I visited Tokyo Fried Chicken in Monterey Park last weekend.
I expected to find another variant of “Asian Fried Chicken” - heavily spiced/sauced, double fried, etc. But the chicken here turned out to be the best of all possible worlds: Marinated like karaage (ginger, soy and mirin) with a light tempura-style breading and skillfully fried to order.
The sides are southern-inspired, asian-inflected. Some very tasty (dashi-braised collard greens), others miss the mark (nori mac & cheese). The restaurant has the feel of a modest izakaya and a great beer selection.
This is now my favorite fried chicken in town – hands down. The lines are a bit of a bummer. Arrive before they open to hit the first seating.