I hadn't been to Furaibo in awhile, my family decided to choose to make a return visit. Since my family's not into chicken wings (for some readers, you may be asking "what's the point?"), we nonetheless tried their bento boxes and some side dishes. They didn't disappoint. The kara-age (bite size fried chicken) was quite tasty, a god amount of chicken without too much coating. I had the combination bento which included teriyaki chicken, chicken katsu, and broiled shrimp. I'd probably only go with chicken on my next visit. The shrimp was OK but not exceptional. However, the chicken katsu and teriyaki chicken were nicely done, quite moist with a good flavor. To reiterate, I should have remembered a restaurant known for their chicken should help me make better choices next time. I'm quite willing to make a return visit! read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Bento combination, the chicken katsu and teriyaki chicken were quite good, the shrimp was good but not exceptional. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I grew up going to FURAIBO, mostly at their now closed Puente Hills location. The one thing about this chain is that it was always consistent and the chicken wings were always delicious. After today's experience I will never go back. There are tons of amazing Japanese restaurants in Sawtelle. FURAIBO is located on a corner and its interior has a charming, 90's vibe. Nothing much inside has changed and it's still cozy and welcoming. The wait staff were all friendly enough and kept reminding us it was 30 minutes to closing and telling us when last call for orders was. There were only 2 other tables occupied on a Saturday afternoon, which should have been the first hint everything was going to go downhill. After we ordered 2 combos, I noticed it was oddly quiet. The other two tables weren't shaking to each other and there was no music or noise. Just kind of odd. As we waited... and waited... I could hear the fryer going and the chef/waitstaff talking. It started to seem weird that it was taking so long for the food to get to us and it seemed like they were frying whatever they were cooking for a REALLY long time. There was a significant wait after getting our drinks/soup/rice and I kept hearing the fryer frying something, which made me worry that our food was going to be overcooked. When it finally came out, our chicken wings were visibly darker than I've ever seen them here and some of the ends were burnt black. I could also tell my Saba Shio was VERY overcooked and dry. But, we were starving and started to eat our lunch... It was pretty awful. The fish was so dry both outside and in. But the wings- as soon as I picked it up I could smell a string burnt odor. I thought maybe it was that one piece, but they all smelled. I tasted one, as soon as I put it in my mouth all I could taste was that burnt flavor of something so charred it was inedible. My daughter's wings were worse. I've NEVER sent anything back, but this was so awful I called the waitress over and told her. There seemed to be a a language barrier at first (which was confusing because she spoke English), but I also told her in Japanese and she still didn't seem to understand what I was saying. There was another waiter and we tried to explain to both of them how bad the taste was and they took the wings back. But I could hear them telling the cook what we had said and he became irate. He was clearly angry that we had sent them back and said there was nothing wrong with them. It was a struggle to get him to make a new batch, which honestly made me more want to eat anytime I cooked by him. We ended up waiting a long time to get the new wings, which were slightly better but still burnt tasting. It's honestly so sad to think that of this guy has been there for a while and the owners don't know what's gaining, they have had to lose more customers than just my family. To have someone not know how to cook your signature menu item is asking for complete disaster. I really hope they can get someone new and turn this around, but my family ave I wont be back. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - The Saba Shio was extremely dry and the Chicken was so overcooked it had an inedible burnt taste... Complete disappointment. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The Okinawa Pork Fried Rice at FuRaiBo is delicious. The Okinawa-style pork chasu adds a savory bite to the rice. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Okinawa Pork Fried Rice - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Furaibo in Sawtelle is a solid go-to, especially for their lunch specials that are both satisfying and a great value. We tried the ribeye steak lunch, which came with rice, salad, and miso soup--everything was well-balanced, and the steak itself was juicy, tender, and paired perfectly with their tangy ponzu sauce. The portion size was generous and left us feeling full without being overdone. We've also enjoyed their à la carte items and skewers, which are consistently tasty, and their spam fried rice is definitely a favorite. Service was friendly and efficient, and the ambiance had a casual, laid-back vibe that made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. They also have a parking lot behind the restaurant which was very convenient since Sawtelle can get busy. Overall, a reliable spot worth coming back to. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Ribeye Steak - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This spot is a little gem! Came in for weekday lunch. It's a bit unassuming, even in its corner lot with large sign. It almost looks closed! Staff were phenomenal. Attentive, kind, and helpful. No problems there. The food was exactly what I was looking for. Slightly above average Japanese fried chicken that reminds me of home cooking. The karaage is what they're known for and it was terrific. Right amount of crunch and tender meat. Pretty sizable portion as well. The curry was phenomenal. A little less thick than I prefer, but tasty. The amount of pork provided was almost too much. I think most folks would get a to-go box. Very happy with the quality of the cutlets too. Did not skimp on the protein or let the breading overpower the dish. The interior is cozy and dark-ish. Lots of locals coming in. Competition is tough on Sawtelle but Furaibo is worth a try! Easy 5 star experience. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Tori Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Drove all the way to West LA - unfortunately the restaurant we wanted to go to had a 2-1/2 hour wait and it was late, decided to come here, sadly, all the restaurants in this area were extremely busy. Customer service was okay. The salad we ordered was simple and good but needed more dressing!The curry was good with minimal carrots/potatoes, mild flavor. The pork cutlet was not breaded with Panko, tasted like it was simple flour breading, needed seasoning, it was just okay, the presentation was horrible!!! read more

