I heard that Chef Wonil Lee opened a new place and visited with high expectations, but it completely blew me away! As soon as I walked in, I loved the clean, modern interior and the upscale yet welcoming ambiance. The Galbi (short ribs) was masterfully grilled--not overly seasoned, incredibly tender, and literally melted in my mouth. The pairing with the fresh seasoned salad and the sauce was absolute perfection. But the real game-changer was the Pork Jowl Suyuk (boiled pork). It was cooked to a perfect, tender yet chewy texture, and it came served with a cilantro chimichurri sauce. That combination is pure genius! The fragrant, refreshing cilantro chimichurri cuts right through the richness of the pork, keeping it light and flavorful from the very first bite to the last. On top of that, everything is served in stunning traditional brassware (Bangjaugi), making you feel truly pampered and treated with respect. Every single ingredient tasted exceptionally fresh and pristine. If you're looking for a genuinely refined, contemporary Korean bistro around the Torrance area, this is an absolute must-visit. Highly, highly recommended! read more

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I recently visited Onki in Torrance and was impressed by both the food and the overall dining experience. The restaurant offers a modern take on Korean cuisine while staying true to traditional flavors. The dishes were thoughtfully prepared, with rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and attractive presentation. The atmosphere is clean, stylish, and welcoming, making it a great spot for both casual dinners and special occasions. The staff was friendly, attentive, and happy to answer questions about the menu. While some menu items are priced a bit higher than what you might find at a traditional Korean restaurant, the quality of the food and the elevated dining experience help justify the cost. Overall, Onki is a great addition to the Torrance dining scene and a place I would happily return to for authentic Korean flavors with a modern twist. read more

I found this place via youtube! Service is so good and food was so authentic! I am glad this place open in my neighborhood. Super clean and super kind staffs! Highly highly recommend!! read more

Onki - 해산장 - Korean Near Me - Torrance, California

We went there today for the first time. Service was friendly and the place was packed. Turnover was a little slower, but the service was so friendly that we didn't mind and weren't in a rush. The place is clean and bright. Love the gold serving dishes and utensils. Now for the food stuff- the Kalbi was good but a little pricey, my gf loved the chapchae with mushrooms (more of a thicker potato noodle), the kimchee jeon was nice. The pork jowl was a little fattier than I'm used too since I usually cook it to a crisp where the fat turns crispy. All in all a pleasant meal. Will come back for the kamjatang and seafood. Shout out to our cute server and Jay the owner for a nice opening month. read more

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Personally, I'd give 4stars for the experience, but since they just opened and probably need to work out some kinks, I've rounded up a bit. We went last Fri night, and as others have mentioned, the restaurant is getting a lot of attention due to its association with a famous Korean chef. He wasn't there when we went, but I heard he was seen the first couple of nights. Maybe he was in the kitchen? Wait was long, but we got there at 5, and had to wait out the first round of seats since they open at 5 and we had just missed the first round of seats. We ended up waiting a little over an hour, which is not something I'd recommend but we weren't hungry yet so it worked. We ordered the pork jowl soo-yuk, galbi with mashed potatoes, and the raw seafood platter. The pork jowl was great, the sauce was some kind of green sauce and it was amazing. It would probably be good on anything, really, even on bread. The galbi was also marinated and cooked perfectly, and it went nicely with the mashed potatoes. The seafood platter was just ok, I think if they work on it a bit more, it could be a home run since it comes with marinated crab, scallops and shrimp, so for the price, you get a lot of seafood. The marinade was just ok, and a couple of crabs weren't properly marinated. However, the scallops were really good, and I liked the shrimp. A lot of the dishes come with cilantro, which I personally love, but if you're one of the people that taste soap, you might want to alert the staff. We also got draft beers, and they came out really cold on ice cold mugs, so that gets a big plus from me. The co-owner, Sean, came over towards the end of the meal and spoke to us for a few minutes, which was a nice touch. it's always a great last impression when the owner wants to know your thoughts on the experience and open to some suggestions (like the foam for Suntory beer wasn't as creamy, etc. really small details, but he was very open and attentive). Overall, I'm very excited to have another Korean restaurant in the area. I would like to come back and try their pork neck soup, that looked really good too. Price wise, I thought it was fair since it is SO expensive in Ktown nowadays. Hope it is even better next time we come back! read more

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Since it recently opened I think their menu is very limited. Other wise the food was good, very good Korean flavor. My husband says it's a tad bit expensive for what it is, but for Torrance I thought it was reasonable. They are still adapting so service I wouldn't say is amazing, they don't seem to know who does what exactly. Like who brings the check, or who cleans the table off after? I went during a non peak time so they were pretty attentive but again, I'm sure they are just figuring out the kinks now. Ambiance is better than i expected. I ate at this restaurant before it got turned into onki, they sold Korean Chinese style seafood noodle soup and soft tofu soup before but I like the food onki has better. Can't wait to try again once they figure out a good system. read more

