Restaurant Aoi (CLOSED)

One of a handful of truly mom-and-pop restaurants remaining in Little Tokyo, Restaurant Aoi is a homey, cozy place run by a friendly, cheerful couple who will offer iced water or tea the second you sit down. The lunch specials are excellent: Try a bento box with excellent shrimp and vegetable tempura, sashimi, eggplant in a sticky sesame-miso sauce, and sweet-and-savory burdock ($12.95).