Ordered the Takoyaki and Imagawayaki. Both were just okay, nothing special. Imagawayaki might be worth getting again but the takoyaki is a hard pass.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Eunice S.
My family's favorite imagawayaki place for 45 years! I don't have enough words to describe this place. My parents took me to this cafe ever since I was little and the way they make and sell it has never changed. If I take a bite of their imagawayaki, it takes right back to my childhood. The texture and flavor is exactly the same. Also, their service is incredible. So sad that I can't go inside anymore and have to order from outside of the store but I'm so happy that they are still there as many of the stores in the Japanese Village Plaza has dramatically changed or no longer exist. I still see their old cash register inside through the window, which shows how old this place has been there. Please stay there forever and keep up the great work!
Dan P.
Chicken Karaage - would taste better warm but it was cold when we got it. batter perfectly seasoned (not too salty) but chicken was a bit soggy. Pork Shumai - comes as 3 deep fried shumai with decent savory meat filling Takoyaki - comes as 3 balls with more dough to octopus ratio Service - I came at 1PM on a Sunday and was second in line though the line does varies throughout the day but moves relatively quick! Staff was friendly and quick :D Overall, perfect for snacking and trying with friends!
Tania T.
For $3 a skewer, this place is a quick stop to try all things fried. My family always come here whenever we visited Little Tokyo. Our go tos are: takoyaki and shrimp balls. Occasionally we'll get more skewers to try. Their red bean buns are also delicious by the way. There is a line that they set up on the front, so you won't be entering the restaurant. You order on the window, tell the staff what you want and how much you want, pay them and you get your goodies. You enjoy the delicious-ness outside wherever there is an open spot :)
Mary S.
Recently visited Little Tokyo and had to stop by our favorite place for its red bean cakes and skewers. Half a dozen of red bean cakes and 2 shrimp skewers came out very close to $30. Now I wouldn't have given a 3 stars if the quality was the same as pre inflation but the cakes and the skewers were just warm. I remember it being hot where you would need to blow on it or wait for a bit to cool down. Not this time, very disappointing since the cake and skewers aren't that great if cold. Thus, not sure if it's worth the price of $3 and change
Jane Liu
The imagawayaki is fabulous! They remind me of Hong Kong egg cakes like the ones that you can get from the street carts except imagawayaki is made with mochi and stuffed with red bean. The exterior is a thin crispy wafer-like texture while the inside is chewy and warm. Totally hit the spot and when you consider how healthy red (azuki) beans are it's a perfect treat!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Imagawayaki
Heidi C.
Came on a Sunday around 1:30 pm. There were about 5 people in line before us but the line went pretty fast. This is my second time coming to Mitsuru Cafe and I really love the mitarashi dango ($3). The first time I had a dango was in SF Japan town and I thought it was amazing until I tried the dango at this cafe. I realized I was naive for liking the SF one. The Mitarashi dango at this cafe has a nice soft and chewy dango and a perfect sauce that is sweet and salty. The only thing I wished was it be a bit warmer. This time I also decided to try the chicken karaage ($3) and was honestly surprised how delicious it was. It was crispy and juicy even though it was not made to order; however, it could have a bit more flavor. I still enjoyed eating it as I walked around little Tokyo. Mitsuru Cafe is one of spots I always stop by when visiting little tokyo
Serena X.
Cash only unless you hit $10 min! I tried the Imagawayaki and dango - first time trying dango, and it was perfectly chewy and savory. The red bean cake was delicious as well, and I also got an iced oolong tea. Overall very quick service, and delicious treats.
Kimberly Rocha
The pork skewer and red bean pastry were amazing. Wonderful quick snack and kind worker.
Had the red bean cake, dango, and karaage. Very mediocre. Red bean filling was delicious, but the cake was just okay. Dango was kinda mushy. Karaage was fine, not memorable. Cash only for under $10.
Steve O.
Staff: They were okay but nothing particularly friendly. Quality: We got the Imagawayaki (red bean cake) which was really good. The best places to get it. Also, got Takoyaki (Octopus balls) was good but unfortunately not made to order. Due to this it was barely warm so this was a big disappointment. Value: It seemed fair. Cash preferred or minimum $10 if you use credit card. Overall: I'd return for the Imagawayaki only.
Nathalie B.
The red bean custard was incredibly delicious, and the cute little window in Little Tokyo adds to the charm.
