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    Rafu Bussan

    4.7 (58 reviews)
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    Maneki Neko
    Rodney E.

    Thank you Carol-さん from Rafu Bussan, a Japanese Boutique Gift Shop in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles for the wonderful hospitality and kindness. I received 2 traditional glass display cases for my Maneki Neko - Asahi and Nishiki !!! They are now safe and settled at home. For personalized shopping visit www.rafubussaninc.com to book an appointment Help Support Family Businesses !!! どうもありがとうございました !!! #rafubussan #littletokyo #小東京 #日本町 #日本プラザ

    Sake cup

    Rafu Bussan has the BEST customer service. Wow! I was looking for 250 sake cups for guest favors for my wedding, and it was very difficult to find something that I liked in bulk at a reasonable price after shipping. I found this shop on yelp and reached out. Carol responded back right away to get more info and gave me tons of options to choose from based on what she knew she had in stock and what she knew she could obtain that would arrive on time. Carol also facilitated pick-up, and she was SO nice in person too! On top of all of this, the price was super reasonable. I would definitely go back here any time I needed Japanese-style dishware/drinkware.

    Book cover
    Jacque B.

    Received a book called Japanese Patisserie for the holidays. It is an excellent book. My husband left the receipt in the book in case I wanted to exchange it. However, I noticed that they charged him 5 dollars more than the retail price stated on the book. I had to look up the price because they marked out the amount on the actual book. Super shady and disgraceful. Make sure you check the prices on their books. Plenty of other books stores to consider!

    Tokusa ramen bowl

    When I was a little girl living in the Crenshaw area, my family would go to Rafu Bussan. Now that I live in Orange County, there was still only one place I could think of when I was looking for ramen bowls. Carol texted me photos of just some of their huge selection of ramen bowls. When I saw the photo of the Tokusa bowls, I knew those were the ones for me. Carol explained to me that they were made in Nagoya, Japan. I live in Orange County, so I had them ship the bowls to me. Although I said there was no rush, I received them within 3 days in perfect condition. They double boxed the bowls by carefully wrapping each bowl and inserting a couple of bowls in a box. Then they packaged those smaller boxes in plenty of "peanuts" within a larger box. I was surprised that they included a lovely gift commemorating their 62nd anniversary! With their great selection of quality products and excellent customer service, I'm not surprised Rafu Bussan is one of the few original Little Tokyo businesses still going strong.

    Keila N.

    Presentation is everything when you're serving Japanese food. I stopped here today to pick up some tableware for my daughter. I've been here for years. It has a wide selection of tea sets, chopsticks, plates, bowls, Japanese dolls and so much more. It even has snack items and gift dessert sets. It's a great place for gifts.

    Closed as of 12/1/15. No mention of new location... inside was empty and everything was boxed up.
    Anita m.

    The store is closed as of December 1, 2015. The website says they will announce the new location, opening in spring 2016, after January. I hope this store continues to do well. I remember coming into this store with my mom when I was a little girl and now I bring my own kids there to pick up chawans and ohashii. Can't wait to be back at the new opening!

    Oops - I took this before I saw the "no photography" sign... (Ó~Ò)

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Great place for gift shopping and very friendly staff. I've been here often and there's always a great find.

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    6 months ago

    Amazing selection of authentic Japanese wares. Owner is super knowledgeable and very nice and helpful

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    The best place in LA for Japanese tchotchkes and home goods. If you need a Daruma, this is the place to get it.

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    10 years ago

    Still amazing. They reopened 1 block away closer to Central at Honda Plaza. 414 E 2nd St

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    16 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Rafu Bussan

    Review Highlights - Rafu Bussan

    . Carol patiently guided me to some beautiful ceramics with traditionally auspicious symbolism

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Surfas Culinary District - Kitchen timers

    Surfas Culinary District

    4.4(151 reviews)
    4.6 miArlington Heights
    $$

    Great stop! Came in an hour before closing and the parking was fine on site - not too busy either!…read moreGreat selection of products and generally good prices. I love these types of stores so it would've been easy for me to spend lots of money there but I held back! Worth it if you're looking for any sort of unique baking supply.

    Had a real quick trip here recently, and I'd be less and honest if I didn't say I was a bit bummed…read more I actually found what I came here for (I needed some British double heavy cream) for a particular dish, though I couldn't help but reminisce when this location used to be in Culver city. There are a number of reasons why the Culver City location was so much better, but perhaps the main drawback at this LA location is the fact that the former had a real sense of ambiance, and uniqueness, particularly when it came to its cozy little cafe section. Now the "cafe" is pretty much just a space within a space. Another real draw to the Culver City location was the fact that they actually had a separate section where "Guest Chefs" could come in and teach entire classes via cooking classes that sometimes you have to sign up for in advance, and other times you could just kind of walk in on it. That was dope! And while the staff was friendly enough, and again ( don't get me wrong it's still a place that I will be back to to purchase much needed product), it's just an unfortunate reality that sometimes no....you can't duplicate the past.

