Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sei-Ko-En Restaurant

    4.4 (276 reviews)
    Special Hours Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Sei-Ko-En Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    SEI-KO-EN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like Sei-Ko-En Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - Sei-Ko-En Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Pork belly and beef tongue
    Ana T.

    Second time coming and even got more delicious. Make sure u call for reservation they get filled fast

    Kalbi
    Robert C.

    recently visited Sei-KO-en, a Japanese BBQ restaurant in Torrance, and had an amazing experience. The kalbi (short ribs) and harami (skirt steak) were incredibly flavorful and tender--some of the best I've had in a while. The meat quality was excellent, and everything was grilled to perfection. The staff were all very friendly and attentive, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Service was quick, and they made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Lately, I've mostly been going to Korean BBQ spots, but this visit reminded me how great Japanese-style yakiniku can be. It's a completely different experience--more refined and focused on the flavor of the meat itself. I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommended if you're looking for authentic Japanese BBQ

    menu
    Yuko Y.

    Sei-Ko-En Restaurant in Torrance is the most authentic and best Japanese BBQ in town! I personally love their minced raw beef (yukke) and raw beef liver -- you can't find these items at many places, and they are incredibly fresh and delicious. We also enjoyed the cold noodles, sirloin, kimchi, prime rib, and bean sprouts -- everything was excellent. The servers were nice, friendly, and attentive. Such a cozy, hidden spot with amazing food. Highly recommended!

    Jasmine Z.

    Forget fancy wagyu - this dish is the real star! The OX-tongue with green onion ($17.50) is a masterpiece that singlehandedly pulled me out of my food slump. You can grill THICK, juicy cuts to perfection. Each bite bursts with flavor and a tenderness that is truly unmatched. The pairing of fresh green onion adds a good contrast, while a squeeze of lemon ties everything together with a zesty acidic punch. It's savory, satisfying, and somehow manages to feel indulgent without being overly greasy. I stumbled upon this gem after a craving for Japanese BBQ led me here when Torachan was closed, and honestly? No regrets. We also ordered the beef tartare which deserves an honorable mention. We also tried multiple other cuts of meat, but they weren't as good as the ox-tongue imo. I would also skip the spicy beef soup with rice though. Tastes homey but not my favorite. Service was good and large parking lot outside.

    Prime Rib and sirloin, veggie sampler
    Marcela F.

    Seiko is a very small restaurant. Plenty of parking. Not too busy on a Saturday afternoon. I was expecting the little Kimchi and veggie plates. You have to order them separately. Our portions on the meat were small but very tasty. Not a lot of choices on the sauces. The place is a little old looking. Service was friendly and prompt. Very different from years ago.

    Bone in Kalbi
    Kenny L.

    It's our second time going to Sei-Ko-En as we were craving some authentic Japanese BBQ. It did not disappoint. Everything was absolutely delicious. We love the Yukke (beef tartare). It's also reasonably priced at $12 a bowl. We actually ordered 2 bowls. All the meat was fresh and super tender. The wait staff were very friendly and service was excellent. This place reminded us of our favorite local Yakiniku restaurant when we lived in Tokyo. It has an old school charm to it and brought back our memories from Japan. Most of the customers were Japanese and spoke Japanese to the wait staff. It was a fun time and we enjoyed our dinner.

    Anne L.

    What a lovely little hole in the wall. My friend and I came here on Wednesday for an early dinner. We didn't have a reservation, but since we went right at opening we were able to get seated right away. This place fills up fast so I would recommend making a reservation especially if you have a bigger party. FOOD: 5/5 We ordered the beef tongue, the prime rib, and the sirloin for our meats and an order of mixed veggies for the grill. I'm generally not a fan of tongue, but it was pretty good here. Still not my personal first choice, but definitely better than what I've had at other all you can eat places. The sirloin was my 2nd choice. Standard quality meat. Not chewy or dry at all. But the number one for me was definitely the prime. It's marbled so nicely and it just melts in your mouth. The portions may seem like the smaller side, but because it's not meant to be super indulgent it's more enjoyable. We also ordered the beef tartare and a spicy beef soup. The tartare was fresh and yummy. I liked the addition of apples as a contrast. The soup was also very good. Packed with toppings and rice. Perfect for a cold day. SERVICE: 5/5 Very sweet server and fast efficient service. Nothing to complain about here. Overall I would recommend for people not looking to overstuffed with ayce, but still want a good experience.

