Tsujita Artisan Noodle, a Japan-based noodle shop that debuted in Los Angeles in 2011 on Sawtelle Boulevard, quietly opened its fourth location at 10 South De Lacey Avenue in Old Pasadena. While there is no shortage of excellent ramen across the Southland, Tsujita’s tonkotsu ramen and tsukemen are considered among the best versions available in LA. The new Pasadena outpost is located a stone’s throw away from competing restaurant Ramen Tatsunoya, which also specializes in tonkatsu-style noodles.
In addition to Tsujita’s two signature offerings, the menu includes a trio of appetizers (gyoza, takoyaki, and karaage), rice bowls (chashu, spicy tuna, and karaage), and Japanese shaved ice or pudding for dessert. With this latest opening, Tsujita Pasadena joins existing stores in West LA, the Arts District, and San Gabriel.
Takeout packaging guidance for restaurants
A new report from Beyond Plastics (a nationwide project based at Bennington College) seeks to demystify compostable and biodegradable plastics for consumers and restaurants trying to make environmentally responsible decisions. The report provides an overview of bioplastic materials currently on the market, the voluntary standards that govern their design, and scientific research findings to date on their safety.
The main takeaway is that compostable and biodegradable plastics should be avoided. It is recommended that consumers and restaurants “turn off the spigot for single-use plastics” by adopting a reusable or refillable system, or replace plastic with recycled paper or recycled cardboard products.
Country fair vibes in Koreatown
A new country fair-themed barcade called Eastwood just opened in Koreatown in the former Mo’s House of Axe space. Patrons are invited to play arcade games, down cocktails, and feast on double-smash burgers, chicken wings, short rib tacos, and 13-inch hot dogs. Eastwood is owned by the same folks behind the nearby clubstaurant, Mama Lion.
Tri-tip Thursdays in Los Alamos
Priedite Barbecue, one of the region’s finest barbecue slingers, is firing up its Santa María grill every Thursday from Bodega in Los Alamos serving sandwiches, artichokes, and whole tri-tips. Swing by Bodega on Saturdays for Priedite’s standard barbecue offerings, or on Sundays for smash burgers.
Celebrate the Olympics with hot dogs
Hollywood restaurant Mr. T is teaming up with Pink’s Hot Dogs on French-inspired hot dogs in honor of the Olympics on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Using Pink’s franks and buns, executive chef Alissa Vannah has created four unique toppings inspired by Mr. T’s French owner, Guillaume Guedj, including beef Bourguignon with crispy onion rings, bearnaise sauce with tangy-sweet pickles, raclette cheese complemented by aioli and chives, and Gruyere cheese with caramelized onions. To pair with the winning wieners are French cocktails, like the French 75 and French martinis.