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Was wanting onigiri so that's what drew me to try Furaibo! Know that's not what they're known for but not many restaurants have them on the menu. The salmon onigiri was simple and delicious. The mune niku chicken and shiitake skewers were average. Was really looking forward to the spam fried rice but it was very salty. Feel like I have a high tolerance for salty foods but each bite felt like half of it was table salt read more

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The 4 stars is for the free parking, the friendly waiters who go above & beyond to serve, and the great hot food side dishes we ordered. We had the Nasu Age (deep-fried eggplant in soup), Agedash-tofu (deep-fried tofu in soup), Fried shrimp (this was SO DELISH I couldn't stop eating it OMG). The skewers were just OKAY but I must say the Tsukune (meatball) skewer was really delicious. I ordered two :D. I didn't get to try their fried chicken (apparently that's their specialty?), so next time. I've been here a few times now, their best quality is the service & the comfortable vibe. I also luv their oldies music selection :). read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Fried shrimp appetizer, I could've eaten two dishes of this SOLO :) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I haven't been to this restaurant yet in person but I have been having their food for almost 3 years now. My clients daughter has been ordering food from them. The food that I have tried are the - Chicken Wings - Short Ribs - Edamame - Kimchi The Chicken Wings and Short Ribs are excellent. So tasty, tender and is always so delicious. I can't get enough of them. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - A few of everything - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The Baseline: For Fried/Karaage chicken that must be crispy, meaty, and flavorful. Food: The Karaage chicken was really crispy and delicious. The Double Jane chicken was uniquely fried and the flavor was really good. Service: The service was excellent and my waitress provided great service. My water glass was not let empty. Atmosphere: The seats are comfortable and the tables are well situated with a nice Sawtelle Japanese style. The restroom was clean. read more

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Honestly some of the best Japanese food I've had in a while. The ramen was so good and flavorful. The ochazuke was also really good. I was getting so full but I finished both the ramen and ochazuke. I also tried some of the shrimp and other fried fish which was also sooo good. Will for sure be coming back, I wish it wasn't an hour away lol. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Ochazuke - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The food at Furaibo is hot and delicious! Recently stopped in for a quick lunch because I was in the area. I immediately liked the authentic Japanese style decor and ambiance. It's located on Sawtelle which is known for the many other Japanese restaurants on the same street. You can take your pick and find your next best meal. Today we picked Furaibo and I'm happy that we did. Our server was very friendly and she came over to take our orders right away. All of the food was served piping hot which I love. The flavors were incredible and the prices were reasonable. Highly recommend if you're looking for a great place to have some delicious food with a low key vibe. read more

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My family and I come to Furaibo often because they serve truly authentic Japanese food, which is hard to find. One of our favorites is their fried fish karaage -- it's rare to get because they make only a limited amount each day. While the portion size has definitely shrunk over the years (it used to be almost double), the taste and recipe remain just as good, which keeps us coming back. This time, I tried the yakitori ramen. I wasn't sure how grilled chicken would taste in ramen, but it ended up being one of the best parts. The chicken was fresh and juicy, and the ramen noodles themselves were shiny, firm, and super authentic. It really brought the whole dish together. I also tried the tako wasabi (octopus in wasabi) for the first time, and it was surprisingly good -- definitely for those who enjoy a spicy kick. The service is always great here. The staff is attentive, friendly, and quick to check in or bring anything you need. The ambiance is cozy, and they even have a traditional-style room with low tables where you can sit on mats and take off your shoes, which adds a nice cultural touch. Overall, it's a really unique spot in the Sawtelle/Japantown area, and we always leave happy. read more

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Have visited all furaibo locations in SoCal for last 30 years. Visited west la location yesterday. Drove over an hour to get there since the other locations are now closed. It remains my favorite restaurant of any type and price range. It took me an hour and a half to get home but it was well worth the effort. read more