    Salted Ox Tongue with Green Onion (left) and Kobe-style American Wagyu Tongue (right)
    Airi G.

    I was transported back to Japan the moment I stepped in. The run-down walls and intimate seating with a small grill were everything I didn't know I needed. The menu was similar to the yakiniku restaurant I often visit when I go back to Japan so we tried as much as our 2 stomachs could take on. We ordered the Kobe-style American wagyu tongue and the salted ox tongue with green onion. These were cut to a perfect thickness and they were so tender. I think my favorite was actually the beef skirt though because I tried it with their homemade miso as a lettuce wrap and I couldn't get enough. I also tried raw liver for the first time here and I can't say I was the biggest fan of it but I'm glad I tried it. I enjoyed the minced raw beef a lot more in terms of texture and flavor. Another standout dish was the spicy beef soup. How did they make it so good?! I should've ordered some of it to go because it was so comforting and warming without a lot of spice despite it being labeled as spicy. It also had a lot of veggies so it was healthy without being too filling. One dish I would undoubtedly buy if they sold it individually is their homemade kimchi. I took some home and savored it as much as I could. I was able to talk to the owner and he informed me that he just took over around 2 years ago after the previous owner was about to retire. He used to frequent the restaurant as a customer and fell so in love with it that he stepped up to be the new owner so that it could continue instead of being converted to a kbbq restaurant. This is a local business definitely worth supporting.

    Kenny J.

    Ordered: - Beef tongue with green onion (5/5): Our favorite cut in general and this place's tongue did not disappoint. The tongue was perfectly seasoned with the green onion. - Sirloin (4/5): We liked this one less because it was simply too lean for our tastes and packed less of a punch in terms of texture and flavor. It was still good, but compared to beef tongue and prime rib it simply couldn't compare. - Prime Rib (4.5/5): Our second favorite cut behind the tongue. The amount of marbling gave it an appealing visual and after a nice sear it came out super juicy and flavorful. - Minced Raw Beef (5/5): We always love our beef tartare and this is no different. The egg and sauce mixed with the beef gave it a bit of a smooth and slightly tangy flavor. The thin apple slices paired well with each bite. - Almond jelly (5/5): A small, light, and refreshing dessert to top off a heavy meal. Not too sweet which is my preference! Overall (3.5/5): We arrived here on a late weekend afternoon. As we walked in, we noticed that while the place was mostly empty, there was as visible cloud of smoke in the air indicating that the ventilation was less than ideal. While the food was great, we also found the portion sizes a bit too small for the amount we paid for - we didn't leave hungry, but we weren't exactly full either. There's also an Instagram promo going on that has 10% off for the month of November, but it was also a bit misleading as it only applies to existing followers of the page.

    Allen G.

    Stopped by Sei-Ko-En in Torrance after hearing about it for a while, and it's a really solid spot for Japanese yakiniku. The space is simple and comfortable, and everything feels focused and intentional. It's easy to see why this place has been around for so long. We tried the Kobe Style American Wagyu Tongue, ox tongue with green onion, Kobe Style American Wagyu Prime Rib, minced raw beef, short rib soup, and spicy pork belly. The quality of the meat was consistently high across the board. The standouts for me were the wagyu prime rib and the wagyu tongue -- both had great flavor and cooked up perfectly. That said, everything we ordered was well done and tasted fresh. Portion sizes felt right for this style of BBQ and made it easy to enjoy multiple dishes. Service was steady and attentive, and the overall experience felt relaxed and easy. Definitely a dependable spot if you're looking for quality Japanese BBQ in the Torrance area.

