Saturday, October 10, 2009

Little Tokyo (1)



I was driving in downtown Los Angeles, on my way to the Los Angeles Opera's costume sale event, when I happened upon Little Tokyo. I have posted before about my taste for anko, that sweet Japanese azuki bean paste, so it will come as no surprise that I bought some anko-filled treats.
I also bought some beautiful fresh ginger, which I'll have grated in boiling water - this is excellent for your throat when you have a cold, by the way. I also grate fresh ginger into all kinds of dishes, for a little biting kick.
This was also the perfect occasion to hang out in a Japanese supermarket. I'll post a few very colorful, fun pics in the second part on this Little Tokyo report. Stay tuned.

29 comments:

Spangler Cummings said...

I read about the L.A. Opera costume sale. Did you buy anything? I have two costumes ready, including last year's "Rich Witch." So glad you discovered Little Tokyo.

Laura in Paris said...

The small white bites are so delicate! And it seems you have quite a bit of ginger in store. I flavor jams with ginger.

Mary-Laure said...

SPANGLER - I did buy 2 items: one is an ankle-long black cape and the other one is a deconstructed/reconstructed flesh-colored leotard - they replaced some of the parts of the leotard with a net-like (cheesecloth-like) fabric. It's pretty cool.
And the grand total? $25.

LAURA - yes, they sold in in little bags so I couldn't buy less.

Anonymous said...

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Agneta & Sweden

Debra said...

Thanks for your tip on ginger for the throat. With that season quickly approaching I must remember. Your black cape sounds fabulous. All of the goodness for so little money!

natsumi said...

They look so delicious! I love "omanjyuu" japanese pastry!! I sometime go to a Japanese store and buy them..

corine said...

I should have gone. I heard everything would pretty pricey. I guess it was the wrong info Let see pictures

Mary-Laure said...

DEBRA - yes, ginger does work wonder. Especially if you add a little soothing honey.

NATSUMI - I'm glad you find some Japanese pastry in London. It's so delicious!

CORINE - most of the things were pretty cheap, even though there were a bunch of beautiful costumes costing several thousands of dollars.
If you ever go some time, be there early! Most of the stuff was gone by noon when I got there.

Sherin said...

Ooo, the first picture looks delicious. I've been to a japanese style supermarket in London and it was amazing!

Unknown said...

Me encantan los mercaditos asiaticos!
Y el gengibre en todas sus formas!
Un abrazo

Jen said...

That first image looks yummy!! What is it?

gracia said...

Yes! "that sweet Japanese azuki bean paste" and ginger... I am a huge fan, too.

Mary-Laure said...

SHERIN - yes, they have such supermarkets in many cities around the world now. Those in Paris are pretty cool, too, but much smaller than the ones in LA.

PRETTY... - it's a sweet rice dumpling, eaten cold, and filled with anko, a sweet azuki bean paste... DELICIOUS!!!

amy and ann said...

Nice blog and wonderful photos.
have a good week.

ann

marie-louise said...

Mmm!

Beth said...

Ginger (ginger tea) is also a great way to treat a gastrointestinal disorder.
A wonderful remedy for so many ailments!

J Elaine said...

There is really no other food like ginger. Such a sharp medicinal little root!

Your finds as the LA Opera's costume sale event (response to Spangler) sound VERY interesting. Your description of the flesh-colored leotard makes me think of Rodarte fall 2008!

mansuetude said...

i love ginger too; have been using a spoonful of ginger preserves in stirfry.

that pastry is beautiful, almost like a sea urchin.

Mary-Laure said...

BETH - thanks for the tip, I had no idea!

J ELAINE - I'll bring the leotard to Paris so that you can see it.

J Elaine said...

Yippee! I cant wait! Make sure that the beast doesn't get his little paws on it in the meantime!

Unknown said...

i absoluteu have "japan on my mind" lately...and those patries seem lovely! and mmmmm...:))
oh i love ginger too...and absolutely drink it with honey when i feel a cold is approaching...
cannot for post 2
xx

Unknown said...

ps...again! sorry i typed too quickly...and even managed to skip some words...

Mary-Laure said...

J ELAINE - fret not; the Beast is kept away from my closet and delicates... Unlike a certain someone (ahhheeeemmm), I do not give him unrestricted access to every corner of my place.

IF JANE - Japan on your mind? Oh do tell me more. Japanese movies? Books? Designers?

Angie Muresan said...

Oh yum!!! And a costume sale too? Please share pictures of what you got.

Gabbi said...

You were in Little Tokyo! Are you sure you didn't visit the confectionary shop? It's located on first street! :) Whip it! is a perfect film for girls night out... I went with a guy friend and he didn't like it as much as I did. I'm sure it's more a 'girl' thing... car squealing and sing-a-longs and crushes on cute boys... ;)

drollgirl said...

oh, thank you for that tip on fresh ginger! i HAVE to remember that!!!!

Mary-Laure said...

GABBI - I didn't have the address with me so I didn't even look for it. I didn't even remember the name of the place.
But now that I know where Little Tokyo is, I am really going to go. Soon. And I'll keep you posted.
Ditton Whip It.

DROLLGIRL - ginger works wonders. And according to Beth, who commented above, ginger is also great for digestion.

TERI REES WANG said...

Damn!...Opera-costume sale?!
How wild.


I wash down my ginger with fresh lemon and honey and sometimes garlic, when I really need to "Kill it with a Skillet"...as they say.

Be well. Live swell.

Mary-Laure said...

TERI REES - yes, I use lemon and honey too, which are all very good to fight all kinds of infections. As for garlic... with honey and lemon? REALLY?