The Hit List: New LA Restaurants To Try Right Now - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Budonoki is the kind of restaurant where you could walk in half-asleep and walk out ready to hop on the next flight to Vegas. The energy at this Virgil Village izakaya is that infectious. Friends huddle around tables snacking on dishes like chicken oyster skewers and wagyu yakisoba. Dates sip shochu cocktails and split koji pineapple soft serve at the walk-in-only bar. Old-school Missy and Ja Rule blast over the speakers. We love that cocktails arrive in adorable penguin mugs, and servers will pull up a chair to discuss the restaurant’s playlist like it’s a family heirloom (it’s that good). Budonoki straddles the line between a kitschy party spot and a neighborhood hangout with delicious food. Don’t be surprised if you see a few sake bombs go down." - Brant Cox, Sylvio Martins, Nikko Duren