    Menu

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 4
    Love this 11
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yuko Y.
    0
    173
    456

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Airi G.
    378
    891
    6448

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Allen G.
    0
    167
    634

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ne Q.
    6
    18
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Outstanding, neat quality and excellent service. I really felt like I was back in Japan. Probably my favorite place in Southern California.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue N.
    36
    124
    586

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eren V.
    174
    9
    4

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Amazing quality of meat. Great service and thoughtful staff. Always packed every time I go with a lively atmosphere.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Boo Y.
    0
    47
    137

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lax S.
    0
    18
    59

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Craig K.
    2
    154
    75

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    Sei-Ko-En Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sei-Ko-En Restaurant

    Is lunch menu same as dinner menu?

    Yes, we also offer dinner menus.

    Do you still have a lunch menu?

    Yes. It's open until 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

    Do they have corkage fee for bringing your own sake/shochu?

    Thank you for your message. We do not allow bringing your own alcohol to the restaurant. Thank you for your understanding.

    How do you make reservations?

    Reservations can be made by telephone.

    Anyone have pictures of most recent menu?

    Can I bring wine ?or they have a wine list?

    View All 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    Kagura - Torrance - IG: @nom.noms.only | premium Fillet Gozen

    Kagura - Torrance

    4.0(1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I first discovered Kagura when I was searching for katsu places to try after coming back from…read moreHawaii and trying the most authentic and high-quality katsu I've ever had outside of Japan. Kagura lived up to the expectations I had for amazing katsu. I tried their pork loin and was transported back to Tokyo! The breading is perfect and the meat still stays perfectly juicy. All the food is super fresh and tasty. I loved the interior of the restaurant too because there are separate booths that are super private and perfect for a group of 4. All our servers were super attentive and kind. Will definitely be back here!!

    In the entire time I've lived in the South Bay, I've driven past this spot countless times. I'd see…read morepictures and reviews in passing so this spot has been on my foodie bucket list for awhile. I finally gave this place a try and one thing is certain, I will be back - again, again, and again :) Kagura has a small parking lot in the back that tends to fill up quickly, but there's an abundance of street parking. I came to this establishment to find two parties of 3 in already waiting by the door and for the staff to let them in. Totally understand why. Upon walking in, you're transported to Japan, this spot definitely has a unique, homey, quaint charm to it. Agedashi Tofu: 4.8/5 - I wasn't expecting the portion to be large so if I get this again, I'll make sure to bring a friend Millefeuille Shisho Cheese Katsu: 5/5 - Made with meticulous care. An incredibly well-balanced dish with the protein, cheese, and what I believe to be a shiso/perilla leaf incorporated. Crunch was perfect, lots of places tend to overdue it with the batter. This tasted so good it honestly didn't need the tonkatsu sauce (still delish with or without the sauce). Service is phenomenal. I was impressed to see two people essentially taking care of my entire section as the restaurant filled up during the dinner rush. No issues with arrival of food or the pacing. The staff was warm, cordial, and proactively asked if I had questions since I told them it was my first visit. I'm looking forward to coming back in the future and will definitely save some room for beer and/or dessert.

    Photos
    Kagura - Torrance - Banquet Room Available! Call us for details!

    Banquet Room Available! Call us for details!

    Kagura - Torrance - IG: @nom.noms.only | premium Fillet Gozen

    IG: @nom.noms.only | premium Fillet Gozen

    Kagura - Torrance - Mille Cheese Katsu

    See all

    Mille Cheese Katsu

    Eboshi Ramen Bar - Kanitama Chahan (crab meat omelette on fried rice). I have been ordering this dish since the 90's.

