Zoku

For my birthday, Sandi and I went to Zoku. She's never been there, and I thought she would like it as Cindy and I enjoyed our dinner there. It was so lovely to see a familiar face. Yui gave us a warm welcome.

This time, we had more food. We ordered Scallops, Shrimp, and Wagyu skewers. We also ordered a bowl of Edamame. Their specialty is the Chicken Karaage. The last time I ordered wine, it did not go as well as beer, especially if you consume something spicy.

We enjoyed the fresh and delicate scallops and shrimp. The edamame went well with the Spicy Chicken Karaage, which is cooked in bamboo charcoal, red arako, and cilantro. It is pretty spicy, so it was great to alternate a bite of chicken and a few edamame to keep your tongue from burning. In between, having a few gulps of cold beer was advisable. 

We loved the Wagyu beef, but next time, it would be better to strategize and have the Karaage at the end so that we could fully enjoy its flavor. Our mouths were still on fire, but in a good way!

We ordered the Hojicha Panna Cotta, which I previously had, and the Strawberry Cheesecake, which Sandi preferred. Yui, also the pastry chef, delivered the beautiful desserts with the message " Happy Birthday", but when I blew out the candle, the message vanished.

The couple beside us pondered aloud and weren't sure what to order. I had to give them my two cents' worth. I asked them if they liked spicy food, and they said yes. I advised them to order the Spicy Chicken Karaage. Fortunately, we were still there when it landed on their table. I waited for their first bite and anxiously waited for their reaction. They did like it a lot! They had ordered the Fish and Chips, which we almost ordered. I asked how it was, and they said it was very good. So next time, we will have to try it.

This is my second time at Zoku; I know it will not be the last time. Zoku is locate at 261 Avenida del Norte in Redondo Beach, California.