Six Taste Blog

Give us the run down: your name, hometown and what tour you lead.

My name is Brian Takahashi and I’m from Harbor City, CA. I lead the Little Tokyo Tour, 6 months and going strong!

Of the five tastes, which one are you?

I like the mix of all.  Yeah, I’m a greedy one, but you need all of the tastes to make it good!! I am partial to super spicy, I am a fire eater.

What is the best thing about being a Tour Guide?

It’s the people, the great people, that come on our tours that makes it all worth while.  I really do get to take out a group of friends around the town every weekend.  How cool is that?  The great company is what makes me glad to come back tour after tour and it’s also a great way to meet the opposite sex (or so I’ve heard).

What do you do when you’re not working as a guide?

On the weekdays I work for Easter Seals, a non-profit organization that helps disabled adults. I’m also an actor. I like to learn new skills and keep active so I am teaching myself Locking (80’s dance with lots of wrist twirls), Kempo, and when I have time, I do Parkour or freerun (french extreme sport).

Sounds like you’re busy 24/7! When you find time to eat, where do you enjoy going?

I like a place in Torrance called Mankey’s. It’s good, cheap Japanese-American home style food, but I also love BBQ.  One of my favorite places is called Joey’s BBQ. It’s a good place to go if you need a BBQ fix.   Did I mention it’s owned by Luke Walton from the LA Lakers?

So is it safe to say that BBQ is your guilty pleasure?

No—Joe Joe cookies from Trader Joe’s is my guilty pleasure. I swear those things have cocaine, or something other than sugar in them. After one, you are hooked. What?….Cocaine is natural!

If you say so! Are they really that good? Would that be your last meal if you were on Death Row?

If I could request a last meal, I’d probably request the potlucks at my family get-togethers. That would take like 3 days to eat everything. By that time I’ll find a way to get out.

Clever. Next Subject! What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?

Blow fish testicles, and no I’m not joking…

What an excellent way to end the interview.

In addition, Brian has been in the acting business for 9 years and has been in such films as Crank, Letters from Iwo Yima and Wild Cherry.  Brian graduated with a BA in theatre arts @ Cal State Long Beach.  Brian is part of Cold Tofu Comedy improv group for 9 years which has shows every third Sat of the month.