I literally picked this place as it was in the middle of who I was meeting. We've all never been there. Saw some pics via yelp and figured there was a lot to choose from. Parking: you can either park on the street, if there is parking; or park in the lot where h can enter from the back of the restaurant. Get there before 5 to grab a seat because the place fills up QUICK. Inside is small and narrow. If you're not a big eater, share a dish. Their portions are HUGE!! Biggest plates I've seen for a Japanese restaurant. The servers there work hard and try to be quick as possible. I would definitely come back here. read more

Azuma's menu is incredibly extensive, offering just about every type of Japanese comfort food you can think of. From sashimi, yakitori, udon, donburi, and so much more. With so many options, it was honestly a little overwhelming to choose. I decided to keep things simple and ordered the sashimi and broiled mackerel fish set, which came with rice, miso soup, cabbage salad, and macaroni salad. My husband couldn't settle on just one dish, so he went all out with a chicken oyakodon, grilled salmon, steamed eggplant, and a stir-fried chicken and bean sprout dish. The restaurant itself is narrow and deep, which actually reminded me of some of the small alleyway restaurants we visited during our travels in Japan. It added to the cozy and authentic feel. The service was attentive, especially when we requested a few extra items. One thing that really stood out was their ponzu sauce. It seemed to include green onions and perhaps a touch of vinegar, and it was absolutely delicious. It paired perfectly with the sashimi, steamed eggplant, and even the chicken dishes. Next time, I'm definitely going to spend some time studying the menu beforehand. The portions were generous enough that we had leftovers for another meal, and we were lucky enough to find parking right in front of the restaurant. read more

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There is so much to choose from on their menu. I had the sashimi and croquette combo which was so good. Service was good too. I'm assuming they were busy prior to us arriving as the floor was still dirty with chopsticks and napkin still on the floor and there was rice on the chair. read more

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Came for the lunch menu on a weekday and it was as quite busy! I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken and Tempura combo, and it came with miso soup, salad, rice, and orange slices. The Teriyaki Chicken was quite flavorful but on the roasted side. The tempura was very freshly fried and pairs nicely with the grated daikon and sauce. Salad was shredded cabbage with thousand island and was a nice fresh touch to the meal. Vibe was similar to the Showa era izakayas in Japan. All things considered, I would return and try the sashimi combos next time! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Tempura 02. Tempura and Chicken Teriyaki Lunch - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

Another fantastic meal! I don't know I f there is a better Japanese Restaurant in the South Bay, Azuma is hard to beat. The service is always pleasant and quick, and always with politeness. The Japanese decor and the delicious authentic meals add to the charm of this Japanese Izakaya. I need to try other dishes, everything looks so good. read more

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Authentic Japanese food and it doesn't even look busy from the outside until you enter through the back. Sign the waitlist in the back. Why Azuma? Portion size, value budget wise, and most importantly it's delish! Food 4/5 - Sashimi salad 3.5/5 Too much dressing but huge chunks of fish. Wish there was more greens. - Tori Zousui 4/5 Delish and not too salty - Saba Shioyaki 4/5 Can't go wrong with a good saba Everyone gets their teriyaki here and katsu! Service 4/5 Quick and fast service from all staff members Ambience 3/5 The spacing inside is very very tight/small from the bar seating to the inside. read more

