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    Izakaya Akatsuki

    4.5 (478 reviews)
    ModerateNoodles, Izakaya
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    Business Info

    IZAKAYA AKATSUKI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Chicken Cutlet Curry Bowl
    Arthur E.

    Home-y vibes izakaya at a strip mall. Went for a Friday dinner. Parking was easy at the time, but do know the plaza can get a little busy in the evening. The inside decor was home-y, with regular seating and a few tatami rooms. Had a rsvp for a booth and was sat immediately. Ordered a few different dishes: - Sweet potato tempura - Agadashi tofu - yellowtail jalapeño sashimi - soba noodles - chicken curry rice Everything was really good - but the chicken curry rice and sashimi stood out. They also did get our soba noodle order wrong and received udon, but the udon was good also. Prices were reasonable for the amount of food you get. Would come back!

    Salmon
    Miguel C.

    The staff here operates with that smooth, friendly efficiency that makes you feel like they've been expecting you all day. Water refills appear out of thin air, dishes land on the table right when your stomach starts whispering, and everyone has that calm, welcoming vibe that makes the whole experience feel easy. This place is cozy, warm, and tucked away in a strip mall. it's the kind of spot where you settle in and instantly forget where you are. Soft lighting, relaxed chatter, and that comforting izakaya energy make it feel like a neighborhood hideout. You come here to unwind, snack, sip, and smile. Depending on what part of the day you arrive. Let's talk about the important things. This is where Akatsuki really flexes. Every dish hits that "oh yeah, "this is why we came out tonight" level. * Tempura, light, crispy, and somehow still fluffy. The kind of tempura that makes you judge every other tempura you've ever had. * Sunomono Octopus, bright, refreshing, and perfectly chewy. A palate cleanser that doubles as a confidence booster. * Hard Shell Clams, briny, buttery, and served sizzling. You'll be tempted to pick up the bowl and drink the broth like soup. * Salmon Bowl, so fresh, vibrant, and generously portioned. It's the bowl that hugs your soul. * Onigiri, simple, comforting, and exactly what you want it to be. A rice triangle with main-character energy. * Karaage Fried Chicken, finder licking good, crispy, juicy, and borderline dangerous. You'll consider ordering a second plate before finishing the first. * Spicy Crispy Tofu, Shockingly addictive. Even tofu skeptics will start questioning their life choices. * Yellowtail Sashimi, so delicious, clean, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. The kind of sashimi that makes you close your eyes for a few seconds....hopefully you don't fall a sleep it's that comforting. At one point, the karaage was so good I briefly considered writing it a thank‑you card. And the clams...Wow! They had me contemplating whether I should take home the shells and make a necklace as a souvenir. "Always remember, good energy brings good energy!" Miguel C.

    Fried Chicken Wings for more IG @mrsericayvette
    Erica C.

    Delicious Japanese Food with amazing service. I would definitely get the Mazemen amd the grilled gyoza

    Salmon lunch special
    Melissa L.

    Lots of lunch specials to choose from and good portion sizes! We came here for the udon and were not disappointed with the menu! I decided to go for a full sized udon with a side of tempura. The udon was heavy on the noodles, I wish there was a little more broth but the noodles were tasty and a great texture. Tempura was good, one of the tempura pieces a mushroom, was not fully cooked and had some raw batter on the inside but the rest was great. My partner for the salon bowl which was very fresh and a small side of udon which was still a great size. We both didn't finish our lunches and brought stuff home! Service was great but the restrooms could use a little work. The rest of the restaurant was clean and Japanese themed, appropriately so.

    Kunous K.

    Overall impression: Everything we tried was excellent -- no complaints at all. Food highlights: We ordered the octopus sunomono, crispy gyoza, seared marinated mackerel, hard shell clam, fried chicken, and mentai cream hotpot. · The fried chicken is among the best we've had in LA. · The gyoza and mentai cream hotpot are absolute must-tries. Service: Attentive and genuinely doing their best -- very solid. Ambiance / decor: A bit dated, but practical and comfortable.

