Fujiwara Tofu Cafe

Fujiwara Tofu Cafe Opens to Hundreds of ‘Initial D’ Series Fans in SGV | Eater LA

"Opened January 20 in El Monte, this Initial D–themed cafe drew massive crowds of Japanese sports-car fans at launch, with customers waiting up to six hours and the shop selling out despite tripling inventory. Run by Vincent Chan and Cheri Kyoo, the concept grew out of Initial D pop-ups at 626 Night Market and the Asian American Expo (and a 2019 Formula Drift appearance) and was converted over a year into a storefront with stark white walls, two arcade machines, extensive memorabilia, and a neon “Everything Starts With a Dream” sign. The menu is rooted in Chan’s family tofu-making background and focuses on tofu- and soy-based, mostly non-dairy items: specialty drinks such as ovaltine mochi soy milk, taro boba, red bean matcha, black sticky rice coconut, and a salted caramel chestnut special (priced at $6.86); soy-cream–topped teas (green, black, earl grey, oolong at $5.86); bottled soy milks including a notably smooth black sesame; and a trio of ultra-silken tofu puddings (hot or cold) with brown sugar, red bean, or black sesame that are praised for their balanced sweetness. Car culture is central to the experience—prices intentionally end in .86 as an homage to the AE86, the owner parks a well-preserved Toyota Corolla Trueno AE86 out front, and the expansive strip-mall parking lot serves as a gathering spot for car and anime aficionados (with a request to avoid aggressive revving). While not formally endorsed by the series’ creators, the owners hope to earn approval and build the location into an official Initial D gathering place. Hours are currently Wednesday–Sunday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m." - Matthew Kang