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Very pleasantly surprised. My expectations were pretty high and I certainly wasn't disappointed. The interior was clean and modern. We ordered the tender pork jowl, gamjatang, and onki galbi. I would say the pork jowl was a little heavy on the curry spices, but because the portion was small, it wasn't too overpowering. Gamjatang was good but nothing really special. Gabli would have to be my favorite dish here. The sweet and tenderness of the meat paired so well with the mashed potatoes. read more

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The food was overall solid! I was pleasantly surprised by their raw marinated seafood which was high quality and also decently sized with raw crab. The kimchi pancake was chewy and the dipping sauce went well with it. The side dishes also seemingly basic was very well seasoned too- I liked the radish. The gamjatang was decent but I didn't find the meat to be tender or to be anything mind blowing, but definitely decent and hearty. However, the service at this restaurant could be greatly improved. We came around 5:30 and waited for about two hours to get seated which is insane. If i had known about the wait I would have skipped. When we first got there, we were notified the wait would be around an hour but when we came back, he said it would be another hour. They do not have a waitlist system so you just have to wait nearby not knowing when you're up next. The service is disorganized and very slow, and even though there are empty tables they don't seat people right away because the kitchen is backed up. Overall, they really need to improve the service/ system. The food is great and solid but it seems impractical to wait this long every time. read more

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This was definitely a food sharing experience! Not for first dates though because nobody looked cute eating up. This place is still fairly new, and while we were there early we did not make the first round of service. We were able to sit outside while we waited since the outdoor patio wasn't open yet. It was only about an hour wait for 4. I do recommend coming hungry. We ordered the Gamjatang Jeongol with additions, Galbi, marinated seafood platter, and jeon. The galbi was tender and flavorful, gamjatang wasn't too spicy but very flavorful, the seafood platter was so refreshing and well marinated. The jeon was ok, but not needed after all the food. The restaurant ambiance was clean and I liked the goldish flatware and dinnerware. I would recommend trying out this place for their signature plates. read more

Onki - Korean Near Me - Torrance, California

Food is super expensive, and every simple addition is overpriced. The service is acceptable, and the ambiance is also fine. The food can be obtained better for cheaper at other Korean restaurants read more

I visited this place with high expectations. As with any restaurant in its early stages, it was only their third day open, so things were a bit chaotic and the service flow wasn't seamless yet. However, I still want to give this place 5 stars. Honestly, if I could, I would give them 10 stars. Despite being short-staffed, the servers went above and beyond, and you could truly taste the kitchen's dedication and hard work through the food. Seeing Chef Won-il Lee--one of Korea's top chefs--sweating and running around the floor made me realize how genuinely committed he is to this place. I ordered the Gamjatang (pork bone soup) and the house salad. The Gamjatang was hands down the best I've ever had in the United States. The salad was quite salty at first, but they immediately remade and replaced it for me. I could truly feel that everyone, both in the kitchen and on the floor, was giving their absolute best. At one point, Chef Won-il Lee stepped out of the kitchen to use the restroom, and a crowd of people immediately rushed to ask him for photos. I really wanted to take a picture with him too, but in that moment, I figured that letting him catch his breath was the best way to support him, so I just watched from afar. More than a single photo, his sincerity was so deeply felt in the food that I will remember him through the dish he served. I would like to gently offer a few suggestions for the restaurant: 1. The portion size of the rice is a bit too small. It would be great if the bowls were packed a bit more generously, or if the rice could be served on the house. 2. I hope you consider developing single-serving menu items. The food is phenomenal, but there seem to be limited options for solo diners. 3. I'd love it if the meat in the Gamjatang was braised even longer in a pressure cooker to make it fall-off-the-bone tender. Even with these minor areas for growth, this is an absolutely fantastic restaurant. If you are looking for an authentic Korean culinary experience, I highly recommend visiting. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Chef Won-il Lee for opening such a wonderful place in my neighborhood, and I send my quiet support. I am definitely coming back to try everything on the menu. I'm already excited for my next visit. Cheering for Chef Won-il Lee and the entire team at Onki! Fighting!!! read more