    Wan L.

    I highly recommend the Mentai Cream Hot Pot. The creamy dashi broth is flavorful and tasty, perfect for sharing between 2-3 people. It comes with generous amounts of mentaiko, tofu, mochi, cabbage, mushrooms, pork belly and chicken. It's so delicious! Another recommended dish is the Salmon & Ikura Kamameshi aka cast iron pot. Their udon dishes are good too. The noodles are made in house daily. When u arrive, they always ask if you have a reservation. We have done walk-ins many times and were seated right away. I would suggest making a reservation for weekends and holidays, just in case.

    Eugene O.

    As my rating indicates, I wasn't particularly impressed with this restaurant. It pains me to say this since I really had high hopes when I visited this place over the weekend. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible restaurant by any means. I liked the traditional Japanese decor and nostalgic songs playing on the speaker. The service was solid. Nothing to complain about that either. BUT the food... it was pretty disappointing. Some things that stood out to me, not in a good way: 1) The sashimi was fresh, but cut way too thick. I'm embarrassingly bad at handling chop sticks and the sashimi slices were hard to grab. 2) The California rolls barely had any avocados in them, if at all. 3) The tempura was not hot and crispy. The shrimp, which is usually my favorite tempura item, was limp and cold. Didn't get the sense that it was freshly made to order. I will acknowledge that this restaurant is generous with their portions. Can't imagine anyone leaving hungry if they order one of their bento boxes. However, it would have been nice if they focused more on the quality of their food as opposed to the quantity and variety.

    Claire S.

    Need to grab lunch in the South Bay and this place came up my search. First of all the entrance is nicely decorated with Japanese accents that transports me to Japan. We see mostly local Japanese people dining when we walked in so it's a good sign. There's a lot of options for lunch. We ordered curry udon with pork chop, rice with chicken bowl and udon with yellowtail rice bowl. The portion is pretty generous and everything was very tasty and hits the spot. What a local gem! We will come back again when we are in the area to try more dishes.

    Craig Y.

    Located off the corner of Western Ave and 182nd in Gardena. In the plaza in the corner parking is shared with all the other businesses in the plaza. Came here to meet up with some HS buddies. We had one of rooms where you sit on the floor. Service was good and pretty quick. The staff were friendly and hard working. I got the plain udon it was good. Overall had a good time here service was good and food was good.

    Agedashi tofu
    Rebecca T.

    Izakaya Akatsuki popped up on my Feed, so I decided to go for an early lunch. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner of a strip mall, but is actually very spacious inside, including a few beautifully-decorated dining rooms on tatamis, perfect for events. I ordered agedashi tofu and the signature Original Umami Maze Udon. Food came out fairly quickly: I especially enjoyed the agedashi tofu, with its lightly-crisp exterior and soft, silky interior. The maze udon was tasty, but a bit too salty and heavy on green onions: portions were decent, but could've used less green onions to allow the chewy udon noodles to shine. Pretty-affordable meal at $24 total; there are also lunch specials under $20, which are great for the wallet. Service was a bit cold, but overall, a solid, no-frills udon restaurant for a satisfying meal.

    Gyoza six piece
    Brian I.

    Celebrated my birthday at one of my favorite old school Japanese restaurant. One thing I love about this place is their consistency. The quality and taste is always great. My favorites are the rice balls, mushroom salad, and gyoza.

    Mentaiko motsunabe
    Cara L.

    Love this gem of an authentic Japanese restaurant! Vibe is homey, staff are very friendly, and food is delicious and fairly priced. We got the mentaiko motsunabe and it's one of the richest soups I've ever had. It's enough to feed 4 people!! Portions are very generous. Definitely will come back! Came on a Sunday night and surprisingly no wait!

    yellowtail jalapeño with crispy onions: yellowtail, jalapeño, crispy onion, ponzu = $17.50
    Trung N.

