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    Tamaen Reserve

    4.5 (395 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Barbeque
    Open 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Tamaen Reserve Photos

    TAMAEN RESERVE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Liv B.

    We ordered the USDA set, and the quality of the meat was excellent. It came with six different small-portioned appetizers, along with a fresh salad and flavorful garlic rice--everything was absolutely delicious. They also offer traditional Korean oxtail soup, which was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was one of my favorite dishes of the night! The restaurant was clean, and the service was fantastic. Highly recommended!

    Danni Y.

    Tamaen Reserve: trying A5 wagyu for the first time! we got the American wagyu set which came with 5 cuts of american wagyu, beef skewer and an A5 wagyu cut. The meats were all so delicious, you can definitely tell the high quality! The staff were so impressive and nice. We went for our anniversary and they gave us a complimentary dessert! Can't recommend this enough, i already wish we could go back. Note that they have a section of seating that is the traditional japanese booths where you'll take your shoes off, just something to know if anyone has accessibility needs!

    American Wagyu set
    Valentine Q.

    Went here for the first time for my wedding anniversary and it was delicious! American Wagyu set 10/10 This set will fill you up as it comes with a good amount of meat, but ensure you have rice or other dishes to pair with it. Oxtail soup 10/10 Can't go wrong with the flavor and comfort in a bowl Seafood pancake 8/10 It was a little too thick for my personal liking as I usually like more thin and very Crispy. Garlic fried rice 9/10 I liked it a lot but my husband thought the garlic overpowered the meat. He would have rather had the meat with white rice Service was great and had a great ambience! It's pricy but you get what you pay for.

    Yuko H.

    Best Japanese Yakiniku in the area! I came here for dinner while in town and loved everything we had. I started dinner with frozen lemon drinks. I think it had shotsyu or some sort. We ordered various meats and vegetables. This meat tower lets you enjoy the best of the best. Perfect portion size to share two or three people. Service was prompt and the restaurant was very clean. I haven't had such a great quality beef in a while and I thoroughly enjoyed everything bite of my diner. Highly recommend!

    Scallop
    Doreen T.

    On our recent trip to Osaka, we had the most amazing yakiniku meal. As soon as we got home, we turned to Yelp to find something similar nearby and discovered Tamaen. Booking a reservation on OpenTable was easy, but note that starting in 2025, they'll only be open for dinner. The three of us arrived hungry and decided on the Tower Celebrity set meal, which includes garlic rice, a kimchi plate, a vegetable plate, and a green salad. Since the two guys in our group were extra hungry, we added an A5 wagyu ribeye, four scallops, a Tamaen original salad, a seaweed soup, and an egg soup. The A5 wagyu ribeye was the highlight of the meal--it melted in our mouths like butter. We were glad we ordered the Tower set as it gave us a good variety to try and figure out what we liked. While everything else was delicious, we weren't fans of the limited short rib, which was a bit on the chewy side. Although the meal was pricey, it's worth splurging once in a while, especially for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. The experience brought back memories of our trip to Osaka and Kobe and the incredible beef we enjoyed there.

    Danh B.

    Had reservations for 7pm on a Friday night. Got there about 10 minutes early. The place was about 80% full. The host was also the server bussing tables. Service was slow as you can imagine. I think it was 15-20 minutes to take our order as you can imagine. Food was great, but A5 is too fatty for you and only ate half the meal. The hooked it up with free rice of our choice and $20 off the next visit as we were waiting around most of the evening. It took a bit over 2 hours. My favorite was carpaccios and salad.

    Coffee parfait
    Kenny L.

    4.5/5 We have been to the other Tamaen location and wanted to give this one a try. We loved their beef tartare the most and actually got two orders since it was so good and at a decent price. The beef tongue was just okay and a bit too chewy for my taste. However, the Kalbi and roast were delicious. Overall the meat quality Iwas great and we enjoyed our dinner here! The desserts were also very good. This is an authentic Japanese (yakiniku) BBQ place that is a hidden gem in Torrance. The restaurant is not so big so I highly recommend getting reservations. It is clean nice and cozy. They have a large selection of fine wines.

    Rice
    Melissa D.

