Tampopo

For those in Artesia, California, and throughout the diverse Southern California landscape, the quest for genuinely delicious and authentic Japanese cuisine often leads to unexpected delights. Tampopo, nestled in Artesia, has emerged as a beloved local spot, quickly becoming the go-to destination for many who appreciate fresh flavors and a cozy dining experience. This article aims to provide a comprehensive look at Tampopo, highlighting its extensive menu, inviting atmosphere, and what makes it a must-visit for anyone craving a true taste of Japan in their neighborhood.

Japanese cuisine is celebrated for its precision, freshness, and the harmonious balance of its ingredients. At Tampopo, these principles are evident in every dish served. Customers consistently rave about the food being "fast, fresh and incredibly delicious," a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality. From diverse sushi rolls and comforting ramen bowls to crispy pork cutlets, savory fried chicken, and perfectly prepared mixed tempura, Tampopo offers a wide spectrum of Japanese favorites that satisfy various cravings.

One loyal customer eloquently put it, "We used to drive from Norwalk to Tustin for great sushi. I'm so glad we found this restaurant." This sentiment speaks volumes, indicating that Tampopo has successfully filled a significant void for high-quality Japanese food in the local area, saving residents the trip to more distant culinary hubs. The ability to consistently deliver "incredibly delicious" food across such a varied menu is a significant accomplishment and a key reason for its growing popularity.

Beyond the delectable food, Tampopo offers a unique and intimate dining atmosphere. While described as a "small building" that "can seat 10 or so groups of 2/4 people" and where "tables are pretty close together," customers affirm that it's "worth the squeeze." This cozy setting often contributes to a more personal and focused dining experience, allowing patrons to truly savor their meals. Even from the outside, despite appearing "unassuming" with wooden bars that might suggest it's "not open for business," the presence of a "neon open sign" welcomes diners into a surprisingly "small and cozy" interior where "tables were adequately spaced apart" to ensure comfort. The positive feedback on service, with "crew members... quick to remove empty dishes," further enhances the pleasant dining experience.

Tampopo is conveniently located at 11700 South St #104, Artesia, CA 90701, USA. This address places it strategically within Artesia, a vibrant city in Los Angeles County, ensuring excellent accessibility for residents within Artesia itself and from neighboring cities such as Cerritos, Norwalk, La Palma, and Downey. South Street is a well-known and easily navigable thoroughfare, making the restaurant simple to locate whether you're traveling by car or looking for a nearby dining option.

The restaurant's location within a commercial plaza, typical of Southern California, usually provides convenient parking options. While one customer review did note that "parking spaces are tight," this often implies that parking is available, albeit requiring a bit more maneuvering during busy times. The presence of a parking lot, even if sometimes crowded, still contributes to the overall accessibility, allowing diners to focus on their meal rather than searching extensively for a spot.

Its position on South Street means Tampopo is well-integrated into the local community's daily life. It serves as an ideal spot for a planned family dinner, a casual lunch with friends, or a quick takeout order after work. The ease of access, despite the cozy interior, plays a crucial role in its appeal as a regular dining destination for locals seeking authentic and fast Japanese cuisine in Artesia.

Tampopo offers a comprehensive menu of Japanese culinary delights, specializing in a wide array of sushi, ramen, and various traditional hot dishes, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

