Konbi
Egg Salad Sandwich
Bon Appetit named this TINY Japanese sandwich shop in Echo Park the #1 Restaurant of the Year in 2019. They serve a highly limited – but coveted – menu. There are only 10 bar stools and a walk-up window, and you can choose from four sandwiches, six vegetable dishes, and four pastries (while supplies last), and an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages.
Simple, addicting sandwiches
I always stick to ordering the sandwiches when I go. I’ve tried them all, but my favorites are:
Pork Katsu. This sandwich is simple yet complex. There are only four ingredients: pork cutlet, cabbage, and bulldog sauce sandwiched between light and fluffy bread. The juicy cutlet is covered in a crunchy panko crust, which is a nice contrast to the soft texture of the bread. I have no idea what is in the bulldog sauce, but I’d put it on pretty much any sandwich if I could.
Egg Salad. This sandwich is silky smooth and incredibly flavorful. It may be the best egg salad I’ve ever had. Hard-boiled eggs are covered in a house-made dressing that consists of Kewpie mayonnaise, crème fraîche, Dijon mustard, and rice wine vinegar. It’s almost as heavenly as the presentation, with the runny, orange-yellow yolk screaming at you to take a bite.
Yuzu soda – say what?!
If you’re a fan of Yuzu, you MUST try the Yuzu soda (ie, sparkling yuzu juice). It’s made by a company called Kimino – and impossible to find in stores. You can order it online, but I just assume trek to Konbi and get a bottle with my sando.
Arrive early for pastries
The pastries are excellent. They are known for their croissants, especially the chocolate croissant. These things sell out sooooo fast. They’re usually gone before 11am. They’re excellent, and definitely get one if they are available. I wouldn’t drive here just for a pastry, though.
Pro tip: Dine in pairs. They don’t want to leave any seats open. While you can get a seat as a party of one, they prioritize parties of two. DO NOT expect to get a seat if you are more than a party of two. They will not hold seats – for example, if two people finish eating, they will not hold those seats until another party is finished so that three or four of you can sit. They will seat a party of two even if they came well after your larger party.