    Really good! Very good quality in meat! The service was really great. The place is really cute inside. It's really hard to find parking because it is always packed in this plaza. Oh and if you're willing to spend the money in good quality meat then this place is good to come to.

    Allen G.

    Tried out Tamaen Japanese BBQ & Steak in Lomita for some yakiniku. We ordered the Japanese A5 Wagyu Yaki-Shabu, Truffle Salt Beef Skewer, American Wagyu Premium Short Rib Gold, Beef Tartare, Kyoto-Style Grilled Green Onion Roll, and Oxtail Soup. The beef quality was honestly top-tier, especially the A5 Yaki-Shabu -- super tender and rich without being heavy. The Beef Tartare was another standout, really clean and flavorful. You grill everything right at the table, and the staff made it easy to follow along with what to cook and how long. The place itself feels relaxed and unpretentious, good for small groups or date night if you're into Japanese BBQ. Prices are on the higher end, but the quality matches. Overall, it's a spot I'd come back to when craving top-tier beef and a slower-paced meal.

    Andy R.

    My wife and I just went here this past Saturday for dinner. And are we ever glad we did! The service was exemplary and the food even better! We shared one of the course dinners and loved every element of it but the meats are the star of the show. All cooked by yourself yakiniku style so you can have it cooked to your liking. We really liked the short rib and the zabuton cuts!

    Brian W.

    This place is still SO good and we came back for our Annuversary (again)! They even gave us complimentary green tea and strawberry sorbet to make our evening more special. Also, the service is always top notch here. We plan on trying out their steak restaurant eventually too (next door). Thank you guys again for everything!

    Mark H.

    First things first, there are a lot of Japanese steak options in the South Bay. But this spot is on another level. We went with the prime cut beef assortment and seafood platter. Incredible quality beef. Healthy portion sizes. Delicate flavors. The shrimp and scallops were very fresh and well prepared. The kimchi sides and bibimba were perfect compliments. Absolutely top shelf from beginning to end. Friendly staff with a clean and comfortable setup. Everything I was hoping for. Worth your time and money.

    House salad
    Angie G.

    What a great restaurant. We had a wonderful experience during our first visit here. The staff was incredibly friendly and lovely. The food was absolutely delicious. Tasty, quality meats. We had the garlic fried rice and it was heavenly. The house salad was literal perfection. We loved the meats we ordered. Everything came out very quickly which was also nice. I had mentioned to our server that it was my husbands birthday and they brought out the cutest birthday themed ice cream dessert so that was a nice touch. I also loved having a nice hot cup of tea after the meal. 10/10 in terms of service and delicious, quality food. Highly recommend!

    Beef sushi

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    good food, great atmosphere. authentic cuisine. tasty wagyu. located in the heart of Lomita

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    Little over priced but wow, everything is so good! Friendly and fast service too, definitely coming back.

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    Food is excellent and they also have a very nice wine selection. I would be returning soon.

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    2 years ago

    Great service. All the staff was amazing and very fresh. Every single food we ordered was delicious. Highly recommend this place.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Tamaen Reserve Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tamaen Reserve

    Is Shingo San still working at Tamaen?

    No longer

    Is it possible to upgrade to wagyu set so it's enough for 4 people since on the menu it said it's for (2-3 people)?

    Upgrade - not really, You would simply order 2 of them. It depends on how people are hungry for trying things. You can always just split a single piece between couples, as wagyu is pretty fatty, and isn't often consumed en masse. The main idea… 

    How many ounces of each meat do you get in the American wagyu set for 85$?

    Hi John! Thank you for your question!… 

    How early can I make a reservation? And how? I'd like to make a reservation for this coming weekend but I don't see any reservation feature in the app. (I see a waiting list but I think it's only for the day?) Do I need to call when it's open?

    Hi Yoko M! Regarding on making reservation you can make it anytime.… 

    Can I make reservation? Is there special menu for Valentine's Day?

    Yes, you can make reservations. As far as for Valentine's day call them to check on the menu.

    Will you be open for thanksgiving dinner 2018?

    They will be closed thanksgiving

    Is beef sashimi, tartar or sushi available during lunch time? Or is it just those hot plate lunch entrees?

    Hi Alicia H, Week day is only lunch menu only, but only for saturday and sunday all the menu's are… 

    Is self BBQ available during lunch hours or can you only order the lunch special sets then?

