12/03/08

a historic ice-cream shop!!!

by isa6xy

i saw a show about Little Tokyo nearly 10 years ago. The reporter interviewed the old lady who passed away a few years ago. That lady was the mochi ice-cream inventor. She was a really sweet lady. Little Tokyo is now a booming, modern city. Her ice-cream still holds great value. Try it, you won't be disappointed!

02/09/07

Home of Mochi Ice Cream

by lwmango

This Japanese sweet shop has been family owned for three generations. It's the perfect end to a visit to Little Tokyo, choose one of their mochi ice creams (my favorite is mango or coffee) or try one of their mountainous shaved iced concoctions. They also offer a variety of ice creams (including green tea) and fresh gelato. Mikawaya is also known for their traditional Japanese confections including mochi filled with red bean paste and red bean pancakes along with innovative twists like mochi filled with chunky peanut butter. If you've seen mochi or mochi ice cream in your local super market, it ilikely originated at this store as they distribute to restaurants and grocery stores around the area. You should also visit just to see the shop that invented mochi ice cream, now a staple in most Asian supermarkets and stores like Ralphs and Costco.

• Pros: Fast service, ample seating, Original products
• Cons: No Parking

08/14/04

Where it all begins

by overdrawn

Go to Little Tokyo Plaza. Drop by Mikawaya and have a go at their freshly-made mochi ice cream balls. Soft and powdery, they're just like Mikawaya's boxed supermarket ones but FRESH. Pick up a box of beautifully shaped mochi cakes filled with red or white beans (wagashi), meant to be served with green tea. Or have a scoop of Japanese spumoni: green tea, red adzuki bean, and vanilla ice cream all swirled together. Delish!

• Pros: Freshness, Delicious
• Cons: , Hidden