    Photos
    Surfas Culinary District - Sales floor

    Sales floor

    Surfas Culinary District - Examples of cupcake wrappers for baking. All kinds of colors and patterns (or none)

    Examples of cupcake wrappers for baking. All kinds of colors and patterns (or none)

    Surfas Culinary District - Cookbooks

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    Cookbooks

    Anzen Hardware - Neat and tidy

    Anzen Hardware

    4.5(88 reviews)
    0.3 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $

    I always feel like a kid in a candy store when I shop here. When it comes to Japanese tools you are…read morepaying for quality and craftsmanship. So I take my time selecting what I need versus what I want especially because I don't know when I will have the next chance to return. I easily spend several hundreds of dollars here buying my chisels and other carving hand tools. It's cool that the worker remembers who I am (excellent service). The owner himself takes the time to show me the various chisels that they have and you can tell just by listening to him talk the pride he has for the tools that he carries.

    COVID UPDATE for Anzen Hardware. Nori-san is fine, and the…read morestore is open for usual hours of operation. This update is just a reminder that small local businesses are still open. In addition to vegetable seeds and garden supply, there are plenty of home and kitchen tools that you'll use every day of your quarantine isolation. SERVICE Nori-San has always been very helpful with any purchases you might need to make. Now that the store attendance is limited, no doubt you'll receive even more bespoke assistance. STORE ATTENDANCE There is only one person/party allowed in the store at a time. If you're familiar with this small family-owned hardware store, you'll know that there isn't much room for too many people anyway. For precautions of health, just one at a time in the store. If you know what you need, the trip to Anzen is really quick. If you DON'T know what you need, the trip to Anzen can be really easy. I make a regular trip to get professional kitchen knives from Nori-San, and he's always very knowledgable and helpful in the decision. SILLY GIFT PURCHASE: Even if you want a simple silly, but useful kitchen gift for your friends, you will probably find something here. Purchase a KAMENOKO TAWASHI for an unsuspecting friend who doesn't know what it is, ask them to guess what it's for. PARKING Plenty of easy street parking throughout Little Tokyo. COVID PARKING UPDATE - many parking spaces have been redesignated as outdoor seating areas. Judge Also Parking Lot is the best parking lot - across the street.

    Photos
    Anzen Hardware
    Anzen Hardware
    Anzen Hardware

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    Kim's Home Center - Salt and pepper

    Kim's Home Center

    4.0(243 reviews)
    3.4 miPico-Union
    $

    Kim's Home Center is your one-stop shop for all Korean home/lifestyle goods. I was impressed with…read morethe variety of products they carry - cosmetics, bedding, kitchen goods, small appliances, clothing, daily life goods, and so much more! Many of their products are made in Korea, which I loved! I came for something very specific and not only did they have the product, it was much cheaper compared to what I can find online. I ended up buying more than what I came here for because I couldn't pass on the high quality slippers, buckwheat pillows, and dishwashing gloves! This place has a small parking lot attached, but they also have another parking lot just across the street for overflow. They accept credit card as well!

    Kim's Home is totally comp. to a Korean Target or Ikea Marketplace…read more They sell almost anything you could think of plus more. From reading the low star reviews, I think you need to only purchase items that you don't care about returning. Buying more expensive electronic items may be too risky for their strict, inflexible 14 day return policy. Come here to buy various 'cheaper' and fun items like inside House slippers, kitchen and home goods (especially plastic items). There are many more upscale kitchen cookware, knives that are European brands. the 2nd floor has larger $$$ electronic items, where it may riskier shopping. I feel like for expensive items, you'd be better off shopping at typical store where there is generous return policy, a la Target, Kohls. I've never seriously checked out their blanket and bedding section, but Korean blankets are supposed to be the bomb- mattress bedding that is super cooling and lightweight. I can only shop here on rare occasions that I make the long drive to K-town, so for me it's fun treasure hunt shopping, and I know I won't be able to return anything easily. This is also a great store to shop for cute gifts. The workers prob. can understand English, but don't expect American style customer service, that's not what you're coming for in older classic K-town businesses.

    Photos
    Kim's Home Center - Happy dog

    Happy dog

    Kim's Home Center - Toothbrush holder

    Toothbrush holder

    Kim's Home Center - Toothbrush holder

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    Toothbrush holder

    Rafu Bussan - artsandcrafts - Updated May 2026

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