having grown up and gone to school in both areas, if i were to recommend places to eat and drink to a visiting friend, here's what i'd suggest in orange/la county, california!
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restaurants
drinks & light bites
restaurants
really yummy italian-japanese fusion with a nice ambience to catch up with friends or go on a date! i love the mentaiko pizza to share!
INI Ristorante
ranges from very affordable to a splurge sashimi platter, the mars roll is my favorite!
Chubby Sushi & Ramen
i would literally go back just for the kiss me roll! ayce sushi, udon, ramen, and other dishes!
X-FISH Izakaya Brea
the place serves my #1 favorite rose tteokbokki! lots of seating for larger parties outside, and it's open late! if you're seated in the booths, don't forget to leave a little doodle or message!
NOLZA
seafood boil! their g.a.c. (crab) fries are also a must-get side! you can also try your luck at the claw machine to get free food (you get some tokens when you are seated)
Grab A Crab
korean fried chicken and pizza! this is my love letter to love letter! i also go for the sweet potato gold pizza (the gold means the crust is stuffed!)
Love Letter Pizza & Chicken
this one is in the city, but it's my favorite italian pasta place! i always get the ravioli!
Maccheroni Republic
i would drive to the city just for their okonomiyaki
Chinchikurin Little Tokyo
ambience is more like a cafe, but their pasta comes in large portions, i had leftovers to take home!
somethin'
honestly my new favorite ramen in little tokyo! their hinodeya (house) ramen is soooo good with the scallop dashi!
HINODEYA Ramen
their sukiyaki beef and spicy lobster shrimp onigiris <333
RICE & NORI - Updated July 2026 - 1457 Photos & 971 Reviews
drinks & light bites
the life is matcha latte is so yummy and i want to try their other drinks! get the gochujang sea salt caramel cookie for sure!
Danzzan
cozy cafe to study in or play board games (they have a collection to borrow!) with yummy drinks and some rotating specials
Communitea Coffee
bar with spooky vibes! yummy drinks (+ virgin cocktails) and don't forget to take a pic with their photobooth tablet to commemorate!
The Cauldron Spirits and Brews
i live for their banana cream matcha! honestly any of their baked goods are amazing, so try what speaks to you!
Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe
i would go just for the coconut matcha, it's so refreshing!
Da Vien Coffee
newer but now one of my favorite matchas in little tokyo la! i get the double matcha, but they also have lattes and hojicha! you can also browse and shop for apparel and goods while you're there
CAFE LITTLE TOKYO BY FR2 - Updated May 2026 - Yelp
loooove their matcha latte and genmai matcha ice cream (#1)! order ahead on snackpass to skip the line but they do offer one sample of an ice cream flavor!
MATSU MATCHA LITTLE TOKYO - Updated July 2026 - Yelp
