la.foodblogging

I was introduced to this great find in Gardena’s Pacific Square years ago. And I was so happy to see that the same cheesy black lacquered chairs with fake wooden tables were there, the same neon “OPEN” sign was on at Akane Chaya, and that I was able to take my boyfriend to one of my favorite eats in the South Bay.

Akane Chaya is tucked away on the east side of the plaza, right next to the Japanese book store and just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Beard Papa Cream Puffs inside the new Marukai. An open space inside, you may sit at oddly shaped tables or along the wall to face the somewhat open kitchen on the opposite side of the room. The chairs and tables aren’t very comfortable, but the food is always so delicious!

You’ll always find lots of Japanese nationals, JAs, and families at this friendly little Japanese Italian restaurant. I never really understood the fixation with fusing Japanese and Italian cuisines, but after having their #14 Asari, Kinoko in Light Cream Sauce Flavored Soy Sauce for 8.50 - a Japanese spaghetti with chopped clams, mushrooms, and green onions in a sake shoyu cream sauce and topped with shredded nori…I was HOOKED!

My boyfriend tried something similar but in a rice version. Same clams, same kinoko mushrooms, same shoyu, and same shredded nori. His dish was also very tasty, and reminded me of the kind of maze gohan that my ba-chan would make minus the clams and fancy mushrooms.

The dishes came with a small little bowl of shredded purple cabbage, romaine lettuce, a tomato slice, and a watered down sesame dressing…a warm soft bread roll…and some balsamic vinegar as a dipping sauce. Two delicious meals at a great deal for about 20 dollars including tip make for great eats!

Akane Chaya
in Gardena’s Pacific Square
street: 1610 w redondo beach blvd, gardena ca 90247
t: 1.310.768.3939
closed on mondays

By Kristy (see more of her posts). A native of the city, kristy loves to discover new sites, new eateries, new things to do in her online journal of finding the best of la.