A Week in Los Angeles
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92)
Wed 2008/05/28 11:51
Thought I'd better upload these pics before they get too old ^^;
Was invited last year to Los Angeles to speak on a panel at Imprint Culture Lab 2007 about blogging and dannychoo.com - decided to stay on a few days after the conference.
Was invited last year to Los Angeles to speak on a panel at Imprint Culture Lab 2007 about blogging and dannychoo.com - decided to stay on a few days after the conference.
A snap from the conference which I talk about in this previous article.
The portions served in the US are huge - more than twice the size of Japanese portions. But I did feel that some places were more about the quantity and not quality...
Lots of Japanese food stuffs available in Los Angeles.
The milk is 5 times bigger than the largest milk carton in Japan.
More Japanese food stuffs.
Los Angeles style sushi.
Calpis Water becomes Calpico Water. Apparently "Calpis" sounds too much like "Cow Piss" in English ears - do you agree?
Calpis CM below.
Calpis CM below.
Los Angeles also had a lot of good Chinese food - I need to travel over an hour to Yokohama to eat food like this orz.
Down Town LA.
The term for "Los Angeles" in Japanese is "Los" [ロス]. Is LA known as "Los" locally too?
LA has some great places for food. Are you a person who eats food to live or lives to eat food?
I think this is the central station in LA but me forgets - picked up a car from here.
I found many highway roads in LA to be quite a bumpy ride - was that normal (question to LA locals).
On the way to do some shopping.
Grabbing some lunch before. The pics look kinda sad without Haruhi...
Cant remember where this was but it was full O shops and completely pedestrianized.
Cant find decent shoes in Japan so usually pick up a few pairs of Aldo when in the UK or US.
The weather was gorgeous and wondering if it was mostly like this all year round.
By the beach.
This was the car navigation we were given which made us chuckle when comparing it to our Japanese car navigation system.
But it is not size or looks that matter and this little fella done a great job of guiding us around LA.
But it is not size or looks that matter and this little fella done a great job of guiding us around LA.
Watching the sunset at the beach.
Some Bubba shrimps.
At an outlet mall - Ontario Hills I think. Loads to shop n eat.
Food in the US is a refreshing change from Japanese food stuffs.
On the road again.
Doing the touristy thing at Hollywood. Saw many cosplayers who would offer to take a photo with you. Was interesting watching the faces of folks who were asked for money by the cosplayer after the photo.
I heard that a Chewbacca hit somebody after not being given money after a photo.
I heard that a Chewbacca hit somebody after not being given money after a photo.
Johnny Rockets tasted like...A rocket up the Johnny.
Went to look at some property to buy because we liked LA so much.
Am only jesting ^^;
Tis actually one of me friends inspecting the place just before he gets handed the keys.
Tis actually one of me friends inspecting the place just before he gets handed the keys.
One thing I missed about living in Seattle was the huge amount of living space that we had - this is what out apartment looked like.
And this article has pics of our current house that we purchased a few years ago. We plan to build a new house probably just outside Tokyo or maybe in Karuizawa meaning that we would have much more space.
Our current house would probably become the company building. Goal for the new house is within the next 3- 4 years^^
What is the average living space like in your region? Sardines or Football pitch? Are you happy with the current living space that you have?
Our current house would probably become the company building. Goal for the new house is within the next 3- 4 years^^
What is the average living space like in your region? Sardines or Football pitch? Are you happy with the current living space that you have?
We want a big garden too ^^
And plan to have a garage like this to build Gunpla and stuff.
LA Suburbia.
The locals certainly know how to greet customers.
No lack of good Chinese food in LA.
Feeling hungry as I write this but knowing I cant simply pop out for food like this is painful.
More down town LA.
Doing more touristy stuff at Universal Studios. I remember when I was back at Microsoft. They sent us to the US and rented a whole Universal park for 35,000 employees - they certainly treated us well.
Looking forward to the Mummy 3.
Having a look at some of the film sets at Universal. Osaka has a Universal too but don't hear much about it.
