actually 2.5 star rating.

Small place, been there 25 years!
A Survivor of Monterey Park vanishing Japanese population!

This does not make a place good~ to survive as a business in a local neighborhood!
SO:
This is complete with:“Poor parking, pushy waitress, impolite, very crowded with being noisy and loud inside.”
We had a Japanese guy as waitress- with difficult to understand English!

A guard Outside, posted on the sidewalk?
Why?

The Sushi Chef a bad attitude, would not let us take pictures of the Sushi Bar, as people would see his secret!
Imagine that.. We could not even shoot pictures of the lack of ambiance, and cheap decor!

We had to ask for Green tea, served in a large cup- which sure was not visually correct.
Amazing for a Japanese place! two cups brought, with 3 of us at table!

We had to ask for ice water, which came in small cheep glasses- which after my salty Sukiyaki, need refills!!!
When the tea and ice water was brought, we had to ask again, for tea and ice water for the 3 us!
When 2 cups of ice water came- we had to ask for the 3rd!
Service sucks!

Ambiance sucks also- is 25 year old Disneyesque Japanese.
Place need whole makeover to be with the times!

Outside, stood a Viet Namese guard!
For what I do not know!
Maybe a rebellion when people get the bill?

What shows distinction, in a Sushi joint is real Wasabi!
These days, real Wasabi is grown also in the state of Washington, so readily available, and rated superior to Japanese.

Taihei used Artificial powdered Wasabi.

I had Salmon Uni Egg Rolls.
2 rolls, cost $4.50

Came with Wasabi, made from powder, hot nasty taste.
The ginger served with the rolls- I would not eat as did not look good!

So, have not had Sukiyaki in years, so tried the Hot Pot Udon, beef, Sukiyaki bowl.
I remember Japanese restaurants- where the waitress, in Kamona, would bring a propane stove to table, and prepare and cook food in front of you!
Now that is a dining experience!

What came and passed off as Sukiyaki- had actually no distinguishing flavor only sick sweet taste with much to much sugar and salt.

Beef had nasty taste, overcooked as 3 days before and dropped into a pot!
The mushrooms were dry re soaked, and had poor taste!

Overall @ $17 a poor excuse, small size, so-so Sukiyaki!

With dinner came a salad, cheap iceberg lettuce in a plain small bowl, and a cherry tomato! Wow~
and Miso Soup which was soso, with 2 small tofu squares in it!

On the table others also ordered: was Tempura which looked ok.
A Snapper, boiled, and served on plate, which had a great smell.

Tuna sashimi- very dark red, thick cut like with a ginsu knife, so had a terrible look, rough texture, and to me not appetizing look.

SUSHI knifes as Sushi Chef’s are like a tradition!!! Knifes are costly, hand made~ like $250 up!
I do not know what cut the Tuna, maybe a Ginzu knife- but if this cut with bad texture and grain of tuna- BAD!
As a SUSHI chef, then this then is the worse!

I would not return here for any reason!
Overpriced, bad ambiance, rotten pushy service, slow to pick up empty dishes…

Nothing in the Sushi, the Sushi bar, or food would draw me back!

So much for Taihei!!!

Beware of the overinflated high star reviews in Yelp!!!

PS: Forgot the cheap napkins, in a old dispenser so difficult to pull out, and of such small size- to me using napkins as this is of the poorest taste, even McDonald’s has quality napkins compared to what Taihei has
_~~
FOOD: 2.5
Service:1
Ambiance:2
Price:1
Value:1

PS: next door, is:
Shina No Yoru
Japanese Food and Karaoke
2201 S. Garfield!
323- 721-3242

So here is a traditional old and correct ambiance hole in the wall, with Karaoke real Bar, and Food prepared special for the day.
Food is not served every day- so call!
here is the real experience!
This is a Rare Find~ and I intend to enjoy this place Soon!
It sits back from the street, looks like a old house, opens around 8PM,
and has all the intrigue of a Murder Mystery dinner!
Complete with private room, where private entertainment can be arranged- or bring your own!
~