• Dine-In Service: Enjoy a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for individuals, couples, or small groups. While the space is intimate, customers note that it's "worth the squeeze" for the delicious food and efficient service.
• Extensive Sushi & Roll Menu: A prominent feature, offering a broad selection of fresh and well-crafted sushi, including:
  • Fresh Rolls: Such as Rainbow Roll, Angry Tail, Sunkist, Spicy Salmon Roll, Red Tiger, Sexy Roll, Spicy Rainbow, Avocado Roll, Tuna Roll, Yellowtail Roll, Salmon Roll, and Vegetable Roll.
  • Baked/Seared Rolls: Popular options like Caterpillar Roll, Dragon Roll, Super Volcano, King Dragon Roll, Baked Salmon, Dynamite Roll, Red Dragon, Salmon Skin Roll, Yo-Ga Fire, and Baked Scallop.
  • Tempura Rolls: Including Hot Night, Yellowtail Attack, Shrimp Delight, Spider Roll, Amigo, DUI, and Baby Lobster.
  • Classic Rolls: Such as California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Crunch Roll.
  • Nigiri (2 pieces) & Sashimi (6 pieces): A selection of fresh fish options including Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Albacore, Shrimp, Eel, Ikura, and more, available individually or as chef's choice assorted sashimi.
  • Sashimi & Sushi Combo/Boat Specials: Larger platters for sharing or more extensive meals.
• Authentic Ramen Bowls: A major highlight, known for their flavorful broths. Options include:
  • Tampopo Ramen (chicken bone & pork bone broth with chashu)
  • Spicy Ramen
  • Miso Ramen
  • Chicken Ramen
  • Seafood Ramen (with shrimp and scallop)
  • Vegetable Ramen
  • Chashu Ramen (with extra chashu)
• Udon & Udon Combo: Thick wheat noodles served in various preparations:
  • Kake Udon (basic udon with toppings)
  • Nabeyaki Udon (with egg, chicken, shrimp tempura)
  • Tempura Udon (with assorted tempura)
  • Tempura Udon Combo (with a choice of sushi roll)
  • Zaru Soba (cold buckwheat noodles)
• Bento Boxes & Ramen Sets: Convenient and complete meals, combining a main dish with sides, often including miso soup, salad, macaroni salad, and other Japanese delights. Examples include:
  • Chicken Teriyaki Set/Bento
  • Pork Cutlet Set/Bento
  • Sushi Set (with 4 pieces of sushi)
  • California Roll Set
  • Tempura Set
  • Unagidon Set (eel over rice)
  • BBQ Rib Set/Bento
  • Bulgogi (Marinated Beef) Set/Bento
• Plate/Don (Rice Bowl) Dishes: Various grilled or fried protein options served over rice with sides:
  • Chicken Teriyaki Plate
  • Salmon Teriyaki Plate
  • BBQ Rib Plate
  • Pork Cutlet Plate
  • Unagi-Don (freshwater eel over rice)
  • Chirashi (assorted sashimi over sushi rice)
  • Poke Don (assorted fish with house poke sauce)
• Appetizers & Sides: A wide selection to start your meal, including Edamame (classic and spicy garlic butter), Gyoza, Shrimp Tempura, Mixed Tempura, Baked Green Mussels, Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Jalapeno Bomb, and various salads (Seaweed, Salmon Skin, Sashimi, Poke).
• Takeout & Delivery: Customers can conveniently order for pickup directly or through popular third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates.

Tampopo, despite its modest exterior, boasts several key features and highlights that have garnered it a strong local following and consistently positive reviews from its patrons in Artesia, CA.

• "Incredibly Delicious" & Fresh Food: The standout highlight is the consistent quality and taste of their dishes. Customers frequently describe the food as "fast, fresh and incredibly delicious," emphasizing the high standard maintained across their extensive menu. This makes every meal a satisfying culinary experience.
• Diverse & Extensive Menu: Tampopo offers a remarkably broad selection, encompassing a wide range of Japanese cuisine beyond just sushi. From numerous types of sushi rolls (fresh, baked, tempura) to various ramen bowls, udon dishes, bento boxes, and hot plates (teriyaki, katsu, BBQ ribs), there is truly "a lot of food" to choose from, catering to diverse preferences and ensuring something for everyone.
• Authentic Flavors: The fact that one customer "used to drive from Norwalk to Tustin for great sushi" before finding Tampopo, and now considers it their go-to, speaks volumes about the authenticity and quality of the flavors, providing a true taste of Japanese cuisine locally.
• Efficient Service: Despite the restaurant being small and potentially busy, reviewers noted that "Everything was fast" and "The crew members were quick to remove empty dishes," indicating efficient and attentive service that enhances the dining experience.
• Cozy and Intimate Atmosphere: Described as a "small and cozy" place, the intimate setting contributes to a focused and pleasant dining experience. While tables might be "pretty close together," the general sentiment is that the quality of food and service makes it "worth the squeeze."
• Good Portions: Customers appreciate that "Portions were good," ensuring a satisfying meal that provides value for money.
• Reliable Quality: The hope for "the next ones are as good or better" from a first-time visitor suggests a positive initial impression and an expectation of consistent quality, building trust among new patrons.

