Last night in Gardena and found this restaurant on Yelp. Ordered the Tempura and Beef Teriyaki combo and was not disappointed! Tempura consisted of shrimp (2), onion, pumpkin, zucchini, bean, and bell pepper. The beef teriyaki was the star! Steak was so tender that you could cut it with a fork and was cooked perfectly!!! Will for sure go again next time we're in Gardena!!! Thank you!!! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - 01. Tempura and Beef Teriyaki Dinner - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

See all

I can't believe it took me more than a decade of coming here to finally write a Yelp review! This is a busy, straightforward Japanese restaurant that consistently delivers. Lunch is the best time to go--the prices and portions have the best value. My go-to is the combination plate with beef teriyaki and black cod. The black cod upgrade is absolutely worth it. The beef teriyaki may sound simple, but it's on another level here--you get actual steak strips in a flavorful teriyaki sauce that is easy to enjoy and finish. The black cod is the star: slightly sweet, incredibly moist, and perfectly cooked. Just be mindful of the bones. After all these years, this remains one of my favorite reliable spots for a great Japanese meal. read more

Food was tasty and the staff was friendly. This place was busy for a Tuesday lunch and many seemed like return customers. Had the chicken cutlet curry and the chicken cutlet don and both were delicious. The curry was a large portion size. read more

See all

We've been coming to Azuma for years, so it's kind of funny that this is my first time actually writing a review. It's been one of our go-to lunch spots for a long time because it's always been consistently good. We stopped in for lunch recently and ordered the chicken don and the broiled cod and tempura combo. Everything was delicious. The chicken don was flavorful and comforting, the cod was perfectly cooked, and the tempura was light and crispy. The lunch portions are generous, so you definitely leave full. The service has always been friendly, and it's one of those places you can count on for a good meal every time. Sometimes it's the restaurants that quietly do everything well for years that deserve the recognition the most read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Chicken don - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

See all

Came by for lunch with my parents and we had different varieties of the lunch combination. I had the teriyaki steak and tempura. The food was delicious. The steak was thicker than many other teriyaki steaks at other restaurants. It was cooked well and not overdone. The tempura was unique too. They had onions, green bell pepper, other vegetables, and shrimp. Everything was well cooked and delicious. We arrived shortly after the restaurant was open. There were already people waiting but we luckily got a table pretty quickly. The interior of the restaurant is pretty small but they had 9 tables along with the bar area. It was packed and people were lined up and waiting after all the seats were filled. The food came timely and service was quick. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Beef Teriyaki and Tempura combo plate - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

I want to add another review for their lunch hour and share some menu pictures. My mom got the teriyaki steak beef plate I got the Katsudon and both were hits as usual.. friendly staff as always and not too crazy busy read more

See all

It is a tiny, cozy spot that delivers massive comfort and even bigger flavor. The space is small, the wait can stretch, but the payoff is undeniable. There is plenty of parking in the back entrance. Once you're seated, the warmth of the staff and the aroma from the kitchen set the tone immediately. The portions are generous from perfectly crisp cutlets, and homestyle dishes that feel crafted and all look so delicious. Service is excellent, the vibe is intimate, and the food consistently hits that comfort mark. This place is absolutely worth the wait. Miguel C. read more

See all

Man I really love this place. The combo dinners is really where it's at. Really large portions for a great price, especially for Japanese food. And the quality is great. Combo plates all come with a miso soup, bowl of rice, and cabbage salad. Got the sashimi (which are thickkk delicious pieces) and the miso cod (so good and flakey deliciousness). We also got the miso cod + chicken teriyaki. The portion of chicken teriyaki is largeee!!! Such a good deal and the chicken is delicious and not dry. A bit of a small restaurant, very homey and very on brand with the typical small home style Japanese restaurant in the South Bay. Service is polite and kind and speed is very reasonable. OH! They even gave us free edamame when we asked for to go boxes, they must've had extra that night before closing. A South Bay treasure I'll be coming back to again and again read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - 15. Broiled Fish and Chicken Teriyaki Dinner (black cod) - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

See all

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

See all

I'm not the biggest fan of Japanese food, but I will ALWAYS come back to Azuma!! They're a smaller restaurant, but there's a reason why it's so busy. Their food is flavorful and I'd even argue their beef teriyaki steak is honestly better than even some steak spots. I always get it medium rare and it comes out perfectly every time. But service is always quick and their servers are always so kind. This is my fav go to Japanese spot for food! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Shrimp fried rice - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

See all

Azuma has a really homey vibe to it that makes you feel like you've stepped into your aunty's house. The lunch special comes with a really great portion and the quality is top notch! read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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

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

See all

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

See all

Man! The food is great! Very busy and well known by locals. When you see people waiting outside for them to open, that tells a lot!

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

See all

LARGE portions! Great tasting Japanese food. Old school Japanese style restaurant. Comfort food at its best. We got there at opening and during our stay it steadily filled. By the time we walked out they were nearly full. They seem very used to their and delivered friendly and quick service. Been a while since I've last eaten here and so glad my Gardena buddy took me back. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Tempura Plate - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

This place is my to go spot if i crave for meat, beef tongue or sushi. Price is reasonable, it is small joint and there can be a wait time for large party. But it tastes authentic Japanese. Love this place. read more

See all

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

See all

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

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

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

See all

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

See all

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 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

See all

Good place for quick Japanese food, I had their teriyaki chicken and grilled mackerel. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Mackerel, Teryaki chicken - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

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

See all

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

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

What I think people like is the quantity. Quality lacks. This was my third visit. The first two was above average. I was very disappointed with my experience at Azuma Restaurant in Gardena at my most recent visit. I ordered the chicken and sashimi combination. The chicken was burnt, dry, and nearly inedible. I also ordered the miso eggplant, which was bland and had almost no umami flavor. What concerned me most was what I observed in the kitchen. I saw a chef handling food with his bare hands, including tossing cabbage directly onto a plate. I also observed the chef wipe his nose and then continue handling food without washing his hands. All chefs had no gloves on. Watching this raised serious concerns about sanitation and food safety. Overall, the food quality was poor, and the food handling practices I observed left me with little confidence in the restaurant's hygiene. I won't be returning. read more

Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Miso eggplant with no miso taste. - Izakaya Near Me - Gardena, California

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all