Got the curry udon, which was just so-so. I've had better. However, the people serving were really nice and the restaurant had a nice ambience inside. Overall, I wouldn't come back again, but I had a nice experience. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Note: this review is for takeout only so I may be missing out on the ambiance. Pros: - I ordered pickup through an app and my food was ready before the projected pickup time. - The lady at the front confirmed my order and helped me right away as soon as I entered, despite it being 8pm on a Saturday. Pickup literally took 30 seconds - Chicken skewers and chicken wings had really excellent flavor Opportunities: - Salmon was just mid - We were supposed to get 8 wings but only received 7. Even still, this is a note about portion size - Presentation of the chicken wings was the saddest I've seen in a while because they're so small in a big box. (Note: flavor was really good!) - Portion size of skewers was also disappointing (4 for $15?) read more

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Feels family-run in the best way. Warm, welcoming, and unfazed even when we came in 10 minutes before closing. And yes, the fried rice stays amazing even after reheating days later. read more

I was traveling in Nagoya recently and learned of this chain, but didn't get to try it. So I was surprised to come back to LA, where I've lived to years now, and learn that this chain also exists in LA! Maybe the restaurant should lean into the fact that it's a huge popular chain in Japan more for marketing?? Overall I liked my experience here a lot, it had a very traditional izakaya feel whereas many other popular izakayas are fusion Japanese food. I'll come back to try other dishes. I got the Nagoya wings, cartilage kaarage, grilled duck, nabe, curry udon, and okinawa fried rice. My group was pleasantly surprised that the volume of food for the price was really affordable. I'm mildly annoyed because I was excited to try the wings here, because that seems to be the main speciality that I learned about in Nagoya. I got the Nagoya sweet-spicy wings, instead of the "regular" wings. I asked staff what the difference between the two wings are and the response I got was that the regular wings are better selling which doesn't tell me much. Upon getting my order, I think the spicy-sweet wings have a sticky sauce (which is normal for this type of wing flavor) and the non-spicy wings have the dry rub which is the actual Nagoya speciality. (I *think*.) The spicy wings were really good and I don't regret ordering them at all, but it would have been nice to get a better explanation about the difference between the wing styles. Anyway, this was a long review / rant just because I care about the wings and need to come back now to try the regular wings. There's a parking lot in the back! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Sawtelle. The ambiance is 5/5. It's a relaxing izakaya restaurant. You can hear the chefs preparing your food, there's the option to sit at a table or tatami traditional Japanese style, and the service is pretty quick and very friendly. Depending on how busy it is and what you order, it could take a little bit for the food to come out. Luckily, Furaibo has an incredible drinks selection. I've tried a few of the Chu-Hi drinks and every single one that I've had were delicious. Every time i'm in the area, I like to stop by since it just a fun experience and I always walk out with a smile on my face. Also, it's convenient that they have their own parking lot behind the restaurant. read more

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I've lived on the Westside for almost 10 years and this was my first time at this restaurant! It's located in Japantown on Sawtelle across the street from the OG tsujita. There's almost never a line here so I thought it would be really empty but it was pretty full for a Friday night! They have regular seating and Japanese style seating where you remove your shoes and sit on low tables on little pillows. We came here with a group of 5. Their alcoholic beverages are very tasty and not too strong or expensive and we each ordered one (I think I got white peach). We ordered a skewer set and a half chicken of their fried chicken to share. Most of our group ordered the dinner boxes as the main meal. The skewers had a nice wood fired taste to them and their fried chicken was so delicious, I wish we ordered more to share. All their dinner boxes come with a piece of pork tonkotsu so you actually get 2 meats! I ordered the steak dinner box and it was very filling that I took it home and ate for 3 meals. Their dinner boxes are on the pricy side but I think it's worth it for the portion that you get. There's a complimentary parking lot behind the restaurant but we parked on the street as we wanted to get dessert somewhere afterwords. We definitely enjoyed our meal here! read more

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I wanted give this place 1.5 star. If you looked up my reviews I only gave few places 5star. 3star mean's recommended. I'm not easy to give star up to 3star. I visited my friend's area for dinner and they took me this place. This place likes ijakaya style. But we were here for dinner. We ordered a lot of food for 4people. My favorite Japanese ijakaya style restaurant was in Manhattan. I liked this place aged tofu and croquet. Rice was too salty to me also steak. I ate better food anywhere else. My friends favorite restaurant so they recognized my friends. Service was great. My friend ordered Japanese so easy to order. Our server was speak Japanese. If my friend asking me to go this place again with them I would try one more time and ordered what I want. Every menu was my friend recommended. I thinking there's better food more than I was tried at this time. read more

