OC Trip Report: Day 2: Bang Bang #2: Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori (Fountain Valley)

A plate of gyutan from Gyutan Tsukasa was just not enough!

Ramen at Kitakata Ban Nai? An easy choice…but I was craving something else. Killed a little time at Tokyo Central and marveled at their sake selection (including some that were over 2 years old from the bottling date…doh?)

A quick look at the yelp app, and found a place that I was quite satisfied with last time, and the listing shows that you can put your name down via the app, on their waiting list!

Arrived and found quite a few parties ahead. We had a 7:30 pm and got there about 20 mins early.

This was taken right outside the the entrance. It was packed as to be expected. Add to that the cold dry windy air outside, and one quickly starts thinking about juicy delicious smokey yakitori in eager anticipation.

Finally got seated, and after placing the orders, a bowl of raw cabbage salad arrived. I can’t recall the light saucing, but it was refreshing and delicious. Probably the healthiest thing in the restaurant, lol.

The side counter seats offered an unobstructed view of the action at the grill. The smoke was nicely controlled, unlike the previous time when the chef got smoke attacked up the face and that facial expression was priceless. Tonight’s chef seemed rather chill, like Richie Hawtin effortlessly spinning discs.

Next up: Takowasa…with actual grated wasabi provided (how original lol!). It was goooood.

A look at the special yakitori menu…note that there was not a chicken in sight (lol)

Wait, something was missing. Ahhh yes…sake! There was only one half decent choice that I wanted and I had before elsewhere. Takenotsuyu Junmai (Yamagata prefecture). Obviously a pre-opened bottle (super chilled) and poured into a flask. It worked as I didn’t need something super heavy duty. It still had some acidity, but lost quite a bit of complexity from being opened too long.

Now come the skewers! If I remember correctly: left was Marble Kobe (super good), and the right was a Kobe chuck flap with daikon oroshi and ponzu dip…good chew and tasty!

Next up, chicken rump (left set) and tail (right set). Enjoyed them quite a bit!

Next up: scallops bacon, shitake, beef tendon, asparagus bacon, special heart, and thigh.

Very pleasing way to the end the evening (actually there was a R&B Garden Grove stop for boba but nothing major there) and very decent value for under $80. Skewers all arrived hot, very juicy and nicely cooked. Good fun atmosphere and this is very comparable in quality to say, Gaku Yakitori in San Jose. Nice neighborhood vibe but I can see how some of that is lost as a result of being a chain with the ramen business (which is located next door).

5 Likes

Is this in the wrong category/place?

Fixed, thanks.

My friend and I hit up the Torrance/Gardena outlet. I love ordering the hearts, livers, and chicken skin…and the ginkgo nuts. Glad you had a nice evening.

1 Like

This is on our regular rotation. It works great with my low-carb diet. I love the chicken rump and tail, but they’re often out of it.

1 Like

Didn’t know where to drop this.

Shin Sen Gumi in Anaheim on Center St (a few blocks from the Packing District) just soft opened. They have both ramen and yakitori. Very glad since this is much closer than Fountain Valley.

They are having a Taste of Japan pop up this weekend. Saturday Oct 4th from noon to 4pm. Pre-order and pick up only.
https://www.tasteofjpn.com/about-anaheim

For all OC people they have some tasty friends visiting you might be interested in
Tonato Takoyaki
Tsujita - tsukemen and dan dan men
Sushi Tsujita - oshi sushi
Kagura - pork katsu curry and katsu sandwiches
Sutadon -

6 Likes

Okayama Kobo Bakery is worth a stop there. The Spicy Curry Pan, Butter and Salt Roll, and Yakiaoba Pan are very tasty. I still give the edge to Cream Pan for the strawberry croissants. This bakery is the only US outlet I believe. (Wonder why they didn’t go for South Bay LA?)

3 Likes

The pastries at Okayama are good but agreed that they are 2nd to Cream Pan. Last year at the same Japan festival the line to Okayama was ~50 deep.

2 Likes

The Spicy Curry Pan and Butter/Salt Roll are standouts imo at Okayama Kobo. While the only savory item I like at Cream Pan is those steamed pork buns that are always sold out (they never make enough!)

Thanks will remember for next time we are at Okayama. Isn’t there some type of beer bar connected to Okayama where they serve the frozen beer?

At cream pan for savory items we like the ham n cheese croissant and the green olive bread, though they changed the recipe and shape of the bread in the last year or so. The sliced whole wheat bread is the best sandwich bread.

1 Like

Yup Bizen Beer Bar they have a few Japanese craft beer on tap. Other than the big name light beers (Sapporo, Asahi, Orion) and Hitachino White Ale I don’t know much lol

I forgot about Cream Pan’s bread so damn good!

If anyone is interested in chicken yakitori specialist check out Torimatsu in Gardena!

(I draw the line on the raw chicken served there…how are they able to serve that? Dept of Health etc lol)

1 Like