Being located in the back corner of a plaza that also houses Autobahn gas station and market, a psychic and a sandwich shop might not seem promising. Then again, that combo is just quirky enough to work in LA, a hotbed for strip mall culture. Tokyo Cube debuted this spring near the rise to Universal City featuring Japanese dishes both traditional and progressive.

A fenced patio with strings of lights, paper lanterns and green carpet gives way to a dining room and sushi bar with wood tables and mural of cartoon people. The name Tokyo Cube refers to the featured cuisine and restaurant’s diminutive size. They sell sushi rolls and sashimi aplenty, but fusion noodle dishes like khao soi ramen and king crab udon carbonara struck me as more compelling.

Udon Pad Thai ($10.95) features bouncy udon noodles tossed with scrambled egg, scallion, bean sprouts and cooked carrot shingles, all coated in a tangy tamarind sauce bolstered with ginger and spices. Up top, you’ll find two shell-on prawns, butterflied to allow for easier plucking. Garnishes include raw carrot shavings, cilantro and a squeeze of lemon.

3175 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Los Angeles, 323-366-2233