LAist: Japanese Vegan Restaurant Opens Downtown

Greg Katz

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:40:04 -0800

I ate here the other day. Most entrees are in the $10-16 range. If that is a "rip off" to you for a nice dinner, I don't know what to say. If you really need to get the most possible food for the least possible money, go to the Carl's Jr. salad bar. The food at Shojin food is well-crafted and well-presented. What I ordered tasted pretty good. I don't remember what it was, though. My g/f ordered different stuff (a wrap of some kind I think?) and liked it quite a bit. The only serious problem this place has is location. It's in this mostly vacant mall with some fairly shady characters lurking around. It would be hopping if it was in the plaza, but in the mall, it seems like it might die on the vine.

Foodeater

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:12:52 -0800

I don't know what prices they settled on as the prices on the menu I saw were from before their public opening. What I can tell you is that prices listed at that time were surprisingly low for the quality and quantity of food. I can't imagine that they raised them by that much more.

jrb

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:12:21 -0800

Don't be hate'n Carrie. It's a great review. But amongst us 'po folks knowing if your going to have to eat ramen noodles the rest of the week is important.

Harold M

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:36:04 -0800

Sounds like an interesting place, would like to check it out but sadly I'm not in the 27% (where do those numbers come from anyway?) Partially joking, I can't imagine it's THAT expensive people! I will def. go here and report back in this space on the prices.

Zach Behrens

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:28:09 -0800

I'm heading down no matter what to try this out. Thanks Carrie!

panasonicyouth

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:05:59 -0800

Fuck yes!!! I live close to downtown and the place is dearly lacking in vegan options. I think I'll splurge tonight and try this place out. Thanks for the tip!

Carrie Meathrell

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:01:46 -0800

ok now I hate all of you.

Carrie Meathrell

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:58:55 -0800

Um 27% of the LAist demographic makes over 100k per year. I don't get it. Anyway back to slaving over a blog that is entirely a labor of love for me even though my efforts at being the best I can be are clearly not enough. Depressed now. Thanks.

Ross A. Lincoln

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:51:17 -0800

jrb, you're absolutely right. I felt the same way. I'm guessing it's probably akin to Real Food Daily, which is to say, it's probably delicious, but a financial rip off.

jrb

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:44:54 -0800

OK, nice review. OK, I'm always looking for new, and interesting places to take my vegan and and vegetarian friends. However, none of us are wealthy, the on-line menu doesn't have prices listed. The reviews don't have prices or even price ranges. I'd like to at least get an idea.

Osmany Rodriguez

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:35:46 -0800

I like my restaurants when they serve things that used to have souls