard all day. I fell in love with CoCo Curry on a trip to Hawaii several years ago, and then again when I visited Japan last year. All this time, I've been wishing they would open one in CA... and now I'm overjoyed to hear that they have! I'm going to be there so often... ^_^

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  7. Ocean Breezes and Country SneezesApril 28, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Looks delicious! Wish it was less than a 6 hr. plane ride! LOL!!!

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  8. LindseliciousApril 28, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Love this place they have several in Hawaii! So excited one opened up here too. =)

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  9. AnonymousMay 13, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    This place looks so awesome! I'm so envious. I wish I lived in Southern California still. the next time we are there, we have to check this place out!!

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  10. Kimberly (unrivaledkitch)May 17, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Japanese curry! yes I love it. If I'm ever out there I'll go. for now making my own Japanese curry will suffice my craving. MMMMMmm

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  11. CocoIchibanya ThailandJune 18, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    this is my fav restaurant in Thai, i love it!

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  12. AnonymousOctober 8, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    I wonder if this store would mail the boxes of curry and bags of pickled daikon to me. I live on the east coast and since moving back here from Okinawa I so miss this place!!!

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  13. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 2:00 AM

    This is really late, but you were right down the street from me! I like Curry House's roux better, but lately I've been experimenting with adding seasonings to store-bought roux.

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