01/22/23 Update - Konbi Culver City and Silverlake are now closed (sobs)

Leaving this post up in memory that they did it right and did it their way. I look forward to the next iteration of Konbi and to whatever ventures they do next.

The Tunafish Sandwich Konbi — *The Tunafish Sandwich*

Konbi Culver City is officially open! It soft opened last Wednesday and as word spread, lines started forming. EaterLA was the first to officially report, and then Konbi’s IG throughout the week continued to highlight the food, the hype and - yes, the lines. There were lines out the door. Lines before the restaurant opened.

I suspect being added to the LA Michelin Guide, might have contributed to the hype - but I also think they have built their near cult following by continuously producing high quality, desirable food on their own :)

From what I have observed, the Westside demand for Konbi is stronger then ever (perhaps it was the 2+ year wait?). The restaurant features an expanded storefront, with a sleek stainless steel, kitchen, and limited indoor counter tops and stools for casual bite situation. Customers order, wait a few minutes - and take their food to-go.

I saw most patrons eating at the One Culver City’s outdoor seating (insider tip, you can eat at One Culver City’s indoor, atrium lobby if outside is a bit too sunny for your taste — entrance is to the left of GGET).

I arrived bright-eyed at 8:30a for their first Saturday opening only to find a sign announcing that they would open at 9a and not their earlier posted 8a (you’ve been warned). A crowd of Konbi fans lingered around the door. To kill time, I grabbed coffee at the next door GGET. After my oat latte was in-hand, a distinct line of five had formed. We immediately joined. Then 10 people appeared out of nowhere hopping in behind us!

Konbi Culver City menu — *The day’s menu (seems to be posted daily) ;)*

*First week of opening, Saturday morning line for Konbi*

T-minus five minutes until their 9a opening - the line was 30 people deep. A stocky man with black hipster glasses and checkered Vans popped his head out and introduced himself as Tony - the Director of Operations. He announced that they were offering the full menu (yum) and ask that everyone be considerate and not buy up all their pastries in one go (though they did not yet have an official limit to the number you could buy).

We were inside and at the register within five minutes of opening. Tony was very knowledgeable and introduced ALL the pastry highlights, patiently answering any questions.

The Pastry options include:

Chocolate croissant
Classic butter croissant
Chewy, smaller pastry which they fill with chocolate and a touch of citrus
Mini Caneles
Pistachio, almond, chocolate croissant (twice baked!)
Peach tart (?)
Bread drizzled with a rum syrup with mascarpone and strawberries
Ice Cream

*Canele and Pistachio almond chocolate croissant*

Konbi Ice Cream Flavors — *Ice Cream Flavors*

Of course, I had to get the twice baked Pistachio Croissant! The cashier agreed that it was one of his favorites - so I am confident.

Sandwich wise - I ordered the Tunafish Sandwich (tuna, picked celery, cucumber, Nori Mayo - and I saw some herbs/dill!), since I already tried the Eggplant Katsu last time.

As an avid sugar queen, I personally loved the Pistachio Croissant. It was perfectly crispy with little flakes flying off with every bit. It was perfectly sweet and a hint of savory. When I got to the end, that’s when the chocolate revealed itself and that blend of almond, pistachio, sugar and butter - it was good!

The Sandwich was a classic, well-composed, Tunafish sandwich. Konbi used a signature, fluffy, white, square bread (Bub & Grandma’s) - cut in general portions with a sliver of “filling”. Then it’s perfectly sliced into three equal portions and gently placed into a square Konbi box — basically a gift-wrapped sandwich package (beautiful).

Konbi tunafish sandwich — *Tunafish Sandwich*

I suspect the hype will settle down in a few weeks time, so lines won’t be quite so arduous! On Friday, my friend reported a 45 minute wait at 11am — not bad, but not a grab and go situation just yet. Another customer reported at 10a on a Thursday, there was virtually no line - so who knows!

Now with two strongholds, GGET and Konbi anchoring the Culver One complex (which also houses corporate Apple offices and Equinox) and the Culver Hotel restaurant and live music back, Culver City is #winning. From a sleepy Sony studio neighborhood, to now part of the growing LA tech scene, I expect more exciting Culver City developments to come.