Hollywood & Highland Doesn’t Deserve Komida’s Tacos

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Say what you want about Yamashiro, the crazy almost 100 year old Japanese palace turned restaurant perched on a “Mountain” just above Franklin Ave. in Hollywood, but their chef makes some freakin’ delicious tacos. Previously only available at the Yamashiro Farmers Market and various special events around town, it’s Japanese inspired finger food featuring fillings like miso cod and hoisin duck confit served alongside their now famous wasabi guacamole. Think Kogi, if Kogi tacos were Japanese, more refined, smaller and more expensive. Ok, so maybe not like Kogi at all.

I’ve always been a big fan. So when they announced that they were going to be spinning the tacos off into their own brick and mortar location called Komida I was pretty damn excited. Yamashiro tacos, available everyday for lunch? Awesome! As long as they don’t do something stupid like put it in some shitty mall in the most touristy part of the city, we’re golden.

What’s that you say?  Hollywood and Whaaaaa?  Fuck.

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Situated on the outskirts of the Hollywood and Highland complex that borders Orange, Komida is in quite possibly the worst location of all time.  It’s as hidden a spot as you could find in the busiest area of Hollywood.  Walking down Orange you might see it from the street… if you happen to glance up at the 2nd floor of the H&H complex, just above the entrance to the parking structure.  Chances are you won’t, though.  Or you can park in the lot ($2 with validation) and follow the maze of signs from the 2nd floor elevators.  In other words, to find Komida you’ve got to either know it’s there, or spot it as your tour group walks back to its bus to be zipped off to Brat Pitt’s house.

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Once you find it, though, you’re in for a treat.

Available ala carte, all your Yamashiro taco favorites are available.

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There’s the duck confit taco with the hosin and plum nectarine salsa ($5) and the black cod marinated in a miso sake glaze ($6), topped with shredded cabbage.  A bit pricey for the size, but each taco comes with chips, pickled shishito peppers, and your choice of wasabi guacamole or one of their salsas.  The duck confit is probably my favorite, but if miso cod is your jam you will love that one as well.

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If you just can’t get over the price, they do offer a slightly more reasonable lunch special.  $8 for two tacos (chicken, beef, or veggie) and a drink, plus the chips, pickled shishito peppers and the choice of guac or one salsa.  The beef is actually their delicious short rib taco, braised in red wine and soy.  And the chicken turned out to be a Thai style satay with spicy peanut sauce and homemade bread and butter pickles.  Both terrific.  Like I said… I’m a really big fan.

At lunch the place was practically deserted, but they have a great patio and happy hour specials.  I just hope they find an audience.  Validated parking is a plus, but H&H isn’t exactly a weekday lunchtime destination. And it really is in the worst location of all time. If worst comes to worst, I suppose they could start bribing Starline Tours bus drivers.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

  • I love the tacos at the Yamashiro Farmers Market!  So excited they’re now available all week long, all year round.
  • Wasabi guac?  Genius!
  • Is there anything better than miso glazed cod? I say no.
  • It’s high quality Asian cooking, wrapped up in a relatively inexpensive form.
  • Hands down the best lunch anywhere near the intersection of Hollywood & Highland
  • The lunch special is great.  And the fact that you get chips and guac and pickled shishitos makes the price completely worth it.
  • Love the validated parking

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

  • $5 for a taco!?!?!  That’s insanity.  Especially because I’d need 3 to get full.
  • Everything was a bit too sweet for my tastes.
  • I can’t stand horseradish… wish the guac had just been plain.
  • Worst location ever.  Seriously.  The tourists who hang out around H&H don’t deserve a lunch this good.

Komida, 1738 N Orange Dr. 323-466-5124

Enter off of Orange and walk up the steps to the second floor, or park in the Hollywood & Highland lot, take the elevator to the 2nd floor and follow the signs. ($2 with validation.)

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3 Comments

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    Zach, how about some consistency? First you complain that they may put it in some touristy spot, presumably because it would be crowded. Then you bitch that it is in an out of the way place where no-one not knowing of it will find it. WTF???

    Harvey

  • i loved their tacos at Yamashiro Farmers Market…i do hate H&H but at least there’s a place to validate parking now that i actually want to buy from…

  • LOVE their black cod taco + wasabi guac!! So excited when I saw your post – hopefully now more people will make the effort to go check this place out and help keep it open despite the hard-to-find location…

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