    We found ourselves at Izakaya Akatsuki because everywhere else was booked and busy. Izakaya Akatsuki, however, was a welcomed surprise. This was the first time we've ever encountered kamameshi irl. The small clay pot slow cooks the rice, protein, and whatever else i.e. veggies. For first timers, we ordered the Salmon & Ikura bowl ($26). Shiitake and shimeji mushrooms are cooked directly into the rice and the salmon + salmon roe are nestled on top. The flavors are wildly unexpected. The rice and salmon are pretty mild, but the salmon roe functions as a seasoning. I like the juxtaposition of the warm rice alongside the cool salmon roe. Delish. Also good was the spicy crispy tofu ($8). It's topped with chili oil, crispy onion, ponzu sauce + green onion. It's a new take on an old favorite and it was absolutely delightful. I like chili crisp onion anything - here it added a little crunch and heat. Everyone else around us came for their hotpot so we'll definitely be back for that.

    Agemochi Oroshi

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    Izakaya Akatsuki Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Izakaya Akatsuki

    Do you accept walk-in?

    Yes ! We accept walk in

    Is there an area that can seat 20-25 people for a birthday party?

    Hi thank you for your question. Yes we have a room can fits 20-25 people. Our biggest room fits 24 people.

    Hello! Any vegan options? No animals, no dairy, no egg. Thank you!

    Starting new menu from April 5th I have some Vagan Hot pot options. Hopefully you'll like it!

    Is the rye flour udon no longer available?

    Thank you for your question. Unfortunately rye flour udon is no longer available.

    View All 5 Questions

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - Front

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena

    4.3(1.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    30 years in business

    I got here right as they opened on a holiday weekday, and the place was already half full! I was…read moreable to try a bit of everything, and these were my personal favorites: Beef tongue with lemon pepper, okra, shiitake mushroom, and fried oysters. I enjoyed the chicken thigh meat texture more than the chicken breast, but I loved the seasoning of the chicken breast with shiso pun and chicken breast with wasabi. The yakitori was made fresh in front of me, and all of them had a nice smoky and griled flavor with a variety of seasonings. It took a while for our first few orders to come out, probably because they had just opened. Great casual spot for yakitori; I would recommend getting here early!

    After the movies at AMC South Plaza, we were already close to one of our favorite yakitori spots in…read moreGardena, Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori. We've tried quite a few yakitori places, but honestly, this one is hands down one of the best!! This time, we also decided to try their ramen--and oh man, it was SO delicious! The noodles were perfectly al dente, and the broth had great body, depth, and that punch of umami that brought everything together. Definitely a must-try! As always, the servers and cooks were super friendly, attentive, and professional. Another great meal at one of our favorite spots!

    Photos
    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - Crispy outside, juicy inside--true craftsmanship in every skewer. That glossy glaze and perfect char are the ultimate match for a cold beer!

    Crispy outside, juicy inside--true craftsmanship in every skewer. That glossy glaze and perfect char are the ultimate match for a cold beer!

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - Perfect Charcoal Yakitori! ・Smoky & Irresistible aroma

    Perfect Charcoal Yakitori! ・Smoky & Irresistible aroma

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - True craftsmanship in every skewer!  Hand-grilled over charcoal to reach juicy perfection.

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    True craftsmanship in every skewer! Hand-grilled over charcoal to reach juicy perfection.

    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill - Okura & Pork Belly, Asparagus & Pork Belly, Zucchini, Japanese Yam [Yamaimo], & Chicken Thigh  08-12-2025

    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill

    4.4(198 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Ichiban! Food is excellent. For weekends only! This is the…read moreplace to have lunch . They just started this bento lunch Special. We tried the steak and chicken bento. Both were Excellent . There is a side menu for yakitori if you want extras. This bentos come with with a green salad, pickled veggie and miso soup. At the end is a free dessert of vanilla, Macha , or lichee ice cream. Yum that Lichee ice cream is so refreshing with real lichee in it. A must have. Service could be better but there was only one server. The atmosphere was nice and quiet . I would definitely go back there for lunch. Dinner is another different menu. Also looks good.

