Little Sama Ojai! Took the wife here thinking to share a dish and order small things before the drive back to the OC. Oh we left filled! Located inside the Topa Topa Brewing Company, as soon as you walk in you will see the tap bar, to the left you'll see where you place your order for Little Sama, even more to the left is the food menu. It was very tempting to try a beer from Topa Topa since it was our first time at both these locations, but also our first time in Ojai, but man the heat destroyed me (when does it not) and I knew the beer would just make me even more hot and bloated too. We were at the location on a Thursday late afternoon, not too many people, few people coming in and getting either their after work brew or shoot maybe one before their shift starts. It was happy hour for Little Sama which we took advantage with one of the dishes which I will discuss in a bit. Plenty of seating inside and outside, as well as two unisex bathrooms, to the right side of the bar. The girl working was very helpful on giving us good recommendations which we went with: Okonomiyaki Tots (Happy Hour Item) - Now most places when they have happy hour and these items are on there, its usually like half the portion or something, they gave us a lot, so I am curious what does the non-happy hour order look like. One thing for sure is I am super glad they gave us this much because these were bomb and dangerous. The tater tots were fried perfectly that it held its crunch even with the Okonomi Sauce and kewpie mayo. I usually don't care for pickled cabbage but that perfectly balanced the whole dish that I found myself poking the cabbage and spinning it like spaghetti, then making sure it stays in place by capping it with two tots. Damn delish! Korean Fried Cauliflower - This is to this date, the best fried cauliflower dish I have had, actually lets expand that to the best cauliflower dish I have had. Again perfectly fried where you had a little bit of a crunch but still had the nice pillow-whe feel of the cauliflower. That sauce though! It was so damn good I obviously finished the dish, but at the end my fat boy habits came out and I scraped the whole plate so all the sauce would combine again so I could use the last of the two cauliflower and drench em down! Can I get this some how over here to the OC PLEASE! Top Sirloin Katsu Sando - I don't know how they did this not only were they keeping the crisp of the sandwich along with the katsu, they didn't clash to where it was just to crunchy, they blended so well together. That miso garlic cabbage slaw just really put everything together into just a umami explosion in the mouth. The Krupuk chips were delicious, I was going to knock a star off my review because either they weren't fried all the way or maybe that could just be the chip themselves, but do check your chips, sometimes in the center is a very hard part while surrounding it is the regular chip like texture. The wife bit into it and the shock of not expecting that hard texture, irritated that side of the jaw for a bit. In conclusion as mentioned above I started off with a 4 star review because of the chip, but that was the only thing. I just think putting out that delicious food, having one of those dishes being the best I have had, it deserved a 5 star from me. Imagine enjoying the beer which without a doubt would have some that pair nicely with each dish! This restaurant will be one of those ones that will make it hard to try anything else in Ojai. Why? Being our first time in Ojai, it is hard to say when is the next time we will return, but when we do, why would I try any other place out when I can finally try this place again! Feast Well Fellow Yelpers! Kaizokuō Ni Ore Wa Naru! - Taicho read more

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Food looks better then it tastes. Located inside the brewery. Ordered the lemongrass beef noodle bowl. The beef was actually the best part of the bowl. The dressing/sauce that goes on it was tangy but bland. The noodles were cooked ok. I was expecting a flavor similar to a Vietnamese Noodle bowl and it was not. The chicken Karage.... Was dry and some pieces were just batter no chicken , very hard. Not the usual crispy outside and moist and tender inside. Felt like these were fried too long or refried various times. Small portions. The pickles were okay again no flavor other then sour/tangy. The cucumber pickled in the set tasted spoiled. Didn't eat those. Overall left disappointed. read more

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Great food options, especially when paired with bevvies from Topa topa. You order at the counter and they'll buzz you when food is ready. 5/5 tater tots, perfectly fried and seasoned 5/5 pork katsu sandwich, good balance of bread, pork, and cabbage 4/5 Vietnamese noodle salad, felt healthy and satiated after a big bowl of veggies, chicken, and noodles. The rice noodles could've been one smidge softer I've had the wings and karaage chicken before and those dishes are also nicely done. read more

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This place is still one of my favorites! Incredible food, with a pretty consistent menu with some seasonal changes. This has been our go to date night spot for over a year! Love that you can get a good beer with great food and enjoy downtown Ojai! Service is always super quick and staff is very friendly! Dogs allowed!!! read more

Little Sama Ojai - Mushroom loves sitting on the patio waiting for a fallen tater tot! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

