Final Sale @ Mitsuwa Little Tokyo

It's been a buying frenzy this week at Little Tokyo's Mitsuwa market with modest markdowns on selected items like candy, fruits and instant ramen. They're closing for good on Jan. 25 -- or maybe not?? One thing for sure, the three-floor shopping center has a new owner and many of the long-empty storefronts are now displaying brightly colored "LEASED" signs.

Starting Monday, Jan. 19, Mitsuwa's sale jumps to 50% on all items storewide. (It's gonna get crazy.) Walking up and down the aisles this week, I couldn't help but notice all the unfamiliar faces. Not that I'm a regular, but whenever I'm there -- once a month or so -- I see only Japanese ex-pat moms, packs of anime geeks or feeble grandmas. Seeing all the new people made me think, "Where've you been all this time?" I mean, maybe they really didn't know this place existed until they read about its closing in the LA Times ...ya think?

VIDEO: How to Eat Natto

So as long as this economic downturn maintains a debilitating grip on my wallet I'll continue to turn out these entertainingly low-budget videos. These days, my meal of choice is a hot bowl of rice, a pack of natto (fermented soy beans) and a raw quail egg. It's what some Japanese think of as comfort food, though, after a casual whiff, others will beg to differ.

To combat those natto foes, I've made it a goal to spread my love for the fermented soy bean. Stinky it may be, but after a few bites you too will be webbed in. It's typically eaten over rice for breakfast alongside a bowl of miso soup. But I can have it any time, any place. I would eat them in a boat. I would eat them with a goat. I will eat them in the rain. I will even eat them on a train.

Nijiya, Mitsuwa, Marukai and other local Japanese markets each carry a half-dozen exciting varieties, so in the coming months I'll be posting a profile of each on my sister site nattobeans.com

Little Tokyo's Mitsuwa Market mall SOLD!

I didn't think it would, but it makes me sad. Not because the new owners aren't Japanese ...but, just because. I spent a good part of my childhood running up and down those escalators at 'Yaohan Plaza.' And as the years passed, it was always a little painful to stop by and count the increasing number of empty storefronts.

The supermarket still remains my favorite place to shop. The place is huge. And at times, I'd be only one of five customers, but they still kept things in stock. They have the best candy-toy section in town, by far. I just hope Honda-ya sticks around.

According to the LA Times article, the shopping center was bought by Korean American investors for $35.5 million. They haven't settled on a plan but their ideas include a Korean market with Korean spas and stores in the adjoining retail space, or to have a mainstream American marketplace.

Mitsuwa Market @ Little Tokyo

Remember that Twilight Episode where that crazy old man with the thick glass realized he was the last man on Earth? He was pretty damn happy when he found that library. (He liked to read, thus thick glasses.) I guess I've alway thought it'd be cool to inherit the world but stillreally kinda sad that you have no one to share it with. That's how I feel about Mitsuwa Market in Little Tokyo. It's located in that huge ghost-town of a shopping center on the outskirt of J-town. Back in the 80s, it used to have a happenin' bowling alley on the 3rd floor but now you're lucky to be their fifth buying customer.

I was there the other day checking out their natto section when I suddenly turned around to find.....absolutely no one. Go over there and try turning around all of a sudden. It's the loneliest feeling. You'll find yourself wanting someone to hold you.

Still, that Mitsuwa on Alameda and 3rd is, by far, my favorite Japanese market in Southern California. Forget Torrance's Marukai. Am I the only one who gets claustrophobic there? WLA's Nijiya is nice cause it's open late, but Mitsuwa is THE BEST. It's huge, but not overbearing, and they have the best selection of miniature toys around. They also have a great selection of bento boxes, vegetables, meats.

There's been rumors that the market is going to close down but that's been going around for a few years now. With the way things have been going in downtown, though, I wouldn't be surprised if I show up one day to find it's been turned into a high-rise loft. *tear*