The Cortez family pushed out of the car and stretched its legs. Finally, after an hour and a half by car from his long Beach home, they arrived at Little Tokyo – specifically, for One Piece Cafe.
“I was sitting in the car like, ‘I’ll be at Café One Piece,” said Cammy Cortez, who was introduced to the popular manga and anime franchise by his older brother and now manages a “One Piece” fan account in X. “It’s going to be a good day.”
Scheduled for the Anime Anime Convention, the largest exhibition dedicated to Japanese pop culture in North America, the new permanent restaurant is the second official place of One Piece Cafe, in collaboration with Andy Nguyen’s Toei Animation, a serial entrepreneur behind several thematic restaurants. The first coffee of a piece was opened in Las Vegas in May 2024.
“One Piece” follows the adventures of the protagonist monkey D. Luffy, who dreams of becoming the pirate king, and his band of straw hat pirates as they seek the treasure “One Piece”. Anime fans gathered for the Little Tokyo store, eager to try Japanese dishes inspired by “One Piece” characters, such as Sanji’s “Diable Jambe” chicken, Katsu Sando, with 24 -hour salty chicken served in sweet honey bread, and Zoro’s accuracy, in honor of the character’s love.
1. Sanji’s Diable Jambe chicken, Katsu Sando, with the flower flower energy recycling on the left and a strawberry punch of dragon fruit. 2. Mighty Meats Pirate Platter of orange sauce chicken pops, barbecue -style Korean ribs, kurobuta sausage and LA -style Galbi with a rice side. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The interior wears a nautical theme, with walls that mimic the wooden deck of a pirate ship and characters portrayed within watchmen. The brand’s merchandise includes Luffy’s straw hat, the main thematic chains and even a “sought” sign. Drinks, ranging from slushies to Horchata matcha, come in collectible cups.
“It is not [like] Only they slapped the name ‘One Piece’ in a random restaurant, “said IMELDA CEDENAS customer.” They really did justice with the interior and the menu, and the merchandise they sell inside is also great. “
Initially debuting in 1999, the anime “One Piece” has 1,136 episodes and counting, with the ardent fans immersed in folklore. The manga, by creator Eiichiro Oda, is the best selling manga of all time. New audiences were also introduced in the franchise in 2023, when Netflix released a live live action version of the anime.
“If you are a fan of ‘One Piece’, then you think it’s the best anime of all time,” Karime Benmbarek, who came with her older brother Yassine de Northridge to try the Little Tokyo restaurant. “Even if you’re just a cold fan, you still feel love through the community.”
Jose Cruz and grandson Noah Cruz visit One Piece Cafe. Jose’s daughter, Lulu Villalpando, on the left, is a fan of a play.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Thematic restaurants around Japanese pop culture recently won points of support in LA, with Gudetama Cafe and Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe – both within the Sanrio Universe – opening in 2024. Local emotion by “One Piece”, however, seems to be approaching the mainstream. In June, Los Angeles Dodgers organized a night of a piece, with a limited edition letter “One Piece”, designed by Oda. Los Angeles Lakers collaborated with “One Piece” for the February confrontation against Clippers; Merch exclusively of the match now resells for up to $ 250.
“One Piece ‘has a very large community, and especially with Lakers and Dodgers collaborating with a play, there is also bringing anime to his culture,” said Yassine, who immediately warned his younger brother after seeing a Tiktok about the opening of the restaurant. The brothers relate watching the show and, attracted by the Katsu chicken sandwich in particular, quickly made a plan to visit in person.
Karime, who tried the katsu chicken sandwich and curry, said, “I would definitely come back – if my brother can take me.”
A queue forms on One Piece Cafe in Little Tokyo.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
As anime, manga, and other elements of Japanese pop culture have become mainstream, Little Tokyo’s understanding as a place where people can get involved in these interests also fired, said Kristin Fukushima, executive director of the Little Tokyo Community Council. This interest in Japanese subcultures – evidenced in the virality of One Piece Cafe – may have a positive impact on other small companies in Little Tokyo.
After the Benmbarek brothers finished the meal, they planned to make a day to wander through Little Tokyo. Another group of friends planned to hunt a collectible in nearby stores after visiting the restaurant.
“If you become more in anime and manga, that means you are seeing representations not only of culture but also of food,” said Fukushima. “So you have more people knowing what the real ramen is about Marchan’s instant ramen, or people who want real sushi and not just the California rollers they can buy in ralphs.”
“I think it’s just growing familiarity with what Little Tokyo has to offer,” she said. “How, how do I participate in it?”
The moment of opening the One Piece Cafe occurs when Little Tokyo is emerging from the June ice protests. Located minutes from City Hall and the Metropolitan Detention Center, Fukushima said many small business owners have met in a “loss of loss situation” with images of local news, keeping people away from the city center for fear.
A multitude of lunch at One Piece Cafe in Little Tokyo.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
“One Piece” fans, with their themes of friendship and freedom, are prepared to be tuned to these tensions.
“I really like how ‘One Piece’ has many different messages about government powers and how oppressed people can come together,” said Daniel Orozco, who learned for the first time about the Anime Expo restaurant. “It’s very cool and especially relevant now, with everything happening politically.”
Cardinas began watching “One Piece” during the pandemic and quickly recovered watching 12 episodes a day. Describing this time, she said, “Everything was really scary and uncertain, and people just wanted answers and a distraction.”
“There is a message of hope in ‘One Piece’ because protagonist Luffy wants to be the pirate king, but under everything he is just fighting for justice,” she said. “There is a lot of symbolism that can be brought into the real world.”
One Piece Cafe is located at 241 S. San Pedro Street and open at 11am to 22:00 daily.
