When I get the craving to eat some no-frills Japanese food, I head to Mitsuwa Marketplace on Centinela and Venice. Usually, I order something from the highly regarded Santouka, but I wanted something different from ramen this time. Enter the katsu-don from Misasa:

The katsu-don, a big bowl of rice topped with cooked onions, a shoyu-based sauce, breaded pork cutlet and egg, also comes with a few sides: hiyakko tofu, some pickled veggies, miso soup, and cold barley tea. The pork is on the dry side, but the sauce and egg on top saved it. The dish isn’t anything amazing, but it’s good no-nonsense Japanese food. For about $7, it’s a pretty good deal for lunch on the west side.

By Louise (see more of her posts). You can find more of Louise's writing at her own website NakedSushi.
I haven’t been to Mitsuwa’s for a long time since I don’t live in the area anymore, but when I did go regularly I loved eating lunch at Tampopo’s.
@Lori, I think Tampopo’s got replaced by Santouka. It’s no longer in the foodcourt, unfortunately. I did eat at the Tampopo in the South Bay and that was delicious.