    Spent the day at del amo mall and was looking for some food nearby. Came across Hasu and izakaya…read moresounded great. The waiter at the front let us know that we weren't allowed to drink our tea (we got gong cha prior) and it could be left outside on the table which we decided to put back in the car. We were asked if we had reservations and when we said no, he gave us a bit of a look while there were plenty of empty tables inside. Once seated, one of the water cups they served us had something residual left over on the mouth area. We decided to stick it through and ordered a variety of skewers (about 16 in total). Food was okay, but the last skewer took an extra 20 minutes after we had finished all of our food. From my experience I will not return but I can see how others would fare with a different experience.

    Photos
    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill - Seating  08-12-2025

    Seating 08-12-2025

    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill - Stingray fin

    Stingray fin

    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill - Piece of Salmon  08-12-2025

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    Piece of Salmon 08-12-2025

    Torihei Yakitori Robata Dinning - Negima ( Chicken Thighs and Onions)

    Torihei Yakitori Robata Dinning

    4.1(941 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    This restaurant is such a hidden gem! At first, I didn't even realize it was a restaurant from the…read moreunassuming storefront. It's a small restaurant, and it seemed like reservations are highly recommended, if not required. Luckily, they were able to squeeze us in right before another reservation. The restaurant has an authentic yakitori vibe where the tables are packed pretty tightly and you're dining elbow-to-elbow with other guests. That said, I loved the variety on the menu. They offer a huge selection of grilled, steamed, fried, and cold dishes, so there's something for everyone. The skewers were amazing, and the grilled onigiri was one of my favorites. Everything we tried was really enjoyable and I loved being able to order a little bit of everything! One thing to keep in mind: the rice pot takes about 45 minutes to cook because they start with raw rice. I wish our server had mentioned this when we ordered, because we probably would have skipped it knowing how long it would take. Overall, I'm really glad we stumbled upon this place. Definitely feels like a hidden gem, and I'd love to come back and try more of the menu!

    Finally got around to trying this place and came by myself, so I ordered a bunch of different…read moreskewers to try. The negima was probably my favorite. Nicely grilled and had a good amount of flavor. The eel, wings, and liver were also really good. The pork belly was cut pretty thick and had a good balance of meat and fat. The cartilage was another favorite. It was juicy and had a nice crunchy texture. The tsukune was good and had some cartilage mixed in, which gave it a nice texture. It also came with a poached egg that was pretty tasty, although I would have preferred a pasteurized egg. The grilled squid and yaki onigiri were solid as well. A few of the skewers were a little on the salty side. The chicken breast was also a little dry, while the tongue was pretty thick and chewy. The tail was really fatty, but that's kind of expected. Unfortunately, they were out of hearts, which I was hoping to try. Overall, there were more hits than misses and I enjoyed most of what I ordered. Would definitely come back to try some of the other skewers.

    Photos
    Torihei Yakitori Robata Dinning - Torihei's Meatball ( Tsukume)

    Torihei's Meatball ( Tsukume)

    Torihei Yakitori Robata Dinning - Cucumber Salad

    Cucumber Salad

    Torihei Yakitori Robata Dinning - Special Chicken Heart

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    Special Chicken Heart

    Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Salmon  02-27-2023

    Azuma Japanese Restaurant

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    YUM! I mean these…read morewere not cheap, but LOOK at the portion. if I wasn't dancing the night away at Gardena Obon this night, I would've saved half for lunch the next day. I still had some leftovers, though. sashimi were thick cut pieces, needed 2 bites per piece to eat. beef teriyaki: get it. even if you JUST get this, get it. I knew something was up when my mom AND sister both ordered some kind of combo, but my sister called dibs on my mom's as soon as she said she was going to order it. this led me to ordering my own beef teriyaki combo. oyakodon was classic and hit everything just right, the cheapest of the entrees but just as filling. love it here!! will be back soon

