LAReview
Hakata Izakaya Hero
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It’s crucial to have hideouts in every neighborhood. Not actual hiding places (though those can come in handy too—we don’t know your life), but those dependable neighborhood restaurants where you can slip in for a good meal and take a breath from whatever brand of chaos the day has served you.
Hakata Izakaya Hero, hidden among all the great Persian restaurants on Westwood Blvd. is exactly that kind of spot.
Walking into this Japanese izakaya, we’re met with an instant sense of calm. The tiny, minimalist space holds about seven or so tables, with the sounds and smells of sizzling meat emanating from a semi-open kitchen in the back. Hero does get crowded (if you’re arriving after 6:30pm, definitely call for a reservation), but even when it’s at capacity, the energy never surpasses that of a mellow dinner party. You’ll spot quiet dates picking at sashimi platters in the corner, families hovering around bubbling hot pots, and UCLA roommates swigging Sapporo and celebrating that fact they’re not eating on campus tonight. It’s the kind of place where you’re struck with an unwavering desire to become a regular—greeted with an instant irasshaimase, a seat at the bar, and a waitstaff who knows your food order by heart.
This is an izakaya, which means the menu features a wide array of small bites, which are meant to be eaten while sipping some sake, beer, or wine. There are separate sections dedicated to sizzling meat platters, rice and noodle dishes, cold and hot appetizers, family-style hot pots, and our personal favorite, fried foods. There’s also a daily specials page where you’ll find sashimi and other raw offerings for the day. No matter how many times you’ve been, there’s a lot of fantastic food going on—which is why showing up with a strategy is a good idea.
When we’re alone at Hero—a fairly common occurrence—we like to stick to the small plate appetizers and “Hero Favorites.” These include dishes like pan-fried Champon noodles, potato salad, and crispy chicken wings that’ve been stuffed with pork. If you’re with a friend or a small group, stick to a similar strategy, but add in a pork shabu shabu hot pot and sizzling kalbi platter as centerpieces. There’s no wrong way to build a meal here, but we find it’s best to mix and match from a few menu categories to suit your hunger level.
A short drive away from the more well-known Japanese restaurants on Sawtelle, Hero would be easy to overlook if you were just whizzing past on your commute. But its relaxed energy and fantastic food make it a hideout worth slowing down for, and maybe even a place you’ll want to add to your usual rotation.
Food Rundown
Teba Gyo
Spicy Cold Tofu
Sashimi Platter
Pork Belly Skewers
Jidori Chicken Karaage
Prime Short Rib Kalbi Platter
Pork Tonkotsu Shabu Shabu