Japantown sees frequent turnover along Sawtelle Boulevard, but some restaurants have become neighborhood haunts. Mizu 212 is a corner shabu shabu bar named for the temperature where water boils that has always intrigued me. A friend’s visit to L.A. finally spurred a meal at their serpentine green bar topped with bubbling pots on induction burners.

Mizu 212’s menu features organic ingredients From the Sea, From the Land, and From the Ground, including Prime grade buffalo rib-eye and Kobe-style Wagyu beef “uber grade.” I opted for three more mainstream proteins: lamb, ocean trout, and best of all, Natural Berkshire Pork Kurobuta ($29 large). Rosy, thin-shaved, fat-rimmed pork sheets boil in an instant alongside udon noodles (my recommendation) or gluten free glass noodles and a panoply of vegetables. Expect a plate loaded with Napa cabbage, baby bok choy, carrots, green onion, broccoli, shimeji and shiitake mushroom, tofu, chrysanthemum, asparagus, kabocha squash and snow peas. The overall effect is quite mild compared to neighboring ramen practitioners, but still satisfying, especially when dipped in house-made ponzu or nutty goma (sesame) sauce.

Dose of Vitamin P spotlights my favorite pork dish from the previous week.