Yakitori Eats in the City of the Angels

Welcome back to this week’s #ShopLocalSaturday; where I highlight local eats and shops that I have visited. This week is featuring  HATCH Yakitori in Los Angeles, CA!

I’m throwing back to a local spot I visited while I was attending Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California; during the July 4th weekend!

It’s my first time in Los Angeles; after a long of day at Anime Expo, it was time to explore what local shops and eats were around for me to try out. I found that HATCH Yakitori was around the area of where I was staying at, so off I went to HATCH.

It was no surprise to me that HATCH is a pretty popular place. I believe at the time I was there; it was around 75-80% filled. Luckily for me, the seat at the bar is open.

The biggest part of their menu, was of course; the yakitori sticks.

But first was the sashimi salad. I underestimated the size of the plate; but at the price it was listed, it made sense. It was a good mix of greens with raw salmon, yellowtail, tuna, and white tuna.

Next up, came the yakitori sticks.

The two sticks I have ordered were the pork belly, and chicken meatball. What I found interesting was that the chicken meatball came with a sauce of raw egg yolk in a dipping bowl. Maybe I should have asked how to use any of the sauces I got with my food; but my instinct was to mix up the sauce, and then dip the stick in before taking a bite. The sauce did add a very good flavor to the chicken meatball. The pork belly stick was tasty and juicy. It didn’t really need any dipping sauce to combo with it; but I would just dip into any sauce that I had left over to try it anyway.

Out of the items I ordered; I was looking forward to the black karaage the most. It looked like the most unique item on the list that I never heard of or tried before. The chicken was nice and crispy. It was covered in the squid ink (which is why the outside was colored so dark). Squeezed the lime onto the chicken and then dipping into the darkened ranch sauce; it all came together. The lime brought out the squid ink flavor with the juicy chicken inside, and topped off with the ranch sauce.

To end, I highly recommend HATCH Yakitori. Whether you visit HATCH solo, or with others; it is worth trying out the yakitori sticks. I definitely would like to come back to try out the other yakitori sticks, and their desserts. I had also wanted to try some of their beer on tap that was in front of me while I was sitting at the bar; but perhaps for next time I’m there. Since it was Los Angeles; they did have outdoor (standing) space; in case if it’s filled inside.

As thanks for sticking to the end, and if you wanted to learn how you can stick it in all night long (Yea, sorry; had to throw it in there. It was on the mug; can’t un-see it); here’s the link to know more:

Know of any other local shops that you enjoy going to that should be highlighted? Leave a comment and let me know!

And as always,

Remember to always support your local establishments! They are a part of your community!

-The Eric Fong