Water World set. Would love to see a new Water World Movie.
More huge portions. I think portions in LA were bigger than Seattle.
Universal entrance.
LA also has a ton of great Korean food too which we ate tons of. 한국음식먹고싶다〜
Hello! My name is Haruhi and I'm the first guest writer on dannychoo.com. Danny is down ...(more)
Fri 05/16 21:46 comments (140)
だいがくせい
go surfin danny, real nice this time of year. go in trooper gear too, would be awesome
(ID #198778) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:02
だいがくせい
btw isnt making/building/buying a spacious house in japan gonna cost an arm and leg? =O just wondering since it seems decent sized houses in the US are already a fortune
(ID #198780) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:04
Jobless Student
Considering how the average price of a house in Vancouver is like 1.2 million... lol overpriced >_>
(ID #199238) Posted on 2008/05/29 00:44
Long time lurker and since you made an entry about Los Angeles i decided to register so i could comment. Yes, Los Angeles has pretty much the crappiest road in the United States in my opinion . So what you experienced on the road is pretty common ^^. Glad you enjoyed the food around here but if you want really good Chinese food you should visit the San Gabriel Valley area. And if you like Russian piroshki you should visit around Santa Monica blvd in West Hollywood. Plenty of Russian restaurants/shops. Also i agree with you that meal portions in the US are huge compared to other countries. Hence, the stereotypical fat American...meh
(ID #198794) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:19
Medical student
I wonder how much of the U.S. you've seen if you think L.A. roads are awful. They're amazing compared to some of the cities I've been to.
(ID #198839) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:08
All of these things, I see everyday Danny. Oh DANNY! Please, you should come to San Diego when the Comic Con is up! I'm not sure when it's going to be up, but come over and bring your Storm Trooper suit! I'm just saying. You better have enjoyed California, Danny... *crosses arms and puts on serious stare*
(ID #198795) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:19
Student, Crtsy clerk for Ralph's
and also anime expo thats coming up in july 3rd @ LA convention center!!
(ID #198942) Posted on 2008/05/28 15:14
Danny, if you want really good Chinese food, you should come to San Francisco.
(ID #198802) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:23
Medical student
Wrong answer. LA has the largest population of Chinese in the U.S. and naturally follows that the best Chinese food in the country can be found here. Seriously, San Gabriel Valley is like being in Taiwan/China without leaving the country.
(ID #198834) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:05
LA is close, but SF is still better.
(ID #198859) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:33
sf has better Cantonese food. socal has better taiwanese food. i always thought NY had the largest chinese population http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._cities_with_large_Chinese_American_populations
(ID #198991) Posted on 2008/05/28 17:10
Or go to China. I think :D
(ID #199284) Posted on 2008/05/29 01:59
I remember that Water World set at Universal. Did you get to see them perform on their jet skis?? My apartment is pretty spacious, but I have so much stuff so it makes it feel a bit cramped.
(ID #198805) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:26
Now I'm hungry!!!!!!!! LA seems like a real cool place to visit!!!!!!! Would consider checking out!!!
(ID #198809) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:34
Dannychoo: You didn't even visit the real Los Angeles did you? :p Places like East L.A., Boyle Heights, Watts (My hometown) South Central L.A., Compton & maybe Long Beach. Yeah your tourist guide always leaves those places out. :p As for the question about bumpy roads; yes, we have some of the worst shaped roads due to so much traffic conjestion (spelling?). L.A. is overcrowded with people and automobiles. I've been to Las Vegas Nevada and people who come from out of the state and they all say that no one has it as bad as L.A. in terms of so much traffic. Right now L.A. is spending so much money that it's hard for L.A. to deal with one thing at a time. L.A. is busy building a lot of lofts and condos, unecessary ligth rail that is making MTA go bankrupt and boost prices on bus fare. SO the bumpy roads are dead last to deal with, but it doesn't mean that they aren't getting fixed. We are also known to have the most car chases in the nation, maybe even the world. Still, there's no place like home and besides, Downtown L.A. is the gates of heaven. :D
(ID #198812) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:36
Software Quality Engineer
I knew you were here Danny, because I read about Imprint in Giant Robot magazine (the best magazine we have here in the U.S.)! Yeah the food portions are ridiculous here, aren't they-- that's why we don't have those tiny tables that you posted about recently. There's lots of kool stuff in LA and California in general. I am 2077 mi / 3342 km away in Chicago, though. If you come to Chicago for some reason I can definitely tell you where to have some excellent chinese food. I own my condominuim here in Chicago. It average-sized-- about 1000 square feet / 300 square meters (I don't know how many tatami-mats that is). My fiancee and I are hoping to buy a place in Nishitokyo within the next 2 years and move away from here.