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I didn't believe it, but it's true. Comfort food. Hearty portions and nothing fancy. Just solid Japanese food. That's Azuma! Ended up here last night for dinner. Was craving Japanese, like I usually do. But before I get into it, know that Azuma is in a tiny strip on the corner of 162nd and Western. There's some street parking in front (on Western) but there's a parking lot around back. There's an entrance back there as well. Free. No attendant. No meter. Was the first to walk in right at 5. The hours are wrong here on Yelp. I didn't ask for clarification to submit corrections on their behalf, just know, it was a Wednesday and when I got there, had to wait until 5 when they opened for dinner. Tiny spot. If you're heading with a large group, get there early or call ahead. I don't know if they take reservations - you'll have to ask to find out. If you're a single or couple, shouldn't be an issue. There's counter seating in front of an open kitchen area and a handful of tables. Larger parties are in the back half of the restaurant. Service was friendly. I don't remember her name but she handled her guests like a pro. This wasn't a place to linger after you ate. It was bustling and because I had ordered so much food (see pics), took me a while as I watched several tables around me turnaround while I was still eating. Then the food - like I mentioned at the start - the portion sizes are no joke. I ended up taking quite a bit home that I'll have for lunch today. The fried dishes came out quickly so they seemed right off the grill. And they come out when they come out - just like Japan. Back to the portion sizes - I should have taken pics from different angles to give you a better idea but you'll just have to use your imagination or go try it yourself. To the Sashimi - large chunks, served a little on the cold side for my taste but still good as I don't like it warm and slimy. Comes with rice and salad + Miso. That itself would have been enough for me. I enjoyed it all and is on my list to return to if I'm craving Japanese food and in the area. read more

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I came here after work to meet one of my friends. It is such a random hole in the wall spot that totally blew me away! My friend and I were seated immediately and service was very quick and efficient the whole time. What totally blew me away though was the food because everything was such good quality with huge portions and reasonable prices. The beef steak was HUGE and perfectly grilled to perfection. It was so juicy and tender! We also got the tempura and sashimi combo. The tempura had a lot of good variety and was super crispy! The sashimi slices were HUGE and super fresh, and came with salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. For the izakaya, we got chicken gizzard, bacon-wrapped scallop, and beef tongue. The chicken gizzard was a bit dry so I would definitely pass on it next time. The scallops were pretty big and delicious, but the standout was definitely the beef tongue. It was soo juicy, perfectly firm, and overall just so amazing!! My friend and I were both tempted to order more but we were so full and already had so many leftovers. Overall I was so pleasantly surprised and impressed with my experience here and would definitely recommend it! read more

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One of those hidden gems in socal. I will say that this place feels very real in the sense that's it's about the food. There entrees are fresh, tasteful, and generous in serving size. The staff are friendly and efficient. The place is small with parking in the back. Bar and table seating. You might have a short wait but absolutely worth it. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Chicken Teriyaki Dinner - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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Got here at opening so we didn't have the wait. Otherwise be prepared to wait an hour or more during peak hours. The lunch combo is good so you can have the best of both worlds. Chicken Cutlet Don: 4.5/5- The sauce on the meat was very flavorful and sweet. Also comes with a lot of rice. Beef Teriyaki Lunch: 4/5- Tastes like your average teriyaki, it is a large portion. Paired it with the sashimi which was also good. Potato Croquette: 5/5- The outside was very flaky and crispy. read more

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Azuma has been around for a long time and they have been consistently good. I've only eaten lunch and they serve traditional Japanese dishes. Portions are generous but high quality especially their sashimi which is what I ordered with tempura. Each order comes with cabbage salad,scoop of macaroni salad, miso soup and rice. Service is friendly and attentive. The place can get crowded but it's worth the wait. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Sashimi and tempura lunch - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

The good: A friend recommended this spot to me so I had to check it out! We parked in the back and got seated right away for lunch. I tried seafood udon for $17 and a bento special (salmon collar and shumai). It came with macaroni salad, miso soup, a lot of rice, and a tofu with pickled veggies on top. My mom liked the fatty/bony piece of salmon and said it was very good (a very rare compliment from her). The seafood udon was delicious. The soup wasn't too salty. It had an acidic citrus or wine aftertaste that was great. There were also two types of fish in it and there was a lot of it! There was also shrimp inside. The portion for the bento was huge. I think it could've fed 2 people. The interior decor was minimalistic and Japanese-esque with paper lanterns, Japanese curtains, and muted cream colors and wood. The bad: The octopus was tough in the udon. The interior of the restaurant is small and divided into two sections. The interesting: They got very busy around 12! read more

