One of the coolest local businesses I have found in Monterey Park! Two dudes opened a little onigiri shop and the rest was history. There's minimal bar seating inside, so it's primarily a takeout spot.My favorite was definitely the Onsen Onigiri! The soft boiled egg was cooked perfectly and it was flavored well. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys a custardy runny egg.I also tried the Salmon Onigiri grilled and it was decent! Reminds of my chilhood when I would get some salmon and eat it with some butter rice and mayo. Pretty tasty.My least favorite was probably the Ama-Miso Shiso Onigiri. The miso flavor has a very unique sweetness and the perilla leaf had a sharp bitterness to it. It was worth a try, but I'll order another veggie option next time since this didn't agree with my flavor palette.
We had the Japanese fried chicken and it was very good.
The take out experience is not as great as the seaweed softens up and the karaage gets a bit soggy in the box. Still tastes good but it is much better when fresh.The riceballs themselves are well filled and week seasoned, but a little smaller than the ones you'll see at the Japanese grocery stores.I suggest either waiting for your order (long wait at lunch) or ordering ahead of time and finishing the rest of the wait there.
This is a small place with quite a bit of character.The food is good. I recommend their karaage chicken. It's very tender and moist -- but also a bit heavy so make sure you order something else to offset!this place isn't fancy. and it's very down to earth. but that's what I love about it and I highly recommend!
Our family came to Jichan’s after seeing reviews for it online - the reviews didn’t lie, the onigiri were fresh, beautifully seasoned, and delicious while the service was fast, friendly, and on point! We enjoyed the onigiri we ordered so much that the hubs ordered another round! We’ll definitely be stopped by here again when we visit SoCal again!
Rice has no flavor. Seaweed taste is okay. Tried rice balls made of salmon, Kara-age (Japanese fried chicken), and Spam musubi. Honestly, it was either this place or little Tokyo and little Tokyo is by far better. I say this respectfully, as little Tokyo is their local competition. Wait time is not entirely worth it. I’d say come here if you only want to rid yourself of the craving for rice balls. But I’m not really satisfied. A for effort tho.
I love onigiri and as a vegetarian I was so excited to find some delicious options! I got the miso shiso onigiri and kombu tsukudani onigiri, and some edamame too. Everything was sooooo good, particularly the miso ones. Definitely will be my new favorite lunch spot! Staff was really kind during pickup too.
A delightfully different food experience. Great combinations of flavor and unique presentation. The staff was helpful and welcoming to unfamiliar newcomers. Thanks for the great experience. I wish I lived closer.
What We Ordered*Onigiri- Onsen (Soft Boiled Egg)- Spicy Miso Buta Kakuni (Pork Belly)- Mentai Tamago (Spicy Pollock Roe)*Kara-age ChickenFavorite thing was the Mentai Tamago!!!! Worth coming back for that onigiri alone. My friend ordered the grilled salmon onigiri and the sauce on the side was delicious!! Yes, it was just a sesame soy sauce but, it complimented all the dishes!! Will have to ask for extra of that on the side. The pork belly onigiri was underwhelming and it was the one we saved for last. Will be back to try the Kara-age chicken and grilled salmon onigiri and their bowls!
You wouldn’t think that something so small and hand held could be so unbelievably delicious. These onigiri are packed full of flavor and so fresh. I got the kara-age and the chicken was moist and juicy. I’ll be dreaming about this rice ball.