This place is great!! It was sooo fresh and tasty!! Staff is very nice Quick and easy to order some times a little wait but worth the wait. Over all 5 stars read more

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Came on a Sunday around 1:30 pm. There were about 5 people in line before us but the line went pretty fast. This is my second time coming to Mitsuru Cafe and I really love the mitarashi dango ($3). The first time I had a dango was in SF Japan town and I thought it was amazing until I tried the dango at this cafe. I realized I was naive for liking the SF one. The Mitarashi dango at this cafe has a nice soft and chewy dango and a perfect sauce that is sweet and salty. The only thing I wished was it be a bit warmer. This time I also decided to try the chicken karaage ($3) and was honestly surprised how delicious it was. It was crispy and juicy even though it was not made to order; however, it could have a bit more flavor. I still enjoyed eating it as I walked around little Tokyo. Mitsuru Cafe is one of spots I always stop by when visiting little tokyo read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Mitarashi Dango - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Window shop with Japanese goodies, we mainly stopped by for the Dango. There's a card minimum of $10 so we snagged some other small bites. Dango - I honestly didn't like the glaze that much, but the actual rice balls were so good and chewy. The rice flour foundation really stands out with the stickiness of each chew. I would've been okay without the sauce and I wish they had more variety to pick from. Takoyaki - a pretty average takoyaki. Not much to comment on. Red Bean Cake - fluffy and tasty with a fair amount of filling. Not a generous amount, but pretty average quantity wise. Taste is solid though. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - red bean cake, takoyaki, dango - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The red bead cake was soo delicious, I wish I had ordered more than one!! Service was quick and friendly. There was no dine in area. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Red bean cake - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It literally doesn't matter how many times I go to little Tokyo. I will probably always have to come by here and get their fresh :::::red bean cakes and mitarashi dango (rice balls in sweet soy glaze) fav!! ::::: I've had a couple of their other items but those are my most haves. They're becoming more and more nostalgic to me as I get older lol They're right in the middle of Japanese village mall which has their own paid lot so it's pretty easy to get in and out or stroll around. My mouth is watering thinking about these just writing this review. Can't wait to go back! read more

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一家到小東京一定會拜訪的甜品店， 也許吃吃火鍋， 也許吃 udon， 再對自己好些時吃生魚片，但不管吃啥， 都還是會來這買個紅豆餅，買個 糯米丸, 餵飽自己對甜點的慾望， 沒辦法， 對甜點就是沒啥抵抗力， 他們只收現金倒是真的， 來，要記得帶錢來歐！ read more

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Really enjoyed this! Red bean cakes were HOT and fresh. You'll love this if you don't like super sweet desserts. Line was super short, service is so so friendly. Bring cash or use card with $10 minimum. No interior seating but you can find benches nearby to sit at like we did. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Signage - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Mitsuru brings back a lot of memories for me; when I was younger, every time I came to Little Tokyo I would go to Mitsuru to get imagawayaki (red bean cake) with my family. I love the imagawayaki here: they're cooked fresh, so they're always warm and soft. I don't think I've found another place that serves them besides Mitsuru, and still get one every time I visit the Japanese village plaza. The wait time at Mitsuru is super short, as food comes out very fast. Most of the times I've gone, there hasn't even been a line. The workers are super friendly and kind as well. There is no indoor seating, so I like to eat on the benches near the shops or on the steps in the middle of the plaza. It's always relaxing to sit and enjoy a snack from Mitsuru while being surrounded by the fun, lively ambience of the plaza. Would highly recommend going if you are in Little Tokyo! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - imagawayaki - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The takoyaki, chicken karage, pork shumai, were all over-cooked and dry. The mochi was average.

4.5 stars. Located in Little Tokyo and a perfect spot for a quick snack. This. place doesn't sell much so you know they are specialized in the few items they do make. On my Little Tokyo tasting adventure, this was one of the first places I visited. I only ordered a single Red Bean Imagawayaki and it was delicious. It was hot and fresh, very satisfying to eat. I personally wish there were other fillings like custard or matcha. However, the red bean was still a solid filling. They sold other things that looked pretty tasty and next time I visit, I definitely want to try the other things they have to offer. Overall, I would recommend quickly stopping by this place if you are strolling through Little Tokyo. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Red Bean Imagawayaki - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Favorite (and only) place I get dango ! They no longer have indoor seating, just a to-go style of their delicious snacks. $10 minimum for credit card. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Dango - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I don't know why but it never occurred to me that I've never thought about reviewing this little spot in the Japanese Village Plaza. I've been ordering all sorts of delicious small snacks from here throughout the years. My fiancee and I always order karaage, takoyaki, fried shrimp balls, imagawayaki (round sweet pancake filled with RED BEAAAN paste), and maybe shumai once. My favorites are the karaage and imagawayaki though! And while this may sound like a very distant, far away memory, but before COVID they actually had an entire restaurant inside where you could sit inside and order more than just skewers and dessert. It was the only place that seemed to slow things down to baseline compared to the chaotic crowds outside in the plaza. Anyway, this cafe is great for snacking because let's face it: Everything in this area whether you're waiting for lunch or dinner is easily an hour wait or more. Mitsuru Cafe will definitely hold you over until it's time to eat and it won't ruin your appetite. It might just end up being a routine pit stop for you just like it is for me. Oh, and they've been cash only for as long as I can remember. There's a Chase ATM in the plaza near the shabu restaurant. read more