    Hi Stella! Thank you for your questions!… 

    Is this a Korean-Japanese BBQ? Going through reviews and photos...all side dishes seem to be Korean...

    It's Japanese BBQ and Steak with some Korean dishes. Certified Kobe Beef and Wagyu Beef are available. Original proprietor is Japanese and wife is Korean/Japanese with extensive experience in restaurant business.That's why you see Korean dishes… 

    View All 11 Questions

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    Yakitori Nishi

    4.8
    (92 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Call ahead to make a reservation - they are reservation only. I saw them turn away a few customers…read morewho did not have reservations. You are allotted 90 minutes, they do a last call 30 minutes before your end time. Yakitori Nishi is situated in an unsuspecting plaza with a hole in the wall feel. As you enter and are seated you're transported to a yakitori bar filled with the smells of charcoal and a vivacious ambiance. If you are not a selective eater, I highly recommend trying every skewer they have! My friend and I ordered the pork belly, chicken meatball, quail egg, chicken thigh with green onion, fried tofu, zucchini, fried onigiri (grilled rice ball), and the potato (with butter). There were also specials off menu - we tried the chicken sasami which was incredibly tender. All the skewers were seasoned so well and the charcoal made a huge difference in the experience. We did pair our proteins with the onigiri and potato which filled us up. There were condiments to complement the skewers - Japanese spice powder, yuzu kosho, vinegar, and soy sauce. I pretty much had the yuzu kosho with everything. I'm not sure if there was something wrong with their AC, but it was quite hot in there! After a while you get used to it and adds to the authenticity of enjoying a yakitori on a hot summer evening in Japan.

    Went again for some more yakitori on a weekday night. Called in for an rsvp…read more Food was as tasty as last time around - not as many specials this time around and no skirt steak unfortunately. However, we made up for it by ordering a few more other skewers. Experience was good as 14 days ago - will be back!

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    Inside, entrance
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    Kotosh

    Kotosh

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
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    definitely didn't disappoint! The Japanese-Peruvian fusion is such a fun combination, and…read moreeverything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The lomo saltado was tender and packed with flavor, the seafood rice was loaded with shrimp, mussels, and seafood in every bite, and the chicken katsu was perfectly crispy. We also shared sushi, and it was just as fresh and delicious as the entrées. The service was friendly and attentive without hovering, and the restaurant was clean with a relaxed atmosphere that made it easy to enjoy a long meal with family. If you're looking for something a little different than your typical sushi spot, this is definitely worth checking out. We'll be back to work our way through more of the menu!

    Wound up here by mistake and ended up being such a lucky find! The hospitality was absolutely…read moreamazing. Asked the waitress for help deciding and she recommended the shrimp chupe. Amazing! Like a corn and seafood chowder. Perfect for cool breezy afternoon. We had the lomo de carne and the chaufa de carne. Both phenomenal. Next time we'll have some of the ceviche or fusion sushi but it was hard to pass up the Peruvian food and it was delicious so we definitely made a good choice. Recommend you leave some room for the alfajor. That darn cookie sandwich was melt in your mouth delicious. Everything was 10/10. I cannot recommend this place enough.

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    Specialty rolls, sushi, sashimi, traditional rolls side orders & kids meals
    Specialty rolls, sushi, sashimi, traditional rolls side orders & kids meals
    Cebiche De Pescado. Too acidic for me.
    Cebiche De Pescado. Too acidic for me.
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    HIKARI Japanese BBQ & Grill

    HIKARI Japanese BBQ & Grill

    4.5
    (281 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    Returned for my husband's birthday, and was another successful dinner…read more This time we ordered the No. 4 chef's omakase and it was better than the No. 2 - Chef's Omakase in our opinion. The meats are seriously so filling. On an unexpectedly busy Monday night, the service was great. My husband and I received dessert on the house (Yuzu panacotta) for his birthday which was very kind of them. I've already recommended this place for a few friends and family since we enjoy it so much. Definitely a place to splurge if you have the money, but it seems to be one of our regular spots now for anniversary and birthdays. Expecting another return in the near future.