While specific daily "Happy Hour" details or highly publicized promotions were not extensively provided in the customer reviews, Tampopo, as a popular and customer-focused Japanese restaurant, often incorporates value into its offerings and may feature various specials. Based on broader public information for Tampopo, they typically offer attractive deals.

Regular Happy Hour:

Tampopo is known to offer a Happy Hour which often includes discounts on their popular sushi rolls. For instance, some sources indicate:

• 20% Off Rolls: This is a common and appealing promotion, allowing diners to enjoy a wide selection of their fresh and specialty rolls at a reduced price.
• Availability: Happy Hour typically runs Monday through Friday, often during evening hours (e.g., 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM). It's usually for dine-in, pick-up, and curbside orders, but not combinable with other discounts.

Ramen & Sushi Combo Sets:

A significant part of Tampopo's value proposition comes from its diverse "Ramen Set" and "Bento" offerings. These sets combine popular dishes (like a ramen bowl with sushi rolls, gyoza, or a plate of teriyaki chicken) at a bundled price, providing a complete and satisfying meal that is often more economical than ordering items individually. Examples include the Tampopo Ramen & California Roll Set or the Chicken Teriyaki Ramen Set. This ensures customers get substantial portions and variety at a good value.

Takeout & Delivery Platform Promotions:

As Tampopo partners with major third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, customers can often find platform-specific promotions. These might include:

• Discounts for new users of the delivery app.
• Reduced or free delivery fees for orders meeting a minimum amount.
• Special percentage-off deals during promotional periods.

To confirm the most current promotions, specific Happy Hour timings, or any other ongoing specials directly with Tampopo, locals are encouraged to:

• Call the restaurant directly: Use the provided phone number (562) 865-5990.
• Visit their official website (if available): Restaurant websites are often updated with current specials.
• Check their listings on food delivery apps: For any app-exclusive discounts or banners.

To experience the delicious and diverse Japanese cuisine at Tampopo, here is their contact information:

Address: 11700 South St #104, Artesia, CA 90701, USA

Phone: (562) 865-5990

For current operating hours, it is always recommended to call the restaurant directly or check their latest listings on popular online directories and food delivery platforms. Based on publicly available information, Tampopo generally operates with consistent hours for both lunch and dinner:

• Monday - Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

These hours indicate that Tampopo is open seven days a week, offering flexibility for locals to dine in or order takeout throughout the day. They also provide convenient online ordering and delivery services through major platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, making it easy to enjoy their delicious food from the comfort of your home.

Tampopo in Artesia, CA, is an exceptionally suitable dining destination for locals, establishing itself as a cherished spot for authentic and diverse Japanese cuisine. Its appeal to the community stems from a compelling combination of high-quality food, a welcoming atmosphere, and convenient accessibility, making it a true neighborhood gem.

The primary reason for its suitability for locals is the consistently "incredibly delicious" and "fresh" food across its expansive menu. From varied sushi rolls and hearty ramen bowls to comforting hot dishes like pork cutlets and teriyaki chicken, Tampopo offers a wide range of Japanese favorites that genuinely satisfy. The fact that customers are willing to forgo longer drives to find "great sushi" and instead choose Tampopo underscores its ability to deliver authentic flavors right in their backyard, providing excellent value for every penny spent.

Beyond the culinary excellence, Tampopo's cozy and intimate atmosphere contributes significantly to its local charm. Despite being a "small building" with closely spaced tables, the environment is described as "worth the squeeze," creating a warm and personal dining experience. The efficient service, with crew members "quick to remove empty dishes," ensures a smooth and pleasant visit, whether dining with family or enjoying a solo meal. This welcoming vibe fosters a sense of comfort and familiarity, encouraging repeat visits.

Furthermore, its convenient location on South Street in Artesia, coupled with accessible parking (even if sometimes tight), makes it a practical choice for everyday dining. The availability of both dine-in and comprehensive takeout/delivery options through popular platforms ensures that locals can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes on their own terms. The added benefit of Happy Hour specials on sushi rolls provides an excellent incentive for value-conscious diners. For residents seeking a reliable, delicious, and genuinely satisfying Japanese culinary experience right in their community, Tampopo is an undeniable and highly recommended choice.

Tampopo

11700 South St #104, Artesia, CA 90701, USA