    The wife and I checked this place out recently. I ordered the tempura and beef combination while…read moreshe got the tempura and sashimi combination. I got to try items from not only my plate, but hers as well. The food was hit and miss. The beef teriyaki, which they cooked exactly to the doneness I requested, was incredibly good. The steak was tender - the teriyaki sauce was spot on. I also liked the macaroni salad which was hiding behind the lettuce. However, the sashimi and tempura missed the mark. While the slices of sashimi (e.g., tuna, salmon, and yellow tail) were fresh, they were cut way too thick. The assortment of tempura tasted good, and was crunchy, but was battered way too heavily. It felt like the batter was the focal point of the dish instead of the vegetables and shrimp, which I could barely taste. The service was excellent. Our server was attentive even though the restaurant was packed with people. The food and drinks came out fast. They served our sodas in chilled mugs, which was a nice touch. I didn't enjoy the fact that it was uncomfortably warm in the restaurant (it was hot that day). I don't think the AC was running. However, I won't count this against the establishment since the server stopped by our table to apologize about the warm temperature in the room. Some final thoughts about this place. -We came right at opening. The place filled up pretty fast. -There was plenty of parking behind the restaurant. -If this restaurant had executed the small things more effectively, as opposed to focusing on preparing the food quickly, this could have easily been a five star write up.

    Photos
    Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Busy during lunch

    Busy during lunch

    Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Pork cutlet with curry

    Pork cutlet with curry

    Azuma Japanese Restaurant - Nasu Niku Miso

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    Nasu Niku Miso

    Izakaya Hachi - Torrance - Saba Mackerel Pressed Sushi --

    Izakaya Hachi - Torrance

    4.2(742 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$

    I have written two past reviews for this place, each one glowing brigther than the sun's heat in…read moreAugust. Thus this place does not need more of my praise. It is eastablished and celebrated by eaters far more articulate and with wider reach than I. But I recently went, and enjoyed myself quite a bit. Not only because the food was incredible but because the staff made me feel like a special patron. My main server was Julian. He was young, attentive and continued the chain of grand service. But there are two other female servers that make the experience pop with above the line service, I wish I knew their name. The first passed me and my companion Conrad and asked how is your mother? All I could say was she was still alive. I took my mom to mother's day there two years ago and she remembered. That kind of service cannot be reproduce because it was held in heart and intention. I was a welcomed guest. I may not go often but when I do I am remembered. That kind attentiivesness is more than appreciated, it is remembered too! The second server when I leave the place meets my eyes, has a grand wide smile, and said something in Japanese that makes me feel seen in Kyoto. I am engaged in a jovial way by the staff here that is why it is a sincere pleasure to buy the kitchen staff a picther so we can Kanpai!. There sweet way with me is something I cannot undervalue because in doing so I would ignore the kind of hospitatlty that moves mountains closer to the sun. And the food is amazing, like so good, it cannot be ignored espeically when the menu went through changes. The reason why that face immediately hit me in the face was because I used to go for these corn tempura things that were like this amazing crunch in corn. But still what we had was wonderul. Like I would hurt back or strain my inner thigh trying to complain about the food in this place. This time around Conrad and I had their Shabu Shabu. I have had Shabu Shabu before (not here) a few times, not many but this was the first time that Conrad had it. And that face in itself is special, I think. So moving on from that, eating Shabu Shabu was engaging cause you basically create a broth that you are using to cook veggies and meat so images of witches and camping come to the mind, easily. I also took a video of Conrad grinding some sesame seeds, like he was an apothecary or doctor of old times. And I do not care who you are, you are going to enjoy working a bit, especially in a fun way, for your meal. Like who would not like to peel a few cloves of garlic for their herbed chicken? The broth came with pork shoulder and pork belly. We also had some meat and onions on stick--- I think we had pork belly and chicken. We also had a rice ball. We also had thier Gobo Chips. This is something that survived the menu transition that hit every crispy bite. It hit every crispy bite. By this point I know that the food will be fantastic, and the type of food that warms the heart and soul- comfort food. However, this, comfort food is not mine to claim by familiarity because I have not known it since childhood. But I have known it enough to know it as comfortable. I guess, I can claim it as familiar because it became such in the span of years, not decades. Like when can someone claim a carne asado taco to be familiar comfort food when they did not grow up eating it? That is the question that I am left to ponder. This place is a spot I know to be good and trust to deliver on service and quality.

