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The Cortez family piled out of their car and stretched their legs. Finally, after an hour and a half drive from their Long Beach home, they had made it to Little Tokyo -- specifically, to One Piece Cafe.
"I was just sitting in the car like, 'I'm going to be at the One Piece Cafe,' " said Cammy Cortez, who was introduced to the popular manga and anime franchise by her older brother and now runs a "One Piece" fan account on X. "It's going to be a good day."
Timed to the Los Angeles Anime Convention in early July, the largest exposition dedicated to Japanese pop culture in North America, the new permanent restaurant is the second official location of One Piece Cafe, in collaboration with Toei Animation, from Andy Nguyen, a serial entrepreneur behind several themed restaurants. The first One Piece Cafe opened in Las Vegas in May 2024.
"One Piece" follows the adventures of protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, who dreams of becoming the Pirate King, and his band of Straw Hat Pirates as they seek the "One Piece" treasure. Fans of the anime have flocked to the Little Tokyo storefront, eager to try Japanese dishes inspired by "One Piece" characters like Sanji's "Diable Jambe" Chicken Katsu Sando, with 24-hour brined chicken served on sweet honey milk bread, and Zoro's Onigiri, in honor of the character's love of rice and a nod to his precision as a swordsman.
The interior dons a nautical theme, with walls...