I was really excited to see that they offered Onigirazu and Okinawa style musubis, because I love…read moreboth of these items but they're not really offered anywhere close to me. The only place that does okinawa musubi that I knew of is in koreatown, and I don't know of any spots that does onigirazu in LA. The okinawa style musubi was amazing and monstrously thick, thicker than some burgers I've had. I really enjoyed the shrimp tempura onigirazu as well, and will definitely be back to try the other varieties. I once traveled for 40 min in New York to try out a spot that also had shrimp tempura onigirazus, but they were only sold prepackaged and cold, so it's such a bonus to have them made fresh. Owners were extremely friendly and offered a large cup of cold water when I picked up my food which is a god send in this heat wave we've been experiencing. This is such a friendly and affordable mom and pop shop, and my platonic ideal of a restaurant. I would be a regular here at least twice a week if I was a resident, I'm jealous of the locals that can frequent this gem anytime they want.

I love finding hidden gems like this and supporting small businesses!…read more It's a small place and tables are limited but portions are very generous and the quality was good. I was especially surprised how good the salad was in the poke. Normally poke places just throw some veggies and call it a day but Sodam really made the effort to make the entire plate elevated. Although limited staff, the cashier was still attentive and asked if I needed anything or water which I appreciated very much. It seems like most people order online so I will try that next time!

Note: I'm pretty sure this is a cashless business--there was no cash register, and the tablet…read moreordering system didn't offer a cash payment option. I like this place. Sometimes you crave a quick pasta meal but think your only choice is a sit-down restaurant. Pasta Stories is a fast-casual spot in the Tokyo Central food court. The process is simple: step up to the counter; order and pay on a tablet device; and grab a seat in the food court. They'll call you when your meal is ready. I tried the "Osaka," spaghetti with Wagyu beef meat sauce. The pasta was al dente, and the sauce was flavorful but lighter than most restaurants--less salty, with more subtle flavors. Browsing the menu, you'll find all the meals competitively priced compared to fast-food combos. However, each bowl is made to order and leans more toward scratch cooking than the processed fare you'd get at a fast-food restaurant. One last thing: I tend to avoid ordering pasta to go because if the kitchen isn't careful, ithe pasta keeps cooking and soaking up moisture during the commute. That's not a problem here. When they know it's a takeout order, they adjust their cooking and package the pasta nicely. The bottom line is you won't end up with soggy pasta when you get home.

Pasta Stories is a food stand located inside Tokyo Central at Pacific Coast Hwy & Hawthorne (close…read moreto Rolling Hills Estates). Each pasta is inspired by a different region of Japan and this is one of the few places in Los Angeles / Orange County that serves fast casual Japanese pasta. [Parking]: Plenty of parking spots within the parking plaza. [Ordering]: Customers place an order via a kiosk and pick up their order at the counter. [Menu]: The most classic pasta is Napolitan Spaghetti (Yokohama). Yelp's top highlighted dishes are Wagyu Beef (Osaka), Seafood Pasta (Ehime), and Matcha Cream (Kyoto). *** "Kyoto" Matcha Cream (Chicken - $15.50) & "Osaka" American Wagyu Beef Meat Sauce ($15.50): I personally liked Kyoto better than Osaka as the Kyoto pasta tasted a bit creamier with the matcha cream. Osaka was not bad, but it was not my favorite flavor profile. Each portion was just right so don't expect any leftovers to bring back home. *** Honestly I can see myself revisiting here and cycling through their menu. A solid Japanese pasta spot for anyone to stop by without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for a traditional Japanese izakaya, I would definitely recommend this little…read morehole-in-the-wall spot, Shoya in Lomita. Walking in feels like stepping back into Japan in the '80s or '90s. It's small and cozy, filled with antiques--not the typical decorative kind, but little things that feel like memorable treasures from another time. With Showa-era music playing in the background, there's a genuine sense of history and tradition. They have an excellent sake selection and some unique dishes from the taisho (chef). The food is well flavored and definitely designed to go well with a drink, as a good izakaya should be. But if you don't drink, there are other options too. Just ask--you might uncover something you didn't expect. Mama runs the front, and it feels like the kind of neighborhood place where friends and regulars come in, say hello, have a drink, and shoot the breeze. Price: Low to medium and very reasonable. We all need to get away from something once in a while. This is one of those places where you can just come in, sit down, have something good, and chill for a while. Not fancy. Not trendy. Just a little taste of Japanese history and tradition tucked away in Lomita. Open every day except Tuesday, 6 PM-12 AM.

love love love the vibe here! all the food were great but just keep in mind they all have quite…read moresaltiness which is great to eat along drink, but could be a bit salty as alone dish. I highly recommend the roasted gingko nuts - the best i've ever had. very smoky and perfectly chewy!!

