Natsumi Saeki was 7 years old when her parents, Midori and Shojiro, took over an Indian restaurant called Silver Spoons and opened Japanese American Ducks in 1995. The restaurant began with a small menu of Japanese homestyle dishes such as warm bowls of fried pork cutlet and curry, broiled unagi served over rice, and soba noodles accompanied by towering plates of tempura swathed in a popcorn-like batter. Although the offerings haven’t changed too much in 30 years, Natsumi has taken over and continued her family’s legacy of feeding San Gabriel Valley residents.
What to order
- Start with chikuwa tempura, a bouncy fish cake appetizer with craggy, sharp strands of batter that look like pulled sugar.
- Pork katsu curry has been my most reliable entree for years now. The pork cutlet gets pounded thin without drying out and uses a satisfyingly crunchy panko crust that’s pleasant against the silky texture of the curry and fluffiness of Japanese medium grain rice.
- Soba sets are ideal in winter or summer because you can choose hot or chilled broth. The accompanying mixed tempura provides crunch against the soft strands of buckwheat noodles.
- When I want to splurge, I opt for the unagi bowl. Broiled eel has been glazed in a sweet and savory tare sauce and arrives so tender it yields to the lightest touch — worth the entirety of its $31 price tag.
The vibe
The dining room of Ducks remains comfortable and unfussy. It feels like eating in an auntie’s living room: a collection of rubber ducks gifted from longtime customers line every windowsill
and shelf and portraits of Natsumi’s cat, Chibi, hang on the walls. Bookshelves of manga series are also available for perusing.
Insider tip
For heat seekers, order the curry extra spicy. You can also request drops of an in-house chile oil, fiery enough to amplify any dish with just a few drops.
