Cats And Mooks At Kinokuniya

When Kinokuniya re-opened earlier this year I was bummed to find a no photos sign in the front.  Last week I happened to have my camera and the sign was changed.  I ran up to the counter and asked if I could take pictures again, they said yes and now this is my ode to one of my favorite bookstores.  I can't understand Japanese but love the artform their magazines take.  Half magazine, half book are mooks in Japan.  Most of the mooks come with gifts - I have been eyeing a Furla mook for weeks but keep passing on it because $40+ is out of my price range but in all honesty, that's probably the closest I'd ever get to having a Furla at that cheap price!

But mooks aren't the only awesome things in Kinokuniya - they sell toys, washi tape, pens, pencils, stickers, origami paper, notebooks, t-shirts and so much cute!  I don't even care for cats but look at how cute they are in product form!  Cute!!!!!


Kinokuniya Bookstore is inside Mitsuwa Marketplace
665 Paularino Avenue
Costa Mesa
(714) 662-2319
Open 7 days a week from 10am-8pm

Disclosure:  I paid cash money for a mook and would do it again.  All thoughts are my own.

Udon, Tempura & Karaage At Sanukiseimen Mugimaru

I rarely have cash on me.  And it's a drive to Mitsuwa Marketplace in Costa Mesa.  But when magic happens - it's lunch from Sanukiseimen Mugimaru.  Even on a hot day.  I planned on getting udon but when I got up to the counter to place my order I noticed a beef bowl on display.  I changed my mind on udon and asked for the beef bowl and was told I had to order an udon to get it.  No sweat, gimme a spicy tonkotsu udon.  With cilantro?  Yep!  I decided to get tempura and was surprised at the fresh selections (there totally was tempura eggs!) and the ginormous sweet potato tempura caught my eye and so did the onion lollipop tempura - I got a rather large shrimp tempura too for good measure.  I pushed my tray down the line to checkout and saw pieces of chicken karaage for .90 each and put one on my plate.  The total with 2 cans of Coke was a mere $15.  There was a lot of food but I figured my husband would eat some and I could always have the rest for dinner.

I dove right in to my steaming hot bowl of udon.  I absolutely loved the freshness the cilantro added to the spice of the broth.  The pieces of tonkotsu were tender and melted in my mouth.  The actual udon noodles were good and definitely made fresh.  I have a new year-round favorite soup!  So tempura is one of my favorites.  I grew up on it when I lived on Guam so it brings back good, good memories of family and now have a chance to make memories with my family...  Tempura from Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is legit.  The batter is no joke and the sizes are good enough to feed The Hulk (green one, not long hair blonde one).  So so fresh!  I absolutely loved eating a 1/4 of an onion on a stick.  I wish I could review the chicken karaage but my husband ate it all.  He insists it was good.  I guess I'll find out next time!

My tips for Sanukiseimen Mugimaru:

• The Mitsuwa Marketplace food court is always packed.  Get in where you fit in.  
• Bring cash.  
• If you can't eat with plastic forks and spoons, bring your own fork and spoon.  I kinda struggled with the noodles.
• Slurp!  Soup is good.  
• Take a look at the plastic food display case.  There are different broth and meat choices.  Get a tray, place your order and keep it moving.

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is inside Mitsuwa Marketplace
665 Paularino Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-6699
Open 7 days a week from 11am-7:30pm

Disclosure:  I paid cash money for my food and would do it again.  All thoughts are my own.