Little Tokyo: The Spice Table

Call it Little Tokyo then, call it Little Tapas-land now. Japanese Izayoi, Korean fusion Raku, and New American Lazy Ox Canteen, among these top players, The Spice Table is the new kid in town. Chef/owner Bryant Ng sure knows how to bring the right Singaporean and Vietnamese spices to the table. Walk in and expect anything but subtle flavors.



Service was timely and friendly. It was also a plus with the waiter being so passionate with the dishes when he explained the daily special for a good five minutes.





Was it a snack or was it lava paste? Spicy Chicken livers & toast (8), above, was sweet, salty and spicy. Topping it with the toast did calm the heat a little though it was said to be the spiciest livers at The Spice Table. Grilled eggplant, chile sauce (8) tasted even sweeter on a heated pallet while the eggplant was grilled to perfection.



Satay lamb belly (10) were grilled nicely tender and juicy with good amount of smoky herby goodness. The peanuts condiment added a mild kick.



Otah (spicy mackerel & coconut grilled in banana leaf) (14)



Fried cauliflower (7) was a sweet combination of tender cauliflower and airy crispy batter with fresh chopped herbs dipped in the special fish sauce. You order this here like you would order fries in a burger joint.



Sadly, the dish we had high expectation was the Laksa (14). Though it was creamy and tasty, the thick rubbish noodles tasted like fish cake strips. Perhaps udon noodles would have worked better.



While The Spice Table may sound ambitious for the little Japan town, its strong versatile south east Asian flavors should satisfy both the spice sensitive or addicted crowds just fine.


The Spice Table
thespicetable.com | 114 Central, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - map | menu (dinner) | (213) 620-1840