FobFood(s)

TT Shabu

141 N. Atlantic Blvd. #100B

Monterey Park, CA 91754

This is the very first Shabu Shabu place in Monterey Park. I think it has been around for over 12 years. The place still draws a crowd. You get your individual pot and the seating is like you are sitting at a bar with hot pots in front of you. There are also tables where you can share one hot-pot with someone else. It depends on your mood.

Prices range from $13.99, $15.99 or $17.99 for small, medium, and large combination meals for dinner. With each combination, you get a plate of Napa Cabbage, udon noodles and one mushroom plus a plate of sliced meat and your choice of soda or melon tea. I really like the melon tea. You can choose from pork, chicken or beef. Beef is my favorite because it cooks fast and the meat comes out very tender. The pork is not so great as it came out a little dried for me.

Lunch is $3 less than dinner per combination. Every time I get a craving for traditional Japanese Shabu Shabu and I am too lazy to drive to Japan Town, I hit this place. The meal is very fulfilling when you want a hot healthy meal with meat, soup and vegetables all in one pot!

Orochon Ramen (Weller Court 3F)

123 s. Onizuka St. #303

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Monday-Sunday

11:30am-10:15pm

Open 7 days

This Japanese ramen restaurant is mostly famous for its 7 levels of spiciness! And, on top of that, there are 2 more levels. If you choose special #2 (which is more spicy than the #1 level out of the 7 levels) and finish special #2 ramen in 30 minutes, you get a picture taken and your picture ends up on the “Wall of Bravery” which is displayed proudly on the wall of the restaurant.

The menu is in English and simple. You can choose from 3 soup base: miso, soy sauce or salt. The salt one is very salty. The portion is pretty generous. However, there are not much ingredients without adding extra toppings such as sliced pork, egg or corn for extra charge. The base price for the ramen without extra toppings is around $8. The toppings range from $1 - $3.

The decor is simple and service is minimal. There are both indoor and outdoor seating available (for the smokers). There is 2 hour free parking with validation. I recommend coming here if you like spicy ramen or if you want to dare a friend to try special #2!

What: Beef Noodle Soup

Where: Q Noodles on Duarte and 2nd Street, Arcadia, CA
Fob rating: Derishious

Q noodles has a very yummy beef noodle soup: just the right portions, not too much or little, and the taste is perfect: not too sweet, salty, sour or spicy. I love it! The beef is tender and the noodles taste pretty handmade. It’s one of the better beef noodle soups in LA.  If you are extra hungry, try their beef pancake as well, beef tenderloin rolled up with parsley, julianed cucumber, and a little hosin sauce. If you are in the mood for something authentic and has meat, try Q noodles in Arcadia in the 99 cents store plaza on the corner of Duarte and 2nd. Prices are great for those on a budget but don’t expect any sort of fancy decor. Think little mom & pop place in Taiwan.

What: Albacore Tuna Sushi
Where: Mako Sushi on Live Oak and 6th, Arcadia, CA
Fob rating: Derishious

It might not look like much from the outside, but the unassuming little Japanese restaurant next to the Laundromat and Kung Fu Center is fobstastic.

The albacore tuna was fresh, melted in our mouths, and the rice was lightly flavored. The tuna itself could have been slightly smaller.

Other fob friendly facts, the staff speaks mandarin. The place is a local favorite to mixed ethnicities so should be comfortable for all.

I would definitely recommend checking out Mako Sushi as one of the best little sushi places in Arcadia.