Echo Park’s New Japanese Sandwich Shop Is a Total Charmer

Echo Park’s next sunny newcomer is Konbi, a Japanese-influenced sandwich shop that also serves French pastries, roasted veggies, and morning coffee. The multi-hyphenate Sunset Boulevard storefront is cool, quirky, and is officially ready to roll, with an opening slated for tomorrow morning.

Konbi is the work of two longtime friends: Akira Akuto and Nick Montgomery. The duo has been collaborating for years, including a stint opening Osso in the Arts District and, before that, Momofuku out of New York City. Now they’re keeping things simple with quick-fire katsu sandwiches, omelette sandwiches, house-made croissants and canelés, and lots of caffeinated beverages. The opening menu is below.

As for the space, fashioned by Otto Design Group, expect pared-back simplicity by way of tall ceilings, blonde wood, and one thin ten-seat counter for easy eating. Konbi’s daily hours will keep the team inside from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but there’s also expected to be a large takeaway component, complete with some gorgeous boxes.

Konbi debuts tomorrow, right at a time of great interest in the greater dining scene of Echo Park. The big Lost Knight building is being rehabbed into something new and special, while the Brite Spot diner just got some proper new ownership itself. The new Bar Calo is already rather busy just up the street, and another cocktail option is set to open further down. It’s a good time to be dining in Echo Park indeed, and the addition of Konbi is sure to help.

Konbi. 1463 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

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