I am a big fan of this eatery even though my first review of their signature wings was not 5-star. Of all the items I've tried their Top Sirloin Katsu Sando is by far my favorite. But this review is for the Wagyu Beef Cheeseburger. It looks yummy and certainly sounds like it should be (cooked medium-rare, tilamook cheddar, house tomato jam, miso caramelized red onions, gem lettuce pickled cucumbers, kewpie mayo, brioche, side of krupuk), but I found it rather bland. None of the indigents (mayo, cucumbers, red onions) stood out. It tasted like a plain burger. I had to ask for a side of the mayo. Sorry Sama, for me, this one needs more zest. read more

Stopped by Little Sama in Ojai for some fuel after Chief's Peak. We got the sweet and spicy chicken wings and they really hit the spot after a long hike. The Korean-style wings were juicy on the inside crispy on the outside and nicely sauced. The okonomiyaki tots were also a hit and worth ordering. It's located inside Topa Topa Brewing Company and the setup is straightforward. You order at the counter they give you a buzzer and pick up your food when it's ready. The service was so nice especially for counter service. They paid attention to small details without us having to ask and having worked in the service industry we definitely noticed and appreciate that The vibe is casual and family friendly. Dog friendly and kids running around, it's super relaxed. Food comes out fast and it's a chill spot to hang out read more

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The food was absolutely amazing!!! I've never had anything like this before. It was so flavorful, yet light. The place was absolutely adorable with outside seating too. Highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a bite to eat. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Wagyu cheeseburger - savory, tender medium-well burger w/ cheddar, miso onions, kewpie & pickles on a buttery brioche bun. Lemongrass beef rice bowl - a flavorful mash-up of southeast asian textures & sweet‑heat notes on a comforting rice base. Korean fried cauliflower - acrispy plant-based treat w/ gochujang heat & sesame seasoning. read more

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Little Sama is the food window inside Topa Topa, where you can take out a quick meal while you enjoy your beer. I like Topa Topa, but next time I'll just stick to drinks. There are just better places to eat in downtown Ojai. Service at the window was friendly and fast, no complaints there. The food was just not especially good. I got a donburi rice bowl with karaage fried chicken, pickled vegetables, marinated egg, honey-srirache aioli, and furikake over rice. The chicken was okay, but the kind of fried chicken where you get more crusty batter than meat. I liked the marinated egg and the other components were fine, too, but it just didn't come together into any kind of compelling whole. My husband got a burger and he wasn't impressed with that, either. He ordered it medium rare and it was cooked medium well. I did like the shrimp crackers that came on the side, though I'm sure my husband would have preferred fries. I wonder if we maybe got the wrong things here, but I don't live in Ojai and am not that curious to find out. I have a feeling we'll be back to Topa Topa, but this was probably our last visit to Little Sama's window. read more

I was in the mood for something fairly healthy and fresh-tasting for lunch. The donburi bowl with seared tofu really hit the spot, and the pickled veggies added a nice, crunchy element. The soy marinated eggs were the star of the show for me and they were perfectly salty and jammy. I do wish the rice was a bit fresher and softer -- it tasted a bit hardened which wasn't my favorite. Overall, a really yummy, fairly healthy meal that is fairly priced! read more

Little Sama Ojai - Donburi bowl with seared tofu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Atmosphere is, well, an open concrete bar (which has awesome beers btw), so it's meant for literally bar food and bar none, it was fantastic! Had the wings and wife had the bowl - absolutely delicious! I ask what the ingredients were for the wings and had to stop her around the 16th or 17th ingredient - not remembering all that. As with other places in Ojai, it's obvious they take their food seriously. Come for the beer, but DO get their wings! read more

Good food and beer. Could use more low tables with normal height chairs, never noticed all the high tables and chairs until I had kids.

The restaurant is a booth right next to the brewery (Topa Topa). It is quite nice to get a bite and beer in one spot. They have a order window where you can order and pick up food at the counter when ready. I thought the food was creative and well presented. The price was definitely on the steep side for what it is but quality and service was there. The tots are unique and have a twist to takoyaki but with tots. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

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It's pretty much counter service but not your typical fast food! I had their Chicken Sandwich fried coconut marinated chicken thigh, spicy tamarind-soy bbq, house-made pickled cucumbers, gem lettuce, dijon aioli, brioche, side of krupuk with a side of spicy tots. My son decided on Ojai Pixie Wings mary's organic chicken wings, housemade ojai pixie & garlic glaze, finished with scallions & sesame seeds. My wife ordered the Vietnamese Noodles rice vermicelli, shredded little gems, pickled red onions, cucumber, radish, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint & house nuoc cham dressing And my daughter in law ordered the Donburi Rice Bowl short grain rice, pickled veggies, marinated egg, honey-sriracha aioli, furikake she ordered without the aioli and pickles. Overall great food! read more