    3.5/5 Went here for…read morethe first time and ordered the Signature Party Course (Minimum 4 people) for $78 per person. Came with the below. Honestly it was only ok, not worth the price. Noting stood out, no amazing flavors, and some was fishy. Gobo Chips - good Uni & US Wagyu Sashimi - only ok Five Kinds of Sashimi - very thick cut. Decent but nothing special Octopus & Radish Salad - was ok Sweet & Savory Chicken Wings - nice and crispy Thick-Cut Beef Tongue - pretty good Fried Oysters - good Ribeye Ponzu Steak - fatty Pressed Saba Mackerel, Pressed Eel Sushi, Pressed Salmon Sushi - can't even pick it up without falling apart. Some fishes were fishy. Pumpkin Zenzai - fine

    Photos
    Izakaya Hachi - Torrance - Seating

    Seating

    Izakaya Hachi - Torrance - Grilled Scallop

    Grilled Scallop

    Izakaya Hachi - Torrance - Jidori Omelet

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    Jidori Omelet

    Otafuku Restaurant - Zaru Soba - Hot - @rayz

    Otafuku Restaurant

    4.2(783 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    We visited Otafuku Restaurant right when they opened at 11:30 am on a Saturday, and the restaurant…read morefilled up almost immediately. We ordered the Seiro Soba with Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura, which came out within about 10 to 15 minutes. We ordered a large to share, and without us even asking, they split the soba into two portions for us. That small gesture really reflected the service overall. The staff was very sweet and welcoming throughout our meal. The Seiro Soba was unlike any soba we've had before. The noodles had a noticeably chewier texture than the buckwheat soba we're used to, but we really enjoyed them. The tempura was also very good, with the Perilla Leaf Tempura being my personal favorite. Parking nearby seemed limited, so we parked along 166th St. and walked over. There was plenty of street parking available when we visited. The restaurant had a very homey, neighborhood feel, and it was clear that a lot of regulars come here. I'd definitely come back to Otafuku Restaurant to try more of their noodles.

    This place delivers that classic "small-but-mighty" Japanese comfort vibe, the kind of spot where…read morethe noodles do the talking and the tempura does the flexing. Interior is clean, simple, friendly service, and soba so good it could probably negotiate the challenges you probably will have finding parking. Parking? Well... let's just say alley parking builds character. Hot Seiro Soba + Tempura, The hot soba comes out steaming like it's clocked in for a full shift. The noodles have that perfect chew, not mushy, not stiff, just that "I trained in Japan for this" texture. Dip them into the broth and suddenly you're rethinking your taste buds in a good way. The tempura? Light, crisp, and not drowning in oil. It's the kind of tempura that makes you feel like you're eating responsibly... even though you're absolutely not. Cold Seiro Soba + Eel & Veggie Tempura, Cold soba is always a personality test. If you order it, you're either a purist or someone who enjoys refreshing noodles that slap. The eel adds that sweet-savory richness, and the veggie tempura brings the crunch. Together, they're basically the Japanese version of a buddy-cop duo. Chicken Skewers, Juicy, lightly charred, and simple, like the restaurant's way of saying, "We know you came for the soba, but here's a little something extra." Overall the Service was pleasant for a Sunday night, which is impressive considering half the customers were probably still recovering from weekend errands. Parking behind the building is... let's call it "intimate." You'll either fit or you won't. Western Ave is your safer backup plan. Consider it part of the Otafuku adventure, like a mini‑boss before the main quest. Miguel C.