On a Saturday night around 6pm, the wait for 2 wasn't too bad; maybe only 10-15 minutes. Azuma constantly has patrons, which is a good sign! Despite their business, the food comes out in good time and their waiters are good about checking in. I got a sake chazuke and the grilled eggplant. Both portions were much bigger than I expected. I could've gotten the chazuke alone and been satisfied. The sake chazuke was a really great dish! It was warm and filling--a great comfort dish. They gave lots of rice and broth, and didn't skimp on the salmon! The salmon was cooked well, almost crisp on its edges and flavorful. It was topped with a good amount of wood ear mushrooms, nori and green onions for some added flavor and texture too. Definitely would get this dish again. The grilled eggplant comes with two whole eggplants, skinned and topped with lots of bonito. I would've preferred if the skin was left on so there was more texture to the dish. It was a little bland without it. But adding some shoyu on top helped! They also gave us complimentary miso soups! Both my boyfriend and I agreed that their miso flavor was richer than others we've had and it was a nice, warm way to start our meal! One of the better restaurants in the area and I'd be back again and willing to try other items! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Sake Chazuke Dinner - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

I can't believe I missed this restaurant after living in the South Bay for so many years. I came with friends who have been get before. The food was so good. We ordered several items to share. I really like the spam omelette lol but I have a soft spot for Spam. The grilled beef was really tasty and tender. And the tempura was crunchy and delicious. I cannot recall the other dishes but trust me when I say everything was good. The restaurant is not very big or fancy but it's clean and good for a group if you get there early.Also it does get crowded. So maybe be prepared for a wait. There is parking on street and the back. Service is quick and efficient. As they serve a lot of tables and tables turn quickly, you may need to signal if you need something. read more

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This isn't a fancy or trendy Japanese restaurant, but it serves the kind of traditional Japanese comfort food that's becoming harder to find. The menu includes favorites like tempura, chicken teriyaki, beef teriyaki, nabeyaki udon, macaroni salad, and green salad. We ordered the tempura and beef teriyaki combination plate and a bowl of nabeyaki udon. The portions were huge. It was more than enough for the three of us to share. The food was very good, fresh, and satisfying. While it may not be the very best Japanese food I've ever had, the generous portions, variety of classic dishes, and good value make it a place I'd gladly return to. Also the wait staff was friendly and accommodating read more

Definitely a hole in the wall but the food is yummy. Located next to a massage joint and apartment complex contributes to azuma's understated appearance. But go there for the food. Go early or be prepared to wait. They don't take reservations. I'm happy when I get seated at the counter so I can observe the cooks prepare the meals with such efficiency. There's really something for anyone's taste. I always judge a Japanese restaurant by the freshness of the sashimi and it is always fresh and sliced generously. Sashimi combos come with hamachi, sake, maguro, and tako (yellowtail, salmon, tuna, octopus). It's exciting to observe the chefs slice it from the counter, The tempura is nice--generous portion with a delicate outer crisp. The black cod was grilled to perfection (nothing worse than over cooked fish). The curry with katsu was delicious. Remarkably the portions are always generous but the meals are not cheap. Worth it. read more

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I had to try this place out again as I had not been here in years and remembered that it was really good old traditional Japanese food. Had to say it did not disappoint. They still serve old traditional style Japanese food with the highest of quality. A must try are their sashimi, grilled items and their combination dinners. This time we ordered a little of everything as we had not been here in years. The highest lights were miso salmon, grilled chicken wings (huge) , and kakuni pork. Their onigiri rice balls were massive and tasty. Hint. Parking is a little tough, try to park in the back parking lot vs the street. You may have to wait but be patient as it's worth it. read more

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Azuma is a cozy restaurant in gardena that serves up delicious authentic japanese food. They have anything from sashimi to yakitori. We went and got the beef steak dinner and beef tongue skewers. They were both SO good. The steak dinner is enough for two meals in my opinion. It is charred and topped with a delicious teriyaki sauce. The beef tongue skewers also had a nice char and super soft. There are only a few servers but they do a good job checking in on everybody and getting bc you anti you need. If you're looking for a big portion of authentic japanese food for a good price Azuma is your place ! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Beef Tongue Skewer - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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The bento lunch specials are spectacular. The food is very tasty and Azuma have different bentos each weekday.