    Eboshi Ramen Bar

    4.0(553 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Loved Loved Loved the food and attentive staff. The young men serving us worked fast and kept us…read moreinformed when our table would be ready. We wanted to sit at a table, rather than the counter. I learned this place stays open late on the weekends and this is where many restaurant staff come to eat! This place is tiny, yet cozy. The tables are placed a bit close, but you still have privacy. She shared the gyoza which was crispy on the outside and flavorful inside. One friend ordered the yakisoba and I tasted it which was very good, I will order it next time. My other friend ordered the mabo tofu which I also had a chance to taste and I could easily understand why my friend says this dish is her comfort food. I ordered the Tan Tan Ramen and it was so good! I took half home to share with my husband. There are so many other dishes I want to try next time! Free parking on the lot. We had to wait 15 minutes for a table, which was totally ok. because the food was so good! Prices are reasonable too. OH! They have Happy Hour!!!

    We frequented the place quite often when kids were younger and obsessed with their fried rice…read more Since then, the older gentleman who owned the establishment has retired and it changed hands many times. Today we decided to revisit the restaurant for old time's sake. Inside, the main wall was repainted with a new mural. The annual LA Marathon posters, pinned by the staff who participated in the events, were also gone. Nonetheless, it retained its traditional izakaya décor with its counter seating alongside some regular tables. The staff were all new but still very courteous and brought the menu and water right away. New items were added but the core dishes remained the same. For this visit, we ordered our regular items and they arrived in 10 minutes: Eboshi Mini Trio with Shio Ramen, Fried Rice and Gyoza: The fried rice was still top notch, with slightly firm texture, not too oily, and pleasantly seasoned. The Shio Ramen with its clear broth was nicely savory. The thin noodles were cooked perfectly, and the chashu pieces were tender. To complement the set, the gyozas with their delicate wraps had nicely burnt bottoms, and flavorful fillings. Champon Ramen: A complex ramen with an assortment of meat, veggies and seafood. There were sliced pork pieces, shrimps, squids, cabbage, onions, snow peas and many more. The clear broth was quite savory and enriched by oil from sauteed ingredients. The noodles had a very nice texture and were a tad al dente. We were amazed that after all these years, the restaurant retained its original taste and flavor. We found out the reason why while exiting the restaurant: The young cook from two decades ago is now running the open kitchen as head chef. Great food and still reasonable prices. It was totally worth revisiting.

    Photos
    Eboshi Ramen Bar - Inside Wall Art

    Inside Wall Art

    Eboshi Ramen Bar - TanTan Ramen

    TanTan Ramen

    Eboshi Ramen Bar - Entrance

    See all

    Entrance

    Gaburi Chicken - Fried chicken combo

    Gaburi Chicken

    4.4(341 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    So I went to this super popular Japanese restaurant in Torrence called: Gaburi Chicken. It was…read moreabsolutely fabulous. I first had chicken gizzards, which had a nice soft crunch with a kind of rosemary seasoning. Next, I had the half chicken (baked) that was cut at the table. What makes this chicken special is the seasoning and sauce. Cheese was also added to the chicken as well. It was oh so tender and juicy. It had to be the most tender baked chicken I've had. I also had skillet fried garlic rice over eggs which was also seasoned real nice. It was prepared with house made soy sauce along with a special chicken broth. It was amazing! Also, what a great price point.

    My simple meal consisting of excellently seasoned fried chicked and small dishes of steamed rice,…read moremiso soup, and edamame was so satisfying. Chicken and rice may seem basic, but deep-fried dark meat chicken done right, like at Gaburi Chicken, is a comfort food that never fails to make me happy. I enjoyed their chicken a lot because they were flavorful and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Not too chewy or full of tendons. The coating was not greasy, and it was almost airy. The savory chicken didn't really need a sauce, but the mentai mayo I added to my meal was tasty. Two thumbs up for all of the flavors and textures. The restaurant is on Marcelina Ave with some parking directly in front, but we had to park down the street and walk over due to some road closures. Inside is small and simply decorated, and the enclosed outdoor patio had a few tables available for dining. Staff were laidback yet attentive, doing their best to manage the lunch rush. Food did take a while to come out, but it was worth the wait.

