Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Furaibo: Cheap, fried and delicious- that's all that matters

Sawtelle Blvd is a mecca for Japanese food. There are many restaurants, each serving their niche menu from ramen, to sushi, curry, shabu shabu and pub food. Furaibo, a Japanese izakaya, is one of my top restaurants on the row and is the type of place that when I have a craving for, no other place can satiate. I need to get my Furaibo fix. It's also the type of place that is best with a party of four because you'll get to try a variety of dishes but the wait won't be too insane for a four top. Unfortunately this time, it would only be the two of us. After dining here numerous times, I already knew what we were going to order. The menu is massive but I always stick to what I know and like. There are a few classics that are a must-order. Chicken wings and hanpen cheese (the latter, only if you like fried food and gooey cheese). I've liked almost everything that I've tried on their menu except for the korean bbq short ribs which I thought was too greasy, even for me!

Their menu is in English and Japanese and it's quite expansive. They also have a specials menu. There are a lot of fried items on the menu but that should not be surprising as we are in a Japanese pub, and we all know, beer goes well with fried food.

You can't beat wine for $4.50.

Teba Saki- Fried chicken wings, offered either sweet, mild, regular or extra spicy. Definitely extra spicy for us
Most people come to Furaibo specifically for these wings and it's evident by the wing-chewing at every table in the restaurant. The wings were seasoned with salt, pepper and their special ingredient. They were fresh, tiny and just simple little morsels that you could see yourself munching on all day. In fact, we couldn't get enough of it and had to order another plate.

Hanpen cheese
This is another Furaibo favorite. Hanpen reminds me of fish cake. It is made of ground fish (surimi) and yam. The hanpen was stuffed with cheddar cheese, coated with panko and deep fried. It went really well with the salty, sharp flavored soy sauce. My friends all know that I don't like sharing, especially when it comes to my hanpen cheese- I usually have order my own plate. So yes, we ordered two plates and I actually ended up eating every piece except for two. What's there not to like? Freshly deep fried, breaded fishcake, oozing with cheddar cheese. The panko breading was light and crispy. Don't ask me how I can't eat cheese but I can eat these puppies. But beware, it's like a heart attack waiting to happen. Especially if you eat almost two plates on your own...

Ohitashi - Steamed Spinach topped with bonito flakes
The healthiest dish we ordered but also the most unappealing. The spinach was bland and definitely needed some seasoning. Even some chili flakes that I sprinkled on top could not save this tasteless spinach. I guess if it were tastier, it wouldn't have been as healthy.

Nasu Soboro- eggplant with minced pork meat
I really enjoyed this dish. The eggplant was soft and absorbed all the flavors from the sweet soy sauce. This dish would have worked really well with a bowl of plain rice because of its intense sweet and saltiness.

Nannkotsu Karaage- Chicken cartilage, battered and fried
When we ordered this, the neighboring tables were scoping out our dish and went on to order this as well. The cartilage was cut up into bite-sized pieces and were crunchy. What did it taste like? Nothing, really. You don't order cartilage for its flavoring- there's really no taste to cartilage, it's really more of a textural thing.

Fried Soft shell crab with ponzu sauce
The crab was rather sizable and was fresh with egg sac intact. The roe really added a rich flavor to the dish. I really enjoyed this, especially after tasting medicore soft shell crab at District in Hollywood.

Kaki Fry- Fresh oysters, breaded and fried, served with cocktail sauce
There were three large pieces, each larger than the size of my palm, and for less than $5. Not only was this dish affordable but the oysters were really good. They were plump and fresh, and the breading was crispy and not heavy. Because of their size, you could really taste that distinct seafood flavor.

Furaibo gets rather crowded and they won't seat you until your whole party is present. Parking can be a bit of a hassle too. They do have a free lot but it's stack parking so if you are blocking someone, you'll need to move your car when that person is done, and vice versa. Usually service can be spotty if the place is crowded but it was rather attentive on a Monday night. Furiabo is truly one of my favorite joints serving Japanese comfort food at affordable prices. I was very impressed with the dishes. The chicken wings and hanpen cheese never fail. The fried oysters and soft shell crab were large in size and were fresh. And the best part.. the bill including tax and tip came up to $40 per person, including two glasses of wine each. I am not joking, we were stuffed as heck when we left. So uncomfortably stuffed that even pilates and a 6 mile run this morning could not alleviate.

Hits: eggplant, chicken wings, hanpen cheese, crab, oyster, prices
Misses: can get crowded, spinach
Rating: ***1/2

Furaibo
2068 Sawtelle Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 444-1432

6 comments:

Exile Kiss said...

Hi stuffycheaks,

Ah good memories. :) I haven't been to Furaibo in years, but I enjoyed their Tebasaki and Hanpen as well. :) Those are two of my favorite items on their menu.

Have you ever been to Izakaya Bincho? Or Torihei? Those are 2 very comfortable, delicious centers of great Japanese cooking. Thanks for the review. :)

Diana said...

I would not share that hanpen either. Nope, would not do it!

Cookie Chomper said...

I second torihei! But that might be out of the area for you, if you're from west la.

Anonymous said...

I'm just jealous you got a comment in Chinese. Shiiiet. I want someone to scream 加油 at me.

Liz said...

Cheap, fried and delicious sounds good to me too! I <3 fried soft shell crab :)

stuffycheaks said...

exile kiss - no! havent been to bincho and torihei, might have to add that to the list. I can never get enough of izakaya fried pib food!

Diana - i kindda should have shared because I had an upset stomach when I got home lol

cookie chomper - If torihei is the one in Torrance, I think I might make the drive, or convince someone to drive me :)

sinosoul - if you want, i can spam you too :)

Liz- the soft shell crab was spectacular, and huge too!