From customer service to the food quality this place is 100% the best. Always so welcoming and the beef teriyaki is always a must! The cooks are always soooo kind that I always look forward to sitting in the bar area. Definitely recommend read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

Azuma Restaurant is a Japanese restaurant that I discovered by chance 25 years ago. It doesn't feel like a high-end Japanese restaurant; rather, it has the charm of a cozy neighborhood spot--the kind you might find right next door to your home in Japan. Although prices have risen somewhat recently due to inflation, The taste and portion sizes have remained consistent over a long period of time. Azuma / 吾妻 / My Wife read more

Our daughter brought us here last week, and we were stunned by the portions!! It was pricey, but well worth it!! We sampled each other's dishes. My favorite was the teriyaki steak. Might be the 2nd or 3rd best steak I have ever had!! (My own is definitely 1st, marinated overnight in Korean BBQ sauce and cooked medium rare, 2nd was Ruth's Chris because it comes out so HOT.) The teriyaki chicken was pretty good 4 stars, as was the Katsu Curry Chicken, 4 stars. The rice was $5.00 per bowl. Vegetable choices are very lacking. Wished there were grilled veggies to finish the meals. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Teriyaki ribeye steak, medium rare. Superyum!! Has a deep flavor. Go hungry!! - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

Stop reading this review and go to Azuma now! As a VERY picky traditional Japanese diner, I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant. Went there for the first time today at lunch on the way to a meeting and I plan to go back ANY time that I'm anywhere near Gardena. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Best Chicken Teriyaki plate I've had in SoCal in a long while! - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

You'll wait to get a table, but it'll be worth it! The salmon skin salad is the best I've ever had. The space is tight so be prepared to get cozy with your neighbors. The staff are super nice and accommodating as well. read more

Honestly I have passed by this location SO many times and never noticed! My girlfriend and I finally seeked out this Japanese restaurant and was not disappointed! We got there around 5pm, so we did not really have to wait we just got seated right away. The interior and the staff are really nice, you're able to see the chefs cooking and mingle with each other as well! One thing I will say, do come here on an empty stomach as their dinner plates are BIG! Even their "Small" Unagi was bigger than I thought it would be. Each dish stood out in their own way. But the Beef Teriyaki was just cooked to perfection. Plus all the added tempura just completed the dish and we definitely took home some left overs! I look forward to trying this place again soon!! IG: Lovingyourtaste read more

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If I had to recommend 1 Japanese restaurant in the South Bay to someone, it would be Azuma. The menu is super extensive; there is definitely something for everyone! Even before we finished our food, my parents vowed to come back. Broiled fish and beef teriyaki combo: 1000/5. The BEST beef teriyaki I've ever had in my life (and always so consistent)!! What makes it so good is that they use good quality RIBEYE STEAK. They grill it perfectly and have the perfect teriyaki sauce that is not too sweet or salty. I've tried the saba and the black cod, and I will say that the black cod is worth the extra $4. It's seasoned perfectly with miso, and it's broiled until each layer flakes off easily. So tender, buttery, juicy... everything that you'd want black cod to be. The miso soup was also super delicious and not too salty. Nabeyaki Udon: 4/5. Not bad, but not the best in the area since I don't believe they make their own udon! The udon was also overcooked, but it's a nice dish for when you're sick and want something gentle on the stomach! I like how they add spinach, fried mochi, kamaboko, 2 shrimp tempura, boiled egg, and kitsune. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - 14. Broiled Fish and Beef Teriyaki Dinner Combination - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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One of my favorite mom and pop Japanese food in the area. It's open late and the food is always delicious. We ordered the tempura udon and the katsu omelet rice to share. The portion were huge and it was perfect for a cold night. You may have to wait a little since the restaurant is small but you won't regret it! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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The food was amazing! Its pricey this was $90 but it was worth every penny! It was so good! So flavorful! I highly recommend it! Its a small restaurant but it was cute and clean. The service was fantastic! Cant wait to go back! read more