    Photos
    Gaburi Chicken - Inside restaurant

    Inside restaurant

    Gaburi Chicken - Matcha Tiramisu ;) They have my favorite Matcha Tiramisu to date!

    Matcha Tiramisu ;) They have my favorite Matcha Tiramisu to date!

    Gaburi Chicken - Bone in Chicken

    See all

    Bone in Chicken

    Waraku - The classic: the bara chirashi never disappoints!

    Waraku

    4.2(797 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    The restaurant is located adjacent to Abalone Ave, different from the location that was shown on…read moreApple/Google Maps. While you were at the corner, you would see its noticeable sign. It felt causal and cozy inside, simple and clean. We arrived late at around 1:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon but the waitress was patient and friendly, guiding us to seats and let us know to order before their kitchen was closed. It had a lunch special menu which showed several special items at a very affordable price. We picked the Negitoro Bowl from this special menu (at half of the regular price). The tuna had a balanced fat and was minced in a manner that I felt it melt in my mouth. It's a good match with rice. The Kaisen Bowl had a variety of seafoods and all of them tasted very fresh! The salty fish roe made the rice more flavorful. The Kaisen Bowl came with a miso soup and a salad. We also ordered a soba which was well cooked. We definitely will go back to try more dishes!

    The food was delicious and the quality felt really good for what I paid. The staff were also very…read morefriendly, and overall it was a nice experience. This was always one of the restaurants I wanted to try, so I was happy I finally got to visit haha. One thing is that the prices are high and the portion felt little small. If you are really hungry, I probably would not recommend ordering only the premium dishes. It might be better to try some of the more affordable menu options too. Still, the food quality was great and I would love to come back again to try different dishes next time.

    Photos
    Waraku - Harami Steak Don

    Harami Steak Don

    Waraku
    Waraku - We have a special selection of Italian and US Wines! Please check our website to see our wine list!

    See all

    We have a special selection of Italian and US Wines! Please check our website to see our wine list!

    Matsui - Oyakodon chicken egg rice.  Not good!

    Matsui

    4.2(793 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Came here for a date night and will definitely be coming back!…read more The meal came with complementary ice tea, I believe it was barley or oolong tea. I ordered the ten toji don combo and a salmon hand roll. The food came out fast and was piping hot. The portions were also huge for not a ton of money. The udon was delicious and the ten toji don was good as well! I loved the combo of the shrimp tempura with the egg. The salmon hand roll tasted fresh as well, 8/10. There is ample seating in the restaurant and lots of parking outside. The restaurant is also located in a shopping plaza with many other restaurants and dessert places.

    I was just starting to eat my meal when the sat a large group breaking them in to tables on both…read moresides of me. So people needed to squeeze by and then one guy asked if he could sit for a moment at my table. I said okay. But then I think he planned to stay at my table until finally my waiter moved him! There was a seat at one their tables the whole time. Then their waitress wedge herself with her back toward me in between the tables and I had to stop eating. Very disruptive and rude. Taking a while for the six people to order so I nudged her and I asked her to move and she seemed upset that I did that but didn't say anything no apology so it was very uncomfortable and I was rushing through my food so I burnt my tongue on the hot soup again even though I knew it was hot because I just wanted to get out of there. And then when I was done, I had to wait a while for the check and then they couldn't process the Apple Pay at the table so then I had to go to the front and wait for somebody to attend to me there overall this experience was not fun and stressful and I had got there right when they opened. I sure wish I had selected a different seat!! I wouldn't get the Nabeyaki soup again. It was really big and had a lot of end pieces of tough napa cabbage. There were two pieced of shitake mushroom and the standard thin fish cake slice. There was and egg in the soup and a three small chicken pieces. On the side were three small pieces of green bean and two tempura shrimp.

    Photos
    Matsui - Inside

    Inside

    Matsui - Pork BBQ Don Combo

    Pork BBQ Don Combo

    Matsui - Japanese Beer Large!

    See all

    Japanese Beer Large!

    Sei-Ko-En Restaurant - japanese - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...