This Japanese dining establishment in LA has actually stayed in business for 66 years without advertising.
Otomisan, owned by Yayoi Watanabe, declares to be the last Japanese restaurant in the Los Angeles Boyle Heights location. Some residents don't even understand it exists. Still, those who do, flock there for the tempura, udon, oyakodon bowls, and karaage. VICE met Watanabe and learned how she went from being a dry-cleaner owner to the face of one of the location's most beloved word-of-mouth dining establishments in LA
. Sign up for MUNCHIES here:
All MUNCHIES videos launch a complete week early on our website:
Hungry? Sign up here for the MUNCHIES Recipes newsletter.
Have a look at for more!
Follow MUNCHIES here:
TikTok:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
More videos from the VICE network:
We need content like this, thank you Munchies 🔥
@Peter Griffin lol
agreed, sometimes it’s nice to hear local stories like this.
Same thought. Not just crazy drunk hipsters. This was super wholesome
@Peter Griffinhere’s that attention you were looking for
her son in law or her daughter in law must be greek. Because yaya means grandma in greek.
She blends so well into the community. Love the loteria apron touch as well.
There is a lot of love in this restaurant in the way she prepares the food.
I love how small restaurants have the best of foods
I’m so damn proud of Otomisan and Mrs. Watanabe for making it on here and keeping Otomisan open for this long. I still go there to this day and live so near to them. Warms my heart
OMG she is so cute. LOVE her. Hope her to have continued success and great health for years and years to come. 🙂 LOVE stories like this.
If I lived in that neighborhood I’d totally be there regularly. My mom died a while back, and because I’m an idiot I didn’t ask her for her recipes knowing she wasn’t going to be with me for long. I’ve tried to replicate them on my own with limited success. Watanabe-san’s cooking seems to have so much love and home-style in it that it reminds me of her cooking. Not that it matters or anything but that’s the highest compliment I can give about Japanese food like this. Whenever I head down to LA again I’ll have to stop by.
Your comment broke my heart. I’m gonna ask my mom for ALL of her recipe and jot them down on paper. Thanks for your wisdom brother.
I’m in the area, so I’m making it a mission to head up and try it so I can give a detailed report on the deliciousness :))
You didn’t ask for her recipes, but did you spend time with her before she passed?
A recipe can always be replaced; a mother can’t.
It might suck not to have the exact info on how to cook the food like your mom did, but…if you and your mom spent enough time together, she’ll be with you in spirit while you’re cooking. Your food might turn out more like her’s than you expect.
Just offering a perspective. Have a blessed day 🙏🏻
I usually come here for a quick lunch, and Mrs. Watanabe is super sweet. She always has my plate ready in advance and that’s always a plus! I can’t believe she is on here! Wooo!
Love that she kept the old look to the restaurant.
Wanted to go here a couple weeks back, looks like I’ll have a line down the block when I go next.
i love otomisan! happy to see this pop up in my recommended and hopefully otomisan will get love for many more generations <3
Love that she displays her grandsons artwork!! What a lovely woman! He’s very talented!
I like that soy sauce bottle art
What a down to earth woman, I wish her great happiness.
I grew up in Boyle Heights, and this restaurant has always been very hospitable and the food is always on point
Japanese people just have a sense of pride and obligation in all that they do, it’s really admirable. If you ever get the chance to visit Japan, definitely worth the trip.
This makes me want to live life, this lady loves what she does.
She has poured her life and soul into that tiny restaurant. And, it would be an honor to visit there one day and to partake in the food and the history.
I was born and raised in Boyle Heights and now i’m living in Japan. Being so far from home, i’ve experienced the beauty of cultural exchange and realized how important my Mexican roots are to my identity. To see Watanabe-san upholding this cultural gem (Otomisan) is heartwarming and inspiring. I’m definitely visiting when I go back home!
Let’s all protect Yayoi Watanabe and her restaurant at all cost! Can’t wait to come support when i’m in LA.
She is lovely, you can see she made it her passion!