Newly Relocated & Reopened
Izakaya Osen, newly relocated in Silver Lake, has opened its doors in a larger and more comfortable space just a block away from its previous location. The modern izakaya atmosphere features bar seating, and there is dedicated parking available at the back of the store, making it much more convenient to visit. It’s a great place for casual dining as well as enjoying a drink and relaxing.
During this visit, I was able to enjoy a variety of dishes starting with Cauliflower Karaage, followed by Kushiyaki (Prime Beef, Bacon Enoki Mushroom, Shishito Pepper, Sea Bass), Tuna Pringles, Miso Crab Salmon, Premium Sushi Hachimori, and the Uni Amaebi Bowl. The menu offered a wide range from skewers to sushi, sashimi, and rice bowls, making it fun to order multiple dishes and enjoy a variety of flavors.
The Cauliflower Karaage was a great way to start the meal lightly. Thanks to the rice flour batter, it had a crispy exterior and a soft interior, and the Spicy Almond Aioli added a subtle spiciness and nutty flavor that blended well. The Kizami Nori and Furikake on top enhanced the umami, making it easy to enjoy until the last bite. The Kushiyaki that followed showcased the distinct characteristics of each ingredient. The Prime Beef was impressively tender and juicy, while the Bacon Enoki Mushroom combined the savory flavor of bacon with the texture of enoki mushrooms beautifully. The Shishito Pepper had a subtle smoky flavor that made it enjoyable, and the Sea Bass was light and moist, allowing the natural flavors of each ingredient to shine through.
The most memorable dish was the Uni Amaebi Bowl. It was generously topped with fresh uni, sweet shrimp, scallop, and ikura, and the addition of a soy sauce-marinated egg yolk deepened the overall flavor. Mixing the various ingredients was delicious, but wrapping them in the accompanying seaweed added a nutty aroma, allowing each ingredient to harmonize beautifully and creating a unique appeal. The Tuna Pringles featured fresh tuna atop crispy wonton skin, enhanced by a subtle truffle oil aroma, making it a perfect one-bite dish. The Premium Sushi Hachimori allowed me to taste eight premium sushi pieces crafted by the chef at once, showcasing the freshness of the ingredients, with the Golden Eye Snapper and Salmon being particularly memorable. The Miso Crab Salmon was also a delightful dish, with the soft salmon and crab meat blending naturally with the umami of miso, making it easy to enjoy.
Izakaya Osen
Izakaya Osen was a place where you could enjoy a wide range of Japanese dishes from skewers to sushi, sashimi, and various other menu items all in one spot. The freshness of the ingredients stood out overall, and each dish showcased a high level of quality without any disappointing items. With its newly relocated spacious area and convenient parking, it has become even easier to visit, making it a great place to go for a date, a gathering with friends, or to spend a leisurely time over drinks.
Japanese Izakaya Restaurant
From premium sushi and sashimi to flavorful kushiyaki skewers and rice bowls, Izakaya Osen offers simple yet classic dishes in a neat atmosphere, making it a great space to enjoy Japanese izakaya cuisine. Izakaya Osen currently has locations in Silver Lake and Irvine, and we visited the Silver Lake branch.
It’s a familiar restaurant that I often visit, but it consistently provides satisfaction every time I go. Depending on the composition or combination, I can experience different delights each visit, making it a place I look forward to returning to. On this day, we ordered a variety of dishes including Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, Uni Scallop Carpaccio, Premium Sushi Hachi Mori (8pcs), Omakase Bowl, Toro Roll, and Sea Bass & Bacon Wrap Shrimp.
Starting with a great starter, the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice featured spicy tuna on top of crispy fried rice, making it easy to eat in one bite. The crunchy exterior and moist interior of the rice combined with the savory yet slightly spicy flavor of the tuna made it a perfect dish to whet the appetite. The Uni Scallop Carpaccio had an impressive luxurious appearance at first glance, and with the first bite, the soft texture and deep flavor spread naturally. The ingredients harmonized beautifully, allowing for a slow savoring experience, and the subtle acidity and umami provided a well-balanced dish that was enjoyable without any heaviness.
Premium Sushi Hachi Mori (8pcs), as a chef’s choice sushi selection, showcased freshness and balance in each piece, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through. Among them, the Scallop and Sweet Shrimp were particularly soft and sweet, leaving a lasting impression. Overall, it was great for savoring each piece slowly, and the variety in the selection kept it interesting until the end. The Omakase Bowl was generously topped with various seafood, and from the first bite, a burst of diverse textures and flavors filled the mouth. Each ingredient, including tuna, uni, and salmon roe, blended harmoniously while retaining its individual taste, and the subtle nutty aroma added depth to the overall flavor. Wrapping it in the accompanying seaweed offered another enjoyable combination of texture and taste, making it a fun dish to enjoy until the very last bite.
The Toro Roll was quite an impressive roll centered around the rich and fatty flavor of toro, harmonizing various textures and tastes. Each bite offered a delightful mix of ingredients, making it enjoyable until the very end without becoming monotonous, and the presentation was carefully crafted, satisfying both the palate and the eyes. The Sea Bass and Bacon Wrap Shrimp were kushiyaki skewer dishes, each with its own unique charm. Among them, the Sea Bass is a personal favorite of mine, and I always make sure to order it whenever I visit. The tender white fish, enhanced by a subtle smoky flavor, provided a light yet deep taste that never gets old. The Bacon Wrap Shrimp, with its salty bacon and plump shrimp, added another layer of satisfaction to the experience. The skewer menu offers a variety of options including meat, vegetables, and seafood, so it would be great to choose according to your preferences.
Izakaya Osen
Thanks to the diverse menu and harmonious flavors, Izakaya Osen always provides satisfaction beyond expectations, no matter when you visit. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a Japanese izakaya style in a neat setting.
