“Budonoki, located on the corner of Virgil and Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles is a friendly neighborhood izakaya offering drinking snacks and sushi alongside ice-cold beer, sake and serious cocktails.”

“The creative pan-Asian izakaya comes from college friends and hospitality veterans Eric Bedroussian and Josh Hartley. It started out as a roving pop-up in 2021 after the duo met chef Dan Rabilwongse (an alum of Tsubaki and Hayato) via a mutual friend. Rabilwongse, who grew up in nearby Historic Filipinotown, put together the cuisine-melding menu, filled with signature dishes like pressed sushi, naem (a funky Thai fermented pork sausage), “budo-gnocchi” (Korean rice cakes with mushroom and black truffle), and charred Japanese sweet potatoes with miso butter.”

“The richly hued walnut interiors, accented by dark blue and burnt orange, create a cozy ambiance, transporting diners to a bustling izaksaya in Japan or Bangkok.

Be sure to take a look at the artist series ceramic mug (an original) the Joshikai libation is served in.

Founders Eric Bedroussian and Josh Harley stay with us unwrapping all that is Budonoki.