Cynthia Dea
Lists
Japanese culture in Gardena
The restaurant Shin-Sen-Gumi, a Japanese chain whose specialty is hakata ramen (which has a milky pork-based broth), is a favorite destination for noodle fanatics. But it also has a yakitori branch at the corner of a mini-mall (18517 S. Western Ave.). Don't panic when the wave of Japanese shouting from the largely male wait staff hits you upon arrival. Grab a seat at the bar, and once you get over the hurdle of raising your first glass -- a ritual involving collective coaxing -- you're handed a sheet of paper and a pencil (you order per skewer; items range from $1.25 to $4). After all this, your heart rate settles and you can concentrate on the food. Some of the best items include the chicken thigh, yummy pork belly (like bacon on a stick), Japanese chili pepper and the shiso basil leaf wrapped in pork belly. For those who like a little extra crunch, go for the chicken cartilage and gizzard.
Gardena offers plenty of karaoke bars, and most offer private rooms by the hour. Bolder types can head to Daruma Izakaya Karaoke Pub, where, after downing copious amounts of sake or beer, you can sing for an audience of rowdy Japanese business folk mixing work with play, starting at 9 Friday nights.
Marukai Market is the home of hard-to-find Hawaiian groceries. An entire aisle is devoted to li hing, the coveted sweet and sour plum that drives islanders nuts (li hing-flavored sour apple gummies, li hing dried mangoes, li hing cakes).
At the Marukai Everything 98 Cents Plus Store, most everything you'll want to buy actually costs $1.50. But what makes this a truly outstanding cheapo store is the gardening section, where you can find shears, gloves, flowerbed fences and adorable pudgy Japanese garden gnomes for that low price.
