Why Torrance, Ca is the Japanese Noodle capital of the US...

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
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Includes a fantastic clip from Tampopo. South Bay folks, what say you?

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I can think of 4 places right off the bat in NYC that would put those to the test. Heck, I ate brunch at one on Sunday.

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Before WWII, Gardena was the big Japanese-American agricultural region. My father was born there; his family ran a truck farm there. Gardena high school still has a big Japanese-American student population; as does North Torrance high next door. After urbanization swallowed up all the farms many families spilled over into Torrance; so there was a big Japanese-American population there. It’s also a big transportation hub; Harbor, San Diego, and Artesia freeways are there; close to San Pedro and Long Beach harbors; not far from LAX; so it’s reasonable that major Japanese companies set up their North American headquarters there. Especially since there was a big local Japan oriented infrastructure there. Several large Japanese markets and grocery stores in the area. My aunt, who came from Japan, lived in Gardena for 50 years and never learned to speak English; that’s how large the Japanese influence is there.

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Names, Michel, Names!?!?

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Rai Rai Ken
Someplace on 56th St who’s name I forget (Menkute?)
Ippudo
Momofuku Noodle Bar (not traditional but good nonetheless)

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Men Kui Tei

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You taking me there when I’m in NY, Meeshel?

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Shi-ite…even I’M not missing that one. Men Kui Tei it is!