To Live and Eat in L.A.

When I first introduced you to Shojin last year, the vegan Japanese restaurant downtown, I had no idea this restaurant would quickly become not only one of my personal favorites, but also one of Los Angeles’ best overall Japanese restaurants, vegetarian or otherwise. One of the most impressive things about Shojin is that they’re not content with just having a set menu, they’re always adding new items from fancy new desserts to adventurous entrees that I’m practically powerless to resist. Their menu is constantly growing and there are usually always a number of specials on offer that go even above and beyond their regular selection.

After having not visited Shojin for far too long I ended up recently getting to eat there twice in one week, much to my delight. For the first occasion I took myself there on a date as my reward for having survived 2 1/2 weeks of hell, aka, jury duty. The second trip was for my best girlfriend Michelle’s birthday dinner. If I had my druthers I would happily eat at Shojin seven days a week… I could never get tired of this food.

I’m combining both these meals for the sake of this blog post and will show you all the appetizers, main courses and dessert together so it doesn’t get too confusing. Put on your bib, this might make you drool a little bit…
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I’ve been holding out on you. Even though I’ve been letting you in on all my favorite vegan & vegetarian foods in L.A for a few years now, I’ve neglected to tell you about one of my most treasured of all dishes. I haven’t exactly been keeping it a secret, but it’s about time you know… it’s about time for what I’m about to let you in on to officially be known as one of the tastiest things you’ll ever eat. Since you are the best blog readers in the world, consider this information my gift to you and your taste buds.

Atch-Kotch is an unassuming Japanese food restaurant centrally located in Hollywood at Fountain & Vine, in the middle of a strip mall of popular ethnic foods. It’s not a vegetarian restaurant but there’s an abundance of vegetarian options and plenty for vegans to enjoy.

None of the many other things they offer matter right now for the sake of this discussion, that’s not what we’re here to discuss. But I’m still not there yet, let’s not rush things… first some appetizers to whet our appetites.
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