LA | Izakaya Akatsuki: Mentaiko Nabe + Fried Mochi Soup 🍲✨

I don’t often come across restaurants on Xiaohongshu that make me drool instantly—I usually browse Instagram or Michelin guides—but this little izakaya in Torrance caught my eye immediately. Mentaiko hot pot? What’s that? I’d never tried it, and I needed to. The broth transformation was magical—watching the spicy cod roe melt, turning the milky soup into a soft pink, was oddly soothing. 🥢❤️ It was savory and unique, though honestly, the veggies in the pot outshone the meat (let’s just say the pork tasted very… porky, and the chicken very chicken-y 😅). But the real standout was the fried mochi soup! Imagine classic agedashi tofu, but swap tofu for chewy, crispy-edged mochi. The texture was fantastic, and the dashi broth was deeply flavorful. 🍡🍲 A cozy, unexpected find perfect for a chilly evening or when you’re craving something warm and different. #LifeAbroad #LADiningGuide #Food #HiddenGems #IzakayaFood #JapaneseCuisine #FoodPhotography #ImmersiveDining #Mentaiko #JapaneseFood