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It was very good and amazing.We always come here for their delicious food! We will come back soon

Rib eye bento box is my favorite there. It's at $33 bucks now. Everything's so expensive now a days, but gotta treat your self once a whiles. read more

I got take-out on a Friday night around 8pm. Sawtelle's a complete zoo on any weekend night. Luckily, Furaibo has a small parking lot behind it. BUT, don't park in spaces marked for Karaoke lounge. Beware! The owner will tow! No mercy! The Teba-saki wings are delicious! I get the regular spice level - the heat is from a mix of black and white pepper. The chicken is crunchy, spicy & a touch sweet at the same time. The meat falls off the bone pretty easily. I would order at least 2 portions of chicken per person. The wings are small. We also like their udon noodles but it's nothing spectacular. Other items we always order are gizzards yakitori, tsukune yakitori (ground chicken meatball), agedashi tofu, fried baby shrimp, beef tongue, beef tataki (seared rare beef filets), and ribeye steak. We finish the dinner with yaki-onigiri, miso ones. Our family eats ALOT so we order many different dishes and have 0 leftovers. Lastly, Furaibo Sawtelle is really good but, the one in Gardena is much better!! read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Teba-saki wings take-out - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is actually a solid 2.5 star place but since you can't do half stars... 2 is closer to my experience than 3. Came in as a party of four on a Wednesday night around 6. The seating is VERY close to other parties; the tables might be a foot away- I did not enjoy that. Also, the seating was tight and a bit difficult to squeeze into. When the waitress came by, we said we were still thinking and asked for more time. She said "it gets pretty busy around here, so what do you want to order" lol. Rushing, we placed orders for the fried chicken, ramen, karage and fried chicken bento. The food itself was alright- karage was probably the best thing. They're apparently known for their wings but there was barely any meat on there, flavor was decent I guess. When it came time for our checks, we asked for two separate ones and the waitress said "you should have said it earlier" even though she came by one time halfway through the meal? lol. Asked for takeout boxes and one came with a lil bug in it, yum! Overall, definitely worth skipping this place- you're not missing much! read more

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My wife and I both loved our dinner boxes. I had salmon and she had Unagi with a green apple drink. Both came with salad, miso, rice, half a boiled potato, and assorted pickled vegetables. I added a side of curry for 8 bucks, worth every penny. Thanks FURAIBO read more

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The duck was so moist, the chicken fried perfectly. I wouldn't say this is a place I'll go get a whole meal moreso like bar foods. Though could be pricey. I have never eaten inside before but get hot foods to bring home to enjoy read more

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The food is great and they were able to fit us in quickly even in a busy holiday night! The menu is pretty expansive so there should be food everyone likes on it! read more

Just a quick review. Furaibo is the place for one of a kind fried chicken and wings. They have a unique flavor and spice; almost like a Chinese 5-spice with sugar. The place looks like something straight out of a "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant in Tokyo. Cleanliness 8/10 Ambiance 10/10 Service 9/10 Bathrooms 9/10 Food 9/10 Value 8/10 Will I Return? Yes read more

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Went here with no lines on a weekend, yay!!! I can say that they did a good job on the yakitori, cod fish & chicken skin. Chef needs to cut down on the salt shaker, my ramen is too salty. The place has a unique japanese style design just like in omoide yokocho. read more

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Tori Karaage and Teba-Saki are my go-to!!! Crunchy and savory!!! The other must have are the Yakitori - more than two dozens to choose from. Furaibo was my favorite ever since back in the 80's. The chicken wings is where it's at. Nothing comes close. Make sure you have a bowl of rice nearby because one bite and you'll be reaching out with your chopsticks to the rice. Always an experience. There are many other Japanese restaurants surrounding this spot but when in doubt this place is it! Great service! Inside is small but it's nostalgic. Parking maybe hard to find on the streets but there are private garages around with reasonable cost. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Tori Karaage Pac - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great izakaya spot if you want to sip on drinks and share a few dishes. Each dish is smaller in portion and makes it great for ordering different items and slowly enjoying them with some sake. They are known for the chicken wings which are juicy and flavorful but a little bit on the smaller side. Love the chicken cartilage because it has a great crunch on it and the grilled squid was great for changing up the texture. Service is friendly and fast and inside is a casual spot. Great for relaxing, catching up with friends, and sipping on beer or sake! read more