While at Topa Topa enjoying ice cold beer we purchased loaded tater tots from here to enjoy as a snack. My husband and I were on a daytrip to Ojai from LA. We took a break after hiking at the nearby Wheeler Gorge to have a snack and beer. The service was friendly and the ambiance very chill. The tater tots were ok, I'm not a fan of sweet sauces so next time I'll pay more attention and not order something with the sauce. I'll try other things next time I'm here. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Tater tots loaded - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

They are located inside the Topa Topa Brewery. I recommend getting the food here to pair with the beers because their food is solid. I loved chicken wings, sprouts and tots. Service was great - nothing to complain about. read more

A couple of years ago I would have given this spot a great review but I've been disappointed the last 2 times I've ordered. Seasoned tots have been soggy, Rica Rica .... 99% veggies 1% chicken & the bread it's served in was dry . Time to find a new spot read more

Cute little spot by Topa Topa brewery. Ordered at the counter, food came out pretty quickly. We got the chicken sandwich and their signature wings. The sandwich was pretty tasty, the sauce is definitely on the sweeter side for my taste. Chicken was cooked well, nice, juicy and moist. Prawn crackers for chips is cute. The signature wings seemed to also have a similar sauce to the fried chicken sandwich, again too sweet for me but I see the appeal. Again the chicken was nice and juicy. Definitely a cool place to grab a bite and a beer. Very dog friendly- had water bowls available for the pup! read more

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We were looking for a casual lunch spot in ojai. My kid wanted chicken so we decided on this place. It's casual and you order at the window and they give you a buzzer for notification to come back and pickup food. The service was polite and nice. I appreciate that. The ambiance is open tables and also has a nice outdoor patio. The food was fresh, delicious and well spiced. I was very happy with my dining experience and the food itself. I will be returning when I am in the area. read more

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We went here for lunch on a Saturday around noon and it was not too busy. It's located inside Topa Topa brewery so you can order a beer and get delicious food. We ordered the tots, chicken wings and wagyu burger meal to share. My favorite was the wings, they were very flavorful without being too spicy. It only comes with 6 wings but could easily eat all of them on my own. The burger was good but wasn't anything special, same with the tots. Would definitely come here again just for the wings! Street parking only. Dog friendly inside and out! read more

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We got a table during a busy Friday at 1pm out of pure luck! This place is busy and very dog friendly. I had a negative experience here because the menu is all Vietnamese style and had some sort of spicy kick to the food and without the sauce or flavoring the food is bland so it's a lose lost situation for me. And I didn't want to order a $12 bowl of rice and chicken with some soy sauce. I can just make that at home. The burger was alright per my father in law. My husband really liked the wings because he doesn't mind a kick. He said they were the most flavorful he's ever had. So wings were a win. The tots were also crunchy and in good portion. This place is fun and trendy, but I was disappointed that the food all had some twist that makes it hard for people that are spice intolerant to enjoy. read more

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Good flavors. Sad to write this but was disappointed with my salad size. Not a huge eater but literally less than half the bowl was full.. luckily I added tofu to make it more filling. Would try again because it was pretty tasty. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

We chose this place at random and are SO glad we did. We shared the signature chicken wings and they're up there with the best wings we've ever eaten. I had the curry special which was really flavorful and bold. My husband had their take on the French dip and loved it. Highly recommend this little local gem. read more

Little Sama is in Topa Topa brewing and while I was there drinking a few beers I was feeling a little hungry. I suppose I could have gone to get food from somewhere but why do that when there's a restaurant in the brewery. I saw their menu of Asian inspired dishes and honestly was a little lost with what to get. I said as much when it was my turn to order and was told 'you have to get the wings, it's what we're known for.' I was actually looking for something a little lighter but was convinced. I'm glad that I was swayed because the wings were as advertised, that right balance of sweet/spicy and the cilantro was more than just decorative but accentuated the wings as well. The wings went well with the Topa Topa beers and it was a just the right balance of good food, good beer and sunshine. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