Delicious and affordable snacks and skewers in the heart of Little Tokyo that you can take to go! I go here with my family once or twice a month and get the imagawayaki (a red bean cake), and usually 1-2 other skewers which are delicious. This is one of the few place where the red bean paste is delicious to me! Once we got one of the made to order meals and that was great too. Definitely stop by, grab your lunch or snack, and then sit and people watch in the nice weather on a bench nearby or in the plazas nearby. read more

This place is not a dine in restaurant, it's more of to-go food and snacks. Their dango is fresh and so good. They are specialize in skewers such as chicken karage, pork shiumai, takoyaki... they always have a line. read more

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Super fast service even when the lines are long! I've been here about 3 times now - most recently on the tail end of a brewery walk in DTLA. If you're not sure what to try or only want one thing - get the chicken karaage stick! It is so good and flavorful - it's the perfect amount of food for just a little snack or if you want to create your own food walking tour while visiting LA. Bonus points if you go karaoke in the mall before or after! read more

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Every time I come by little tokyo village I have to stop by this place. I'm obsessed with the mitarashi dango, the glaze was not overly sweet and savory and the rice ball is always the perfect texture of soft and chewy. Each skewer is $2.5, they also offer takoyakis and karrage, and red bean cake. Go support your local businesses when you can! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Very nice place. The food was enticing and we could see the display of items through the window as we walked by. We ordered takoyaki, dango, and a couple of ramune drinks. The dango was delicious and the takoyaki looked like it had been sitting for a bit. I would like to taste the takoyaki when it's fresh. Otherwise, the owners were very nice and we hope to visit again one day. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Dango - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Mitsuru Cafe may not look like much due to its very homey/old timey decor but it's a Little Tokyo classic perfect for a snack or lunch. If you visit Little Tokyo's central courtyard, you'll most likely see a line at the cafe's window and there you can grab what they're most famous for - Japanese street snacks. My family loves their soft and warm red bean cakes and sweet/savory dango. Typically, both of these are made fresh - either fresh from the pan sitting in a pile or on busier days, you'll have to wait for them to finish cooking and get the food right off of the pan. If you're in search of affordable Japanese food, head inside and check out their full menu. I usually get the udon and it's always a nice, comforting bowl of noodles. read more

I never leave Little Tokyo without stopping by for their fresh imagawayaki. You cannot go wrong with the soft chewy cake and the slightly sweet red bean filling. There is a card minimum, so ideally bring CASH for a quicker transaction. I was so excited to eat I forgot to take a picture of my order hehe There is usually a line but it moves fast and will be worth the wait :) read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Got some sweet rice balls with sweet sauce I can't remember the name and also a red bean cake from here. SUPER good and felt really authentic. Staff was quick and friendly I had my order in my hands within seconds. Definitely will come back next time we are in Little Tokyo! read more

I love their imagawayaki and dango. I try to make a stop at this kiosk every single time I'm in the Little Tokyo area. Imagawayaki has a nice texture with an eggy flavored batter, and there's a good amount of red bean filling. The mitarashi dango has a delicious glaze and the mochi is super chewy. read more

@MitsuruCafe Los Angeles, CA If you're visiting Little Tokyo, you must visit Mitsuru Cafe for some Mitarashi dango. It's so freaking chewy and delicious. The Imagawayaki (red bean cakes) are freshly made off the griddles- these round pancake with andazuki red bean paste in the middle, has the perfect balance of sweetness! read more

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I was skeptical about how good this joint would be but I was glad to be surprised! We tried the Imagawayaki that they make inside the window, a fried shiu mai skewer, and mitarashi dango. The dango was more nostalgic but I didn't realize $3 was for ONE skewer with 4 dango. That felt like a total rip off even if it was good. I guess I should've asked before asking for it! If you go for something, get the Imagawayaki. It was chewy, crispy, and yet the red bean inside isn't too sweet. Plus it's warm from being freshly made. It was worth the $2.50. I didn't try the Shiu mai but my friend said it was good too! The line that kept growing behind us on a Sunday went quite slow so the wait is a bit annoying since everything seems to be ready to serve, but otherwise I'd recommend giving it a try! Bring cash if you're only buying one or two items! read more