Stephen Lee
I love this place. Perfect snack spot if you don't want to sit and eat. Highly recommend the Japanese style fried chicken and the sweet red bean bread.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Park
Great for Japanese snacks. We always stop by here to get the red bean cakes. The rice cakes are also nice. I do wish they heated up the karaage fried chicken.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dango & Takoyaki, Takoyaki, Red Bean Cake Imagawayaki
So good?must try:)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Imagawayaki, Dango & Takoyaki
Ordered the Takoyaki and Imagawayaki. Both were just okay, nothing special. Imagawayaki might be worth getting again but the takoyaki is a hard pass.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
My family's favorite imagawayaki place for 45 years! I don't have enough words to describe this place. My parents took me to this cafe ever since I was little and the way they make and sell it has never changed. If I take a bite of their imagawayaki, it takes right back to my childhood. The texture and flavor is exactly the same. Also, their service is incredible. So sad that I can't go inside anymore and have to order from outside of the store but I'm so happy that they are still there as many of the stores in the Japanese Village Plaza has dramatically changed or no longer exist. I still see their old cash register inside through the window, which shows how old this place has been there. Please stay there forever and keep up the great work!
Chicken Karaage - would taste better warm but it was cold when we got it. batter perfectly seasoned (not too salty) but chicken was a bit soggy. Pork Shumai - comes as 3 deep fried shumai with decent savory meat filling Takoyaki - comes as 3 balls with more dough to octopus ratio Service - I came at 1PM on a Sunday and was second in line though the line does varies throughout the day but moves relatively quick! Staff was friendly and quick :D Overall, perfect for snacking and trying with friends!
For $3 a skewer, this place is a quick stop to try all things fried. My family always come here whenever we visited Little Tokyo. Our go tos are: takoyaki and shrimp balls. Occasionally we'll get more skewers to try. Their red bean buns are also delicious by the way. There is a line that they set up on the front, so you won't be entering the restaurant. You order on the window, tell the staff what you want and how much you want, pay them and you get your goodies. You enjoy the delicious-ness outside wherever there is an open spot :)
Recently visited Little Tokyo and had to stop by our favorite place for its red bean cakes and skewers. Half a dozen of red bean cakes and 2 shrimp skewers came out very close to $30. Now I wouldn't have given a 3 stars if the quality was the same as pre inflation but the cakes and the skewers were just warm. I remember it being hot where you would need to blow on it or wait for a bit to cool down. Not this time, very disappointing since the cake and skewers aren't that great if cold. Thus, not sure if it's worth the price of $3 and change
The imagawayaki is fabulous! They remind me of Hong Kong egg cakes like the ones that you can get from the street carts except imagawayaki is made with mochi and stuffed with red bean. The exterior is a thin crispy wafer-like texture while the inside is chewy and warm. Totally hit the spot and when you consider how healthy red (azuki) beans are it's a perfect treat!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Imagawayaki
Came on a Sunday around 1:30 pm. There were about 5 people in line before us but the line went pretty fast. This is my second time coming to Mitsuru Cafe and I really love the mitarashi dango ($3). The first time I had a dango was in SF Japan town and I thought it was amazing until I tried the dango at this cafe. I realized I was naive for liking the SF one. The Mitarashi dango at this cafe has a nice soft and chewy dango and a perfect sauce that is sweet and salty. The only thing I wished was it be a bit warmer. This time I also decided to try the chicken karaage ($3) and was honestly surprised how delicious it was. It was crispy and juicy even though it was not made to order; however, it could have a bit more flavor. I still enjoyed eating it as I walked around little Tokyo. Mitsuru Cafe is one of spots I always stop by when visiting little tokyo
Cash only unless you hit $10 min! I tried the Imagawayaki and dango - first time trying dango, and it was perfectly chewy and savory. The red bean cake was delicious as well, and I also got an iced oolong tea. Overall very quick service, and delicious treats.
The pork skewer and red bean pastry were amazing. Wonderful quick snack and kind worker.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Red Bean Cake Imagawayaki
Restaurantji Recommends
Had the red bean cake, dango, and karaage. Very mediocre. Red bean filling was delicious, but the cake was just okay. Dango was kinda mushy. Karaage was fine, not memorable. Cash only for under $10.
Staff: They were okay but nothing particularly friendly. Quality: We got the Imagawayaki (red bean cake) which was really good. The best places to get it. Also, got Takoyaki (Octopus balls) was good but unfortunately not made to order. Due to this it was barely warm so this was a big disappointment. Value: It seemed fair. Cash preferred or minimum $10 if you use credit card. Overall: I'd return for the Imagawayaki only.
The red bean custard was incredibly delicious, and the cute little window in Little Tokyo adds to the charm.
I love this place. Perfect snack spot if you don't want to sit and eat. Highly recommend the Japanese style fried chicken and the sweet red bean bread.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great for Japanese snacks. We always stop by here to get the red bean cakes. The rice cakes are also nice. I do wish they heated up the karaage fried chicken.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dango & Takoyaki, Takoyaki, Red Bean Cake Imagawayaki