Cuisine:

• Japanese
• Others
• Sushi bar

Izayoi Description:
Izayoi is a bustling little izakaya, a style of Japanese restaurant that specializes in tapas-sized pub food. The fact that it's owned by Junichi Shiode, one of the city's top sushi chefs (who previously headed Hollywood's Sushi Ryo), signals an emerging trend, as well as the newfound commercial viability of Little Tokyo, which ironically has been lacking in premium Japanese fare for years. Housed in a modern structure, the basic but hip interior involves a soaring ceiling exposing noodles of duct work, a polished blonde wood sushi bar looking into an open kitchen, and dark wood tables partitioned into intimate groups, all in the midst of muted colors and contemporary lighting. The sushi, not surprising, is as good as it was over at Ryo. But we have been delighted with the diversity of other items, such as a trio of seafood croquettes whose crisp panko crust protects a creamy bliss inside, or thinly-sliced marinated squid liver, whose ice cold temperature doesn't hide a pleasant pungency. You'll also find items like wonton-wrapped jalapeño-flavored shrimp, grilled sardine stuffed with cod roe, shark fin with plum sauce, and a little pot of pork belly and dumplings. Not everything is magic, but with small portions, it's usually worth taking a chance. Izayoi is an exciting place, as the room buzzes with intrigued diners exploring Japanese cuisine far beyond teriyaki and sushi.


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