shojin now showin’ at the little tokyo mall
A new Japanese vegan eatery called Shojin opened its doors Wednesday on the third level of the Little Tokyo Shopping Center.
The restaurant, which gets its name from the Indian Buddhist term meaning “to drive out the evil thoughts and strive for Buddhism with one’s whole heart,” specializes in contemporary organic fusion “Shojin cuisine” from Japan intended to give one’s body a reprieve from the “chemicals and harmful additives” prevalent in today’s food.
Impeccably presented appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts offering items such as kabocha pumpkin chowder (made with soymilk), garden chicken & vegetables (fried seitan), tofu pudding with organic apple sauce and other health-minded creations are sure to rouse excitement from the local vegan crowd.
Sound too good to be true?
Well, remember where it is. The location at 3rd and Alameda, inside the mall complex, is inconvenient for most Downtowners and will prevent many from patronizing an establishment they would otherwise visit often.
But when you’re a vegan, you can’t really complain about the distance.
Shojin
333 S Alameda Street
Little Tokyo Square 3F (Suite 310)
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-617-0305
Open Wednesday thru Sunday only
12:00pm – 9:00pm
theshojin.com
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15 comments
I’m not a vegan; I’m not even a vegetarian, but I’ll definately give this place a shot. Location might be a bit more trouble to get to, but come on, if we can’t drive/walk/bike/bus/subway a mile and climb a few stairs to try something new, then our options/growth in downtown will start slowing down. The economy is definately getting hit, we need the retailers/restaurants just as much as they need us so let’s get out there and support the local economy!!!!
The Japanese mall is kind of fun. I’ll check this place out. There’s a giant parking structure so parking is easy if you decide to drive over there.
Awesome! I’ve been really looking forward to Shojin.
Three Questions: Is this where Beard Papa is? (If so, this place would be a welcome addition to the third floor, which looked pretty empty.) Is the parking free in the structure? (I parked on the street when I went to Beard Papa). On the third floor, there was a large entrance to something, but it was closed. Does this mall connect to an adjacent hotel, office building, condo development?
Tim, this is where Beard Papa is, yes.
I’m not sure if the parking is free, but I don’t think it is. I’m sure it’s cheap though.
The large entrance could be to the adjacent parking structure, but I can’t think of the entrance you’re referring to.
how is garden chicken and vegetables vegan?
^ When it’s seitan chicken.
So glad to know they’re now open! Our sneak-peek dinner there was outstanding and I expect more good things to come. When we were there they validated for parking.
Just to add…parking is free, I believe for the first hour but fairly cheap otherwise compared to other parking structures.
I live down in the Industrial District and have been grocery shopping, dining, and shopping the venues at the Little Tokyo Shopping Center (fortress…lol) for ten years. I even went to the 24 hour bowling alley that was once there for what seemed like 5 mintues.
Driving to the LTSC for dining is no big deal. I drive to Silverlake, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Leimert Park, Hollywood, Venice, Glendale and even the Valley for various activities. It’s part of living in this megalopolis called Los Angeles.
Yes there use to be a bowling alley and also a movie theater there on the 3rd floor. But they have since been closed and gone for several years.
Last I heard the space that was the bowling alley had been used for the women’s roller derby meets. But they moved to a bigger place 1 or 2 years ago to accommodate the larger crowds.
I love the mall. It’s really quite convenient if you work in any of the City buildings, so I bet they can get a lot of traffic from there.
That building definitely could use a makeover. It is incredibly non-descript. I’m sure people drive by everyday and have no idea of the retail located inside.
In case anyone is still reading this, I just verified with Shojin that parking is indeed free, with direct access to their restaurant from the lot via the bridgeway on the 4th floor.
It’s also right off the A Dash if you go on a weekday.
I finally checked out Shojin this afternoon. Elegant space, good service, and amazing food–beautifully prepared and delicate flavors that are ever so tasty.
I had the bento box with the crispy seitan cutlet. It came with a delicious lentil and mushroom soup as a starter. For dessert I had the fabulous green tea moss cake. To drink I had the detox elixir, which was gingery and declicious.
The restaurant is on the second floor of the mall and definitely worth a visit. I’m planning to go there again next week to try one of the pasta dishes. The pasta special this afternoon was spaghetti with a variety of mushrooms.