New CHAYA Downtown Menu
I'm so excited to share all the new offerings with you and all the deets I learned at the preview. The new CHAYA Downtown menu features a fresh Kaisen (seafood) Bar with local and Japanese ingredients from the famed Tsukiji Fish Market and Kyushu Prefecture in Japan!
Among the new dishes are the Osaka-style battera (box) sushi. Pictured above is the Tri-Color Battera, which has tuna, salmon wrapped inside halibut. Osaka-style sushi is hard to find in L.A. It's always fun to come across it.
In addition, there were bottomless Fanny Bay and Pacific Oysters, Jumbo Shrimp, and Maine Lobster spread out. Other new additions include Unagi, Foie Gras Bao as well as Chef Joji's twists on classics like mac and cheese and steamed mussels.
The star of the night was this guy right here...
How cool is the trumpet fish? The fish actually swims vertically since it tries to blend in with coral and other vertical pipes/sponges, etc. 
I love it. This guy was the talk of the night! Doesn't it look like a platypus?
Also new to CHAYA is the special Japanese Kushiyaki grill imported straight from Japan.
Kushiyaki grilling in action. 
Pictured are the Lamb Tsukune, Wagyu with wasabi Chimichurri, and Chicken Chili Miso skewers.
CHAYA will also have summer cocktail specials available alongside their annual Summer Beer Garden, which will run from June 8th-September 4th. They'll also be adding boozy popsicles with prosecco to the summer menu! 
CHAYA is also serving their famous branzino whole and tableside. If there's one thing CHAYA can do no wrong at it's definitely their branzino!
Chef Joji in action deboning the fish. It was nice to briefly catch up with him after his demo as well!
Hanging out with Chef Joji and Chef Jay.
So if you're looking for some fun Japanese-fusion flare, I'd definitely check out CHAYA. The preview really got me excited for summer. I can't wait to go back and check out more of Chef Joji's creations.
CHAYA Downtown
525 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
