There are, of course, segregated sections of Kotosh’s menu that list distinctly Japanese and Peruvian dishes, but the best and most interesting offerings come from when Kotosh lets the two cuisines collide. One of the best examples is the tiradito de atún, a Peruvian-style tuna sashimi that pays its respects to both ends of Kotosh’s menu. The dish is a neat one—lean cuts of tuna stacked pure and plain in a domino-like row—dressed with a lemon and soy sauce and topped with sesame seeds, scallions and bits of pepper—a subtle Peruvian compliment to the flawless fish. In the same vein is the pulpo al olivo, ivory slabs of octopus scored by crisscrossed lines of a bojita olive sauce. The restaurant truly does work best with both cuisines, too, easily breaking the boundaries of typical fusion food.

KOTOSH 2408 LOMITA BLVD, STE C  LOMITA 90717  310.257.1363  OPEN MON-THURS 11AM-2:30PM AND 4:30-9PM, FRI 11AM-2:30PM AND 4:30-10PM AND SAT 11AM-10PM FOOD FOR TWO, $30-60

Tags: dinner, japanese, lomita, lunch, peruvian