    Photos
    Otafuku Restaurant - Bar area

    Bar area

    Otafuku Restaurant - Chopped Spanish Mackerel with Mix Greens

    Chopped Spanish Mackerel with Mix Greens

    Otafuku Restaurant - Wild Sea Eel Tempura with Vegetables Tempura

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    Wild Sea Eel Tempura with Vegetables Tempura

    Torimatsu

    Torimatsu

    4.2(271 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    This area is a bit far for us to travel to, so when we had to pick up our friend from LAX, I wanted…read moreto find something super unique to this area to go to for dinner and Yelp search did NOT disappoint. I believe this is the one of the few places (I think the other is in Berkeley), where you can get raw chicken. DEFINITELY call in to get a reservation. Not only is it a good stop for "tourists" like us, but you can tell it's a local favorite too, which isn't too hard to see either. We went here on a Monday evening and the restaurant was PACKED. It's not a big dining area either, just a couple tables and the bar seating area to watch the master grill and prepare the skewers (he just uses his hands to grab and cook everything, which I think is insane). The waitresses were super attentive, polite and friendly. To the girl with the super deco nails, you are so pretty and fashionable! For our visit, each of us ordered the Torimatsu Course which comes with 10 piece yakitori, your choice of salad, soup and ice cream at the end. This is A LOT of food. I had to share some of my skewers after taking a tasting bite since I was getting so full. Probably the first time I've ever gotten full from skewers and it wasn't a Draculian field of stakes. The meal consisted of: 1) Salad: -Each of us chose the scallion since it was a bit more unique. Crispy with a tangy onion-y bite with the slight sweet taste. 2) Chicken broth soup: -This came in the middle with the rest of the skewers but was also a great change of pace when it came to texture and taste. -Delicious rich chicken flavor without tasting too "chicken-y" if that makes any sense. It comes out SCALDING hot to the point that there's warnings on the menu, so definitely be super careful and make sure you don't burn your tongue or your hands (even the cup bowl is pretty hot too). 3) Tsukune (chicken meat balls): -Can't go wrong with simple meat balls. Juicy and goes great with any of the salt, shichimi or other seasonings you can get at your table. 4) Tebasaki (chicken wing tip): -I've never seen bone on chicken on a skewer before, so this was neat. Moist chicken, slightly crispy edges and the meat fell right off the bone. 5) Shiso-maki (chicken wrapped in perilla leaves): -One of the group's favorites. Moist soft, tender juicy chicken on the inside and the slightly minty, herb taste of the leaf on the outside. Delicious. 6) Uzura (quail eggs): -It's just regular boiled quail eggs grilled, but I love quail eggs, so this was a treat. 7) Negi-Niku (chicken and green onion): -Classic combination. Slightly sweet tare glaze on the moist chicken, went great with the different slightly sweet onion taste profile. 8) Sunagimo (chicken gizzards): -The BIGGEST chicken gizzards I have seen. I usually expect tiny morsels when this is ordered at a skewer place, so this was a welcomed surprise. Nice springy chewiness to these meaty giblets. I usually don't like this cut of chicken, but pretty good. 9) Nankotsu (soft bone): -Another group favorite. CRAZY texture. I've never had chicken that had the texture of high quality scallops. It's really good and something that none of us had ever had before. A must if you're getting a la cart as well. 10) Tsumire (chicken stuffed in mushroom): -Very, very filling, but the mushroom cap is very tender and isn't chewy in the slightest (my issue with some larger mushrooms). 11) Stuffed Bell Pepper (stuffed with chicken of course): -Slight bitterness of the bell pepper on the exterior went great with the seasoned chicken. 12) Kitsune (chicken in deep fried been curd): -I love kitsune, so this was one of my favorites as well. 13) Toriwasa: -This is the rare/raw sliced chicken breast with wasabi soy sauce. There's some shredded nori on top too. -Perfect for pictures and to jump scare some people, but the presentation was aesthetically pleasing as can be for "chicken sashimi" and was prepared very delicately. -We actually got this first and ate this first since it's advised to do so once the dish is at the table. -It has a super subtle chicken taste, mostly tasting like the sauce it's in. It has the texture of salmon sashimi but with slightly more chew if that makes sense. Definitely not something I crave normally, but I can now say that I've tried this! Topped everything with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the end. Can't go wrong with that. It's also super neat to see the huge vase of tare that is allegedly 30 years old. Keeps the flavor well and is monumental to the yakitori here for sure. We were so full and didn't have a chance to try their chicken skin yakitori (something we almost always get when going to a skewer restaurant), so we'll definitely do that and try more of their menu. The quality of chicken they have here is top tier and understandably so since there's extremely strict guidelines and regulations with serving raw chicken to customers. Can't wait for our next visit.

