Yapa’s tiradito with halibut, seaweed, fennel, and lime | Courtesy of Yapa
Yapa debuts its Peruvian-Japanese spot in August
A seasoned duo prepares to bring late night cocktails and small bites to Little Tokyo towards the end of August. It’s called Yapa and the effort stems from Soigné Group’s Josh Goldman and Richie Lopez in the former Seoul Sausage space.
The name Yapa comes from Quechua, where varieties of the language are spoken in mainly in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina. Goldman and Lopez chose the word because it translates to “something that is added, especially something that a merchant gives to a buyer to complete the amount requested, or something extra given as a bonus.”
That bonus is the connection of Peruvian-Japanese culture, also known as Nikkei. Lopez plans to incorporate this within Yapa’s menu with small dishes and shareable plates like the tiradito with halibut, seaweed, fennel, lime. Or the layered causa or potato terrine with aji amarillo, shrimp, and avocado. Goldman has not shared ideas for the cocktails yet, but it’s a familiar partnership as the pair worked together in a similar fashion at Santa Monica’s Brilliantshine which closed in 2015.
The pair will operate the new spot as Lopez operates his Peruvian delivery-service, Rotombo, while Goldman still leads the the bar at West Hollywood’s Conservatory. Expect late night hours for Yapa, which is less than a mile away from another Little Tokyo bar with ideal bar food, The Mermaid.
Yapa. 236 S Los Angeles St Suite G, Little Tokyo, CA
- Seoul Sausage Shutters in Little Tokyo This Saturday [ELA]
- Nikkei Cuisine’s Time Is Actually, Finally Now [Eater]
Source: Eater LA – All – Mona Holmes