Los Angeles Eats: Japanese Isakaya

Back in town for a visit, we had to return to Musha, a Japanese isakaya restaurant (pub-food/small plates) near Wilshire & 4th that we discovered right before we moved up north. We went back last night with some friends, and it was just as good as we had remembered it. We ordered the blowtorch saba, a fillet of raw, sliced mackerel that is seared with a blowtorch, right in front of you. It sizzles and pops with flavor, a melt-in-your-mouth seafood experience. We also dined on ebimayo, tempura shrimp dipped in a sweet and sour mayonnaise sauce; and kakuni, braised pork which is marinated and slow-cooked for four hours. We tried the tofu fries, small fingers of firm tofu lightly battered and fried, then served with a plum sauce and mayo, and the tofu cheese, which is served as a spread reminiscent of whipped cream cheese, along with honey and crackers. The brown rice risotto is sumptuous and creamy comfort food for gourmands. A favorite for the kids is the somen which is sauteed with lots of garlic and butter, and tossed with a bit of saffron and greens. The lobster roll is a no-rice sushi roll wrapped in rice paper rather than seaweed, delicious but spendy for six tiny pieces. Everything else we ordered was right on the mark, and it was a great place to take our guests, who also thoroughly enjoyed it. I know we'll be definitely be back the next time we're in the Southland!