These Are Her Favorite Spots Around LA
Name: Atsuko Okatsuka LA Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka
Job Title: Comedian
Resident of: Los Angeles
Local Living: 22 years
“I love that I get to make people laugh and that I get to make my own work hours.”
3 Things That Make Me Laugh:
-When the Wayans brothers pretended to know the lyrics to “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton in the movie “White Chicks”
-William Zabka’s earnest delivery when he says Chili’s, Marie Callender’s and Red Lobster are nice restaurants in “Cobra Kai”
-Tig Notaro doing anything
LA Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka
In the Mind of a Comedian
Something people don’t know about my day-to-day life is that I talk to myself a lot…outside, to my plants; my plants always hear my jokes first!
Laughing for a Living
I love thinking about jokes and what makes things funny and turning them into bits. My fans inspire me. Sometimes, they’ll give me ideas after I’ve tried out a joke online or share their own experiences with the topic. I’m very vulnerable in my comedy, and for them to meet me where I’m at is so beautiful and moving.
LA Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka
Supporting Local
Chang’s Garden is a gem in Arcadia, where my grandma and mom live. The folks there are super-friendly, and the variety of foods they have range from Szechuan flavors to duck and delicious seafood. You just have to try it—they fed us through the pandemic!
Under the Palm Trees
Even if you’re not staying at Ace Hotel Swim & Club in Palm Springs, it’s nice to hang out by the pool and dine at King’s Highway. They’ve got your classic salads and burgers, handmade pastas—and if you’re feeling baller, branzino! There’s also a lovely spa there too. I took my grandma here, and she told me she never wanted to leave Palm Springs after that.
Give a Gift
A family business since 1946, Bunkado Gift Shop in Little Tokyo is a great place to go for Japanese trinkets, postcards and even maneki-nekos (I bought one here; it’s the cat statue that welcomes you at most Japanese restaurants). Local tip: the entire second floor is a sale section!
LA Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka
Career Inspiration
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Margaret Cho was a huge inspiration for why I wanted to become a comedian. To find out you can make people laugh and show them different ways to look at the world as a job was mind-blowing…and that I was good at it (?!) was a great combination of motivation to keep at it.
LA Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
