Otaya Japanese Restaurant - Rancho Cucamonga

Craving Ramen the other day and the IE is not exactly a wealth of ramen joints. Well this little hole in the wall, is not a ramen joint per se, but they serve ramen, and I'll probably be back!

If a business is successful based on location, I'm not so sure this place would be there. It is in a pretty vacated strip mall, across from a Zendejas Mexican Grill, Chase Bank, and other smaller places. It is across the street from a Lowes Home Improvement center.

Came here for lunch, and the small restaurant probably filled their approximately 30 spots to sit. 12 of those spots were at the sushi bar, but noone was there at the moment.

The disappointment came early, when I was told my first choice Donkatsu Chasu Ramen was not available. I guess their chasu had not come in yet. So I ordered the Spicy Ramen which is made from seasoned ground pork and chicken bits. This ramen had a little bit too much ginger for my wife's taste, but I must commend the spiciness. It is rare that something puts a tear in my eye with the initial spoonful, and this ramen did it.

Wife and I also ordered their BBQ ribs plate, which was also good, well cooked. The meat was soft and tasty.Too bad they left the door open, and the cold air cooled the food too quick.

We happened to order the chicken tempura also, their tempura dipping sauce was excellent and the chicken tender and moist. Excellent once again.

Portions are actually fairly large, the owner and the waitress were awesome.

Overall I would give 4 stars. Give or take 1/2 a star based on lack of availability of chasu! I'll be back!

Kingswood Teppan Grill in Rowland Heights

Just a quick post today. For family birthdays, we stopped by for dinner at Kingswood Teppan Grill. Oldie but goodie, one of our favorites especially for Teppan. I have reviewed this place previously on Yelp, but that was when I was not updating those reviews onto the blog.

This place is located in a crowded area. It has lasted there for quite awhile now, despite lots of other places in the same complex changing hands and names. Right now right across the way is Boiling Crab, next to it is Rowland Palace. Across the street if 99 Ranch Market to get your grocery shop on.

This place has always been our favorite Teppan place, the taste is unique, better than Wabi Sabi (Chino and Rancho Cucamonga), better than Shogun, better than Benihana, and better than New Kingswood in San Gabriel (supposedly different owners as their coupons do not interchange). Not only is it better, it tends to be cheaper also, especially if you go for lunch prices!

This place serves typical onion soup, and small side salad with either thousand island sauce or ginger sauce. You can ask for refills on these. You also are served a mixed fruit dessert. Your order of fried rice comes with the price, not extra like some of the other places mentioned!

Most of the red meats come with your choice of black pepper sauce or Teriyaki, go for the black pepper!

Don't forget the yummy desert bananas they have!

The down side today was that likely due to the more serious conversation the family was having, the chef did not put on his blazing array of tricks. He only did a soggy volcano trick, that was leaning over to one side. We have had this chef before, and he is usually good, so we blame this on ourselves, and not putting enough attention on the show.