As You Like It-Okonomiyaki at Gaja
When looking for a place for a large group to eat, food preferences and peculiarities can be an issue. That is why I love Gaja in Gardenia-they offer such variety that both a carnivore and vegetarian will be satisfied. I first experienced this unique dish in Osaka, Japan and have loved it since. So after PMX and with everyone craving something different, Gaja became the logical choice.
Gaja specializes in the dish known as okonomiyaki, which loosely translates into "as you like it." Okonomiyaki is essentially a batter mixed with chopped cabbage and cooked flat on a teppan grill. These are then garnished with a sweet sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, nori (dried seaweed), and dried bonito fish flakes. However, you can garnish it however you please to create a unique flavor.
There are several variations ranging from natto to pork with kimchee. We chose to start off with cheese and mochi. Gaja gives you the choice to cook it yourself or having them cook it for you. I recommend the former as it is more entertaining. If you get stuck, the staff will help you! Another advantage of cooking it yourself is the option to cook it as one big okonomiyaki or several smaller ones.
Our table chose to cook it as several small okonomiyaki. The cabbage, cheese, and batter is mixed an placed on the grill with some mochi squares place on top of it. It is cooked on both sides until golden brown and cut like a pizza into smaller pieces.
Everyone then took a piece and garnished it. I chose the works-savory Gaja sauce with a hint of sweetness, nori, Japanese mayonnaise, and bonito fish flakes. I thought this combination would clash with all the flavors involve. But, the crunchy texture of the chopped cabbage, the melted cheese and mochi, and the sweet and savory sauce pleasant.
Next we decided to cook the pork okonomiyaki. We grilled the meat on the teppan grill first before pouring the batter on top. However, if you want to mix the meat in with the batter you can choose to do that also. The pork added a savory flavor and firmer texture to the okonomiyaki.
redrosin was brave and decided to try the natto okonomiyaki. I may be adventurous with my food experiences but I am strangely hesitant to try natto even though its only fermented soy beans. I have hear too much about its texture (slimy), aroma (foul), and taste (sour) that this is one adventure I do not want to go on. redrosin , however, reported that the flavor of the natto was not overwhelming but the okonomiyaki was flavorful.
In addition, you can order plates of meat to cook, takoyaki (fried balls of batter with octopus legs inside), noodles, pork cutlets, and desserts as well as order calpico and/or alcohol to drink. Their dessert menu offers a rather extensive selection of parfaits. Thus solving the problem of going out with a large group with varying tastes and high standards. The atmosphere is rather loud inside Gaja, much like an izakaya or Japanese style bar, which is one of the reasons why I love this restaurant in addition to offering good food.
Gaja is located at:
2383 Lomita Blvd
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 534-0153
http://www.gajamoc.com/
strawberrygoth shows that mixing the batter is serious business!
Adding batter to the grill...
The cooked okonomiyaki is cut into smaller pieces
My garnished okonomiyaki! Oishi!!!
And finally, strawberrygoth show how much she likes Gaja's parfaits!
Gaja specializes in the dish known as okonomiyaki, which loosely translates into "as you like it." Okonomiyaki is essentially a batter mixed with chopped cabbage and cooked flat on a teppan grill. These are then garnished with a sweet sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, nori (dried seaweed), and dried bonito fish flakes. However, you can garnish it however you please to create a unique flavor.
There are several variations ranging from natto to pork with kimchee. We chose to start off with cheese and mochi. Gaja gives you the choice to cook it yourself or having them cook it for you. I recommend the former as it is more entertaining. If you get stuck, the staff will help you! Another advantage of cooking it yourself is the option to cook it as one big okonomiyaki or several smaller ones.
Our table chose to cook it as several small okonomiyaki. The cabbage, cheese, and batter is mixed an placed on the grill with some mochi squares place on top of it. It is cooked on both sides until golden brown and cut like a pizza into smaller pieces.
Everyone then took a piece and garnished it. I chose the works-savory Gaja sauce with a hint of sweetness, nori, Japanese mayonnaise, and bonito fish flakes. I thought this combination would clash with all the flavors involve. But, the crunchy texture of the chopped cabbage, the melted cheese and mochi, and the sweet and savory sauce pleasant.
Next we decided to cook the pork okonomiyaki. We grilled the meat on the teppan grill first before pouring the batter on top. However, if you want to mix the meat in with the batter you can choose to do that also. The pork added a savory flavor and firmer texture to the okonomiyaki.
redrosin was brave and decided to try the natto okonomiyaki. I may be adventurous with my food experiences but I am strangely hesitant to try natto even though its only fermented soy beans. I have hear too much about its texture (slimy), aroma (foul), and taste (sour) that this is one adventure I do not want to go on. redrosin , however, reported that the flavor of the natto was not overwhelming but the okonomiyaki was flavorful.
In addition, you can order plates of meat to cook, takoyaki (fried balls of batter with octopus legs inside), noodles, pork cutlets, and desserts as well as order calpico and/or alcohol to drink. Their dessert menu offers a rather extensive selection of parfaits. Thus solving the problem of going out with a large group with varying tastes and high standards. The atmosphere is rather loud inside Gaja, much like an izakaya or Japanese style bar, which is one of the reasons why I love this restaurant in addition to offering good food.
Gaja is located at:
2383 Lomita Blvd
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 534-0153
http://www.gajamoc.com/
strawberrygoth shows that mixing the batter is serious business!
Adding batter to the grill...
The cooked okonomiyaki is cut into smaller pieces
My garnished okonomiyaki! Oishi!!!
And finally, strawberrygoth show how much she likes Gaja's parfaits!