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They have a bit of everything here on Sawtelle. Ramen, fried chicken, sushi, you name it. I really only used to come by here to drink while I waited for my spot in other restaurants on Sawtelle, but after a while I started to try the food and realized it was pretty good! There's usually not much of a line, and I enjoy the outdoor tables as I can bring a floof and most of my friends can eat together as the inside gets kind of crowded. The staff are pretty friendly (besides when it's packed), and the food comes out pretty quick and fresh. I definitely recommend the chicken wings here and the ramen is decent. If you're on Sawtelle and in a pinch with some friends or a date, check this place out. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ambiance rocks. So fun. A party in the room and your tummy. My bf of 18 years and I love it here and come all the time. The servers are kind and quick. And...the food always comes out hot and perfect. Eat with a beer. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Tori Karaage Pac Tori Karaage Pac Tori Karaage Pac. Get three orders! Why not? Too delicious...arigato! - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

On Sawtelle, Furaibo appeared to me to be an unassuming establishment due to its lack of long lines like many other businesses in the area have. However, Furaibo has a comfortable atmosphere with well-made Japanese staples and creative new dishes. The dish everyone in my party loved was the curry katsu! The curry had just the right viscosity and was bursting with spices. The katsu was nice and crispy when it came out, be sure to eat it fresh! The rice was nice and fluffy, perfect to go with the curry. I really liked the fried Tarzan chicken because they gave the chicken some extra deep cuts to give it extra surface area for crispiness, but it may not appeal to everyone. The selection of skewers is good, but some items are just ok. I especially enjoyed the okra (surprising for me!) and the shiitake mushrooms. The button mushrooms aren't amazing as skewers, and while the chicken was texturally great, I wish it came with some teriyaki glaze or some other kind of flavoring. Thinking back, it would be nice if they provided a selection of dips or flavorings to go with your skewers. The fried rice was tasty, appeals to hipsters with a fried egg on top. The dishes with vegetables was very limited, so we got a chicken salad. While it wasn't bad, I wouldn't try it again. The dressing that came mixed into the salad was a bit much, and it's more American with a tiny bit of Japanese influence. If you really want something with veggies, go for the skewers. Best part is that they have their own private parking lot in the back. read more

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I tried this place for the first time and I enjoyed it. I love these hole in the wall places and if I'm not in Korea town eating then I'm glad that right here locally on sawtelle I can still find some diverse food. This is yakitori which is Japanese bbq not to be confused with other types of bbq. They have a large menu with many selections. The two ladies who worked there were sweet and nice and playful and I enjoyed eating here. The service was good and we got in and got out immediately cause I am a quick eater, was hungry and food was timely. The chicken wings are a must. The rest of the items are presence. I'll be back again read more

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The fried chicken is excellent and the price and portions are good. It's one of the best in the West LA Sawtelle Mini-Tokyo area that spans about 4 blocks on both sides with a lot of new hipster trendy restaurants... but this one is a classic restaurant ai recommend. Luckily there is no wait because the hot spots draw the crowds and we can benefit from that fact and come here without logistical issues of waiting read more

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I've been coming here for over 20 years! I've loved the food from the first day I stepped into this restaurant until 23 years later. The taste of the food and the recipes are still spot on and always consistent. I love that I still see the same 2 cooks every time. It's a nice family restaurant that serves small portioned authentic Japanese food. I drive from Northridge at least twice a month because I still crave for the teba saki spicy wings and Hanpan cheese. Those are my go to dishes. When I was pregnant with my daughter I used to order 10 orders of the wings all to myself. It was my craving addiction and I was here every week!! I can never get tired of eating here. The servers are pretty consistent but I miss Speedy and Hiroko. read more

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There are a lot of things to like with Furaibo: there's validated parking, lots of indoor and outdoor seating, service is great, there's an extensive Japanese menu. But at the end of the day, the food (skewers, miso cod) is pretty below average - their famous wings was the thing that was above average. read more

I passed by this restaurant so many times and finally decided to try them out. I went in around 9 pm and there was a slight wait. I ordered a mild spiciness teba saki dinner box which arrived after 15 minutes of ordering. The rice and miso soup came first around 10 minutes of ordering. The teba saki was nicely seasoned and I could taste the saltiness and spiciness. The chicken wings had juicy meat on the inside and a nice crispiness on the outside. The meat also came off the bone cleanly. The katsu was also nicely breaded on the outside with quite juicy meat. The katsu sauce wasn't too overwhelming when dipped with the katsu. The sweet potato stew helped provide a break from the saltiness and spiciness of the meats. The excess amount of salad and veggies also helped lighten the dinner box as a whole. Overall, this was a very delicious meal. Quantity wise, it was way more than I was expecting for $22.95. I will be coming back eventually to try the other items on the menu. read more

Furaibo Restaurant - Miso soup and rice - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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