(ID #198823) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:48
Student; wants a job T_T
Hmm, I've never heard of using "Los" to refer to L.A. before. And yeah, huge food portions are huge. Did you get a chance to visit Little Tokyo?
(ID #198827) Posted on 2008/05/28 12:58
Software Quality Engineer
Yeah-- in Japan most foreign names / words are abbreviated; like: Brad Pitt: Burapi Arnold Schwarzenegger: Shuwaa-chan Dolce & Gabbana: Dorugaba
(ID #198837) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:07
OMG MAN!! DANNY CHOO & HIS FOOD PIX!! I'M HUNGRY ALREADY!! anyway that place u couldn't remember the name is Santa Monica ^^ & yes Danny! the food here in L.A. come in big amounts hehe (ok gotta go get some food)
(ID #198838) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:08
Extremely Poor College Student
the thing i dont like about food in the US is that there is too much diversity.takes me a few hours everyday just to decide what to eat for lunch
(ID #198842) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:10
MITSUWA right Danny?... about all japanese food there in LA.
(ID #198844) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:10
Software Quality Engineer
LOVE Mitsuwa!! We have one here in the Chicago suburbs, too! I just spend the entire day there this past Saturday and stocked up on groceries. If there was no Mitsuwa I don't know what I would do.
(ID #198852) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:18
NO WAY DUDE... i went to CHICAGO 2 weeks ago to visit ANIME CENTRAL with the STAND of JROCKRADIO.COM and also visit MITSUWA !!!
(ID #198861) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:34
>>MITUSWA Looking at the shape of the Price tag, that looks like Marukai. They're cheaper and friendlier. ^^
(ID #199000) Posted on 2008/05/28 17:33
Student
Average living area ... considering the amount of furniture my parents buy lol!!! Its all like unnecessary stuff. Anyways Canadian portions IMO are like .3% less than the American's --_-- soo yeah... dad was kinda surprized too when he got to the US for the first time...
(ID #198845) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:12
The U.S. have HUGE portions of food but most the people I know only eat about twice or so a day. Like me for a example I eat cereal at home for breakfast skip school lunch because they taste horrible but I do get water because I get thirsty and than I eat when I come back home and after homework I find myself thinking better on a empty stomach. So around 6 if I don't eat like this I just feel stuffed or just bloated which I hate.
(ID #198850) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:17
Next time you come to LA, Danny, try a burger at Fat Burger...three layers of meat should clog a few arteries...
(ID #198856) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:28
One of the few good things about LA… Fat Burger.
(ID #198862) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:35
Game Designer
heh heh "few"? spoken like a true San Franciscan. LA actually has quite a lot going for it (I've lived in both, and though I admit that SF is very nice, I've found that both are easy to love).
(ID #199163) Posted on 2008/05/28 23:41
FAT BURGUER kick ass, eat at Las Vegas, AWESOME SIZE for those burgers...
(ID #198883) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:54
i think In N' out is not too shabby...
(ID #198908) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:29
Student, Podcaster, Graphic Designer, Photographer
I was so hoping to meet up with you when you were down here but I never received a call from you. I figured you were really busy though and I understand. You were super close to me as well when you were in Ontario. It's Ontario Mills not Ontario Hills. XD
(ID #198868) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:41
full time student, 60% of the time.