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There's a reason why Mitsuru Cafe is an institution - they continue to make what they make best and they care more about the quality than the admittedly-large-potential-for-expansion. Mitsuru's Imagawayaki (bean cakes) consistently taste good. It tasted the same the first time I've tasted it three decades ago as it does today. I'm guessing it's a closely-guarded family recipe. Part of what makes the cakes taste so good is the fact that you get it straight from the pan - FRESH!!! People line up outside the window watching the batter fill those little holes and get turned with a toothpick and then pulled out and given to you in a paper bag. Warm carbs on carbs. Awesome!!!! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl. I still love standing out front watching them make fresh Imagawaki cakes! Miss being able to sit in the restaurant and enjoy the wonderful aromas and tasty food, but the service is still friendly and on point. I'll be back! read more

Shrimp balls - not bad, there's 3 of them stuck on a stick and they're each pretty big. It'd be better if they were juicier Takoyaki - pretty good, it's in a bag so I can't tell where or how they seasoned it, but it tasted pretty flavorful for looking like there was no topping on it Chicken karaage - I'd say this is the best thing I got in this order. Multiple jumbo pieces of chicken, and they were all flavorful and juicy I think these items they make in advance and put it to the side until someone orders it. This, plus the fact I didn't get to eat it as soon as I got it, meant that the food was cool when I did eat it. I think if it was all still warm or hot, these would taste a lot more amazing Imagawayaki - sweet red bean filling inside of it. These you can see them making in real time next to the cashier, so this came out hot read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Shrimp ball Takoyaki Chicken karaage Imagawayaki - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This Cafe is from my childhood, as I remember the grandmother would shout out while making these almost famous bean cakes, which are probably known to every Los Angeles native who visited Japan Town over the years. The key is to get the bean cakes right off the stove, when it is soft and melts in your mouth. The quality is still there after decades of making this staple, which originally cost less than a dollar each in the old days, but now are $2.00 each, which accounts for inflation and supply & demand, as I can't remember any other vendor that makes these bean cakes in the Los Angeles Basin. If you're a Los Angeles native, you must at least try these bean cakes, which are semi-sweet and addicting. My family usually ordered a dozen when we were younger and it never made it back home, as the freeway drive was enough time to devour the entire treasure! read more

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When you see a crowd waiting for a place to open, you have to check it out. Located in little Tokyo, the storefront has a glass window so you can watch all the tasty things being made. Went with the dango (Mitarashidango) with a soy glaze and it was difficult not to consume it in seconds. The rice cake was really fresh and soft and the glaze which I wasn't sure what to expect at first had a sweet finish. The store had a couple other snacks I was interested in, but all more reasons to come back. FYI the actual cafe inside the store is separate from the front half of the store in regards to seating. If you purchase something from the front, you wouldn't be able to sit inside, it's reserved for customers ordering inside the cafe. read more

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How much is nostalgia worth? In my case, $2.00. Childhood memories are different for everyone....good and bad. But hopefully, your childhood food memories are good. I remember coming to Little Tokyo as a kid. For some reason, we were always there towards the end of the day. I remember feeling a little cold and honestly, a little bored of walking and unimportant errands. But if I was good, at the end of running around, I got imagawayaki. Yes it is a mouthful to say, but it is a delicious mouthful... Warm and soft, the chewy outside layer almost reminds you of pancake batter....but a little more dense. Inside is warm sweetened beans. It's the perfect pocket of goodness. Sweet, but not too sweet. Perfect on an cool evening when a jacket is required. That first warm bite reveals the steam from the center and you wonder...if you plead with your parents, will they buy you a second helping? Shaped like a hockey puck, this tasty snack is as fun to eat as it is to watch them make. They shoot batter into heating metal molds, add the beans, and let it cook on the pre-formed pans. They add a second row of batter just below it , and then make a 'masterful' flip to add the top piece to the bottom piece...pretty cool! As a kid, it was always fun to stand at the window and watch them endlessly flip, serve, and flip again. It was almost mesmerizing as the cook continued his rhythm and tempo over and over again. I am so happy they are serving this after so many years. I will be back for more! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - My childhood in four bites.... - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Worth it? No Repeat? No Dango $3 was average. Thought it would have been grilled first and then slathered with the glaze but it wasn't. Was really looking forward to it but didn't live up to the hype at all. Shrimp ball$3 was bland and no sauce to accompany it Pork Shu mai$3 was crispy and had a good flavor It's cheap enough to grab if you never tried dango for the sake of trying it but wouldn't get again. read more