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A small Japanese restaurant with enormous portions! It is very unassuming from the exterior, in fact its super easy to pass by without knowing it! We turn at the corner of 162nd & S. Western Ave. There's a parking lot back there as well as an entrance to Azuma. They do get busy, so it's best to arrive close to when they open. They have a pretty extensive menu. We've been dining here for many years and know what we want although we sometimes will try something we hadn't yet tried. Like lots of people have said, the plates are huge and portions are generous! Those are facts! I really enjoy their Teriyaki Beef, Sashimi, and Tempura! I've eaten various items like fish, skewers, & soups. Food comes out hot and is delicious. Service is quick. We usually share the Teriyaki Beef & Tempura and I'll get an order of skewers or sashimi. We often have leftover beef and take it home. We love their simple cabbage salad - it's just basic cabbage with a Japanese Mayo Dressing similar to a Thousand Island Dressing. It's so good! We will be back, that's for sure! read more

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One of my all-time favorite spots! I've been coming to this little Japanese hole-in-the-wall for over 10 years, and it never disappoints. We ordered the teriyaki steak combo with sashimi on the side -- the steak was cooked perfectly, super tender, and the sauce was so flavorful and paired perfectly with the meat. We also got the pork katsu and the Hamachi collar -- both were amazing! The katsu was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside, and the Hamachi collar was so tender and full of flavor. I love sitting at the bar here -- it's such a fun vibe watching everyone cook right in front of you. Perfect spot to grab some sake, enjoy great food, and just relax. The staff is always so kind and friendly, and the service is always on point. Definitely one of those places that keeps you coming back! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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Went here for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. It's a hole in the wall type of storefront, just a modest sign that you can easily miss. There is a parking lot in the back too. I ordered one of the combos for lunch and had some fresh sashimi and tempura. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, and the tempura was hot and crispy. Everything you could ask for. The price was reasonable for what I got (around $25). I would totally come here again and would recommend it to others. read more

Omelet rice is very good, reminds me of home cooking. The portion is super generous. The plate is bigger than twice my face! Service is nice. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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I was here a couple weeks ago with my coworkers. The food was very authentic and so tasty. We ordered the sashimi dinner combo and they were so fresh and yummy. The portion was very satisfying, and we were so happy camper after we ate here. The service was so quick, friendly and attentive. They have really good ambiance as well. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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Huge menu. Large plates. Classic Japanese food. Small place in Gardena that maintains classic cuisine

Huge portions and delicious food this place gets packed during lunch and dinner. Locals love this place! Azuma is a staple of Japanese food in Torrance/gardena area read more

Last week we had the chicken teriyaki,so this week we decided to try the teriyaki beef and tempura combination plate and chicken cutlet curry. Both were amazing dishes and we'd definitely eat that again. Small restaurant with few tables but we were seated not long after writing our names on the name board. Great lunch specials and they pile on the food! I was going to get a beef plate but for just $4 more I got the tempura and beef combination plate. There were about 7 pieces of tempura including two shrimp! You also get soup,salad,Mac salad, & rice. read more

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Gotta love this place! Some of the best food I've had in the city in a long time. Everything was fresh and warm and delicious! Had a basic chicken teri plate with tempura shrimp and veggies with all the trimmings. I devoured it. It was so great. The place is modest but don't be fooled. The food is spectacular and the staff is great. The price is pretty reasonable too! Be back soon. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Chicken Teriyaki Dinner Plate - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

We were in the area and wanted to find a dinner spot nearby last minute and it was a nice surprise! Every dish was great. We walked in an hour before they close but they were still very welcoming. Service was great. Gyoza and the mazemen are both a must order! We also loved the seafood hotpot. Overall everything was great and we would love to come back again soon! read more

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Just like I remembered it. So delicious. Azuma is a Japanese Restaurant Destination that has high quality, large portion plates. We ordered the following: 1. Beef Teriyaki 2. Black Cod The plates come with salad, Mac salad, orange slices, miso soup, rice. Always a good time at Azuma :) read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Beef Teriyaki Dinner Plate - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

Great place for a casual Japanese meal! We got their okonomiyaki, steak and sashimi combo and Katsu curry. Great portions compared to other Japanese restaurants. Everything tasted good! Steak was a bit on the fatty chewy side but can't complain for the price! Overall had a good experience and would love to try other menu items! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California