    HIKARI is probably my favorite Japanese bbq spots in LA, the quality here is top tier and the…read moreselection of meats is pretty wide. The portions are small, but the quality makes up for it. Last time we also ordered a beef tendon stew and it was sweet like a sukiyaki and so delicious. This is the perfect JBBQ spot if you typically don't have a huge appetite The space is small and cozy and the service is really good, the servers are friendly and make you feel at home They used to have more sauces for dipping your meats like wasabi and salt but more recently it's been just soy sauce. The soy sauce is good but I hope they bring back the other dipping sauces

    Photos
    Interior of the restaurant.
photo: Atsushi "2GO" Miyoshi
    Interior of the restaurant. photo: Atsushi "2GO" Miyoshi
    Thick Cut Beef Tongues Chunky but Tender Pray.  Melting in mouth.  Gotta have item.
    Thick Cut Beef Tongues Chunky but Tender Pray. Melting in mouth. Gotta have item.
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    Eboshi Ramen Bar

    Eboshi Ramen Bar

    4.0
    (564 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    My friend wanted to show me a great Japanese spot after we saw the Dodgers win, which was my first…read moreDodgers game as well, by the way. Eboshi is the perfect place for some late-night eats and has some classically great Japanese bar food. We got a variety of dishes, including one of their strawberry/cranberry beers, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Furthermore, we got everything that you would want from a nice day out or a nice night out: pork, alongside a vegetable dish, alongside a great takoyaki dish, and what I'd highly recommend is their fried rice and gyoza. Service was excellent, and they tool care of us every which way :)

    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!!!

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    Shoya Izakaya

    Shoya Izakaya

    3.8
    (63 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    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!!

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    The Steak Library

    The Steak Library

    4.4
    (152 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$$

    This is a hidden gem in Lomita, located in a small shopping center. The inside is a calming vibe,…read morelooks upscale, very nice! The food was great! It was a nice presentation and full experience. We enjoyed the cotton candy wagyu, prior to having our tasty ribeye with the truffle potatoes. Ending dinner with crème brûlée cheesecake, matcha parfait and some vanilla ice cream. I'd definitely recommend everyone to try the cotton candy wagyu, it was a fun, tasty bite. The ribeye was amazing, flavorful and just the right size. The truffle potatoes were shared, which means it was a generous portion. I could have eaten it all by myself of how tasty they were-lol. The service was great, from host to servers. Very friendly and polite. Plenty of parking is available considering it's in a small shopping center. I'm not much of an alcohol drinker, however notice they had a nice bar, with hooks for the ladies to store their purse while there. Overall, a nice place to enjoy a tasty meal!

    The Food Library was an interesting experience, and one that left me a bit conflicted…read more The service was excellent from start to finish. The dining room is relatively small, with roughly 10 to 15 tables, and the two employees working the floor were hustling all evening and did a genuinely nice job taking care of everyone. The food itself was solid. The standout dish of the night was actually the grilled asparagus, which came with a soy-based preparation that was absolutely outstanding, perfectly tender and cooked just right. The wedge salad was also very good, and both the 16oz ribeye@$86, and the 8oz filet mignon @$76 were well prepared and enjoyable. Where things became more complicated for me was the overall value proposition. The prices are undeniably steep, especially for Lomita. Whenever I dine somewhere upscale, I inevitably ask myself whether, for the same money, I would have rather gone somewhere else. In this case, the answer was yes. I was also a bit disappointed to discover that there is no full bar. The restaurant seems to steer guests toward wine and sake, with only a handful of beer options available. Unfortunately, the first two beers I ordered, an IPA and then a Modelo, both on the menu, both out of stock, which certainly didn't help my overall impression. The dining room itself felt somewhat drab, all black walls, and lacked the refinement that I would expect at this price point. Dark walls and a crystal chandelier create an interesting contrast, but small details stood out for the wrong reasons. For example, I noticed exposed holes in the bar where a purse hook or latch had apparently been relocated. It may seem minor, but details like that matter when you're charging premium prices. At the end of the night, my wife and I walked out more than $300 lighter. While the food was undeniably good and the service was attentive, the experience simply didn't feel like a $300 evening to us. Overall, The Food Library delivers quality food and hardworking service, but for the price, I left wishing the atmosphere and overall experience matched the bill a bit more closely.