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Visited Onki on their second day after opening for dinner, and luckily the wait wasn't too bad. The restaurant is located in the shopping center at Hawthorne Blvd. and Torrance Blvd., next to Starbucks. Since it's opened by a well-known chef from Korea, I was excited to give it a try. First impression: It's clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed, with cute decor and elegant plating that gives the place a more upscale feel. The service was also friendly and attentive throughout the meal. We ordered the Galbi, Beef Brisket Jeon, and Seafood Jang. The Galbi was tender, flavorful, and served with mashed potatoes, which was a nice touch. The Beef Brisket Jeon came with spicy seasoning and arugula. While it was nicely presented, it was a little bland for my personal taste. The Seafood Jang reminded me of traditional Korean soy-marinated crab (게장), but with both shrimp and crab. If you enjoy soy-marinated seafood, this is definitely worth trying. Overall, I thought the food quality, portion sizes, and pricing were well balanced. The prices felt reasonable for the quality of the ingredients and the dining experience. I can see this being a great spot for dinner, especially with family, friends, or a group gathering. Since they open at 11 AM, I would love to see a lunch menu in the future. Most of the current menu items feel more like dinner dishes that pair well with drinks and are meant to be shared. I'm happy to have a restaurant like this in Torrance and look forward to coming back to try more of the menu. read more

Onki - Seafood Jang - Korean Near Me - Torrance, California

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Tried this new restaurant :) at first I tried to do a to-go order but they said they're not doing to-go orders right now. So I ordered the short rib and the haemooljang The short rib really melts in your mouth! The mashed potatoes pair perfectly & the truffle is a nice touch The haemooljang is not too salty & just right with good portions Service is a little slow but I think that it will improve over time! Will return to try the gamajatang! read more

Onki - Haemooljang - Korean Near Me - Torrance, California

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I love this place. tasty food options and good vibes. servers are nice and kind Want to visit again. read more

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The gamjatang had a clean, rich broth that wasn't too spicy, making it easy to enjoy. The scored beef ribs were tender and incredibly satisfying. On top of that, the service was outstanding. Everything about the experience makes me want to come back again. Highly recommended, and I'll definitely be returning soon! read more

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Celebrity Chef 211's restaurant. Restaurant opened 6/1 and we visited 6/2. Waited about 40 minutes before being seated. Ordered pork jowl, soy marinated seafood platter, and shaved brisket pancake. All the food tasted good but really enjoyed the seafood platter. The soy sauce was excellent. Not too salty, which is tough to find. Many folks in the restaurant ordered the pork neckbone k-pot. Probably a good choice since it was chilly in Torrance. We skipped that today but will definitely return to try! read more

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Went for an early Father's Day dinner. Awesome tasting food. Music Too loud not sure if the food was going in my nose or my mouth. Attentive staff. Only evening hours available now. read more

Onki - Korean Near Me - Torrance, California

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A few days ago, we had gamjatang, galbi, and pork jowl boiled meat. Everything was super tasty. After you finish the gamjatang, you can ask the staff to make fried rice with the leftover broth. It was absolutely delicious. Even though the place had just opened and it was pretty busy, the staff and the manager were super friendly. The restaurant and bathroom were really clean, and the open kitchen gave off a trustworthy vibe. It was awesome to see a famous Korean star chef in person and taste his food definitely a special experience. Plus, the price felt pretty reasonable. I'm definitely planning to go back with my family! read more

Onki - fried rice after gamjatang! - Korean Near Me - Torrance, California

Korean famous chef open this restaurant it's been viral so I drove an hour to get there there is only two main menu were there pork gamjatang and beef so I ordered both they serve with little portions of kimchi and two other side dishes They serve gamjatang with out sources they supposedly served not like other restaurants Pork meat was dried didn't tasted good restaurant weee pack of customers laude and server don't even know what to do Price is were little higher than I expected when I had all food served I realized it's definitely over price This restaurant is disappointing read more

Honestly, I was really disappointed. Korean food is famous in the U.S. for its side dishes, but it's a shame that the variety here is so limited and the menu is so restricted. The main dish was delicious. It would be great if they added side dishes like soybean paste stew or kimchi stew. read more

Not cheap by any means, but the quality was really disappointing. The meat in the gamjatang was tough, dry, and chewy, and the broth was extremely salty. My friend and I both felt unusually thirsty after the meal and kept drinking water throughout. Even the drinking water had an off taste, likely due to it being served in a low quality metal container, which gave it a noticeable metallic flavor. And the fried rice at the end (+$8) was honestly the worst part. It tasted/smelled so overly sour, as if they had used very old/aged kimchi it almost had a spoiled smell and taste. Overall, very underwhelming for the price. The only 5 star i would give is the servers. They're very friendly and welcoming! read more

Honestly, I'm concerned for this place. What disappointed me most is that this restaurant carries the reputation of a celebrity chef which naturally raises expectations for quality. Unfortunately, the food felt ordinary at best, the banchan was underwhelming, and nothing about the meal suggested the standards I would expect from a chef whose name is associated with authentic Korean cuisine. Rather than showcasing the flavors that built that reputation, the experience left me questioning how this restaurant represents it. The prices suggest a premium dining experience, but the food quality did not come close to justifying the cost. I hope they take the feedback seriously and improve, because based on my experience, the food was just not very good. read more

I was there with my friends and really enjoyed food, especially kalbi plate and meat jeon. Great service and friendly staff too. I will definitely come back here with my family. read more

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