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Must. Have. Imagawayaki! I've been going to Mitsuru Cafe since a child and have always made it a point to stop by any time I'm in the Little Tokyo area. I now bring my children along with me and it's become a little tradition of ours. We love the imagawayaki (sweet azuki bean paste filled pancake) and Dango (sweet mochi balls on a stick). We love watching the Imagawayaki being made fresh right in the window. There's something soothing about watching the process. The woman making them, does so with such precision and efficiency. You can tell she's been perfected the skill over the years. One day we'll manage to have a real meal there instead of stuffing our faces with Imagawayaki... maybe ;) Tip: since the imagawayaki are made fresh, you should expect to wait in line. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Imagawayaki. My fave. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Surprisingly there was no line on Saturday afternoon. I got the karaage and shiu mai skewers. Both were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I also really liked the imagawayaki (red bean wheel cake). Those are made hot and fresh! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Karaage and pork shui mai - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cutest snack spot in the Little Tokyo. Had to stop by each time we go there. We had the fried siumai, takoyaki, chicken karaage, and the yummy red bean pancake. Never disappoint. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Snacks display - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I didn't realize that I have not reviewed Mitsuru Cafe even though I always stop by here when I am in the area. Even with all the other new eateries in the plaza, I have to have at the very least a red bean cake. Mitsuru Cafe is a longtime gem in Little Tokyo that feels very much like home, a comforting spot that has stayed true throughout the years. Great place to grab snacks on the go or if you want something to nosh but your appetite isn't huge. read more

Came on a Saturday afternoon around 4:30pm right before closing to grab a quick bite before heading to a community event nearby. A friend picked up some items for us which included shumai, mitarashi dango, takoyaki, and some karaage. All items were very tasty and relatively inexpensive at $3 a skewer. I think that the takoyaki from here have been some of the best takoyaki that I have ever had. I am a sucker for mitarashi dango but would love if they also offered to serve it with a piece of Nori or at least allow people to pay for one! read more

The red bean bread is a must try. I keep craving it and want to go back! The rice balls were pretty good too--that ones more sweet&savory tasting. I also got the shumai which was pretty good too. There is a line and they only take physical cards/cash (no apple pay)!! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - the rice balls - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Love MC and their imawagayaki. This review is for the imawagayaki only. They are just absolutely yumzy!! It is a sponge cake with red bean paste inside. It's so good and yet soooo bad...lol. What really is different about MC's imawagayaki than the others is that they put a big chunk of red bean which makes it taste so awesome!! Whenever I am in downtown (which I'm not often), I will try to stop by here to indulge. Highly recommend it!! read more

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The dorayaki caught our attention! So we gave it a try and it wasn't very good. It's tinier in person than seeing it thru the glass window. The red bean is soft but it's way too sweet; and the pancakes are cold, not warm, a little chewy, not soft, not sure if that's what they're going for. We also tried the chicken karaage and shrimp ball. Both come in a stick, 5 pc for the chicken and 3 for shrimp. The chicken is a fun snack but it's very dry and tough. The shrimp is also a fun and crispy snack but it's dry but not chewy. All 3 dorayaki, chicken karaage, and shrimp ball cost us about $10. This place is cash only. read more

Local establishment that has been here for ages. Dine in or take out! Great place to snack or a meal walking around Japanese Village Plaza. Fresh Japanese food and snacks to munch on and put your feet up to hang out. Located right in the heart of Japanese Village Plaza. read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Great snacks to go or to eat in! - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We walked by this little place while we were walking around Little Tokyo late at night. There was a line, but it went by pretty quickly since all the food was to-go snack foods. There was a clear glass where we could see the chef making fresh red bean imagawayaki, a filled type of Japanese pancake? They also had dango, fish/veggie cakes, chicken sticks, and more yummy goodies. The cashier was extremely friendly and personable; I loved talking to him! We ended up getting a red bean imagawayaki, one sweet soy sauce dango, and a shrimp patty. This was my first time trying any of these snacks so I was so excited! The imagawayaki was soft and chewy, I really liked the red bean filling. The dango was sweet and salty, the rice dough was soft and sticky. It wasn't my favorite, but I enjoyed trying it! My favorite was the fried shrimp patty/cake. It was sweet and savory, with a smooth texture. It reminded me of the Vietnamese cha ca my mom makes! This place totally reminded me of home and I enjoyed the food and the service. I would love to come back! Little Tokyo makes for such a great date spot to walk through late at night! read more

Mitsuru Cafe - Dango - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California