We popped in to Topa Topa Brewing and found Little Sama inside to have some bites with our drinks. Located downtown Ojai, this place has a very cool vibe with a really nice outdoor patio with high top tables. Tony studied the beer board and found a nice chilled IPA and I had a lovely Pinot Gris. We ordered some snacks from Little Sama to enjoy on the patio with our drinks. The service was great, and done with a nice smile. Drinks and food came out quickly. We ordered the Seasoned Tots, they were so crunchy and crisp and seasoned with garlic oil, togarashi and furikake. The togarashi is a spicy Asian pepper and added a nice kick to the tots. The furikake is an fish seasoning. It didn't taste fishy at all, just added a nice umami flavor to the tots. We also ordered the Korean Fried Cauliflower. Florets were battered in a rice flower and lightly fried, then tossed in a gochujang glaze and topped with scallions and sesame seeds. Both were absolutely scrumptious. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Crispy crunchy tots and Korean Fried Cauliflower. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

4.5 stars - Cute counter located inside Topa Topa Brewing with Asian fusion lunch items. Was pleasantly surprised that everything had such great flavor - the Vietnamese salad was a bright and fresh mix that I enjoyed. Slightly too much pickling in their dishes for my taste, and the service was slow (understandable, given the high demand at such a small station), but overall a yummy spot to enjoy some leisurely lunch with your beer or cider! read more

Little Sama Ojai - Top: Okonomiyaki fries, Left: Vietnamese noodle salad, Right: pork katsu donburi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Been awhile since I've been to this place, but glad we stopped in today for lunch. The Rica Rica tostada and the tofu rice bowl were amazing! Large portions and incredible flavors! The staff were also so genuinely friendly, which seems to be a rarity these days. A Ojai gem for sure! read more

This place was ... okay. Ordering was easy enough, and the wait was on the longer side - particularly considering it wasn't super crowded. Ambiance was mediocre at best. The stools are uncomfortable and the tables and chairs are placed too close together for people (including wait staff) to walk through without bumping you. The chicken sandwich was more breading than chicken, which was disappointing. And there was more sauce than chicken, too. Once we actually bit into the sandwich enough to get to the meat, we noticed the chicken was gray. GRAY. We didn't bother finishing it. There was an up charge for seasoned tots, which we paid. The amount of tots on the plate for the price was disappointing, particularly since the tots were actually good. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Chicken sandwich with seasoned tots - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

It's been super hot lately and I thought it'd be a great idea to get a refreshing bite around the area to cool me down. Just so happens that Little Sama Ojai has a delicious and refreshing Vietnamese noodle salad. For the protein option, I chose fried chicken. I ordered through the website and scheduled a pick up order which was very convenient! :) Just a heads up: the building is labeled Topa Topa and inside it says Sama Sama. So if you are not from the area, you might miss it look out for the sign! :) read more

Little Sama Ojai - vietnamese noodle salad w/ fried chicken - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Located inside Topa Topa, this is one of the best places to kick back and enjoy a lunch in Ojai. The brewery itself opens up its garage-like doors on nice afternoons and the whole space feels inviting without too much chaos and noise. My friends and I like having a Topa Topa beer with our food. There are several longer tables good for larger groups or sharing space, and 3-4 small round tables for 2-3 people. The smaller tables don't have much space, so it can be tricky to fit all the food and drinks on it. If I remember correctly, the tables have hooks for bags!! (this is almost like finding dresses with pockets) The food is Asian-inspired, so you'll see stuff like tots seasoned with furikake, okonomiyaki tots, etc. I've tried the chicken fried sandwich, katsu sando, and this one curry noodle soup which I think was a special at that time. All recommend! Note that although the food might seem a bit pricey, portions are huge. Also note that the food can take a while to come out, so my friend's pro-tip was to call and order ahead before getting there. Another tip? Do the Ventura to Ojai bike trail and time it so that you make it to Topa Topa / Little Sama just in time for lunch. The food and beer will taste EXTRA good. read more

We loved the Japanese inspired dishes!! I think my favorite was the okonomiyaki tots (unique and clever and pairs so well!). The tostada was also good but I think I preferred the rice bowls (donburi). We didn't expect Little Sama to be next to Topa Topa but it was the perfect combination! Tasty Asian fusion and good beer, and fairly priced too. read more

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Great spot for a quick and tasty meal. Was a little confused by the entrance because it shares space with the brewery. Very surprised by how flavorful the food tasted. Highly recommend the fried chicken sandwich. read more

Great food and great empoyees! This spot is located inside topa topa brewery. The Korean hot wings were a hit! Packed with flavor. Really like the Korean cauliflower as well. Very filling appetizer. Grab a brew at the bar while you wait for your food :) read more