    Photos
    Seating  03-08-2024
    Seating 03-08-2024
    Dry aged Tomahawk Steak
    Dry aged Tomahawk Steak
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    Torrance Yokocho

    Torrance Yokocho

    3.7
    (198 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    First, the ambience is very trendy and resembles a Tokyo alleyway. You order your food via screens…read moreon each table. Service is very fast and food is typical Japanese cuisine. The sushi rolls, cucumber salad were great. The regular dinner salad was ok. Ramen and other dishes were good. They have privacy curtains in each booth which adds a nice touch. The overall experience is good but i would have like the wow factor to extend towards the cuisine.

    I Lost a Game of Reflexes, but Won at Dinner Despite living…read morea 5 minute drive away from here since the dawn of time, we somehow missed this absolute gem of an Izakaya (first timers trying it). We walked in right on time for our reservation (because we're adults who respect the space-time continuum) and were ushered into a booth with "privatey" curtains. I'm not saying they'd hide you from the FBI, but they certainly provided enough cover for us to giggle and navigate stupidly through the menu. You can also order directly to a friendly human too. The atmosphere is colorful, lively, unstuffy, and private enough to enjoy good convo but not awko quiet. You order everything via an iPad, which is dangerous because when pictures of gyoza are staring you in the face, your impulse control vanishes. We ordered "a little bit of everything," which is code for "the table was structurally compromised by the weight of our dinner." * The Highlights: The pickled cucumbers (crisp enough to hear in the next county), the pork bowl, and sushi that actually tasted like it came from the ocean. The Fluids: Cold Asahi and Lemon Chu-His. Highly recommended if you enjoy being happy. The Verdict This spot is a unicorn--it works for kids, first dates, or "290th dates" where you both just want to stare at an iPad and eat kimchi in a tent. The Heartbreak They have a "10-Second Hit It" game at the front door where you can win a free meal. We were this close. We didn't win, but we're definitely going back to seek revenge.

    Photos
    Torrance Yokocho
    Torrance Yokocho
    Torrance Yokocho

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    Iccho Restaurant

    Iccho Restaurant

    3.8
    (408 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    So so delish! My friends and I came out to eat. Our group…read morehad the Curry Pork Cutlet, Curry Chicken Cutlet, Beef Curry Udon Noodle Soup, and the Hamburg Steak with Ponzu. I personally had the Hamburg Steak with Ponzu Dinner plate. It came with Miso Soup, Fresh Salad with a very refreshing sauce, the Hamburg Steak, and a side of rice. I also got a taste of the pork katsu curry and it was nice and flavorful. Overall, absolutely amazing flavors and well worth the price. Bussin bussin fr fr Service was so quick, we got our food very quickly. We already had miso within a couple of minutes and salad showed up as soon as i finished my miso soup. The server was very sweet and checked in on us to male sure everything was going well. We came in and there were a couple of groups already in the establishment and there was another couple and a regular that came in. There is ample space to sit and eat. Regardless of the amount of people in the establishment, the ambiance was atill relaxing and calm. No music, but I personally enjoyed that as i think it encourages light conversation.

    We dined here for the first time last week. To be honest, we've walked past this location many…read moretimes without going in. From the outside it looked lonely and deserted. But once inside it was crowded, lovely and electric. We were fortunate to be seated at a vacant table without a wait. It was obvious this was a hidden well-attended gem. I had the Stir Fried Clams in Garlic Butter Broth and my guest dined with the Stir Fried Pork & Cabbage in Garlic-Pepper Sauce. These were very reasonably priced main dishes and were excellently presented. Both had a lovely aroma and exquisite taste. My dish had a unique, wonderful taste and certainly didn't need any extra sauces or seasoning. It was more than adequate as a complete meal (although we sid have appetizers). My first and I had a great time dining here and will definitely return. Parking is easy. There is a small parking area just outside the restaurant as well as an enormous parking area very nearby. The parking lot is shared by several business including a CPK but there was plenty of room to park. This restaurant has my unconditional endorsement.

    Photos
    Restaurant interior
    Restaurant interior
    3/21/2025 bacon mochi cheese skewer
    3/21/2025 bacon mochi cheese skewer
    Ika

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    Ika

    Tamaen Reserve - japanese - Updated August 2026

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