Did the AYCE option at Gyu-Kaku and it was amazing! There were so many different meats to choose…read morefrom, and everything we tried had so much flavor. I love being able to grill everything right at the table and try a little bit of everything. The service was also great and very attentive. They checked on us often and made sure we had everything we needed, which is especially appreciated when you're doing AYCE and constantly ordering more food. Definitely come hungry! Great food, lots of variety, and a fun dining experience. I'd absolutely come back!

We found a great deal at this Japanese BBQ restaurant during LA restaurant week. Actually the…read moreregular skirt steak that was part of the default set was pretty good. Harami we opted in was a bit tough but I think it is just a preference. Some people like more texture. We liked it too but the default was good enough for sure. There are three types of sauces and the sweet one was a great hit for everyone including kids. Spicy was great for my husband. Kids also had a fun DIY yakiniku set and enjoyed the meat along and loved the paper hats. I loved Gyukaku in Japan or NY but we will come back soon for other menus. We definitely came on a weird day. It was a weekend so they should know customers would come as they open but their deep fryer was broken and they also could not cook regular white rice. It was very disappointing to hear that but in the end brown rice and chili oil dumplings weee delicious so it was ok. I hope the fixed all the basic issues since then! Most of their appetizers are deep fried so I think they need those. Asahi beer was so light but smooth. I am not a beer person but it was perfect. I want to come back. BBQ and beer is like the perfect combination.

Perfect in every way! The service at Chai-Wallah is remarkably hospitable, and the food features…read moreuniquely crafted fusion flavors inspired by the cafe's multicultural theme. My personal favorite is the Frontier Press (Chapli Kabab) Panini. The owner greeted us with true warmth and respect--treating us not just as customers, but as community members invited to share in the rich culture and values on display. On the beverage side, I love keeping it simple with the Chai-Wallah Chai and the Vittoria Arabic Espresso Latte. They use honey-processed Italian coffee beans, and the depth of flavor is incredible! From their Nashta to everything else on the menu, dining here is a fully immersive experience. Even the aesthetic detail is on another level--from the hand-painted wall murals to the gorgeous to-go cups. You don't just feel the culture inside the cafe; you walk out holding a piece of art in your hand with your hot chai. Chai-Wallah is a true local gem. I wish this incredible small business nothing but success and hope to see them expand in the future!

Such a hidden gem in Lomita! This cafe is absolutely beautiful, and you can tell how much thought…read moreand care went into every detail of the space. There are gorgeous murals throughout, beautiful lighting, super comfortable seating, and even the bathroom is beautiful. The ceiling is covered in this gorgeous floral installation that makes the whole space feel so unique. It genuinely feels like every little detail was thought about. It has such a welcoming atmosphere and is the perfect place to sit and catch up with friends or bring your laptop and get some work done. The hospitality really stood out to me too. The man that was working the counter was so friendly and helped me decide what to order, giving me some great recommendations. Halfway through eating, he came over and offered me extra sauce, which was literally what I had just been thinking I wanted I ended up staying for a while to get some work done, and even after I was finished eating, they continued checking on me and offering to refill my water. Such a small thing, but that level of attentiveness made the experience even better. I tried the pistachio latte and it was SO good. I also got the beef sandwich, which was delicious, and the sauce that comes with it is amazing. I especially love that they're open late and still serve both food and coffee until closing. On the weekends they're even open until 12:30 AM, which is such a rare find for a cafe around here. Definitely a hidden gem right now. I'd check it out before everyone else discovers it and it becomes impossible to get a table!

Why ON+ON - Fresh Korean Kitchen? - Grab and go Korean food…read more Food 4/5 - Build your own bowl was the pick! - Quality and quantity matched perfectly here for the price Website paints a good visual on what all the ingredients look like Bowl base + protein + veggies + toppings + sauce and garnish Parking 5/5 Easy parking with shared shopping plaza next to Home Depot and Starbucks Service 4/5 Friendly service from the owner Ambience 4/5 Clean and never any issues

I can definitely see myself becoming a regular at On & On Kitchen. It's the kind of place that's…read moreperfect when you want something quick, fresh, and filling without feeling overly heavy. The galbi bowl is hands down my favorite. One thing I really appreciated was that they grill the galbi fresh to order instead of having it sitting in a warming tray. The meat comes out hot, juicy, and full of flavor, and you can really tell it's freshly made. The bowls also feel super fresh and clean with quality ingredients that all work well together. I also built a custom bowl with chicken, which was another great option if you're in the mood to switch things up. It's nice having the flexibility to customize your meal while still getting the same fresh ingredients. The sesame pudding was such a pleasant surprise and is definitely worth ordering if you have room for dessert. It was light, creamy, and the perfect finish to the meal. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and really efficient, even with a steady lunch crowd. Overall, it's a solid spot for a casual lunch, and I'll definitely be back for another galbi bowl.