    very welcoming restaurant and friendly staff Had their…read moresecond set menu with 7 yakitori, salad, soup, and ice cream. Also ordered a mentaiko yaki onigiri on the side. Everything was delicious, fresh and such a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was very laid back and relaxing. It's pricey but would definitely come back again on special occasions! Be sure to make a reservation!

    Photos
    Torimatsu - Chef/owner of Torimatsu

    Chef/owner of Torimatsu

    Torimatsu
    Torimatsu

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    zoku - Kushiyaki (Tsukune)

    zoku

    4.5(144 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$$

    Wow! My first visit this past weekend; this place is a little hidden gem!!…read moreFirst, Mary Kate was amazing at the front. She had great suggestions and was so very nice!!! Our server, Yui K, was also fantastic!! She recommended a lovely sake (Shinryu Nishiki) and desserts for my friend and me and was so efficient and sweet! (Mary Kate had already given us a number of suggestions for the appetizers and skewers.) Zoku Q: yummy!! Spicy Karaage: Oh my goodness! Eyes rolling back delicious! Giant Ebi Mayo: shrimp (huge!) cooked perfectly and also so delicious! Elote Corn Ribs: excellent flavor, but there are only four very small pieces so not worth the price (to us). Skewers were all good: Momo Teri, Mune Ume, Wagyu Beef, Unagi, Tsukune. We would definitely order the wagyu beef, Tsukune and Momo Teri again. (The others were good but not as good as these three.) For dessert we ordered the Panna Cotta and the Custard Pudding. Completely different textures but would order either again! I will enjoy returning!

    The staff who greet you at the entrance, as well as the servers, are all wonderfully attentive! The…read moreatmosphere is great, and every staff member creates a very welcoming vibe whenever a customer walks in! Since this was my second visit, I ordered things I hadn't tried the last time. As always, every dish looked so appealing -- the plating is absolutely stunning. The overall balance, colors, and presentation... everything made me want to take photos. Compared to other yakitori restaurants, the selection might be a bit limited, and die-hard yakitori fans may find it a little lacking, but it is definitely worth visiting at least once! My personal favorite here is the Chicken with Honey Mustard! The Karaage sauce is also incredible!! And finally, the desserts -- always something to look forward to! Every single one tastes like it came straight from a fine pastry shop, and I'm always blown away. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! Next time, I'd love to come for lunch and try the Yuzu Shio Ramen.

    Photos
    zoku - I forgot to take pictures of my Beef and Shrimp skewers because I couldn't wait to enjoy it.

    I forgot to take pictures of my Beef and Shrimp skewers because I couldn't wait to enjoy it.

    zoku - Soft shell crab

    Soft shell crab

    zoku - Yakitori

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    Yakitori

    Izakaya Akatsuki - noodles - Updated September 2026

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