Oh Johnny Rockets? Its called Eddie Rockets here.. the food is over priced and waaaaaay too filling, you usually come out feeling like you've eaten far too much, hope you enjoyed it and there weren't any rocket fumes afterwards >_<
(ID #198871) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:43
Danny you should come to Anime Expo at LA Convention Center ^___^ it's from July 3-6 XD Come visit me (^w^) gonna be staffing (^_^)b
(ID #198888) Posted on 2008/05/28 13:56
those dim sum looks good... OK, you make me want to eat it now.
(ID #198897) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:04
I would like to agree about the roads in los angeles....but everything else in los angeles is awesome!!! Food...umm next time, I'll be gladly to give a list of places of great "mom & pop" places.. i lived here all my life...from mexican to korean....i have tons of places..the're japanese food in Gardena.....good pics...as for the weather...we have the best weather all season long....but we have earthquakes..but Danny...we have something in common....love this article...thanks!!!!!!!
(ID #198907) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:27
Haha Been to most of those places! Ontario Mall is lame!!!!!!!!! But I still go there :D
(ID #198910) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:31
My house is average sized for around here. Know some people with massive houses with like a movie theatre and such in them. Scared when I first saw them... thought "this person's parents must be drug dealers..."
(ID #198917) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:36
I'm really amaze that you did go to a lot of place in LA Danny. I'm really enjoy LA much due to it ridiculous traffic and some part of LA neighborhood.About the food, I agree,the food all taste better in LA for some reason. Where you go shop for Japanese's stuff in LA? I went to little Tokyo but the price is a rip off 100 yen can tea = $3.5 ><.
(ID #198920) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:39
Mahjong Musume
OOH, I'm so jealous Danny! I've never been to LA, but I've been to other places. You make it look like lots of fun and it makes me full just looking at those pictures of food.
(ID #198923) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:45
there is waaaaay too much space in where i live, and i really really hate it. i like the cramped populous city i used to live in before
(ID #198932) Posted on 2008/05/28 14:56
I've got plenty of space here; my room in my house I think is bigger than some apartments I've seen in Hong Kong. But I'm not sure where I stand on the space issue...I think I'd like to live in something a little more cramped...I'll need to try it out to know for sure.
(ID #198941) Posted on 2008/05/28 15:13
study
When i was living in hk it a small like hell but in montreal i got bigger house imean like giant
(ID #198948) Posted on 2008/05/28 15:24
Online Shop
Next time you come to LA Danny, care to meet up and perhaps I can treat you to all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ or something ^_^ I've been appreciating more of food they can offer in Korea Town as of late.
(ID #198949) Posted on 2008/05/28 15:24
Don't know if it has been answered already, but nah...it's just called Los Angeles by the locals. How did you like the traffic? Heh. If you somehow miraculously managed to avoid it, you gotta try the 405 freeway at 17:00-20:00 at least once whenever you return. Yeah chinese food is aplenty around LA, especially in Chinatown, Monterey Park, Covina, Walnut and San Gabriel. Of all the food joints you visited, it seems the only thing you missed out on was Mexican food. Gotta try out the carne asada next time.
(ID #198953) Posted on 2008/05/28 15:39
Danny, it seems like you were at Santa Monica Beach and the Promenade (next to the beach). That is why you saw all those pedestrians :) The freeways are mostly bumpy, but there are a few that are farther south that are new :) -Mike
(ID #198957) Posted on 2008/05/28 15:52
Aimless Traveler
Went to LA when I was 9 years old back in 1996. Wish to visit USA again in the future, but the current political climate made me feel a bit uncertain about going to America.
(ID #198970) Posted on 2008/05/28 16:17
Software Engineer
"Cant find decent shoes in Japan" ... i hear you there .... thank god for the internet to buy this sort of thing.
(ID #198977) Posted on 2008/05/28 16:31