35 minutes to get a single ramen, with me checking multiple times with no explanation- terrible!…read more Not terribly busy today either. Not dead, but no lines at the food places within Tokyo Central. The food tasted good, but the extremely poor service is an embarrassment to ramen-ya! This would be a one-star review if the ramen wasn't good, and much better if they knew how to communicate to customers! It is ok if something goes wrong - just tell us! Date : 1/4/26, 12 noon

Ramen Ginza Onodera in Torrance is a solid spot if you're looking for fast, easy, high-quality…read moreramen. It's located within Tokyo Central with easy parking, making it a stress-free stop. The ambiance is casual since it's within the food court. You order from a kiosk, then receive a buzzer (fair warning -- it's super loud and doesn't shut off ), so if you end up going shopping, waiting for your food - be forewarned. That said, the food comes out quickly - within 15 minutes, which is great. Then, just find a seat within the food court. There's a water station within the food court (if you want water), or you can purchase drinks at the kiosk, OR just walk in the market beforehand to grab a drink. We tried the Premium Black Garlic Ramen, and it was excellent. The broth was rich, creamy, and full of flavor, easily my favorite. We also had the Premium Spicy Ramen, which was also good, but I preferred the black garlic because of that extra creaminess. The difference between the premium and non-premium is that you get a whole seasoned egg, nori (seaweed), and extra meat. They also provide free spice (where the utensils are) if you want your ramen to be spicy. We also got the mini chashu rice bowl - and for the price...it's a generous portion and honestly filling enough to be a meal on its own (although you're only able to buy this with a ramen purchase). This is also great, if you have kids and they do not want to eat ramen. Overall, it was great ramen with super-fast service. Definitely a good place to grab a bowl if you don't want to go to a restaurant and still want high-quality ramen.

Haven't been to this location in years and had a great experience! Everything was smooth from the…read morestart. Ashley the host was kind and welcoming, and the staff stayed on top of everything all night -- making sure we had everything we needed in a really genuine way Angelo was our main server and did an awesome job, and Jonathan was just as impressive. Both were hustling, taking care of every table while still being attentive to us--keeping our drinks filled, anticipating grill changes, and making sure everything was smooth Big shoutout to Brian who overheard it was our first visit and made us their special server sauce, such a thoughtful touch! The galbis with the sauce was that sauce was the highlight of our night, but the peach soju hits! Really appreciate Angelo, Jonathan, Brian and the rest of the staff for making our visit a great one. We'll definitely be back soon!

Cat & Ash are a powerhouse to be reckoned with! The restaurant is always a blast and good times are…read morealways had...but these two BOOM...attentive, knowledgeable and crazy amazing combination suggestions. So, if you get the chance, tell them hey and experience the warmth and friendliness behind the smiles...another one for the books

This joint is bomb.com!…read more Rice perfectly cooked, mac and potato salad is perfect, chicken isn't dry, beef is tender and the sauce isn't heavy or overpowering. Indoor seating is clean and well kept. And the service is top notch and friendly.

Customer service is AMAZING…read more The food is far from it : 2 things, if you like Mayo you'll enjoy the sides rice was good Not worth $22 Info, don't pour COLD teriyaki sauce on warm food. Off putting

Meat quality was sooo good and the service was super friendly!!…read moreAll the side dishes were amazing too! Definitely coming back again!!

Tried this kbbq spot for the first time and it was pretty good!…read more Logistics - It's located next to the Bristol farms and so contains a lot of parking. They also over reservations on the website but give it about an hour or so to confirm your reservation. As for the inside, there's a lot of seating. Food/Service - everything was really good! Banchan is standard items but really liked that it came with a salad. Meat quality was great, my favorite was the Galbi. The server also cooks everything for you which is nice as well. Note that this place is NOT AYCE, they are à la carte. Though getting one of the combos and maybe some sides would be good for 3-4 people. Definitely recommend!