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I came here on the weekend with my family and I loved the food! I ordered their burger with tater tots. The burger was seasoned well and not dry, the sauce went well with the burger, and the tater tots was super crispy. The tater tots had a nice furikake seasoning on it. I also ordered the wings and it was delicious! - I loved the sauce. I highly recommend aI am definitely going to come back again when I'm in Ojai. Note: -The restaurant is located inside of Topa Topa Brewery. -There is parking available but you might just have to walk a bit. -This restaurant is located by a bunch of other cool stores and restaurants that you can walk to after! There is also a park close by that you can walk to after read more

Little Sama Ojai - Burger with Tater Tots - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Food is very tasty! We had the burger and the Signature Wings. Both were delicious! Service is great as well. Staff are very welcoming. And very dog friendly! Highly recommend this place! read more

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Stopped for a beer at Topa Topa and had a life changing food experience at Sama's. Pretty cool set-up. Like a food truck vibe right next to the bar, inside nicely tucked in with an unassuming order window. The service at both the brewery and Sama were super friendly. The food was a total surprise. The standout were the wings. Hands down the best wings we've ever had. And sadly now, no other wings will compare. If only they could open a place in the OC. read more

Pretty solidddd bowl the pickled vegetables and the sauce were deliiiishhhh and the tofu was pretty good very delish and the leftovers were still good. Very filling you could totally share if you needed but likeeeeeeee I ate it up. Vibe was cool inside and rec if you need some good asian food but r stuck in ojai read more

Little Sama Ojai - Tofu donburi bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Great little gem nestled in a brewery (which was also pretty damn good) with dishes that had a unique twist to some familiar flavors. We visited Ojai for a quick day trip and stumbled upon this spot when looking for a good lunch spot. A pretty wide menu given how small of a place it is and a lot of delicious choices. We got plain tots and kids rice bowl for the kids and the okonomiyaki tots, the crispy mushrooms, fried chicken bowl, and this glass noodle salad with tofu special they had. Tots were cooked perfectly, and it was an interesting twist to have okonomiyaki toppings on it. They didn't douse it with sauce which was a good idea because those flavors are strong. The crispy mushrooms were also a delight. Nice crisp without being burnt and the chili sauce was a nice compliment. I think my least favorite items were the bowls which were good but felt like something we could have made from home. All in all a great, casual spot for food in a cure downtown. read more

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The food was pricey but okay. You order drinks separately from Topa Topa (great beer!) and then wander over to the Sama window to order your food and get it delivered to your table. I had finished a couple of tasters of beer by the time the food arrived. The person who took my order was friendly enough, though it felt more like a fast food transaction than a pricey "Asian fusion" order. The pulled pork sandwich was okay, nothing special, though they dressed it up to act fancy. I would have preferred more meat and less bread. ** This is only for the food side, The beer and brewery is reviewed under Topa Topa's own listing. read more

Little Sama Ojai - Pulled Pork - Asian Fusion Near Me - Ojai, California

Very interesting menu...it's Asian-fusion but it's kinda all over the place - Japanese style, Korean style, American and more, so a little bit of a weird flow. We did thoroughly enjoy the Okonomiyaki Tots - tater tots covered in Japanese toppings and sauces - sounded a bit weird on the menu but ended up being absolutely delicious! The restaurant has a great ambiance - wide open floor plan, fun, simple and still cozy and intimate. And the staff were really nice too. It's located inside the Topa Topa BrewCo on the corner of Ojai Ave and Montgomery - we had a heck of a time finding it - definitely had to turn around 3-4 times before we figured it out by sheer chance - not well signed. Parking is all street as well, but ample. Unfortunately, those tots were about the only food-thing that worked out for us. We also ordered one of the bibimbap rice bowls Bc it's one of my fave foods - I was so excited - especially Bc you don't see bibimbap often! And we ordered the popcorn cauliflower and banana donut fritters with caramel sauce Bc YUM!! Got our takeaway bag - had a correct amount of boxes in it - but we really should've looked closer. When we got to our room and laid it all out, our order was almost totally wrong. They gave us an order of plain tots that we didn't ask for - and they completely left off the bibimbap!! Soooo disappointed!! The girl taking our order was sweet - but totally distracted or something. We were far too exhausted from hiking all day to go back. No way. So I called and the same girl answered and was still very distracted it seemed. But they were able to immediately find our order in their system and refunded us for the bibimbap so it got resolved. And she was very apologetic and nice. So - the Okonomiyaki tots are really good - I'd definitely get those again! The popcorn cauliflower was ok - pretty dry and had a strain flavor combo - kinda grainy and tasted faintly of sushi somehow - so it was just ok. The banana fritters themselves were dry and bland - and the caramel sauce was inedible- it was bitter and even burnt tasting. Overall I'd give the restaurant a second try but our first impression was a little disappointing. read more

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